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 187 "GPS SLIPPERS"

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ON PODCAST 187

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What are the benefits of transplanting pig organs into human fetuses in Japan? Why is Hiroshima introducing self-driving ships? Where are Japan's eco-youth activists getting their ideas?

SHOW NOTES

Youths argue for right to live on safe planet in climate suit against Japan firms

Japan launches flagship H3 rocket carrying defense satellite

NUCLEAR

Reactor in Japan's 2011 disaster area halted just days after restart

SOCIETY 5.0

Japan-1st organ 'xenotransplant' for fetuses with kidney disease proposed by research team

Toyota, NTT to invest $3.3 billion on development of AI platform

Rivasta develops a system that uses facial recognition to control entrance and exit using the technician's own smartphone

Fukuoka greengrocer uses facial recognition to shut out shoplifters

Autonomous driving and platooning BRT demonstration experiment

Kubota increases yields with automated farm machinery, reducing base station position error to 3cm

Eight Knot, a startup developing autonomous ship operation technology, has signed an agreement with Osakikamijima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, to introduce an autonomous passenger and cargo transport service and verify its effectiveness.

India's TCS has thousands of engineers to build AI software for Japan

GPS-equipped shoes that allow AI robots to pinpoint the location of wandering elderly people Promoting the appeal of nursing work

Picking success rate of 94.5%... Toshiba develops new AI technology for logistics robots to automate logistics sites

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Japan gov't-backed agency opens Kyiv office to promote trade, business

Wary of Japan's 'Asian NATO' proposal, neighboring countries stick with web of alternatives to deter China

Japan and EU announce security and defense partnership

CHINA

Chinese navy holds first dual aircraft carrier drills in South China Sea

China says it's ready to launch the next crew to its orbiting space station early Wednesday

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 185 "AI REAPER"

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ON PODCAST 185

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Is it wise to invest in nuclear power and AI? Why did a Japanese funeral home implement a funeral ChatBot for LGBTQ funerals? What will happen to Japan as the BRICS rise?

SHOW NOTES

NUCLEAR

NVIDIA-backed Japan-based Ubitus to build AI data center near nuclear power plant

Japan's oldest reactor OK'd to operate beyond 50 years

SOCIETY 5.0

Toyota Unveils Hydrogen Cartridges, Energy Storage at Japan Mobility Show

Digital wage payments start in Japan via PayPay in cashless drive

Polimill implements specialized AI switching function in production version of generative AI tool for local governments and government ministries

What is data governance? Explaining the difference between data governance and data management, as well as the benefits and points to note for companies

Toyota's top scientist considers applying generative AI to autonomous driving

Pizza Hut releases 130% cheese "AI Pizza" using "Taste AI" to find the golden ratio... "Optimal Taste Solution" The best match for fried oysters is "ponzu"!

Tobu Sports introduces "GYM DX" provided by Opt Fit, an AI surveillance camera for gyms, realizing an unmanned women's gym and establishing a new management model

Nishida Funeral Home introduces the latest AI chatbot to provide 24-hour support for funeral-related questions

DEDOLLAR

BRICS launches demo of its new payment system

Russia to Host Landmark BRICS Summit in Ongoing Bid to Reshape World Order

BRICS is a response to the ‘odious’ Western system – former Pentagon official

Russia & Iran almost fully rely on national currencies in trade – Kremlin

JAPAN WUT PODCAST 183 "AI GOLF DYSTOPIA"

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ON PODCAST 183

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Why is a former race car driver in charge of Japan’s New Capitalism? Where are the laser boats being deployed in the Indo-Pacific? Will Japan’s AI Golf Devices open the genie’s bottle?

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Show Notes

JAPAN

New LDP Leader Ishiba’s Economic Vision Points to Continuity, Tax Reform; Prime Minister-to-Be Hopes to ‘Solidify’ Kishida’s Efforts, Battle Rising Prices

Top Japanese firms pull out from Olympic sponsorships

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

Eyeing 2027 China threat, U.S. deploys laser-equipped ship to Japan

Chinese warship shoots laser at BFAR aircraft

Crew of Vietnamese fishing boat injured in an attack in the South China Sea, state media say

SOCIETY 5.0

Japanese team finds 303 more Nazca geoglyphs through AI tech

Tokyo gov't launches AI dating app to match couples, boost births

Millions of Vehicles Could Be Hacked and Tracked Thanks to a Simple Website Bug

powerline drones

Development of pig weight estimation technology using cable-mounted moving camera and AI (artificial intelligence) - Scabutter® application system -

The military use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow. China is confused.

In an age where AI (artificial intelligence) can find lost items, the burden on commercial facilities has been reduced to the point that "I don't want to do it with paper anymore"

Singapore to implement facial recognition for online banking

WorldCoin introduces facial recognition feature and launches in Guatemala, Poland and Malaysia

Sony and Raspberry Pi jointly develop "AI camera" - we asked both companies about their goals

Japan Bus Association aims for autonomous driving and cashless payments by 2030

WHILL autonomous driving service begins full operation at Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport)

NX Group and Groovenauts use optimization technology to automate air freight consolidation operations, aiming for a 25% reduction in five years

Japan's first ChatGPT-based conversational golf AI device "BirdieTalk" is released. AI provides comprehensive support for your game.

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 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 174 "BATTERY ISLAND"

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ON PODCAST 174

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Is migration to Japan being psyoped? Have you ever seen an AI Camera, even though they are everywhere? If China is so dangerous, why are all of our corporation doing endless amounts of business there?

SHOW NOTES

DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION

Mining atomic bomb material: The remorse of a Congolese asylum seeker in Japan

Japan police make warning flyer in English after 4 foreigners drown

SOCIETY 5.0

"AI Guardman® for Solar Systems" thoroughly protects solar power generation facilities from theft of metal cables, protecting large sites at low cost

Demonstration of "MachiSpo," an initiative aimed at revitalizing local communities through sports digital transformation, begins in Kamitonda Town

Making Aichi a leading city in open innovation. Interview with the CEO of "STATION Ai," Japan's largest startup support center

Valor begins AI automatic ordering for prepared foods using SoftBank's "Sakimil"

Self-driving buses to maintain public transport: Possibilities explored for daily life transportation in Kamaishi

China's self-driving EV "PIX Moving" and Japan's TIS establish joint venture in Tokyo

SUPPLY CHAIN WARS

Japan to open U.S.-inspired defense tech research center in October

Japan floating robo-ships to meet China's sea challenge

Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) on X

Good news, bad news in Japan’s military reawakening

JAPAN WUT 173 "SAYONARA SUCKERS"

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ON PODCAST 173

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What was “New Capitalism” and why was it destined to fail? Why is Japan’s SDF utilizing AI for war? Will ad companies use chatbots to drive sales by targeting lonely women?

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SHOW NOTES

JAPAN

Japan's state debt tops 1,300 tril. yen for 1st time

Kishida championed 'new capitalism' but was undone by yen

SOCIETY 5.0

Academics, startup release AI tool that makes ukiyo-e

https://huggingface.co/spaces/SakanaAI/Evo-Ukiyoe

Tokyo deploys AI to detect fires, collapses for rapid quake response

DEMO - スマートアイランド｜離島と企業の出会いが、日本の未来を変える。

Ministry touts AI as tool to assist SDF members in operation (2 tier ai society)

East Japan city, others collaborate to develop dementia prevention AI service for elderly

https://starley.co.jp/

AI Cotomo Concept Movie

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 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 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 160 "AI COUNTRY SUPERSTARS"

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ON PODCAST 160

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While Japan’s crematoriums are under the influence of Chinese money, Japan rolls out its AI crime prevention technology to Latin America, but is it too late to curb China’s expansion into the Pacific? Meanwhile, AI Country Music might end up as the real winner with a bevy of new Generated Stars.

SHOW NOTES

JAPAN

Kanagawa Prefecture Aikawa Town: Three chicken coops burn down at a chicken farm, killing about 45,000 chickens (神奈川 愛川町 養鶏場で鶏舎３棟焼け約４万５０００羽死ぬ｜NHK 首都圏のニュース)

Chinese money in Japanese Crematoriums) 中国資本傘下の火葬場「東京博善」またも値上げ。東京23区内でシェア7割、商売敵も皆無でやりたい放題かと募る都民の不満 | マネーボイス

SOCIETY 5.0

A Novel Solution to Public Security: Japan’s AI-Based Crime Prediction | The Government of Japan

世界初！ENEOSとPreferred Networksが、AI技術による原油処理装置の自動運転を開始

Self-driving bus crashes after switching to manual mode to overtake Yahiko village

DEDOLLAR

China's Sinopec To Build Gas Pipelines For Saudi Aramco In $1-Billion Deal

CHINA

The Jiangnan military shipyard in #Shanghai is now building the following warships:

• 2 helicopter carriers Type 075 & Type 076

• Type 055 large destroyers / cruisers.

• Type 054A frigates

• Type 052DL destroyers

• 3 Coast Guard ships

• Jiangnan is one of 2 military shipyards in Shanghai. The other one is the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard.

• The Jiangnan military shipyard built China's 3rd aircraft carrier, the Fujian.

SUPPLY CHAIN WAR

China eyes Sea of Japan access via Russia-North Korea border river

North Korean Tankers spotted at Russia’s Vostochny Port; Brazen Oil Product Smuggling Becomes the Norm

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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 154 "AI Software Coup"

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ON PODCAST 154

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Update on how Big Tech is working with Govts to create more AI Governance Laws, Japan’s Facial Recognition Door Handle, and how the Dedollorization Movement may have just accelerated and what that means for Japan. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

SHOW NOTES

SOCIETY 5.0

South Korea and U.K. to host second global AI summit as boom fans risks

SoftBank Corp to help call center workers by 'softening' angry customer calls with AI

1 month since ban ended, ride-hailing demand in Tokyo-area pref. 'lower than expected'

Utilizing facial recognition technology to support shopping for elderly people in Ikata Town

JS Cube begins sales of “PASiD Face,” a document creation support system with facial recognition function for local government counters

NEC, ANA and JAL conduct demonstration of facial recognition-based boarding procedures on passengers' smartphones

LIXIL launches new model “Jiesta 2” facial recognition door with integrated handle

Is it safe to deliver prescription drugs with Uber Eats? --Ask Uber Eats and Medley

Self-driving accident investigation agency to consider government, aims to resolve manufacturers' concerns

DEDOLLAR/BITCOIN

Yellen to push G7 on bond for Ukraine backed by frozen Russian asset profits

Hong Kong opens digital yuan wallets in a first for non-mainlanders

Japan Wut 153 "AI GOBBLEDYGOOK"

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ON PODCAST 153

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Japan’s new emergency drones, Japanese surgeons using AI while digging around in your guts, and how China might be using TikTok algos to fuel resentment in the Supply Chain Wars. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

SHOW NOTES

WUT

Japan bullet trains host wrestling, dining events in new travel trend

JAPAN

Honda logs record annual profits on hybrid sales, weak yen

Tokyo police to set up 24-hour lost and found lockers

SOCIETY 5.0

KDDI to deploy drones at 1,000 Japan locations to aid disaster relief

More stores in Japan using AI for discounts, other purposes to combat food loss

Tokyo startup devises AI system to help with endoscopic surgery

Keidanren in call to make Japan an ‘AI, robotics powerhouse’  | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

US, Japan universities and tech giants Amazon, Nvidia partner on privacy-respecting AI

Making global efforts to realize ‘Society 5.0’

Japan's Kishida unveils a framework for global regulation of generative AI

Mapping The Number Of AI Startups By Country

Startup grows sea alga to slash greenhouse gas in cattle burps

CHINA

Chinese buoy in East China Sea remains a thorn in Japan’s side

China Ships Reefs

Students largely sympathize with Hamas, get most war info from TikTok: shocking survey

TikTok to start labeling AI-generated content as technology becomes more universal

Japan defense chief urges higher security after drone video of warship posted on China social media

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PHOTOS

Japan Wut 151 "AI LASER SUBMARINES"

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ON PODCAST 151

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Japan’s AI Bear Detection Tech, Japanese government to use Google and Microsoft for AI Governance, and China’s AI Laser Submarines. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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STRANGE TIMES

Baby-crying sumo contest

JAPAN

Japan's ruling party loses all 3 seats in by-elections

Japan, EU to boost economic security ties, reduce dependency on China

India to surpass Japan as 4th-largest economy in 2025, IMF says

COVID

Japan discarding 240 mil. COVID vaccine doses, worth $4.3 bil.

SOCIETY 5.0

Japan to trial AI scheme for spotting bears as attacks on humans rise

EU-Japan to cooperate on AI, data flows

Microsoft, Google partner with Japanese cities on AI rules

Can AI help solve Japan’s labour shortages?

Japan’s first hydrogen-fuelled ferry begins service

Tokyo exhibition looks at what technology will be like in 2050  

Japan city streams AI avatar vids of mayor speaking English to connect with foreigners

CHINA

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

China closing in on laser-propelled fast, stealth subs

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PHOTOS

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 146 "Bugs by Proxy"

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ON PODCAST 146

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The hotel industry jumps into AI monitoring, Japan’s iconic vending machines get an algorithm injection, and the Eet Ze Bugs industry takes their aim at fish.

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Show Notes

HIGH OR NOT HIGH

Man arrested after pressing naked butt against water faucet in Tokyo park

JAPAN

Japan's February household spending falls 0.5%, down for 12th month

Shizuoka governor to resign after gaffe insulting vegetable sellers

Japanese firms' plans for CO2 export, storage in Southeast Asia on rise

SOCIETY 5.0

AI is spying on the food we throw away

Uber to launch ride-hailing services in Japan

NEC provides facial recognition payment service for demonstration of local currency service by TOPPAN Digital

Chino Chamber of Commerce and Industry conducts demonstration experiment of facial recognition payment at physical stores, making payments easy even for people who do not have or are unfamiliar with smartphones

Kirin vending machines utilize SoftBank's proprietary AI algorithm; joint demonstration results show that demand forecasts were highly accurate compared to actual sales.

EAT THE BUGS

Making Aquaculture More Sustainable: Marubeni Farms Yellowtail on Insect-Based Feed

JAPAN/NATO

Estonian PM Kaja Kallas to become the new NATO chief Kaja Kallas (WIKI)

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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…

DONATE: PAYPAL.ME/JAPANWUT

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