JAPAN WUT PODCAST 182 "AI HOLE IN THE WALL"

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ON PODCAST 182

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Who goes to Ikea on a Japan vacation? Can Japan escape the G7 supply chain woes? What does the future of the Japanese convenience store look like?

Show Notes

JAPAN

Harassment by boss top reason for job leavers to turn to Tokyo quitting agency: survey

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Japanese company denies making Hezbollah's exploding walkie-talkies

SOCIETY 5.0

No one is on board...! Japan's first successful experiment in "unmanned" jet skis

Lawson and KDDI's "convenience store of the future" is now fully operational, with AI cameras on the shelves and robots stocking the shelves, aiming to address labor shortages and other issues

Japanese convenience store plans to increase shoppers’ phone data capacity just for visiting

Kyoto City introduces AI camera system to detect when infants are sleeping face down to prevent suffocation and sudden death

Measures to ease traffic congestion at Miyajimaguchi: AI cameras to broadcast congestion status online in November in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima

Tobu Railway and Hitachi to introduce "biometric authentication" at 100 locations including hotels and trains

Osaka Gas Network operates gas pipe patrol services on Shinki bus routes. AI cameras improve productivity and safety quality

Japan’s NVIDIA-backed Sakana AI raises $214m

DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION

UNIQLO Founder Stirs Heated Debate on What's Best for Japan's Workforce of the Future

Japan Wut 168 "WORKER IN THE MACHINE"

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ON PODCAST 168

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What will you do when you go to work and there are AI employees in the computers? Can we trust megacorps to centralize everything? How many AI cameras has your company installed?

Show Notes

SOCIETY 5.0

Today, Lattice Makes History and Leads the Way in Responsible Employment of AI

Cameras and image AI detect dangerous behavior of workers to realize a "safe and secure smart factory"

Hakata Station Building uses AI to detect violence and falls by analyzing security camera footage

Shimizu Corporation's Building OS and Idein's edge AI device operation platform collaborate to popularize smart buildings

NEC introduces facial recognition "digital employee ID cards" for 20,000 employees. What changes will they bring?

[All-Facial Recognition Apartment] Versclesia IDZ Asakusa Residential Condominium Units Sold Out

Facial recognition platform "FreeiD" now installed in over 100 apartment buildings

Tamagawa Village conducts third "cashless hands-free" demonstration project, using facial recognition to pay for local gift certificates (Hitachi)

Aeon Retail becomes the first in the world to introduce edge AI to its employee customer service training. The rate of smiling and greeting employees has increased by 1.6 times.

Japan Wut 164 "AUTONOMOUS CURRENCIES" (Copy)

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ON PODCAST 164

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Show Notes

Self-Driving Car startups are seeing massive cash injections in Japan, but can they deliver the goods? The BRICS plan on launching a new blockchain-gold-backed currency, called the UNIT. What does this mean for Japan and the G7 Economy, which is hellbent on minority issues and riding the tailcoats of its past?

DEPOPULATION

Meiji Yasuda Life to extend retirement age to 70 amid labor shortage

SOCIETY 5.0

Aichi Prefecture to start regular operation of self-driving vehicles in Nagoya City from October

Autonomous driving venture Turing raises additional 1.5 billion yen, total amount to 6 billion yen, to be used for development of computing infrastructure

Kajima and SoftBank subsidiary to operate Level 4 autonomous bus, first private company to do so

DEDOLLAR/BITCOIN

BRICS will have its own currency

Japan Wut 157 "AI CAMERAS RISING"

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ON PODCAST 157

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As Japan opens its doors to the world, the tech sector pushes ahead with crucial AI systems, but will the idealists bring it all crashing down?

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Show Notes

JAPAN

Hotels put up 13 million foreign guests across Japan in April

SGOTW

Chinese man suspected of spray-painting word 'toilet' at Yasukuni Shrine

SOCIETY 5.0

Apple to allow iPhones to function as My Number cards

"Facial recognition ticket gates" that are not experimental have finally been launched -- QR tickets also introduced on the Yamaman Yukarigaoka Line

Nihon University School of Dentistry to use facial recognition to manage attendance -- Marubeni Information Systems and others aim for early commercialization

TIGEREYE releases "Face Pass Stress Checker," a health management tool that uses facial recognition technology

AI cameras enable "unmanned" video distribution of local sports! Ishigaki City and NTT West Japan enter into a partnership agreement / Business Catchy

Tonami City receives emails about bears spotted in plains area, holds emergency meeting, strengthens surveillance with AI cameras

<Original> Autonomous driving on public roads to be planned and operated at 100 locations in FY2014 to be clearly stated

EAT THE BUGS

Defeat shrimp. A new type of snack called "Cricket-san Arare" is here!

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Japan Wut Podcast 150 "Diversity Japan"

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ON PODCAST 150

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Japan’s top-down strategies that insist on diversity in the country, Japan’s role in the Supply Chain Wars, and how Japan could get caught up in the Dedollarization Movement.

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Show Notes

ODD JAPANESE ITEM

Water-absorbing, quick-drying umbrella holder

JAPAN

Sony, Nature magazine create award for female researchers

Seniors 75 and older top 20 million in Japan for the first time

'Understanding systemic discrimination' new students' 1st homework: U. of Tokyo president

Kishida secures $2.9 bil investment from Microsoft

Japan's elderly population living alone to jump 47% by 2050

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Southern island worries it will host long-range missiles

Phl, Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement May Be Signed By Yearend – Envoy | OneNews.PH

Russian and China warn NATO to stay out of Asia

Russia to hold talks with North Korea on increasing quota for DPRK students

Japan will prove a worthy collaborator with AUKUS

NATO and a Taiwan contingency

DEDOLLAR/BITCOIN

US deficit poses ‘significant risks’ to global economy, warns IMF

DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION

Meitetsu Bus joins hands with central Japan city to train foreign bus drivers
Japan's population falls below 125 mil; down for 13th straight year

CHINA

US, Vietnam fear Cambodia’s China-backed canal could serve military goals

China Confirms It’s Building a 4th Aircraft Carrier—and the Tables Are Turning

China is moving towards full monetary independence

NORTH KOREA

North Korea can use gene-editing tech to craft military bioweapons, US warns

GREEN JAPAN

Sumitomo Electric Unveils New Material Made from Recycled CO2 and Metal

Hitachi Zosen Leads Decarbonization of Shipping Industry with Green Methanol Technology

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Japan Wut 149 "FUN CARBON FOOTPRINT"

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ON PODCAST 149

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Review of a new Japan paper detailing rising cancer rates in Japan post-Covid Jab, Self-Driving Buses in Japan, and Making Your Carbon FootPrint “FUN” at the Osaka Expo!

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Show Notes

ODD NEWS

World's 1st recycled diapers go on sale at stores in southwest Japan

COVID

Increased Age-Adjusted Cancer Mortality After the Third mRNA-Lipid Nanoparticle Vaccine Dose During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan

SOCIETY 5.0

Japan eyes launch of new dialogue framework on int'l AI regulations

Fujitsu Given Guidance over My Number System Problem - JIJI PRESS

Japan's first "maximum speed on general roads" autonomous driving level 4 bus to be realized No driver required, finally 60 km driving OK

Water DX ~ Health check of water pipes using artificial satellites and AI 

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 opens across the city on April 27 | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Press Preview Reveals Exciting Sustainable Technological Innovations

JR East to offer online banking, capitalize on reward points

NTT's new generative AI platform able to parse diagrams, charts

SDF begins Tomahawk missile training for FY2025 deployment

Yomiuri Shimbun, NTT Announce Joint Proposal on Shaping Generative AI

Microsoft to invest $2.9 bil. in Japan to enhance AI data centers

United States and Japan Announce Two New University-Corporate AI Partnerships Worth $110 Million

Carbon Footprint Management System

Going Green at Osaka Expo: New App Makes Reducing Your Carbon Footprint Fun

Oracle to invest $8 bil in Japan to respond to growing AI demand

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Photos

Japan Wut 148 "MICHAEL YON IN JAPAN"

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ON PODCAST 148

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One of the world’s top War Correspondents, Michael Yon (X), joins the Japan Wut Podcast to talk about the anti-WHO Pandemic Treaty rallies in Japan, and how his analysis of being in the Darien Gap, the Netherlands, Germany, Hong Kong and more applies to Japan’s current situation. Michael Yon has written a series of books to help the Japanese public understand modern day information war. He’s not in Japan to only view the cherry blossoms, folks. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

Michael Yon’s Books HERE

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PHOTOS

Japan Wut 147 "AMMO FOR AI"

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ON PODCAST 147

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Japan startup aims to overtake Tesla in the EV game, China escalates the Supply Chain War with more Blockchain Payments, and Japan is getting sucked deeper into the US’ Military Industrial Complex. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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Show Notes

SOCIETY 5.0

OpenAI to open its first Asia office in Tokyo this month

Japan Rad develops "deepfake detection system"--provides beta version for companies

Next up is mass production of fully self-driving EVs from Japan, surpassing Tesla.

Tokyo bets big on hydrogen with moves to boost commercial fuel cell vehicles

AWS invests $15bn into Japan's data ecosystem amidst AI boom

CHINA

China launches Blockchain project for Belt and Road initiative

Cambodia getting a China-backed, game-changing canal

China Bets Big on Military AI

China: Cosco and China Shipping merger plan receives Beijing approval

Chinese textile industry's growing innovation capacity help unleash new opportunities in global market

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Japan designates 5 airports, 11 seaports for use by SDF, JCG

Japan needs 'hulls in the water' to defend Red Sea: Armitage report

AUKUS weighs expanding security pact with Japan to deter China, FT says

Upgrade eyed for U.S. Forces Japan commander: sources

U.S. experts urge revamp of military command architecture with Japan

STRANGE

Debt-laden Tokyo woman lured into overseas prostitution describes abuse by clients

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PHOTOS

Japan Wut 144 "Woven City"

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ON PODCAST 144

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Japan’s Computer Vision Companies, Underwater Drone Collaborations, and North Korean IT workers infiltrating Japanese companies ahead of China’s possible war on Taiwan. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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Show Notes

NEW PRODUCTS

Honda Unveils Japan's First Plug-In Rechargeable Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

Hydrogen vehicle filling station opens at former Tokyo Olympics site

JAPAN BUSINESS

75% unaware of gov't measures on 140-year job to replace Japan's aging water pipes: poll

SOCIETY 5.0

株式会社TIGEREYE

Local governments supporting elderly by promoting cashless payment systems

From Driverless Cars To Smart Homes: Inside Japan's Futuristic Woven City By Toyota

Japan Airlines starts drone service in remote areas for disasters

Japan, Australia to conduct study on underwater drones

Japan's Defense Ministry looks into photonics for drone warfare

FEATURE: Local gov'ts supporting elderly by promoting cashless payment systems

Japan, ASEAN to launch joint QR code payment services in FY2025

NORTH KOREA

North Korean IT workers impersonating Japanese nationals to secure jobs: Tokyo

Kim Jong Un lauds tank unit's history of invading Seoul in headquarters visit

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PHOTOS

Japan Wut 142 "AI Agencies"

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ON PODCAST 142

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The rising use cases of AI for cultural and political soft power, a WEF Death Cult Economist gets his Japanese booze ad pulled, and Japan pushes to adopt ammonia as a green resource. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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Show Notes

OMGWTF

Want to spruce up your bike helmet? Switch over to Oshare-heru

JAPAN BUSINESS

Economist who advocated mass suicide pulled from Kirin ad

TOWARDS EQUALITY: Mercari official deciphers unexplained pay gap

SOCIETY 5.0

Japan prof. probes strengths, weaknesses of rapidly evolving AI translation: interview

AI supercharges threat of disinformation in a big year for elections globally

New AI tools can record your medical appointment or draft a message from your doctor

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

4 firms plan first ammonia-fueled ammonia carrier ship

Japan's JERA, IHI to test ammonia as fuel at coal power plant

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PHOTOS

Japan Wut 141 "AI Love in Normie Land"

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ON PODCAST 141…

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The AI Sector gets weird in Japan’s Normie World, Tokyo metro to setup new missile shelter, and facial recognition continues to expand in Japan’s medical fields. Strap in, you are living in Interesting Times.

Show Notes

ODD

Tokyo to create missile shelter in Azabu-Juban subway station  

JAPAN BUSINESS

BOJ discusses an end to negative interest rates

Honda Unveils Japan's First Plug-In Rechargeable Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

Pushed into corner, Yamaha set to return to domestic production

SOCIETY 5.0

Artificial intelligence generates sentences from messages received...Yu Kashii reads out an unstoppable ``love AI novel'' JN

Ishikawa/Kaga City completes admission to hospitals using MynaCard and facial recognition JN

My Number Card: Experience the use of insurance cards using facial recognition at a shopping mall

CHINA

Chinese Scientists Implant First Pig Liver Into Brain-Dead Human

China building giant hypersonic railgun for space launches

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Xinhua Commentary: China-Europe rail route stabilizes global supply chains amid turmoil

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PHOTOS

Japan Wut 140 "Logistics Sharing"

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ON PODCAST 140…

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The “Eat the Bugs” Market is failing in Japan, BRICS’ De-dollarisation campaign is affecting Japan, and Japan is facing its own internal Supply Chain War. Strap in — You are living in Interesting Times.

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Show Notes

OMGWTF

Japan-bound US plane makes safe emergency landing in LA after losing tire on takeoff

EAT THE BUGS

High school students develop eco-friendly feed using crickets; UN-recommended protein source for chickens

Eating crickets is at a crossroads due to headwinds; high hopes, deep-rooted resistance / Aichi

DEDOLLAR/BITCOIN

Kremlin Reveals Plans to Create a "Politics-Free" BRICS Blockchain-Based Payments System

Report: Japan's E-Commerce Giant Mercari to Accept BTC Payments

U.S. embrace of remote working empties offices, weighs on banks

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

``Logistics sharing'' that breaks common sense: 42 companies from different industries collaborate

SOCIETY 5.0

New ride-sharing service to start in Osaka this fall, to be rolled out nationwide in 2025

Now is our chance to govern AI for women’s empowerment

Tokyo startup looks to AI to boost gastrointestinal cancer detection

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PHOTOS

Japan Wut 137 "AI Chocolate Starfish"

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ON PODCAST 137…

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A Survey About Japanese Excrement, Innovations in Medical AI Tech, and how Japanese youngsters are seeking opportunity abroad.

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SHOW NOTES

IT'S OMGWTF!

People in Japan more worried about smell of others' excrement than their own: survey

SOCIETY 5.0

AI system supports diagnosis of intractable and rare diseases, free website now available

口座開設、マイナ搭載スマホで完結　25年夏までに - 日本経済新聞

Japan firms look to AI to bolster disaster prevention and mitigation

Uber starts delivering food in Tokyo, solving delivery manpower shortage with robots

JAPAN BUSINESS

Shoma moved from Japan to Sydney for a working holiday, but instead he found a financial bonanza

CHINA

BYD expands Japan exposure with more EV models, dealership network

BYD to launch new EV in Japan yearly through 2026 to gain foothold

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Japan Wut 136 "Water From Air"

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ON PODCAST 136…

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… We look at how the weaponization of the US Dollar is affecting Japan, the Supply Chain Wars and Japan’s place in securing supply and demand, and Japanese robots made out of meat. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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Show Notes

DEDOLLAR

BRICS states ditch USD in 95% of Trade

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Most Japan fishing groups hit by China import ban over Fukushima row

U.S.-led Indo-Pacific deal on supply chain resilience takes effect

Japan diversifying seafood export destinations after China ban

Shipping insurance rates soar on Red Sea missile attacks

How China is Tightening its Noose on Critical Minerals

Japan's Defense Ministry hosts Singapore Airshow display for 1st time

SOCIETY 5.0

Researchers Create Two-Legged Robot Powered by Muscle Tissue

Flying Vehicle Company Signs Deal With Drone Maker

Egypt to manufacture ‘KuSui’ device to generate water from air with Japanese technology

FANUC Iberia Office Expansion in Spain – Strengthening FANUC’s Business in Europe

FANUC Applications / Fanuc Robot Video 1 / Fanuc Robot Video 2

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PHOTOS EP. 136

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Robot Videos

Japan Wut 135 "Kyushu AI"

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ON PODCAST 135…

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… We deep dive on Facial Recognition Tech in Kyushu, Japan re-emerging as a chip hub, and how China’s scorched-earth policy in its real-estate market could be part of the Supply Chain Wars. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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TOPIC LIST

IT'S OMGWTF!

Watch that melted during atomic blast over Hiroshima sells for more than $31,000

SOCIETY 5.0

Marubeni tests facial recognition payments on local transportation on Kumamoto city streetcars

Trial/NEC collaboration “face recognition” demonstration experiment

Facial recognition cash register is efficient as you can pay by looking into the camera for 1-2 seconds...Trial HD and NEC

Facial recognition for unmanned hotels Hotels are opening one after another in central Miyazaki City

JAPAN BUSINESS

Japanese investors raise a glass to Nikkei record

Outbound tourism still low after COVID-19, inbound recovers

CHINA

China's central bank buys 10 tonnes of gold, extending its buying spree to 15 straight months

China to spend US$1 billion to revamp Tanzania-Zambia railway to move minerals

Is the CCP Deliberately Undermining China's Economy?

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photos

Japan Wut 134 "AI Infrastructure"

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ON PODCAST 134…

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… We discuss new uses of Facial Recognition and QR Codes in Japan, the Last Naked Man Festival in Japan, and the importance of Localizing AI Infrastructure. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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Show Notes Ep. 134

IT'S OMGWTF!

Japan's horrible opinion titles

SOCIETY 5.0

Public servant uses QR codes for safety on Tokyo subway system

A Conversation with the Founder of NVIDIA: Who Will Shape the Future of AI?

Sanyodo Shoten Toyota store opens unmanned at night, adopts facial recognition, opens 24 hours, plans to open 5 stores by March next year

DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION

Japan to boost child allowances to tackle falling birthrate

88-year-old woman arrested for dangerous driving after hitting 3 children

1,000-Year-Old ‘Naked Men’ Festival Held for the Last Time

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PHOTOS EP. 134

Japan Wut 131 "AI BabySitters"

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ON PODCAST 131…

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… We discuss Japan’s crazy business numbers, AI Babysitters for Japanese Cars, and Edible Cricket businesses that are declaring bankruptcy (VICTORY!).

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SHOW NOTES EP. 131

IT'S OMGWTF!

Undersea wine aging hoped to boost southwestern Japan island economy

JAPAN BUSINESS

SoftBank Group marks return to profit as it cuts Vision Fund losses

Japan's total debt swells to record ¥1,286.45 tril in 2023

SOCIETY 5.0

Japan firms unveil prototype model of robots that can babysit in car

AI 2.0: Japan Opens Up the Tomorrow of Solving Social Issues | Japan Insight - Investing in Japan - Japan External Trade Organization

DEDOLLAR

TUCKER PUTIN (INTERVIEW EXCERPT)

EAT THE BUGS

bankrupt The group's edible cricket farming business is sluggish Total debt: 242.9 million yen

A cricket farming venture goes bankrupt less than three years after its founding .

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PHOTOS EP. 131

Japan Wut 128 "Smart City"

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ON PODCAST 128…

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… We discuss the weirdness of everyone including Japan lambasting China and then funding it with business ventures, how drones will be used by Japanese fighter pilots with AI, and updates in the Supply Chain Wars and how that affects Japan. Strap in — You are living in interesting times.

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Show Notes for 128

JAPAN

Japan business leaders return to China seeking to bolster cooperation

Japan exports surge 10% in December on strong demand for autos, revived trade with China

SOCIETY 5.0

Japan, US agree on AI research for drones to assist new fighter jet

What is the “smart city vision” that Hitachi, Ltd. is aiming for through co-creation with Hitachi City?

Entrusted with an R&D Project for the Cabinet Office's Problem-solving Program "Bridge"

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Red Sea crisis pressures China's exporters as shipping delays, costs mount

China orders Japanese fishing boat to leave Senkaku waters

Mysterious new Chinese carrier emerges to capitalise on risky Red Sea trades

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ (Supply Chain News Headlines)

How Will the Houthi Attacks on Commercial Ships Impact India and Japan?

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Photos for Show 128

Japan Wut 126 "AI Davos Robots"

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ON PODCAST 125…

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… We discuss a bevy of new AI products, Japan at Davos’ WEF forum, and a new document penned by Ret. Gen. Brig. Robert Spalding (USAF) that elaborates on how to counter China’s rise in the systems of the West, despite the West allowing them in.
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SHOW NOTES EP. 126

NEW PRODUCT

Japan’s biggest ham company is making “tuna” that contains neither ham nor fish

JAPAN

Elon Musk's Starlink helps communications in quake-hit central Japan

Japan probe lands on Moon in precision touchdown mission

Japan bankruptcies surge in 2023, topping 8,000

SOCIETY 5.0

Davos 2024: Japanese Monetary Authority to adopt India's digital payment models says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Amazon to invest 2 tril. yen in Japan's cloud business amid AI boom

Robots key to new ways of farming as labor shortage looms | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Yokohama library system introduces Japan-1st AI book search

Tokyo bakery, NEC team up to give rise to AI-based 'love bread'

Int'l agreement reached on Japan-proposed rules for flying telecommunication bases

Kono Taro at WEF 2024

WAR

Japan, NATO weigh a dedicated line for sharing security information

Red Sea attacks already bigger issue for supply chain than pandemic, maritime advisory warns

A New Approach: Countering China’s War without Rules

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PHOTOS FOR 126

Japan Wut 124 "Moonshot Weather"

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ON THIS INSTALLMENT…

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… We discuss Japan’s Moonshot Program to Control the Weather by 2050, the Phillippines as a flashpoint for war in the Indo-Pacific, and Singapore’s decision to allow tourists to use China’s CBDC (Dedollarization).

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Show Notes for Episode 124

NEW JAPANESE TREND

• Character for tax (税) picked as kanji of 2023 

JAPAN NEWS

• All 47 prefectures to have same-sex partnership systems in 2024

• Fukushima nuclear plant worker exposed to radiation

• USJ roller coaster suddenly stops, leaving passengers suspended in the air for over an hour

SOCIETY 5.0

• Moonshot Reseach and Development Program - Science, Technology and Innovation- Cabinet Office Home Page

• Moonshot R&D｜Program｜Goal8 Controlling and modifying the weather

• Driverless buses could be running on public roads by year-end

• Coming Soon: Your Travel Will Be Restricted By Personal Carbon Allowances

• Japan to introduce electronic arrest warrants, interrogation records

• Toyota's "Hydrogen Sharing Network" May Let You Fill Up Your Car At Home

• What is carbon capture and why does it keep coming up at COP28?

• Japan digital minister hints at move to make 'My Number' ID cards mandatory

• ANA Holdings, Joby partner with Nomura Real Estate Development for vertiports in Japan

DEDOLLAR

• china-singapore-let-each-others-tourists-pay-digital-yuan-beijing-seeks-globalise-its-e-cny-currency

EAT THE BUGS

Ecology, launched a nutrition bar containing crickets that promotes health benefits by containing iron and zinc.

https://bio.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/news/p1/23/12/06/11381/

Ecology (Shinjuku, Tokyo, CEO Seiya Ashikari), which produces food ingredients using edible crickets, announced on December 6, 2023 that it will release a new nutrition bar containing cricket powder. A press briefing was held. The company's crickets contain high amounts of iron and zinc, and the company promotes the health benefits of these ingredients. On the same day, the company also announced that it had confirmed that cricket powder promotes the immunostimulating effect of lactic acid bacteria, and expressed its intention to focus on developing products with immunostimulating effects in the future.

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Photos for show 124