Japan Intelligence Overhaul: Japan held its first panel meeting on strengthening intelligence capabilities, including counterespionage legislation and plans for a foreign intelligence agency—while critics warn it could drift into excessive surveillance. Workforce Reality in Kyoto: A survey in Fukuchiyama found 90% of local firms hiring foreign workers cite labor shortages, with most saying the hiring is “indispensable” and unlikely to shrink. Telecom R&D Push: NTT DOCOMO unveiled an AI model aimed at accurate predictions even with limited historical data, targeting the “cold-start” problem for new services. 6G Collaboration: Ericsson, Murata, and Sumitomo Electric signed MoUs to explore next-gen mobile network tech for 6G and the AI era, including energy-saving and resilient communications. Carbon Markets Conference: DeCarbon Tokyo 2026 will bring 400+ decision-makers to discuss Japan’s GX rollout, industrial decarbonization, carbon markets, and carbon removal. Space & Security Angle: UN adopted a global blueprint in Abu Dhabi to tackle “crime as a service” and digital-fueled fraud, calling for tech use with safeguards like human oversight and data protection. Horticulture Expo Build: Qatar laid the foundation stone for its GREEN×EXPO 2027 pavilion in Yokohama, moving from planning to implementation.