Japan Rejects UN Calls for Gender Equality in Imperial Succession

Rescue teams in Yashio, Saitama prefecture, Japan, are racing against time to save a 74-year-old truck driver trapped in a large sinkhole since January 28. The sinkhole, measuring approximately 10 meters across and 10 meters deep, opened suddenly at an intersection, swallowing the driver and his two-ton vehicle. According to media reports, initial contact with the trapped man has ceased as water has begun to accumulate in the hole, raising concerns for his condition. Rescue efforts faced setbacks, including a second sinkhole formation on January 30, which merged with the first hole. Local authorities have evacuated residents within a 200-meter radius due to potential hazards posed by an underground gas pipe. Motohiro Ono, the governor of Saitama prefecture, expressed concerns about the possibility of further collapses, attributing the initial sinkhole to a ruptured sewage pipe. In reaction to the ongoing crisis, local officials have begun discharging wastewater into a nearby river, affecting approximately 1.2 million residents instructed to conserve water while emergency services continue their operations.

Japanese investment group SoftBank is reportedly in discussions to invest between $15 billion and $25 billion in OpenAI, potentially making it the largest financial backer of the San Francisco-based AI startup behind ChatGPT. This claim was made by the Financial Times, stating that the deal would solidify SoftBank’s position in the burgeoning AI sector, having previously supported a funding round that valued OpenAI at $157 billion. SoftBank, led by CEO Masayoshi Son, is already an investor in OpenAI and has partnered with Oracle to launch a major initiative called Stargate, aimed at creating AI infrastructure with an initial expenditure of $100 billion. The news follows competition from a Chinese rival, DeepSeek, which recently topped app charts and caused fluctuations in AI stocks. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, maintained that the investment discussions are beneficial for the country, despite skepticism from other industry figures, including Elon Musk, regarding the funding’s viability. As of now, both OpenAI and SoftBank have declined to comment further on the negotiations.

Emergency services in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, are conducting a rescue operation after a large sinkhole opened up at a busy intersection, swallowing a truck with a driver inside. The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. local time on January 28, 2025. The sinkhole, estimated to be about the size of a swimming pool, measures approximately 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep. Preliminary reports indicate that the truck driver was initially conscious and able to communicate before becoming trapped under mud and sand. Rescue teams faced challenges as the sinkhole's stability deteriorated, prompting adjustments to their approach. Local officials have stated that a corroded sewer pipe beneath the area may have contributed to the sinkhole's formation. The governor of Saitama Prefecture, Motohiro Ono, indicated that sediment surrounding the pipe likely flowed into it, creating a hollow space that ultimately collapsed. As rescue efforts continue, teams are using a crane to attempt to lift the truck while also providing the driver with oxygen through a carefully drilled hole. The situation remains precarious, as there are concerns about further collapses. This incident is one of several sinkhole occurrences in Japan in recent years, underscoring ongoing infrastructure challenges. The current status of the driver has not been confirmed as rescue operations continue.