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The rollout of an AI system designed to help child welfare centers identify abusive situations has been postponed due to concerns about its accuracy and reliability. The AI frequently missed significant signs of severe abuse during trials, prompting the Children and Families Agency to delay its introduction.

Asian markets rose on Friday, shrugging off another decline on Wall Street, with markets in China gaining after state-run banks were ordered to do more to help spur consumer spending. Meanwhile, Wall Street's sell-off deepened as President Donald Trump's escalating trade war dragged the S&P 500 more than 10% below the record it set last month.

Foreign ministers from Japan, China, and South Korea will meet in Tokyo for the first time in nearly a year and a half to discuss promoting people-to-people exchanges, cooperation on regional issues, and a trilateral summit later this year. The meeting also includes a high-level economic dialogue between Japan and China to address outstanding issues such as China's ban on Japanese seafood imports.

Trade minister Yoji Muto met with senior U.S. administration officials in Washington on March 10 to discuss the potential imposition of tariffs on Japanese goods. Muto failed to secure assurances from the officials that Japan would be spared the tariffs, but he said that Japan will continue to make its case in future discussions with the United States.

Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a veiled criticism of Donald Trump, called for international cooperation and support for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for global unity and respect for the rule of law. He urged Japan to take a more active role in promoting peace, rather than leaving it solely to Europe.