Diplomacy and Business – Page 11 – Diplomacy & Business

Japan eyes new language requirements for skilled foreign workers

07

Apr

Business

Japan eyes new language requirements for skilled foreign workers

Japan is preparing to tighten its immigration framework for foreign professionals by introducing new Japanese-language requirements for certain skilled work visas, in a move that could significantly reshape the country’s recruitment of overseas talent. According to government sources, Tokyo plans to require applicants for the widely used “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa to provide proof of Japanese-language proficiency when applying for roles that specifically require communication in Japanese. The new threshold is expected to be set around CEFR B2 level—roughly equivalent to JLPT N2—and could take effect as early as mid-April. Officials say the measure is designed to prevent misuse…

Kengo Kuma strengthens Japan’s cultural influence with new National Gallery project

07

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Arts

Kengo Kuma strengthens Japan’s cultural influence with new National Gallery project

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has further cemented his position as one of the country’s most influential cultural figures after being selected to design the new wing of London’s National Gallery, one of the world’s most prestigious art institutions. The appointment marks another major international commission for the architect, whose work has become synonymous with contemporary Japanese design on the global stage. Best known internationally for designing Tokyo’s National Stadium for the 2020 Olympic Games, Kuma has built a reputation around his distinctive architectural philosophy, blending natural materials, light and open space to create structures that emphasise harmony with their surroundings.…

Tokyo’s Wacha reinvents sakura as a luxury sensory ritual

07

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Luxury

Tokyo’s Wacha reinvents sakura as a luxury sensory ritual

As cherry blossom season reaches its peak, a Tokyo-based brand is redefining how sakura is experienced—not as a fleeting moment, but as a curated sensory ritual. Wacha, a rising name in Japan’s botanical tea space, has introduced a limited-edition “Sakura Matcha” that reinterprets a centuries-old tradition through the lens of contemporary luxury and wellness. Rather than focusing on consumption alone, the product positions itself as an experience. Inspired by the Edo-period custom of drinking sakura-infused tea, Wacha’s blend transforms preparation into a deliberate act: whisking reveals a soft pink hue, while edible blossoms float on the surface, evoking a miniature…

Tokyo transforms railway overpasses into strategic digital hubs

06

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Tech

Tokyo transforms railway overpasses into strategic digital hubs

A consortium of four Tokyu Group companies has announced a pioneering trial to install modular data centers beneath elevated sections of the Tokyo Metro. Scheduled to begin in June 2026 along the Oimachi Line, this initiative represents a strategic attempt to repurpose underutilized urban space to meet the soaring demand for digital infrastructure. By testing the reliability of server facilities in active railway environments, Japan is exploring innovative solutions to the chronic shortage of land and power availability that currently plagues the central Tokyo market. The move comes at a critical juncture for the Japanese capital, where the data center…

Spanish heritage takes center stage at Tottori sand museum

06

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Social

Spanish heritage takes center stage at Tottori sand museum

The Tottori Sand Museum is finalizing preparations for its upcoming exhibition, “Travel Around the World in Sand – Spain,” scheduled to open on April 24. This year, the spotlight falls on Spanish cultural and architectural history, featuring monumental recreations of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces, including the Sagrada Familia. The project utilizes thousands of tons of sand and involves elite sculptors from 14 countries, highlighting Tottori’s unique position as a hub for international artistic collaboration and cultural exchange. The choice of Spain as the central theme serves as a significant exercise in cultural diplomacy, reinforcing the "soft power" ties between Madrid and…

Beyond the Giants: The New Franco-Japanese Roadmap

06

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Editorial

Beyond the Giants: The New Franco-Japanese Roadmap

Spring in Tokyo arrived late this year. The cherry blossoms were just starting to fight their way out when Emmanuel Macron arrived on April 1st. It was a beautiful, quiet backdrop for a visit that felt remarkably urgent. This wasn't just another state visit full of empty gestures. It arrived at a critical moment, as instability in the Strait of Hormuz has once again sent tremors through Japan’s energy supply. Japan is feeling the weight of its energy dependence. With the sea lanes in the Middle East looking increasingly fragile, Tokyo is looking for partners who can offer more than…

Microsoft secures Japan Indo-Pacific digital fortress

03

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Business

Microsoft secures Japan Indo-Pacific digital fortress

The tech giant’s record-breaking investment signals a new era of digital sovereignty for Tokyo by blending massive AI infrastructure expansion with a strategic national security partnership. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office from Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, to finalize a historic 10 billion dollar investment in Japan’s digital infrastructure. This multi-year plan represents the tech giant’s largest-ever commitment to the archipelago and aims to accelerate the nation’s generative AI capabilities while fortifying Tokyo’s position as a premier digital hub in the Indo-Pacific. The move signals a significant deepening…

Belgian embassy kicks off the beer weekend in milestone year

03

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Social

Belgian embassy kicks off the beer weekend in milestone year

The Embassy of Belgium in Japan has officially launched its partnership with the Belgian Beer Weekend, serving as a Platinum Sponsor for the 2026 edition. This year’s festival carries significant diplomatic weight as it forms a central pillar of the "Belgium & Japan: 160 Years of Friendship" celebrations. By elevating its involvement to a top-tier sponsorship, the Belgian diplomatic mission is leveraging one of its most iconic cultural exports to strengthen the enduring bilateral ties and people-to-people connections between the two nations. The 2026 tour will span across Japan’s major urban centers, including Hibiya, Nagoya, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, and Shinjuku.…

03

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Opinion

Beyond the security umbrella

Urmas Teder, journalist.The global landscape of 2026 is defined by a harsh new reality: the visible collapse of traditional "security umbrellas." For decades, the international order relied on the perceived protection of superpowers, most notably the United States, to maintain regional stabilities. However, as these strategic canopies weaken or withdraw, we have entered an era of "diplomatic exposure." This systemic shift forces nations and global businesses alike to ask a critical question: how do we navigate a world where the structures that once guaranteed our security are no longer there?This crisis of security is, at its heart, a crisis of…

TSMC to launch 3nm production in Japan by 2028

02

Apr

By Diplomacy and Business

Tech

TSMC to launch 3nm production in Japan by 2028

TSMC’s announcement to launch 3-nanometer chip production in Japan by 2028 marks a transformative milestone for the nation’s high-tech landscape. This advanced manufacturing capability, slated for its second facility in Kumamoto, represents a significant leap from current industry standards. By anchoring its most sophisticated nodes on Japanese soil, the Taiwanese giant is not only expanding its global footprint but also sealing a strategic alliance that places Tokyo at the forefront of the global silicon race. This move is specifically designed to meet the surging demand from the next generations of artificial intelligence, automotive engineering, and robotics. As Japan’s flagship sectors—led…