Industry 4.0 was first introduced in Germany. The term comes from the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” and refers to the digitalization of production. In the last editorials we described how Japan then introduced the idea of Society 5.0, which looks at digitalization from a societal viewpoint aiming at the Super Smart Society. Information Technology (IT), especially Artificial Intelligence, will change many […]
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Top 5 Jobs in Japan 2017
If you are looking to start a career or change jobs in Japan, you might well keep an eye on its manufacturing industries. Besides being home to many globally leading players, they also account for four of the Top 5 jobs in Japan that recruiting firm Hays expects to be in growing demand in the country’s job market in 2017. As technologies advance, some sectors have […]
Internet of Things: Better Electricity Supply and Demand Efficiency in Japan – Part 1
By Frank Piller, General Manager Products at TÜV Rheinland Japan In recent years, the Japanese government has vigorously promoted energy conservation through various actions, including installing the feed-in tariff system for renewable energy, deregulating electricity and promoting the Smart House concept. For its part, in 2015 the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has formulated its Long-term Energy […]
China, Japan Strengthen Ties at Rubber Industry Forum in Tokyo
To make a point, most people are not aware what the rubber industry means for their daily lives. Namely, that they can’t live without it. The material, for example, drives personal mobility. Tires use up about 70 percent of global rubber production and car engines and other car parts another substantial amount. No rubber, no cars. Also no bicycles, airplanes […]
Internet of Things in Japan: Quietly, Systematically Plowing Ahead
Germany’s famed Plattform Industrie 4.0 initiative has become nothing less than a mainstay at seminars focusing on the future of manufacturing. The U.S. based Industrial Internet Consortium has been gathering momentum, too. Even China has prominently launched its Made in China 2025 initiative. Yet one of the world’s most important industrial powerhouses is apparently not much being talked about. One […]
Internet of Things, Industry 4.0 and the Role of Japan
Japan is better prepared for the next industrial revolution than it seems at first sight. But the companies have to embrace change to stay in the race. Do you know the Borg, the cyborgs from the science-fiction universe Star Trek, who assimilate civilization after civilization? For years the German industry warns its colleagues abroad, that the dawn of the Internet […]