# AI News 180m Report｜2026-04-16 03:00–06:00 JST

One place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Taiwan, 5 items from 1 source; Japan, 1 item from 1 source.One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.

## South Korea surpasses China in Q1 to become ASML's largest market, with Taiwan in second place

- Published: 2026-04-16T04:49:24+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202604163001.aspx
- anchor: #n119316
- Companies mentioned: ASML、ブルームバーグ、サムスン電子、SKハイニックス

In the 1st quarter of 2026, South Korea overtook China to become the largest market for semiconductor equipment maker ASML. Shipments to South Korea accounted for 45% of total sales, Taiwan ranked 2nd, and China's share fell to 19%.

## Reuters: Iran proposes allowing partial free passage through the Strait of Hormuz

- Published: 2026-04-16T04:37:16+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202604160008.aspx
- anchor: #n119317
- Companies mentioned: ロイター通信

Iran is reportedly considering a proposal to allow partial free passage for ships in Omani waters of the Strait of Hormuz as a measure to ease tensions in negotiations with the United States.

## Godfather of emerging markets, legendary investor Mark Mobius, dies at 89

- Published: 2026-04-16T03:58:14+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202604160007.aspx
- anchor: #n119315
- Companies mentioned: フランクリン・テンプルトン、ウォール・ストリート・ジャーナル

Renowned investor Mark Mobius, known as the “father of emerging markets,” died at the age of 89 on April 15, 2026. His death is a major loss to the financial world, given his global influence as a pioneer of emerging markets investing.

## Kyoto boy's murder case in Japan: 37-year-old father arrested on suspicion of abandoning body

- Published: 2026-04-16T03:09:11+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202604160006.aspx
- anchor: #n119313

In Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, an 11-year-old boy who had been missing since late March was found dead, and police arrested his 37-year-old father on suspicion of abandoning the body.

## Pope calls for peaceful coexistence around the world, undeterred by repeated attacks from Trump

- Published: 2026-04-16T02:48:08+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202604160005.aspx
- anchor: #n119312

初のアメリカ人教皇であるレオ14世はアフリカ歴訪中、トランプ米大統領からの非難にもかかわらず、世界に平和と共存のメッセージが必要だと訴えた。

## AI tool launched to automatically generate business plans for opening hair salons and beauty-related businesses simply by answering questions

- Published: 2026-04-16T04:00:01+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000004.000161961.html
- anchor: #n119314

An AI tool that automatically generates the “business plan” required to open a hair salon or beauty-related business simply by answering questions has been launched. It supports greater operational efficiency for beauty salon operators.