Panasonic’s first commercial target is sensors attached to robotic arms in factories. Today, these sensors rely on wiring or batteries, both of which create operational challenges.

In 2026, the global technology industry will pivot from the race to build ever-larger generative AI models toward a more practical question: how artificial intelligence will actually be embedded in devices and daily life.

Starting in 2026, SoftBank will build a new high-speed communications network integrating mobile base stations with artificial intelligence platforms. The system will handle both communications control and AI data processing simultaneously, enabling local AI operations without relying on large-scale centralized data centers.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) plans to build a new international flight zone at Haneda Airport’s Terminal 1. The project will begin with the construction of additional parking stands for international aircraft in the 2030s, followed by the conversion of part of the domestic flight area at Terminal 1 for international use.

In 2026, Seven-Eleven Japan will partner with Mitsui to improve the soil and regenerate coffee bean farmland in Brazil, expanding the area by approximately 10 times compared to the previous year.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs is stepping up efforts to boost exports of Japanese manga by harnessing artificial intelligence.