Akihabara News

28/04/2024

We are reviewing our coverage plans at Akihabara News, and this process is likely to take some time. We still monitor this feed and will answer questions if asked.

05/03/2024

Kyoto Prefectural Police and other authorities announced the arrest of seven individuals last month, including 36-year-old Randall Aaron Asher, an American national, for operating an illegal online casino site. It marked the first arrest of online casino site operators in Japan.

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Kyoto Prefectural Police and other authorities announced the arrest of seven individuals last month, including 36-year-old Randall Aaron Asher, an American national, for operating an illegal online casino site. It marked the first arrest of online casino site operators in ...

19/02/2024

After a series of embarrassing stumbles, Japan’s space program is putting some wins on the board again.

After a series of embarrassing stumbles, Japan's space program is putting some wins on the board again.

03/02/2024

Wakayama Governor Shuhei Kishimoto made it clear at a press conference on January 30 that his administration is keenly interested in bringing the benefits of “flying cars” (eVTOL) to his prefecture in western Japan.

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Wakayama Governor Shuhei Kishimoto made it clear at a press conference on January 30 that his administration is keenly interested in bringing the benefits of “flying cars” (eVTOL) to his prefecture in western Japan. “We are considering the possibility of regional rev...

27/01/2024

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) declared success in its “main mission” of conducting a Moon landing near the targeted coordinates, but it was hardly an unqualified triumph.

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) declared success in its “main mission” of conducting a Moon landing near the targeted coordinates, but it was hardly an unqualified triumph. The unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) landed on the lunar surfac...

22/01/2024

Japan’s most prominent hoverbike company, A.L.I. Technologies, has filed for bankruptcy. Although the firm reports that it hopes to rebuild in the United States, there is much reason to believe that it is now down and out.

Japan's most prominent hoverbike company, A.L.I. Technologies, has filed for bankruptcy. Although the firm reports that it hopes to rebuild in the United States, there is much reason to believe that it is now down and out.

11/01/2024

Japan’s leading “flying car” (eVTOL) development company SkyDrive is highlighting its strategic move into India, which it has long viewed as market full of potential for its innovative aerial vehicle. SkyDrive’s alliance with Suzuki Motor Corporation, which has an established presence in the South Asian giant, has only enhanced these ambitions.

Japan's leading "flying car" (eVTOL) development company SkyDrive is highlighting its strategic move into India, which it has long viewed as market full of potential for its innovative aerial vehicle.

02/01/2024

One of the most carefully planned initiatives to bring a casino resort to a Japanese regional city has ended in failure as the central government declines to issue a license for the project to go forward.

15/12/2023

Tokyo-based Universal Entertainment Corporation is poised for a major expansion of its casino resort interests in the Philippines.

08/12/2023

Joby Aviation, ANA Holdings, and Nomura Real Estate Development have entered into a collaborative partnership to establish infrastructure for electric air taxi services in Japan.

Joby Aviation, ANA Holdings, and Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. have entered into a collaborative partnership to establish infrastructure for electric air taxi services in Japan.

01/12/2023

Japanese casino mogul Kazuo Okada is out in the cold once again with another major legal defeat, while those whom he regards as his betrayers have been on a winning streak.

17/11/2023

Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) and Vertical Aerospace have formalized a commitment to advancing the field of advanced air mobility.

15/11/2023

In a significant strategic move, Sega Sammy Holdings and its subsidiary Sega Sammy Creation have revealed plans to acquire GAN Limited (GAN), which is a Nasdaq-listed Software as a Service provider for casino operators in the United States as well as an online gaming operator in Europe and South America.

Sega Sammy Holdings and its subsidiary Sega Sammy Creation have revealed plans to acquire GAN Limited (GAN), which is a Nasdaq-listed Software as a Service provider for casino operators in the United States as well as an online gaming operator in Europe and South America.

13/11/2023

SkyDrive has partnered with the Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) to develop electric charging facilities for flying cars (eVTOLs); this collaboration aims to install and operate charging facilities in the Osaka region in preparation for the 2025 World Expo.

06/11/2023

It has been revealed that officials of Osaka City deleted official emails regarding the planned casino resort after they had received information disclosure requests.

30/10/2023

Subaru has entered the flying car (eVTOL) race with an attention-grabbing appearance at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, which is being held at Tokyo Big Sight until November 5.

Subaru has entered the flying car (eVTOL) race with an attention-grabbing appearance at the Japan Mobility Show 2023

29/10/2023

Recent moves by the National Police Agency suggest that the long-rumored crackdown on online gambling may finally be underway.

10/10/2023

A Suzuki-owned factory in Iwata city, Shizuoka Prefecture, will be used to produce up to one hundred units of the SkyDrive eVTOL (flying car). Production is expected to begin next spring.

28/09/2023

Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City have agreed with the business consortium led by MGM Resorts International and the Orix Corporation to implement the project to build a major casino resort on Yumeshima island.

07/09/2023

The planned casino resort on Osaka’s manmade Yumeshima island, once targeted for an early 2025 opening, has now slipped back to an anticipated launch in late 2030.

The planned casino resort on Osaka's manmade Yumeshima island, once targeted for an early 2025 opening, has now slipped back to an anticipated launch in late 2030. Moreover, the price tag for the initiative also continues to rise.

26/08/2023

Terra Drone has acquired a majority stake in Unifly, a global leader in unmanned traffic management (UTM) technology.

Terra Drone has acquired a majority stake in Unifly, a global leader in unmanned traffic management technology.

18/08/2023

Marubeni Corporation, a leading Japanese trading company, has entered into a strategic partnership with Lift Aircraft.

07/08/2023

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, relaunched services in Japan on August 1.

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, relaunched services in Japan on August 1.

25/07/2023

Yuji Akasaka, president of Japan Airlines (JAL), regards the spread of eVTOL (flying car) services around the nation as an urgent task.

17/07/2023

A plan to conduct eVTOL (flying car) test flights in Nobeoka city, Miyazaki Prefecture, has become a point of contention between the mayor and the city council.

13/07/2023

With basic government approval now in hand, MGM Resorts, the Orix Corporation, and their smaller partners are entering the process of finalizing plans for the Osaka casino resort, expected to cost about US$10 billion to construct.

10/07/2023

Battle lines have been drawn between Tokyo-based Universal Entertainment Corporation and Miami-based 26 Capital Acquisition Corporation over their October 2021 agreement which would have seen the Okada Manila casino resort listed on the Nasdaq stock market in New York.

23/06/2023

SkyDrive’s ambition to become Japan’s leading eVTOL (flying car) company gained additional weight with a flurry of important new partnerships and a crucial design change.

SkyDrive's ambition to become Japan's leading eVTOL (flying car) company gained additional weight with a flurry of important new partnerships and a crucial design change.

22/06/2023

Japan’s eVTOL (flying car) industry gained serious firepower this week as it was revealed that the Nidec Corporation, the nation’s leading engine specialist, will start building eVTOL propulsion systems.

Japan's eVTOL (flying car) industry gained serious firepower this week as it was revealed that the Nidec Corporation, the nation's leading engine specialist, will start building eVTOL propulsion systems.

19/06/2023

The government announced last week that Toyota Motor Corporation would be receiving a special taxpayer subsidy of about ¥118 billion (US$840 million) to develop cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) batteries. It was a tacit admission of an enormous strategic misstep.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced last week that Toyota Motor would be receiving a special taxpayer subsidy of about ¥118 billion (US$840 million) to develop cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) batteries. It was a tacit admission of an enormous strategic misstep.