Matt Bigelow

music, podcasts, and recordings from tokyo

Podcasts and self-produced music from Tokyo. AI trends from Tokyo, Asia News Analysis, Odd Japanese Items, and documenting the rising conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.

Filtering by Tag: Tokyo Podcast

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 200 "A.I. HAPPY POINTS"

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 199 "THE EMPIRE'S EDGE"

What is Japan’s current position in the Supply Chain Wars? How will Japan handle the influx of millions of AI Agents in the workforce? Can Japan develop its own Self-Driving Systems?


SHOW NOTES

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Hill hearing explores network of China-controlled ports as security threat

China builds space alliances in Africa as Trump cuts foreign aid

Ghana and China (from Grok)

  • Infrastructure Investments: China has financed significant infrastructure projects in Ghana, often through loans and barter agreements. For example, the Bui Dam, Ghana’s second-largest hydroelectric plant, was constructed by Sinohydro through a barter loan involving cocoa exports. China’s Export-Import Bank provided a USD 562 million loan for the USD 622 million project. Other projects include telecommunication networks, highways, water supply expansions, and schools in Accra.

  • Rail and Road Development: A USD 6 billion concessionary loan from the China Export-Import Bank is being used to extend Ghana’s rail network, including the 17 km Ofankor-Nsawam road (completed in 2009 with a USD 28 million interest-free loan) and landing sites for fishing communities (USD 99 million interest-free loan).

  • Mining and Bauxite Deals: China has invested in Ghana’s mining sector, particularly in bauxite, through deals that exchange infrastructure development for mining rights. These investments have led to significant environmental and social concerns, including deforestation and water pollution in areas like the Atewa forest.

  • Total Investments: By 2014, Chinese investments in Ghana reached USD 1.6 billion, with cumulative investments from 2008 to 2015 totaling USD 2.2 billion. Most investments focus on manufacturing, construction, tourism, trading, and services, with building and construction emerging as major recipients.

Owner Of US Defense Contractor Making Fighter Jet, Missile Parts Listed As Chinese Intel Agency Official

Taiwan plans investment and trade center in Fukuoka

SOCIETY 5.0

How can the president of a black company become invincible by acquiring an "AI agent"?

Hackers Using AI Agents To Validate Stolen Credit Cards

SoftBank app SureTalk turns sign language into text

AI agent developed by University of Tokyo startup Tou to streamline construction work

The advent of the "Sales 3.0" era: Algomatic's AI agents will change the future of sales

Napkin AI reinvents the design agency: 4 AI agents generate professional-grade graphics in 5 seconds

Pitch deck for startup that turns existing security cameras into AI agents that successfully raised 2 billion yen [Exclusive Release

Colega AI, an AI agent for restaurants, raises funds and enters the Japanese market in earnest

"Face Recognition System FACEmaⓇ Management Box Series Key Management Box Model," jointly developed with Obayashi Corporation, will be available for rental from February 12, 2025

Migaro Holdings aims to expand its facial recognition service overseas

AI-based medical interviews begin at Kurobe Municipal Hospital, reducing the burden on both doctors and patients

Tuyen Quang Provincial Public Security Department Announces Launch of AI Security System "AI Security asilla" in Detention Centers and Prison Facilities

BYD, China's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced that it will equip all of its vehicles with cutting-edge autonomous driving systems.

Nihon Kotsu and Tier IV begin collecting driving data across Tokyo for AI development

"Autonomous vehicle 'priority lane'" finally installed on Shin-Tomei Expressway in March, tested in left lane at night

Business opportunities inside self-driving cars! Development of concierge AI and special seats progresses

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 198 "YOUR A.I. AGENT COMETH"

How will AI agents flooding the corporations affect the way we work? Can Japan’s small scale startups compete? What do we know about China’s new secret submarine’s role in the Supply Chain War?

SHOW NOTES

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

New Unreported Submarine In China Leaves West Guessing

Panama: Will not renew agreement with China on Belt and Road initiative

Trump says the US will take over the Gaza Strip

Greenland PM calls election with Trump pressure mounting

Exclusive: Japan weighs Alaska LNG pipeline pledge to win Trump's favour


JAPAN SOCIETY 5.0

OpenAI and SoftBank Group partner to provide cutting-edge enterprise AI "Crystal Intelligence" in Japan, ahead of the rest of the world

JetBrains also announced "Junie," an AI agent that codes autonomously.

Geniee Group company JAPAN AI Co., Ltd. starts offering AI agent "Slide Creation Assistant"

"Rimo Voice" becomes a meeting AI agent

AVILEN starts offering a highly accurate document processing AI agent, aiming to significantly reduce manual work and improve productivity

SoftBank Group plans to deploy hundreds of millions of AI agents -- new business with OpenAI and enterprise AI

OpenAI chief Altman signs deal with S Korea's Kakao after DeepSeek upset

Open House Real Estate to introduce DXYZ's facial recognition platform "FreeiD" for its first all-facial recognition apartment building

DXYZ of the Migaro Group introduces FreeiD facial recognition to apartments in Fukuoka

Prefectural police to introduce AI camera analysis at all 18 police stations in the new fiscal year to quickly process huge amounts of footage

Gunma Prefecture FY2025 Budget Proposal: Safety - AI-based camera footage analysis

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 182 "AI HOLE IN THE WALL"

Japan Wut 168 "WORKER IN THE MACHINE"

Japan Wut 164 "AUTONOMOUS CURRENCIES" (Copy)


ON PODCAST 164

DONATE: PAYPAL.ME/JAPANWUT

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"



Japan Wut Podcast 150 "Diversity Japan"


ON PODCAST 150

DONATE: PAYPAL.ME/JAPANWUT

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


Japan Wut 149 "FUN CARBON FOOTPRINT"


ON PODCAST 149

DONATE: PAYPAL.ME/JAPANWUT

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


Photos

Japan Wut 148 "MICHAEL YON IN JAPAN"


ON PODCAST 148

DONATE: PAYPAL.ME/JAPANWUT

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"


ON PODCAST 147

DONATE: PAYPAL.ME/JAPANWUT

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


PHOTOS

Japan Wut 144 "Woven City"

Japan Wut 142 "AI Agencies"

Japan Wut 141 "AI Love in Normie Land"

Japan Wut 140 "Logistics Sharing"

Japan Wut 137 "AI Chocolate Starfish"

Japan Wut 136 "Water From Air"



PHOTOS EP. 136


Robot Videos

Japan Wut 135 "Kyushu AI"

Japan Wut 134 "AI Infrastructure"

Japan Wut 131 "AI BabySitters"

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