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July 16, 2024
 

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MANUFACTURING

Artificial intelligence may well enable the automation of many tasks and the replacement of some workers. But AI tools are still fallible and are unlikely to replace humans any time soon.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 30, 2023
AI and the productivity imperative
The global economic outlook for the next decade appears grim. But a surge in productivity — fueled by artificial intelligence — could change that picture.
A Toyota factory in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, in 2015. A computer system processing orders for vehicle parts for the company broke down Tuesday, forcing the closure of 14 assembly plants in Japan.
BUSINESS / EXPLAINER
Aug 30, 2023
What happened to shut down Toyota's production in Japan?
Disruption shut down a system at the core of Toyota's lean manufacturing process.
Toyota's sales in China fell in July amid intense competition with local brands.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 30, 2023
Toyota output hits monthly record for July on robust demand
Worldwide sales, including for subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino, rose 5.2% to 918,345 units.
An efficient, just-in-time strategy for manufacturing made Toyota’s production system famous.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 30, 2023
Toyota shuts factories, investors shrug. That’s resilience.
An efficient, just-in-time strategy for manufacturing made Toyota’s production system famous.
Toyota workers walk to the Motomachi plant in the city of Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, on Wednesday morning.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 30, 2023
Toyota resumes vehicle production in Japan after system glitch
Toyota resumed the operations of 25 vehicle production lines at 12 of its 14 plants in Japan on Wednesday morning, after halting operations a day earlier.
Toyota Motor has suspended operations at a dozen factories in Japan due to a system failure.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 29, 2023
Toyota set to resume operations after glitch halts production
Tuesday's halt raised concerns that the stoppage could be due to a cyberattack, though the company said that was unlikely.
Eiko Higuchi at her microphone production station at Sony Taiyo
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 25, 2023
A tiny factory is handcrafting mics for Justin Bieber and Dr. Dre
Sony Taiyo, a Sony Group subsidiary, is designed to give people with disabilities a fair chance in the workplace.
People visit Semicon China, a trade fair for semiconductor technology, in Shanghai in 2021
BUSINESS
Aug 24, 2023
China quietly hires overseas chip talent as U.S. tightens curbs
The revamped recruitment drive is said to offer perks including home-purchase subsidies and typical signing bonuses of $420,000 to $700,000.
A worker cleans a Toyota Electric Vehicle bZ4X on display during the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in Tangerang, near Jakarta, Indonesia, last week.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 17, 2023
Japan automakers race to catch up with global EV competitors
There is a sense of crisis over a possible decline of Japan's auto industry if U.S., European and Chinese automakers continue to dominate the EV market.
Hitachi CEO Keiji Kojima. The company’s metamorphosis belies the argument that the bastions of Japan Inc. are set forever in their ways.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 4, 2023
Hitachi reinvents itself in sign of hope for Japan
The old-school conglomerate revamped its governance, shrank its empire to focus on growth and evolved into a more global enterprise.
Akira Amari, Japan's chip czar, has said that funding around one-third of the cost of a chip plant is the norm, and the 50% funding for Japan's first TSMC chip plant was unusually high.
BUSINESS
Aug 3, 2023
Chip minister hints Japan to fund one-third of second TSMC plant
The subsidies will be part of Japan’s efforts to revive its domestic chipmaking industry, a sector viewed as crucial for growth and economic security.
Japan's industrial production in June climbed 2% from the previous month, led by brisk output of new automobiles amid strong demand at home and abroad.
BUSINESS
Jul 31, 2023
Japan’s production rebounds, signaling continued modest recovery
Factory output rose 2% from the previous month, rebounding from the previous month and led by increases in cars and electronic devices.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 20, 2023
What has become of global carmakers' assets in Russia?
The foreign automakers that dominated Russia's car market left following the invasion of Ukraine, leaving a slumping production and sales in their wake.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 18, 2023
AI is helping create the chips that design AI chips
The human role in artificial intelligence development is slowly being handed over to machines and algorithms.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 18, 2023
As 'Detroit of Asia,' Thailand targets battery-makers to stay ahead in EV race
Long established as an auto hub, Thailand is determined to keep its grip on the economically crucial industry as the pivot to electric vehicles gathers pace.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Jul 17, 2023
Micron’s huge Hiroshima investment amid job cuts leaves unanswered questions
Micron plans to reduce its global workforce by 10% this year. In May, several hundred people are believed to have left the Hiroshima plant, which had about 3,700 workers as of last November.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 16, 2023
Germany warns companies to manage China risks in tougher stance
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration is pushing Germany’s biggest companies to make sure their risks in China are manageable.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 15, 2023
Chip leaders head to Washington to lobby for China rules relief
The CEOs of Intel, Qualcomm and Nvidia are planning to lobby against extending restrictions on the sale to China of certain chips and the equipment to manufacture the semiconductors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 14, 2023
Japanese automakers beef up all-solid-state battery development
With all-solid-state batteries considered to vastly improve the performance of electric vehicles, the government has begun providing financial assistance in the field.
Japan Times
JAPAN / FOCUS
Jul 13, 2023
No longer a 'catastrophe,' Japan's cybersecurity could still improve
Many firms use outdated technology and systems that are not as secure but are hesitant to replace them.
Who needs AI when you have Hatsune Miku?
Over the first six months of 2024, a handful of songs using Vocaloid singer Hatsune Miku’s voice have enjoyed widespread attention, underlining a global interest in the character and the technology she represents.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
Shooter came within inches of killing Trump, but left few clues as to why
An aerial view shows the stage where Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump had been standing during an assassination attempt the day before, and the roof of a nearby building where a gunman was shot dead by law enforcement, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.
Yen’s woes seem too big for even a BOJ hike this month to solve
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.

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Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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