News

AIREC, an AI-driven humanoid robot, demonstrates its potential as a future caregiver for Japan's aging population, offering assistance with daily tasks and medical needs. While challenges remain in terms of safety and cost, AIREC represents a promising step towards addressing the growing shortage of aged care workers.

Rengo, Japan's largest umbrella labor union group, is demanding an average wage increase above 6%, marking the highest request in over 30 years and aligning with government and central bank efforts to promote sustainable economic growth. This move is expected to influence monetary policies and comes amid growing expectations of further interest rate increases by the Bank of Japan.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba apologized for giving gift certificates to newly elected lawmakers, sparking criticism from opposition parties and even members of his own coalition who questioned the legality and appropriateness of the gesture. The controversy has further damaged the LDP's image and raised concerns about the party's culture of political donations.

In 2024, the average price of new condominiums in Japan surpassed 60 million yen ($402,000) for the first time, marking an eighth consecutive yearly high due to increasing construction and labor expenses. Although Tokyo’s central districts experienced a slight price drop, other cities saw significant increases, with some exceeding the 100 million yen mark.

The stock market rebounded slightly on Tuesday after Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire with Russia, but concerns about the economic impact of U.S. tariffs and a potential recession continued to weigh on investor sentiment. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.45%, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.05%.