Asia
Exploring the Role of Large Language Models in Prompt Encoding for Diffusion Models
Large language models (LLMs) based on decoder-only transformers have demonstrated superior text understanding capabilities compared to CLIP and T5-series models. However, the paradigm for utilizing current advanced LLMs in text-to-image diffusion models remains to be explored. We observed an unusual phenomenon: directly using a large language model as the prompt encoder significantly degrades the prompt-following ability in image generation.
Tourists no longer allowed to take JLPT in Japan from 2026
From 2026, applicants in Japan without residence cards will generally be barred from taking the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in the country. Tourists visiting Japan will no longer be allowed to take the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in the country from 2026, organizations that administer the exam have announced. The administrators said applicants in Japan will, in principle, be required to hold a mid-to long-term residence status or special permanent residency under the country's residence management system, and must provide a residence card number and expiration date when applying. The JLPT is the largest scale Japanese-language test in the world. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.