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Part-time workers in Japan saw a record-high 6.53% wage increase during the "shunto" spring labor negotiations, driven by the ongoing labor shortage and efforts to address the wage gap. This marks the ninth consecutive year that part-time workers' wage increases have outpaced those of regular employees.

Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a veiled criticism of Donald Trump, called for international cooperation and support for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of unity and adherence to multilateralism in the face of global challenges. He urged Japan to step up its efforts towards peace and warned against a world dominated by self-serving "deals" that could undermine the free and open international order.

Tokyo officials plan to subsidize smartphones for elderly residents who don't own one, aiming to bridge the digital divide and ensure everyone has access to planned digital services. The initiative also includes expanding support for community tech assistance workshops and promoting the government's smartphone app with features like public services and administrative registration.

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, ignited controversy by suggesting that foreigners in Japan should not receive the same level of healthcare access as citizens. This sparked a heated debate on xenophobia and the sustainability of Japan's national health insurance program.

The rollout of an AI system designed to assist child welfare centers in identifying abusive situations has been postponed due to concerns about its accuracy and reliability. The agency has decided to focus on developing tools for transcribing and summarizing interviews at child welfare centers instead.