Business

Fujifilm Corporation has announced the development of the world’s first fluorine-free negative ArF immersion photoresist, a key material used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, marking a significant technological shift in one of the most strategic segments of the global chip supply chain. The new material is designed for advanced nodes used in artificial intelligence semiconductor production, where demand continues to grow rapidly. Fujifilm has already begun providing samples to clients, with early commercialization planned following evaluation. The company positions the innovation as both a performance breakthrough and a response to increasing environmental and regulatory pressure around PFAS-related substances. ArF immersion lithography…

More than 80 members and guests gathered in Tokyo for the SCCIJ VIBES April Luncheon, focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in scientific research and innovation. The event featured Dr. Hiroaki Kitano, President and CEO of Sony Computer Science Laboratories, who presented an outlook on AI as an emerging “scientific actor” reshaping research methodologies and discovery cycles. The discussion highlighted how autonomous systems and AI-driven laboratories are increasingly accelerating scientific processes, compressing traditional research timelines and redefining how knowledge is produced. According to Dr. Kitano, this shift is not only technological but structural, with implications for innovation models…

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has announced his intention to stand for reelection at the end of his current term in November 2026, positioning continuity as a key priority at a time of heightened economic and geopolitical uncertainty across Asia and the Pacific. Kanda framed his candidacy around the need for institutional stability in what he described as an era of “radical transformation” marked by overlapping global shocks. He stressed that the ADB remains an anchor for developing member countries, as volatility in trade, financing conditions and energy markets continues to reshape regional development needs. Since taking office…

Japan’s Hitachi Ltd. has agreed to sell approximately 80% of its home appliance business in a deal valued at around 110 billion yen, marking another step in its long-running transformation toward a services- and infrastructure-focused industrial group. The buyer, retailer Nojima Corporation, will acquire the stake through a special purpose vehicle in a transaction involving a newly established company that will house Hitachi Global Life Solutions’ home appliance operations. The division currently covers products such as washing machines, refrigerators and vacuum cleaners, generating roughly 367.6 billion yen in net sales in the fiscal year ending March 2025. For Hitachi, the…

Fujitsu has announced the launch of GLOVIA One, a new integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform aimed at mid-sized Japanese companies, as the tech giant seeks to capitalise on growing demand for digital transformation across the country’s business sector. The platform, set to be rolled out from April 22, consolidates Fujitsu’s existing ERP solutions — spanning accounting, human resources, payroll, sales and production — into a single cloud-based system designed to streamline operations and improve data visibility. GLOVIA One is primarily targeted at companies with annual revenues between ¥3 billion and ¥100 billion, a segment often described as Japan’s digital…

The persistent weakness of the Japanese yen is emerging as a central challenge for policymakers, complicating the balance between economic support and fiscal sustainability. Despite gradual steps toward monetary normalization, the Bank of Japan has maintained a relatively accommodative stance compared to other major economies. This divergence has weighed on the yen, which remains under pressure amid higher interest rates in the United States and Europe. A weaker currency offers some advantages, particularly for exporters, but it also raises the cost of imports — notably energy — adding to inflationary pressures in a country heavily dependent on external resources. This…

The Bank of Japan has sought to temper market expectations of an imminent interest rate hike, even as economists increasingly point to a potential move as early as June. Speaking recently, Governor Kazuo Ueda avoided signalling any immediate policy tightening, stressing the need to carefully assess Japan’s still-low real interest rates and the broader economic outlook. His remarks cooled speculation of an early move, which had been building in financial markets. However, this cautious tone contrasts with growing expectations among analysts. According to recent surveys, a majority of economists believe the BOJ could raise rates in the coming months, driven…

Japan is stepping up efforts to attract high-value technology investment, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with Mike Sicilia to discuss the company’s growing footprint in the country. During the meeting, Takaichi welcomed Oracle Corporation’s continued investment in Japan, particularly in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The prime minister framed the move as aligned with her administration’s broader goal of boosting domestic investment and strengthening economic resilience. The engagement reflects a wider policy push to enhance Japan’s attractiveness as a destination for global tech firms. Tokyo has increasingly emphasized regulatory predictability, digital infrastructure, and public-private collaboration…

The International Monetary Fund has signalled that Japan could accelerate the pace of interest rate hikes, pointing to a gradual but meaningful shift in the country’s long-standing ultra-loose monetary policy. In its latest assessment, the IMF noted that the Bank of Japan is expected to continue normalizing its policy stance as inflation proves more resilient and wage growth gains traction. While the adjustment is likely to remain measured, the pace of increases could pick up slightly compared to earlier expectations. For decades, Japan stood apart from other major economies with near-zero or negative interest rates. However, a combination of sustained…

A consortium of Japan’s leading corporations, including SoftBank, Sony Group and Honda Motor, has established a new company aimed at developing large-scale artificial intelligence models tailored to domestic industry needs. The initiative reflects a growing sense of urgency in Japan to close the technological gap with U.S. and Chinese AI leaders, as global competition intensifies around next-generation computing and industrial automation. The new venture, which will initially bring together around 100 AI engineers, is expected to focus on building foundational models that can be deployed across sectors, from corporate services to advanced manufacturing. Future applications may include AI systems designed…