In a significant step towards efficient urban mobility, an international standard for “automatic valet parking” co-developed by Japan and Germany has been officially issued. This system leverages autonomous vehicle technology to navigate vehicles into parking spaces in large facilities, improving utilization of parking space and user convenience, reducing accidents, and cutting CO2 emissions. Large complexes, shopping malls, theme parks, and […]
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Japan’s METI Launches Committee to Accelerate Generative AI Development
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has formed an expert committee to propel the development of generative AI technology. The initiative aims to establish a support scheme for companies developing competitive base models in the fast-evolving field of generative AI. This advanced technology is predicted to have a transformative impact on industrial activities and daily life, tackling social […]
METI Releases 2023 White Paper on International Economy and Trade
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has released its annual White Paper on International Economy and Trade, following a presentation to the Cabinet. The 2023 edition focuses on global economic trends and their impact on trade as well as policy changes in foreign countries. The first section of the paper discusses the current state of the global economy, […]
METI and MIC Release Results of Japan’s 2021 Economic Census for Business Activity
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) have released the results of the 2021 Economic Census for Business Activity. The census, which aims to thoroughly evaluate matters related to accounting, including sales and costs across all of Japan’s industry sectors, was conducted on June 1, 2021. The survey found that […]
Japan Grants First Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Approval
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) have announced the country’s first approval for a Level 4 autonomous vehicle system. The approval, granted on March 30, is part of the RoAD to the L4 project, a joint initiative aimed at developing advanced mobility services. The project, launched in 2021, […]
Japan Launches Ouranos Initiative for Cross-Border Data Sharing and Collaboration
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), in collaboration with the Information Processing Promotion Agency (IPA), the Digital Architecture Design Center (DADC), and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), has announced the “Ouranos Ecosystem” initiative. This project aims to design, research, develop, and promote the adoption of architecture for seamless collaboration between various information processing systems […]
Japan Expands Investment Opportunities for Limited Partnership Funds
In a recent press release, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has shed light on investment opportunities in security tokens and blockchain-based assets for Limited Partnership Funds (LPS). The new clarifications will enable LPS to expand their investment options and potentially boost the growth of digital assets in Japan. Security Tokens under the Financial Instruments and Exchange […]
Japan Paves Way for Automated Delivery Robots on Public Roads
The logistics industry has been facing significant challenges, including labor shortages. To address this issue, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Japan has been working to support the development and introduction of automated delivery robots in society. With the recent revision of the Road Traffic Act, these robots are allowed to operate on public roads starting April […]
METI Launches Study Group and Contest to Address High Prices and Labor Shortages in Distribution Industry
Japan’s distribution industry, which accounts for 14% of the country’s GDP and employs 16% of its working population, is facing pressure from rising costs, low consumer prices, and demands for higher wages. These pressures are putting strain on the industry’s profit structure, while a labor shortage further exacerbates the situation. To address these issues, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and […]
METI Publishes March Update on New and Revised Japanese Industry Standards
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has published revised and newly established JIS standards in response to societal and technological changes. The Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) are a collection of national standards stipulating the criteria for mineral or industrial products, data, and services in Japan, including their quality, performance and test methods. In March 2023, METI established 10 […]
Japan and US Sign Critical Minerals Agreement (CMA)
Japan and the United States have on March 28 in Washington signed and entered into force the “Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States on Strengthening Critical Minerals Supply Chains” (Japan-U.S. Critical Minerals Agreement (CMA)). The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said that facing the prospect of significant increase in demand […]
Mitsubishi Power Supports Hydrogen Utilization in Petroleum Refining Process
Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand under Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has initiated an energy balance optimization service for Eneos Corporation (Eneos) to facilitate efficient utilization of hydrogen in the petroleum refining process. The service was first implemented at the Eneos Sakai Refinery in Osaka, where MHI deployed its Tomomi suite of intelligent solutions incorporating Energy Cloud, an analysis engine […]
METI and MOTIE Hold Japan-Korea Export Control Policy Dialogue
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held the Japan-Korea Export Control Policy Dialogue from March 14-16. Through the policy dialogue, METI has reviewed the effectiveness of Korea’s export control including the organization of the export control authority and its operations, and implementation of a regulatory framework for […]
Cabinet Approves the FY 2018 Annual Report on Energy (Japan’s Energy White Paper 2019)
The Annual Report on Energy (also known as the “Energy White Paper”) overviews the measures on energy that the Government of Japan conducted in the previous fiscal year, which is submitted to the Diet pursuant to Article 11 of the Basic Act on Energy Policy (Act No. 71 of 2002). On June 7, 2018, the Cabinet approved the Energy White […]
METI Publishes Report Titled “GLocal Growth Strategy” Compiled by the GLocal Growth Strategy Study Group
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) established a GLocal Growth Strategy Study Group, aiming to: break through stereotypical ideas that have pervaded Japan, such as “no growth is expected in a society facing a population constraint;” and encourage regional cities and rural areas with a small population at the front line of the declining population issue to establish […]
