COGNICURRENT

OpenAI has announced that it raised a total of 1.1 billion dollars (approximately 17 trillion yen) from several key investors including SoftBank Group.

The Nikkei average rose to 58,850 yen, marking a record high for the third consecutive day as investor expectations grow for the Takagi administration.

The Japanese firm unbanked has filed a lawsuit seeking 1.4 billion yen in damages against major shareholders and associated traders after suffering significant losses from gold bullion transactions.

The yen rebounded after the Bank of Japan Governor indicated that any interest rate hikes would depend on economic data, with market participants awaiting new catalysts.

The Thai government has reached an agreement with nine major franchises to reduce the sugar content in beverages by half to combat health issues related to high sugar consumption.

The Mexican peso has significantly depreciated this week due to global forces led by Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and the Japanese yen.

The Japanese government, together with the private sector, has announced an investment of 267.6 billion yen in Rapidus, aiming to advance cutting-edge semiconductor production.

Asahi Kasei has announced its acquisition of the German pharmaceutical development company Aiquiris for approximately €780 million, marking its third acquisition in the pharmaceutical sector since 2020.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takai faces backlash over sending 'congratulations gifts' worth over 10 million yen to newly elected members of the ruling party, sparking accusations of money politics and outdated practices.

Mandom Corporation announced the successful completion of its tender offer (TOB) initiated by CVC Capital Partners, following three price increases, ultimately amounting to 125.6 billion yen.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has distributed catalog gifts valued at 10 million yen to 315 elected members of her party, raising concerns about the implications for the separation of powers in democracy.

Four men have been arrested for fraudulently reissuing a credit card by impersonating the actual owner, leading to unauthorized purchases worth nearly 4 million yen.

The yen has fallen to a two-week low against the dollar following the appointment of two academics to Japan's central bank board, raising concerns about future interest rate hikes amidst supportive monetary and fiscal policies advocated by Prime Minister Sanae Takeichi.

Keiichi Izumiya, a former department head at Kobe Steel's subsidiary, was arrested for allegedly embezzling about 115 million yen by creating false invoices and using the funds for gambling.

The Nikkei average briefly surpassed 59,000 points for the first time, supported by rising US stock markets and a weaker yen.

Japan's Prime Minister Suga's distribution of catalog gifts worth 10 million yen to newly elected members of his party faces backlash from opposition parties, citing a disconnect with the financial realities of everyday citizens.

A former employee of a machine tool manufacturer in Japan is under investigation for allegedly conveying trade secrets to a Russian government official following an encounter with someone claiming to be Ukrainian.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has distributed catalog gifts worth approximately 10 million yen to all party members elected in the recent House of Representatives election, raising questions about the party's financial ethics.

Itochu Corporation has announced that it will fully acquire its subsidiary, Itochu Foods, through a stock purchase offer to enhance efficiency amid rising logistical costs in the food industry.

Toyota Industries has agreed to a full monthly wage increase of 22,000 yen in response to the labor union's demands, marking the first resolution in the Toyota Group for this year’s spring labor negotiations.

Prime Minister Sanae Takai's office distributed catalog gifts worth 30,000 yen to every elected party member, raising eyebrows among experts about the appropriateness of such spending.

The Japanese yen has weakened due to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's reservations about further interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.

Tsumura has announced its acquisition of Yomeishu Manufacturing for approximately 6.8 billion yen, aiming to leverage synergies between herbal medicines and Yomeishu products.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi revealed the distribution of catalog gifts worth approximately 30,000 yen each to all party-affiliated lawmakers who won the recent House of Representatives election, emphasizing that it is legally compliant as a political donation.

The Nikkei Average in Tokyo surged to 58,200 yen, breaking its intraday record high, influenced by gains in the U.S. stock market and a weaker yen.

A listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange faces a significant loss exceeding 1.3 billion yen due to the theft of gold bullion in a recent transaction.

Unbanked, a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, faces financial turmoil after losing over 1.3 billion yen in transactions involving unmarked gold bars.

Nippon Steel has announced the issuance of 600 billion yen in convertible bonds to finance its acquisition of US Steel, a significant investment in the steel industry.

Reports reveal a nationwide fraudulent receipt of approximately 2 billion yen in human resource development grants managed by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

The family of a 7-year-old girl murdered in Nagasaki, Japan, has filed a third lawsuit for compensation totalling approximately 70 million yen, having never received any payment from the convicted murderer.

The Nikkei 225 index in Japan recovered to 57,321.09 yen, driven by optimism around AI investments despite ongoing uncertainties regarding U.S. tariffs.

McDonald's Japan has announced a price increase on approximately 60% of its menu items starting from the 25th, with the Big Mac now priced at 500 yen.

A former employee of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture committed suicide, prompting her family to sue the government for approximately 140 million yen, claiming negligence in addressing harassment issues leading to her death.

A report details a case of a part-time worker in Japan receiving payment for being terminated early from a job found through the app, Timmy.

The article explores the role of Russian contract soldiers in the ongoing war in Ukraine, offering insights into their motivations and the economic factors supporting the conflict.

Japan's economy is boosted by an estimated 3 trillion yen from cat-related activities as businesses capitalize on Cat Day on February 22.

Consultations about inspection scams, disguised as free electrical checks, have significantly increased, highlighted by a recent incident involving an elderly man in Tokyo.

An anonymous donor has gifted 21 kilograms of gold, valued at over 500 million yen, to a city in Japan with the condition that the funds be used to improve public services, particularly water infrastructure.

Japan is expanding its electronic travel authorization system, JESTA, to include more foreign travelers while significantly raising fees for permanent residency applications.

The Japanese government remains cautious about potential tariff changes in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling, stating that expectations for tariff removal should be tempered while proceeding with a scheduled 80 trillion yen investment in the U.S.

University student campaigners are suspected of receiving a daily wage of 10,000 yen in a bribery case connected to a recent House of Representatives election in Japan.

An anonymous donor has gifted the city of Osaka 21 kilograms of gold valued at approximately 560 million yen to help address aging water infrastructure.

A former teacher in Hokkaido was ordered to pay 11 million yen in damages after a female student sued him for sexual violence, with the court recognizing the abuse of his position and the impact on the victim's mental health.

Osaka received a donation of gold bars worth 560 million yen to fund the repair of its ageing water pipes.

The Saitama Prefectural Chapter of the LDP is suing its former secretary general for approximately 30.62 million yen over allegations of misappropriating political funds.

A woman in her 50s from Aomori Prefecture has been defrauded of 36 million yen through a TikTok romance scam involving a supposed investment opportunity.

A police officer in Hyogo Prefecture has been accused of embezzling a wallet belonging to a colleague, which contained about 90,000 yen, and was subsequently found to have been working illegally as an escort driver.

A court in Sapporo has ordered a former teacher to pay 11 million yen for sexual abuse and psychological trauma inflicted on a student from high school.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takagi questioned the longstanding views on fiscal austerity in her speech, even as the country's national debt surpasses 1 trillion yen.

The labor union of Toyota's parts manufacturers has submitted a demand for an average wage increase of 17,820 yen, slightly below last year's figure of 17,929 yen.