Japan Wut 133 "AI DNA CHIPS"

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ON PODCAST 133…

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… We discuss breakthrough research that turns your DNA into Computer Storage, Pig Organs for Human Transplants, and how Japan’s reliance on Foreign Technology is creating Digital Trade Deficits. Strap in. You are living in Interesting Times.

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Official Website: matthewpmbigelow.com

Show Notes Ep. 133

IT'S OMGWTF!

Japan produces 1st pigs designed for organ transplants

SOCIETY 5.0

Japan Takes a Leap into the Future with Its First Metaverse High School

Wakayama Signs Pact on Flying Cars

Researchers design a processor from DNA — microfluidic chip completes math calculations and also stores data in DNA

JAPAN BUSINESS

Japan slips into recession, becoming 4th-largest economy, behind U.S., China and Germany

Japan's digital trade deficit widens to $37bn on Big Tech reliance

China's warehouse robots set to ease Japan's logistics crunch

U.S. Techstars CEO eyes Japan as Asia's hub for accelerating startups

WAR

SDF to soften hairstyle rules as recruit shortage worsens

[All Politics is Global] Escalating Russia-North Korea Arms Trade a Critical Security Threat

Tweet:Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 

Yet, we see war risk insurance has gone from 0.02% to almost 1 %, except for Chinese ships which is at 0.35%.

We also see a reduction in ships transiting the Suez from 70 to 39 y/y and in tonnage from 4.7M to 2.0M y/y.

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PHOTOS FOR SHOW 133

Japan Wut 132 "Face in the Machine"

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ON PODCAST 132…

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… We discuss the status of Facial Recognition Technology in Japan, plans for Hydrogen Infrastructure for Japan, and some issues with migration and depopulation from a rational perspective. Strap in! You are living in Interesting Times.

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Official Website: matthewpmbigelow.com

Show Notes for 132

IT'S OMGWTF!

Half-naked men doused with cold water on mad dash through Japan city in unique festival

SOCIETY 5.0

I tried Japan's first "facial recognition vending machine" | What is the background behind DyDo Drinko's development?

保育現場の膨大な手作業を自動化する「顔認証AI解錠システム」（BCN） - Yahoo!ニュース (Facial Recognition)

SUPPLY CHAIN

Japan to spur clean hydrogen production with $20bn in subsidies

U.S.-led Indo-Pacific supply chain deal to take effect on Feb. 24 ｜ Kyodo News

DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION

Osaka nursery going extra mile to stop Vietnamese kids falling behind

From violence to cost, Japanese egg farmer cites problems with foreign trainee program

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PHOTOS FOR 132

Japan Wut 127 "Dedollaring Now"

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ON PODCAST 127…

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… We discuss China’s advancements into brain warfare, how the dedollarization movement is affecting the weakened Japanese Yen, and a “Eet Ze Bugs” company that is shutting down operations (VICTORY!).

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SHOW NOTES EP. 127

NEW IDEA

Growing Food on the Moon Using Asteroid Soil

CHINA

China developing 'brain warfare' tech with devices that make you sleep and thought-controlled weapons

DEDOLLAR

Yuan Overtakes Yen For 4th Place In Global Payments

De-dollarization: 95% of the trade between China and Russia didn’t use the US dollar

De-Dollarization Kicks Into High Gear - Chinese Yuan Hit Record High, Overtook Japanese Yen As 4th Most Used Currency
China's De-Dollarization Efforts and the Shifting Dynamics in the Global Banking Industry

EAT THE BUGS

The company that sparked the ``edible crickets'' boom ends its ``pet brand'' 1 year and 9 months after establishment... ``It's so sad''

Grillas (Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture), which sells edible crickets, has announced that it will discontinue its brand ``Cricket Research Institute'' for pets, aquatic and livestock animals on January 25th.

The background is "recurring high raw material prices and poor breeding of insects for food"

　The company is a venture company originating from Tokushima University that develops and produces edible crickets. In the past, `` Cricket Rice Crackers '' made with ``Cricket Powder'' developed by the company were sold at ``Muji'', and school lunches using ``Cricket Powder'' were provided in Tokushima Prefecture, creating a buzz. . The Cricket Research Institute will open in April 2022. In addition to "cricket powder," we have been selling food for pets and aquatic and livestock animals on our online site, including "frozen crickets," "dried crickets," and live "live crickets." On January 17, 2024, the brand's official X (Twitter) announced the end of the brand, saying, ``As of January 25, 2024, we will be closing the Cricket Research Institute official online shop.'' It is said that the shipment of crickets ended on January 19th, and the reason for the termination was that ``the repeated high prices of raw materials and poor breeding of insects for food could not be absorbed by corporate efforts to cut costs.'' In response to the sudden closure announcement, users expressed their regrets, saying, ``I'm so sad,'' ``Thank you very much for your help,'' and ``Thank you for the many crickets.''

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Photos for 127

Japan Wut 114 "Surveilling Surveillance"

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ON THIS INSTALLMENT…

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… We deliver our boots on the ground report from Japan’s biggest tech event — CEATEC. We also analyze some of the Israel/Gaza war protests that are occurring in Japan, plus an investigation into Japan’s menopausal women engaging in the costly act of “Doctor Shopping”. Strap in! It’s only getting weirder from here. Just look around you.

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Official Website: matthewpmbigelow.com

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Notes for Show 114

HIGH NOT HIGH

• What causes menopausal women in Japan to go 'doctor shopping'?

NEW PRODUCT

• In Japan 1st, cash register-free 'walk through' food store to open in Yokohama

WAR

• 'Stop the war!': 300 protest in Fukuoka against attacks on Gaza

• NHK reporters in the Gaza Strip detail ongoing horrors | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

• S Korea, U.S. and Japan hold first-ever trilateral aerial exercise in face of N Korean threats

• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russia’s top diplomat in Pyongyang

SOCIETY 5.0

• Editorial: Poor data management led to 9 million info leak cases at Japan telecom firm

• Railway firms turn to AI to shake up lost property search

• AI capable of conversation, labor on display at trade show

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PHOTOS FOR SHOW 114 — INCLUDING CONTENT FROM SEATEC 2023

Japan Wut 104 "Boomerang Block"

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ON THIS INSTALLMENT…

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… Matt discusses a Japanese wearable air conditioner, and does a deep dive on Japan’s mortality rates, the current effects the response to Covid (which is coming back) is having on the economy and bug bullies in Ehime.

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EP. 104 SHOWNOTES

NEW PRODUCT

• Wearable air conditioner belt

COVID

• Experts urge caution as new coronavirus 'variant of interest' takes hold in Japan
  (SEE PHOTO FOR EXCESS DEATHS)

ECONOMY

• More small and midsize firms going bankrupt post pandemic

• Japan's 4-yr spending on COVID, inflation relief hit 68.5 tril. yen

• Pensioners' share of spending hits nearly 40% of total in Japan

• Another Blow To The Petrodollar: India & The UAE Complete First Oil Sale In Rupees

Japan and the World

• Japan, South Korea, U.S. Strengthen Trilateral Cooperation

• Biden Speaks at Press Conference 1

• Biden Speaks at Press Conference 2 

(Note: See Photos for Rockefeller's "Operation Lock Step" Document)

CHINA

• Shanghai ports export over 1 mln automobiles in January-July

EAT THE BUGS

• "Boss Forces 'Insect Rice' and Violence, Depression Ensues... Active Firefighter Testifies Seeking Recognition of Workplace Harassment"

  "Cases of Workplace Harassment Proliferate in Fire Departments Across Ehime Prefecture. Firefighters, who are seeking recognition of workplace harassment, have spoken about the realities of their workplaces, where they are coerced into eating insects by their superiors, among other issues."

A male firefighter in his 20s, employed at the Kumakogen Town Fire Department.

Male Firefighter:

"If you refuse, you get scolded. It's a constant state of being, so it was difficult."

The workplace involves 24-hour shifts, preparing for deployments with members of the same team. Meals are taken together with superiors and colleagues, he says.

Last October, during a mealtime, his superior brought out insect food.

"He sprinkled it on the rice like seasoning and said, 'If I eat this, it's not harassment.' He ate a spoonful and then pushed the rest onto me..."

He says he was forcefully made to eat insects like crickets and silkworms, which are commercially available for consumption.

"There were other staff members around, but nobody could go against that superior, so we reluctantly watched with smiles. It didn't taste good, it was unpleasant, and I refused, saying 'I don't want to,' but I was told to 'eat it,' so I reluctantly did."

Insect consumption is gaining attention as a potential solution to future concerns about food shortages. However, many people have reservations, and experts point out the following:

Professor Keimi Oda, Faculty of Law and Letters, Ehime University, who specializes in labor issues:

"If eating insects is not reasonably necessary for job-related purposes, it could be considered harassment. Regarding the relationship between the workplace, the municipal government as the employer, and the employees, there may be a potential issue of violating the obligation of safety considerations."

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PHOTOS FOR SHOW 104

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Japan Wut 96 "AI Lingerie"

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ON THIS INSTALLMENT…

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… Matt discusses Japanese AI Lingerie fails, a WEF Report on Women’s Brains in Japan, and how super-technical Japan is full of bellyflops when it comes to paperless infrastructure.

For photos and additional content, go to the Official Website.

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Links Related to Show 96

• Japan’s “just-born” AI-generated swimsuit/lingerie model’s career/existence is officially over

• Japan's wholesale prices up 5.1% in May; slowest rise in 2 years

• Japan faces headwinds in drawing foreign workers despite visa change

• U.S., Taiwan, Japan drone fleets to share real-time data: report

• Subscribe to read | Financial Times

• Hanwha Ocean Unveils Combat XLUUV

• Quad needs more muscle to live up to potential: think tank

• Japan Awards Kawasaki Heavy Industries $243 Million Contract for Homegrown Version of Tomahawk Missile

• Okinawa police arrest US sailor, Marine on suspicion of trespassing on balconies

• Stress due to gender issues affecting size of women’s brains

• World's 1st 'tooth regrowth' medicine moves toward clinical trials in Japan

• Individual shown wrong person's pension info on Japan's 'My Number' portal site (CHECK PHOTOS FOR ADDITIONAL HEADLINES)

• Japan making efforts to bridge digital divide between young, elderly

• Toyota puts liquid hydrogen-powered car into 24-hour race

• Where’s the Demand for the Chinese Yuan?

• Toyota puts liquid hydrogen-powered car into 24-hour race

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