The 4th quarter 2022 snapshot of Japan’s technology news headlines, drawn from online press coverage in October, November and December of 2022.
Japan’s tech news headlines in the 4th quarter of 2022 covered items including new cyber-offensive capabilities, Japan’s numerous moves into the semiconductors space, 3D printing for metals rather than concrete or plastics, and more. Hit the links to read each article online, in full.
December 2022 | November 2022 | October 2022
December 2022: Japan
Deloitte: Digital Banking Maturity Report 2022
- Binance enters Japan with acquisition of Sakura, a local crypto exchange licensed and regulated to operate in the country
- Japan: Huawei switches focus to Japan’s smartwatch market as US limits bite, releasing devices for business users which don’t require cutting-edge semiconductors
- Japan: ispace spacecraft departs Earth for Moon, the country’s first lunar mission and the first of its kind by a private company, with delivery system provided by Musk’s SpaceX
- Japan: Gov’t to introduce new laws allowing it to engage in offensive cyber operations, ‘monitoring potential attackers and hack their systems as soon as signs of a potential risk are established’
“Documents seen by the newspaper state that Japan will strengthen its cyber defense “to a level equal to major Western powers” and include measures for “active cyber defense” allowing the authorities to intervene before damage is caused, even when there is no use of traditional force against the country.”
- Japan: Kansai Startup Mashups brand launches, backed by Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, to support startups from the Kansai region
- Japan: Space One to conduct maiden rocket launch at the end of February, using the country’s first private-sector launch pad
- Taiwan’s EchoX takes 2 awards at major innovation fairs in Japan, showcasing services including web3 membership CRM platform and NFT minting
Lowy Institute: Asia Power Index, 2023 edition
November 2022: Japan
Japan: Policy for the Web3 Era / NFT White Paper (pdf download)
- Japan: ‘Quantum sensor’ set to enter the Japanese market, a technology developed by a US startup which provides extremely accurate location data without relying on GPS
- Japan formally joins NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, following on from 2021 participation in NATO Locked Shields large-scale cyber-attack war-gaming exercise
“It follows Japan participating in NATO’s Locked Shields exercise in 2021, an enormous cyber war game in which the fictional member state of Berylia faced an adversary attacking its critical civilian and military infrastructure.”
- Japan to budget $2.38BN for research collaboration with US on development of next-generation semiconductors, whilst also looking to diversify supply chains for batteries, magnets and rare earths
- Japan: A podcast-based discussion and analysis of the country’s approaches to cybersecurity, looking at Japan’s cyber capabilities and their impact on national security
- Japan: Toyota and 7 other Japanese firms partner in move to make next-gen semiconductors
“Toyota supplier Denso, NTT, Sony Group, chipmaker Kioxia Holdings, NEC and SoftBank are among the companies expected to invest in the project, each pouring in about 1 billion yen ($6.8 million).”
- Japan: NEC to open new research hub, allowing tenants to use new AI-driven supercomputer to create new products, and accommodating up to 5000 researchers
- Singapore’s AnyMind Group, end-to-end commerce enablement firm, approved by Tokyo Stock Exchange for listing of the Company’s shares
- An overview of the goals and agreements arising from the recent ESG Opportunity Matchmaking and Exchange Forum for Taiwan-Japan Innovation Community
- Philippine Economic Zone Authority inks MOUs with 2 Japanese firms, aiming to boost investments in renewable energy and manufacturing, and to facilitate related-industry Japanese and Filipino startups
October 2022: Japan
Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2022
- Japan’s Ministry of Economy has launched a Web3 policy office, bringing together financial regulators and creative industries to formulate metaverse-related policies
- Japan: PM policy speech indicates boosted investment in metaverse and NFT-related tech, building on establishment of Web3 Policy Promotion Office
- Japan: Canon to build new semiconductor equipment plant in eastern Japan, set for production by spring of 2025
- Japanese medical, financial, and sustainable materials technology startups seek key Southeast Asian collaboration partners to scale solutions
- Japan: “By March 2024, Japan Virtual and Crypto assets Exchange Ass’n could also scrap pre-screenings for coins new to the nation, as well as for tokens issued through initial coin or exchange offerings…”
- Japan: Sun Metalon Inc raises $5.6M pre-series A with 3D printer for metals, claiming a speed up to 500 times faster than conventional machines
- Japan: A look at the challenges faced by the government’s My Number attempt at digital ID
- Japan plans to allow near-autonomous Level 4 vehicles on public roads in a limited capacity in April 2023, a first step towards services such as robotaxis and driverless buses
Credit Suisse Research: The global effects of Asia’s aging population
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