Tag - tech

 
 

TECH

AIREC, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven humanoid robot, demonstrates a maneuver for changing diapers or preventing bedsores in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Society
Mar 1, 2025
AI robots may hold key to nursing Japan's aging population
Japan is the world's most advanced aging society with a falling birth rate, dwindling working-age population and restrictive immigration policies.
The government adopted a bill to help prevent cases of human rights abuses and other malicious activities related to the use of artificial intelligence but without hindering businesses' willingness to develop the technology.
JAPAN
Feb 28, 2025
New bill lets government publicize names of firms who maliciously use AI
The bill doesn't include "excessive regulations" that could impede technological innovation, the science and technology policy minister said.
An electronic board in Tokyo shows the 225-issue Nikkei average dropping over 1,000 points on Friday morning.
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 28, 2025
Asian chip shares tumble on Nvidia earnings and tariff fears
A Bloomberg gauge of 25 Japanese chip-related stocks sank as much as 4.5%, the biggest intraday fall since September.
Jins' new device, called the "Jins Assist," allows users to click and move the cursor of a computer via head movements.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 27, 2025
Eyeglass company Jins' new device lets people use a PC via head movements
Weighing only 4 grams, Jins' device can help people with hand or arm disabilities navigate a computer through small head movements.
The logo of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 26, 2025
DeepSeek reopens AI model access as China rivalry heats up
The startup has been overwhelmed since unveiling an AI chatbot believed to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT despute deing developed at a fraction of the cost of competing products.
An Apple store in Walnut Creek, California, on Monday. Apple Inc. Apple investors rejected a proposal to end the iPhone maker’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, but CEO Tim Cook some some adjustments may occur.
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 26, 2025
Apple to keep DEI efforts, though some adjustments possible
The proposal to abolish DEI efforts came after competitors like Meta and Google have started winding down such programs.
A sample of a wafer is seen at the Semicon Taiwan 2022 exhibition in Taipei in 2022.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 26, 2025
China says Taiwan seeking to give away chip industry to U.S.
U.S. media has said Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has been in talks for a stake in Intel.
U.S. President Donald Trump's officials recently met with their Japanese and Dutch counterparts about restricting Tokyo Electron and ASML engineers from maintaining semiconductor gear in China, according to people familiar with the matter.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Trump team seeks to toughen Biden’s chip controls over China
The move is an early indication the new U.S. president plans to expand efforts that began under Joe Biden to limit Beijing’s technological prowess.
Visitors take pictures of wafer samples at the Intel booth during Computex 2024 in Taipei on June 4, 2024. U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on semiconductor chips has complicated Taiwan's bid to remain a global powerhouse in the critical sector and stay onside with key backer Washington, analysts said.
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 25, 2025
Trump's chip tariff threats raise stakes for Taiwan
Taiwan produces more than half of the world's chips and nearly all of the most advanced ones, making the island essential to global supply chains.
Elon Musk's Starlink is facing challenges from a Chinese state-backed rival and another service financed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos.
BUSINESS / Tech
Feb 24, 2025
Musk's Starlink races with Chinese rivals to dominate satellite internet
China's rush to occupy more of lower-Earth orbit makes Western policymakers worry it could extend the reach of Beijing's internet censorship regime.
Toyota unveils a part of Woven City in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Saturday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 24, 2025
Toyota unveils Woven City to test future mobility
The demonstration city includes roads dedicated to automated mobility on the ground and "logistics streets."
The uncertain reaction to Xi Jinping’s display of warmth toward business made sense: China’s executives are eager for a reset after years in the cold but ever wary of meddling.
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 24, 2025
Is Xi’s sudden embrace of business for real? China is left guessing
China's private sector has good reasons to worry that Beijing could meddle more in businesses in the name of supporting them.
Under the law, information such as race, social status, medical history and any criminal record is designated as sensitive personal information, and obtaining such information requires prior consent from the individuals concerned.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Feb 23, 2025
Japan may ease privacy rules to aid AI development
The move is intended to make it easier for AI-related businesses to utilize personal information.
NEC's safety confirmation system for local governments to use in the event of a disaster
JAPAN
Feb 22, 2025
Japan eyeing IT to help those in need of assistance during disasters
By digitalizing operations previously done on paper, the country hopes to streamline efforts to help vulnerable people during disasters.
Nissan in recent weeks has been searching for a strategic partner in the tech industry, with some board members suggesting Tesla and Apple as ideal targets, the Financial Times reported.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 21, 2025
Japan seeks Tesla investment in Nissan as Foxconn approaches Honda
Taiwan's Foxconn has reportedly proposed forming a partnership with Honda, aiming for a framework that would also include Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors.
Many Japanese companies like Toto have quietly shifted from consumer-facing products like toilets to specialized, high-value industries such as semiconductor materials, proving that Japan's innovation remains strong despite its lower global visibility.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 21, 2025
Japan’s toilet jokes are on you. Innovation is flourishing.
One of the most surprising stories in corporate Japan in recent months has been the emergence of semiconductor materials as a significant profit driver at Toto.
About 80% of children in Australia between the ages of 8 and 12 used at least one social media platform in 2024.
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Feb 21, 2025
Underage social media users show large Australian breaches
About 80% of children in Australia between 8 and 12 used at least one platform in 2024, a watchdog report has found.
The scramble to take Fuji Soft private is rooted in the value of the software company’s trove of human resources and real estate.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 20, 2025
KKR wins control of $4.4 billion Fuji Soft after Bain clash
KKR aims to acquire the remaining shares in the software company through a squeeze-out process.
Resonac Holdings CEO Hidehito Takahashi
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 19, 2025
Resonac explores deal structures for possible JSR takeover
A deal would be a key step in the chemicals maker’s ambition to corner the Japanese artificial intelligence semiconductor materials market.
The panic over Nvidia’s stock drop following China's DeepSeek AI breakthrough has subsided. Nvidia’s stock has rebounded, fueled by Elon Musk’s xAI and its latest chatbot, Grok-3, which benefits from an enormous Nvidia GPU stockpile.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 19, 2025
Nvidia revival marks the end of the great DeepSeek AI panic
Despite competition from other chipmakers and concerns over U.S. export restrictions, Nvidia remains central to AI development due to its CUDA software platform.

Longform

The sun shines from behind a waving Philippine flag at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Eighty years after the Battle of Manila, old foes forge new ties