News

Japan's 2025 budget, totaling 115.1978 trillion yen ($767.66 billion), was enacted after amendments in the hung parliament, marking the first time a budget bill amended by the Upper House has been enacted under the current Constitution. The budget's passage comes amidst the ongoing LDP slush fund scandal, with Lower House lawmaker Hiroshige Seko's testimony still pending.

Overseas investors have driven a two-year high in net purchases of long-term Japanese bonds, attracted by the safe-haven appeal amid worries over potential U.S. tariff policy changes and a broader equity selloff. However, this trend contrasts with significant outflows in short-term bonds and equities, while Japanese investors have been reconfiguring their portfolios by reducing foreign equity exposure and rebalancing debt holdings.

Cabinet ministers approved a bill that would empower the government to investigate AI developers in instances where artificial intelligence harms citizen rights and interests. The legislation not only aims to curtail potential misconduct and misinformation spread by AI but also fosters the research and development of the technology.

Doctors at Keio University have made promising advancements in treating spinal cord injuries using neural cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Early clinical trials have shown that some patients regained motor functions, marking a significant step forward, though further research is required given the small sample size.

The introduction of an artificial intelligence system designed to detect abusive situations in child welfare centers has been delayed because it failed to accurately assess many cases during trials. Concerns raised by staff and inconsistencies in the risk scores have led authorities to instead focus on developing interview transcription and summarization tools for future use.