What was once a niche seasonal attraction has quickly become a popular way to experience the holidays in Japan. Christmas markets are now a common sight across major cities, with shopping districts, parks, and large commercial developments hosting festive events that draw both local residents and international visitors. Modeled largely on traditional German Christmas markets,… Continue reading Christmas Markets Find a Growing Home in Japan
Author: Jai Thakkar
Son Heung-min’s Free Kick Named South Korea’s Goal of the Year
A beautifully struck free kick by Son Heung-min has been voted the best goal in South Korean football for 2025, earning the national team captain another fan-selected honor for his highlight-reel finish. The Korea Football Association announced that supporters chose Son’s curling right-footed effort from a friendly match against Bolivia as the standout goal of… Continue reading Son Heung-min’s Free Kick Named South Korea’s Goal of the Year
Tokyo Extends Its Reign as a Global Dining Capital in the Michelin Guide 2026
Tokyo has once again reinforced its reputation as one of the world’s most influential food cities, retaining its top position in the latest Michelin Guide. The newly released 2026 edition highlights the extraordinary depth and diversity of the Japanese capital’s dining scene, awarding Michelin stars to a total of 160 restaurants across the city. In… Continue reading Tokyo Extends Its Reign as a Global Dining Capital in the Michelin Guide 2026
Global Brands Unite to Push for Slavery-Free Supply Chains
Some of the world’s largest consumer brands are stepping up efforts to tackle forced labor and improve transparency in global supply chains. Companies ranging from Nestlé and Kellogg to retail giant Walmart have thrown their support behind a new international initiative aimed at strengthening ethical and sustainable sourcing practices. The effort is being led by… Continue reading Global Brands Unite to Push for Slavery-Free Supply Chains
Alzheimer’s Drug Research Takes Cues From Cancer’s Multi-Target Strategy
Efforts to develop effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are increasingly moving away from a single-target approach and toward a more complex strategy inspired by advances in cancer therapy. Recent clinical trials — including those that did not achieve their intended outcomes — are reinforcing the idea that Alzheimer’s is driven by multiple biological pathways rather… Continue reading Alzheimer’s Drug Research Takes Cues From Cancer’s Multi-Target Strategy
Experts Warn Rollback of Hepatitis B Guidance Could Weaken Disease Prevention in the U.S.
Public health experts are raising alarms after U.S. vaccine advisers moved to scale back long-standing recommendations for hepatitis B immunization in newborns, a decision they say could reverse decades of progress in preventing a serious and potentially life-threatening infection. For more than 30 years, U.S. health authorities have advised that all infants receive a hepatitis… Continue reading Experts Warn Rollback of Hepatitis B Guidance Could Weaken Disease Prevention in the U.S.
South Korea Introduces a New Era of Ultra-Fast Rail Travel
South Korea has taken a major step forward in rail innovation with the completion of a next-generation high-speed train designed to dramatically cut travel times across the country. Government officials announced that the core technologies behind the new model have now been finalized, positioning Korea among the global leaders in advanced rail systems. The train,… Continue reading South Korea Introduces a New Era of Ultra-Fast Rail Travel
Business leaders agree AI is the future. They just wish it worked right now.
Last spring, CellarTracker, a wine-collection app, built an artificial intelligence-powered sommelier to make unvarnished wine recommendations based on a person’s palate. The problem was the chatbot was too nice. “It’s just very polite, instead of just saying, ‘It’s really unlikely you’ll like the wine,’” CellarTracker CEO Eric LeVine said. It took six weeks of trial… Continue reading Business leaders agree AI is the future. They just wish it worked right now.
Japan Plans ¥1 Trillion Boost for Domestic AI Development
Japan is preparing to invest around ¥1 trillion ($6.3 billion) over five years to support the development of home-grown artificial intelligence, according to people familiar with the plan. The funding is expected to begin in fiscal 2026. The initiative will involve a new company formed by roughly 10 firms, including SoftBank Group, with the goal… Continue reading Japan Plans ¥1 Trillion Boost for Domestic AI Development
Japan Considers Language Requirement for Permanent Residency
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is weighing whether to make Japanese language proficiency a requirement for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency. The proposal is part of a broader policy package on foreign residents that the party plans to submit to the government soon. Party officials say the idea was prompted by reports of communication issues… Continue reading Japan Considers Language Requirement for Permanent Residency