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HD Renewable Energy Showcases 3GW Japan Pipeline and Power Trading Strategy at Tokyo Smart Energy Week 2026

TAIPEI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HD Renewable Energy Co., Ltd., a leading smart energy company from Taiwan, is participating in the 25th Smart Energy Week in Tokyo starting today. At the exhibition, the company showcases three core solutions—energy storage integration, power trading, and EV charging—while highlighting its latest project developments and growing presence in Japan.

HD Renewable Energy has attended Smart Energy Week for the third consecutive year.
HD Renewable Energy has attended Smart Energy Week for the third consecutive year.

HD Renewable Energy has achieved strong momentum in Japan and is attending Smart Energy Week for the third consecutive year. This year’s exhibition highlights the company’s integrated strategy spanning energy storage, power trading, and EV charging. In energy storage, HDRE presents its renewable energy and BESS portfolio across Japan, including the market operations of the Helios BESS project in Hokkaido following its commercial launch. In power trading, the company demonstrates its capabilities through the Star Trade platform and Power Bank model, combining AI-driven price forecasting with multi-market trading strategies. In EV charging, HDRE showcases its charging brand SHUUSTAR, delivering smart charging services through a digital platform.

HDRE aims to develop a total capacity of 3GW in Japan, with projects spanning Hokkaido, Tohoku, Chubu, Kanto, Kansai, Kyushu, and the Chugoku region. The 50MW Helios BESS project in Hokkaido began commercial operation at the end of 2025 and now participates in the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX). Starting March 18, the project will also enter the balancing market (EPRX), with plans to participate in the capacity market by 2028. Operated through the Star Trade platform and an in-house trading team, the Helios project is expected to generate approximately JPY 2 billion in power trading revenue in 2026. With strong demand for energy storage expected to continue through 2027 and 2028, annual revenue could rise to nearly JPY 2.5 billion.

In the capacity market, HDRE actively participates in Japan’s Long-Term Decarbonization Power Source Auction (LTDA). In 2024, the company secured 100MW, becoming the first Taiwanese company to win a project under the program. In 2025, it secured another 300MW and plans to bid for approximately 800MW in the upcoming round, targeting long-term revenue supported by the Japanese government’s 20-year subsidy scheme.

In power trading, the group’s subsidiary Star Trade combines AI-driven price forecasting with HDRE’s energy storage assets and dispatch capabilities to develop the Power Bank model. The platform provides multi-layered hedging strategies and trading solutions for energy companies. Recently, HDRE initiated a collaboration with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz, one of Japan’s major electricity retailers, marking another step in expanding its presence in the Japanese market.

Meanwhile, HDRE has established HeLM Aggregation with partners including Mitsubishi Electric, focusing on aggregation and retail electricity services. The initiative supports Japanese corporations in renewable energy procurement and helps accelerate decarbonization. Going forward, HDRE will continue expanding its presence in Japan while building an integrated smart energy ecosystem spanning energy asset development, power trading, and energy services.

Startup Island TAIWAN and Formosa Impact Circle Host “Taiwan-Europe Strategic Roundtable on Semiconductors and Critical Technologies” in Taipei

TAIPEI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Taiwan’s national startup brand Startup Island TAIWAN and the Taiwanese investor community Formosa Impact Circle (FIC) jointly hosted the “Taiwan-Europe Strategic Roundtable on Semiconductors and Critical Technologies” in Taipei, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and investors from Taiwan and Europe to discuss key issues including semiconductor supply chain resilience, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and deep tech investment, while exploring future opportunities for Taiwan-Europe collaboration in critical technologies.

Against the backdrop of intensifying global technology competition, supply chain restructuring, and rapidly shifting geopolitical dynamics, semiconductors and critical technologies have become central to industrial policy and economic security strategies worldwide. Held as a closed-door roundtable, the event fostered dialogue among stakeholders across policy, industry, capital, and innovation ecosystems, examining how Taiwan and Europe can combine Europe’s strength in research and innovation with Taiwan’s industrialization, supply chain integration, and scaling capabilities to build a more resilient and forward-looking framework for technology cooperation.

Focusing on Semiconductors, AI, Quantum Computing, and Deep Tech Investment to Deepen Taiwan-Europe Strategic Partnerships in Critical Technologies

The French Office in Taipei noted that the EU’s forthcoming Chips Act 2.0 will shift its focus away from supply-side subsidies toward mechanisms that place greater emphasis on demand-side policy instruments. Europe is also investing more than €200 billion in data center infrastructure. In this context, Taiwan-Europe cooperation should not be framed simply as “software versus hardware,” but rather as a strategic partnership that combines Europe’s research excellence with Taiwan’s industrial capabilities.

From an investment perspective, Europe currently faces a significant Series A+ growth capital gap, particularly in the deep tech and hardware startup sectors. Many companies encounter structural capital constraints after completing early-stage fundraising, making this gap a key entry point for Taiwanese investors. Taiwanese investors are uniquely positioned to provide “smart money”—not only capital, but also the practical expertise needed in industries such as semiconductors, robotics, defense tech, and healthcare—to help European deep tech startups accelerate commercialization and scale-up, creating a mutually beneficial collaboration model.

In addition, Europe has already produced leading companies in quantum computing and specialized semiconductors, many of which are actively seeking partnerships with Taiwan in manufacturing, systems integration, scale-up, and commercialization. Experts at the roundtable noted that quantum computing is approaching an industrial inflection point and is expected to become a foundational infrastructure of the next digital revolution. Beyond AI chips and quantum computers themselves, enabling technologies such as high-speed data converters are also essential components for making AI and quantum systems deployable in real-world applications. At the same time, Europe’s defense and aerospace sectors are increasingly seeking alternatives to reduce dependence on U.S. suppliers, opening further opportunities for Taiwan-Europe collaboration in critical components, specialized semiconductors, and systems integration.

Taiwan and Europe are highly complementary in both technology and investment, yet the full potential of this partnership remains to be unlocked. Europe excels in frontier research, original innovation, and deep tech development, while Taiwan holds world-class strengths in industrialization, supply chain integration, engineering execution, and large-scale manufacturing. Deeper cooperation in policy support, investment linkages, and industrial collaboration would help both sides jointly shape a new framework for international cooperation in next-generation semiconductors, AI, and quantum technologies.

This event was organized in collaboration with La French Tech Taiwan and co-hosted by Pachamama Capital, continuing efforts to strengthen exchanges and partnerships between Taiwan and the global innovation and investment ecosystem.

Recharge Power Enters Japan’s Electricity Trading Market, Strengthening Its International Presence

TAIPEI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recharge Power Co., Ltd., the system-level energy storage subsidiary of J&V Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (TWSE:6869), announced a new milestone in its international expansion following the award of a large-scale solar-plus-storage EPC project in Taiwan. Five energy storage sites (each 2 MW / 8 MWh) operated by Recharge Power across the Tohoku, Chubu, and Kyushu power service areas in Japan have been progressively connected to the grid, with two sites completing performance testing and beginning participation in Japan’s electricity trading market. This development marks Recharge Power’s entry into the international power market and highlights the company’s advanced energy storage technology and system integration capabilities.

These projects were delivered entirely by the Recharge Power team, covering every phase from early-stage planning and system design to equipment installation, energy management system (EMS) development, system commissioning, operational optimization, and performance testing. By bringing its grid-scale energy storage expertise from Taiwan to Japan, the company demonstrated strong system integration capabilities and disciplined project execution. At the same time, Recharge Power has established a 24/7 operations and maintenance (O&M) framework across Taiwan and Japan to support stable system operation and responsive dispatch performance.

Spencer Feng, Chief Executive Officer of Recharge Power, said that completing performance testing and entering the electricity trading market represents an important milestone for Taiwan’s energy storage sector. Japan’s electricity market maintains stringent standards for system reliability, dispatch precision, and real-time responsiveness. Passing these tests and entering market operations demonstrates that Recharge Power has achieved the operational readiness required to deliver grid-balancing services in Japan, marking a significant step for Taiwan’s energy storage sector as it expands into international markets.

Spencer added that Recharge Power is the largest energy storage system integrator in Taiwan by installed capacity, with comprehensive capabilities in system design, proprietary EMS software, and project integration. The company’s ability to tailor and optimize control strategies to meet the requirements of different grid codes was a critical factor in enabling these projects to pass performance testing and begin market participation.

As Japan’s electricity market continues to place greater emphasis on dispatch flexibility and system reliability, Recharge Power is expanding its energy storage project portfolio. The company expects to bring an additional 38 MW / 152 MWh of energy storage capacity online this year while also ultra-high-voltage (UHV) energy storage projects exceeding 40 MW. In addition to pursuing its own projects, Recharge Power supplies integrated energy storage systems and technical services to external partners. Two of these projects were connected to the grid in 2025, delivering stable operational revenue streams for the firm.

Looking ahead, Recharge Power anticipates its energy storage capacity and project pipeline in Japan to reach 262 MW by 2027. The company also plans to deploy AI-driven solutions to enhance operational efficiency while continuing the expansion of high-voltage projects. These initiatives are expected to support the development of a scalable international operating model, providing a foundation for the company’s planned entry into the capital market this year.

About Recharge Power

Recharge Power Co., Ltd., a Battery Energy Storage System Integrator (BESSI) under J&V Energy Technology Co., Ltd., is one of the few companies in Taiwan offering fully integrated, end-to-end services for grid-scale energy storage systems. Its comprehensive solutions and services cover system design review, industrial control and communication systems, site construction, installation, commissioning, as well as long-term operation and maintenance (O&M) and qualified trading services.

To date, its cumulative installed storage capacity exceeds 370 MW / 886 MWh, encompassing multiple milestones in Taiwan’s storage development. These include Taiwan’s first AFC demonstration project, Taipower’s first grid-connected substation energy storage project, the first grid-connected solar-plus-storage project, and the largest privately-owned storage project in Taiwan, demonstrating mature system integration and disciplined engineering execution.

Beyond Taiwan, Recharge Power has continued to build its presence in the Japanese storage market, with several projects already grid-connected and a 24/7 O&M system across Taiwan and Japan. This provides an operational foundation for the global growth of J&V Energy Technology’s storage business.

Five energy storage sites (each 2 MW / 8 MWh) operated by Recharge Power across the Tohoku, Chubu, and Kyushu power service areas in Japan have been progressively connected to the grid, with two of them completing performance testing and commencing participation in Japan's electricity trading market.
Five energy storage sites (each 2 MW / 8 MWh) operated by Recharge Power across the Tohoku, Chubu, and Kyushu power service areas in Japan have been progressively connected to the grid, with two of them completing performance testing and commencing participation in Japan’s electricity trading market.

 

ASUS Unveils Game-Changing Liquid-Cooled AI Infrastructure Powered by NVIDIA Vera Rubin Platform

Delivering trusted AI with total flexibility, from rack-scale AI factories to edge and enterprise deployment

TAIPEI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ASUS today unveiled its fully liquid-cooled AI infrastructure at NVIDIA GTC 2026 (Booth# 421), delivering a comprehensive, end-to-end solution powered by the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform. Under the theme Trusted AI, Total Flexibility, this customizable framework — from rack-scale AI Factories, desktop AI supercomputing, Edge AI to Enterprise AI solutions — enables enterprises and cloud providers to build high-performance, energy-efficient large-scale AI clusters with unmatched efficiency and dramatically reduced PUE and TCO.

ASUS Unveils Game-Changing Liquid-Cooled AI Infrastructure
ASUS Unveils Game-Changing Liquid-Cooled AI Infrastructure

As a provider of NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 and NVIDIA HGX B300 systems, the flagship ASUS offering is the ASUS AI POD built on the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform — a liquid-cooled, rack-scale powerhouse designed for massive AI workloads. Through strategic partnerships with leading cooling and component providers, ASUS offers diverse cooling modalities, tailored thermal solutions, and redundancy to meet any enterprise requirement. Proven by global client successes, ASUS provides expert consultation, a broad portfolio of AI and storage solutions, seamless infrastructure deployment, application integration, and ongoing services — combining scalability, and sustainability to drive business value and intelligence.

From infrastructure to implementation: The ASUS AI Factory in action

At the forefront is the flagship XA VR721-E3 built on NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72, a 100% liquid-cooled rack-scale system. This offers a TDP of up to 227kW (MaxP) or 187kW (MaxQ), delivers up to 10X higher performance per watt, and is purpose-built for trillion-parameter models and delivering massive AI performance for large-scale AI factories. Partnering with Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, Schneider Electric and other leading providers, ASUS delivers a full-stack power and cooling infrastructure designed for zero-throttle performance from standard deployments to advanced liquid cooling, ensuring redundancy for each specific needs.

Addressing rigorous data-center demands, ASUS also introduces its latest server series built on NVIDIA HGX Rubin NVL8 systems, featuring eight NVIDIA Rubin GPUs connected via sixth-generation NVIDIA NVLink with integrated 800G bandwidth per GPU. To facilitate a seamless and cost-effective transition to liquid cooling, ASUS offers two distinct solutions: the XA NR1I-E12L, an innovative hybrid-cooled option; and the XA NR1I-E12LR, a 100% liquid-cooled system. The hybrid-cooled XA NR1I-E12L specifically combines direct-to-chip (D2C) liquid cooling for the NVIDIA HGX Rubin NVL8 baseboard with air cooling for the dual Intel® Xeon® 6 processors.

The portfolio is further strengthened by high-performance scalable servers like the XA NB3I-E12 built on NVIDIA HGX B300 systems to ensure a solution for every demanding AI workload, the ESC8000A-E13X based on NVIDIA MGX integrated with NVIDIA ConnectX-8 SuperNICs for extreme GPU to GPU connectivity and ESC8000A-E13P accelerated by NVIDIA RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell Server Edition or NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs, delivering breakthrough performance for demanding data processing, AI, video, and visual computing workloads in a power efficient design.

The tangible impact of the complete ASUS AI Factory concept is already demonstrated through several successful customer deployments, where ASUS ESC8000 series powered a production-line digital twin built on  NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and integrated with NVIDIA’s customizable multi-camera tracking workflow, enabling remote simulation and significantly reducing deployment risks, managing the entire process for seamless, low-disruption deployment and maximizes value from day one.

To support these powerful systems and democratize AI development, ASUS also has established a robust data ecosystem by partnering with NVIDIA-Certified storage providers — including IBM, DDN, WEKA and VAST Data — to deliver scalable, resilient solutions for memory-intensive AI. A full spectrum of storage solutions across block storage-VS320D-RS12, JBOD-VS320D-RS12J, object storage-OJ340A-RS60, and software-defined systems — ensuring flexibility from edge to cloud, and from enterprise applications to AI and HPC workloads.

Realizing physical AI: Full-stack edge AI supercomputing from development to deployment

As the domain expert in full-stack edge AI, ASUS establishes a complete ecosystem for physical AI, delivering the critical compute power required from initial development to final deployment. The journey begins at the developer’s desk with ASUS ExpertCenter Pro ET900N G3, a deskside supercomputer powered by the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell Ultra platform. Featuring NVIDIA NVLink-C2C interconnects and 748GB of coherent unified memory, it handles the heavy lifting of training massive models. Alongside it, the ultrasmall ASUS Ascent GX10 offers agile petaflop-scale performance powered by NVIDIA Grace Blackwell Superchip, ideal for rapid model iteration and scalable edge setups.

This development prowess seamlessly transitions to the PE3000N, a ruggedized inference engine powered by NVIDIA Jetson Thor. Delivering a staggering 2,070 TFLOPS, the PE3000N provides the real-time compute needed for sensor fusion and autonomous navigation. Together, these systems form a unified workflow where open models such as NVIDIA Cosmos and vision AI libraries from Metropolis can effectively perceive, reason, and act in the physical world.

Secure and scalable agentic AI development

To further enhance these capabilities, ASUS Ascent GX10 and ASUS ExpertCenter Pro ET900N G3 empower agentic AI development with NVIDIA NemoClaw. This integration establishes an agent-ready platform for developers to build safe, long-running autonomous agents locally. By leveraging isolated sandbox environments, governed access control, and private on-device inference, ensuring safe and scalable agent workflows for the most demanding enterprise AI applications.

Enterprise AI: ASUS AI Hub with real-time business intelligence

To accelerate enterprise AI, ASUS presents the ASUS AI Hub, a turnkey on-premises AI platform optimized with ESC8000-series servers and powered by open-source LLMs such as NVIDIA Nemotron, and Gemma, enabling enterprises to build custom AI assistants, implement RAG-enhanced document intelligence, and maintain full data sovereignty for security and compliance.

Proven internally across over 10,000 employees with peak loads exceeding 600 requests per hour, >80% OCR accuracy, and >30% efficiency gains, the platform features domain-specific modules for diverse applications — including the newly-developed ASUS agentic internal business-intelligence platform — that allow senior leaders to instantly access critical insights on costs, sales, gross margins, factory operations, and other key metrics through simple natural-language Q&A, transforming complex data into immediate, actionable executive decision-making power.

ASUS and NVIDIA are also working together on NVIDIA NemoClaw — an open source stack that simplifies running OpenClaw always-on assistants, more safely, with a single command. It installs the NVIDIA OpenShell runtime—a secure environment for running autonomous agents, and open source models like NVIDIA Nemotron.

Green computing and sustainability at the core

Sustainability is a foundational pillar of the ASUS design philosophy, with green computing innovations integrated across both hardware and software to minimize TCO and environmental impact. On the hardware level, ASUS servers feature Thermal Radar 2.0, which uses up to 56 sensors to intelligently optimize fan performance, cutting power consumption by up to 36% and saving approximately $29,000 annually in a 1,000-node cluster. This commitment extends to software with the ASUS Control Center (ACC) Data Center Edition, a unified management platform that enhances security and includes automated carbon emissions tracking, providing enterprises with the tools needed to achieve their critical ESG goals.

ASUS, the AI supercomputing domain expert, provides comprehensive solutions and services, from consultation and deployment to user training and seamless integration via OpenAI-compatible APIs. As enterprises navigate the AI era, ASUS flexibly offers a cost-effective, secure, powerful and sustainable pathway to innovation and intelligent management.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

ASUS servers are available worldwide. However, the availability of certain other ASUS products is subject to local regulatory requirements. For specific product availability and offerings in your region, please contact your local ASUS representative.

Explore More of Japan: Expanded JR EAST PASS Opens Access to the Underexplored Tohoku Region

New rail pass expands coverage across eastern Japan, making it easier for international travelers to explore Tohoku’s seasonal landscapes, festivals, and cultural destinations.

TOKYO, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has announced the launch of a newly expanded JR EAST PASS, available from March 14, 2026. Tohoku, comprising six prefectures in northern Honshu, is emerging as one of Japan’s most compelling year-round destinations for travelers venturing beyond the major metropolitan hubs. However, it currently accounts for just 1.5 percent of overnight stays by inbound visitors. Recognizing the significant potential for further growth, JR East aims to increase that share to 5 percent by 2034 by improving rail accessibility and encouraging deeper regional exploration.

Tohoku Shinkansen passing through cherry blossoms in full bloom. (C) KENTA MUKAWA
Tohoku Shinkansen passing through cherry blossoms in full bloom. (C) KENTA MUKAWA

New JR EAST PASShttps://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/pass/eastpass.html

The new JR EAST PASS replaces both the former JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) and JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area) with a single consolidated pass that offers unlimited access to reserved seats in ordinary cars across all JR East lines, including Shinkansen, limited express, express, local, and rapid services. Coverage also includes select partner railways, such as Tokyo Monorail, and regional operators, ensuring smooth airport access and regional connectivity.

The pass is available in two formats:

  • 5 consecutive days – ¥35,000 (Child: ¥17,500)
  • 10 consecutive days – ¥50,000 (Child: ¥25,000)

*Note: Adult (12 years and older) / Child (6 to 11 years old)

Unlocking Tohoku

The JR EAST PASS unlocks multi-region travel, making Tohoku’s year-round attractions more accessible than ever for inbound travelers. In spring, travelers can venture northwards, utilizing the 10-day pass to chase the cherry blossom season in April at spectacular sites such as Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima and Hirosaki Park in Aomori. Alternatively, they can escape the heat and humidity of summer in Tokyo to explore Tohoku’s cooler coastlines and mountain villages. Summer also brings celebration across the region, with famous festivals, from the Aomori Nebuta Festival’s huge illuminated floats to the vibrant streamers of the Sendai Tanabata Festival in Miyagi. In the fall, foliage paints the mountain landscapes a kaleidoscope of color, while winter transforms locations such as Yamagata’s Zao Onsen and Iwate’s Appi Kogen into ‘Japow’ powder-snow paradises.

The unified JR EAST PASS offers a flexible, cost-effective solution for travelers planning multi-city itineraries across eastern Japan. Destinations such as Nagano, known for its alpine landscapes and winter sports, and Niigata, celebrated for its coastal scenery and sake breweries, are firm favorites with international visitors. The pass also includes Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures of Gunma, Kanagawa, and Chiba, as well as parts of Shizuoka, offering access to hot spring towns, mountain retreats, and coastal destinations within easy reach of the capital.

*More high-res images of Tohoku throughout the year are available for download here. Please refer to the file names for image credit information.

Images for Press: https://bit.ly/JRE-Tohoku-Media

With the newly broadened coverage, travelers can now continue north into Tohoku, reaching cities such as Aomori, Akita, and Sendai, without purchasing multiple regional tickets. Journeys between Tokyo and these destinations can entail substantial transport costs when purchased individually, and reserving seats further enhances convenience during peak travel seasons.

The expansion reflects JR East’s broader strategy to encourage travelers to move beyond established hubs and support more balanced regional tourism growth across eastern Japan.

[Ayumi Utagawa], Project Manager of East Japan Railway Company, said:

“As global interest in Japan continues to rise, we want to support more balanced tourism growth and sustainable regional revitalization. The JR EAST PASS removes barriers to deeper exploration, allowing travelers to experience the full richness of regional Japan, from its metropolises to its rural communities, onsen towns, and expansive landscapes. This region offers remarkable natural beauty and cultural richness across all four seasons, yet it remains underrepresented in many itineraries. We sincerely hope you will discover the Japan that is still unknown to many through the “JR EAST PASS.”

Additional Benefits

JR EAST PASS holders can also take advantage of JRE Rewards, offering hundreds of discounts and special offers at stations, restaurants, and local shops across eastern Japan when travelers present their pass.

JRE Rewards: https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/jreastrewards/

Simplified Purchasing

The pass can be purchased through the JR-EAST Train Reservation online platform, JR EAST Travel Service Centers, major stations within the coverage area, and participating overseas travel agencies. The expanded JR EAST PASS is available to all non-Japanese passport holders, regardless of visa status, including foreign residents living in Japan.

In addition, several other rail products were updated on March 14, 2026:

  • JR East–South Hokkaido Rail Pass (6 days, ¥40,000) – Expanded to include Niigata.
  • Hokuriku Arch Pass (7 days, ¥35,000) – Expanded to include the Tokyo metropolitan area, Chuo Line, and Oito Line.
  • JR TOKYO Wide Pass (3 days, ¥16,000) – Revised pricing.
  • N’EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket (¥5,200) – Revised pricing.
  • JR Tohoku–South Hokkaido Rail Pass (6 days, ¥32,000) – Revised pricing.
  • SENDAI AREA PASS (1 day, ¥1,420) – Revised pricing.

For detailed information on the JR EAST PASS and all other passes mentioned, please visit [Find Your Pass]  https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/pass/

About East Japan Railway Company (JR East):
East Japan Railway Company (JR East) is one of the world’s leading rail operators, managing an extensive network of approximately 7,500 kilometers and serving more than 16 million passengers each day across eastern Japan. Expanding beyond traditional rail operations, JR East is committed to supporting regional revitalization and enhancing the travel experience across Japan. Through its “Beyond the Border” strategy, the company integrates transportation with retail, hospitality, and digital services, including innovations such as the “Suica Renaissance.” In July 2025, JR East unveiled its Group Management Vision, “To the Next Stage” 2034 (Yusho 2034). From a human-centric, market-in perspective, the company aims to create new value through “Lifestyle Transformation (LX),” delivering peace of mind and inspiration to all stakeholders.

Company Name:                           East Japan Railway Company
Location:                                       2-2-2 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Establishment:                              April 1, 1987
Paid-In Capital:                             200,000 million JPY
Total Number of Shares Issued:   1,134,412,200
Listed stock exchange:                 Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market
Representative:                             Yoichi KISE, President and CEO
Corporate Website:                      https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/company/

Press Release (PDF): https://bit.ly/JRE-Tohoku-Media-20260317-PressRelease
Media Contact:
Overseas PR Representatives, Bluemoon Marketing Inc.
E-mail: jreast@bluemoonmarketing.jp
* Media inquiries only 

Pakse Launches Free Bus Service Amid Fuel Shortage

A map of Pakse showing each bus stop locations and approximate bus routes.

Authorities in Pakse have introduced a temporary free public bus service to help residents cope with ongoing fuel shortages and rising fuel prices affecting daily travel across southern Laos.

According to the Champasak Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport, the service will begin on 17 March, allowing both government officials and the general public to use state-managed buses free of charge.

The move comes as fuel stations across the province and other parts of the country have faced supply shortages in recent weeks, with some stations temporarily closing or running out of fuel.

Routes Introduced Across City

To ease transport challenges, authorities have organized several bus routes within Pakse and to nearby districts. The program will remain in place until fuel supply stabilizes and prices return to normal levels.

Within Pakse, two main routes will operate using three buses. One route connects Kilometer 7 North to Kilometer 8 South along Road 13 South, running from 06:00 am to 8:30 pm. Each round trip takes about two hours, with approximately seven trips per day.

Stops along this route include the provincial stadium, Sabaidee Market, Pakse Teachers Training College, and Pakse International Airport.

A second route runs between Tha Salakham and Dao Hueng Market during the same hours. Key stops include Sanamdaeng, Wat Phabat, Phonexay Secondary School, Champasak College of Health Science, and the Pakse city pillar shrine.

Expanding Access

Authorities have also introduced two additional routes linking Pakse with nearby districts. One connects Dao Hueng Market and Lak 14 Market, while another runs between Dao Hueng Market and the Sanasomboon District administration office.

These routes will help residents from surrounding areas travel to Pakse for work, school, and essential services.

Officials say the free service also intended to encourage the use of public transportation, helping reduce fuel consumption during the shortage.

Route maps, schedules, and stop locations will be shared through local media and displayed at bus stations and designated stops across the city.

Authorities are encouraging residents to use the service while efforts continue to stabilize fuel supply and maintain daily transportation.

 

Global Aesthetic Trends Evolve Toward ‘Anti-Sagging’: The Expansion of the Structural Skin Laxity Improvement and Liquid Type PCL Collagen Stimulator Market

SEOUL, South Korea, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The global medical aesthetics market is rapidly shifting toward an “Anti-Sagging” paradigm, focusing on improving the fundamental causes of skin laxity. While traditional aesthetic approaches primarily addressed external signs of aging—such as wrinkle reduction and volume correction—the Anti-Sagging trend focuses on the structural causes of aging: the decrease of collagen within the dermal layer and the weakening of the skin’s support structure.

[3]
[3]

As a result, the market’s center of gravity is moving away from short-term procedures centered on Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers and toxins toward solutions based on Biostimulators that induce neocollagenesis (new collagen synthesis). In particular, the biodegradable polymer PCL (Polycaprolactone) is gaining significant attention for its structural approach to rebuilding the skin’s foundation, aligning perfectly with the Anti-Sagging movement.

Amidst these shifts, DEXLEVO’s liquid type PCL collagen stimulator, ‘GOURI,’ is emerging as a focal point of the industry. GOURI is a fully liquid PCL product developed based on the proprietary CESABP (Collagenesis-Enabled Solubilized Active and Biodegradable Polymer) technology, which is entirely free of microparticles.

The superior spreadability enabled by this technology is GOURI’s key differentiator. Upon injection, it naturally disperses throughout the entire dermal layer, inducing uniform collagen regeneration and elasticity improvement across the full face. Unlike conventional particle-based fillers that act locally at the injection site, GOURI enables a comprehensive approach to improving overall skin quality.

At the IMCAS World Congress 2026 held in Paris last January, Dr. Seung-min Oh participated as a speaker for the GOURI Symposium. He captured the attention of global medical professionals by presenting clinical data demonstrating a “triple effect”: redness reduction, skin texture improvement, and volume formation, alongside precision injection strategies based on facial anatomy.[1]

“Thanks to the unique spreadability of the fully liquid type PCL, GOURI can induce natural collagen regeneration across the entire face,” said Dr. Seung-min Oh, Chief Director of O& Clinic (and Academic Chair of the Korean Association of Laser, Dermatology, and Trichology). “By precisely leveraging this spreadability with a deep understanding of anatomical structures, we can provide patients with the most natural and healthy results. It is time for ‘Precision Aesthetics,’ rooted in clinical data, to become the universal standard.”[2]

About DEXLEVO

DEXLEVO is an innovative leader in the medical aesthetic device industry and the developer of GOURI, the world’s first fully liquid type PCL-based collagen stimulator. Through its proprietary CESABP technology platform, DEXLEVO continues to establish the clinical and academic foundations for Anti-Sagging solutions in the global aesthetic market.

Website: www.dexlevo.com

References

[1] IMCAS World Congress 2026. GOURI Symposium. Presented at: IMCAS World Congress 2026; January 31, 2026; Paris, France.

[2] Medisobija News. Dr. Seung-min Oh proves precision medical value of liquid PCL GOURI at IMCAS Paris 2026. Published February 5, 2026. Accessed March 13, 2026.
https://www.medisobizanews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=134310

[3] U.S. National Library of Medicine (PMC) Case Report — DEXLEVO GOURI

 

Tata Communications Receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2025 Global Company of the Year Recognition for Leadership in Video-Managed Services

Innovative cloud-first workflows and customer-focused strategies enable Tata Communications to redefine digital media ecosystems worldwide.

SAN ANTONIO, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan is pleased to announce that Tata Communications has received the 2025 Global Company of the Year Recognition in the video-managed services industry for its outstanding achievements in innovation, customer success, and strategic execution. This recognition highlights Tata Communications’ consistent leadership in driving digital transformation, advancing media workflows, and delivering cloud-native solutions that address the evolving needs of global broadcasters and content providers.

Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies through a rigorous benchmarking process across two core dimensions: strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. Tata Communications excelled in both, demonstrating its ability to align its long-term vision with industry megatrends while executing initiatives that scale globally and deliver measurable results. “Frost & Sullivan applauds Tata Communications for its innovative, cloud-first approach to transforming media and entertainment workflows, addressing critical industry challenges such as scalability, cost efficiency, and operational complexity,” said Rahul Agarwal, associate fellow and director at Frost & Sullivan.

Guided by a growth strategy rooted in cloud innovation, artificial intelligence, and remote production, Tata Communications has consistently adapted to the rapid transformation of the media and entertainment sector. Its sustained investment in cloud infrastructure and edge computing has enabled the company to expand capabilities across markets, empowering customers to accelerate digital adoption and streamline operations.

Innovation is central to Tata Communications’ leadership in video-managed services. The company’s Media Hub provides secure, cloud-based media asset management with customizable workflows, enabling broadcasters to manage, store, and distribute content more efficiently. Advanced solutions like MIMiC Transmission support large-scale, remote productions with reduced on-site staffing requirements, while its 100-gigabyte integrated backbone powers low-latency video delivery for high-profile global sporting events. Complementing these offerings, MIMiC Monitor enables real-time content monitoring across live and on-demand streaming platforms, reinforcing Tata Communications’ ability to deliver broadcast-grade reliability in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Dhaval Ponda, global head, media and entertainment, Tata Communications, said: “This recognition validates our ‘Cloud-First’ ambition. By unifying global reach with edge innovation, we are simplifying media workflows, empowering sports and media companies to deliver immersive experiences with unprecedented agility and broadcast-grade reliability on a truly global scale.”

Tata Communications’ unwavering commitment to customer experience further strengthens its market position. The company maintains exceptionally high Net Promoter Scores, reflecting its ability to deliver operational reliability and proactive service. By integrating best practices from its acquisition of The Switch, Tata Communications has enhanced its global escalation processes, ensuring consistency and trust across workflows. Its 24/7 global service centers in Los Angeles, New York, London, and India support broadcasters with always-available expertise, accelerating the industry-wide shift to cloud adoption.

Frost & Sullivan commends Tata Communications for setting benchmarks in strategic execution, customer focus, and technological innovation. The company’s cloud-first philosophy, combined with its deep expertise in AI-driven diagnostics and remote production, positions it as a trusted partner for global media organizations seeking agility, cost optimization, and scalability in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Company of the Year Recognition to an organization that demonstrates excellence in strategy development and implementation, resulting in measurable improvements in customer satisfaction, market growth, and competitive differentiation. Tata Communications exemplifies these qualities by redefining media workflows and shaping the future of video-managed services worldwide.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition
Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.
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About Tata Communications
A part of the Tata Group, Tata Communications (NSE: TATACOMM; BSE: 500483) is a global digital ecosystem enabler powering today’s fast-growing digital economy in more than 190 countries and territories. Leading with trust, it enables digital transformation of enterprises globally with collaboration and connected solutions, core and next gen connectivity, cloud hosting and security solutions and media services. 300 of the Fortune 500 companies are its customers and the company connects businesses to 80% of the world’s cloud giants. For more information, please visit www.tatacommunications.com