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The announcement signals how sharply competition for AI infrastructure has intensified across Asia. Microsoft said the programme will focus on adding computing capacity inside Japan at a time when governments and corporations are demanding secure, local processing for sensitive workloads. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice-chair and president, disclosed the plan during a visit to Tokyo, where the company also set out training and security goals tied to the investment.

Under the plan, Microsoft intends to train one million engineers and developers by 2030, a figure that underlines the labour challenge facing Japan as it tries to scale AI use across the economy. The company is also expanding cybersecurity collaboration with the Japanese government, including work around threat intelligence and cybercrime prevention. Those elements give the package a dual purpose: commercial expansion for Microsoft and strategic support for a country that has made digital resilience and industrial competitiveness central to policy.

The new commitment builds on a smaller programme announced in April 2024, when Microsoft said it would invest $2.9 billion over two years to expand cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan, while also launching wider digital skilling efforts, opening its first Microsoft Research Asia lab in the country and deepening cooperation on cybersecurity. The latest package therefore appears less like a standalone move than the next stage of a longer campaign to lock in market share and policy relevance in one of Asia’s most advanced economies.

Japan offers Microsoft an attractive mix of high-value enterprise customers, a technologically sophisticated manufacturing base and a government that has been openly supportive of industrial uses for generative AI. Tokyo’s policy stance has increasingly favoured the deployment of advanced digital tools to lift productivity, offset labour shortages and bolster economic security. That political environment has made Japan a focal point for global technology groups seeking not just customers, but durable alignment with state priorities on data sovereignty and national resilience.

Market conditions also help explain the scale of the move. Reuters reported that around one-fifth of working-age people in Japan are now using generative AI tools, showing that adoption has advanced but remains well below leading global levels, leaving substantial room for growth. At the same time, labour projections point to a steep shortage of AI and robotics specialists by 2040, raising the stakes for corporate training programmes and local infrastructure investment. For Microsoft, that creates an opening to sell both computing capacity and the wider ecosystem needed to make AI usable at scale.

Partnerships with local players will be central to execution. Microsoft said it would work with firms including SoftBank and Sakura Internet to expand domestic AI computing capacity and provide more secure local access to Azure services. That matters in Japan, where demand from public institutions and regulated industries often hinges on where data is processed and how operational control is shared. Collaboration with established domestic groups may also help Microsoft navigate competitive pressure from rival cloud providers and home-grown digital infrastructure ambitions.

Available Now in North America, Europe, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 April 2026 – COTODAMA, the brand at the intersection of sight and sound, today announced the global launch of Cotodama Speaker / Box Model in MOON WHITE. Priced at $1,600 USD (tax excluded), it is available now at cotodama-speaker.com.

Every Song. A Universe.
Cotodama Speaker Box was built for the moment when lyrics appear before you — and something inside you responds. Through the world-first Lyrics Motion Engine, it transforms the lyrics of over 15 million songs across 40+ languages into real-time motion graphics, shaped by the emotional gravity of each song. Quiet songs move like breath. Urgent songs flash like a signal from the edge of something vast. Every song is a different universe. And it becomes yours.

MOON WHITE: The Color of Infinite Possibility
White is not empty. It is everything before it becomes something. When the music begins, words emerge as if born from within the screen — not projected, but revealed. MOON WHITE reflects curiosity, and lets it glow.

From COTODAMA
In a space filled with the things you love — what music would you play? If lyrics were to surface there, they would take you somewhere deeper. Into a part of yourself you have not yet found.

Product Overview
Product: COTODAMA SPEAKER BOX — MOON WHITE
Launch: April 3, 2026 | Price: $1,600 USD (tax excluded)
Availability: North America, Europe, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea
Technology: Lyrics Motion Engine (world-first)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi (AirPlay / Spotify Connect / Google Cast)
Songs: 15M+ in 40+ languages

Hashtag: #COTODAMA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About COTODAMA

COTODAMA is a Japanese brand dedicated to giving lyrics their rightful value. The Cotodama Speaker Box is a permanent selection at the MoMA Design Store, and recipient of the SXSW Accelerator Award (Best Bootstrap Company, 2015).

cotodama-speaker.com | @cotodama_speaker_official

The push reflects both urgency and caution. Government officials have said fertiliser stocks stand at about 18 million tonnes, up from 14.7 million tonnes a year earlier, against expected demand of roughly 39 million tonnes for the coming season. That gives policymakers some room, but not enough to ignore the exposure created by conflict near the Strait of Hormuz and tighter supply from traditional exporters. India has already been seeking larger volumes from Russia, Belarus and Morocco, while also sounding out other producers as insurance against further disruption.

At the heart of the concern is the structure of India’s import dependence. Reuters reported in March that more than 40 per cent of the country’s urea and phosphatic fertiliser needs are tied to the Middle East. Disruption there has a double effect: it threatens cargo availability and also raises the cost of natural gas, a crucial feedstock for nitrogen fertilisers. Domestic production has also come under pressure. Output of urea was reported at about 1.8 million tonnes a month during plant maintenance, below the more usual 2.4 million tonnes, adding to the need for timely imports even as officials insist there is no immediate shortage.

Price risk is now as important as volume risk. Fertiliser prices had already been climbing before the latest procurement outreach, with Reuters reporting that benchmark prices for some products rose to more than $600 a tonne from about $425. Wider market reporting has shown the same direction of travel. ICIS described March conditions as a period of heightened volatility across nitrogen, phosphate and sulphur markets as conflict in the Middle East hit trade flows and sentiment. Reuters and other industry reporting have also pointed to sharp jumps in urea and ammonia prices as shipping through Hormuz became more uncertain.

For the government, the political and economic challenge is to prevent that international surge from reaching farms at full force. Urea continues to be sold at a notified price of ₹242 for a 45-kg bag, while the Department of Fertilizers said in March that the retail price of DAP had been maintained at ₹1,350 for a 50-kg bag for the rabi season through subsidy support. That pricing shield helps farmers, but it also increases the fiscal burden when import costs rise. Industry material published in February said the state still bears about 90 per cent of the cost of urea, underlining how exposed the subsidy bill becomes when global markets tighten.

India has not relied on a single response. Apart from direct talks with overseas suppliers, firms have secured long-term volumes from Russia, including 2.8 million tonnes under reported arrangements, while a global tender for 1.3 million tonnes of urea was issued to reinforce reserves. Officials have also taken steps to support domestic output by prioritising gas allocation to fertiliser plants. The strategy suggests New Delhi is trying to build overlapping buffers rather than betting on a quick stabilisation in Gulf shipping.

The market backdrop gives that strategy added weight. Industry executives and analysts have warned that a prolonged conflict could squeeze farmers globally, alter crop choices and feed through into food inflation. Yara, one of the world’s largest fertiliser companies, has said farmers are being squeezed by the jump in input costs, while broader reporting has shown developing economies to be especially vulnerable because they are more dependent on imported fertilisers and have less room to absorb price shocks. For India, where fertiliser availability is tied directly to crop yields, rural incomes and food-price management, the issue is not only one of trade logistics but of macroeconomic stability.

As the city welcomes the festive break, ShopBack is set to catalyze this momentum with the launch of its 2026 Easter Egg Hunt. From April 3 to April 7, the campaign will welcome Gen Z and Millennial cohorts to download the official ShopBack App and discover a world of surprises — where every discovery is a chance to win, turning leisure into leverage and proving that in the modern retail landscape, entertainment is the “new currency”.

The Quantifiable Rise of Gamified Earning

The shift from shopping to active “gaining” is backed by record-breaking engagement metrics within the ShopBack app: Over 1,200 curated game titles have been integrated and downloaded on ShopBack Play. Building on a track record of over HK$5 million in rewards already delivered to our community, the platform has cultivated a new class of “Super Earners.” The top-performing user has successfully extracted over HK$30,000 in Cashback rewards simply by mastering game milestones—positioning ShopBack Play as a sophisticated Cashback tool for avid gamers.

2026 Easter Egg Hunt: A Multi-Dimensional Reward Matrix

While traditional holiday campaigns focus on consumption, ShopBack’s Easter Egg Hunt focuses on Community and Catch-up. The 5-day campaign (April 3-7) introduces two flagship challenges designed to maximize player “yield”:

1. “Easter Egg Everyday” – The Blind Box Thrill: During dedicated daily Happy Hours, users who reach specific milestones in the app’s “Red Zone” will unlock surprise loot “Easter egg” boxes. These eggs contain instant Cashback rewards of up to HK$100, adding an element of high-stakes discovery to the daily routine.
2. “United to Unlock” – The Power of Solidarity: In a bold move toward social gamification, ShopBack introduces a collaborative community challenge. If collective participation reaches the 40,000 opt-in benchmark, a massive HK$20,000 prize pool will be unlocked, and every participant stands a chance to win.

A New Paradigm: Beyond the Transaction

“We are witnessing a transformation in retail, where shopping goes beyond a simple task or pastime. ShopBack Play redefines the experience as an engaging ‘treasure hunt’, enabling users to enjoy shopping while earning real rewards effortlessly,” says Mr. Arthur Wan, General Manager of East Asia Cluster at ShopBack. “With ShopBack Play, we have evolved past a simple Cashback upgrade into the next level of ‘Play-to-Earn’. This Easter, we aren’t just offering discounts; we are presenting an immersive hunt where the stakes are real, and the rewards are tangible. We are moving Hong Kong from Gaming to Gaining.”

This Easter, swap the chocolates for real rewards. Dive into ShopBack Play to earn real cash—making the holiday not just a treat, but a “treasure-filled” retreat.

Hashtag: #ShopBack

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ShopBack

Founded in 2014 in Singapore, ShopBack Group is the leading shopping, Cashback, and payments ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific, serving over 60 million users across 13 vibrant markets. Driven by a mission to make every shopping journey rewarding, the platform seamlessly integrates commerce with entertainment, pioneering the “Play-to-Earn” movement through its innovative ShopBack Play feature. Beyond consumer empowerment, ShopBack serves as a strategic growth engine for thousands of merchants and brands, providing sophisticated, performance-based marketing solutions that drive measurable outreach and high-intent engagement. With the expansion into ShopBack Pay, the Group continues to redefine the future of retail finance, offering a frictionless payment infrastructure that bridges the gap between digital rewards and real-world spending.

For further details and to start earning Cashback today, visit:

• Website: https://www.shopback.com.hk/
• App: https://app.shopback.com/sbhk-shopbackplay

From 23-25 March, Lee Kum Kee brought together top chefs, diverse cultures and industry communities through a range of thoughtfully curated experiences, bringing authentic Asian flavours to the global stage. As well as reaffirming the brand’s Asian roots and international perspective, its involvement reflected an enduring commitment to preserving culinary heritage and driving gastronomic innovation.

“Asian Flavour Duet“: A Culinary Journey Through Heritage and Innovation

Helping to build momentums for this year’s awards, Lee Kum Kee collaborated with Vicky Cheng, the acclaimed Executive Chef and owner of WING, to co-create the “Asian Flavour Duet”, a Hong Kong-style late-night supper party on 24 March. Hosted at two Hong Kong culinary landmarks, the experience unfolded in two chapters – “Paying Tribute to Heritage” and “Innovative Fusion” – and invited guests to explore the limitless possibilities of Asian flavour.

The evening began at the century-old Lin Heung Lau teahouse, a space filled with nostalgia and memories for generations of Hong Kongers. Chef Vicky reinterpreted classic Hong Kong late-night dishes using signature Lee Kum Kee sauces, while guests were immersed in the warmth of the historic venue.

The celebration then moved to Medora, Chef Vicky’s Western dining space, where an “Innovative Fusion” was revealed. He showcased his modern culinary philosophy by incorporating Lee Kum Kee sauces with contemporary techniques to create bold, unexpected dishes. Guests also enjoyed specially crafted cocktails infused with Lee Kum Kee sauces, alongside a delightful yet refined sauce-inspired gelato, demonstrating a harmonious interweaving of savoury, umami, sweetness and spice.

The multisensory journey seamlessly blended tradition with innovation, exploring the future of cuisine while highlighting Lee Kum Kee’s role as a global gateway to Asian culinary culture.

At the event, Dodie Hung, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Lee Kum Kee, commented, “Tonight, we are honoured to celebrate Hong Kong’s late‑night food culture with Chef Vicky and the global culinary community. From the legacy of Lin Heung Lau to the forward‑looking spirit of Medora, we are proud to be part of the creative journey and help showcase the depth of Asian flavours on the world stage.”

Celebrating a Gastronomic Brilliance with the Highest Climber Award Sponsored by Lee Kum Kee

During the awards ceremony on 25 March, Lee Kum Kee’s booth showcased a range of the brand’s acclaimed classic sauces and innovative products. Guests sampled specially crafted bites featuring Lee Kum Kee sauces, engaging directly with the flavours and techniques that have made the brand a trusted partner in both home and professional kitchens worldwide.

As part of the evening’s celebration of the region’s most exceptional culinary talents, the Highest Climber Award sponsored by Lee Kum Kee was presented to Lamdre in Beijing by Chef Park from Atomix (No.1 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025). Lambre was applauded for its pioneering plant-based dining space that promotes healthy, sustainable living while honouring Chinese biodiversity in its menus.

In addition, WING, led by Chef Vicky, achieved an impressive second place in 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant had also previously ranked No. 11 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, underscoring its continued international acclaim.

Building the Future Together: Deepening Global Partnerships

With the success of this prestigious awards ceremony in Hong Kong, China, Lee Kum Kee looks forward to deepening its collaboration with leading talents in the global culinary community. By continuing to champion Asian flavours and foster meaningful dialogue and exchange, the brand will continue to bring the spirit of Asian cuisine to kitchens and dining tables around the world.
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Lee Kum Kee

Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.

About Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

Launched in 2013, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants aims to showcase the outstanding achievements and diverse culinary landscape of the region. The list is determined by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a panel of over 350 culinary experts from across Asia who vote independently based on their specialised knowledge of the local dining scene. The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants series includes the awards ceremony and list announcement, creating a premier networking platform for restaurateurs, media, seasoned travelers and culinary connoisseurs to celebrate the exceptional service, passion and talent in the dining industry.