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.
❓ Want to find out more about the latest tech news in Japan?
🔗 Here is the newsletter’s link section:
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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Thank you for consistently summarizing all the most interesting tech-events in Japan, and happy 2023!