News

Asian markets were mixed on Wednesday ahead of a crucial interest rate decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve, with Japan's Nikkei 225 edging up while Hong Kong's Hang Seng and the Shanghai Composite remained relatively flat. Wall Street had a rough day on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.1% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.6%.

The Liberal Democratic Party's decision to field former lawmaker Mio Sugita in the Upper House election has sparked backlash due to her past discriminatory remarks, raising concerns within the party and from the public. Despite calls for self-reflection and a fuller explanation from Sugita, the LDP leadership ultimately left the decision to voters in the upcoming election.

AIREC, an AI-driven humanoid robot, is being developed in Japan to assist with the care of the elderly, addressing the challenges of the country's aging population and chronic shortage of aged-care workers. While the robot is not expected to be ready for use in nursing-care and medical facilities until around 2030, it demonstrates the potential of technology to play a significant role in addressing the challenges of an aging society.

Hokkaido's land prices have experienced a significant surge, particularly in tourist hotspots like Niseko, fueled by a surge in demand for vacation homes and hotels driven by foreign visitors. This influx has resulted in a housing shortage for workers and a rise in rents in popular tourist destinations, posing challenges for both residents and businesses.

Japan Airlines has become the first airline to operate an international flight with a riblet-shaped paint coating on its aircraft, inspired by the skin of sharks to reduce air resistance and carbon emissions. This innovative technology is expected to significantly contribute to the aviation industry's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.