TOKYO (AP) — Four years after popular Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox was hacked and went bankrupt, the case still casts a shadow over the regulatory regime put in place to protect Japan's thriving cryptocurrency market.Mark Karpeles, the French founder and former CEO of Mt. Gox, says he hopes to recoup the millions lost by his customers in the heist — now a possibility, given the surge in bitcoin's value in recent years to some 10 times its earlier value.Mt. Gox was a wakeup call for Japan, which since has established a relatively strong regulatory regime. Cryptocurrencies remain popular in the world's No. 2 economy. About half the world's bitcoin trading is estimated to be in yen. There are 16 licensed virtual currency exchanges, and Japanese bitcoin owners number 2-3 million. … [Read more...] about Japan embracing cryptocurrencies despite big theft cases
Japan
The Latest: Japan says talks must end N. Korean nuke program
BEIJING (AP) — The Latest on a visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to China (all times local): 11:30 a.m. Japan's prime minister has reiterated that any talks with North Korea must end its nuclear weapons program, following an unexpected meeting this week between the leaders of North Korea and China. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a parliamentary committee Wednesday that Japan has great interest in what happened and hopes to receive an explanation from China. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Chinese President Xi Jinping on a visit to Beijing that caught most of the world by surprise. Abe said that "what's important is not dialogue for dialogue's sake, but to achieve nuclear and missile dismantling in a completely verifiable and irreversible way." He added that sanctions on North Korea must be maintained until it takes concrete actions toward that end. ___ 9:10 a.m. The White House says the Chinese government contacted them Tuesday to tell U.S. officials about North Korean … [Read more...] about The Latest: Japan says talks must end N. Korean nuke program
Takashi Murakami, Japan’s Andy Warhol
Now On Display in Boston, the works of one of Japan's most prolific contemporary artists. With Serena Altschul now we'll view the art ... and meet the artist: Most artists struggle to break into mainstream culture. Takashi Murakami is not one of them. His Instagram is filled with familiar celebrities, and his work has been featured everywhere from a Kanye West album, to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Louis Vuitton bags. Altschul asked, "Why do you think your work is so popular here?" "I don't know," he replied. "This is my big question, too. So just, you know, good timing." To say Murakami is a character is an understatement. And his work is just as unique as he is -- works like those now on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. One painting, titled "Lots, Lots of Kaikai and Kiki," is a prime example of Superflat, a modern art movement pioneered by Murakami. Superflat merges pop art and anime with fine art techniques, putting them together on one surface. Each work … [Read more...] about Takashi Murakami, Japan’s Andy Warhol
Obama, in Japan, says North Korea’s isolation means less leverage
Former President Barack Obama said Sunday that negotiations with North Korea on its nuclear weapons program are difficult, partly because the country's isolation minimizes possible leverage, such as trade and travel sanctions against Pyongyang."North Korea is an example of a country that is so far out of the international norms and so disconnected with the rest of the world," Obama told a packed hall in Tokyo.He stressed that the effort to get North Korea to give up nuclear weapons remains difficult, but said countries working together, including China, South Korea and Japan, to pressure the North is better than nations working alone.He noted that past U.S. efforts on Iran's nuclear weapons were more successful because there was more leverage, but that there's little commerce and travel with North Korea to being with."That makes them less subject to these kinds of negotiations," he said of North Korea.Obama was speaking at an event sponsored by a Japanese nonprofit group during an … [Read more...] about Obama, in Japan, says North Korea’s isolation means less leverage
New Japan travel app pairs Microsoft’s AI chatbot with Navitime guidance
Tokyo >> Two Tokyo-based firms and Microsoft Japan have launched an English-language tourism app with an AI agent to target a surge in inbound tourists that is projected to continue. Tokyo >> Two Tokyo-based firms and Microsoft Japan have launched an English-language tourism app with an AI agent to target a surge in inbound tourists that is projected to continue. The Japan Trip Navigator app for Apple iOS and Android was released by travel agency JTB Corp., navigation firm Navitime Co. and Microsoft Japan. The companies said they aim to make the free app a dominant resource for tourists. The app allows travel plans to be made by tapping JTB’s network and answers questions with the help of an AI concierge devised by Microsoft. Navitime’s technology was added to help people find their way around. Japan set a record with 28.69 million tourists last year, and about 80 percent were individual travelers, according to Yasuhiro Tsuboi, who heads inbound operations at … [Read more...] about New Japan travel app pairs Microsoft’s AI chatbot with Navitime guidance