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.

New JR EAST PASS:  https://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 

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.

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

 

SINGAPORE, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To show appreciation for the migrant workers in Singapore, many of whom are Bangladeshi, Summit Power International Limited (“SPIL”) and the Anjuman & Aziz Charitable Trust (AACT) jointly hosted a breaking of fast (Iftar) for about 440 workers during the holy month of Ramadan.

Mr. Muhammed Aziz Khan PBM, the Founder Chairman of Summit Group and AACT, broke fast with the workers at a workers’ dormitory in Space@Tuas on 12th March 2026.

This is the second Singapore Iftar event sponsored by SPIL, the Singapore-headquartered parent of Bangladesh’s largest private sector power generation company.

Beyond Iftar, SPIL and AACT are engaged in long-term social responsibility efforts spanning Bangladesh and Singapore.

“Social responsibility is at the core of our business and personal lives. We are privileged to host this Iftar event for migrant workers, many of whom are Bangladeshi and heroes driving economic growth through remittance.” Mr. Muhammed Aziz Khan said.

Mr. Muhammed Aziz Khan, a Singaporean of Bangladeshi origin, was awarded the Public Service Medal (COVID-19) in 2023 for engaging and helping Bangladeshi workers who were isolated in local dormitories during the pandemic.

About Summit Group:

Summit Group is the largest infrastructure conglomerate in Bangladesh, employing over 6,000 people with investments across power, energy, ports, logistics, and telecommunication sectors.

Summit Power International, incorporated in Singapore in 2016, is a leading infrastructure developer and operator in South Asia whose strategic partners include JERA, Mitsubishi Corporation, Taiyo Life Insurance and GE.

The group is committed to providing affordable, sustainable energy solutions while supporting corporate social responsibility initiatives in education, healthcare, and community development. Recently, Summit was awarded the Reuters Global Energy Transition Award 2024 in the “Projects of Impact” category in recognition of the provision of sustainable solar power to remote

river-island communities and the improvement of energy access, livelihoods, and climate resilience.

About The Anjuman & Aziz Charitable Trust (“AACT”):

Founded in 2020 by Muhammed Aziz Khan and his wife Anjuman Aziz Khan, The Anjuman & Aziz Charitable Trust focuses on providing quality education to disadvantaged children across Bangladesh. Dr Hanns Kendel is the Managing Trustee.

About Muhammed Aziz Khan PBM:

Muhammed Aziz Khan, PBM, is the founder and Chairman of Summit Group of Companies. A Singapore citizen of Bangladeshi origin, he has led Summit Group from Bangladesh’s first private sector power producer to a diversified infrastructure conglomerate.

Khan received the Public Service Medal (COVID-19) and Pingat Bakti Masyarakat from Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office in 2023 for his outstanding contributions during the pandemic.

Mr. Khan holds an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka and served as the Honorary Consul General of Finland to Bangladesh (2016-2025). He is also the Chairman of Siraj Khaleda Trust, Anjuman & Aziz Charitable Trust (AACT), and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Asian University for Women (AUW) and Prothom Alo Trust.

Media Contact: 
Mohsena Hassan
mohsena.hassan@summit-centre.com

 

 

K-content including performances, guided tours, culinary experiences / Royal court arts of Korea at palaces

SEOUL, South Korea, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — K-Royal Cultural Festival for spring 2026 which are hosted by the Korea Heritage Service’s Palace Heritage Headquarters (Director: Ahn Ho) and organized by the Korea Heritage Agency (President: Lee Gwi-young) will begin booking programs for foreigners.

K-Royal Cultural Festival for spring 2026 is set to run from April 24 to May 3, offering chances for participants to experience Korea’s royal court culture hands-on. Prior ticket reservation for international programs is available on Korea’s travel platform Creatrip (www.creatrip.com) from 2PM of March 16.

K-Royal Cultural Festival is Korea’s biggest cultural heritage festival themed on Korea’s history. It takes place in Korea’s five palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Gyeonghuigung Palaces) and Jongmyo Shrine. Every spring and fall since 2014, the Festival has showcased various enactments, performances, exhibitions, experiences, and other programs to introduce Korea’s traditional royal culture.

Celebrating its 12th anniversary this year, the Royal Culture Festival has continued to grow steadily by presenting distinctive programs. It attracts tremendous interest from domestic visitors in Korea, with many programs selling out shortly upon opening each year. In particular, during last year’s spring and fall festival periods, approximately 1.37 million people visited the palaces, marking the highest attendance in the festival’s history.

This year’s spring festival, under the theme “Palaces, Awakening the Arts,” will offer a variety of royal court culture programs throughout the palaces with experiences that are not easily available during regular palace visits.

The festival’s programs are designed to provide hands-on experience on Korea’s royal culture, with performances bringing together K-POP and traditional Korean music, nighttime tours, and culinary experience programs.

• The opening will be celebrated with an opening ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace Heungnyemun Gate Square (April 24). Directed by Yang Jung-woong, who served as the artistic director of the 2025 APEC Summit, the event will open under the theme “Palaces, Awakening the Arts – Hyper Palace.” This large-scale performance will blend multiple genres including royal court dance (jeongjaemu), media façade, a hanbok fashion show, and a gugak (traditional Korean music) EDM performance, presenting a stage that reinterprets traditional culture in a contemporary way. 300 prior reservation tickets are available for international visitors, free of charge.
• At Around Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a new nighttime program titled “The Dance of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and the Moon” will be presented (April 28-30). This immersive nighttime performance tour allows visitors to move through different areas of the palace while following the story of Crown Prince Hyomyeong, who played a key role in advancing the arts of the Joseon Dynasty royal court. The program will be conducted in English and will operate through paid advance reservations, with 40 participants per day.

The popular program “Awakening the Morning Palace” will also offer sessions exclusively for international visitors (April 28-May 3). The program invites participants to stroll through the halls and the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace while listening to stories about the palace’s architecture and taking in the serene morning scenery. It will be operated through paid advance reservations for 40 participants per day.

As part of the festival’s special performance lineup, the royal court music concert “Palace Concert: A Performance by 100 Artists” will also take place (May 1-3). This large-scale traditional arts performance, featuring 100 gugak musicians, offers audiences a chance to experience the essence of Korean traditional music. Korean and English commentary will be provided to help audiences better understand the performance. The program will be operated through paid advance reservations for 100 participants per day.

• At Deoksugung Palace Jungmyeongjeon Hall, the culinary program “The Emperor’s Dining Table” will allow visitors to experience the banquet culture of the Korean Empire imperial court (May 1-3). Participants can try dishes inspired by imperial banquet cuisine while learning about the history and diplomatic culture of the era through a gastronomic talk program. Each session will accommodate 20 participants through paid advance reservations.
• At Jongmyo Shrine Main Hall, a new program titled “Royal Ancestral Ritual Music Nighttime Performance” will be presented, introducing the cultural value of Jongmyo Jeryeak, which is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list (April 28-30). Set against the solemn and majestic atmosphere of the shrine, this traditional music performance offers audiences an opportunity to experience the profound depth of Korean royal ritual music. The program will be operated through advance reservations, free of charge.
• In addition to the programs requiring advance reservations, the festival will also feature a variety of on-site programs open to visitors without prior booking. These include the “K-Heritage Market” at Gyeongbokgung Palace, where visitors can explore K-heritage goods and traditional crafts, and “Gyeongbokgung Time Travel – Royal Palace Daily Life,” which recreates scenes of everyday life in the Joseon Dynasty royal court. Visitors without advance reservations can also enjoy the festive atmosphere through the many events taking place throughout the palaces.

Details about prior reservation for international programs can be found on Creatrip (www.creatrip.com).

Appendix: K-Royal Culture Festival international program reservation details (foreigner-exclusive).

Reservation overview

• Programs: 6 foreigner-exclusive programs
• Reservation starting date: 2PM of Mar 16 2026 (Mon), at Creatrip (www.creatrip.com)
• Inquiries: Creatrip (help@creatrip.com)

Program schedule

 

SYDNEY, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech company, announced its entry into the Australian market, following the acquisition of local lending platform Fundo. This move marks the Company’s significant strategic expansion into a high-value developed market.

Tiezheng Li, CEO of FinVolution Group, commented, “Our entry into Australia marks an important step in FinVolution’s international expansion. We look forward to bringing our responsible, technology-driven financial services to users in Australia.”

Australia presents a compelling growth opportunity characterized by a mature regulatory framework and a significant demand for digital lending. The Fundo acquisition allows FinVolution to leverage its expertise in data-driven risk pricing and operational efficiency to enhance financial accessibility in Australia, further advancing the Group’s commitment to global financial inclusion.

This expansion builds on FinVolution’s track record of executing deep localization strategies across diverse markets. By adapting its product offerings to meet local needs while upholding rigorous compliance standards, the Company ensures its Australian operations align with the regulatory discipline required in a developed economy.

Guided by its “Local Excellence, Global Outlook” strategy, FinVolution’s international business has become an increasingly important growth driver. As reported in its 2025 financial results, international transaction volume increased by 38.6% year-over-year to RMB 14.0 billion(US$ 2.0 billion), while international operations contributed 31.4% of total revenue in the fourth quarter.

Today, FinVolution operates leading fintech platforms across China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan, alongside its newest market, Australia. As of December 31, 2025, the Company has served a cumulative total of 40.7 million users worldwide and facilitated approximately RMB 1.2 trillion (US$ 171.6 billion) in cumulative transaction volume, solidifying its position as a leading credit-tech company.