Global equities rebounded on Tuesday after Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire with Russia, but concerns about the economic impact of U.S. tariffs continued to weigh on sentiment. The S&P 500 gained 0.2% after suffering its biggest one-day drop this year on Monday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.45%.
Japan deported 17 asylum seekers under a new law that allows for the deportation of those whose refugee applications have been rejected twice. The new law also includes a supplementary protection certification program for those fleeing nations engaged in warfare, which granted long-term resident status to over 1,600 individuals in 2024.
The ruling coalition and opposition Nippon Ishin agreed on education and social welfare policies, including free senior high school education and lower social insurance premiums, paving the way for the passage of the fiscal 2025 budget. This agreement requires further discussions with other opposition parties, particularly regarding the proposed increase in the minimum income level for income tax.
The Japanese government is considering new regulations to publicly identify and shame AI companies responsible for serious human rights violations, while refraining from imposing criminal penalties or fines to avoid stifling innovation. This move aims to combat disinformation and discriminatory biases associated with artificial intelligence.
In response to Japan's rapidly aging population and chronic shortage of aged-care workers, researchers at Waseda University are developing AIREC, an AI-driven humanoid robot capable of assisting with daily tasks and providing nursing care. While challenges remain in terms of safety and cost, AIREC represents a promising step towards a future where robots play a significant role in elder care.