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The Japanese government has approved a bill introducing stricter regulations on AI to prevent harmful applications that violate human rights, spread misinformation, or break laws. This move signifies a shift from the previous reliance on self-regulation and aligns with the global trend of regulating AI to mitigate potential negative impacts.

Japan's new supercomputer, ABCI 3.0, began operation on January 20th, 2023. This powerful machine, equipped with a large number of GPUs, boasts the highest computing capacity of any public supercomputer in Japan and is expected to play a crucial role in advancing AI research and development in the country.

Seven political parties in Japan have proposed legislation to prevent a repeat of the chaotic 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election, where many candidates sold their poster space for commercial purposes. The bill aims to uphold the dignity of elections and prevent abuse by requiring clear candidate identification and imposing fines for commercial advertising.

Defense ministers from Japan and the United States will attend a joint memorial service on Iwo Jima for the first time, marking 80 years since the end of World War II and symbolizing the strong alliance between the two nations. The meeting also serves as an opportunity to discuss further defense cooperation and increased spending by Japan.

Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard is exploring the sale of its U.S. stores to facilitate regulatory approval for its proposed $47 billion acquisition of Japan's Seven & i Holdings, which operates the 7-Eleven chain. The deal faces significant antitrust concerns in the U.S., where the two companies are the top players in the convenience store market.