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RAHWAY, NJ and TOKYO, Mar 2, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) and Eisai (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito) today announced the first presentation of results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-011 trial evaluating the dual oral regimen of WELIREG® (belzutifan), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s first-in-class oral hypoxiainducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, plus LENVIMA® (lenvatinib), an orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discovered by Eisai, for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) whose disease progressed on or after treatment with anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)/ programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy. These data are being presented as a late-breaking oral abstract at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary (GU) Cancers Symposium (abstract #LBA417) and are included in the official ASCO GU Press Program.At a pre-specified interim analysis with a median follow-up of 29.0 months (range, 19.3-49.2), WELIREG plus LENVIMA demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 30% (HR=0.70 [95% CI, 0.59-0.84]; p=0.00007) compared to cabozantinib. For WELIREG plus LENVIMA, the median PFS was 14.8 months (95% CI, 11.2-16.6) versus 10.7 months (95% CI, 9.2-11.1) for cabozantinib. A trend toward improvement in overall survival (OS), the trial’s other primary endpoint, was also observed for WELIREG plus LENVIMA (HR=0.85 [95% CI, 0.68-1.05]; p=0.06075). The median OS was 34.9 months (95% CI, 27.5-NR) for WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 27.6 months (95% CI, 24.0- 31.4) for cabozantinib. The trial is continuing, and OS will be evaluated at a subsequent analysis per the clinical trial protocol.Based on data from the LITESPARK-011 trial, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted two supplemental New Drug Applications (sNDA) for review seeking approval for WELIREG plus LENVIMA for the treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC with a clear cell component following a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor. The FDA set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action date, of October 4, 2026, for both the WELIREG and LENVIMA sNDAs. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and Eisai will also discuss these data with regulatory authorities worldwide to support potential submissions outside the United States.“Choosing the right treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma after immunotherapy has been an ongoing challenge, and treatment options in this setting had not previously been evaluated against a current standard of care tyrosine kinase inhibitor in a Phase 3 trial,” said Dr. Robert Motzer, Principal Investigator and Genitourinary Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “The LITESPARK-011 study demonstrated a 30% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death with belzutifan plus lenvatinib compared to cabozantinib, and 52.6% of patients experienced a response to treatment. These findings mark a critical step forward for these patients.”“The LITESPARK-011 trial highlights the potential of this first-of-its-kind combination regimen to deliver a meaningful benefit for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma whose disease progresses after PD-1/L1 therapy,” said Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza, Vice President, Global Clinical Development, MSD Research Laboratories. “These WELIREG plus LENVIMA data demonstrate important progress for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and reinforce our commitment to improving the lives of patients through innovative treatment strategies.”“The LITESPARK-011 results reinforce LENVIMA's established role in renal cell carcinoma and highlight the potential of this novel combination to address an area of significant unmet need,” said Dr. Corina Dutcus, Senior Vice President, Oncology Global Clinical Development Lead at Eisai. “The acceptance of this regulatory filing is an important milestone, and we remain committed to working toward approval to bring this option to patients as soon as possible. We are grateful to the patients, their families, and the investigators, whose dedication made this research possible.”Additional findingsData for objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR), two key secondary endpoints, were also reported. At the first interim analysis with a median follow-up of 19.6 months (range, 9.9-39.8), WELIREG plus LENVIMA met ORR, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement compared to cabozantinib. A confirmed ORR of 52.6% (95% CI, 47.3-57.7) was observed for WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 39.6% (95% CI, 34.6-44.8) for cabozantinib. At the second interim analysis with a median follow-up of 29.0 months, the median DOR was 23.0 months (95% CI, 2.0-44.3+) for WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 12.3 months (95% CI, 1.8+-35.9+) for cabozantinib.WELIREG plus LENVIMA was administered to 370 patients and cabozantinib was administered to 371 patients. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 71.6% of patients receiving WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 65.8% of patients receiving cabozantinib. Adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 11.1% of patients receiving WELIREG plus LENVIMA and in 11.3% of patients receiving cabozantinib, respectively. Serious adverse events were observed in 51.6% of patients receiving WELIREG plus LENVIMA versus 43.9% of patients receiving cabozantinib, and AEs led to death in 5.4% of patients (two were treatment-related: thrombotic microangiopathy [n=1] and pneumonitis [n=1]) versus 3.2% (one was treatment-related: hemoptysis [n=1]) of patients, respectively.LITESPARK-011 is part of a comprehensive late-stage clinical development program for WELIREG comprised of several Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, von HippelLindau disease-associated neoplasms and RCC. The Phase 3 LITESPARK-012 trial is evaluating the addition of WELIREG to KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s anti-PD-1 therapy, plus LENVIMA in the first-line advanced RCC disease setting.WELIREG is approved in the U.S., European Union (EU), Japan and other countries for the treatment of adult patients with advanced clear cell RCC following a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor and 1-2 VEGFTKIs based on results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-005 trial.KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA is approved in the U.S., the EU, Japan and other countries for the treatment of advanced RCC. Lenvatinib is approved as KISPLYX for advanced RCC in the EU.LENVIMA in combination with everolimus is approved in the U.S., EU and other regions for the treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy.Dr. Motzer has provided consulting and advisory services for Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and Eisai.About LITESPARK-011LITESPARK-011 is a randomized, open-label Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04586231) evaluating WELIREG in combination with LENVIMA compared to cabozantinib for the treatment of patients with advanced clear cell RCC that has progressed on or after anti-PD-1/L1 therapy. The dual primary endpoints are PFS per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) and OS. Key secondary endpoints include ORR per RECIST v1.1 as assessed by BICR, DOR per RECIST v1.1 as assessed by BICR, and safety. The trial enrolled 747 patients who were randomized to receive WELIREG (120 mg orally once daily) plus LENVIMA (20 mg orally once daily) or cabozantinib (60 mg orally once daily).About renal cell carcinomaRenal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, with about nine out of 10 kidney cancer diagnoses being RCC.1 In 2022, there were about 435,000 new cases of kidney cancer and approximately 156,000 deaths from the disease worldwide.2 RCC is about twice as common in men as in women.1 Most cases of RCC are discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other abdominal diseases. Approximately 30% of patients with kidney cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage.3About Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s research in genitourinary cancersMerck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA is advancing research aimed at helping transform the treatment landscape and broaden options for people with genitourinary (GU) cancers, including bladder, kidney and prostate cancers. Globally, GU cancers account for an estimated 2.6 million new cancer diagnoses each year, equaling over 1 in 8 of all cancer incidences. Through a robust clinical development program with more than 50 clinical trials evaluating more than 22,000 patients around the world, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA is investigating the potential of several portfolio medicines and pipeline assets, leveraging multiple novel combination strategies, across various stages of disease, to help address unmet needs in GU cancers.About WELIREG® (belzutifan) 40 mg tablets, for oral useWELIREG, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s first-in-class hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor, is an orally administered small-molecule designed to reduce transcription and expression of HIF-2α target genes associated with cellular proliferation, angiogenesis and tumor growth. By inhibiting HIF-2α signaling, WELIREG aims to disrupt key pathways certain tumors may use to adapt to low-oxygen conditions, including those that help promote abnormal blood vessel formation and support tumor survival.WELIREG has demonstrated antitumor activity in certain von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated tumors, renal cell carcinoma and in pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. As part of a broader clinical program, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA continues to research WELIREG monotherapy and combination approaches for people with genitourinary, breast and gynecologic cancers across a range of treatment settings to further define where HIF-2α inhibition may provide clinical benefit and to better understand which patients are most likely to respond.About LENVIMA® (lenvatinib); available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsulesLENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is an orally available multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, the platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), KIT, and RET. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, LENVIMA decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity in combination with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody compared to either treatment alone. LENVIMA has been approved for the indications below.Thyroid cancer- Indication as monotherapy(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe, China and Asia)Japan: Unresectable thyroid cancerThe United States: The treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)Europe: The treatment of adult patients with progressive, locally advanced or metastatic, differentiated (papillary/follicular/Hürthle cell) thyroid carcinoma (DTC), refractory to radioactive iodine (RAI)Hepatocellular carcinoma- Indication as monotherapy(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe, China and Asia)Japan: Unresectable hepatocellular carcinomaThe United States: The first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)Europe: The treatment of adult patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have received no prior systemic therapy- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA (generic name: pembrolizumab) and transarterial chemoembolization(Approved in China)Thymic carcinoma- Indication as monotherapy (Approved in Japan)Japan: Unresectable thymic carcinomaRenal cell carcinoma (In Europe other than the United Kingdom, the agent was launched under the brand name Kisplyx®)- Indication in combination with everolimus(Approved mainly in the United States, Europe and Asia)The United States: The treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior antiangiogenic therapyEurope: The treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma following one prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeted therapy- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia)Japan: Radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinomaThe United States: The first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinomaEurope: The first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinomaEndometrial carcinoma- Indication in combination with KEYTRUDA(Approved mainly in Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia)Japan: Unresectable, advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma that progressed after cancer chemotherapyThe United States: The treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is pMMR or not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiationEurope: The treatment of adult patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma (EC) who have disease progression on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery.About the Eisai and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA Strategic CollaborationIn March 2018, Eisai and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and cocommercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, and HIF-2α inhibitor, WELIREG.Eisai’s focus on cancerEisai acknowledges “Oncology” as one of its key strategic areas, and will continue to focus on the discovery and development of anti-cancer drugs within drug discovery domains including “microenvironment”, “protein integrity and homeostasis”, and “cell lineage and cell differentiation” under the Deep Human Biology Learning (DHBL) drug discovery and development organization. Eisai aspires to discover innovative new drugs with new targets and mechanisms of action from these domains, with the aim of contributing to the cure of cancersAbout EisaiEisai’s Corporate Concept is “to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides.” Under this Concept [also known as our human health care (hhc) Concept], we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.In addition, our continued commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is demonstrated by our work on various activities together with global partners.For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), us.eisai.com (for U.S. headquarters: Eisai Inc.) or www.eisai.eu (for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand headquarters: Eisai Europe Ltd.), and connect with us on X (U.S. and global), LinkedIn (for U.S. and EMEA) and Facebook (global).Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA’s Focus on CancerEvery day, we follow the science as we work to discover innovations that can help patients, no matter what stage of cancer they have. As a leading oncology company, we are pursuing research where scientific opportunity and medical need converge, underpinned by our diverse pipeline of more than 25 novel mechanisms. With one of the largest clinical development programs across more than 30 tumor types, we strive to advance breakthrough science that will shape the future of oncology. By addressing barriers to clinical trial participation, screening and treatment, we work with urgency to reduce disparities and help ensure patients have access to high-quality cancer care. Our unwavering commitment is what will bring us closer to our goal of bringing life to more patients with cancer. For more information, visit https://www.merck.com/research/oncology.About Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USAAt Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USAThis news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).(1) American Cancer Society, “What Is Kidney Cancer” https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer/about/what-is-kidney-cancer.html(2) International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization. “Kidney fact sheet” Cancer Today, GLOBOCAN 2022. https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/cancers/29-kidney-fact-sheet.pdf(3) E. Esterberg et al. Real-World Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma. Clinical Genitourinary Cancer April 2024, Vol. 22, No. 2, 115–125. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558767323002203Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USAMedia RelationsJulie Cunningham: +1-(617) 519-6264John Infanti: +1-(609) 500-4714Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USAInvestor RelationsPeter Dannenbaum: +1-(732) 594-1579Steven Graziano: +1-(732) 594-1583Eisai Co., Ltd.Public Relations:+81-(0)3-3817-5120Eisai Co., Ltd.Investor Relations:+81-(0) 3-3817-5122 Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Feb 27, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701), in collaboration with Pegatron Corporation (Pegatron; 4938.TW) and Edgecore Networks, has obtained Bronze Badge certification from the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) for its new hardware products: Endeavor (Pegatron MPND400-2) and AMX3200 (Edgecore), components of the open and disaggregated 400G optical transponder platforms known as Phoenix, demonstrating the continued expansion of NEC's ecosystem portfolio.TIP is a global collaborative community advancing the development and deployment of open, disaggregated, and interoperable telecommunications infrastructure.The Phoenix solution is a standard specification defined by TIP's Open Optical and Packet Transport (OOPT) Project Group, that includes NTT, Telia, Telefonica, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, and MTN. OOPT is an operator-driven initiative responsible for the development of technical requirements and focused on the growth of open technologies, architectures, and interfaces in the optical and IP networking domains.NEC’s Phoenix Solution consists of the NEC Network Operating System (NOS), white box hardware, and third-party optical transceivers, enabling highly flexible and scalable network deployments. The newly added Endeavor and AMX3200 platforms are both 1U-height white boxes designed for standard 19-inch rack mounting. Each is equipped with four CFP2-DCO ports supporting 400G coherent pluggable transceivers, enabling transmission capacity of up to 1.6Tbps per device for Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) applications.The NEC NOS is universally deployed on Phoenix-certified white box platforms, providing advanced hardware management and supporting open APIs such as OpenConfig and YANG data models to ensure seamless integration and automation for network operators.The NEC NOS has previously been awarded the TIP Phoenix Gold Badge in combination with the Galileo Flex-T white box. The new Bronze Badge certifications for Endeavor and AMX3200 further strengthen the Phoenix ecosystem, enabling network operators to benefit from a truly multi-vendor environment and enhancing the reliability and flexibility of optical transport networks.Phoenix disaggregated 400G transponder solution- NEC & Partner Eco-system -"The Bronze Badge certification for the Endeavor and AMX3200 platforms further highlights the robustness of our optical networking solution ecosystem," said So Sato, Senior Director, Network Solutions Business Division, NEC Corporation. "This achievement demonstrates the value of openness, affirming our commitment to supporting operators with flexible solutions that meet diverse networking needs.""The Telecom Infra Project is excited to see the broader impact of TIP’s Phoenix open transponder design across the industry. This new hardware solution greatly enriches the open transponders ecosystem by offering operators multiple choices to deploy this solution at scale," said Arturo Mayoral, Head of Transport Technology at TIP. "We are especially proud to see how the TIP test and validation program is enabling the community to accelerate interoperability among open solutions while reinforcing market confidence in their maturity and reliability.""We are proud to achieve TIP Phoenix Bronze Badge certification for Pegatron’s Endeavor MPND400-2 muxponder in collaboration with NEC," said Dr. James Shue, SVP & CTO of Pegatron. "This certification validates our commitment to delivering high-quality, standards-based optical networking hardware for the open and disaggregated ecosystem. Pegatron remains dedicated to advancing open optical networking solutions that provide operators with greater flexibility and choice.""Edgecore Networks is proud to expand our collaboration with NEC through the Phoenix ecosystem. Achieving TIP Bronze Badge certification for the AMX3200 underscores our shared commitment to delivering open, scalable, and interoperable optical transport solutions," said Nanda Ravindran, VP of Product Management and Planning of Edgecore. "By combining Edgecore’s open hardware innovation with NEC’s proven NOS and system integration expertise, we are empowering operators worldwide to accelerate network modernization with greater flexibility, efficiency, and confidence."These research results were obtained from a grant program (No.JPJ012368G50311) by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan.About NECThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society.For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Feb 27, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) has successfully demonstrated a technology in which Agentic AI autonomously manages the entire lifecycle of the User Plane Function (UPF)*, a primary function of 6G/5G core networks, from design, construction, and deployment through to operational monitoring. This research achievement was realized in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS).Based on NEC’s expertise and experience in communications service provider networks, this demonstration was achieved by leveraging "Kiro," an AWS agentic AI with an integrated development environment (IDE) and command-line interface (CLI). As a result, NEC confirmed that the time required from network design to initial service launch, which previously required several weeks with manual configuration by network operators, can be significantly reduced to just a few hours. In addition, automated anomaly detection and self-healing operations without human intervention were also verified using an AWS AI tool. These results demonstrate that automated orchestration of UPF utilizing an AWS AI tool contributes to reducing deployment burden for communications service providers (CSPs), improving operational efficiency, and accelerating service rollout.Traditionally, building and deploying network functions required extensive manual configuration and advanced technical expertise, placing a heavy burden on network operators at CSPs. These manual processes also increased the risk of human error, which complicated fault isolation and recovery during network incidents. These issues contributed to longer service rollout timelines and rising operational costs.Key Features1. Autonomous UPF Deployment and Operation Enabled by AIDrawing on expertise gained through designing, building, and operating commercial carrier networks, NEC embedded this knowledge into AI models capable of automatically generating and executing UPF deployment procedures. This enables not only automation of operational tasks but also supports truly autonomous network operations suitable for production environments.2. Flexible Deployment Enabled by Cloud-Based Operational ModelsBy leveraging AWS, NEC can apply cloud-native operational models directly to CSP environments, enabling flexible deployment across networks, including edge locations and on premises systems.Benefits / ValueReduces network function deployment time from weeks to hours—from network design to initial service launch (compared to traditional manual deployment methods at NEC)Minimizes human error and improves operational quality through automationAllows personnel without deep technical expertise to deploy and operate network functions, helping address labor shortagesSupports CSPs with rapid service launches and maximizes revenue opportunitiesThis initiative represents an important achievement as a foundational technology for realizing autonomous network operations required in the future 6G era. Looking ahead, NEC will continue to take on new technological challenges based on its vision of being "AI Native," addressing the challenges that communications service providers may face both today and in the future as networks become increasingly complex.A demonstration based on the verified environment will be showcased at the AWS booth during MWC Barcelona 2026 (March 2–5, 2026), the world’s largest mobile industry event."The telecommunications industry is at an inflection point where AI-driven automation is becoming essential to build a competitive advantage by serving the end-customers faster and reducing the operating costs. NEC's breakthrough in autonomous UPF orchestration demonstrates how AWS AI services can fundamentally transform network operations, enabling communications service providers to deploy complex 5G infrastructure in hours rather than weeks. This level of automation democratizes advanced network deployment capabilities, allowing operators to serve the ever-increasing capacity needs and focus their innovation efforts on service differentiation rather than manual configuration and operational tasks. This collaboration with NEC exemplifies the intelligent automation that will define the next generation of telecommunications infrastructure."-Amir Rao, Global Director, GTM and Telco Solutions at Amazon Web Services"Validating the automation of UPF deployment and operations using AI and GitOps in an AWS environment is an important accomplishment for NEC. This technology does more than just improve operational efficiency. By embedding the design and operational expertise that NEC has cultivated through commercial networks into AI, we aim to enable autonomous operations and achieve a significant improvement in end-to-end efficiency across UPF deployment and operations, including on-site activities. NEC will continue to contribute to the realization of autonomously operable mobile networks that are required for the 6G era, providing environments that allow communications service providers to focus on creating service value."- Takashi Sato, Corporate Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Network Solutions Business Division of NEC CorporationA portion of the technologies used in this project were obtained from a grant program (No. JPJ012368G50701) by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan.(*) User Plane Function: The processing of user data traffic in the 5G Core Network (5GC).About NECThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society. For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

CompressorTOKYO, Feb 27, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation (MCO), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has acquired all shares of AST Turbo AG (AST), a Swiss company specializing in rotating equipment maintenance services, as of February 27.AST is engaged in maintenance, inspection, and field services for rotating equipment such as compressors and steam turbines that drive compressors, used in resource and energy development sites, including in the oil and gas sectors. The company has highly experienced technical supervisors and advanced engineering capabilities, such as virtual assembly technology utilizing 3D laser measurement(*1). AST has a proven track record of projects in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and other regions worldwide. Through this acquisition, MCO aims to strengthen its field service system in international markets.Turbo machinery such as compressors requires indispensable after-sales services, including replacement of consumable parts, repairs, and inspections following installation. In recent years, customers have increasingly requested shorter inspection intervals to improve equipment uptime, along with greater use of virtual assembly technology and deployment of experienced supervisors. MCO and AST have a long established and collaborative relationship and have jointly provided field service on several projects to date. Following the acquisition, under the leadership of AST's current management team, the company will leverage its existing customer and business base, while integrating MCO's and the MHI Group's technological expertise and know-how to further enhance service quality and expand business operations.With this acquisition, MCO is committed to better meeting customer expectations and delivering high-quality services to customers worldwide.This acquisition is an example of the partnering initiatives promoted by the MHI Group. The Company will continue to build strategic partnerships globally to incorporate external expertise through partnering efforts and deliver its technologies, products, and services to a wider range of customers.(*1) Virtual assembly technology refers to a technique that uses 3D data to simulate the product assembly process on a computer. This enables the omission of certain on-site assembly steps, resulting in shorter inspection periods, maintaining plant high availability.About AST Turbo AGCompany Name: AST Turbo AGHeadquarters: Altendorf, SwitzerlandFounded: 2012Core Business: Maintenance and field services including installation for rotating equipment such as compressors and steam turbines that drive compressorsFor more information, please visit https://www.ast-turbo.com/About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Feb 27, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC Corporation has expanded the capabilities of its User Plane Function (UPF, *1) for telecom operators by adding support for second-generation AWS Outposts racks (*2), further strengthening its multi deployment model. With this enhancement, NEC’s UPF can now operate consistently across on-premises environments, the cloud, edge locations, and AWS Outposts racks installed within operators’ network sites. This enables flexible deployment design that is tailored to traffic characteristics and service requirements.NEC’s UPF is designed for lightweight, high performance operation in telecom networks, achieving 200 Gbps throughput while limiting CPU usage to only 20% of total CPU cores on second generation AWS Outposts racks. This lightweight architecture enables easier coexistence with other workloads on second-generation AWS Outposts racks and supports the deployment of low-latency, edge-based services such as network slicing and service application integration. These capabilities have been achieved through close collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS).Another key feature of NEC’s UPF is its unified software architecture, which delivers a consistent experience from edge sites to centralized deployments. The same software can be used when deployed on second generation AWS Outposts racks, ensuring network wide consistency in design and operations. With a cloud optimized approach that incorporates continuous updates and automated operations, NEC enables labor efficient, stable, large scale network operation. This supports telecom operators’ diverse network strategies, from leveraging existing infrastructure to adopting cloud native architectures.With edge deployments expected to accelerate in the 6G era, NEC has combined expanded cloud adoption options enabled by second-generation AWS Outposts racks with the space- and power-efficient design of its UPF to achieve efficient edge rollouts and the integration of edge environments with cloud services.The provision of this solution helps to advance NEC’s "AI Native" vision for society and contributes to solving social challenges."NEC's innovative approach to User Plane Function deployment exemplifies how AWS Outposts enables telecommunications operators to modernize their infrastructure without compromising on the application's mission-critical performance or the operational consistency delivered by the cloud. With second-generation AWS Outposts, NEC delivers the cloud-native agility that operators need while maintaining the low-latency, high-throughput performance that 5G services demand. This collaboration demonstrates AWS's commitment to helping telecommunications partners build mission critical, high-performance, flexible, and scalable networks that will power the next generation of connected experiences."- Amir Rao, Global Director, GTM and Telco Solutions at Amazon Web Services"Enabling NEC’s UPF, which is designed for multi-platform environments, to run on second-generation AWS Outposts racks will expand the range of choices that communications service providers have for network design and operations. The UPF supports both rapid service deployment and stable operations while minimizing design and operational complexity, thereby strengthening service providers’ ability to deliver reliable services. Going forward, NEC will continue to pursue the realization of network platforms that seamlessly and pragmatically integrate cloud and network technologies, contributing to value creation for communications service providers."- Takashi Sato, Corporate Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Network Solutions Business Division of NEC CorporationA portion of the technologies used in this project were obtained from a grant program (No. JPJ012368G50701) by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan.*1)User Plane Function: The processing of user data traffic in the 5G Core Network (5GC).*2)AWS Outposts is a family of fully managed solutions that brings AWS infrastructure and services to virtually any on-premises or edge location for a consistent hybrid experience. Second-generation AWS Outposts racks deliver up to 40% better compute performance than the first generation, simplify network operations, enable cost-efficient scaling of on-premises workloads, and are optimized for ultra-low-latency, high-throughput requirements.About NECThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society. For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Kawasaki, Osaka, Japan, Feb 27, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Fujitsu Limited and H2O Retailing Corporation today announced the successful implementation of a wireless tablet POS system utilizing Fujitsu's POS solution across all 15 Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores. This initiative marks one of the largest deployments of a tablet POS system in a department store in Japan, with approximately 5,000 tablet units introduced in non-food sales areas and about 400 dedicated POS units in food sales areas.The system enables sales associates to provide seamless, one-stop[1] service from customer engagement to payment without leaving their sales floor. This allows sales associates to dedicate more time to customers, to enhance service quality and deliver a high-value shopping experience unique to department stores.Going forward, H2O plans to integrate other business applications into these tablet units at Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores including customer relationship management tools and customer service support tools to create a higher quality one-stop customer experience.Fujitsu, under its Uvance business model to address societal challenges, is committed to solving customer and societal issues through data and AI, focusing on both the purchasing experience and supply chains. By linking the experience cycle, which supports comfortable purchasing experiences for customers and improved operational efficiency for employees involved in purchasing, with the supply chain cycle, which aims to realize sustainable and resilient purchasing supply chains, Fujitsu will integrate complex customer touchpoints and achieve centralized information management across all channels. This will enhance customer and consumer experiences and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.Overview of the SystemThe system implemented in this initiative incorporates a POS solution from Unified Commerce, an offering within Fujitsu's Uvance business model that aims to centralize customer touchpoint information. By establishing this system as a common platform, the screen displays and operability of both stationary and mobile POS systems have been unified.This achieves the following three points, leading to improved operational efficiency and enhanced customer experience:Reduced burden of learning multiple operating methods and decreased training labor hours for sales associates due to a unified operating system.Establishment of a one-stop operation within the same sales area, from customer engagement to payment, through the introduction of wireless tablets. Provides customers with a smoother and more comfortable shopping experience.Utilization of SIM-equipped tablet units to increase flexibility by expanding POS systems outside stores for special events, external sales activities, and mobile sales, while maintaining the same service quality as in-store systems.The system is built in a cloud environment and adopts a pay-per-use licensing model based on the annual number of transactions. This allows for flexible adjustment of POS system resources according to sales floor fluctuations and demand, balancing appropriate cost management with stable operation. It ensures a stable payment environment even during peak seasons, offering customers a comfortable and smooth shopping experience.[1] Not including tax-free procedures.About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers around the globe, our 113,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: AI, Computing, Networks, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$23 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: global.fujitsuAbout H2O Retailing CorporationThe H2O Retailing Group engages in a variety of retail-related business, including department stores, supermarkets, shopping centers, specialty stores and convenience stores, primarily in the Kansai region of Japan.Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores operate a total of 15 department stores, including Hankyu Department Store and Hanshin Department Store. We strive to become the No.1 fun department store to make our customers lives also fun and enriched by energizing their future. In addition to the flagship Hankyu Umeda Main Store, we have a wide variety of stores, including the Hanshin Umeda Main Store, Kobe Hankyu, and Hakata Hankyu stores in the city center, as well as suburban stores that are close to the lives of the community.Press ContactsFujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiries Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Feb 26, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitomo Semicon Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of EEJA Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Akihiko Domae), which operates TANAKA’s plating business, announces that it will change its company name effective April 1, 2026, as outlined below.Details of the company name changeCurrent name: Mitomo Semicon Engineering Co., Ltd.New name: EEJA Technologies Ltd.Mitomo Semicon Engineering is engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of plating equipment for semiconductors and electronic components. With this company name change, the company will further strengthen collaboration with EEJA, which provides plating chemicals and processes, and will offer enhanced value to customers through total solutions that integrate plating chemicals, equipment, and process design.Company name: Mitomo Semicon Engineering Co., Ltd.(New company name: EEJA Technologies Ltd.)CEOToshio KuzushimaEstablished1976CapitalJPY 100 millionEmployees47 (January 1, 2026)SalesJPY 2,925,911,000 (FY2024)Main businessesManufacture and sales of plating equipment for semiconductors and electronic components Company name: EEJA Ltd.CEOAkihiko DomaeEstablished1965CapitalJPY 100 millionEmployees133 (including overseas subsidiaries) (December 31, 2024)SalesJPY 29,957,393,000 (FY2024)Main businessesDevelopment, manufacture, sales, and export of precious metal and base metal plating chemicals, additives, and surface treatment-related chemicals Company name: TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.Headquarters2-6-6 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, TokyoRepresentativeKoichiro Tanaka, Group CEOFounded1885Incorporated2024CapitalJPY 100 millionEmployees in consolidated group5,591 (December 31, 2024)Net sales of consolidated groupJPY 846,921 million (FY2024)Main businesses of the groupCompany responsible for management of TANAKAWebsitehttps://www.tanaka.co.jp/english (TANAKA Corporate Website) About TANAKASince its foundation in 1885, TANAKA has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volume of precious metals it handles. Over many years, TANAKA has manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry and provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and worldwide collaborate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a full range of products and services. With 5,591 employees, the group’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2024 were 846.9 billion yen.TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.TANAKA Corporate Websitehttps://www.tanaka.co.jp/english/Press inquiriesTANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.https://www.tanaka.co.jp/support/req/other_contact_e/index.htmlPress Release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20260226_EN.pdf Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Highlights:Integration of the proposed technologies will help address the transmission and computational infrastructure challenges faced when implementing AI agents.This trial verified the effectiveness of optimizing the transmission and computational processing of high-volume data handled by AI agents.This initiative has been selected for exhibition at the Japan Pavilion at MWC 2026, where the research findings and underlying concept will be presented to an international audience.TOKYO, Japan, Feb 26, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo (Tokyo; Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering: Professor Yasuhiro Kato; Head of the Nakao Research Laboratory: Professor Akihiro Nakao; hereinafter "The University of Tokyo"), NTT, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President and CEO: Akira Shimada; hereinafter "NTT"), and NEC Corporation (Headquarters: Tokyo; President and CEO Takayuki Morita; hereinafter "NEC") have integrated three newly proposed technologies on a 6G(*1)/IOWN(*2) platform to realize the widespread use of AI agents(*3) supporting a safer and more secure society. Through this initiative, the three parties have combined streaming semantic communication technology(*4), AI-oriented media control technology(*5), and In-Network Computing (INC) architecture technology(*6) to optimize the high-volume data transmission and computational processing required for AI agents. The effectiveness of these technologies has been quantitatively verified through a trial, and plans are slated for this initiative to be showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2026 (MWC 2026) Japan Pavilion, where the research findings and underlying concept will be presented to an international audience.Figure 1. Overview of the technologies integrated on the 6G/IOWN platform1. Background and significance of this three-party collaborationInternational collaboration and global standardization are vital to the advancement of telecommunications, which serves as a universal platform accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world, and should therefore be considered from a global value perspective. In recent years, the importance of safety and security has grown, as both offer global value.To realize a safer and more secure society, the ability to quickly perceive and take appropriate action in response to disasters, accidents, cyberattacks, and other rapidly evolving situations is imperative. However, relying solely on personnel and predefined rules to respond to such situations has its limitations, making the use of AI essential. Utilizing AI agents enables autonomous, real-time perception of the situation at hand, helping to prevent potential damage and minimize the impact of any damage that does occur.Meanwhile, next-generation ICT infrastructure capable of processing and transmitting massive amounts of data with low latency and high reliability is vital to enhancing the functionality of AI agents.Against this backdrop, The University of Tokyo, NTT, and NEC—all three of which possess strengths in 6G and IOWN—have united under The University of Tokyo’s Social Cooperation Program to conduct research and development on 6G and IOWN platform technologies to realize AI agents supporting safety and security.2. Research backgroundWhile the use of AI in recent years has primarily centered on models that act based on human prompts, the utilization of AI agents capable of acting autonomously based on sensor data and other non-human-originated inputs without relying on specific instructions from human operators is expected to become increasingly common in the society of the future. In turn, these advancements will enable the realization of AI agents that support safety and security by continuously collecting and monitoring data from the surrounding environment and responding in real time when signs of abnormalities are detected.However, the expanded use of continuously operating AI agents will cause the amount of multimodal data(*7) to skyrocket, and existing ICT infrastructure is not equipped to support such a drastic increase in data due to the technological challenges listed below.(1) Insufficient wireless bandwidthContinuous transmission of vast amounts of data from countless sensors and devices makes it difficult to secure sufficient wireless bandwidth.(2) Increasing computational load due to round-the-clock AI processing of sensor dataIf all sensor data is continuously processed using computationally intensive AI, it will cause an excessive computational load, making it difficult to respond in real time.(3) Increasing computational load and power consumption with large-scale AILarge-scale AI is required to analyze a wide range of sensor data, thereby increasing the need for computational capabilities and electrical power.3. Technology highlightsIn this research, the three parties proposed the following technological approaches to resolve the aforementioned challenges.(1) Streaming semantic communication technology (The University of Tokyo)This applied form of semantic communication detects contextual changes and transmits only semantic differences, thereby reducing wireless communication resources dramatically.(2) AI-oriented media control technology (NEC)Assigning a data identifier to an AI agent and then selectively feeding only key sensor data to the AI agent reduces the computational resources required for inference. Learning inference results from the AI agent, the data identifier is able to identify critical sensor data.(3) In-Network Computing (INC) architecture technology (NTT)Rather than relying on a single massive AI model, highly efficient and reliable AI processing is made possible by combining small, specialized AI distributed across the network with external information sources.Figure 2. Technological challenges and the proposed approach4. Trial OverviewThis trial was conducted to verify the impact of the proposed technologies in terms of reducing latency through the improvement of transmission and computational processing efficiency, taking into account the characteristics of end-to-end latency(*8) (E2E latency) when using AI agents. In this trial, a video dataset including critical situations (60 seconds; 1,800 frames) was used to conduct a phase-by-phase evaluation of the configuration with which an AI agent processes video input from sensors. The intended use cases are scenarios requiring real-time performance where an AI agent continuously monitors the surroundings of a user wearing augmented reality (AR) glasses to identify environmental and contextual changes that can be used to predict and assess risk indicators.First, the latency characteristics in a configuration where all frames fed from a sensor were sequentially processed using AI were assessed as a preliminary evaluation. The results confirmed that processing wait time increases cumulatively with each frame, resulting in a tendency for E2E latency to build over time. This implies an increase in the amount of time it takes from the occurrence of a critical situation in front of the user until assessment results and guidance are provided, thus revealing that this could pose an issue in use cases involving real-time AR assistance.Next, on the basis of the results of the preliminary evaluation, a system configuration was assessed in which the proposed technology was applied in this trial. The evaluation confirmed that both communication traffic and computational load were reduced, and that E2E latency could be maintained at an almost constant level throughout the entire video stream. In addition, no tendency was observed for processing wait times to increase cumulatively. Furthermore, no degradation in AI inference accuracy was detected as a result of applying the proposed technology. These results demonstrate that, for this use case, which requires real-time performance, the proposed technology can stably reduce E2E latency while maintaining AI inference accuracy. Figure 3.1. Use of AR glasses in the trial Figure 3.2. AR glasses display5. Roles and Responsibilities(1) The University of Tokyo:Responsible for research and development of streaming semantic communication technology, primarily contributing to addressing technical challenges related to bandwidth constraints in wireless network segments.(2) NEC:Responsible for research and development of AI-oriented media control technology primarily contributing to addressing the technical challenge of increased computational load resulting from continuous AI processing of sensor data.(3) NTT:Responsible for research and development of In-Network Computing (INC) technology, primarily contributing to addressing technical challenges related to increased computational load and power consumption associated with the scaling of AI models.Through the interaction and integration of each party’s technologies, the collaboration has also enabled contributions to addressing additional technical challenges beyond their primary areas of responsibility.6. Future outlookThis initiative has been selected for exhibition at the Japan Pavilion at MWC 2026, where the research findings and underlying concept will be presented to an international audience.Going forward, with a view toward the social implementation of the research findings, the three parties will accelerate research and development aimed at realizing AI agents and next-generation ICT infrastructure that support safety and security.Notes:*1.6G6G (sixth-generation mobile communication systems) refers to next-generation mobile communication technologies currently under research as the successor to 5G. In addition to ultra-high speed, ultra-low latency, and high reliability, 6G is expected to provide a communications infrastructure designed to support massive device connectivity and AI-native applications.*2.IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network)The IOWN concept envisions a network and information processing infrastructure, including end devices, that optimizes both individuals and systems as a whole based on diverse information. By leveraging innovative technologies centered on optical communications, IOWN aims to provide ultra-high-speed, large-capacity communications and vast computational resources.*3.AI AgentAn AI agent is an AI technology that understands objectives based on surrounding conditions and input data, and autonomously makes decisions and takes actions to execute tasks. In addition to conventional AI systems that operate based on human-issued instructions (prompts), growing attention is being given to AI agents that continuously perceive and assess their environment using non-human-originated inputs, such as sensor data.*4.Streaming semantic communication technologySemantic communication is a communication method that focuses on the meaning and importance of data, extracting and compressing only the necessary information for transmission. Compared with conventional bit-level communication, it significantly reduces communication volume while efficiently transmitting information required for AI processing. Streaming semantic communication technology is an applied form of semantic communication that detects changes in surrounding context and transmits only semantic differences, thereby dramatically reducing communication resource usage in wireless segments.Related publication:Shota Ono, Akihiro Nakao, "Semantic Communication Scheme for Real-Time Video Streaming Considering Temporal Semantic Continuity," IEICE Technical Report, March 2026 (in Japanese).*5.AI-oriented media control technologyAI-oriented media control technology analyzes input data, such as sensor data and video, prior to AI processing and selectively filters it based on importance and necessity. This reduces the computational load required for AI inference, enabling improved real-time performance and more efficient use of computing resources.Related publication:K. Azuma, H. Itsumi and K. Nihei, "Similarity-based Frame Screening for Edge-Cloud In-Cabin Monitoring," In Proc. of 2026 IEEE 23rd Consumer Communications & Networking Conference (CCNC), Las Vegas, NV, USA, 2026.*6.In-Network Computing (INC) architecture technologyIn-Network Computing (INC) is an architecture that integrates computational functions, such as AI processing, within the core of mobile networks, allowing critical processing to be completed inside the network. By effectively utilizing distributed computing resources across devices, networks, and cloud systems, INC enables low-latency and highly reliable service delivery.Related publications:Kentaro Hayashi, Shiku Hirai, Tatsuya Matsukawa, and Hiroki Baba, "High-Speed End-to-End Information Synchronization and Collaboration Technology ‘In-Network Service Acceleration Platform’ for the 6G/IOWN Era," NTT Technical Journal, October 2024 (in Japanese).Kentaro Hayashi, Shota Ono, Tomonori Takeda, Akihiro Nakao, "Network and Cost-Aware Tool Selection System for MCP-Integrated LLM," IEICE Technical Report, December 2025. (in Japanese).Hiroki Baba, Kentaro Hayashi, Shiku Hirai and Tomonori Takeda, "Unified Control of Network and Compute Toward 6G In-Network Computing Service," In Proc. of 2026 IEEE 23rd Consumer Communications & Networking Conference (CCNC), Las Vegas, NV, USA, 2026.*7.Multimodal dataMultimodal data refers to data that combines multiple types (modalities) of information, such as video, audio, sensor data, and location information.*8.End-to-end latencyEnd-to-end latency refers to the total time required for data to be transmitted from the source, processed at the destination, and returned as a response. It includes both communication latency and computational processing latency, and is a critical metric for AI services that require real-time performance.About The University of TokyoThe University of Tokyo is Japan's leading university and one of the world's top research universities. The vast research output of some 6,000 researchers is published in the world's top journals across the arts and sciences. Our vibrant student body of around 15,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate students includes over 5,000 international students.About NTTNTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and businesses as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include business consulting, agentic AI solutions, managed application services, cloud, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $90 billion in revenue and 340,000 people, investing 30% of our profits into fundamental research and development each year. Our operations span across 70+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of enterprises, government clients and millions of consumers.About NEC CorporationThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society. For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Feb 26, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701), a leading global IT and network transformation services provider, today announced that it has been selected by Eletronet, a leading Brazilian Telecom and IT infrastructure provider, to modernize its optical backbone with the deployment of Nokia’s optical solutions. The project adds 8,000 kilometers of new fiber routes. This expansion will reach a total of 25,000 kilometers across 23 Brazilian states, covering all regions of the country by the end of 2026. The network will be upgraded with the Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) and Nokia 1830 Global Express (GX) platforms to further enhance infrastructure reliability and stability. The modernization will enable services with speeds of up to 1.2 Tb/s per optical channel and ensure higher quality data transport. Project integration, including work coordination and equipment deployment, will be led by NEC as the system integrator.Eletronet is investing BRL 157 million (USD 30.4 million) in this initiative to reinforce its role as a neutral connectivity hub. The infrastructure uses OPGW fiber optic cables installed on power transmission lines, providing high resilience and availability. This modernization includes the creation of 85 new Edge Data Centers. These units will bring the company’s total to 255 Edge Data Centers nationwide to support low-latency applications.To further optimize this network, the project is based on Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) technology and a flexible optical grid, embedded in Nokia solutions. These technologies optimize long-haul transport, expand revenue opportunities by handling traffic growth more dynamically, and reinforce high-demand routes with compact, energy-efficient equipment.ROADM functions as an "intelligent traffic system," enabling remote reconfiguration, new route activation, and traffic rerouting—accelerating service turn-up, reducing response times, and increasing overall service stability. With the flexible optical grid, Eletronet can transport more data over the same fiber, enabling these ultra-high speeds without new fiber installations, ensuring scalability for future demand and large strategic projects.NEC and Nokia will continue delivering robust optical network solutions to support Eletronet’s growth, driving broader and faster internet coverage across Brazil. By enabling scalable, high-performance connectivity, both companies aim to foster digital transformation and AI-driven innovation, contributing to economic development and a more connected society for the future."We are living in a moment of rapidly growing data traffic, driven by cloud applications, intensive use of Artificial Intelligence, and the continuous increase in connected devices. This scenario demands increasingly robust networks to keep pace with the digital economy. The modernization of our backbone directly addresses this need, ensuring that Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecom operators and submarine cable operators, data centers, and hyperscalers have an infrastructure ready to support the country’s growth."- Rogério Garchet, CEO, Eletronet"Advancing our backbone is essential to support Eletronet’s next expansion cycles and the delivery of high-quality services. Leveraging the experience of Nokia and NEC in this project strengthens our continuous evolution strategy and ensures the levels of quality, security, and performance our customers require."- Emerson Hioki, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Eletronet"This is a highly relevant project for Brazil. With Nokia’s solutions, Eletronet is reinforcing the infrastructure needed to support growing demand across market segments for low-latency connectivity, increased capacity, and distributed processing. At the same time, it expands broadband connectivity options and access to digital services across different regions of the country. We value Eletronet’s trust in Nokia and NEC’s partnership with us on this initiative."- Rafael Mezzasalma, Nokia Director for Brazil"NEC is delighted to support Eletronet’s business expansion in collaboration with Nokia. Leveraging decades of optical networking expertise built on our Global Center of Excellence, we are committed to building a robust optical foundation worldwide that fuels business growth and delivers positive social impact."- Masayuki Kayahara, Corporate SVP, Global Network Division, NEC CorporationTechnical Information, Multimedia, and Related NewsWebsite: Nokia Optical NetworksWebsite: Nokia 1830 PSSWebsite: Nokia 1830 Global ExpressWebsite: NEC Network Transformation Service for Value Added SolutionsAbout NECThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society.For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Feb 25, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Everest Medicines shareholders passed all proposed resolutions at an extraordinary general meeting (the “EGM”) held virtually on February 24, 2026, the company said in a filing.Per the voting results, shareholders formally approved, confirmed and ratified the Commercialization Service Agreement entered into with Hasten on 11 December 2025, along with the transactions contemplated thereunder. Resolutions regarding the grant of awards to the company’s management and the adoption of the 2026 Share Scheme—including the associated mandate limits—were also passed at the meeting.The unified shareholder support signals strong investor confidence in the company's strategic direction and corporate governance. Following the approval, Everest Medicines is expected to improve utilization and productivity of its existing commercial platform, while strengthening its commercial capabilities and life-cycle management in support of its long-term development strategy. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Toyota City, Japan, Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) launched the new bZ4X Touring BEV on February 25, 2026, following the bZ4X.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD) (Model with options shown)The bZ4X Touring is a new battery electric vehicle (BEV) that combines the original bZ4X's defining qualities―the joy of driving, including strong acceleration and off-road capability, and the everyday convenience of ample cruising range―and is suited for a wide range of situations, including outdoor activities, offering a spacious luggage compartment.Throughout vehicle development, Toyota revisited customer feedback to make BEVs a more accessible choice. This revealed a significant global demand for enhanced utility in BEVs to support family leisure activities like outdoor adventures.The bZ4X Touring features approximately 1.4 times more luggage space*1 than the bZ4X. It also incorporates outdoor-inspired equipment throughout, making it a model designed for enjoyable long-distance touring with family and friends.It also achieves a class-leading*2 cruising range of 734 km*3 and enables rapid charging in as little as approximately 28 minutes*4 under cold conditions. Furthermore, the 4WD model, achieving 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.6 seconds*5, comes equipped with X-MODE as standard, further enhancing the joy of driving in outdoor situations.Toyota will continue developing powertrains aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and expand a diverse range of mobility solutions under its multi-pathway approach, which provides electrified vehicle options tailored to the diverse needs of customers in every country and region. Going forward, Toyota will offer these diverse choices to customers around the world under its new brand spirit of "to you"―carmaking for a specific someone.*1an fit up to four 9.5-inch golf bags (depending on shape).*2Compared to mid-size BEV class. As of February 2026 according to Toyota Motor Corporation research.*3Z grade (FWD). Driving range per charge in WLTC mode.*4Approximate time required to charge from approximately 10% to 80% of full capacity using a 150kW (350A) rapid charger in an environment with an outside temperature of -10°C.*5Internal measurement value for Z (4WD).Manufacturer's Suggested Retail PricesZ5FWDAC synchronous motor (2XM)Lithium-ion battery5,750,0004WDAC synchronous motor (2XM + 2XM)◎6,400,000◎Models as shown in the photos (excluding options)*Includes consumption tax. Different pricing applies for Okinawa. Does not include recycling fees.Vehicle Outline1. An easy-to-use package for every situationThe bZ4X Touring is the ideal size for traveling with family and friends, measuring 4,830 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. It features elegant styling while providing ample rear head clearance of 113 mm*1 and front/rear couple distance of 1,000 mm*2, creating a spacious and comfortable interior.It offers a cargo length of 1,092 mm*3 and cargo height of 850 mm*4 even with the 6:4 split-folding rear seats in use, creating a large 619L*5 luggage space that supports a wide range of activities for customers with active lifestyles.In addition to luggage hooks (4*6) for securing items and shopping hooks (4*6) for hanging reusable bags, levers (2*6) near the rear hatch allow the rear seat to be folded from the cargo area. It has been designed for ease of use, accommodating various luggage shapes and sizes.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD) (interior color: Black)*1Internal measurement value.*2Distance between hip points between the front and rear seats. In this case, between the first and second rows.*3Internal measurement value. 1,850 mm when rear seats are folded (internal measurement value).*4Internal measurement value. 918 mm when the deck board is in the low position (internal measurement value).*5Internal measurement value using the VDA method. 1,240L when rear seats are folded (internal measurement value using the VDA method).*6Two hooks and one remote control lever on each side of the deck board.2. The joy of driving unique to the bZ4X TouringAs a BEV developed by a carmaker, the bZ4X Touring pursues the joy of seamless acceleration and excellent ride comfort. It delivers outstanding off-road performance and comfort in outdoor situations, expanding the potential of BEVs as active gear that customers can operate with confidence.The 4WD model features high-output eAxles front and rear that deliver a maximum system output*8 of 280kW, paired with a lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 74.69kWh*7. This enables 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.6 seconds*9, delivering an exhilarating driving experience with responsive acceleration even at high speeds.A new 4WD control system optimally distributes front and rear driving force according to the condition of each tire. It continuously monitors steering input along with front/rear and left/right wheel speeds to suppress vehicle instability caused by irregular road surfaces, enabling stable cornering even on snowy roads and off-road terrain.X-MODE*10 has been added to the drive mode select. Three modes can be selected based on driving conditions, optimizing the coordinated control of driving force and brakes to ensure driving stability and handling on rough terrain.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD)*7Calculated in accordance with IEC standard 62660-1.*8Output achievable by the system. Internal measurement value.*9Internal measurement value for Z (4WD).*10X-MODESubaru Corporation's AWD technology that supports smooth escape from rough terrain simply by selecting a mode according to road conditions.3. Ample cruising range and anytime charging for peace of mindIn addition to improving cruising range and charging performance, Toyota has been developing a charging infrastructure that allows customers to use BEVs with confidence from home to their destination to make them a more accessible option. The standard Toyota 6kW Charger (200V), available as a dealer option, features an integrated charging cable for a comfortable and smooth charging experience, further enhancing the convenience of BEVs.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD)In addition to adopting a large-capacity battery, efficiency improvements in the eAxle through the use of SiC power semiconductors and optimized aerodynamic performance have enabled a driving range of 734 km*11 on a single charge. This allows for confident and exhilarating driving, from daily trips to long-distance touring.Aerodynamic performance has been enhanced through a streamlined vehicle exterior, including the addition of a large roof spoiler and rear side spoiler as well as optimization of the shape of the lower rear bumper.Battery preconditioning*12 has been employed to optimize the temperature of the lithium-ion battery before rapid charging. This enables rapid charging to approximately 80% of full capacity in approximately 28 minutes, even in environments with an outside temperature of -10°C.Pre-setting charging stations in the navigation system activates battery preconditioning*13 based on estimated arrival time, optimizing battery temperature upon arrival.Establishing a home charging environment with the standard Toyota 6kW Charger (200V) enables charging during periods when the vehicle is not in use, significantly improving the ease of use for BEVs.When used with the demand controller*14, the controller automatically manages the electricity used for charging, allowing for charging while using home appliances without worrying about tripping circuit breakers.*11Z grade (FWD) in WLTC mode.*12A function that adjusts the battery temperature before rapid charging.*13May not work at some charging stations.*14Dealer option (sold separately).4. Comprehensive safety and driver assistance featuresThe bZ4X Touring is a model intended for frequent use in its owners' everyday lives, such as trips with family and friends, and Toyota believes the vehicle should offer comprehensive safety and driver assistance features. It supports the driver in a wide range of situations, including while driving and parking.The advanced active safety package Toyota Safety Sense comes equipped as standard.It integrates Proactive Driving Assist, which provides deceleration and steering support for preceding vehicles and curves, in addition to features like pre-collision braking.It also comes equipped with Advanced Drive (support during traffic congestion) and Advanced Park (with remote function), functions of Toyota Teammate's advanced driving support technologies. These functions reduce driver burden under certain traffic congestion conditions*15 on highways and assist with safe and secure parking.*15Including that the driver is facing forward, and Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist are both operating5. Styling with a strong presence that reveals different expressions in different settingsThe bZ4X Touring features an exterior and interior design that combines sleek body lines with practicality for enjoying leisure time as an active gear vehicle.The powerful black LED rear combination lamp (tail, stop, back, turn) extends horizontally from the center of the rear hatch door to both sides, creating a single line of light from the tail and stop lights that further emphasizes the bZ4X Touring's presence.Black 20-inch aluminum wheels*16, large bridge-type roof rails, and front and rear skid plates accentuate its rugged feel as an active gear vehicle.A total of five body colors are available, including three monotone colors such as Crystal White Pearl and Magnetite Gray Metallic, and two two-toned color combinations including the newly developed Brilliant Bronze Metallic with a Crystal Black Silica roof.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD)*16Manufacturer optionA low-profile horizontal instrument panel has been adopted. The space between the slim upper section of the instrument panel and the center pad features thin, wide-spanning registers extending on both sides, creating an open feel while ensuring excellent visibility.The 14-inch center display is now a stand-alone unit, with functions consolidated into a tray-shaped center console. The center display integrates navigation, air conditioning, audio, and other functions, enhancing convenience and operability. The console also features wireless charging and functions for linking smartphones and multimedia, providing a new digital experience for customers.Black wood grain-patterned trim adorns the upper portion of the instrument panel.This wood grain pattern, featured on the area most visible to the driver, emphasizes an outdoor aesthetic.Two interior color options express the worldview of the bZ4X Touring: Black, the standard color that creates a premium cabin space, and Khaki, which adds an outdoor touch to the modern interior.bZ4X Touring Z (4WD) (interior color: Khaki)Sales Outline1.Base sales volume920 units2.TEEMO charging service available for peace of mind when away from homeToyota's TEEMO charging service provides rapid charging to support a more comfortable BEV / PHEV lifestyle.Offers rapid chargers (CHAdeMo standard), primarily in the 150kW classIn addition to TEEMO chargers (installed at Toyota and some Lexus dealerships), eMP chargers*1 are also availableThere is no monthly base fee, and chargers can be searched for, reserved, and paid for using a smartphone app*2.Click here for details: https://toyota.jp/info/e-toyota/teemo/*1Approximately 27,000 connectors installed nationwide by e-Mobility Power Co., Inc. (as of January 31, 2026).eMP chargers are available only to TEEMO members.*2Reservation function is only available to TEEMO members.3.Dealer options that expand the joy of customizationThe bZ4X Touring offers dealer options to accommodate diverse lifestyle situations, such as camping and skiing with family or friends. Flex Belt*3 Cross Bars*3 Floor mats for snow / leisure use Rear hatch door opening guard(passenger seat, raised edge type)Click here for details: https://toyota.jp/info/bz4xtouring/customstyle/*3Props used in photography are not available at dealers.4.KINTO availabilityThe new bZ4X Touring is scheduled to be available through the KINTO*4 car subscription service starting around April. The Z grade (FWD) will be available starting at 77,440 yen per month (including tax)*5.*4A service that packages optional insurance payments, vehicle tax, maintenance, and other vehicle-related expenses into a monthly fee.*5When selecting the lowest-priced Z grade (FWD) package with no additional options and using the seven-year lease plan with no initial payment and two bonus payments of 165,000 yen (including tax) per year. The total price paid over the seven-year subscription period is 8,814,960 yen (including tax).Information regarding other grades and fees offered by KINTO will be announced on the KINTO website when they become available starting from April.Production PlantYajima Plant, Subaru Corporation"Achieving zero, and adding new value beyond it"As part of efforts to pass our beautiful "Home Planet" to the next generation, Toyota has identified and is helping to solve issues faced by individuals and overall society, which Toyota calls "Achieving Zero," hoping to help reduce the negative impacts caused by these issues to people and the environment to zero. Additionally, Toyota is also looking "Beyond Zero" to create and provide greater value by continuing to diligently seek ways to improve lives and society for the future.About Beyond Zero: https://global.toyota/en/mobility/beyond-zero/Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.SDGs Initiatives: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/ Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Japan, Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. and Keio University Haptics Research Center announced today that they have successfully conducted a demonstration of high-precision remote robot operation over commercial 5G. By combining Configured Grant,*1 a low-latency network slicing technology,*2 with Keio's Real Haptics® technology,*3 delicate force feedback and tactile sensations were transmitted stably. This marks the world's first demonstration*4 of Configured Grant enabling practical robot teleoperation over commercial 5G.In the experiment, Configured Grant was applied to the radio link between the terminal and base station to minimize latency and jitter. Results confirmed that latency requirements for practical teleoperation of Real Haptics robots were met, while force reproducibility and operability were improved.To convey precise force feedback when a remote robot interacts with objects controlled by an operator at a distant location, mobile data communication must maintain low latency and minimal jitter. High or fluctuating latency can disrupt synchronization between the operator and remote robot. This compromises the precise force reproduction of Real Haptics, hindering delicate robot operation.DOCOMO and Keio University have previously collaborated on the development and testing of Real Haptics for robot teleoperation over mobile networks.*5 By reducing the impact of latency in the wireless segment, highly precise and delicate remote robot control can now be performed stably even under network congestion.Going forward, the two organizations will continue developing and testing technologies to accelerate the practical use of advanced robot teleoperation.This demonstration will be exhibited at the NTT Group's booth during MWC Barcelona 2026, organized by GSMA and held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to March 5, 2026.*1 A scheduling method in which the base station pre-allocates communication resources to specific devices.*2 A network slicing technology that provides virtualized network segments optimized for low latency.*3 A technology invented by Professor Kohei Onishi (Keio University Haptics Research Center) that transmits tactile and contact information bidirectionally and reproduces human force on robots.*4 As of February 25, 2026, according to DOCOMO's research.*5 NTT DOCOMO, “Evolution of robotics with Force & Tactile Tele-Transmission“ (Japanese only)Real Haptics® is a registered trademark of MotionLib Inc.About NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 91 million subscribers, is one of the global leaders in 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies.Under the slogan “Bridging Worlds for Wonder & Happiness,“ DOCOMO is actively collaborating with global partners to expand its business scope from mobile services to comprehensive solutions, aiming to deliver unsurpassed value and drive innovation in technology and communications, ultimately to support positive change and advancement in global society. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/About Keio University Global Research Institute Haptics Research CenterThe Haptics Research Center is aiming to make RealHaptics technology widely and universally available to consumers and companies worldwide and operates a council for RealHaptics technology in which private companies also participate. As a research institution for RealHaptics technology, Keio University holds a core set of related patents. Furthermore, the Haptics Research Center works closely with companies to carry out joint research to explore new applications for the technology. https://haptics-c.keio.ac.jp/AppendixOverview of the Demonstration1. BackgroundReal Haptics® is a technology that reproduces the force sensation of touching objects on a robot. Using Real Haptics, a remote operator can perform delicate tasks by controlling a robot with precise force. By synchronizing the position, force, and speed between the operator robot (the “leader“) and the remote robot (the “follower“) in real time, the system conveys the sensation of touch to the operator and transfers subtle force to the target object.Applying advanced robots like Real Haptics over mobile data networks enables outdoor operation and expands potential use cases. However, latency and jitters in mobile networks make stable robot teleoperation challenging. In Real Haptics, network delays can hinder force feedback, cause jerky movements, and reduce operational precision.DOCOMO and Keio University have been exploring various approaches, developing and verifying technologies to reduce the impact of latency and jitters on wireless robot teleoperation. Previously, the two organizations demonstrated the effectiveness of combining network functions that stabilize latency with robot functions that mitigate its negative effects. For this demonstration, it focused on the wireless segment, which has a strong influence on mobile network latency, and introduced Configured Grant, a new approach that directly reduces latency and jitters.2. Overview of Configured GrantConfigured Grant, a low-latency network slicing technique, assigns dedicated communication resources in advance to specific devices under a base station. This helps minimize latency and jitters in the wireless segment, regardless of network congestion.Normally, mobile devices communicate with a base station using the Dynamic Grant method (see Figure 1, left). When a device has data to transmit, it first requests communication resources from the base station. The base station then allocates resources based on the status of other devices and notifies the requesting device. The devices then use these resources to transmit the data. The time between the resource request and actual data transmission is known as scheduling delay. This delay always occurs under Dynamic Grant and can fluctuate depending on network conditions, posing a major challenge for stable remote operation of advanced robots, especially in congested networks.On the other hand, with Configured Grant (see Figure 1, right), the base station pre-allocates exclusive communication resources to a device (or a line) for a specific period. The device can transmit data without requesting resources, effectively eliminating scheduling delay. As a result, both latency and jitters are reduced, enabling more stable wireless remote operation.Figure 1: Overview of Data Communication Between Device and Base StationConfigured Grant provides a stable mobile network with consistently low latency, ideal for precise teleoperation of advanced robots, regardless of network conditions.3. Network Configuration and Experimental MethodThe demonstration used DOCOMO's commercial 5G SA network, connecting the operator robot (Leader) and remote robot (Follower) via a virtual server on docomo MEC®*1 running the Bilateral Edge Platform™,*2 a proprietary platform currently under development for robot control (Figure 2). Control data packets sent from one robot travel through the uplink via DOCOMO's commercial network and docomo MEC private network to the server. The server then forwards these packets to the other robot over the downlink. Real-time bidirectional packet exchange enables force feedback of Real Haptics control. Furthermore, to simulate realistic teleoperation conditions where video transmission traffic would be present, 20 Mbps of background traffic was added alongside the control traffic.Configured Grant was implemented at both the base stations and 5G devices. When communication occurs over a line assigned Configured Grant settings, the mechanism becomes active, enabling low-latency transmission.Figure 2: Experimental ConfigurationFor the experiment, a hand-type follower and its leader were used to perform a standardized task: grasping a hard wooden block, quickly moving the hand while varying applied force, and transporting it within a set time. The task was performed twice, once using 5G SA with Configured Grant and once using standard 5G SA without it, to compare performance (Figure 3).Figure 3: Robot Operation4. ResultsUsing 5G SA with Configured Grant, both the average communication latency and jitters (standard deviation) were lower compared to standard 5G SA without Configured Grant, meeting the latency requirements for practical teleoperation of Real Haptics robots. Furthermore, as latency characteristics improved, performance metrics for robot operation were also enhanced. The force-feedback reproduction rate*3 increased by 40% (24 points) with Configured Grant, providing more precise force feedback (Figure 4). The smoothness of robot operation, measured by Dimensionless Jerk Cost,*4 decreased by 59%, enabling smoother, more stable control (Figure 5).Figure 4: Force Feedback Reproduction ResultsFigure 5: Robot Motion Smoothness Results*1 A cloud service providing Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) features for the 5G era, including low latency and high security.*2 A platform service that combines ultra-low-latency mobile data communication with remote control and AI operation of force- and touch-sensitive robots.*3 A measurement of how accurately one robot replicates the force applied to the other robot. Values closer to 100% indicate higher fidelity.*4 An indicator of motion smoothness based on acceleration changes. Lower values indicate smoother robot movements.docomo MEC is a registered trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC.docomo MEC is provided by NTT DOCOMO, INC. and related services are consigned to and sold by NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, INC. as the agent.Bilateral Edge Platform is a trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Japan, Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it successfully demonstrated the operation of AI applications directly on the general-purpose CPU resources of virtualized radio access network (vRAN), deployed in its commercial network. This demonstration confirmed the potential of a network architecture design to address rapid traffic growth driven by the expansion of AI services while optimizing network operational costs.With the growing adoption of AI-powered services such as generative AI and robot control, network traffic is expected to increase dramatically, and data traffic is expected to grow explosively in the coming years. DOCOMO has been exploring a next-generation network architecture design of “In-Network Computing,“*1 *2 in which AI processing is executed within the network itself. For telecommunications operators entering the AI era, continuously analyzing various types of data available within the network using AI by creating new value, while simultaneously achieving energy efficiency and sustainable network operations, has become a critical challenge.DOCOMO has been studying next-generation network architectures aimed at improving user experience, optimizing network traffic, and enabling optimal placement and effective utilization of computing resources, including various types of xPUs, by fully leveraging their respective characteristics. Specifically, DOCOMO seeks to enhance performance and efficiency for customers from both networking and AI perspectives by appropriately deploying high-performance GPUs - one of the key elements for advanced AI workloads - and CPUs, which are well suited for wide-area deployment and low-power, efficient operation, at suitable network nodes.DOCOMO integrated a platform that enables vRAN functions and AI service applications to run simultaneously by utilizing CPU resources on general-purpose servers. The results confirmed that even when using CPUs, a certain level of AI processing can be executed in parallel with communication network processing. This achievement demonstrates that flexible operation combining network and AI applications is possible without relying on dedicated high-performance accelerators, thereby expanding viable options for efficient network deployment.Going forward, DOCOMO will continue to study and promote the optimal placement of computing resources, including CPUs and GPUs, while taking actual traffic characteristics and requirements of various AI applications into account.Operational Concept(a) Conventional network architecture(b) Network Architecture in this demonstrationThis demonstration utilized a vRAN configuration composed of the following commercially deployed products:vRAN base station software, provided by NEC CorporationVirtualization infrastructure hosting the vRAN and AI applications, provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS)Accelerator cards for accelerating specific computational processing, provided by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.Servers equipped with the above products, provided by HPELooking ahead, DOCOMO will continue to advance integration and verification of platforms for both network infrastructure and AI services toward the realization of “In-Network Computing,“ while pursuing further studies aimed at commercialization. In addition, DOCOMO will work in collaboration with business partners to realize optimal network architecture design for 6G and AI era.This initiative will be showcased at the NTT Group's booth during Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026, organized by GSMA and held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to March 5, 2026.*1 Press Release:“Successful demonstration of computing and mobile networks convergence to provide diverse services in the 6G era“*2 Press Release:“NTT and DOCOMO Successfully Demonstrates On-Demand Unified Control of Computing Services Through Network and Service Integration“About NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 91 million subscribers, is one of the global leaders in 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Under the slogan “Bridging Worlds for Wonder & Happiness,” DOCOMO is actively collaborating with global partners to expand its business scope from mobile services to comprehensive solutions, aiming to deliver unsurpassed value and drive innovation in technology and communications, ultimately to support positive change and advancement in global society. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/ Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Japan Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today the start of commercial use of an agentic AI system in mobile network operations. The platform went live across the company's mobile network services on February 4, 2026.Mobile networks are critical social infrastructure, supporting not only daily life and business activities but also public services and communications during disasters. Today's networks have become increasingly complex due to services across 4G and 5G, as well as multi-domain and multi-vendor environments. As a result, faster response times and swift service restoration have become increasingly important for maintenance operations in the event of network failures.Previously, failures with established procedures were handled through automated, preconfigured processes. However, complex failures without predefined solutions have required multiple engineers to manually collect and analyze large volumes of data to identify root causes, often resulting in longer service restoration times. To address this challenge, DOCOMO developed an agentic AI platform built with AWS's managed services, enabling AI to perform network behavior analysis, troubleshooting and remediation recommendations.DOCOMO's agentic AI platform is built on Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, which enables the secure governance and deployment of agentic AI at scale, along with high-performance databases for time-series, tabular, and graph data optimized for agentic AI workloads. Orchestrating multiple AI agents and leveraging graph-modeled network topology, the platform analyzes traffic and alarm data in real time from more than one million network devices, including base stations and core network equipment. It detects anomalies, identifies suspected failure points, and presents recommended actions to maintenance engineers.Using one of the world's largest datasets of its kind, the platform isolates failures, reduces response time for complex network failures that previously required manual analysis by more than 50%, significantly shortening service disruption time and contributing to greater network reliability.Takahiro Makiyama, General Manager, Network Service Management Department, Network Division, NTT DOCOMO, INC., commented: “This initiative represents a major step toward realizing the Autonomous Network operations that DOCOMO aims to achieve.By adopting agentic AI in maintenance operations, DOCOMO is advancing the automation of network fault response and striving to further reduce service impact for our customers.By building agentic AI based on data from more than one million network devices on an unprecedented scale, we were able to accelerate development and implementation by utilizing AWS's agentic AI platform and managed database services.As we move ahead, DOCOMO will continue to advance the use of AI to deliver more comfortable and higher-quality communication services to our customers.““DOCOMO's commercialization of the agentic AI system for network operation is a pioneering initiative that underpins stable mobile communication services,“ said Mikihiko Tsunematsu, Director, Telecom, Media, Entertainment, Game & Sports, Strategic Business Unit at Amazon Web Services Japan. “By combining the advanced agent capabilities of Amazon Bedrock AgentCore with the world's largest-scale telecommunications data, the company has successfully built the agentic AI system that can significantly reduce response time to complex network failures. This achievement demonstrates how collaboration between DOCOMO and AWS is making autonomous and intelligent network operations a reality-essential capabilities for 6G and beyond. We are delighted to support DOCOMO as they establish new standards in network reliability and operational efficiency.“The agentic AI system will be exhibited at the NTT Group's booth during MWC Barcelona 2026, organized by GSMA and held in Barcelona, Spain, from March 2 to March 5, 2026.Going forward, DOCOMO will continue to pursue advanced AI-driven operations and strive to further enhance service quality for its customers.About NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 91 million subscribers, is one of the global leaders in 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Under the slogan “Bridging Worlds for Wonder & Happiness,” DOCOMO is actively collaborating with global partners to expand its business scope from mobile services to comprehensive solutions, aiming to deliver unsurpassed value and drive innovation in technology and communications, ultimately to support positive change and advancement in global society. https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/ Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

- Spun-Off from NEC X, Metabob Fully Operational for NEC's Internal DX -TOKYO, Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced the operation of "Metabob," an AI-powered code review service for software development. The service is provided by Metabob, Inc., a Santa Clara-based AI startup established through NEC X, Inc.'s new business creation initiatives.Metabob is an important advancement for the development of AI agents, software programs that use AI to autonomously achieve specific goals. The development of AI agents requires both speed and high-quality assurance. However, traditional development processes rely heavily on manual code reviews and maintenance tasks.Existing static analysis tools are limited to syntax-level checks, making it time-consuming to detect, pinpoint, and verify fixes for complex defects. This often leads to prolonged development cycles.Metabob differs from conventional static analysis tools by analyzing code dependencies and execution flow as graph structures. This enables the early detection of complex bugs spanning multiple files, including issues that would otherwise only appear as runtime errors when a program is operating.Furthermore, its proprietary AI model, trained on millions of code-fix examples, can automatically detect bugs, explain what is causing them, and suggest how to fix them.NEC's verification tests of Metabob have reduced labor-hours required for software maintenance and defect fixes as follows:66% reduction compared to manual visual review and manual fixes50% reduction compared to reviews and fixes using coding AI toolsThese results were achieved through NEC’s "Client Zero" initiative, where the company acts as the first user of its own advanced technologies and operational expertise, then shares the insights and value created through this approach with customers and society.Going forward, NEC and NEC X will continue verifying Metabob's effectiveness while exploring its adoption and implementation throughout numerous fields."Companies need AI that can make changes to complex systems while maintaining accuracy and reliability. Through the NEC X program, we gained not only technical and financial support but also access to enterprise customers and investors, including NEC. By conducting repeated verification directly in actual development environments and use cases, we have incorporated the quality and requirements truly demanded by enterprises into our product. Through our collaboration with NEC, we have clearly demonstrated that AI can be safely and effectively utilized in large-scale software development."- Massimiliano Genta, Founder and CEO, Metabob"Metabob's technology is already contributing to operations within the NEC Group and generating concrete results as part of NEC X's efforts to create new business value."We expect Metabob's approach, which combines advanced code analysis technology with generative AI, to become a new standard for safely and practically utilizing AI, even within companies possessing large-scale, mission-critical systems. NEC X will continue contributing to operational efficiency and productivity across society by leveraging the technology and insights we have cultivated to support startup growth."- Shintaro Matsumoto, President and CEO, NEC X"While striving to enhance productivity through AI, prolonged development cycles and application quality have been longstanding challenges. Metabob utilizes AI to streamline and enhance complex code reviews, enabling our teams to focus on more creative and essential development tasks."Through this collaboration with NEC X, insights that are gained internally can be deployed across the entire NEC Group, accelerating innovation."Metabob is a powerful driver for advancing NEC's transformation into an AI-native company. We will continue to actively incorporate cutting-edge technologies and return the results achieved to our customers and society's DX."- Tokuaki Seki, Executive Professional, NEC Corporate IT Systems DivisionAbout NEC XThrough its business creation program (Elev X!), NEC X empowers early-stage startups' journeys to success. The company’s unique blend of collaborative support and resources enables tech entrepreneurs to actualize their ideas into impactful realities that revolutionize the world around us.About NECThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society.For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Kawasaki, Gunma, Japan, Feb 25, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - BEISIA CO., LTD. and Fujitsu Limited today announced that both companies have begun introducing and operating Fujitsu's Advanced Operation & Management offering for digitalizing stores and improving labor productivity at Beisia stores. This solution, part of Fujitsu’s Uvance business model, is being used to automate the temperature management of refrigerator and freezer facilities within stores. The companies plan to implement the solution in all 138 Beisia stores across Japan by May 2026.Introduction of the solution commenced in December 2025This initiative will streamline operations for store employees in complying with HACCP requirements(1), enhancing product freshness management and reducing food loss by providing alert notifications when abnormalities exceeding set thresholds are detected.Under its Uvance business model, which addresses societal challenges, Fujitsu will leverage the knowledge and experience gained from implementing Advanced Operation & Management at Beisia to drive the digitalization of stores through data and AI, enhance labor productivity and promote sustainable store operations.OverviewPrior to the full-scale rollout, Beisia conducted a practical verification of the solution at its Beisia Foods Park Takasaki Kuragano store (Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture). After confirming the effectiveness of temperature data acquisition and management, as well as the efficiency gains for employees, Beisia decided to implement the solution across all its stores, with sequential deployment beginning in December 2025.Fujitsu's Advanced Operation & Management is a solution that visualizes data acquired from various IoT sensors in real-time. A key feature is its rapid deployment and operation through the attachment of IoT sensors to existing equipment, without dependency on specific hardware.At Beisia, IoT sensors attached to refrigeration and freezing equipment throughout the stores will extract and visualize temperature information in real-time. This eliminates the need for manual inspection and recording by store employees, significantly reducing their workload.Moreover, when abnormalities exceeding thresholds or conditions are detected, alerts are promptly sent to the store's operational communication tools. This enables quicker initial responses to anomalies, strengthening product freshness management, and reducing food loss. Additionally, both headquarters and individual stores can access the same real-time information via a dashboard, facilitating centralized management of information from multiple stores and supporting overall store operation optimization.In Japan, the revised Food Sanitation Act(2) mandates the implementation of HACCP, an international standard for food hygiene management, for all food-related businesses. In the supermarket retail industry, thorough temperature management is crucial for product freshness and consumer trust. However, with a severe labor shortage, streamlining inspection and recording tasks has become an urgent issue.Previously, Beisia stores manually recorded temperatures twice a day for an average of 150 refrigeration and freezing units per store, posing a significant workload for employees. Against this backdrop, Beisia decided to introduce a solution to automate temperature management for its in-store refrigeration and freezing equipment.Figure 1: Overview of Fujitsu's IoT Visualization SolutionFigure 2: IoT Sensor installed in a Beisia store freezer(1) HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point):A food hygiene management method that ensures product safety by identifying and managing critical control points throughout the entire food production process, from raw material reception to product shipment, to eliminate or reduce hazards such as food poisoning bacteria contamination and foreign object mixing.(2) Revised Food Sanitation Act:A law designed to ensure food safety in response to changes in the food environment and globalization. Revised in 2018, it mandated HACCP implementation.About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers around the globe, our 113,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: AI, Computing, Networks, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.6 trillion yen (US$23 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: global.fujitsuPress ContactsFujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiries Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Feb 24, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), in collaboration with Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), will lead a delegation of 21 Hong Kong tech companies and institutions to showcase at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026—the world’s premier connectivity event, and debut at 4 Years From Now (4YFN) 2026—a global stage for start-ups, taking place concurrently 2-5 March in Barcelona, Spain. Building on the momentum from MWC 2025, the Delegation will be featuring solutions beyond the Connectivity category, covering focus areas across Devices and Systems, Digital Transformation and support from Ecosystem Partners. The Pavilion duet ought to give a more comprehensive picture of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) capabilities in engaging global telecom leaders, enterprise decision-makers, industry partners, and investors, bridging cutting-edge research and development (R&D) into real-world applications and propelling Hong Kong’s I&T sector onto the international stage.Iris Wong, Director, Merchandise Trade and Innovation / Director, External Relations, HKTDC, said, “The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion is an ideal platform for Hong Kong tech enterprises to present their latest R&D achievements at major international tech gatherings, support their journey to explore overseas markets, while highlighting Hong Kong’s strengths as an international innovation and technology hub.”Derek Chim, Head of Startup Ecosystem and Development, HKSTP said, “MWC is a global bellwether for communications technology and tech companies at any stage, to connect with the industry and investors, to have a solid ground that validate solutions, catalyse pilot projects, accelerate commercialisation, and scale internationally.”A series of dialogues and exchanges, spanning from networking reception and themed talks to pitching sessions, will take place throughout the events at the Pavilion to facilitate partnerships and investment opportunities for innovative solutions that are market-ready with high potential for market expansion, in particular, Asmote and Cresento under “Connectivity” make stellar examples of the notion:5G & 6G for Communication, Sensing, and AI computing – Shannon & Turing, (Asmote), located at MWC, specialises in mmWave technology for Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology—drone communications and control—rising to the occasion as the city advances its low-altitude economy initiatives, while winning favors for its efficiency in managing industrial scenarios such as smart ports and dark factories. The company previously secured the world’s first 26GHz mmWave 5G commercial communications project, demonstrating its leadership in industrial-grade applications.Smart Performance Insights for Sport – Cresento, located at 4YFN, focused on developing an AI-powered shin guard to deliver real-time insights—performance analytics, team leaderboards, and more—with a design that incorporates into gears that athletes already wear and creates minimal friction for, in particular, football players to adapt, will be moving from prototypes to pilot collaborations with European football clubs, academies and sport tech platforms and distributors.HKTDC continues to join hands with HKSTP to support Hong Kong tech enterprises to “go global” by jointly organising the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion to build bridges linking tech companies with the world. This expedites the industry’s progress in internationalisation to meet the growing demand for I&T globally. This will attract talents, facilitate forward-looking investments and explore opportunities globally, realising the mission of entrepreneurs to reach out to the world and further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international I&T hub.Mobile World Congress Barcelona (MWC) & 4 Years From Now (4YFN)Date: 2-5 March 2026Venue: Fira Gran Via, Av. Joan Carles I, 64, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, SpainHong Kong Tech Pavilion:MWC – Booth 6E44 at Hall 64YFN – Booth 8.1B31 at Hall 8.1Please visit https://bit.ly/MWC2026HKTech for more information on Hong Kong Tech Pavilion and the exhibitors.Full list of 21 tech entities showcasing at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion during MWC and 4YFN 2026 (in alphabetical order):MWC 2026 - Booth 6E44 at Hall 61 Entoptica Limited Devices & Systems2 eSIX Connectivity3 Faraconix Technologies Co., Ltd. Connectivity4 FreightAmigo Services Limited Digital Transformation5 Glassdio Scientific Company Limited Connectivity6 Harvest Elite International Limited Digital Transformation7 HongKong Umedia Limited Devices & Systems8 iASPEC Services Limited Digital Transformation9 InvestHK Ecosystem Partners10 Robocore Technology Limited Devices & Systems11 Shannon & Turing Technology Limited Connectivity12 The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ecosystem Partners13 Xeroptix Technology Devices & Systems4YFN 2026 - Booth 8.1B31 at Hall 8.114 AIGM Limited Digital Transformation15 BWSea Technology (HK) Co., Limited Digital Transformation16 Cresento Limited Devices & Systems17 GoGoChart Technology Limited Digital Transformation18 HairCoSys Limited Devices & Systems19 KNQ Technology Limited Digital Transformation20 Solos Technology Limited Devices & Systems21 Vista Innotech Limited Devices & SystemsAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks CorporationHong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 12 unicorns, more than 16,000 research professionals and around 2,600 technology companies from 24 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.Media Contact: Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks CorporationHong Kong Trade Development CouncilAngela LauTel: +852 6535 7611Email: angela.lau@hkstp.orgWinnie KanTel: +852 2584 4055Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.org Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Feb 24, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – February 22, Galaxy Payroll Group Limited (NASDAQ: GLXG) (“Galaxy” or the “Company”), a Nasdaq-listed human resources solutions provider, today announced that it has formally renewed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with NIKE China Holding HK Limited (Macau Branch) (“Nike Macau Branch”).Five-Year Renewal with Comprehensive HR Service CoveragePursuant to the agreement, the renewed cooperation term will commence on December 1, 2025 and continue through November 30, 2030. During this period, Galaxy will continue to provide Nike Macau Branch with a comprehensive suite of human resources outsourcing services, including local payroll processing, attendance and leave management, social security and tax compliance filings, as well as advisory services relating to labor regulations and employment policies.This integrated service model is designed to enable Nike Macau Branch to focus on its core retail and brand operations while enhancing overall organizational efficiency and compliance management.Strategic Renewal Reflects Client Confidence and Enhances Revenue VisibilityThe renewal marks an important milestone in the long-standing relationship between the parties and reflects the continued trust placed in Galaxy’s professional capabilities, compliance standards, and service delivery quality by a leading international brand.The execution of a multi-year agreement is expected to enhance the Company’s revenue visibility and cash flow stability over the next five years, further aligning with its capital markets strategy of building a high-quality, resilient, and sustainable business model. While the agreement provides for long-term cooperation, actual results may vary and remain subject to market and operational conditions.Local Expertise and Scalable Service Infrastructure as Core Competitive AdvantagesSince its establishment in 2013, Galaxy has focused on the Hong Kong and Macau markets while progressively expanding its cross-regional service capabilities. The Company has developed deep expertise in Hong Kong and Macau labor laws, taxation, and social security regulations, forming a strong local compliance foundation.Through a service framework that combines standardized operational processes with customized solutions, Galaxy delivers consistency and scalability across its client base. Its proprietary payroll and attendance management platform enhances operational efficiency while supporting data security and business continuity, serving as a key differentiator in attracting and retaining multinational enterprise clients.Throughout prior phases of cooperation, Galaxy has supported Nike Macau Branch in navigating complex employment and compliance environments. The Company’s solutions have demonstrated reliability in accuracy, responsiveness, and risk control, providing a solid foundation for this long-term renewal.Looking Ahead: From Service Delivery to Value Co-CreationEntering the new cooperation cycle, Galaxy intends to further optimize payroll workflows and intelligent attendance systems within the existing service framework. Through enhanced data integration and periodic management reporting, the Company aims to support the client’s ongoing efforts toward standardized and digitalized human resource management.The parties have also agreed to retain flexibility to expand the scope of services through supplemental agreements, enabling the partnership to evolve in alignment with the client’s business development.The renewal of this five-year strategic agreement not only represents long-term recognition of Galaxy’s professional value, but also underscores the sustainability of its business model. It is expected to further strengthen the Company’s brand presence in the Hong Kong, Macau, and broader Asia-Pacific human resources outsourcing markets, while serving as a replicable benchmark case for multinational retail, sports, and consumer brands.As global enterprises increasingly prioritize compliance efficiency, cost optimization, and organizational resilience, Galaxy continues to leverage its localized expertise, robust service infrastructure, and high-quality client base to build sustainable long-term growth momentum.The Company’s management commented: “We will continue to place service capability at the core of our growth strategy, deepen strategic cooperation with existing high-quality clients, and proactively expand relationships with multinational and regional enterprises that offer long-term value, with the goal of delivering steady and sustainable returns to our shareholders.”Contact informationJune TuoTel: +852-5983-9260Phone: +86-1392-3804-279Intelligent Joy Limited Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Feb 24, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Group CEO: Koichiro Tanaka) will provide and donate gold, silver, and bronze medals to the top three men and women finishers of the marathon and wheelchair marathon events at the Tokyo Marathon 2026. The Tokyo Marathon 2026 is organized by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation and will be held on March 1, 2026.Design Representing All the Participants in the Event with Woven LinesThe medals were designed based on the concept of the Tokyo Marathon: The Day We Unite. On the front of the medal, the logo type is placed horizontally above the event logo pattern, which represents “runners, supporters, and cheerers,” to express the image of the Tokyo Marathon, which is held based on the involvement of many people, including runners, as well as volunteer staff and cheerers.On the back of the medal, the name of the event, Tokyo Marathon 2026, is written in Braille, and the words “FINISHER” and the event date are engraved, along with TANAKA’s logo. The medal’s ribbon design continues the 2016 design and is based on the event logo, which resembles a tapestry of lines woven together to represent all the runners, volunteers, and spectators.Sustainability InitiativesThe Tokyo Marathon 2026 is advancing sustainability initiatives centered on “waste reduction,” “environmental conservation,” and “DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion).” In support of this initiative, the medal ribbons are made using recycled polyester. In addition, for the gold medals, the gold plating solution used is from TANAKA’s “RE Series” regenerated precious metals made using only 100% recycled materials. Through these initiatives, TANAKA is helping to make the event more sustainable.About the Tokyo Marathon 2026The Tokyo Marathon 2026 is the 19th edition of one of the largest public participation marathons in Japan. As it will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027, the event has evolved further to help all the participants play active roles so that the metropolis of Tokyo unite as one, based on three pillars: “The safest and most secure race in the world,” “The most exciting race in the world,” and “The warmest and most friendly race in the world.” This year, the event has adopted “Run. Tokyo. Own.” as the keyword to express how, on the grand stage of Tokyo, each runner lives their own run and their own story—and how countless individuals coming together create “one Tokyo” for that day and that moment alone.TANAKA has produced the winner and finisher medals for every Tokyo Marathon since the first held in 2007, with this year marking the 19th year. The Tokyo Marathon joined the World Marathon Majors (currently the Abbott World Marathon Majors) in 2013, attracting global attention as one of the world’s seven premier marathons. Other than the Tokyo Marathon, TANAKA has also produced medals for the winners of the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon, supported the promotion of para sports as an official partner of the Japanese Para Sports Association (JPSA), and produced and sold official commemorative medals for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. As part of its contribution to the realization of an inclusive society and the creation of a healthier society, TANAKA will continue to support the promotion of sports going forward.Overview of the Tokyo Marathon 2026 MedalsWeight, size and materialGold Medal: approx. 100g 65mm in diameter and approx. 3mm: pure silver with gold platingSilver Medal: approx. 100g 65mm in diameter and approx. 3mm: pure silverBronze Medal: approx. 85g 65mm in diameter and approx. 3mm: pure copper platingRace Information of the Tokyo Marathon 2026OrganizerTokyo Marathon FoundationCo-organizersJAAF (Japan Association of Athletics Federations); Tokyo Metropolitan Government;The Yomiuri Shimbun; Nippon Television Network Corporation; Sankei Shimbun Co., Ltd.; The Tokyo Shimbun.Managing OrganizationTokyo Athletics AssociationOperation SupporterTokyo Sports Association for the Disabled; Kanto Para Athletics.Supporting OrganizationsJAPAN SPORTS AGENCY; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Japan Tourism Agency; Metropolitan Tokyo Mayors' Council; Japan Sports Association; Japanese Olympic Committee; Japanese Para Sports Association;Japan Para Athletics; Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation);KEIZAI DOYUKAI (Japan Association of Corporate Executives);The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Tokyo Medical Association;Tokyo Disaster Prevention & Emergency Medical Service Association;Tokyo Private Ambulance Call Center Registered Companies Liaison Council;TOKYO NURSING ASSOCIATION; Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau;Tokyo Federation of Neighborhood Associations;Tokyo Federation of Shopping Center Promotion Associations & Tokyo Federation of Shopping Centers; Tokyo Sports Association; Community Sport Leaders Tokyo; Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd; The Hochi Shimbun; Radio Nippon Co., Ltd.;Sankei Sports; Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc.; The Tokyo Chunichi Sports.Presenting PartnerTokyo Metro Co., Ltd.Official PartnersSTARTS CORPORATION INC.; Mastercard; OujiSeiyaku Co., Ltd.;ASICS Japan Corp.; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.;KINTETSU INTERNATIONAL; SEIKO GROUP CORPORATION;The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited; McDonald's Company (Japan), Ltd.; Mizuho Bank, Ltd.; Kokumin Kyosai co-op (National Federation of Workers and Consumers Kyosai Cooperatives); Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.;Kao Corporation; Earth Corporation; Porsche Japan K.K.; realbuzz; VENEX Co., Ltd.; NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION; KOYOU RENTIA Co., Ltd.; Fanplus, Inc.;Shimizu Octo, Inc.; SAGAWA EXPRESS CO., LTD.;TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.; Rokko Butter, Co., Ltd.;Hibino Corporation; Photocreate Co., Ltd; ASUENE Inc.;DateSunday, March 1, 2026*The race information is current as of the time this press release was published. For the latest information, please check the Tokyo Marathon official website.About TANAKASince its foundation in 1885, TANAKA has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volume of precious metals it handles. Over many years, TANAKA has manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry and provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and worldwide collaborate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a full range of products and services. With 5,591 employees, the group’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ended December 2024 were 846.9 billion yen.TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.TANAKA Corporate Websitehttps://www.tanaka.co.jp/english/Press inquiriesTANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.https://www.tanaka.co.jp/support/req/other_contact_e/index.htmlPress Release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20260224_EN.pdf Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Ammonia Fuel Supply System (AFSS) moduleTOKYO, Feb 24, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has shipped an ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) and an ammonia gas abatement system (AGAS) for Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG). Both systems are designed for the first ammonia-fueled marine engine model 7UEC50LSJA-HPSCR manufactured by J-ENG and represent the first units produced by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding. Commissioning work for the systems will begin in due course.The AFSS supplies ammonia fuel to the engine in a stable and safe manner, while the AGAS safely processes surplus ammonia generated during fuel switching from ammonia to conventional fuel oil. Both systems support remote operation and automatic control through an integrated control system, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.The early market introduction of these systems will enable onboard verification combining J-ENG's ammonia fueled marine engine model 7UEC50LSJA-HPSCR, a first mover in next-generation advanced fueled engines, with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding's AFSS and AGAS. This combination is expected to further accelerate decarbonization efforts across the maritime industry.Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will continue strengthening its business structure to meet the growing demand for ammonia-fueled vessels.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Feb 24, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) today announced the launch of DIAVAULT, a newly developed industrial grade edge data center(1) brand.DIAVAULT is a digital infrastructure solution that enables on-site data and AI utilization in an on-premises environment (2). It achieves high security and low latency that are difficult to realize in cloud environments. In addition, it is equipped with a stable power supply and cooling systems, enabling long-term stable operation. DIAVAULT will be a key driver accelerating digital transformation in the industrial sector.BackgroundWith the widespread adoption of IoT and AI, industries increasingly require the ability to process large volumes of data in real time. However, cloud-centric processing faces challenges such as latency and data confidentiality risks. Therefore, the importance of edge computing, which enables fast and distributed processing near devices generating vast amounts of data and the users of this data, is increasing.In response to these challenges, MHI is promoting the development of on-premises digital infrastructure. DIAVAULT, centered on a high-security edge data center that simultaneously achieves high on-site information processing and stable operation, flexibly covers customer needs from small-scale to inference data centers (3) of several megawatts. It provides a range of edge solutions such as inference environments in manufacturing sites, research facilities, defense-related fields, and 5G connectivity to meet low latency demands.Key FeaturesRecently, MHI opened a demonstration AI data center on the premises of Yokohama Hardtech Hub (YHH) established at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Yokohama Works and started validation of various use cases. This data center has the following features:Servers equipped with the next-generation GPU specialized for AI processing are efficiently cooled by two-phase direct chip cooling (4), achieving powerful computing performance and low PUE (5) with excellent cooling performance.The server room is compact, equivalent to two 20-foot containers, but offers a spacious area for the maintenance of large-depth servers and the CDU (6). It is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply with continuous power feed.Proprietary digital integrated air conditioning control technology optimizes air conditioning and heat sources while monitoring server load, delivering energy-saving effects throughout the year.In addition to robust entry/exit security with two-factor authentication, the entire facility is remotely monitored, enabling stable unmanned operation.Future OutlookBuilding on comprehensive engineering capabilities developed in social infrastructure and data center power, cooling, and digital technologies, MHI is advancing solutions with high resilience and high security to support next-generation generative AI and physical AI. With the deployment of DIAVAULT, MHI will promote the widespread adoption and co-creation of more advanced and reliable AI infrastructure through collaboration with domestic and international partners.(1) A small-scale data center installed close to users and devices.(2) A system in which servers are placed at facilities such as company offices, factories, or research institutes to directly manage and process data, rather than using the cloud.(3) A data center optimized for fast and efficient inference after AI models have been "trained." Equipped with AI accelerators specialized for AI processing.(4) A cooling technology that circulates an electrically insulating two-phase refrigerant (liquid and gas) through a cold plate on semiconductor chips (processors) inside the server, removing heat without using water.(5) Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is an indicator of how efficiently a data center uses power. The closer to 1.0, the greater the efficiency.(6) CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) is a device that circulates, distributes, and adjusts the temperature of coolant to efficiently cool IT equipment such as servers.The Edge Data Center "DIAVAULT" in YHHAbout MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com