Bacha Coffee Brings Old-World Elegance to Tokyo’s Ginza

Stepping into a Bacha Coffee café feels less like entering a coffee shop and more like being transported into a carefully curated world of luxury. Polished surfaces gleam, ornate details catch the light, and every element seems designed to elevate the simple act of drinking coffee into a refined ritual. The Singapore-based brand has built… Continue reading Bacha Coffee Brings Old-World Elegance to Tokyo’s Ginza

Samsung Poised to Power OpenAI’s First AI Wearable With Exynos Chip

Samsung Electronics appears to be on the verge of landing a high-profile semiconductor win, with its Exynos application processor expected to power OpenAI’s upcoming artificial intelligence wearable device. If finalized, the deal would extend Samsung’s chip business beyond smartphones and smartwatches into the fast-emerging AI wearables market, while deepening ties with one of the world’s… Continue reading Samsung Poised to Power OpenAI’s First AI Wearable With Exynos Chip

Sakemaking Finds New Soil Beyond Japan, From India to Southeast Asia

Sake has long been synonymous with Japan, shaped by centuries of tradition, climate and craftsmanship. Yet today, the iconic rice-based drink is quietly establishing roots far from its birthplace. From Southeast Asia to South Asia, a growing number of brewers and chefs are experimenting with sake production, adapting it to local ingredients, cuisines and drinking… Continue reading Sakemaking Finds New Soil Beyond Japan, From India to Southeast Asia

Japan Reaches a Milestone as Self-Driving Bus Debuts on Public Roads in Greater Tokyo

Japan has taken a significant step toward the future of autonomous transportation, with a self-driving bus operating on public roads in the greater Tokyo area for the first time. The trial, launched on Tuesday by a research team from the University of Tokyo, marks a major advance in the country’s efforts to bring highly automated… Continue reading Japan Reaches a Milestone as Self-Driving Bus Debuts on Public Roads in Greater Tokyo

Korea’s Winter Cod Is Disappearing — And So Is a Seasonal Tradition

For generations, winter in Korea has been inseparable from cod. As temperatures dropped, the cold-loving fish would migrate south through the East Sea, filling coastal waters and markets with one of the season’s most cherished ingredients. From home kitchens to neighborhood soup houses, cod signaled the arrival of winter meals meant to warm the body… Continue reading Korea’s Winter Cod Is Disappearing — And So Is a Seasonal Tradition

Japan and South Korea Seek Closer Partnership as Regional Tensions Reshape Diplomacy

Nara, Japan — Against the backdrop of rising friction between Japan and China, Tokyo and Seoul are signaling a renewed commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met in Nara on Tuesday, where they emphasized the “strategic importance” of strengthening ties and agreed to advance… Continue reading Japan and South Korea Seek Closer Partnership as Regional Tensions Reshape Diplomacy

Dark Horses or Long Shots? Australian Open Field Lacks Clear-Cut Challengers

As the Australian Open unfolds at Melbourne Park, the men’s draw tells a familiar story—one dominated by a small elite at the very top, with limited room for genuine surprises. While the tournament could once again belong to Jannik Sinner, who is chasing a third consecutive title, or deliver a historic milestone for Carlos Alcaraz… Continue reading Dark Horses or Long Shots? Australian Open Field Lacks Clear-Cut Challengers

U.S. Convening Allies on Rare Earths as China–Japan Frictions Highlight Supply Risks

The United States is set to host high-level talks this week on the future of rare earth supplies, bringing together finance and economic officials from the Group of Seven and key partner economies. The meeting reflects growing concern among advanced economies about their dependence on China for materials that are essential to modern industry —… Continue reading U.S. Convening Allies on Rare Earths as China–Japan Frictions Highlight Supply Risks

North Korea Unlikely to Join Probe Into Alleged Drone Incident

North Korea is not expected to cooperate with South Korea’s proposal for a joint investigation into an alleged drone intrusion, according to analysts, dampening hopes that the incident could reopen stalled inter-Korean dialogue. Pyongyang has accused South Korea of sending drones into its airspace on two occasions — once last September and again in early… Continue reading North Korea Unlikely to Join Probe Into Alleged Drone Incident

The Korean flavour winning over New York

“I became interested after seeing actor Lee Kwang-soo on a variety show. In Japan it is even introduced as a must-try course,” Haru, a 26-year-old visitor from Okayama, said as she picked out two palm-sized glass bottles from a narrow alley shop in central Seoul on Jan. 2. The store was not selling K-pop merchandise… Continue reading The Korean flavour winning over New York