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Amami-Oshima island has experienced a major coral bleaching event this summer, with 61.2% of its corals killed due to rising ocean temperatures, reaching levels comparable to the devastating 1998 mass bleaching event. The research association remains optimistic about the corals' ability to recover, noting that deeper water corals have been largely spared and there are no signs of the crown-of-thorns starfish.

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son is planning to secure a $16 billion loan to invest in artificial intelligence, with additional borrowing of up to $8 billion planned for early 2026. This financial strategy is part of a broader initiative involving significant investments in AI ventures such as ChatGPT's owner OpenAI, and it ties into a collaborative venture with Oracle and others, announced at the White House.

Woven City, a $10 billion project by Toyota, is a living laboratory near Mount Fuji where the company will test robotics, AI, and autonomous vehicles in a real-world setting. The first phase of construction is complete, and the city will initially house 100 residents who will work for Toyota and partner companies.

Government officials are drafting legislation that would require AI companies involved in serious human rights violations to be publicly named and shamed, though without imposing fines or criminal penalties to avoid stifling innovation. The law, set to be introduced in February, also empowers authorities to investigate discriminatory or harmful AI-generated content and enforce cooperation from businesses.

Seven & i Holdings is preparing for the retirement of President Ryuichi Isaka, with outside director Stephen Hayes Dacus poised to become the first non-Japanese leader of the company. The move comes alongside a significant acquisition proposal from Canadian firm Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., as Seven & i looks to boost corporate value and expand its overseas operations.