JAPAN WUT PODCAST 190 "SELF-DRIVING RACE CARS"

ON PODCAST 190

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Why are Japan’s AI companies expanding into East Timor? Will the Japan government get more firms to join its carbon trading schemes? How did a Japanese company get a self-driving race car to go faster than 200 kph?

SHOW NOTES

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

U.S. to deploy missile units to Japan islands in Taiwan contingency

China says it will remove buoy set up in Japan's EEZ near Senkakus

Japan to obligate up to 400 major firms to join CO2 emissions trading

Japan research team develops plastic that breaks down in seawater

SOCIETY 5.0

The AI ​​self-driving race "A2RL" held in Suzuka actually communicated using the SIM card of the low-cost smartphone "IIJmio". Uninterrupted stability was confirmed even at speeds over 200km/h

Group company DXYZ's facial recognition platform "FreeiD" to be deployed overseas for the first time; facial recognition attendance management linked to TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING's HR system to be provided to Timor-Leste base

Daito Trust Construction introduces facial recognition entrance/exit system to approximately 200 branches nationwide

Australian government orders to halt facial recognition at mass retailers, calling it "illegal" even for crime prevention purposes

"AI Camera Rental Service" with 0 yen initial cost and 2,000 yen per day Launch of new "Cloud AI Camera Rental Plan" offering free rental of multiple small cameras and video analysis service

AI cameras prove effective in preventing touting, reducing touting by 14% in Hyogo Prefecture demonstration experiment... If detected, audio warning is issued

Hitachi Solutions Technology sells package that uses monocular camera and image recognition AI to detect dangerous behavior in real time

AI-generated articles introduce nonexistent tourist spots on site promoting Fukuoka Pref.

Meet Daisy: The AI grandmother who is fighting back against scammers

Grandpa Simpson Onion Story

Hiroshima city plans to start using AI-based device to virtually communicate with atomic bomb survivors in August 2025, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing

Miyazaki City introduces AI marking for junior high school tests, hoping to reduce burden on teachers

Tier IV starts selling Minibus 2.0, accelerating the social implementation of self-driving buses

Tottori City conducts demonstration experiment of self-driving bus in urban area--investigating signal coordination and night operation

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 189 "QR CODE ROADS"

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ON PODCAST 188

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Is it a good idea to slap QR Codes on Japan’s road signs for self-driving cars? Will unions be able to halt A.I. from taking jobs from the Japanese? How far will Japan go to acquire automated defense capabilities?

Show Notes

JAPAN

Parasitic worms 'manipulate' praying mantises onto asphalt roads: Japan researchers

SOCIETY 5.0

In the age of autonomous driving, road signs may become "QR codes" List of anticipated use cases

Tobu Railway has announced its intention to introduce new autonomous trains on the Daishi Line.

Sekisui House launches Japan's first "AI Clone Owner" service that allows home buyers to easily consult with the owner via chat

DXYZ's facial recognition platform "FreeiD" introduced to Pressance Corporation's "Presance Grand Kyoto Kawaramachi," the first condominium in the Kansai region to use all facial recognition technology

Japan audio industry calls for appropriate use of AI as voice actors air frustrations

SoftBank taps Nvidia for Japanese 'AI grid' project

Prime Minister Ishiba plans to provide more than 10 trillion yen in public support to the AI and semiconductor industry over seven years

Microsoft Research Asia – Tokyo established

Hello Work to use artificial intelligence (AI) to list job vacancies

AI-equipped unmanned demonstration aircraft to make first flight in November 2025, Defense Acquisition Agency official reveals at technology symposium

"Fire watchtower" equipped with AI camera installed in Oarai Town

China's Baidu releases the latest version of its autonomous driving platform "Apollo" to the world

North Korea tests exploding drones as Kim calls for mass production

DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION

102 local Japan traditions halted or lose folk cultural asset status amid population decline

Japan's births likely to fall under 700,000 for 1st time in 2024

Salmon poachers in Hokkaido likely solicited by foreign language ads online

SGOTW

American tourist accused of defacing gate at Meiji Shrine with fingernails

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 186 "A.I. PENCILS"

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ON PODCAST 186

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Why are some companies blocking people injected with the latest mRNA jab? What are the latest developments in Japan’s facial recognition platforms? Where does this week’s SGOTW come from?

SHOW NOTES

JAPAN

Japan to offer $3.0 billion for G7 Ukraine loan package

Unverified info on new vaccine leads to rejection of customers

SOCIETY 5.0

Group company DXYZ's facial recognition platform "FreeiD" will be installed in the fourth apartment building developed by Mugen Estate.

Smart home service "SpaceCore" begins offering smart intercoms for apartment complexes with facial recognition

RENATUS ROBOTICS Inc. and Japan Post Capital Co., Ltd. enter into capital alliance

Kirin Holdings introduces a trial of "AI interviewer." AI supports everything from resume reading to first interviews

Dentsu to use AI copywriter "AICO2" for audio advertising. Launch of project aimed at expanding audio advertising market

Newzia launches "AI Model Agency" service, providing advanced and affordable AI models tailored to corporate needs

SGOTW

モモタロウお手柄！密輸大麻１６キロ入りスーツケースを臭いで発見…容疑のスペイン人の男逮捕

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 184 "AI SECURITY THEATER"

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ON PODCAST 184

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Who voted for decarbonization? What’s going on with Japan’s new secretive submarines? And where are the AI infrastructure projects being installed?

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SHOW NOTES

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

The MSDF's newest Taigei-class submarine, Chogei, is named and launched after the former Imperial Japanese Navy submarine tender Chogei.

Japan, ASEAN to Seek Common Rules Toward Decarbonization; Laos Summit to Focus on Calculating, Reporting Emissions

Tokyo Stock Exchange carbon trading slowly picks up in first year

SOCIETY 5.0

Amazon says new technology in delivery vans will help sort packages on the fly and save time

Honda autonomous system to allow car drivers to take eyes off road

Kawasaki rolls out world-first hydrogen engine motorcycle

Toyota boosts its investment in air taxi company Joby Aviation by another $500 million

CyberLink’s AI facial recognition engine, FaceMe®, is adopted by Miyagawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.’s new facial recognition device, Knoctoi Lite.

Start of operation of autonomous electric buses in Tomigusuku City, Okinawa Prefecture

Seeking participants for demonstration experiment of self-driving bus in Oirase Gorge

Masayoshi Son's highly original autonomous driving concept: a stepping stone to launching a finished car manufacturer?

Demonstration testing begins for self-driving buses; "Level 4" technology improves ride comfort

Mitsubishi Electric uses AI to audit emails, chats, and other text to detect information leaks and fraud risks

Koreans rank highest among 10 countries for anxiety that "AI is threatening their jobs"

Airship AI wins $12 million surveillance contract

Odakyu to test AI cameras to check safety on platforms amid manpower shortager

Tokyu Store, Itochu Foods and others use AI cameras in retail advertising

No voyeurism or molestation! AI cameras introduced on Fukuoka City subway

Sapporo Drugstore repurposes security cameras for marketing purposes, using edge AI to analyze customer movements

Plast releases detachable AI camera system for forks

AI camera parking system "DENNOU PARK" goes into operation at Sumitomo Realty & Development's office building. By changing from mechanical equipment to AI cameras, annual costs are reduced by 50%.

(Joint release) JALPAK conducts demonstration experiment to measure the effectiveness of vehicle advertising with WE TRUCK, a vehicle signage system equipped with signage that enables visual analysis, effectiveness measurement, and behavior measurement through targeting using AI cameras

First exhibit at "SECURITY SHOW Osaka 2024" - Digitalization of security operations with security robots x surveillance cameras x AI security systems -

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 181 "SPY CARS"

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ON PODCAST 181

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Why is the Japanese government sending drones into the Suicide Forest? Are foreign cars equipped with cameras and radars monitoring domestic military assets? Would you put your kids on a self-driving bus?

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SHOW NOTES

JAPAN

Ostrich endeavor ensuring Yoshinoya can meet demand for meat

SOCIETY 5.0

Drones patrol the Aokigahara forest at night, detecting people and "dissuading suicide attempts"... Yamanashi Prefecture to start this month

マッチングアプリ、マイナカードで「年収」も証明可能に--河野氏「安心して婚活できる」と導入呼びかけ（CNET Japan） - Yahoo!ニュース

NEC uses AI to analyze trustworthiness of information and support fact-checking

Automatic runs to start on Joetsu Shinkansen Line in fiscal 2028

Japan retail chain Nojima president offers advice via AI alter ego

Saikai City Hall tests the usefulness of "Varigoodkun," an AI for local governments. Achieves reduction of 2,072 hours of work time in just two months

PKSHA and Osaka Metro jointly develop "AI monitoring system" that detects white canes and wheelchairs to strengthen customer monitoring system

"THE PILLOW" offers comfortable sleep with "pillow x AI" and opens official store on Rakuten Ichiba

Supporting rapid evacuation in the event of a disaster, a disaster prevention service for local governments using facial recognition has been developed. Total support for evacuation shelter management by notifying each resident of evacuation shelters and using facial recognition to enter and exit the shelters.

Facial recognition payment system installed at school dormitory stores, financial education to warn against overspending
Facial recognition payment available at Nissen High School Joyo Bank and Hitachi Finance/DX Education Ibaraki

Introducing the latest AI camera… Capturing smartphone users while driving

Why BYD is adopting Huawei's autonomous driving technology

Junior high school students test drive "self-driving bus" on Shodoshima Island, Kagawa

"Draft opinion completed in one minute"... "Legal AI" shakes up legal profession in South Korea

Instantaneous decision on six types of medicine: AI to improve medical efficiency and extend healthy lifespan

IBM and FBRI partner to promote "AI-embedded clinical development" / Axcelead signs basic agreement with Acadia, USA, to support drug discovery, etc. | Today's news summary for the pharmaceutical industry (September 10, 2024)

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 177 "AI DRONE COPS"

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ON PODCAST 177

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Is Japan collapsing its rice production on purpose? Would you run from an AI Drone Cop? Would you inject an AI Biological Agent into your veins?

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SHOW NOTES

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Japanese gov't appeals for calm as panic rice buying continues

Why has Japan been hit with rice shortages, soaring prices despite normal crops?

Scallop industry overcomes crisis triggered by China import ban

Japan to reportedly subsidize firms to develop supply chain, independent of China in SEA

China, Russia plot course for Arctic cooperation, shipping routes to counter West

Post-pandemic global supply chain turmoil might still ruin Christmas

India and Japan Sign Landmark Green Ammonia Export Agreement

Japan steelmakers to invest in Australian mine for stable coal supply

JAXA Forms Special Team to Protect Earth from Asteroids

SOCIETY 5.0

Govt to Develop AI-Equipped Drones to Identify Suspicious People in Disaster-Hit Areas

Turkish engineers-developed AI system ‘Covision’ deployed in Japan

Startups and tech giants lead new era of Korea-Japan cooperation

BostonGene Showcases AI-Powered Multiomics Platform at the 22nd Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Digital Pathology in 2024

Sompo Enhances Digital Transformation with Palantir's AI Solutions

List of car models and features that allow hands-off driving (latest version 2024) Toyota, Honda, Nissan...

Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Sees Surging Demand for a Special Type of A.I. Hardware

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 176 "INTERNET OF GARBAGE"

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ON PODCAST 176

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Do you want IoT Trash Cans in your neighborhood? How can hackers easily exploit Solar Farms? Why are Japan’s Facial Recognition Condos selling so well?

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SHOW NOTES

DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION

More migrant workers heading to South Korea instead of Japan

SOCIETY 5.0

IoT smart trash cans that help reduce waste in cities Low environmental impact and can be installed anywhere

Solar Power Systems Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks via IoT: Cases of Fraudulent Transfers Emerge

Google to offer "AI Overviews" of web searches in Japan and elsewhere

Hitachi and NEC look at biometric authentication for cash register payments -- what are the aims and how will it become more widespread?

[All-Facial Recognition Apartment] Crecia IDZ Chiyoda Iwamotocho Investment Condominium Units Sold Out (PR TIMES)

"Towards the world's most interesting fisheries industry" Re:Start Fisheries Invested in Ribble Co., Ltd.

Turing develops "Terra," Japan's first generative world model for autonomous driving

Yokohama National University develops smart motion recognition system integrating stretchable devices and AI

China's growing 'robotaxi' fleet sparks concern, wonder on streets

INSANE Wuhan ROBO Taxi (Why the US don't have this?)

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 175 "EXOFLOP!"

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ON PODCAST 175

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Why would a Mexican man try and canoe from Japan to Taiwan illegally? Which companies are striving for AI Dominance in Japan? Should Japan trust its AI Education Programs to Microsoft and Google?

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SHOW NOTES

INDO-PACIFIC CONFLICT

Mexican man found stranded on Senkaku Islands referred to prosecutors

China accuses Philippines of deliberately crashing one of its ships into a Chinese vessel

SOCIETY 5.0

電動キックボードの米Limeが日本参入　都内で2000台 - 日本経済新聞

Over 80% of people surveyed in Japan don't want to use ride-sharing services

Less than 20% of Japanese firms using generative AI: survey

Japan city uses AI to find students at risk of school refusal

Japan Enhances AI Sovereignty With Advanced ABCI 3.0 Supercomputer

SoftBank courts TSMC for AI chip project after talks with Intel fell apart - report

JILA ponders AI legal risks and regulations

https://smart-governance.co.jp/en/

Hearings with Microsoft and Google to revise generative AI guidelines for schools

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 172 "MECH JANITORS"

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ON PODCAST 171

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Would you inject artificial blood if your life depended on it? Would you put your children on a self-driving bus? Can you trust AI CEOs that love being part of the World Economic Forum?

Show Notes

WEIRD CORNERS

Clinical trial on artificial blood cells to begin in Japan

Common wild amphibians banned from Yahoo auctions

Train travels all day long with corpse aboard in Tokyo area

SOCIETY 5.0

JR West now has giant robots performing maintenance work via VR-goggled operators

Utilizing AI to realize demand forecasting and plan optimization for the global manufacturing supply chain

Prime Minister Kishida announces that autonomous driving will be implemented at 10 locations, eliminating the need for a driver

Self-driving buses move smoothly through tunnels in Hokkaido's Kamishihoro town

Kawasaki City to begin demonstration experiment of self-driving buses that cross prefectural borders, the first in Japan, from January next year, aiming for "driverless" by 2027

Tier IV, whose president is an autonomous driving engineer, is ranked "No. 1 in Japan" in fundraising! Survey conducted from January to June 2024

Nissan-backed China's self-driving WeRide applies for IPO in U.S.

Denso-affiliated J-QuAD sees second consecutive quarterly profit increase due to "special demand" caused by autonomous driving development?

Toyota's research and development expenditure hits record high of 1.3 trillion yen! Will it be used for "Autonomous Driving" and "Woven City"?

NEXCO Central conducts demonstration experiment of self-driving snowplow on Shin-Tomei Expressway

SUPPLY CHAIN WARS

Chinese takeover of European seaports: EU turned a blind eye on security risks for years, experts say - Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism

Linked by Russia, North Korea and Belarus vow ‘new era’ of bilateral ties

Japan devising support plan on trade, decarbonization for Central Asia

Uber, China’s BYD, form partnership to deploy 100,000 EVs in EU and Latin America

Taiwan is readying citizens for a Chinese invasion. It’s not going well.

Japan Wut 163 "YOU HAVE CANCER AI"

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ON PODCASt 163

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There’s an AI race for Japan Cancer Treatment and Toilet Predictions, with billions invested from around the world. And why was Klaus Schwab visiting the Japanese Govt on July 1st, 2024? Japan ramps up its defensive shipbuilding, but is China now too far ahead?

Show Notes

SECURITY AND DEFENSE

Japan’s MHI Launches Ninth Mogami-Class Multirole Frigate for JMSDF

Retired major's chilling warning over China's chokehold on US military

The Senkaku Islands:  What's Coming?

SOCIETY 5.0

Courtesy call on Minister Kamikawa by Professor Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum

Fujitsu Conducts Demonstration Test Using Drones and AI for Tower Inspection, Achieving Efficient Deterioration Assessment

Japan unveils high-tech AI cargo solution

SoftBank to launch AI-driven medical services in bid to tackle cancer

Japan’s Juntendo Hospital develops technology for preventing patient falls

Rikei develops "Mediashi," a system to prevent medication errors using facial recognition;

Takazono Co., Ltd. begins selling the system to nursing care facilities

Sony's AI tool predicts toilet and walking movements in rehabilitation wards

Facial recognition is also used at hotel check-ins!

Newly built apartment building "Lilsia Tokyo North Gate" with all-face recognition -- energy-saving design with low-E glass and external insulation

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Japan Wut 133 "AI DNA CHIPS"

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ON PODCAST 133…

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… We discuss breakthrough research that turns your DNA into Computer Storage, Pig Organs for Human Transplants, and how Japan’s reliance on Foreign Technology is creating Digital Trade Deficits. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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Show Notes Ep. 133

IT'S OMGWTF!

Japan produces 1st pigs designed for organ transplants

SOCIETY 5.0

Japan Takes a Leap into the Future with Its First Metaverse High School

Wakayama Signs Pact on Flying Cars

Researchers design a processor from DNA — microfluidic chip completes math calculations and also stores data in DNA

JAPAN BUSINESS

Japan slips into recession, becoming 4th-largest economy, behind U.S., China and Germany

Japan's digital trade deficit widens to $37bn on Big Tech reliance

China's warehouse robots set to ease Japan's logistics crunch

U.S. Techstars CEO eyes Japan as Asia's hub for accelerating startups

WAR

SDF to soften hairstyle rules as recruit shortage worsens

[All Politics is Global] Escalating Russia-North Korea Arms Trade a Critical Security Threat

Tweet:Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 

Yet, we see war risk insurance has gone from 0.02% to almost 1 %, except for Chinese ships which is at 0.35%.

We also see a reduction in ships transiting the Suez from 70 to 39 y/y and in tonnage from 4.7M to 2.0M y/y.

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PHOTOS FOR SHOW 133

Japan Wut 132 "Face in the Machine"

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ON PODCAST 132…

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… We discuss the status of Facial Recognition Technology in Japan, plans for Hydrogen Infrastructure for Japan, and some issues with migration and depopulation from a rational perspective. Strap in! You are living in Interesting Times.

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Show Notes for 132

IT'S OMGWTF!

Half-naked men doused with cold water on mad dash through Japan city in unique festival

SOCIETY 5.0

I tried Japan's first "facial recognition vending machine" | What is the background behind DyDo Drinko's development?

保育現場の膨大な手作業を自動化する「顔認証AI解錠システム」（BCN） - Yahoo!ニュース (Facial Recognition)

SUPPLY CHAIN

Japan to spur clean hydrogen production with $20bn in subsidies

U.S.-led Indo-Pacific supply chain deal to take effect on Feb. 24 ｜ Kyodo News

DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION

Osaka nursery going extra mile to stop Vietnamese kids falling behind

From violence to cost, Japanese egg farmer cites problems with foreign trainee program

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PHOTOS FOR 132

Japan Wut 127 "Dedollaring Now"

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ON PODCAST 127…

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… We discuss China’s advancements into brain warfare, how the dedollarization movement is affecting the weakened Japanese Yen, and a “Eet Ze Bugs” company that is shutting down operations (VICTORY!).

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SHOW NOTES EP. 127

NEW IDEA

Growing Food on the Moon Using Asteroid Soil

CHINA

China developing 'brain warfare' tech with devices that make you sleep and thought-controlled weapons

DEDOLLAR

Yuan Overtakes Yen For 4th Place In Global Payments

De-dollarization: 95% of the trade between China and Russia didn’t use the US dollar

De-Dollarization Kicks Into High Gear - Chinese Yuan Hit Record High, Overtook Japanese Yen As 4th Most Used Currency
China's De-Dollarization Efforts and the Shifting Dynamics in the Global Banking Industry

EAT THE BUGS

The company that sparked the ``edible crickets'' boom ends its ``pet brand'' 1 year and 9 months after establishment... ``It's so sad''

Grillas (Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture), which sells edible crickets, has announced that it will discontinue its brand ``Cricket Research Institute'' for pets, aquatic and livestock animals on January 25th.

The background is "recurring high raw material prices and poor breeding of insects for food"

　The company is a venture company originating from Tokushima University that develops and produces edible crickets. In the past, `` Cricket Rice Crackers '' made with ``Cricket Powder'' developed by the company were sold at ``Muji'', and school lunches using ``Cricket Powder'' were provided in Tokushima Prefecture, creating a buzz. . The Cricket Research Institute will open in April 2022. In addition to "cricket powder," we have been selling food for pets and aquatic and livestock animals on our online site, including "frozen crickets," "dried crickets," and live "live crickets." On January 17, 2024, the brand's official X (Twitter) announced the end of the brand, saying, ``As of January 25, 2024, we will be closing the Cricket Research Institute official online shop.'' It is said that the shipment of crickets ended on January 19th, and the reason for the termination was that ``the repeated high prices of raw materials and poor breeding of insects for food could not be absorbed by corporate efforts to cut costs.'' In response to the sudden closure announcement, users expressed their regrets, saying, ``I'm so sad,'' ``Thank you very much for your help,'' and ``Thank you for the many crickets.''

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Photos for 127

Japan Wut 114 "Surveilling Surveillance"

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ON THIS INSTALLMENT…

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… We deliver our boots on the ground report from Japan’s biggest tech event — CEATEC. We also analyze some of the Israel/Gaza war protests that are occurring in Japan, plus an investigation into Japan’s menopausal women engaging in the costly act of “Doctor Shopping”. Strap in! It’s only getting weirder from here. Just look around you.

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Notes for Show 114

HIGH NOT HIGH

• What causes menopausal women in Japan to go 'doctor shopping'?

NEW PRODUCT

• In Japan 1st, cash register-free 'walk through' food store to open in Yokohama

WAR

• 'Stop the war!': 300 protest in Fukuoka against attacks on Gaza

• NHK reporters in the Gaza Strip detail ongoing horrors | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

• S Korea, U.S. and Japan hold first-ever trilateral aerial exercise in face of N Korean threats

• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russia’s top diplomat in Pyongyang

SOCIETY 5.0

• Editorial: Poor data management led to 9 million info leak cases at Japan telecom firm

• Railway firms turn to AI to shake up lost property search

• AI capable of conversation, labor on display at trade show

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PHOTOS FOR SHOW 114 — INCLUDING CONTENT FROM SEATEC 2023

Japan Wut 104 "Boomerang Block"

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ON THIS INSTALLMENT…

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… Matt discusses a Japanese wearable air conditioner, and does a deep dive on Japan’s mortality rates, the current effects the response to Covid (which is coming back) is having on the economy and bug bullies in Ehime.

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EP. 104 SHOWNOTES

NEW PRODUCT

• Wearable air conditioner belt

COVID

• Experts urge caution as new coronavirus 'variant of interest' takes hold in Japan
  (SEE PHOTO FOR EXCESS DEATHS)

ECONOMY

• More small and midsize firms going bankrupt post pandemic

• Japan's 4-yr spending on COVID, inflation relief hit 68.5 tril. yen

• Pensioners' share of spending hits nearly 40% of total in Japan

• Another Blow To The Petrodollar: India & The UAE Complete First Oil Sale In Rupees

Japan and the World

• Japan, South Korea, U.S. Strengthen Trilateral Cooperation

• Biden Speaks at Press Conference 1

• Biden Speaks at Press Conference 2 

(Note: See Photos for Rockefeller's "Operation Lock Step" Document)

CHINA

• Shanghai ports export over 1 mln automobiles in January-July

EAT THE BUGS

• "Boss Forces 'Insect Rice' and Violence, Depression Ensues... Active Firefighter Testifies Seeking Recognition of Workplace Harassment"

  "Cases of Workplace Harassment Proliferate in Fire Departments Across Ehime Prefecture. Firefighters, who are seeking recognition of workplace harassment, have spoken about the realities of their workplaces, where they are coerced into eating insects by their superiors, among other issues."

A male firefighter in his 20s, employed at the Kumakogen Town Fire Department.

Male Firefighter:

"If you refuse, you get scolded. It's a constant state of being, so it was difficult."

The workplace involves 24-hour shifts, preparing for deployments with members of the same team. Meals are taken together with superiors and colleagues, he says.

Last October, during a mealtime, his superior brought out insect food.

"He sprinkled it on the rice like seasoning and said, 'If I eat this, it's not harassment.' He ate a spoonful and then pushed the rest onto me..."

He says he was forcefully made to eat insects like crickets and silkworms, which are commercially available for consumption.

"There were other staff members around, but nobody could go against that superior, so we reluctantly watched with smiles. It didn't taste good, it was unpleasant, and I refused, saying 'I don't want to,' but I was told to 'eat it,' so I reluctantly did."

Insect consumption is gaining attention as a potential solution to future concerns about food shortages. However, many people have reservations, and experts point out the following:

Professor Keimi Oda, Faculty of Law and Letters, Ehime University, who specializes in labor issues:

"If eating insects is not reasonably necessary for job-related purposes, it could be considered harassment. Regarding the relationship between the workplace, the municipal government as the employer, and the employees, there may be a potential issue of violating the obligation of safety considerations."

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PHOTOS FOR SHOW 104

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Japan Wut 96 "AI Lingerie"

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ON THIS INSTALLMENT…

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… Matt discusses Japanese AI Lingerie fails, a WEF Report on Women’s Brains in Japan, and how super-technical Japan is full of bellyflops when it comes to paperless infrastructure.

For photos and additional content, go to the Official Website.

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Links Related to Show 96

• Japan’s “just-born” AI-generated swimsuit/lingerie model’s career/existence is officially over

• Japan's wholesale prices up 5.1% in May; slowest rise in 2 years

• Japan faces headwinds in drawing foreign workers despite visa change

• U.S., Taiwan, Japan drone fleets to share real-time data: report

• Subscribe to read | Financial Times

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• Japan Awards Kawasaki Heavy Industries $243 Million Contract for Homegrown Version of Tomahawk Missile

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• Individual shown wrong person's pension info on Japan's 'My Number' portal site (CHECK PHOTOS FOR ADDITIONAL HEADLINES)

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• Toyota puts liquid hydrogen-powered car into 24-hour race

• Where’s the Demand for the Chinese Yuan?

• Toyota puts liquid hydrogen-powered car into 24-hour race

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