Issue #31 - Solar panels for Tokyo ☀️, Rakuten network outage 📵, machine tastes noodles 🍜

Opening Remarks

Hello everyone, happy holidays! This is the last issue of 2022, so thank you for all your support throughout the year and see you in 2023!

Monthly Tech Update

This month, Japan and Britain launched a digital partnership on artificial intelligence and semiconductors, as well as a separate one on communications networks.

Japan has also opened a nuclear disarmament forum in Hiroshima and said it is planning to introduce a carbon levy on fossil fuel importers in FY28/29.

Finally, the country’s government has lifted a previously existing ban on automated drone flights and and is consulting with the US and the Netherlands on chip restrictions as China pushes back.

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❓ Want to find out more about the latest tech news in Japan?

🔗 Here is the newsletter’s link section:

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The Good

• First offshore floating solar demonstrator planned - Offshore Energy

• Lunar lander lifts off in first private-sector moon program - Asahi

• Rapidus, IBM team up to produce next-generation chips - Kyodo

• Convenience stores tap AI for better management - NHK

• Tokyo new homes to be fitted with solar panels by 2025 - Kyodo

• MUFG to launch AI loan screening for Japanese startups - NHK

• Japan start-up to bring exoskeleton business abroad - Kyodo

The Bad

• 2 ex-Square Enix employees rearrested over insider trading - Kyodo

• Rakuten Mobile warned over widespread network outage - Mainichi

• Tokyo-Osaka bullet train suspended due to blackout - Kyodo

• Astronaut keeps space mission amid research scandal - Space

• North Korea says conducted test for reconnaissance satellite - Kyodo

• MSDF captain suspected of leaking state secret - Kyodo

• Apple Japan slapped with 14 bil. yen in back tax - Kyodo

The Quirky

• AI-generated anime selfies propel beauty app - Japan Times

• Sony says it has technology for humanoid robots - Reuters

• Turandot with scenography by teamLab comes to Tokyo - TimeOut

• Kyoto tweaks tourism with technology - Kyodo

• “Black” Light Control Film Developed for Cars - Toppan

• Ultrasound AI tech used to test quality of frozen tuna - Japan Today

• Machine can rate tastiness of ‘soba’ noodles - Asahi

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