Japanese technology news in December of 2023 captured items across a range of considerations, including: Japan’s moves into the small satellites market; concerns in Japan around AI-generated misinformation; Japanese moves into quantum technologies, including cryptography; Itochu’s 40% stake in Denmark’s hydrogen producer; and more.
Other editions: Asia’s tech news, daily (via LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter/X); and Indo-Pacific technology newsletters, weekly.
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Critical technologies in December 2023
CSIS: Mapping semiconductor supply chains – Critical role of the Indo-Pacific
- Quantum technologies: “Toshiba is a global leader in the field. It has successfully sent and received quantum encrypted data transmitted 600 kilometers between Tokyo and Osaka…”
- Japan: An overview of Tokyo Venture Capital Hub, aiming to support the government’s broad goal of boosting annual startup investment by near tenfold by 2027
- Japan: iQPS draws high interest with small-sats using synthetic aperture radar, imaging Earth’s surface with microwaves and allowing observation regardless of night, environmental conditions and clouds
- More on Japan’s iQPS small-satellites firm, looking to to mass produce compact, inexpensive microwave-based radar satellites
- Japan’s Nissan carmaker now investigating a cyberattack on Australia and New Zealand business arms, with dealer systems potentially impacted
EY 2024 Geostrategic Outlook – Thrive in ongoing geopolitical complexity
- Japan: Toshiba Corp and Rohm Co partner for boosted production of power semiconductors, key to energy efficiency in EVs and factories, setting $902M budget with 1/3 coming from gov’t
- Japan: Isuzu Motors invests in Israel’s Foretellix for artificial intelligence tech to test safety of autonomous vehicles, as the Japanese automaker focuses on developing self-driving trucks
- Japan: Yoii secures $5.5M Series A with revenue-based financing platform, offering a growth alternative to traditional equity and debt financing fundraising methods
- In November, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency was hacked, potentially exposing sensitive space-related technology and data
- Japan’s Itochu trading house and Osaka Gas partner for hydrogen business, taking 40% in Denmark’s Everfuel hydrogen producer with goal of hydrogen supply chain and domestic production base
CSIS: Space Threat Assessment 2023 –
- Japan: Techstars Tokyo accelerator launches with Mitsui Fudosan global real estate firm and Japan External Trade Organization, aiming to boost globally-minded startups
- Japan: Gov’t to mandate that AI developers and others deploy tech to detect AI-generated content and provenance of the info it contains in bid to diminish misinformation impacts
- Japan: An intro to Central Japan Startup Ecosystem, and 5 of the region’s tech startups working on solutions in jet engines, e-scooters, drones and more
- Japan: An overview of the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem – the region, its industries, its population and what it offers startups
- Japan: Shiseido Long Term Investments for the Future (LIFT) Ventures launches to back innovative early-stage firms in beauty/wellness
CSIS: Onboard AI – constraints and limitations in drones, satellites & vehicles
- Australia division of Japan’s Nissan car maker hackers identified as Akira ransomware gang, with group claiming 100GB of data stolen
- Japan: Gov’t awards grants worth $19.6M to 2 alternative-protein startups
- Japan’s Toshiba and Singapore’s SpeQtral boost existing collaboration around quantum key distribution hardware to deliver Singapore’s National Quantum-Safe Networks+ project
- New Zealand’s Rocket Lab sets December 13 for 42nd launch, using Electron spacecraft to deliver Japan’s TSUKUYOMI-I high-res imaging satellite to orbit
- The Philippines’ Astro Robotics partners Japan’s Telexistence to build services around a skilled team based in the Philippines capable of remotely controlling robots based in Japan
CSIS: Japan seeks to revitalize its semiconductor industry
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