Japan saw a 70% surge in business manager visa holders to 46,000 by mid-2025, with Chinese nationals forming about half. However, new visa rules introduced by the ruling LDP in late 2025 are causing concern among immigrant entrepreneurs like Nepalese national Budhathoki Samjhana, who fears expulsion despite contributing to the economy.
Jeff Bezos, speaking at VivaTech in Paris, rejected concerns about AI causing job losses. He believes AI will instead lead to a labor shortage by increasing productivity and demand for human effort, contrasting with widespread fears and warnings from other tech leaders and policymakers.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos predicted AI will create more jobs than it eliminates, countering widespread concerns about job displacement. Speaking at a tech conference in Paris, he argued AI will unlock new opportunities and increase demand for human labor, potentially leading to a labor shortage. Bezos also discussed his space exploration ventures, including a permanent Moon base and Blue Origin's recent rocket setback.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos predicts AI will increase demand for human labor, creating shortages rather than job losses. Speaking at VivaTech Paris, he countered concerns about AI-induced redundancy, highlighting its potential to remove barriers and unlock new opportunities. He also discussed his AI venture Prometheus and his vision for lunar colonization.
Japan's Immigration Services Agency will deploy AI tools and cyber patrols next year to identify and combat illegal foreign workers and employers, aiming to reduce overstayers amid labor shortages.
Hong Kong's construction sector is undergoing a digital transformation, driven by public investment and a "AI+" agenda. The Hong Kong Construction Industry (HKIC) is central to this shift, offering training in AI, robotics, and digital engineering to upskill the workforce and enhance efficiency and safety.
Restaurant operators in Japan have been forced to review their approach to hiring foreign workers since the government suspended the issuance of special visas needed to work in the sector, as the number of holders nears its preset quota. The sudden suspension by Japan’s immigration authorities has raised the spectre of fierce competition for foreign talent. Long known for its strict immigration policy, the country has been increasingly counting on foreign workers amid labour shortages. The...
China-made humanoid robots are beginning to gain traction in Japan, with models from Chinese firms Unitree and UBTech being deployed by Japan Airlines for baggage and cargo handling, highlighting the growing adoption of Chinese robotics technology as Japan grapples with acute labour shortages. Japan Airlines said last week that it would launch a two-year trial using humanoid robots for ground-handling operations at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport through a partnership with GMO AI & Robotics. Tasks in the...
Japan Airlines will trial humanoid robots at Tokyo's Haneda airport from May, becoming one of the first airlines globally to deploy androids for ground handling tasks. The 130cm-tall Chinese-made Unitree robots will move luggage and cargo on the tarmac, addressing chronic labor shortages amid a surge in inbound tourism. The three-year trial ends in 2028 and could lead to permanent deployment.
Hutchison Port Holdings Trust has deployed Hong Kong’s first AI-powered driverless trucks, a move the container terminal operator said could help tackle a chronic manpower shortage and improve efficiency. The trust, affiliated with Hutchison Ports – a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, controlled by billionaire Li Ka-shing’s family – on Tuesday invited media to view a fleet of six electric autonomous trucks at Kwai Tsing Container Terminal 4. The fleet was launched in January. “Hong Kong has...
