News

Seven & i Holdings, the Japanese operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, has appointed its first foreign CEO, Stephen Dacus, to lead a major restructuring of the company. The move comes after a tumultuous six months that began with a $47 billion takeover bid from Canadian Circle-K operator Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT).

Japan Airlines has become the first airline to operate an international route with a riblet-shaped paint coating on its aircraft, inspired by the skin of sharks. This innovative technology is projected to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions significantly, marking a significant step towards environmental responsibility in the aviation industry.

NASA's Osiris-Rex mission has brought back asteroid samples containing the building blocks of life and evidence of an ancient water world, suggesting asteroids may have played a crucial role in bringing life to Earth. These findings, including the presence of amino acids and sodium-rich minerals, provide the strongest evidence yet for the potential extraterrestrial origin of life.

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.