“Hyogo Open Innovation X,” a program supporting new business creation by companies in Hyogo Prefecture, launches
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
01Booster, Minato Bank and Hyogo Prefecture have launched the “Hyogo Open Innovation X” program to help local companies and startups collaborate on creating new businesses.
[ABC-MART] Give your summer style a boost! Influencer Osaki shows off Colon sandals, the next-generation platform style that adds +6cm and offers exceptional comfort
Making its first appearance in Nagoya! Advance tickets for the “Aurora and Forest Story Exhibition” go on sale May 15 (Friday)! Evening hours will also let visitors enjoy the exhibition later in the day.
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Nagoya will host the Nordic-themed immersive exhibition “Aurora and Forest Story Exhibition” for the first time, with advance tickets going on sale May 15.
Launching the “ORION LCD TV Basic Room Series,” an eco-designed, budget-friendly television with an energy-saving achievement rate of 100% and simple features for comfortable use
[Author event] Switch on your senses through “craftfulness,” a hands-on form of meditation. The “Opening the Senses: Craft × Mindfulness Program” with bestselling author SHOWKO will be held on Sunday, May 31
Campaign launches for “TRAINING COOL,” a collection of training wear made with cooling fabric for comfort during Japan’s scorching summers; Karen Takizawa named Adidas Training Ambassador
[Hosted by Sharely] Webinar on running successful shareholder meetings, “Last-Minute Preparations Ahead of the June Shareholder Meeting: How to Choose a Reliable Partner and What to Look For,” to be held on Thursday, May 21
Survey of allergens in places where infants sleep before starting solid foods — bedding contains allergens including nuts, eggs, milk and wheat, as well as dust mites
[Second speaker announcement] Kageyama of Royal Hotel, ZIPAIR, TripAdvisor and Booking.com confirmed as speakers! “THE INBOUND DAY 2026” to be held
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
mov has announced a high-profile lineup of speakers, including Royal Hotel and ZIPAIR, for “THE INBOUND DAY 2026,” an inbound tourism conference set to be held in August 2026.
[First store nationwide] New sweets brand “flaneru (Furaneru) Flour and Sugar,” themed around the essential ingredients of sweets, flour and sugar, opens June 11 (Thursday) at 阪神梅田本店!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Edelweiss will open its new sweets brand “flaneru,” themed around flour and sugar, at the Hanshin Umeda Main Store on June 11.
[Reprints continue!] The dream picture-book collaboration “King × Sendak: Hansel and Gretel” is set for its 3rd printing just over 2 weeks after its release
[20th anniversary] The “St.GRACE Party Plan,” perfect for adding sparkle to special gatherings, launches at Aoyama St. Grace Cathedral, a landmark in Omotesando!
[Nitori apparel brand N+] Stay cool and look refined this summer with versatile functionality. The ¥2,990 “Cool Summer Knit” series launches in late April
[Watami no Kodawari Norengai] Hearty feasts to satisfy both appetite and soul! “Early Summer Feast” goes on sale for a limited time starting May 14 (Thursday)
A fresh early-summer treat featuring the flavors of Shine Muscat grapes and cream cheese: “Choco Pie Premium <Shine Muscat Fromage>” launches nationwide on Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Kunihiko Mitamura heads to Uji, Kyoto, amid fresh greenery｜Breathtaking World Heritage sites and ancient temples, exquisite hamburg steak and a hidden alleyway gem… a blissful trip for adults!
The 70th “Yamagata Highlights Exhibition” will be held at 日本橋三越本店 starting Wednesday, May 27｜A showcase of Yamagata's flavors and craftsmanship, including its famous cherries
“Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label THE BAR” has surpassed 500,000 total visitors since opening in 2019!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Ginza's “Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label THE BAR” has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors since opening in 2019 and plans to open a second location in Osaka this summer.
Crisp outside, creamy inside! A freshly made crème brûlée French toast infused with sweet, fragrant mango takes center stage at 松江エクセルホテル東急’s “Mango and Summer Fruit Sweets Fair,” held for 4 days only.
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Matsue Excel Hotel Tokyu will hold its “Mango and Summer Fruit Sweets Fair” for 4 days in June and July 2026, featuring freshly made crème brûlée French toast.
A seminar titled “The New Industrial Structure Created by Electrification and Hydrogenation,” featuring Takashi Yatabe of the Business Development Office at TEPCO Renewable Power Co., Ltd., will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026!
A hilarious, unpredictable comedy road trip is back, with Onomichi, Niigata and Otaru as this year's destinations! “Magical Lovely and Igo Shogi's Exciting, Heart-Pounding Tour” returns!
New white color added to blend in with bedrooms and desk areas; additional launch of an arm stand compatible with 4- to 12.9-inch devices
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Sanwa Supply has introduced a new white version of its smartphone and tablet stand for 4- to 12.9-inch devices, featuring 360-degree rotation and 三-section joint adjustment.
BEOMGYU (TOMORROW X TOGETHER) graces a Japanese magazine cover solo for the first time. A special pinup lets fans fully enjoy BEOMGYU in all his stunning beauty! The July issue of VOCE goes on sale May 21
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
BEOMGYU of TOMORROW X TOGETHER appears solo on the cover of the July issue of Japanese magazine VOCE for the first time. The issue goes on sale May 21 and comes with deluxe beauty gifts.
“Get to the bottom of foot odor!” The series has sold more than 100,000 copies in Korea! The children’s book What’s Weird Is Science, Volume 2: Fun Chemistry All Around Us is now on sale, offering an entertaining way to learn about the outlandish research honored by the Ig Nobel Prize!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Japanese publisher Gakken released a children’s science book themed around the “Ig Nobel Prize” on May 14, 2026. The book, What’s Funny Is Science, Volume 2, uses entertaining chemistry research to spark children’s interest in science.
In “eat a watermelon,” should “watermelon” take “a” or not? A new book, 55 English Grammar Questions I Wish My Teacher Had Answered, clearly explains the English grammar that often trips up Japanese learners!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Gakken has published 55 English Grammar Questions I Wish My Teacher Had Answered, by linguist Shigenori Tanaka. Using diagrams of core concepts, the book tackles common challenges faced by Japanese people learning English.
Release of the board game This Time, I Was Appointed Producer of an “Ultra-Individualistic Idol Unit,” offering an experiential way to learn about the appeal of disability welfare
Hiranoya, a long-established inn in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, founded in Showa 7, opens a nationally innovative “meditation (dialogue) room” on its premises
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
The long-established Hiranoya hot spring inn in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, will open a meditation and dialogue room called “間（aida）” on its premises, offering guests a peaceful space for deep conversation with themselves.
vina nide joins as a sponsor of “Badass City 2026,” a breakdancing event originating in Ho Chi Minh City
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
vina nide will sponsor the street dance event “Badass City,” to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in May 2026, providing creative support for merchandise and visual design.
Grand opening May 16: New cafe concept “SHOGUN BURGER+FACTORY” comes to the Komazawa Park area
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Wagyu burger specialty shop SHOGUN BURGER will open a new concept combining a bakery and cafe, “SHOGUN BURGER+FACTORY,” in the Komazawa Park area on May 16.
Karakuri develops homegrown AI that automates PC tasks just by recording a video — proven to cut 200 hours of work annually at a contact center
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Karakuri has developed an AI application that automates PC tasks simply by recording a video of the operation. A trial at TENTIAL’s customer service center showed it could reduce work time by about 200 hours annually.
“Shinshu Music Exposition Op.5,” a chamber music concert by musicians from 千曲市, to be held
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
3 musicians from different generations, all from 千曲市 in Nagano Prefecture, will perform a chamber music concert, “Shinshu Music Exposition Op.5,” in the city on July 12, 2026.
Supported by Sagamihara City: The region’s largest clinic, serving about 80,000 people a year, and AEON co-host for the first time! “Sukusuku Children’s Job Experience Expo,” a hands-on medical experience event for children, will be held on Saturday, May 30.
Companies mentioned：Games Workshop Group PLC、Focus Entertainment、Saber Interactive、Fatshark、Owlcat Games、Devolver Digital、Auroch Digital、Sega、Creative Assembly、Slitherine、Deep Silver、KING Art Games、Kasedo Games
Gyoza no Kacchan is all-in on “Gyoza Girls’ Parties”! Every woman in a group that books an all-you-can-eat-and-drink course gets a “special chocolate pie”!
Supplement developer REDAS unveils “BODY RETAINER,” the industry’s first supplement sold exclusively through esthetic and beauty salons※
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
REDAS Corporation will unveil “BODY RETAINER,” the industry’s first BHB supplement sold exclusively through beauty salons, at Beautyworld Japan Tokyo 2026.
Minimal construction, a state-of-the-art AI parking lot: AI camera parking system “DENNOU PARK” begins operation at a parking lot in Nara Prefecture run by a group company of a major Kansai railway operator.
Mizuho Securities adopts VideoTouch’s “VideoTouch” and “AI Roleplay” together, shifting 5 hours and 50 minutes of trainer-led classroom instruction to on-demand learning and digitizing contact center training for 400 employees across 4 locations
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Mizuho Securities has adopted VideoTouch and AI role-play simulations, turning 5 hours and 50 minutes of in-person classes into on-demand videos and digitally transforming training for 400 contact center staff.
In an era when more than 50% of university entrants decide where to enroll “within the year,” strategies for balancing regular tests and Eiken® are essential for students at combined junior and senior high schools — WAYS, a tutoring school specializing in combined junior and senior high schools, to hold a free seminar in Umeda
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
WAYS, a private tutoring school operated by Mates Co., Ltd., will hold a free seminar in Umeda, Osaka, on admissions strategies for parents of students at combined junior and senior high schools.
Website relaunched to further automate operations, analyze data and support decision-making through AI
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
SmartDrive completely revamps its corporate website, officially launches the integrated data platform “AI Mobility OS,” and uses AI to automate operations for mobility-related businesses.
The time of year when 500 varieties of herbs are at their peak: Suzuki Herb Research Institute Herb Garden opens to the public free of charge from 5/21 to 6/30
[New store information: Tokyo] “裏の山の木の子 吉祥寺店” opens on 6/4 (Thu.)! New “sour cabbage mushroom hot pot” exclusive to Kichijoji
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
AP Holdings will open the mushroom hot pot specialty restaurant “裏の山の木の子” in Kichijoji, Tokyo, on June 4, 2026, and introduce an exclusive sour cabbage mushroom hot pot.
Reconsidering the complex relationship between humans and nature. “After Control,” a solo exhibition by internationally active Singapore-based artist Robert Zhao Renhui, to be held at Kyoto City University of Arts Gallery @KCUA (free admission)
[Customer case study] A manufacturer with 199 employees and no IT department gains criteria for making software procurement decisions — 株式会社ナベル × Leach generative AI advisor
Global Cast launches “AI DESK,” leveraging its strength in on-site execution capabilities — integrating AI automation with nationwide on-site operations to ensure practical results
Yamato Electric signs business partnership agreement with South Korea’s GFI, a KOSDAQ-listed provider of advanced fire suppression and prevention solutions, and secures exclusive sales rights in Japan
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Yamato Electric has signed a business partnership agreement with South Korea’s GFI, securing exclusive sales rights in Japan for its advanced microcapsule fire suppression products to address emerging fire risks such as lithium-ion battery fires.
Japan’s first FX service to use bonds as collateral to generate “double income (interest),” the new-concept “WEALTH FX,” scheduled to launch on June 22 — advance account applications scheduled to open on June 1
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
JTG Securities will launch “WEALTH FX,” Japan’s first new FX service backed by bonds, in June 2026, offering dual income.
SynQ Remote unveils AI-powered skills-transfer digital transformation that preserves the “tacit knowledge” of construction and infrastructure sites [Industrial DX Expo 2026 Spring, Osaka]
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Quando will showcase “SynQ Remote” at an Osaka exhibition, using AI to record tacit on-site knowledge and enable digital skills transfer.
[Survey of 1,365 users of Last Love] 95% of middle-aged and older respondents say they “feel lonely”! Men with “no one they can casually contact” are 1.7 times as numerous as women
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
A survey of 1,365 middle-aged and older users found that 95.5% feel lonely. The proportion of men who lack someone they can contact casually was 1.7 times that of women.
[One-stop provision of PCs, furniture, cleaning, and disaster-prevention supplies] Office setup support service “CLAS Biz” launches full-scale “Workplace Setup” offering
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
CLAS has launched “Workplace Setup” for businesses, offering a one-stop subscription service for everything from PCs and office furniture to cleaning and disaster-prevention supplies, with the aim of reducing initial investment and management costs.
The Suntory Group will launch water-source conservation activities in Australia in May 2026 and sign a three-year partnership agreement with the Griffith University river research institute.