News

The Japanese government has approved a bill introducing stricter regulations on artificial intelligence, aiming to prevent harmful applications that could violate human rights, spread misinformation, or break laws. The bill also promotes responsible AI development and utilization, marking a shift from previous reliance on self-regulation.

The reconstructed bust of a woman who lived in Tottori 1,800 years ago reveals her physical features, including light skin, straight hair, and double eyelids. The project, a collaboration between Tottori Prefecture and the National Museum of Nature and Science, offers insights into the appearance and genetic characteristics of our ancestors.

Alimentation Couche-Tard's $47 billion bid for Seven & i Holdings faces resistance from the Japanese company, which cites antitrust concerns and a lack of detailed divestiture plans. Couche-Tard is attempting to address these concerns and gain public support in Japan, but the outcome of the deal remains uncertain.

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.