Technology & Startups
Latest news and updates on technology & startups for expats in Japan
Digital Agency Expands Gen'nai AI Tool with Prototype for Drafting Diet Answers
The Digital Agency released survey results on its Gen'nai government AI tool and launched a prototype app to help officials draft Diet answers, citing...
Digital Agency Adds More Medical and Professional Licenses to Online National Qualification Procedures
Japan's Digital Agency has updated its list of national qualifications that can be processed online via Mynaportal, newly including doctors, dentists,...
Digital Agency Opens Call for Opinions on Visit Japan Web 'Phase 2' Operations for FY2027-2029
Japan's Digital Agency has posted a call for opinions on a contract to operate and maintain the Visit Japan Web system, covering fiscal years 2027 thr...
Digital Agency Begins Offering Android Version of My Number Card
The Digital Agency has started providing an Android version of the My Number Card, extending digital ID functionality to Android smartphone users.
Digital Agency Updates Reference Materials on MyNumber Information-Sharing System
The Digital Agency has refreshed its explanatory materials on the MyNumber system, covering information-sharing between agencies, the public funds rec...
My Number Card Now Verifies Age at University Festivals Across Japan
Japan's Digital Agency is working with university festival committees to use My Number Cards, including the iPhone version, to confirm whether visitor...
Digital Agency to Launch Android Version of My Number Card on October 20, 2026
The Digital Agency has announced it plans to start an Android version of the My Number Card on October 20, 2026, as part of its web services and appli...
Tokyo Metro Data Breach: Nearly 60,000 Email Addresses Potentially Leaked
Tokyo Metro disclosed that nearly 59,000 email addresses from its points service members were potentially leaked through unauthorized access. Train op...
NTT Docomo to Raise Prices on 50+ Plans This December Amid Rising Costs
NTT Docomo will raise prices on over 50 plans this December due to inflation and infrastructure costs. Foreign residents should review their current p...
JCOM Internet Outage Disrupts Service Nationwide Before Full Recovery
JCOM internet services experienced an 11-hour nationwide outage on September 23, affecting millions of users from 9 AM until full restoration at 8 PM,...
Government Network Breach Exposes 246,000 Officials' Personal Data
A cyberattack on government networks potentially exposed personal data of 246,000 officials, including names and addresses. Digital Minister announced...
Apple Unveils First Foldable iPhone 'Duo' Starting at ¥364,800
Apple announced its first foldable iPhone, the Duo, priced from ¥364,800 in Japan. The premium device enters a market dominated by competitors, offeri...
Honda and Nissan Join Forces on Software-Defined Vehicle Development
Honda and Nissan announced a partnership to jointly develop software-defined vehicles, sharing costs for components and operating systems. The collabo...
Yellow Hat Data Breach Exposes 1.8 Million Customers' Personal Information
Yellow Hat's reservation system was breached, potentially exposing 1.8 million customers' names and phone numbers. Foreign residents who used the serv...
Japan Issues New AI Intellectual Property Protection Guidelines
Japan's government released AI intellectual property protection guidelines requiring transparency in training data collection. The framework balances ...
JAXA Sets October 20 Launch for Groundbreaking Mars Moon Mission MMX
JAXA will launch the MMX Mars moon mission on October 20, 2026, at 5:00 AM from Tanegashima. The spacecraft will collect samples from Phobos and retur...
Kioxia Profits Soar 46-Fold as Renesas Plans Factory Closure
Kioxia's profits jumped 46-fold to 840 billion yen due to AI-driven chip demand, while Renesas plans to close its aging Takasaki factory affecting 700...
Honda and Nissan Join Forces on Next-Generation Vehicle Software
Honda and Nissan have agreed to jointly develop next-generation vehicle operating systems, with Nissan's platform as the foundation. This collaboratio...
Nichirei Cyberattack: Hacker Group Claims Ransomware Attack on Major Food Supplier
A hacker group claimed responsibility for a ransomware attack on Nichirei Corporation on July 21st, disrupting the major food supplier's shipping oper...
Nichirei Cyberattack Disrupts Food Supply Chain Across Japan
Nichirei confirmed a cyberattack disrupted its systems, causing food shortages at KFC, Aeon, and other major chains. Operations resume July 17, but fu...