Akita official faces backlash over bathrobe appearance during AI project briefing

An official from Akita Prefecture has faced public criticism after appearing in a bathrobe and smoking during an emergency online press conference. Takahiro Ono, a supervisor overseeing corporate attraction for the Department of Industry and Labor, participated in the briefing regarding a massive planned AI data center project in Akita City.

The data center project is estimated to be worth 2 trillion yen and is expected to be one of Japan's largest, with discussions involving investment from the UAE. While the prefecture apologized, stating the behavior was