Batteries take the stage dressed as Home Run Boy! Home Run Bar holds PR event for its “Nothing but winners!? Ataru Fest”; the duo show off their all-out swings in interactive activities
Sumitomo Forestry launches the Sakura Tasuki Project—passing cherry trees weakened by aging and environmental changes on to the next generation through tissue culture (cloning) technology
NTT DATA MSE recognized for the second consecutive year as a “White 500” company in the large corporation category of the 2026 Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations program
Digital Asset Markets joins a joint demonstration project to enhance digital-asset AML, supported by the Financial Services Agency’s “FinTech Demonstration Experiments Hub”
[HR networking event] “Jinjiru-bu,” which brings HR professionals together every month, faces a major slump in attendance during the quiet season. On Friday, April 24, it will embrace the situation and hold a networking event exclusively for people with HR experience.
The weight-class-free championship to determine Japan’s strongest women’s judoka! Draw released for the “41st Empress Cup All-Japan Women’s Judo Championships”
Rui Sekkeishitsu Co., Ltd.’s new facility, Uda Innovation Center VUTAI (Butai), in Uda City, Nara Prefecture, to grand-open on Saturday, April 11 — opening ceremony to be held at the facility the same day, featuring a performance of “Okina” and a talk with prominent guests
“Isharyo AI” unveils a simulator for divorce compensation by category — a tool to estimate amounts across 4 categories: infidelity, domestic violence, emotional abuse and malicious abandonment
[JPI Seminar] “The full picture of DeNA’s ‘arena × urban development’ revenue model — a new urban business to be implemented at Kawasaki Arena City” to be held on Friday, April 10
Additional acquisition of shares in a consolidated subsidiary in Vietnam
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Hoshizaki Corporation, a comprehensive food service equipment manufacturer, has signed an agreement to acquire additional shares in its Vietnamese consolidated subsidiary, ASIA REFRIGERATION INDUSTRY (Arico). Its ownership stake will rise from 51% to 99.616%. The acquisition, planned for June 2026, aims to strengthen governance and speed up decision-making. The move will reinforce production in Vietnam and support the company’s goal of expanding its business throughout Southeast Asia.
[New release] An idling-stop canceler designed for the Forester and Impreza. Just connect it to the factory wiring! No need to operate the switch every time. Heating and air conditioning keep running, and you can pull away smoothly. An easy-to-follow installation video means you can fit it as soon as it arrives.
Minami Takahashi and JOY give rave reviews! “NEXT IDOL GRANDPRIX 2026,” a contest to crown the next breakout idol, names “Congratche!” as grand-prize winner
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
The final round of NEXT IDOL GRANDPRIX 2026, which determines the top next-breakout idol, was held on March 26, with the 7-member group 「コングラッチェ!」 taking the Grand Prix. The group received a ¥10 million prize and the right to appear at NIG FES 2026, along with other benefits, including having its music selected as the ending theme for a terrestrial TV program. The contest was held in a hybrid format, and the audience was energized by the enthusiastic performances.
Takatsuki City becomes the first municipality in the Hokusetsu region to introduce a service that lets people make inquiries by video call with the assistance of a sign language interpreter
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture, will introduce “Sign Language Link” on April 1, Reiwa 8, enabling people to contact city hall by video call through a sign language interpreter operator, with the aim of improving convenience for sign language users. The service will be available on smartphones and other devices with an internet connection, allowing real-time communication between both parties. It will expand the ways people can make inquiries, enabling faster and more accurate consultations than by email or fax.
Rising K-pop boy group from South Korea AmbiO makes its Japan debut. First performance and press interviews in Japan confirmed at “Docomo Cho Jidai 2026”!
A card from “Mixed-Up Orchestra,” an interactive exhibit at the Osaka-Kansai Expo Jellyfish Pavilion, will be on display for a limited time at the Osaka Science Museum
Playlist project “Me and Tokyo Girls’ Style,” featuring playlists by celebrities who love the group’s music, wraps up with a playlist by all 4 members of Tokyo Girls’ Style!
Anju Inami and Sumire Uesaka confirmed as special guests at “Like a Dragon THE LIVE -IKIZAMA-,” a live event featuring music from the “Like a Dragon” series!
[Event announcement] Hiroshi Kamioka, who returned to work with the help of AI and music after developing aphasia, speaks on “A Story of Recovery with Music and Art: Care That Embraces the Downward Slope”
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Yutaka Kamioka, chair of the board of NPO Ecology Online, will speak at a talk event in Kokubunji City on May 10, 2026. Drawing on his experience of returning to work after developing aphasia following a stroke, with the help of AI and music, he will discuss the potential of care with medical professionals and others.
Over the MOON, a retreat-style auberge combining food, space and experiences on a hill on Awaji Island’s west coast, grand opens Saturday, March 28, 2026
Production scheduler “Freely” to release new “Planning Gantt Chart” feature on March 25, optimizing process management through short-term “Board” and mid-term “Gantt” use
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Japan Computer Development will release a new “Planning Gantt Chart” feature for its cloud-based production scheduler Freely on March 25. The feature will enable hybrid operation combining the “Planning Board” for short-term management and the “Gantt Chart” for mid- to long-term management, optimizing coordination between production sites and managers.
Shoda Soy Sauce Co., Ltd. has renewed its naming rights agreement with Gunma Prefecture for the Gunma Prefectural Shikishima Park Athletics Stadium. The 5-year contract runs from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. The venue will continue to use the name “Shoda Shoyu Stadium Gunma.”
Tokachi Drinking Yogurt × “Touken Ranbu ONLINE”: 40 sword warriors (40 characters) gather! Double bacteria on a journey through your stomach! Featuring 三日月宗近, 骨喰藤四郎 and others. 20 limited-edition packages bring together familiar pairs from “Recollections”
GOLFZON Japan has added Satsuma Golf Resort, a resort course in Kagoshima Prefecture, to its VISION, TWOVISION and TWOVISION NX golf simulation systems. The systems recreate the hilly course, at an elevation of about 350 m, in a realistic setting. The company will continue to enhance the golf experience by adding courses from Japan and overseas.
“MapBoost” launches AI review-response tool tailored to the real estate industry — automatically generates replies tailored to personal information considerations, contract dispute handling and property type
From revolutionizing social media marketing to redefining the gift market: GiftX’s 飯髙悠太 talks about “thinking that creates categories” [Category is interview released]
Cooking media outlet “Nadia” and the JA Group in Saga team up! Special feature page “With seasonal asparagus from Saga Prefecture! Family-approved easy asparagus recipes” released
“Retail Media Trends Report: ARUTANA Lab Vol.3” released, providing an in-depth comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of 5 major platforms in the retail media market
[Japan's largest-scale smart city to open in Fukuoka in fiscal 2028] Project operator formally selected for land-use development of the former Kyushu University Hakozaki Campus site
The cherry blossom avenue “Sakura Michi,” a famous spot for weeping cherry trees, is about a 10-minute walk from Kyukamura Minami-Aso and is now in full bloom. The “2026 Takamori Cherry Blossom Festival” starts March 28 in Takamori, Aso. Enjoy a spring cherry blossom getaway at Kyukamura with views of the Aso Five Peaks.
Coming up Thu., Apr. 16! “What is AI?” No problem! A first-step generative AI seminar for working women, jointly hosted by Youthful and “Onna no Tenkoku type”
[Saitama Prefecture] Results of the Saitama Prefecture Quarterly Business Trends Survey (Reiwa 8, January–March) and launch of the “Saitama Prefecture Quarterly Business Trends Survey Data Site”
[Saitama Prefecture] A promotional video showcasing the appeal of the northern region, “Saihokuseven (彩北七星) — Track Down the Seven Mysteries of Saihoku!” is complete!
“Anamizu Gyoza Japan No. 1 Project” launched to support food recovery in Noto. We established a production system for a local specialty made with the traditional seasoning “ishiru.”
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Oisix ra daichi has established a production system for Anamizu gyoza, a local specialty from Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture. Made with ishiru, a traditional Noto seasoning, the product aims to support recovery from the earthquake and revitalize the local economy. Limited sales as a donation-linked product are also planned through Oisix.
[The Royal Park Hotel] Event report: “Let’s Learn! SDGs at the Hotel 2026,” an enjoyable, delicious, quiz-based learning event, held on 3/25.
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Royal Park Hotel held “Learn About SDGs at the Hotel 2026,” an SDGs learning event for elementary school students in the neighborhood, on March 25, 2026. In partnership with Dole Co., Ltd., the students learned about the hotel’s environmental initiatives and food waste reduction through quizzes and food tastings. This was the event’s 4th year.
Making labor-saving and productivity improvements more accessible! “Labor-Saving Navigator,” offering intuitive, industry-specific know-how, launches today
Don’t miss Chiba Lotte manager Saburo’s first game and the historic moment of a rookie starting on Opening Day for the first time in 76 years! “Yoshimoto BASEBALL LIVE: Chiba Lotte vs. Saitama Seibu” airs live March 27 (Fri.) at 18:30
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
BS Yoshimoto will broadcast the Pacific League season opener between the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Saitama Seibu Lions live from ZOZO Marine Stadium on March 27, 2026. Chiba Lotte will start rookie Kaito Mori, its first rookie Opening Day starter in 76 years. Yutaro Watanabe, in his 8th year, will make his first Opening Day start for Saitama Seibu.
New store at Chubu Centrair International Airport: Popular squeeze shop MOOOSH SQUISHY, known in Japan and overseas, opens its first location in the Chubu region! Period: March 26 (Thu.) to July 29 (Wed.)
Camera no Kitamura opens its first store inside a Yamada Denki location! Buyback-focused store to open at LABI Ikebukuro Main Store on March 27 (Fri.)
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Kitamura Camera Co., Ltd. will open its first store focused on strengthening its buyback business on the 2nd floor of Yamada Denki LABI Ikebukuro Main Store on March 27, 2026. It will offer same-day cash payment for used cameras and related equipment, and will also handle online orders for in-store pickup. Imaging services such as ID photos and film development will also be available as soon as the same day.
National Theatre Live x 彩の国さいたま芸術劇場: Experience the best of British theater from the best seats. 3 carefully selected NTLive productions to screen at 彩の国さいたま芸術劇場
The men’s final lineup for the Nojima T.League 2025-2026 season has been announced. Kinoshita Meister Tokyo, which finished 1st in the regular season, exercised its advantage, naming Yuta Tanaka for Match 2 and Jeong Young-sik for Match 3. The opponent is Kanazawa Port.
Certified as a corporate benefits promotion organization under ハタラクエール2026
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Link and Motivation Inc. has been certified as a Company Promoting Employee Benefits under “Hataraku Yell 2026,” which is supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The company was recognized for viewing employee benefits not merely as a retention measure but as a “management message” that contributes to higher labor productivity and motivation, and for designing its benefits consistently based on that philosophy.
Commitment line agreement signed with 株式会社みずほ銀行 under Mizuho Eco Finance
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Nippon Concrete Industries Co., Ltd. has signed a commitment line agreement with Mizuho Bank under Mizuho Eco Finance. The product provides loans based on a model developed by Mizuho Research & Technologies that scores companies on their environmental performance. The company was highly rated for its initiatives and reduction targets aimed at achieving carbon neutrality in fiscal 2048.
New release: Dimmable LED room lamp for HiAce/RegiusAce 200 series S-GL/GL models, with easy touch control. Adjust 3 color tones and 5 brightness levels at the touch of a button to create a comfortable cabin
A treat born from livestreaming becomes a product! online pâtisserie Lien, a brand that “connects the virtual and real worlds through sweets” by pastry chef Vtuber フレリア・ランヴェルセ, opens March 22