【Kalodata Weekly】Japan’s TikTok Shop market sees GMV plunge to 859 million yen after Golden Week, while high-priced health and beauty supplements buck the trend with growth (week of May 4)
【Joint research with the University of Tokyo Numata Laboratory】Research findings on corporate business continuity and pre-disaster risk finance published
“The CHOYA Ginza BAR,” a cocktail bar specializing in plum wine, launches “Starry Night Shaved Ice,” featuring 3 colors of plum wine syrup to evoke the changing night sky over ice reflecting a blue starry sky!
YOASOBI UT returns for the first time in 5 years! A special collection featuring 4 creators behind YOASOBI’s creative work depicting the 2 members, set to go on sale in mid-July 2026!
Government-certified Japanese-language school opens in Indonesia, offering an intensive 5-month residential program in “Japanese language and manners”
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Apti Global opens a government-certified Japanese-language school in Bandung, Indonesia, offering intensive 5-month residential training for specified-skilled workers in the automotive industry.
【Latest survey in the Kansai region】Top 5 most popular beauty treatments this spring
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
The beauty medical information site “Kuchikomi Hiroba: Beauty Medical” has announced its ranking of popular spring beauty treatments in the Kansai region. Botox took 1st place, driven by demand to improve one’s appearance for a new chapter in life and prepare for summer.
KnockLearn Inc., which provides recruitment support, has published “The BizReach Operations Handbook,” a guide that systematizes operational know-how for the high-level career-change site ビズリーチ. Drawing on insights and experience from former employees, it offers reproducible strategies for success.
When did medical school graduates start studying seriously? Survey by Takeda Juku Ishinkan reveals the answer!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Medical school prep school Takeda Juku Ishinkan surveyed 22 medical school graduates. The most common time to begin serious studying was “after starting a repeat year,” at 36.4%. The survey also found differences in preparation approaches, with 31.8% saying they had “not done any particular interview preparation.”
【First-ever location in Tokushima Prefecture】Pilates K to open at Fuji Grand Kitajima on May 22! With 2 consecutive weeks of new openings in the prefecture, the popular machine Pilates concept is finally coming to Tokushima
Japan’s total economic losses amount to approximately 1.9 trillion yen. “megueru,” an online shop sharing information on menopause care and tackling the social issue of “menopause-related losses,” opens today, May 14 (Thu.)
Business co-creation company Relic holds guest lecture at 松山大学 in Ehime Prefecture, with CTO Office Director Yoneda speaking on “The Essence of Systems Development”
Fukushima Prefecture’s Iitate Village, the Iitate Village Comprehensive Development Plan Promotion Council and Tokyu Land Corporation sign a regional partnership agreement
Launch of 8 models in the 4K OLED TV “AQUOS OLED” lineup
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Sharp has launched 8 new models in its 4K OLED TV “AQUOS OLED” lineup. They support “AQUOS AI,” a new service powered by Sharp’s proprietary generative AI, enabling natural conversations and content recommendations. The latest-generation panels and an upgraded audio system deliver high picture and sound quality.
Asking rents for family-type units in Tokyo’s 23 wards fall for 2 consecutive months but remain high at 254,000 yen; inquiry rents for single-type units top 100,000 yen for the first time, reaching a record high (LIFULL HOME'S Market Report, April 2026)
For everything from disaster response to everyday tasks. Professional-use gloves “DURAHIDE™ Original/Fast Fit,” redesigned to address on-site frustrations, are renewed, and cut-resistant “Pursuit D5” returns
Inquiry prices for used condominiums in Tokyo’s 23 wards reach record highs of 88,170,000 yen for family-type units and 41,830,000 yen for single-type units (LIFULL HOME'S Market Report, April 2026)
[Post-event report] A new service made possible by regulatory changes to the supply-demand adjustment market starting in April 2026 will use household electricity to offer discounts on power bills; "auでんち" launch event held
[角上魚類] Limited-time sales begin for "live-bled Sado salmon," an early-summer delicacy from Niigata and the Sea of Japan! Savor the season during a 30-day local salmon festival, with the store filled with salmon dishes ranging from sashimi and sushi to fried foods!
Legendary dancer Ivan Vasiliev makes a comeback! An exhibition of photographs from his retirement performance, taken by Natsuko Goto, will be held at Tokyo Tower, leading up to his comeback performance in summer 2026.
The 5th and 6th cohorts of "Leadership Quest - Ignite -," an interdisciplinary exchange and cross-boundary learning program for talent development exploring leadership in the generative AI era, will be held in the smart city of Aizuwakamatsu.
Long-awaited opening at イオンモール広島府中, one of the largest commercial facilities in Hiroshima Prefecture. Hiyori Clinic Aeon Mall Hiroshima Fuchu will grand-open on Friday, May 8, 2026. High-quality skin treatments will be available at highly competitive prices!
Surrounding the grief of losing a loved one with ancient music and conversation. A "Grief Concert of Your Own" will be held in Koganei, Tokyo, on May 23.
Showrooms focused on customer experience (CX) will open in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka under the concept of "Experience the future of dental care and dental technology, and create the present"
Put an end to indecision over choosing skis through hands-on experience and conversation. Long-established OGASAKA SKI will showcase its full lineup at "Ski Forum 2026"
The second edition of the "Stop. The satisfying feeling. POSSOT Wedge," which surpassed 5.69 million yen in backing on Makuake. A model equipped with a carbon shaft will go on presale at GREENFUNDING.
[Limited time] Savor the brief spring season of hana sansho pepper. Shimogamo Saryo's "Japanese Black Wagyu and Hana Sansho Hot Pot" on sale through the end of June
Can AI operate project schedules through chat instructions!? Construction-focused AI agent company KENCOPA officially releases the "AI Chat Editing" feature in its "Kencopa Project Schedule AI Agent"
Ultra-fast development and ultralight design. Taking vehicle development competitiveness to a whole new level. Nature Architects to exhibit at both the Yokohama and Nagoya venues of "Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026"
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Nature Architects will showcase its AI-driven technologies for ultra-fast vehicle development and lightweight design at the Yokohama and Nagoya venues of the 2026 Automotive Engineering Exposition.
A special exhibition highlighting new possibilities for washi, a traditional Japanese material, will be held at the LVMH メティエ ダール showroom in Paris.
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
LVMH メティエ ダール will hold a special exhibition in Paris showcasing the innovation and next-generation potential of washi, a traditional Japanese material.
Limited-time campaign launches Thursday, May 21, at coworking spaces in Osaka and Fukuoka, offering 20% off meeting rooms equipped for online meetings when checking in
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Office furniture manufacturer R.F.Yamakawa is offering a limited-time meeting room discount at eight-tenths of the regular price at its coworking spaces in Osaka and Fukuoka to celebrate the opening of new stores.
Japan Power Procurement Solutions launches "Electricity Contract Second Opinion" service for businesses
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Japan Power Procurement Solutions launches an "Electricity Contract Second Opinion" service for businesses, evaluating the reasonableness of contracts and electricity bill increases from the perspective of an independent third-party expert.
[Webinar] June 4 (Thu): How to choose a Salesforce integration method—tools for connecting internal systems and data
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
パナソニック デジタル株式会社 will hold a free webinar on June 4, 2026, about ways to connect Salesforce with internal systems. The webinar will compare 3 integration methods—Data Loader, Web API, and EAI tools—and explain how to choose the best option with examples.
トラタニ株式会社 explores the effects of shallow breathing during sleep on the autonomic nervous system and metabolism through the "Night Oxygen Flow Project."
A luxurious, upscale hotel beer garden opens Thursday, May 21: "BEERTERRACE 2026"
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
ANAクラウンプラザホテル秋田 will hold "BEERTERRACE 2026" from May 21 to September 27, offering Akita City's first all-you-can-drink option featuring Asahi's premium draft beer Jukusen, along with 2 meat-based meal plans.
Supporting store digital transformation and improved customer experience at overseas subsidiaries! コーナン商事株式会社 begins full-scale operation of "e食住なび for DX"
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
eBASE Corporation has introduced the multilingual version of “e食住なび for DX” to help improve store DX and CX at the overseas subsidiaries of home improvement retailer コーナン商事 in Vietnam and Cambodia. Testing will begin in November 2025, with full operation targeted for summer 2026. The system provides local staff with English translations of Japanese product information to improve customer service.
A round table and limited-quantity lighting join the expandable furniture lineup from KIT
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Japanese furniture brand “KIT,” from 日本コパック, has launched the customizable round table “TBL-03,” designed for a range of spaces including homes and offices, and new white lighting in limited quantities, “LGT-01” and “LGT-03,” made with deadstock cord from Japan. The products can be freely combined to suit different uses and spaces, bringing refined design to everyday interiors.
Multi-location business SaaS service “店舗Linkle” introduced at 650 株式会社光洋 stores
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
北都システム has introduced the multi-location business SaaS service “店舗Linkle” at 650 株式会社光洋 stores. The rollout has helped 光洋 streamline information sharing between headquarters and stores, reduce reliance on individual employees for handling inquiries, and improve operational efficiency through paperless processes.
Research examines technology strategy and market prospects for 14 energy storage NEXT technologies
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
アックスタイムズ has released its 2026 market research report on next-generation power generation and energy storage technologies, focusing on the potential market size of 14 energy storage technologies.
Autodesk adds “AI Rigging” and “Neural Layer” to Flow Studio
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Autodesk has added AI Rigging and Neural Layer features to its Flow Studio platform, greatly simplifying 3D character rigging and high-quality rendering workflows.
[Giveaway campaign] Joint G TUNE giveaway campaign with 株式会社マウスコンピューター aims to raise awareness of e-motorsports and grow the competitor base
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
The Japan e-Motorsports Organization and Mouse Computer are holding a giveaway, drawing a G TUNE gaming PC during the UNIZONE league to expand the competitor base.
Most sought-after qualifications in the AI era: AI and data analysis-related qualifications rank No. 1｜About 80% see a need to obtain qualifications
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
A survey conducted by “とにかく資格ブログ,” operated by 株式会社サイトクリエーション, found that about 80% feel qualifications are necessary in the AI era, with AI and data analysis-related qualifications topping the list of those they most want to obtain.
[Latest adoption figures] Fracta Japan’s AI pipeline deterioration diagnosis service surpasses 100 adopting organizations
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Fracta Japan announced that its AI pipeline deterioration diagnosis service “AIEyes®” has reached a cumulative total of 114 adoptions in Japan. The service uses AI to visualize the deterioration of underground pipes and address the challenge of aging infrastructure.
豊橋文化振興財団 introduces “ルビフルボタン,” which automatically displays furigana on its website
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
ルビ財団 announced that “ルビフルボタン,” which automatically displays furigana on websites, has been introduced on the 豊橋文化振興財団 website. The initiative aims to improve information accessibility for people who have difficulty reading kanji, including children and foreign nationals.
東海大付属甲府高校 holds “Integrated Inquiry Studies” classes led by the president of a Yokohama small factory
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
スリーハイ is partnering with 東海大甲府高校 on inquiry-based learning, with its president personally guiding students as they work on solving business challenges.
French fragrance brand “ミレー・エ・ベルトー” will launch “ライク ア シャドウ,” a new fragrance that stays close like a faithful shadow, on May 15, 2026. Its understated yet mysterious scent changes over time and is designed for people who value balance between their inner and outer selves.
Companies mentioned：Miller et Bertaux（ミレー・エ・ベルトー）、E.F. international（株式会社イー・エフ・インターナショナル）
Trip.com Group announces latest trends in travel demand for anime and comics
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
A new report from Trip.com says travel searches for anime pilgrimage sites in Asia rose by as much as 195% year over year, driven by Gen Z and millennials.
[May 21 and 22] Why are information leaks from “BeReal” happening one after another? How young employees inadvertently expose information, and 3 steps companies should take
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
ジールコミュニケーションズ will hold a free online seminar on May 21 and 22 to discuss how young employees inadvertently leak confidential information through social media platforms such as “BeReal,” and how to prevent it.
Bookbird, the bookstore connecting the world, to hold the “Thai Swamp Phrase Certification” for the first time on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for fans of Thai dramas and culture
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Bookbird, the cross-border e-commerce service run by 日販IPS, will hold the “Thai Swamp Phrase Certification” for Thai drama fans for the first time on August 23, 2026.
A new brand from Kona’s Coffee, which operates 55 stores nationwide! Hawaiian cafe and bar restaurant “goodNess” to grand open at Shibuya Mark City on Thursday, May 28, 2026!
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
“goodNess,” a new brand from “コナズ珈琲,” will open as a Hawaiian cafe and bar at Shibuya Mark City on May 28, 2026.
[June 9] Kyoto event! Where business meets biodiversity: the forefront of implementing nature-positive initiatives based on scientific approaches
Published ・ Source Japan | PR TIMES
Think Nature will hold a seminar on business and biodiversity in Kyoto on June 9, exploring corporate nature-positive practices based on scientific data.