Japanese technology news in November of 2023 captured items in the English-language media including: semiconductor manufacturing deals between Japan and Taiwan, and Canada; Japanese funding for Web3, AI and metaverse startups; potential hydrogen energy partnership with South Korea; and more.
For other Startup News Asia editions, see Asia’s tech news, daily, (via LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter/X) and our Indo-Pacific tech newsletters for a weekly email on Asia’s tech scene via Substack and LinkedIn.
Also available: November coverage of semiconductors, critical minerals, space launch & satellite technologies.
CSIS: Japan seeks to revitalize its semiconductor industry
- Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp to build $5.3BN factory in Japan, backed by SBI Holdings and the Japanese gov’t, in latest bid to expand Japan’s chip manufacturing base
- Japan’s SBI Holdings financial services conglomerate made $40M multifund commitment to anchor future funds from Novastar Ventures, a pan-African VC firm, deepening SBI’s Africa-focused footprint
- Japan: More info on Canon’s new, potentially game-changing, nanoimprint lithography tech, used to print circuit patterns on semiconductor wafers
- Japan: SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 Global Startup Program event is set for May 2024, featuring pitch comp, exhibition and conference
Japan & cyber-defense:
“…home-grown software, developed by private Japanese companies, marks a significant shift towards technological self-sufficiency in the face of mounting cyber threats.”
- Japan’s NTT telecoms major to back May Mobility, US startup backed by Toyota Motor, in moves to develop automated driving system with current focus on driverless buses and taxis
- Japan: Gov’t tagets $13.2BN in budget funding for chip production and generative AI tech, planning production, research, design and startup support
- Japan: SBI Holdings financial giant to unveil $663M fund for Web3, AI and Metaverse startups, targeting 150-200 firms for backing
- Japan: Honda Robotics unveils Uni-One prototype, a hands-free wheelchair steered by shifting body weight, similar to a Segway
- Japan: Mitsubishi UFJ financial giant to partner Bitbank crypto exchange for stablecoin-powered settlements platform for crypto firms, pegged to Japanese yen and USD
Japan, South Korea & energy:
“…the two leaders talked about ways their countries can cooperate in the hydrogen sector, given South Korea’s wide use of hydrogen cars and Japan’s large number of hydrogen-related patents”
- Japan’s Rapidus Corp chip-maker to partner Canada’s Tenstorrent to mass produce more-efficient semiconductors
- Japan Airlines partners US startup Regent Craft for electric-powered seaglider vehicles, looking at small-scale carbon-free passenger and cargo transportation
- NATO and Japan deepen cooperation on emerging security challenges, discussing ‘cyber defence, cutting edge technologies and defence against hybrid threats’ in recent meeting
- Japan: Taiwan’s TSMC is reportedly considering a 3rd plant in Japan that will make 3-nm chips, potentially building on backing from Micron, Samsung and Japan’s PSM
- Japan and South Korea to collaborate on quantum technologies, with national research institutes set to sign MOU
McKinsey & Co: Quantum Technology Monitor
- Japan: The World Economic Forum looks at how Japan’s semiconductor industry is leaping into the future
- SEMICON Japan 2023 is set for December 13-15 in Tokyo – semiconductor manufacturing supply chains, insights, trends and innovations
- Japan: Sky Perfect JSAT satellite operator and NTT Corp have partnered to sell Project Kuiper services in 2024, focusing on businesses and gov’t organizations in Japan
- An overview of ME Innovation Fund from Mitsubishi Electric, driving $35M in investments into startups across Southeast Asia
- Japan’s Toyota Motor has commenced Melbourne testing of a hydrogen-powered vehicle on public roads, using a HiAce commercial van fitted with a hydrogen engine
- ‘Bolstering and Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains’, a study from the National Bureau of Asian Research, focusing on Japan, the United States and China
StormWall: DDoS attacks in Asia Pacific in Q3 2023
Indo-Pacific Technology news
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United States Studies Center: The Quad and maritime security
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