| By Xuan Zhong | Taiwan semiconductor giant TSMC opened its first factory in Japan, creating a template for other countries looking to create international tech R&D and production partnerships.
Friday, August 21
Record-Breaking Heatwave: Japan’s Traditional Culture Faces New Threats
| By Eliana Pisons | The record-breaking heatwave caused by climate destruction is disrupting the intricate dance of the seasons that holds deep cultural significance in Japan.
Japan Charts a Sustainable Future with Ambitious Climate Transition Bonds
| By Eliana Pisons | Japan has demonstrated its commitment to climate finance with the ambitious intention to issue $11 billion in climate transition bonds, set to be released in February.
Insights and Innovations at the US-Japan Technology Forum
Leaders, innovators, and emeritus professionals gathered to share insights and innovations at the US-Japan Technology Forum in Arlington, Virginia.
Kyoto University Engineers Testing Satellite Made with Wood
| By Xuan Zhong | Scientists from Kyoto University in Japan are working with NASA and JAXA to test wood as a building material for disposable satellites.
Japanese Startup Develops ‘Gundam’-Inspired Robot
| By Loc Le | Tsubame Industries of Japan has developed a robot called Archax. The company has plans to use the system in a variety of industrial, disaster relief, and space applications.
US, Japan, and South Korea Seal Landmark Trilateral Accord
| By Eliana Pisons | The August 18 Camp David Summit between the US, Japan, and South Korea has ushered in a new age of cooperation while tackling regional concerns.
Empowering Change: Women Scholars Advocate Diplomacy, Cooperation, and Inclusivity in East Asia
| By Xuan Zhong | Women scholars gathered at the Mansfield Foundation Trilateral Youth Empowerment Capitol Hill Forum addressing critical contemporary issues.
Taro Kono Appointed as Digital Minister for Japan
Taro Kono has been appointed as the new Digital Minister for the Government of Japan. An outspoken proponent of modernization, Minister Kono is pushing for Japanese government and industry to move away from analog technology and processes and adopt contemporary digital tools.
For example, many Japanese offices still use the traditional hanko seal as an official signature on printed documents. During COVID lockdowns, Japanese employees and citizens were often required to go to local government and business offices to physically sign documents with their hanko. But Minister Kono is an advocate for digital signatures such as those used in websites like DocuSign and digital certificates available for Adobe PDF documents.
A graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Minister Kono has served in numerous senior Japanese government positions including Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, Minister of Administrative Affairs, Minister for Disaster Management, and several other roles.
Minister Kono recognizes there’s much work to be done to complete the transition from analog to digital in Japan as he pushes for innovation while playfully chiding himself and Japanese organizations through his own Twitter account about reliance on old technologies such as fax machines. It remains to be seen how much change Minister Kono can implement, but his focus on new technologies is expected to result in much-needed progress towards a more digital society in Japan.