Japan sees a wave of community events and business launches in July 2026
A weekend science workshop for children will be held at Asperia Akashi in Hyōgo Prefecture on August 8, offering hands‑on activities such as making “Ocean Bottles” that explore why water and oil do not mix. The event limits attendance to eight participants per session and charges ¥300 per child.
A new discount supermarket called Sandi is scheduled to open on August 6 at the former Center Seven site in Amagasaki’s Minami‑Tsukaguchi district, alongside a Kirindo drugstore. The combined retail space will expand local shopping options.
In Aomori, the Hiroro 3F event space will host a free “Wooden Toy Plaza” on July 19, showcasing wooden toys made from locally sourced timber and highlighting globally loved Good‑Toy designs.
A Korean research team announced the development of a self‑healing soft contact lens. The lens uses a disulfide‑crosslinked hydrogel that repairs up to 90 % of surface scratches after one hour of room‑temperature UV exposure.
SoftBank Group has entered a strategic partnership with Sierra to launch AI‑driven customer‑service solutions in Japan, beginning with integration into the Linemo mobile brand and plans to extend the technology to Y!mobile and other group services.
LTV‑X unveiled a new advertising‑optimization add‑on, LTV‑CAPI, that links CRM customer data directly to ad platforms, aiming to improve targeting accuracy amid tightening privacy regulations.
A nationwide processed‑food sales ranking for June placed Umios’ “Aori‑Stir‑Fried Pork Fried Rice” at the top of POS‑based sales data.
A Chinese‑language guide compared major Greater Bay Area medical‑insurance products, detailing coverage options for Hong Kong residents working or retiring on the mainland.
SEVENTEEN’s youngest member Dino disclosed on a YouTube interview that he once considered leaving the group, describing a pivotal moment when he confronted his senior members about his struggles.