News

Opposition parties in Japan are escalating their pressure on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over the handling of unreported political funds within party factions. This follows revelations about shady practices involving the return of excess funds raised through fundraising parties to individual lawmakers.

SoftBank Corp. and the University of Electro-Communications are collaborating on SureTalk, an AI-powered app that translates sign language gestures into text, aiming to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and hearing communities. The app has been undergoing trials with municipal governments and played a role in events like the Tokyo Deaflympics, with hopes for wider implementation in public spaces.

Wall Street rebounded on Monday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.6% after a turbulent week, but concerns about the Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision and President Trump's trade war continue to cast a shadow. Investors will be closely watching Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's announcement on Wednesday for clues about future interest rate cuts.

Japan successfully launched the Michibiki No. 6 satellite on its H3 rocket, marking a significant step towards achieving independence from foreign satellite navigation systems. This launch represents the fourth consecutive success for the H3 rocket, demonstrating its growing reliability and viability in the global market.

Japan sent a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in early February, sending a "political message to China" in response to its growing military presence around Japan's southwestern waters. The Akizuki also participated in a joint exercise with the United States, Australia, and the Philippines in the South China Sea.