Technology & Startups
Latest news and updates on technology & startups for expats in Japan
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...
August 1, 2026
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...
July 26, 2026
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...
July 21, 2026
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...
July 15, 2026
LINE Yahoo Data Breach Exposes 7.1 Million Game User Accounts
LINE Yahoo disclosed that 7.1 million game user identification records leaked to external companies. The breach affects LINE mobile game users but doe...
July 13, 2026
Mitsubishi Motors Partners with Tokyo University for Humanoid Robot Production
Mitsubishi Motors partners with Tokyo University startup to mass-produce autonomous humanoid robots using Physical AI technology, marking Japan's push...
July 9, 2026
Japan's Mobile Carriers Postpone Launch of 060 Phone Numbers
Japan's five major mobile carriers postponed the introduction of 060 phone numbers on July 8, 2026. The delay affects telecommunications expansion pla...
July 8, 2026
KDDI Email Breach Exposes 12.23 Million Addresses, 7.62 Million Passwords
KDDI confirmed a breach exposing 12.23 million email addresses and 7.62 million passwords from its corporate email system. The attack began May 16 thr...
July 6, 2026
Japan's Hayabusa2 Probe Successfully Completes Asteroid Trifune Flyby
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully completed a high-speed flyby of asteroid Trifune on July 5, continuing its extended mission six years after ...
July 5, 2026
Japan Launches Nationwide USB Security Audit After Defense Ministry Breach
Japan's government has launched a nationwide USB security audit of all municipalities after malware was found on Defense Ministry devices. The investi...
July 2, 2026
KDDI Email Breach Exposes Up to 14.22 Million Accounts in Japan
KDDI reported a major security breach affecting up to 14.22 million email accounts on June 23, 2026. Users of Nifty, Biglobe, and four other providers...
June 23, 2026
Japan's H3 Rocket to Launch Michibiki GPS Satellite on August 7
JAXA will launch the Michibiki-7 GPS satellite on August 7, 2026, using the H3 rocket. The satellite enhances positioning accuracy for navigation apps...
June 15, 2026
Voice Actor Kenjiro Tsuda Sues TikTok Over AI Voice Impersonation
Voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda sued TikTok in May 2026 over unauthorized AI-generated voice imitations, marking a landmark case for AI regulation in Japan ...
May 23, 2026
G7 Finance Ministers Target AI Security Risks Amid Financial Concerns
G7 finance ministers met in Paris to address AI security threats, particularly the Claude Mythos model. Japan's government is urging companies to dete...
May 18, 2026
Japanese Automakers Slash U.S. EV Plans as Demand Weakens
Nissan and Honda are canceling multiple U.S. EV production plans due to falling demand. Honda projects a 400 billion yen operating loss, reflecting br...
May 11, 2026
Nintendo Switch 2 Faces ¥10,000 Price Hike Due to Semiconductor Costs
Nintendo announced a ¥10,000 price increase for the Switch 2 in Japan due to rising semiconductor costs. The hike affects the domestic model and comes...
May 8, 2026
Denso Withdraws Rohm Acquisition Bid, Reshaping Japan's Semiconductor Landscape
Denso withdraws its acquisition bid for Rohm after failing to gain management support. Rohm instead pursues power semiconductor alliance with Toshiba ...
April 25, 2026
Japan's Justice Ministry to Tackle AI Misuse of Images and Voices
Japan's Justice Ministry is establishing an expert panel to create a legal framework addressing unauthorized AI use of personal images and voices, par...
April 17, 2026
SoftBank, NEC, and Honda Launch National Physical AI Development Company
SoftBank, NEC, and Honda have established a new company to develop domestic Physical AI technology, marking Japan's coordinated effort to compete glob...
April 12, 2026
Japan Invests ¥631.5 Billion in Rapidus Semiconductor Initiative
Japan's government commits ¥631.5 billion to Rapidus for advanced semiconductor development, aiming to restore domestic chip manufacturing capabilitie...
April 11, 2026
Microsoft Commits $16 Billion to AI Infrastructure in Japan
Microsoft will invest $16 billion in AI infrastructure across Japan, partnering with SoftBank to build data centers. This creates potential job opport...
April 3, 2026
JAL Luggage Delivery Service Breached: 28,000 Customers Affected
JAL's same-day luggage delivery service suffered a data breach exposing names and phone numbers of up to 28,000 customers. Expats who used the service...
February 10, 2026
Sony Ends Blu-ray Recorder Production as Streaming Dominates Japan
Sony will stop producing Blu-ray disc recorders due to declining demand from streaming services. Other manufacturers continue production, but the move...
February 9, 2026
Japanese Startups Raise Over ¥4 Billion for AI and Business Innovation
Japanese startups raised over ¥4 billion in early February 2026, with major investments in AI-driven supply chain management, restaurant business tool...
February 4, 2026
SoftBank Data Breach Exposes 8,000 Customers' Personal Information
SoftBank disclosed a data breach affecting up to 8,000 customers on January 27, exposing names, addresses, and phone numbers through their customer po...
January 27, 2026
AI Revolution Reshapes Japanese Business: What Foreign Professionals Need to Know
Japanese businesses are rapidly adopting AI and innovative technologies, with major investments in automation, emotion recognition, and sustainable so...
January 21, 2026
Japan's Investment Boom: Mitsubishi's $7B Gas Deal and Tech Funding Surge
Mitsubishi Corporation announces record $7B U.S. gas acquisition while Japanese tech startups secure billions in funding for AI robotics, space rocket...
January 19, 2026
AI Deepfakes Threaten Japan: Political Misinformation and Celebrity Abuse
AI deepfakes are spreading in Japan, creating fake political videos ahead of elections and non-consensual explicit celebrity images. Police made their...
January 19, 2026
Japanese Tech Startups Raise ¥1.5 Billion Across Healthcare and Entertainment
Five Japanese tech startups raised ¥1.5 billion this week across healthcare DX, entertainment IP, and compliance AI sectors, signaling growth opportun...
January 15, 2026
Japan Tackles AI Voice Fraud While Semiconductor Industry Faces Challenges
NTT East develops AI voice detection app to prevent phone fraud while Honda extends China factory shutdowns due to chip shortages. Tokyo Electron face...
January 5, 2026
Japan's 'Smartphone Law' Takes Effect, Opening Up App Markets
Japan's Smartphone Law took effect December 18, requiring Apple and Google to open their app ecosystems to third-party stores and alternative payment ...
December 18, 2025
Japan's New Smartphone Law and G7 AI Support Reshape Digital Landscape
Japan's Smartphone Law takes effect December 18, requiring Apple and Google to open app stores to competitors. G7 nations commit to supporting SME AI ...
December 10, 2025
Japan's Tech Sector Advances with Semiconductor Expansion and AI Alliance
Rapidus plans second semiconductor factory in Hokkaido by 2027, while nine Japanese firms launch Enable AI Foundry alliance to democratize AI developm...
November 26, 2025
Japan Accelerates AI Adoption: Call Centers, Risk Assessment, and Funding
Japan advances AI across business sectors with new call center automation, government risk assessment systems, and a 5 billion yen venture fund target...
November 18, 2025
Japanese Startups Raise Over ¥8.5 Billion in November Investment Wave
Japanese startups raised over ¥8.5 billion across eight major funding rounds in November 2025, spanning AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and advanced mater...
November 14, 2025