Technology Rakuten Medical Raises $100 Million in Series F Funding
Rakuten Medical has raised $100 million in Series F funding to advance its photoimmunotherapy program and prepare for regulatory approval in the United States by 2028.
Michi Tohma
Technology 
Culture & Society Why Did a Tuna Sell for $3.2 Million?
Why did a tuna sell for $3.2 million at Japan’s Hatsuseri? This article explains the first auction of the year and the cultural roots of Japan’s love for first-of-the-year offerings.
Business Nikkei Reports SWIFT to Build an Instant Settlement System for Cross-Border Transfers — Has the Global Financial Messaging Network Become Outdated?
SWIFT plans to build an instant settlement system for small-value cross-border transfers. Nikkei reports the initiative aims to close the gap with fintech rivals.
Business SPACER completes Series B extension, bringing the round’s total to approximately $6 million
SPACER, a Japanese startup developing smart luggage lockers, has completed a Series B extension round, bringing total Series B funding to approximately $6 million to expand production and logistics use cases.
Business Lawson Store 100 Shifts Toward a Small-Format Supermarket Model: What This Move Reveals About Japan’s Retail Landscape
Lawson Store 100 is shifting toward a small-format supermarket model. This article explores how the move reflects intensifying competition and structural change in Japan’s urban retail market.
Opinion / Column There Is No Slump in Greetings
“There is no slump in greetings,” a phrase coined by Japanese comedian Kunihiro Matsumura, explains a simple rule behind Japanese communication.
Culture & Society Australia Bans Social Media Use for Children: What About Japan?
Australia has begun enforcing a ban on social media use for children under 16. This article explores how Japan compares, examining Kagawa Prefecture’s gaming ordinance and Toyoake City’s smartphone-use guidelines, and what these rules reveal about Japanese society.
Technology Lead accel raises $386,000 in seed funding to advance ADS technology for reducing radioactive waste
Lead accel, a Japan-based nuclear technology startup, has raised ¥60 million in seed funding to advance ADS technology that reduces long-lived radioactive waste through minor actinide transmutation.
Business What Are Japan’s Kei Cars?
Japan’s kei cars are gaining international attention after Trump’s comments on affordable vehicles. This article explores what kei cars are, how they work, and why kei trucks thrive overseas.
Opinion / Column Message from Japan Regarding the Major Earthquakes in Tohoku and Hokkaido
Following a powerful earthquake in northern Japan, this column offers a message to international readers—sharing the current situation, lessons from past disasters, and a calm assurance that Japan as a whole remains stable.