Bullet trains are not only known for their high-speed passenger transportation but are now becoming a crucial part of Japan's freight sector. Railway operators and food producers are joining forces to utilize these trains for transporting perishable goods, such as live seafood, fresh fruits, and other delicate items, across Japan's extensive network of high-speed rail tracks. The primary aim of this initiative is to help revitalize local communities by making food products from specific regions more accessible to consumers in larger cities. By transporting these goods from production areas to urban centers, railway operators like West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) hope that city dwellers will feel a stronger connection to the origin of the products they consume. This concept can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic when Japan's railway companies sought innovative solutions to counter the decline in seat sales. It was during this challenging period that they uncovered a ...

The adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly growing in Japan, with over 90 percent of major companies either contemplating its integration or already implementing it in their operations. Nevertheless, businesses continue to harbor apprehensions regarding data breaches and authenticity, as evidenced by a survey conducted by a Japanese media company. Out of the 100 companies surveyed, 41 reported that they are already utilizing generative AI, while 50 others are contemplating its implementation. Interestingly, two companies expressed a negative stance on AI and have either prohibited its usage or are contemplating doing so, while one company stated that it currently has no plans to adopt this technology. The remaining six companies provided other varied responses. The survey was carried out between July 3rd and July 14th. When the 91 companies using or considering generative AI were asked about their reasons for doing so, the most common response was to improve...

Benesse Corp., the Japanese education services company, is introducing a cutting-edge AI-powered service designed to aid elementary school students with their research projects during the summer break. This novel solution will be accessible to parents for free on the company's website. The primary purpose of the service is to suggest research themes and provide helpful tips to students as they conduct their investigations. For example, if a student asks, "How can I study the biology of dinosaurs?" the AI will offer advice such as "How about finding out what they ate?" without providing exact answers, ensuring that the students still engage actively in the learning process.   It's important to note that the service is tailored for educational use and follows government guidelines that limit the technology's application in schools. As a result, it cannot be used to write a book report directly, but it can offer valuable guidance on how to appro...

The prevalence of contactless credit card payments for train services is on the rise across Japan, extending to regions where Suica and other commonly used prepaid IC cards for public transportation have not yet been introduced. With an anticipation of a rise in visitors from countries where such contactless payment systems are widely used, domestic train operators are eager to highlight the convenience of boarding trains with the credit cards they use regularly. Enoshima Electric Railway Co., which operates the regional line in Kanagawa Prefecture known as Enoden, is a popular choice among tourists and train enthusiasts. To cater to the growing demand for inbound travel as the COVID-19 crisis eases, the company has installed contactless credit card payment equipment at all stations along the Enoden line since April. The move is expected to bring several benefits, including alleviating the workload of customer service staff and reducing congestion at ticket vending machines. This e...

Toyota Motor Corp. has announced a collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to develop a manned moon rover in conjunction with Japan's space agency, as part of their efforts to advance space exploration in the country. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which is independently working on an unmanned lunar explorer set to launch in 2025, will provide Toyota with valuable data and expertise gained from operating their vehicle on the Moon's surface. Having been involved in constructing portions of the International Space Station, MHI will also contribute its knowledge in life support systems in space, assisting Toyota in building the crewed pressurized rover known as the "Lunar Cruiser." The Lunar Cruiser is planned for a Moon mission in 2029. In exchange, Toyota will leverage its extensive experience in manufacturing various vehicle types, from racing cars to pick-up trucks, to ensure that MHI 's lunar explorer can withstand the harsh lunar environmen...

Major mobile network provider, Softbank Corp., is making significant strides towards developing its own generative artificial intelligence platform to cater to corporate clients. To facilitate this endeavor, the company has allocated approximately 20 billion Yen ($143 million) to invest in a supercomputer that plays a pivotal role in processing the vast amount of information required by a generative AI platform. This supercomputer will leverage microchips provided by the reputable U.S.-based company Nvidia Corp., renowned for manufacturing high-performance semiconductors widely used in various generative AI programs. Consequently, this collaboration is expected to equip the supercomputer with Japan's highest level of information processing capabilities. Softbank has already incorporated generative AI into its call centers to enhance customer support services. The company now seeks to capitalize on this technology by offering other businesses AI services with unparalleled accura...

Seven-Eleven Japan announced the launch of a new brand of eco-friendly prepared foods named Mirai Deli, which means "future" in Japanese. The first four items of the brand will be available for purchase starting this Friday. Among them is a tuna mayonnaise "onigiri" rice ball, where a portion of the tuna is substituted with pea protein. With a focus on ensuring a stable food supply, the company plans to expand the product range of Mirai Deli in the future. Despite the innovative and sustainable approach, the new onigiri will be priced at 151Yen ($1.08), matching the cost of the existing tuna mayonnaise onigiri.   By introducing Mirai Deli, Seven-Eleven Japan aims to offer environmentally conscious choices to its customers, contributing to a more sustainable future. The brand's emphasis on eco-friendly options demonstrates the company's commitment to responsible business practices. Stay tuned for more additions to the Mirai Deli lineup in the coming mon...