Japan’s tech news, quarterly
December 2023 | November 2023 | October 2023
Japan’s quarterly technology news across Q4 2023 touched on items and issues including: Japan’s accelerated moves into semiconductor manufacturing, both domestically and internationally; Japanese space technologies across space launch and in-space systems; quantum technology in Japan; and more.
Other editions: Asia’s tech news, daily (via LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter/X); and Indo-Pacific technology newsletters, weekly.
Also available:
Critical technologies news across Q4 2023
KPMG / GSA: 2024 Global Semiconductor Industry Outlook
December 2023
CSIS: Mapping semiconductor supply chains – Critical role of the Indo-Pacific
- 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
Japan and 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…”
- 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
November 2023
- 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
October 2023
McKinsey: The economic potential of artificial intelligence
- Japan: Dutch semiconductor lithography equipment-maker ASML to establish Hokkaido office in Q4 2024, in part responding to gov’t incentives
- Japan: Gov’t to instal domestically-developed security software for ministry and agency computers in 2025 in bid to improve collection, analysis, and defense against cyberattacks
- Japan: Nu Protein predicts sales of synthetic protein to artificial meat producers in 2025, using a process reducing production cost by near 90%
- Japan to boost subsidies by up to $1.3BN for Micron Technology chipmaker plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, in bid to further strengthen chip supply chain
- Japan: EdgeCortix fabless semiconductor development and design firm completes $20M round, with specialization on processors for edge-based artificial intelligence
October 2023: Semiconductors, critical minerals, space tech & satellites
- Japan’s EX-Fusion and Australia’s Electro Optic Systems partner to find laser solutions for space debris, aiming to track and destroy the smallest possible remnants
- Japan: Pale Blue secures additional $7.5M funding with focus on water-based propulsion systems for small satellites
- Japan: Terra Motors to install 1K fast-charge stations for EVs at Kojima electronics shops across 18 months, resulting in near twice the number of gas stations
- Japan: Canon announces ‘nanoimprint lithography’ machine, claimed to be capable of producing parts down to 5nm today, with refinement potentially producing 2nm parts
- Japan: ispace gains gov’t subsidy approaching $80M with moon lander mission set for 2024 and NASA-sponsored moonshot to commence in 2026
BryceTech: Small Satellites in 2023
- Japan: JGC Holdings to commercialize bendable solar cells made of perovskite for curved surfaces such as shop walls or domed buildings, with sights on 2026 launch
- Japan: A brief video intro to KG Motors, working on single-seat electric vehicles
- Japan joins 13 countries in int’l framework to ensure that software manufacturers build cyber-security of products by default, shifting accountability to manufacturers rather than end-users
- Japan to set shared standards with Europe and US on subsidies for EVs, semiconductors and other critical tech fields including decarbonization
- Japan: Fusion power project hits superhot plasma milestone, moving towards nuclear fusion energy, easier to control, more sustainable and less radioactive than fission
- ICYMI: A brief overview of the recent Vietnam Startup Summit in Japan 2023
Achilles: Q2 2023 Supply Chain Resilience Index
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