We've listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between August 1 and 9. The first story was viewed by 20.4% of our regular readers. (The Mainichi)

University of Tokyo suspends professor over 'Tiananmen code' embedded in website

TOKYO -- The University of Tokyo announced on Aug. 4 that it had taken disciplinary action against a professor in their 60s for embedding "Tiananmen code" in websites operated by the professor's department and laboratory. Full story.

Japan schools flooded with machine-generated work as research shows AI saps thinking skills

TOKYO -- Generative AI (artificial intelligence) can take over a variety of tasks performed by the human brain, such as calculations and writing. While it can reduce the cognitive burden on individuals, it also raises the problem of "AI shallowness," in which people entrust judgments to AI and cease to think for themselves. Full story.

Firm that told staff to secure cash after Kumamoto quake apologizes over mall blast deaths

KUMAMOTO -- A company in this southwestern Japan city apologized after disclosing two employees died in an explosion at a mall following the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake, revealing that one of them had been instructed to put sales proceeds in a safe. Full story.

Man in Japan called 'father' as a boy helps children with foreign roots carrying hidden burdens

MAEBASHI -- Aziz Ahmed is using his experience to support children in Japan who, like him, interpret for immigrant families and shoulder adult responsibilities from a young age. Full story.

Japan's planned food tax cut faces consumer, retailer skepticism

TOKYO -- Japan's Cabinet on Aug. 5 approved a policy to cut the consumption tax rate on food and beverages from 8% to 1%. However, with prices continuing to rise and the reduction set to apply for only two years from April 2027, the plan has drawn a cool response from consumers and retailers. The restaurant industry, where the 10% rate is expected to remain in place, has also voiced concerns about the impact. Will Japan's first consumption tax cut since the tax was introduced prove effective? Full story.