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FamilyMart Posts Record Profit on Strong Sales Driven by Ohtani Campaigns

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TOKYO, Apr 08 (News On Japan) –
FamilyMart reported document earnings for the fiscal yr ending February 2026 on April eighth, with working revenue rising 18% from a yr earlier to 100.2 billion yen, pushed by sturdy gross sales of rice balls promoted by way of promoting that includes Shohei Ohtani and profitable meals portion enhance campaigns.

The comfort retailer operator noticed strong demand for its onigiri merchandise, supported by advertising campaigns utilizing Ohtani, which helped appeal to prospects and increase gross sales throughout its meals section.

FamilyMart forecasts working revenue to extend 3% to 103.0 billion yen for the fiscal yr ending February 2027. However, President Takeo Kotani expressed concern over rising logistics prices and better electrical energy bills at shops, citing escalating tensions within the Middle East as a possible threat issue.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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Tokyo Metro Invests in 24-Hour Gym Operator to Diversify Revenue

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TOKYO, Apr 08 (News On Japan) –
Tokyo Metro introduced on April eighth that it has entered right into a capital and enterprise alliance with Fit, an operator of 24-hour unmanned gyms, investing 1.5 billion yen as a part of efforts to diversify income past its core railway operations.

The firm had already joined the franchise chain of “LifeFit,” operated by Fit, in March 2025, opening three areas in Tokyo.

Looking forward, Tokyo Metro goals to increase the enterprise to twenty retailers by the tip of fiscal 2027, with plans to develop the community to round 50 areas within the coming years, positioning the health enterprise as a brand new pillar of non-railway earnings.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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Japan Soccer Team Chooses Nashville as World Cup Base Camp

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NASHVILLE, Apr 08 (News On Japan) –
A contemporary coaching facility outfitted with two pure grass pitches sits a couple of 25-minute drive from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, the place Japan’s nationwide soccer crew will set up its base camp for the World Cup set to kick off in June throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The facility serves because the coaching floor of Nashville, a membership in Major League Soccer (MLS), which is able to host the Japanese squad through the event. Known globally as a metropolis of music, Nashville additionally shares cultural ties with Japan, including one other layer of connection because the crew prepares for the worldwide competitors.

Source: Kyodo

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Woman Admits Smartphone Use in Fatal Crash Killing Six

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MIE, Apr 08 (News On Japan) –
A truck driver arrested over a deadly accident on the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, on March twentieth, which left six individuals lifeless together with three kids, has admitted to taking a look at her smartphone on the time of the crash.

According to police interviews, the suspect, Mizutani Mizuyo, informed investigators that she had been “looking at a smartphone” and in addition acknowledged that she “was not paying close attention to the road ahead.”

The accident occurred when a big truck slammed right into a line of automobiles caught in visitors on the outbound lane, putting two passenger vehicles carrying the victims.

Authorities imagine that the motive force’s use of a smartphone might have contributed on to the collision and are persevering with an in depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Source: TBS

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China unveils massive mannequin for carbon emission accounting

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SHANGHAI, April 8 (Xinhua) — China unveiled a brand new massive mannequin for carbon emission accounting on Wednesday, marking a serious technological breakthrough within the international discipline of carbon accounting.

Carbon emission accounting is an important foundation for worldwide local weather compliance, a cornerstone of worldwide carbon pricing, and an important prerequisite for assembly peak carbon and carbon neutrality targets.

The mannequin is the world’s first panoramic carbon emission accounting system overlaying production-side, consumption-side and pure sources, in keeping with its developer, the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute beneath the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

It is designed to deal with bottlenecks in conventional carbon accounting, together with excessive information boundaries, cumbersome information processing, lengthy timeframes and low decision. By leveraging generative synthetic intelligence, it goals to reshape the paradigm of carbon accounting, dynamically depicting international carbon flows and traceability, thereby comprehensively enhancing the nation’s technological discourse energy in international local weather governance.

Built on a scientific basis mannequin (ScienceOne) from the CAS, the brand new mannequin rests on three pillars. They are eight proprietary datasets that allow high-frequency information updates and fusion; an independently developed methodology utilizing a big language mannequin (LLM)-powered agent with multi-agent collaboration to make sure accuracy, and a hybrid computing cluster that optimizes assets throughout inside servers and exterior facilities.

Currently, the mannequin’s service interface supplies a vertical-domain LLM with 32 billion parameters and an clever database, providing each conversational and programming interfaces.

Five clever brokers with particular capabilities have been developed, which might respectively understand digital simulation and optimization of commercial system processes, commerce carbon switch accounting, life cycle evaluation, pure supply accounting and uncertainty evaluation.

Among them, the life cycle evaluation agent can independently full the whole technique of objective and scope definition, stock evaluation, accounting, and outcome interpretation, enabling automated product carbon footprint accounting.

Based on the mannequin, a high-precision national-level carbon holographic map has been initially developed. Taking 2022 for instance, beneath the scientifically equitable new accounting framework, the greenhouse gasoline emissions of China, the United States and Japan have been adjusted by -17.7 %, +15.2 % and +7.2 %, respectively, in contrast with the outcomes of conventional Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) production-side accounting.

The mannequin additionally revealed that the default emission elements of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism systematically overestimate Chinese product emission elements, highlighting the necessity to enhance accounting accuracy and undertake localized elements.

It has additionally precisely calculated the emission discount contributions of China’s inexperienced merchandise to the world. For occasion, the nation’s exported wind generators and photovoltaic merchandise generated roughly 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions throughout the manufacturing section in 2024, but delivered roughly 350 million tonnes of carbon discount advantages globally throughout their operational section.

The mannequin supplies important help for China’s compilation of nationwide greenhouse gasoline inventories, the event of its nationwide carbon market, the inexperienced transition of key industries, and the nation’s response to worldwide carbon insurance policies. It additionally contributes Chinese experience to international efforts to determine a fairer and extra scientifically sound system of carbon accounting and duty allocation.

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What is within the US-Iran peace deal What we all know to date

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US President Donald Trump has postponed assaults on Iranian vitality infrastructure to barter an settlement primarily based on Tehrans 10-point proposal

A two-week ceasefire introduced by US President Donald Trump appeared to have introduced a short lived halt to the US-Israeli struggle on Iran.

Washington says it now goals to barter a long-term peace deal primarily based on a “workable” 10-point proposal put ahead by Tehran.

Over the previous six weeks, the battle has killed 1000’s, leaving a lot of Iran in rubble and its individuals defiant. It has additionally prompted unprecedented disruption to world vitality provides, primarily attributable to Tehran’s efficient closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Here is what we all know to date in regards to the settlement, its phrases, and the trail forward.

Who brokered the US-Iran deal?

The ceasefire was primarily brokered by Pakistan, which has been performing as a diplomatic middleman between Washington and Tehran. In his announcement, Trump straight credited Pakistani leaders for his choice to droop the bombing of Iran.

What is in Iran’s 10-point plan?

Iran has put ahead a 10point proposal that Trump described as a “workable basis” for negotiations. According to Iran’s semiofficial Mehr News Agency, the plan consists of:

  • Non-aggression
  • The continuation of Iran’s management over the Strait of Hormuz
  • Acceptance of uranium enrichment
  • Lifting all main sanctions
  • Lifting all secondary sanctions
  • Termination of all UN Security Council resolutions condemning the Islamic Republic
  • Termination of all IAEA Board of Governors resolutions towards Iran
  • Payment of compensation to Iran
  • Withdrawal of US fight forces from the area
  • Cessation of struggle on all fronts, together with towards Hezbollah in Lebanon.

What has Trump stated in regards to the peace plan?

Trump introduced the “double-sided ceasefire,” stressing Iran’s settlement to make sure the “complete, immediate and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz by way of which roughly a fifth of the world’s day by day oil provide passes.

Trump has additionally harassed that Iran would now not be allowed to counterpoint uranium and must dig up and take away all of the “deeply buried Nuclear ‘dust’.”

In return, he stated, the US has suspendedplanned strikes on Iranian infrastructure, together with bridges, energy vegetation and different key installations, pending negotiations. Trump stated the US would additionally contemplate tariff and sanctions aid for Tehran.

Iran’s 10-point peace proposal is a “workable basis on which to negotiate,” he stated, including that almost all factors of previous competition, which had been put ahead in Washington’s personal 15-point plan, have already been agreed upon.

He additionally said that the present Iranian plan is “not good enough” and warned that the US would resume its strikes if no remaining deal is reached by the brand new deadline.

What has Iran stated in regards to the ceasefire deal?

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed its acceptance of the ceasefire and stated that negotiations with the US would start in Islamabad on April 10, with a two-week interval that could be prolonged by mutual settlement.

The council harassed that the talks “do not mean the end of the war” and that Iran would proceed army operations if its calls for will not be totally met.

Tehran framed the ceasefire as a “historic and crushing defeat” for the US, claiming Washington was compelled to simply accept its 10-point plan as the premise for talks.

How has Israel responded to the truce?

Israel didn’t seem like part of the ceasefire discussions between the US and Iran, however has backed the deal.

However, regardless of the momentary truce being ordered on all fronts, Israel has claimed the phrases don’t apply to Lebanon, the place it has been conducting massive scale airstrikes and has launched a floor invasion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the IDF would proceed its operations towards Hezbollah militants within the nation.

The dying toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon has exceeded 1,500 individuals for the reason that begin of the struggle, the nation’s ministry of well being has reported. Another 4,812 individuals have been injured, together with a whole lot of ladies and kids, in addition to dozens of paramedics and healthcare employees.

Is preventing nonetheless occurring within the Middle East?

Despite the ceasefire, assaults have continued throughout the area. Israel has stated it launched its largest wave of strikes on Lebanon for the reason that struggle started, claiming to have fired 100 missiles within the span of simply 10 minutes, supposedly focusing on Hezbollah targets in Beirut and different areas throughout the nation.

At least one oil refinery in Iran has additionally been hit, with a number of explosions reported on the Lavan refinery in southern Iran shortly after the ceasefire was introduced. The explanation for the blast continues to be unknown.

Iran additionally seems to have launched a wave of assaults on Gulf states. Kuwait reported it intercepted 28 drones, a few of which had efficiently struck oil services, energy stations, and water desalination vegetation, inflicting important harm.

The UAE additionally stated it had activated its air protection techniques, which have been “actively engaging” missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry says it has intercepted 9 hostile UAVs over the previous a number of hours.

How have markets reacted?

Financial markets have responded sharply to the ceasefire news. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures fell practically 18%, final buying and selling close to $96 per barrel. Brent crude dropped greater than 16% to round $94 per barrel. Asian stock markets surged, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 gaining 5%, South Korea’s Kospi hovering practically 7% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rising by 3%. US stock futures additionally rallied sharply, whereas Treasury yields eased.

What has Moscow stated?

Russia has welcomed the ceasefire. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed reporters that Moscow “was pleased with this news” and helps the choice to not proceed down the trail of armed escalation. He expressed hope that direct contacts between Iranian and American delegations would happen “in the coming days.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added that the strategy of an “aggressive, unprovoked attack on Iran has failed” and that the US had suffered a “crushing defeat.”

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev additionally famous that the Strait of Hormuz has successfully turn into Iran’s “nuclear weapon,” stating that the disruptions attributable to the closing of the waterway have confirmed to be similar to a nuclear strike when it comes to their impact.

What occurs subsequent?

Negotiations between the US and Iran are scheduled to start in Islamabad on April 10, with the ceasefire offering a two-week window for diplomacy. However, either side have offered starkly totally different variations of what has been agreed upon, and the Iranian council has warned that any remaining settlement relies on securing Tehran’s situations and that “this does not mean the end of the war.”

Despite the markets showing to react positively to the ceasefire announcement, consultants warn that the aftermath of the disruptions could also be felt for months to return as vitality costs are anticipated to stay excessive.

(RT.com)

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Motorcycle win ignites movie requires China’s

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by Xinhua writers Zhang Yunlong, Xun Wei, and Zhao Jiantong

BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) — A Chinese bike startup’s shock double victory on the Superbike World Championship has triggered an unlikely cultural second: widespread requires its founder’s inconceivable rise to drive the subsequent installment of certainly one of China’s highest-grossing racing movie franchises.

ZXMOTO, a Chongqing producer based simply two years in the past, claimed back-to-back wins within the WorldSSP class at Portugal’s Portimao circuit on the finish of March, ending what analysts describe as decades-long dominance of top-tier bike racing by European and Japanese manufacturers.

The victory despatched Chinese social media into overdrive — and never solely about bikes. Within days, movie business observers and plenty of web customers had been debating whether or not founder Zhang Xue’s life story ought to turn into the idea for “Pegasus 4,” the subsequent movie in director Han Han’s racing-comedy sequence. The franchise’s third installment has turn into the world’s highest-grossing movie to this point in 2026, with over 630 million U.S. {dollars} on the world field workplace.

“Zhang Xue’s true experience fits exactly what today’s audiences are looking for — a new kind of story,” Song Fangjin, vice-president of the China Film Literature Society, advised Xinhua, including that he had personally reached out to Han Han to suggest the venture.

Zhang’s path seems tailored for cinema. He left college at 14 to turn into a motorbike restore apprentice, later labored as a stunt rider and mechanic, and finally moved into manufacturing. In 2024, after parting methods with a earlier three way partnership, he based his personal model with borrowed cash. Within two years, his firm developed a mannequin able to defeating established world opponents, with the engine and significant elements all produced domestically.

“When we first arrived in this arena, we were looked down upon,” Zhang mentioned. “But when we stood on the top of the podium, they had to look at us again.”

The achievement has drawn sturdy consideration past China. Portuguese bike skilled Rui Belmonte, talking to Xinhua, known as ZXMOTO’s double win a “turning point” for Chinese manufacturers in high-performance racing, including that the consequence had stunned many within the paddock. “We had never seen a Chinese manufacturer so dominant over a full race weekend,” he mentioned.

Han Han confirmed throughout February roadshow appearances for “Pegasus 3” {that a} fourth movie was deliberate, however has not publicly addressed calls to include Zhang’s biography into it.

Zhang himself mentioned he’s open to movie adaptation rights, however insisted on a top-tier manufacturing staff with a powerful portfolio. In return, he provided what he known as “top-level resources” — entry to actual race footage and the usage of precise victory podiums for filming.

Actor Yin Zheng, who featured within the “Pegasus” sequence and is a licensed motorsport competitor, celebrated ZXMOTO’s win on Weibo. “That rural boy who once rode a worn-out motorcycle, falling and stalling but never giving up — he finally put his own bike on top of a world championship podium,” Yin wrote.

When Zhang provided to ship him a complimentary bike in thanks, Yin declined. “I can’t take something for nothing from someone who has given everything to Chinese motorcycling,” he replied.

The business influence has been equally swift. Orders for ZXMOTO bikes have doubled inside days of the Portugal victory, Zhang mentioned. The firm employs simply over 200 engineers, and Zhang identifies analysis capability as the first constraint on additional progress.

Observers observe that adapting Zhang’s story into a longtime franchise carries its personal complexity. Integrating a brand new protagonist into the “Pegasus” universe — which has constructed its id round actor Shen Teng’s character — would require vital artistic recalibration.

But Song, a famend screenwriter, argued the franchise might itself be due for renewal. “The first three films have told the story of their protagonist pretty completely,” he mentioned. “There should be a new hero.”

Still, whether or not Zhang’s story makes it onto the display or not, its cultural influence might already be substantial. For many Chinese viewers, the main points matter lower than the sensation — what individuals take from this, analysts say, is the that means and worth of particular person effort, and a renewed confidence in what Chinese manufacturing can obtain.

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Mitsubishi Motors Launches Xforce SUV in Malaysia, Exceeds Pre-Order Targets – Japan Industry News

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has introduced the launch of its Xforce compact SUV in Malaysia, with gross sales commencing on April 8, 2026. The car, produced regionally on the Pekan plant in Pahang, has already surpassed its preliminary pre-order goal of two,000 models since pre-orders opened on February 5, 2026.

The Xforce is positioned as a brand new core mannequin for the Malaysian market, becoming a member of the Xpander in Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s lineup. Developed beneath the idea of being the ‘best-suited buddy for an thrilling life,’ the Xforce is a five-seater compact SUV that mixes a trendy but strong design with a spacious and comfy inside. Its compact physique measurement ensures maneuverability, interesting to a variety of consumers in search of each city practicality and SUV presence.

Following its preliminary launch in Indonesia in November 2023, the Xforce has been launched to different ASEAN international locations, together with Vietnam and the Philippines, in addition to markets in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. As a worldwide strategic mannequin for Mitsubishi Motors, the Xforce has been praised for its design and flexibility.

Takashi Sakamaki, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, emphasised the car’s function in supporting numerous buyer life, stating, ‘Built on the trusted reliability and excellent dealing with cultivated by Mitsubishi Motors, the Xforce goals to be a car that helps a variety of buyer life. From on a regular basis driving to extra lively pursuits, the Xforce is designed to encourage problem and journey.’

Mitsubishi Motors stays dedicated to delivering automobiles that meet evolving buyer wants, with a powerful deal with high quality and buyer satisfaction. The introduction of the Xforce in Malaysia is predicted to strengthen the corporate’s presence within the area’s aggressive automotive market.

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Ceasefire cheer lifts stock markets; Sensex, Nifty shut with surge of almost 4% in broad-based rally

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 8 (ANI): Indian fairness markets witnessed a pointy rally on Wednesday, with each benchmark indices surging almost 4 per cent, pushed by optimistic sentiment following the ceasefire announcement within the West Asia battle.

The Nifty 50 index jumped to 23,997.35, gaining 873.70 factors or 3.78 per cent, whereas the BSE Sensex surged to 77,562.90, rising by 2,946.32 factors or 3.95 per cent on the shut.

Market consultants attributed the rally to easing geopolitical considerations and improved investor sentiment.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited, mentioned the interim ceasefire is being seen as a step in direction of broader regional stability.

‘The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed oil costs under USD 100 and decreased draw back dangers to FY27 earnings development. The enchancment in sentiment has additionally led to a decline within the 10-year bond yield and strengthening of the rupee,’ he mentioned.

He added that the Reserve Bank of India’s determination to take care of establishment on rates of interest has additional supported monetary shares, whereas buyers are specializing in cheap valuations and secure medium-term earnings outlook.

Sector-wise, the rally was broad-based with nearly all indices closing within the inexperienced. Nifty Auto surged greater than 6 per cent, whereas Nifty Realty rallied 6.75 per cent. Nifty PSU Bank gained 5.46 per cent, Nifty Consumer Durables rose 5.23 per cent, and Nifty Media superior 2.96 per cent. Nifty IT additionally recorded marginal beneficial properties of 0.52 per cent.

In the commodities market, Brent crude costs continued to say no and have been buying and selling at round USD 94 per barrel on the time of submitting this report, reflecting easing provide considerations.

Meanwhile, treasured metals noticed an uptick, with gold costs rising to Rs 1,53,160 per 10 grams for twenty-four karats. Silver costs additionally surged by 5 per cent to Rs 2,44,498 per kg.

Asian markets mirrored the optimistic pattern, with sturdy beneficial properties throughout main indices. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged greater than 5 per cent to 56,444, South Korea’s KOSPI rose 6.43 per cent to five,872, and Taiwan’s weighted index climbed greater than 4 per cent to 34,761.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained greater than 3 per cent to 25,935, whereas Singapore’s Straits Times index was up by 0.77 per cent to 4,996. (ANI)

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Tokyo baseball powerhouse handed 1-month ban over unfold of obscene scholar video – TokyoReporter

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TOKYO (TR) –  A prestigious highschool baseball workforce right here has been handed a one-month ban on exterior matches after a number of members had been caught distributing an obscene video of a feminine scholar.

The Japan Student Baseball Association on Tuesday handed down the suspension to Third Junior & Senior High School of Nihon University (Nichidai Sanko) in Machida City, efficient till May 9, stories NHK (April 7).

In February, police referred two members of the hardball baseball workforce to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the act towards youngster prostitution and pornography. The pair allegedly pressured a feminine acquaintance into sending them sexually specific footage of herself, which they then extensively circulated amongst their friends.

An investigation by the affiliation revealed a systemic ethical failure inside the membership, concluding that greater than 10 members had been both actively concerned in spreading the digital footage or had been absolutely conscious of the abuse however selected to look the opposite manner.

In a uncommon transfer for an obscenity scandal involving minors, the affiliation publicly disclosed the varsity’s title as a result of malicious, collective nature of the incident. As a results of the fallout, the varsity voluntarily withdrew from the spring Tokyo metropolitan event.

Despite the general public shaming, the affiliation’s punishment has ignited a firestorm of criticism on-line.

Outraged netizens condemned the ruling as a “slap on the wrist,” declaring that lifting the ban in early May conveniently permits the elite workforce to take part within the upcoming summer time Koshien qualifiers.

“Leaving a digital tattoo on a girl while getting a punishment designed just in time for summer is unacceptable,” one livid person wrote on X.

“Why only until May? They should be disbanded. This is a crime perpetrated by a gang of punks, not something to be swept under the rug,” one other critic added.

Nichidai Sanko is well known as a nationwide baseball powerhouse, boasting two summer time National High School Baseball championships and one spring invitational title. It was the runner-up in final summer time’s occasion.

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