n Japanese language, Mirai-Shiko Kuni means a future-oriented country. That is precisely what Japan is. Excelling in manufacturing, electronics, robotics and automotive, Japan is a dominant progressive force in technological innovation. It is now playing a pivotal role in the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
The use and implementation of AI has taken the world by storm. Japanese cabinet office announced its first AI strategy in 2016. After two iterations, the new formulated strategy is now called AI Strategy 2022.
According to the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan published by the Japanese government in 2016, Japan had set itself the goal to become Society 5.0. The vision was to amplify industrial competitiveness and realise the significance of data and new technologies to address and overcome the problems of declining birth rate, an aging population, energy, environment and work-force scarcity.
In February 2019, a published AI-document named Social Principles of Human-Centric AI said Society 5.0 was supportable. It was an internet of things (IoT), latest technologies and robotics harnessed to create unmatched worth.
In the Council Of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy and The Rule of Law, Japan assisted in the drafting of convention but only as an observer state from Asia.
The Hiroshima AI process was hosted and headed by Japan in May 2023. Other G7 nations too were represented. The aim in launching the Hiroshima AI process was to foster international collaboration; ensure safe, trustworthy and secure use of AI; establish transparency; and safeguard data privacy.
Naoki Mito, section chief of cellular-network planning department in Docomo says, “Artificial intelligence programmes, such as LLMs (large language models) seem to be the mainstream use of AI in typical Japanese companies. These can be extremely helpful in improving the efficiency of businesses. Soon we can expect to see the introduction of AI agents having access to all information within a company as if they are collaborators.”
Ryu Kouhei, a sole proprietor who rents motorised TukTuks in Kyushu Prefecture, tellsTNS, “I am trying to incorporate AI to make my job easier. I would like to create an AI chat-bot on my website, that can answer a variety of questions from customers about TukTuk’s rental charges, recommended routes for driving and tourist attractions etc.”
Japan is already using AI in many different fields. Here are some examples:
Japan is using a technology called Spectee Pro, a cloud-based AI system for crisis and disaster response management service. Since Japan is prone to natural calamities like earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis etc, this service is supported and backed by local governments and business companies.
Japan is using a technology called Spectee Pro, a cloud-based AI system for crisis and disaster-response management. Since Japan is prone to natural calamities like earthquakes, this service is backed by local governments.
The main function of this service is to analyse and collect data from credible social media posts, rivers and road cameras, meteorological measurements, weather and traffic data to provide accurate run time information to save lives by combating crisis and disaster situation. Spectee Pro CEO Murakami Kenjiro came up with the vision during volunteer work, while visiting disaster-affected areas. After its success in Japan, Spectee Pro is set to expand its services in Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Hirayama Takayuki, CEO of ARUM Inc, has developed an AI-based software named ARUMCODE. With the help of this software, machining programmes can be written for precision component manufacturing, replacing skilled technicians who acquire such skills and learn these programmes taking years.
Due to population crisis and lack of skilled workforce many companies in Japan are using this software to address their needs of manufacturing. Around 150 Japanese manufacturing companies, including a major automaker, are subscribers to this cloud-based service.
Japan is making the most in medical field as well by using AI and saving more lives than before through continuous research and development.
AI Medical Service founder Tada Tomohiro has worked for various hospitals in Tokyo. In 2016, he introduced world’s first AI endoscopy system for the early detection of gastric and oesophageal cancer. This system detects and identifies the points sometimes missed by doctors.
He says, “It does not matter if I work as a doctor, clinic director or a startup CEO, my goal is to reduce missed cancer detection rate to zero. By working with medical equipment manufacturers, it is a part of strategy to make Japan Number 1 in medical technology. Japan is the top producer of endoscopes.”
For public security, crime prevention and patrol, Crime Nabi is an easy-to-use AI based service by Singular Perturbations Inc. It is used in Japan and Brazil for crime patrol and prevention. Kajita Mami from Japan, a physicist and CEO of Singular Perturbations, was herself a victim of pick-pocketing. That incident shaped her life and motivated her to create crime prediction AI system.
This system predicts, with increasing accuracy, when and where a crime is likely to happen. This helps police map out optimal patrol routes. Using past crime data, map of actual crime occurrences, demographic, geographic data and weather at much faster speed in comparison to conventional computing methods.
IOS.Inc, a Japanese startup has developed a compact landmine-clearing robot called DMR (demining robot). The DMR uses compressed air to blow soil around landmines and make it a safer demining option in comparison to dangerous manual mining methods.
Similarly, with AI help Japan is ready to promote its soft strengths manga, anime and video games with translation for worldwide fan base. Likewise, Japanese fisheries and agriculture are profiting from the use of AI technology.
Japan prides itself for its innovation and has always had a role in creating quality technology not only for the good of its own people but also for the entire human race.
The writer is a freelance Journalist and an MBA graduate from the University Of Wales Lampeter (UK). He can be reachable at omar.malik100@hotmail.com
