The operator, Mos Food Services, started a trial of what it says is Japan’s first AI-powered drive-through system on January twenty first. The AI not solely takes buyer orders however also can reply to easy questions, resembling suggesting menu objects just like the Teriyaki Burger and explaining its sweet-and-savory sauce.

Shinichiro Hamasaki, head of the corporate’s retailer innovation division, stated accuracy stays a serious problem for AI ordering, and Mos Burger is trying to improve service by having staff help the place wanted. “Since precision is the issue, people will fill the gaps,” Hamasaki stated, including that the corporate desires to develop a “hybrid” strategy via collaboration between AI and human staff.

AI drive-through ordering has already been launched in elements of Europe and the United States, however some corporations have reportedly pulled again attributable to accuracy points and difficulties dealing with sudden issues.

At Mos Burger, retailer workers hear in because the AI receives orders, then deal with checkout enter and ensure the ultimate order. The firm likened the setup to a senior worker working alongside a trainee, with people supporting the AI because it continues to be taught.

Mos Food Services hopes the hybrid mannequin will cut back staffing strain whereas elevating the standard of buyer interactions. Hamasaki stated the corporate is aiming to chop roughly one employee per shift, although it acknowledges it will likely be troublesome for AI to deal with each order with out help. The present goal is nearer to a 0.8-person discount, whereas additionally making the ordering expertise extra participating for purchasers.

The firm plans to increase the AI drive-through system to 5 areas throughout fiscal 2026. Beyond enhancing accuracy, Mos Burger can also be contemplating future options resembling providing customer support within the voice of widespread voice actors to create a extra distinctive drive-through expertise.

Source: FNN

A mentaiko specialty restaurant at Tokyo Station was bustling from lunchtime on the twenty second, with prospects stunned by the beneficiant parts served on all the things from motsunabe scorching pot to rice bowls and pasta.

“It’s pretty shocking. There’s so much in it,” one buyer stated, whereas one other added, “It’s perfect. No doubt about it. Sometimes you just suddenly crave it.”

Shinichi Otsuka, supervisor of Hakata Kanefuku Fukutake Tokyo Station, stated mentaiko costs have stayed “relatively stable” at the same time as inflation pushes up the price of many different items.

Compared with salmon roe, the distinction is placing, with mentaiko persevering with to promote at round 2,000 yen per kilogram. Industry sources say that is partly as a result of pollock roe, the uncooked ingredient, is eaten in comparatively few areas abroad, making it simpler to safe provides at regular costs.

The Tokyo Station restaurant has not raised costs attributable to mentaiko since opening, and recent fish shops in Tokyo additionally report robust demand as customers search for extra reasonably priced choices.

“Salmon roe is expensive now, so mentaiko and tarako being cheaper is a big help,” one shopper stated.

Another cause for its recognition is its versatility, with prospects utilizing it in a variety of dishes, from mixing it into potato salad to pairing it with rice as an on a regular basis staple.

Yoshiki Maesato, supervisor of Nakayo Shoten Musashi-Koyama, described mentaiko as a “top performer” in the case of affordability in contrast with different fish roe merchandise.

One well-known restaurant, the place traces kind each day, gives mentaiko as an all-you-can-eat possibility all through the day when prospects order a tempura set meal. Unlimited refills of rice and spicy takana pickles are additionally included, permitting diners to totally benefit from the meal.

Some prospects benefit from the buffet-style providing to create their very own mixtures, together with pouring scorching broth over tempura and mentaiko on rice to make a mentaiko tempura ochazuke, or topping rice with soft-boiled egg tempura and mentaiko for a mini mentaiko tendon.

With its value stability and big selection of makes use of, mentaiko is more and more seen as a reliable ally for family budgets.

Source: TBS

The Imperial Guard Police will maintain its annual New Year evaluation ceremony on January twenty third, an occasion designed to spice up morale throughout police models nationwide as marching formations proceed in time with music. Emperor Naruhito is anticipated to attend, following final yr’s ceremony in 2025, which was attended by the Emperor, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko.

The group traces its origins to 1886, when it was established beneath the previous Imperial Household Ministry because the Imperial Guard Police Station. It later turned an affiliated physique of the National Police Agency and is now often called the Imperial Guard Police Headquarters. Based inside the Imperial Palace grounds, it operates guard stations, which operate equally to common police stations, at areas together with the Akasaka Estate. The pressure has about 900 personnel.

Its core missions are to supply shut safety for the Emperor, the Empress, and different members of the Imperial Family, and to safe the Imperial Palace and associated amenities. Officers might accompany members of the Imperial Family on official visits to regional areas or abroad, and likewise present safety throughout personal actions reminiscent of snowboarding, mountaineering, and tennis.

The unit’s coaching is formed by previous incidents, together with a 1975 assault in Okinawa when a firebomb was thrown throughout a go to by the then Crown Prince and Crown Princess, now Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. Imperial Guard Police officers responded by evacuating the couple and managing the scenario.

More lately, in 2026, a person was arrested on suspicion of public indecency close to the top of the New Year’s normal public greeting on the Imperial Palace. Officers rapidly restrained the suspect, stopping disruption to the occasion’s proceedings.

Although Japan as soon as had an Imperial Guard, the army was abolished after World War II, and the Self-Defense Forces don’t play a job in defending the Imperial Family. As a end result, the Imperial Guard Police stays a uncommon instance of a police group serving as the first defend for the nation’s royals.

The Imperial Guard Police continues to function throughout a variety of duties, with a few of its actions sometimes seen to the general public, whilst a lot of its work stays out of sight.

Source: TBS

According to Japan’s annual commerce statistics launched by the Ministry of Finance, the commerce steadiness for 2025 totaled a deficit of two.6507 trillion yen, marking the fifth straight yr of crimson ink.

The deficit, nonetheless, shrank by about 53% from the earlier yr as exports elevated and reached the best stage on document, supported by progress in shipments of semiconductors and different merchandise.

Exports to the United States fell for the primary time in 5 years, with so-called Trump tariffs weighing on demand. Auto exports to the U.S. dropped 11.4%, whereas Japan’s commerce surplus with the U.S. declined 12.6%.

The drop in Japan’s commerce surplus with the U.S. marked the second consecutive yr of decline.

Source: TBS

Commenting on the footage, Yui stated, “Maybe the sun worked extra hard knowing I would be returning soon, and I was able to capture a very beautiful aurora.”

His return was moved up sooner than deliberate attributable to well being issues involving a fellow astronaut, however Yui stated the decision-making course of itself could be worthwhile expertise for the way forward for human spaceflight.

Yui additionally revealed that this mission could have been his final flight, including that he hopes to concentrate on mentoring and coaching youthful astronauts going ahead.

He additionally famous that he feels sleep high quality may very well be higher in area.

Yui got here again to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on January fifteenth, after spending about 5 months on the mission.

Source: FNN

The video opens with an introduction section, adopted by a presentation of the collaborating fashions and a promotional slide.

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