Category: Uncategorized

SHANGHAI, Jan. 30, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

As the Year of the Horse approaches, Shanghai is rolling out a series of “Spring Festival Gift Packs” designed to make it easier and more enjoyable for residents and visitors to experience the city during the holiday period. The initiative, led by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, features discounted tickets, themed activities, and cultural offerings across 60 popular city attractions.

The gift packs are part of Shanghai’s broader push to boost festive tourism and encourage people to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in the city. By combining discounted admission, zodiac-themed promotions, and integrated tour packages, the program seeks to provide a wide range of affordable options tailored to different visitor groups.

Highlights of the Spring Festival Gift Packs include:

Attraction Discounts : Participating scenic spots are offering tickets at up to 50% off, along with special promotions based on the Chinese zodiac and combo passes, making sightseeing more affordable for families, tourists, and locals alike.

Cultural & Festive Activities : The discounts are complemented by a rich lineup of supporting events, including intangible cultural heritage performances, interactive pet-themed activities for the Chinese Lunar New Year, traditional market fairs, and bazaars featuring China-chic trends — all crafted to enhance the festive atmosphere.

Integrated Experience Packages : Many venues are bundling accommodation with entry tickets or themed tours, creating convenient and cost-effective ways to explore Shanghai during the holiday period.

Themed Tourism Products : Travel agencies and hotels have curated itineraries with a “Spring Festival vibe” and activities for “Spring Celebration” that cover family-friendly, cultural, and rural leisure experiences, providing multiple options for holiday outings.

The gift packs initiative aligns with the ongoing “Discover Shanghai” Tourism Guide Super Competition, which has inspired practical and innovative tour recommendations now being developed into actual tourism products. The competition’s winning guides are expected to be widely used by visitors during the Spring Festival.

Industry observers note that Shanghai continues to strengthen its appeal as a winter destination by combining affordability with cultural depth. The Spring Festival Gift Packs not only make travel more economical but also immerse visitors in the local customs and vibrant spirit of Shanghai during the most important traditional holiday in China.

The offers will be available throughout the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday period, with detailed information accessible through official tourism platforms such as “Hu Xiaoyou” and Trip.com. Through this Spring Festival Gift Packs Initiative, Shanghai demonstrates its commitment to creating a welcoming, dynamic, and visitor-friendly holiday environment, inviting everyone to enjoy a memorable and affordable Chinese Lunar New Year in the city.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism

Caption: Shanghai rolls out “Spring Festival Gift Packs”.

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) — Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, announced the expansion of its payments solution in Taiwan by integrating JKOPay, the island’s most widely used mobile payment brand.

This strategic move, facilitated by Antom, a merchant payment service provider under Ant International, is designed to offer game developers and publishers a secure, mobile-first checkout experience for Taiwan’s highly engaged gaming audience, according to Xsolla in a statement.

“In Taiwan, mobile payments are not just a convenience – they are a lifestyle.

“By adding JKOPay, we are empowering developers to connect with players through one of the market’s most trusted and widely used payment solutions, ensuring seamless access and engagement across the region,” said Xsolla President, Chris Hewish.

Taiwan is one of the world’s most digitally advanced markets, with over 95 per cent of its population online and a high rate of smartphone adoption, making mobile payments an essential part of daily consumer life.

JKOPay has emerged as a market leader in this cashless revolution, trusted by 6.5 million users and accepted by more than 300,000 merchants across retail, e-commerce, and transit.

Furthermore, JKOPay functions as an all-in-one digital ecosystem, combining e-commerce, payments, transit services, and loyalty programmes into a single, convenient mobile platform for gamers.

For developers, offering JKOPay through Xsolla Pay Station is expected to significantly increase conversions and expand player reach, tapping into millions of active, mobile-first consumers and resulting in stronger user engagement.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) — Universal Studios Japan, operated by USJ LLC, and The Pokemon Company announced an expanded, long-term alliance to deliver innovative, immersive, and world-class Pokemon experiences to theme park guests globally.

The project, which will debut at Universal Studios Japan, is a key part of USJ LLC’s strategy to enhance its offerings with fan-first, trip-driving characters and attractions, according to a statement.

Following the Japan launch, Universal Destinations & Experiences plans to roll out unique Pokemon attractions across its global park footprint.

“A bold new global project is set to begin at Universal Studios Japan, creating unprecedented and innovative experiences in collaboration with Pokemon—a beloved franchise born in Japan and cherished worldwide,” said USJ LLC Executive Vice President & General Manager, Tak Murayama.

Murayama expressed pride in launching this journey from Japan, promising extraordinary moments that will far exceed guest expectations and embody the spirit of ‘NO LIMIT!’.

Meanwhile, The Pokemon Company President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tsunekazu Ishihara said: “As Pokemon celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, we are thrilled to launch this new project at such a significant milestone.”

He affirmed the company’s mission to enrich both the real and virtual worlds through Pokemon, with the goal of creating theme park entertainment that surprises and delights fans globally.

On the other hand, Universal Destinations & Experiences Chairman and CEO, Mark Woodbury stated that collaborating with imaginative storytellers fuels its ability to create and deliver mind-blowing attractions.

Woodbury added that the ongoing partnership with The Pokemon Company will continue bringing its vibrant world to life for years to come.

— BERNAMA

Presentation Ceremony to Take Place in Tokyo in April

TOKYO, Jan 27 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — The Japan Prize Foundation announced the winners of the 2026 Japan Prize at 1:00 p.m. on 21 January 2026. Prof. Cynthia Dwork (USA) has been awarded the Japan Prize in the field of Electronics, Information, and Communication. Prof. Shizuo Akira (Japan) and Prof. Zhijian “James” Chen (USA) have been awarded the Japan Prize in the field of Life Sciences.

For this year’s Japan Prize, Prof. Dwork is being recognized for her Contribution to leading research for building an ethical digital society, including differential privacy and fairness. Prof. Akira and Prof. Chen are being recognized for their Discovery of the nucleic acid sensing mechanism by the innate immune system.

For the 2026 Japan Prize, the Foundation asked approximately 16,000 prominent scientists and engineers from around the world to nominate researchers working in this year’s fields. We received 107 nominations for the field of Electronics, Information, and Communication, and 185 nominations for the field of Life Sciences. This year’s winners were selected from a total of 292 nominees.

About the Japan Prize

The establishment of the Japan Prize in 1981 was motivated by the Japanese government’s desire to create an internationally recognized award that would contribute to scientific and technological development around the world. With the support of numerous donations, the Japan Prize Foundation received endorsement from the Cabinet Office in 1983.

The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and engineers from around the world who have made creative and dramatic achievements that help progress their fields and contribute significantly to realizing peace and prosperity for all humanity. Researchers in all fields of science and technology are eligible for the award, with two fields selected each year in consideration of current trends in scientific and technological development. In principle, one individual in each field is recognized with the award, and receives a certificate, a medal, and a monetary prize. Each Presentation Ceremony is attended by the reigning Emperor and Empress, heads of the three branches of government and other related officials, and representatives from various other elements of society.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260126831787/en/

Contact

The Japan Prize Public Relations Office
japanprize@ml.prap.co.jp

Source : The Japan Prize Foundation

–BERNAMA