hooi – Kuala Lumpur Week

NEC Selected by NTT DOCOMO as a Virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) Vendor

hooi — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 12:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 26, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced its selection by NTT DOCOMO, Inc. (DOCOMO) as a virtualized radio access network (vRAN) vendor for DOCOMO’s nationwide 5G commercial network services. Going forward, NEC plans to provide DOCOMO with vRAN for use in creating flexible and highly scalable 5G networks to be operated on the company’s commercial networks.

In addition, through OREX (*1)—the Open RAN service brand provided by DOCOMO in collaboration with telecom carriers and vendors worldwide—NEC’s software will be globally deployed in the same manner as the products and services of other OREX partners to create and promote an Open RAN ecosystem.

This vRAN, which achieves carrier-grade quality that is compliant with the O-RAN specifications defined by the O-RAN ALLIANCE, is cloud-native and was developed based on NEC’s 5G hardware base station technology and knowhow, for which it has a proven large-scale commercial track record. Equipped with software compatible with commercially available servers using the latest generation microprocessors, it also delivers high-speed, large-capacity communications unique to 5G by proactively utilizing hardware acceleration to speed up processing.

At present, virtualization technology is being introduced in core networks to ensure early deployment of services through lower equipment costs and shorter procurement lead times. In addition, orchestrators are automating the integrated operation and management of networks and optimizing control, thereby enhancing service quality and reliability. This will enable networks to be controlled efficiently and autonomously in accordance with service and traffic conditions.

Expanding the deployment of this virtualization technology to the 5G RAN domain will aid DOCOMO in achieving its aim of reducing total cost of ownership (TCO) by up to 30% and lowering power consumption by up to 50% (*2).

NEC already provides virtualization technologies for vEPC (*3) for DOCOMO’s 4G commercial services and 5G mobile core network (5GC). Going forward, by promoting the virtualization of the RAN domain, NEC will flexibly support DOCOMO’s wide range of services and contribute to the creation of a high-quality 5G network.

Masafumi Masuda, General Manager, Radio Access Network Technology Promotion Office, Radio Access Network Design Department, DOCOMO said, “Adding NEC vRAN software with both excellent radio and cloudification technologies to DOCOMO’s 5G RAN using the O-RAN ALLIANCE specifications from day one enables us to realize even lower power consumption, and even more flexible and efficient network construction and operation to meet our customers’ demand. We will provide true Open RAN with NEC and the other OREX PARTNERS to the global market together.”

Michio Kiuchi, Corporate Executive Vice President of NEC said, “We are honored to be selected by DOCOMO as a commercial 5G vRAN vendor. We look forward to leveraging NEC’s virtualization technology for telecommunications infrastructure to provide high-quality, reliable vRAN enabling the advancement of flexible networks. NEC remains committed to supporting DOCOMO’s expansion of 5G services and contributing to the further development of next-generation mobile infrastructure in domestic and global markets.”

(1) OREX is a trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC.
(2) DOCOMO press release: OREX Announces OREX® Open RAN Service Lineup
—Achieves TCO reduction of up to 30% and reduces power consumption by up to 50%—https://ssw.web.docomo.ne.jp/orex/en/pressrelease/20230927.html
(3) Virtualized Evolved Packet Core

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.

Fujitsu and Celonis Expand Strategic Global Partnership

hooi — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 09:23:27 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 26, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Fujitsu today announced the signature of an agreement to further expand its strategic global partnership with Celonis, the pioneer and global leader in process mining, to accelerate business transformation for customers and digital transformation (DX). The agreement positions Fujitsu as Japan’s latest Global Platinum Partner under Celonis’ partner program.

Starting April 2024, Fujitsu will leverage Celonis’ Process Mining (1) technology to provide consulting services that draw on its know-how acquired through in-house practices and customer use cases in various industries to help customers realize business transformation.

Bastian Nominacher, co-founder and co-CEO of Celonis, commented.

“By expanding the strategic partnership between Fujitsu and Celonis, and combining our process intelligence platform with Fujitsu’s DX capabilities, we can offer customers tailored solutions to optimize their business processes and achieve their transformation goals. Through this partnership Fujitsu enables its clients to boost their productivity, unlock significant cost saving potential and operate in a more sustainable way, making their processes work for people, companies, and the planet.”

Takahashi Yoshinami, Corporate Executive Officer, SEVP, Head of Global Business Solutions, Fujitsu Limited, comments:

“We’ve been working together closely with Celonis and using their world-class process mining technology to solve our customers’ business challenges. Further deepening our partnership with Celonis will allow us to deliver end-to-end consulting services globally to activate customers’ growth and ultimately realize a more sustainable society.”

Strengthening partnership to support customers’ transformation journeys

Business processes are becoming more complex in many enterprises, and visualization and efficiency of business processes represent increasingly important steps in the realization of DX.

Process mining is a widely-used technology to model, analyze and optimize business processes. It visualizes the current status and bottlenecks of business processes and utilizes AI and automation to improve them by leveraging and analyzing data and event logs from various enterprise systems.

In December 2020, Fujitsu entered into a partnership agreement with Celonis to drive customers’ DX in the Japanese market.

As part of its vision for Digital Shifts, one of the key focus areas under Fujitsu Uvance to realize a sustainable world, Fujitsu has been supporting DX for approximately 30 customers in the fields of manufacturing, telecommunications, finance and retail as a resale and delivery partner of Celonis in Japan.

By expanding this partnership, Fujitsu will further bolster its capabilities for global service delivery. In addition to establishing service bases in North America, Europe, and APAC regions, Fujitsu will also create global delivery bases.

From April 2024, Fujitsu will further provide end-to-end consulting services globally to help customers improve their business operations by visualizing, analyzing and optimizing their global business processes.

By the end of fiscal 2024, Fujitsu aims to complete training of 150 global qualified technology consultants with advanced technology and expertise in its Digital Shifts key focus area.

[1] Process mining:

A widely-used technology to model, analyze and optimize business processes. It visualizes the current status and bottlenecks of business processes and utilizes AI and automation to improve them by leveraging and analyzing data and event logs from various enterprise systems.

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$28 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.

About Celonis

Since 2011, Celonis has helped thousands of the world’s largest and most esteemed companies yield immediate cash impact, radically improve customer experience, and reduce carbon emissions. Its Process Intelligence platform uses industry-leading process mining technology and AI to present companies with a living digital twin of their end-to-end processes. For the first time, everyone in an organization has a common language for how the business runs, visibility into where value is hiding, and the ability to capture it. Celonis is headquartered in Munich, Germany and New York City, USA with more than 20 offices worldwide. For more information, visit Celonis at https://www.celonis.com/jp/.

Press Contacts:

Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations Division
Inquiries

Celonis
Celonis Partner Business Division
E-mail: partnerinfo-japan@celonis.com

Mitsubishi Corporation’s Sale of Exportadora de Sal, S.A. de C.V., a Salt Production Company in Mexico

hooi — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 06:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 26, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Mitsubishi Corporation announced today that it has agreed on February 24, 2024 to sell its entire 49% stake in Exportadora de Sal, S.A. de C.V. (hereinafter “ESSA”), a salt production company in Mexico, to the Ministry of Economy of Mexico, the existing shareholder of ESSA (*).

MC has operated ESSA together with the Ministry of Economy of Mexico since 1973, and with this share transfer, ESSA will aim to achieve further growth under the leadership by the public sector of Mexico. MC will continue to purchase salt produced by ESSA and provide a stable supply to our customers.

(*) The transferee will be Fideicomiso de Fomento Minero, which is under the Ministry of Economy of Mexico.

Inquiry Recipient:
Mitsubishi Corporation
Telephone: +81-3-3210-2171

‘MMVO,’ Mazda’s Production Base in Mexico Marks its 10th Anniversary

hooi — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 06:22:48 +0000

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Feb 26, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – A production site of Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) in the United Mexican States, Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation (MMVO), marked its 10th anniversary since its founding in January 2014. Celebrating the milestone, it held a commemorative ceremony on February 25, 2024 (Japan time). MMVO employees and dignitaries from the United Mexican States, the state of Guanajuato, and the city of Salamanca attended the ceremony to celebrate the 10th anniversary.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mazda’s President and CEO Masahiro Moro said, “Since the start of operation in January 2014, MMVO has grown with the support of many people, including the support of the state government. Once again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone involved. Mazda has a ‘Human Centric’ culture that values people. In order to realize Mazda’s commitment to manufacturing in Mexico, our bases in Japan and MMVO have constantly engaged in communication and interactions across all areas, including production engineering and quality. We will continue to cherish our ‘Human Centric’ culture and work tirelessly to ensure that MMVO is rooted in the community and becomes a factory that is loved by the local community.”

In 2020, MMVO achieved cumulative production of one million units, and over the past ten years, it has grown into an indispensable and important base for Mazda’s global business. In 2023, MMVO’s production volume reached 202,506 units, and Mazda’s sales in Mexico posted a record high of 76,017 units. The vehicles manufactured in MMVO account for about 70% of the sales volume in Mexico, and one-third of the sales volume in the North America. MMVO has grown to support the North American market, which Mazda positions as the most important market. Through bending efforts for co-creation with its stakeholders, MMVO will make further strides as a strategic base to support Mazda’s business in North American market and contribute to the growth of the Mexican economy as well as the development of the automotive industry.

Mazda will continue to pursue the ‘Joy of Driving’ under its core value, ‘Human Centric,’ and aim to deliver ‘Joy of Living’ by creating moving experiences in customers’ daily lives.

Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions to Supply Elevators and Escalators for New Capital Relocation Project in Indonesia

hooi — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 03:22:49 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 26, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corporation (MEBS, Head Office: Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo; President: Tadashi Matsumoto) announced today that PT. Mitsubishi Jaya Elevator and Escalator (MJEE), which is engaged in sales, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of elevators and escalators in Indonesia, has secured a major order to supply a total of 55 units, comprising 33 elevators and 22 escalators, for the Indonesia New Capital Relocation Project (Phase 1).

Exterior view of the Presidential Palace and the Presidential Office in Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara (image) (Photo by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing of the Republic of Indonesia)

This order for elevators and escalators for key government facilities such as the Presidential Palace and the Executive Office of the President, which are under construction in Nusantara, the new city currently being developed as the future capital of Indonesia, is the result of MJEE’s solid business performance in the Indonesian elevator and escalator market and the high quality of its products and services.

Product Features

Installation Sites	Indonesian Presidential Palace, Presidential Office, Presidential Secretariat Office, and Office of the Ministry of State Secretariat
Location	Nusantara, Indonesia (Indonesia’s planned future capital)
Products	Elevators: 33 units, escalators: 22 units
Products	Mitsubishi elevator and escalator monitoring and control systems, touchless button
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Elevator Asia Co., Ltd. (Kingdom of Thailand, AMEC) MJEE (Republic of Indonesia)

Overview of the Indonesia Capital Relocation Project

The Indonesian government is planning to move the national capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in the eastern part of Kalimantan Island in an effort to solve a number of long-standing issues that affect the current capital, Jakarta, including a high population density due to the concentration of political and economic functions, rapid land subsidence, and frequent flooding during the rainy season, as well as to address the issue of regional disparities between Java and the rest of Indonesia.

The government has set a target date of 2045 for the complete relocation to the new capital. In the first phase of the relocation, several government functions are scheduled be relocated within 2024.

MEBS’s Elevator and Escalator Business in Indonesia

Indonesia is the third largest market for new elevators and escalators*1 among the ASEAN countries, after Vietnam and Thailand. Indonesia boasts the largest population and GDP in ASEAN, and is expected to continue to experience strong growth in demand along with sustained economic growth.

MJEE began selling elevators and escalators in Indonesia in 1996, and has since established itself as a market leader in the country. MJEE now has its own production base in Karawang, West Java, and has been responding to local needs by combining major parts imported from Thailand’s AMEC, our core base in Asia, with locally produced parts to achieve reduced costs and shorter lead times for high quality products.

Moreover, in accordance with Indonesia’s domestic product usage (P3DN) program*2, in September 2021, MJEE received a certificate indicating that a domestic component level (TKDN) of 40% or more had been reached for machine room-less elevators with a rated load capacity of 1,275~1,600 kg and speed of 105 m or less. This certification allows the company to actively participate in purchasing and procurement projects conducted by the Indonesian Government as well as by state-owned and other public entities, thereby accelerating the expansion of its elevator and escalator business in Indonesia. MEBS will continue to provide safe and reliable products and services to the Indonesian market through MJEE, while aiming to increase the domestic component level of its other models to 40% or more.

*1 Based on demand for 2022, according to MEBS’s own research

*2 A policy aimed at promoting the purchase and use of domestically produced products by the Indonesian government to achieve both growth in the Indonesian manufacturing industry and investor profits. As for government goods/service procurement., domestic products (meaning products with the domestic component level of 40% or more) are given priority. The domestic component level is calculated based on how much domestic production factors and costs such as raw materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead are used.

Overview of MJEE

Company Name	PT. Mitsubishi Jaya Elevator and Escalator
Representative	Christian Satrya, President Director
Location	Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia
Capital	15.784 billion Indonesian rupees
Ownership	Mitsubishi Electric Corporation: 41% Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corporation: 24% Mitsubishi Corporation 15% Pembangunan Jaya 20%
Established	October 1996
Employees	511 (As of December 2023)
Business	Sales, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of elevators and escalators

Customer Inquiries
Corporate Planning Department, Global Business Group
Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corporation
bod.inquiry@rk.MitsubishiElectric.co.jp

Media Inquiries
Corporate Communication Division
Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corporation
a_meltec-kouhou@meltec.co.jp

Press Release: http://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/2024226EN.pdf

Clear Mobitel Successfully Deploys NEC 5G SA Cloud Native Core Network to Accelerate the Adoption of Innovative 5G Solutions in the UK and the Channel Islands

hooi — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:22:52 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 22, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Clear Mobitel Ltd., and NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) have announced the successful deployment of NEC’s state-of-the-art 5G Standalone (SA) Cloud Native Core Network solution in the UK to accelerate the delivery and adoption of advanced 5G services. This initiative with NEC is set to accelerate the delivery and adoption of advanced 5G services. Clear Mobitel will utilise this cutting-edge 5G core technology to support its software-centric ecosystem approach to remain agile and responsive to meet customer needs. In accordance with Clear Mobitel’s vision, NEC will help setting up the 5G network for various B2B (Private Networks) and B2C (Fixed Wireless Access) use-cases by providing 5G SA core network software on Amazon Web Services (AWS), enabling simple and fast application building, as well as rapid deployment, while driving scalability and resilience, and User Plane Function (UPF) deployed on the edge, which is part of NEC’s Open Ecosystem portfolio.

“We are thrilled to partner with NEC to leverage their innovative 5G Core solution in the UK. NEC’s extensive experience and ecosystem approach align with our vision to accelerate the adoption and delivery of innovative 5G solutions and services throughout the UK and the Channel Islands”, said Harpal Mann, Founder and CEO of Clear Mobitel.

“This collaboration further strengthens our commitment to delivering a robust 5G ecosystem by combining our advanced 5G network connectivity and smart data-driven artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms with greater flexibility, scalability, and reliability allowing us to meet the evolving needs of our clients”, said Dr Shahram G Niri, CTO of Clear Mobitel.

“NEC, with our long tradition of technical innovation, is delighted to be working with Clear Mobitel leading the way toward networks that will drive ongoing 5G innovation”, said Yutaka Nishigori, General Manager, Mobile Core Department, NEC. “Open architecture-based networks enable a rich competitive environment that drives innovation and delivers a faster and cost-effective launch of new services.”

About Clear Mobitel

Clear Mobitel, Ltd. is a pioneering UK-based company with offices in Wales, the Channel Islands, and the USA. The primary objective at Clear Mobitel is to lead the next wave of 5G Ecosystem technologies for FWA (Fixed Wireless Access), Private 5G Network services, and cutting-edge smart and secure mobile connectivity solutions. At the forefront of software innovation, Clear Mobitel is dedicated to delivering the latest platform technology, complete with ground-breaking in-house applications and software solutions. The mission is to redefine the possibilities of connectivity, ensuring clients have access to the most advanced and reliable smart services available. For more information, visit www.clearmobitel.com

About NEC Corporation

NEC UPF Achieves Industry-Leading High Performance in 5G Core Networks, reaching 1.3Tbps Throughput

hooi — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 22, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) has confirmed that its User Plane Function (UPF) for processing user data traffic in 5G core networks (5GC) has achieved an industry-leading throughput of 1.3Tbps per server on Intel servers with 4th generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors.

As 5G advances towards the Beyond 5G/6G era, and next-generation information and communications infrastructure are introduced, communications traffic is expected to increase dramatically due to the spread of high-definition video distribution, AR, VR, and AI. Under these circumstances, telecom operators are being compelled to continuously expand their facilities, resulting in increased power consumption and costs that are becoming a major business challenge.

In recent years, NEC has been working to improve UPF performance and its processing efficiency by applying advanced approaches such as optimizing CPU processing, accelerating memory access, and reducing memory access delays(1). NEC has also been continuously evaluating the latest hardware to improve performance and has now successfully confirmed the groundbreaking high throughput of 1.3Tbps in testing of a UPF on servers using 4th generation Intel® Xeon® scalable processors. Moreover, NEC has ensured the energy efficiency of the UPF by using Intel® Infrastructure Power Manager, enabling the company to offset the influence of increasing power consumption in pursuit of carbon neutrality(2).

This achievement helps to significantly improve the performance of mobile network traffic processing, as well as contributing to lower power consumption and costs.

(1) Whitepaper www.nec.com/en/global/solutions/5g/download/pdf/NEC_UPF_Whitepaper.pdf
(2) Delivering on Sustainability:
NEC’s Power Saving Solutions in the User Plane Function of 5G Networks
Delivering on Sustainability: NEC’s Power Saving Solutions in the User Plane Function of 5G Networks : Blog | NEC

About NEC Corporation

DOCOMO and NTT Expand 6G Collaborations with SK Telecom and Rohde & Schwarz

hooi — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:22:52 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 22, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) announced today that they have added two new global partners to their collaborative 6G trials with the world’s leading vendors and global operators: telecom operator SK Telecom Co., Ltd (SK Telecom) and Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG (Rohde & Schwarz), a manufacturer of high-frequency high-performance measurement instruments.

The two new companies join existing collaborators1,2 Fujitsu Limited (Fujitsu), NEC Corporation (NEC), Nokia, Ericsson and Keysight Technologies, Inc. (Keysight Technologies) to expand the joint effort with DOCOMO and NTT to seven companies participating in trials of potential frequency bands for 6G telecommunications.

The details of the cooperation between the two newly added companies are as follows. As part of its technical collaboration3 with DOCOMO and NTT, SK Telecom will participate in trials using AI technology to tailor radio interfaces for various propagation environments, which is being conducted jointly by DOCOMO with NTT and Nokia. The trial will now be expanded to include environments closer to envisioned uses, leveraging SK Telecom’s expertise as a telecom operator and ecosystem creator, similar to DOCOMO. In addition, Rohde & Schwarz will use its measurement-system design technology in channel models to evaluate new wireless-sensing solutions beyond mobile communication technologies, and evaluate wireless-sensing performance using measurements and channel models in real-world environments.

Trials with seven collaborators, including two new companies

Separately, DOCOMO and NTT also announced the results of trials4,5 using new wireless communication technologies and AI, which have been conducted since June 2022. This time, we achieved the following new results.

Nokia: Trial of wireless access technology for 140GHz

ResultsBeamforming trials were successfully conducted using Nokia’s 140GHz-band radio system prototype and a 128-element phased-array antenna6 in Japan, confirming the effectiveness of phased-array beam steering in different directions to achieve good reception when the receiver is moving.Future PlansFurther trials will focus on more specific applications to confirm the practicality of sub-terahertz (sub-THz) signals7 in indoor environments.

Fujitsu: Trial of distributed MIMO at 100GHz and 300GHz

ResultsThe trial successfully acquired propagation channel information equivalent to a distributed MIMO system using Fujitsu’s 100GHz phased-array antenna prototype and wireless circuit.Future PlansSimulations will be performed to analyze factors such as shielding resistance and distributed MIMO characteristics.

Keysight Technologies: Architecture for sub-THz propagation measurement, propagation measurement and channel model formulation

ResultsA device for real-time visualization of the spatial arrival of sub-THz radio waves was successfully realized by combining an 896-element super multi-element antenna developed by NTT and a receiving signal analyzer developed by Keysight Technologies. Also, combining a SISO channel sounder developed mainly by DOCOMO and a signal transceiver built by Keysight Technologies enabled ultra-high-resolution observation of the temporal arrival of sub-THz signals. Using this group of equipment, DOCOMO and NTT have successfully conducted radio propagation experiments for ultra-broadband communications in the sub-THz band.Future PlansChannel models with dynamic tracking capabilities in real-world environments will be further developed for the design of an efficient ultra-wideband 6G communication system.

Going forward, DOCOMO and NTT will continue to conduct trials in collaboration with major global and Japanese vendors as well as overseas telecom operators. They will further expand their partners and promote various initiatives that leverage their respective strengths, to research and develop various mobile communication technologies. Through these efforts, DOCOMO and NTT aim to accelerate research and development that will contribute to the global standardization and commercialization of 6G.

Various trials mentioned above will be showcased at DOCOMO’s booth at MWC Barcelona 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, starting February 26.

For reference: SK Telecom and Nokia held press releases at the same time today.Press Release (SK Telecom): SKT, Nokia, NTT and DOCOMO team up to implement AI in the 6G air interface (www.sktelecom.com/en/press/press_detail.do?idx=1602) Press Release (Nokia): Nokia, SKT, NTT and DOCOMO team up to implement AI in the 6G air interface (https://shorturl.at/bOQY8)

(1) DOCOMO and NTT to Collaborate on 6G Experimental Trials with World-leading Mobile Technology Vendors www.docomo.ne.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2022/0606_00.html
(2) DOCOMO and NTT Expand 6G Collaborations with World-leading Vendors Including Ericsson and Keysight Technologies www.docomo.ne.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2023/0227_01.html
(3) DOCOMO and SK Telecom to Collaborate on Technological Advancement of Metaverse, Digital Media and 5G/6G www.docomo.ne.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2022/1121_00.html
(4) World’s first successful demonstration of distributed MIMO that continues wireless connections in the 28 GHz band by eliminating shielding issues www.docomo.ne.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2022/1031_00.html
(5) Nokia, DOCOMO and NTT make two key 6G advances #MWC23 https://shorturl.at/cimCI
(6) The phase of multiple antenna elements was controlled to orient the antenna’s directionality towards location of the receiver.
(7) 90 to 300GHz bands, which are more directional and susceptible to shielding by obstacles than 5G Evolution millimeter waves.

About NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile operator with over 89 million subscriptions, is one of the world’s foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities (“+d” partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. www.docomo.ne.jp/english/

About NTT

NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and business as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include digital business consulting, managed application services, workplace and cloud solutions, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $97B in revenue and 330,000 employees, with $3.6B in annual R&D investments. Our operations span across 80+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of other enterprise and government clients and millions of consumers. https://group.ntt/en/

Successful demonstration of computing and mobile networks convergence to provide diverse services in the 6G era

hooi — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 22, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NTT Corporation (NTT) and NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) have jointly demonstrated a mobile network equipped with In-network computing functions. In the experiment, NTT and DOCOMO expanded the 3GPP standards-compliant mobile core network based on the concept of the “Inclusive Core(1)” proposed by NTT as the core network for the 6G/IOWN era.We demonstrated for the first time in the world(2) that high performance applications can be used with low latency by dynamically allocating the computing resources within the network depending on the characteristics of mobile devices and communications. This result will make it possible to reduce device processing load by assisting devices with low-latency and high-performance computing functions provided in the network. It is also expected that 6G/IOWN-era services, which require high-performance processing capabilities on the device side, will be used without depending on device performance.Our demonstration will be showcased at Nokia’s booth during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, organized by GSMA from February 26th to 29th, 2024.

1. Background and Purpose

Existing mobile networks transfer data independently of device and cloud data processing. Because of this functional split, device and cloud services could not work together closely. On the other hand, 6G requires that device and cloud services work together closely to realize advanced services such as cyber-physical convergence(3). NTT and DOCOMO are taking on the challenge of solving problems such as device and cloud federation by computing functions including GPUs and other accelerators in the In-network Service Acceleration Platform (ISAP)(4). ISAP accelerates the federation between the device and the cloud in low-latency and high-capacity 6G networks by offloading the processing previously performed on devices. This enables metaverse services that require high processing power for 3D rendering, to be provided at low latency even on simplified devices, such as smart glasses.

Figure 1 Conventional Network Function, and Communication Service

Figure 2 Convergence of Mobile Network and Computing

2. Proposal for mobile network and computing convergence

ISAP is a technology that provides the following as the technical elements of the convergence of mobile network and computing:

Provide computing resources according to the mobile communication status of the deviceProvide computing resources according to the status changes in cloud serviceDynamic control of optimized computing resources according to the characteristics of mobile networks and each cloud service3. Overview of Demonstration Experiments

In our joint work, ISAP orchestrated the compute resource management with the support of Nokia’s 5G Core SaaS. The federation with ISAP and Network Exposure Function (NEF)(5), part of Core SaaS, enabled ISAP management system to efficiently scale the computing resource for new applications.The following three points were confirmed in the ISAP demonstration experiment.

A. Provide computing resources according to the mobile communication status of the deviceWe have confirmed that computing services can be integrated and controlled in the mobile network, depending on the connectivity status of the devices acquired via NEF from the mobile core network. We have also confirmed that this procedure can be completed in a time equivalent to the normal procedure for connecting to a mobile network.
B. Provide computing resources according to the status changes in cloud serviceIn a metaverse use case, we have confirmed that computing services with GPUs for high-performance rendering, encoding, and decoding can be controlled based on the state of the service. We have also confirmed that computing resources can be allocated within the metaverse state change time.
C. Dynamic control of optimized computing resources according to the characteristics of mobile networks and each cloud serviceIn addition to the metaverse, even if each service has different characteristics, such as a service that uses AI to analyze a video stream of a surveillance camera, we have configured a computing service by dynamically combining computing functions such as GPU and DPU without involving CPU, and confirmed that it can be provisioned in time equivalent to the normal procedure.

Figure 3 Functions of ISAP and proved in the Demonstration Experiment

Figure 4 Demonstration Test

4. Role of each company in the demonstration experiment

Demonstration experiments on the convergence of mobile network and computing for 6G were conducted in the following areas.

– DOCOMO: Studies implement method and experimental configuration utilizing knowledge of mobile core network architecture and global standards, and provides a metaverse application
– NTT: Provides a test environment for inclusive core ISAP technology, AI video analysis application, and conducts demonstration experiments
– Nokia: Provides Core SaaS5.

5. Outlook

NTT and DOCOMO will continue to study and demonstrate use cases and architectures for 6G networks that integrate mobile networks and computing. We will also continue to study ways to provide services that allow users to use services regardless of device processing power or service characteristics. NTT and DOCOMO will also work with Nokia to promote standardization of 6G. In addition, we will expand our collaboration with telecommunications carriers, equipment and device manufacturers, cloud providers, service providers, and others to promote research and development of the 6G/IOWN-era convergence of mobile networks and computing (In-Network Computing(6)) and the provision of its services.

(1) Inclusive Core
NTT’s 6G/IOWN-era network architecture
Achieves a variety of convergence and collaboration over the network, enabling the convergence of computing and network needed for 6G/IOWN use cases such as AI-integrated communications and cyber-physical systems
*White Paper on Inclusive Core Technical Specifications
www.rd.ntt/e/ns/inclusivecore/whitepaper_ver1.html
*Press release: “Inclusive Core” network in the 6G/IOWN era
https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2023/10/25/pdf/231025aa.pdf
(2) As of February 21, 2024, according to NTT and DOCOMO
(3) Cyber-physical convergence
Services and systems for realizing a better and more advanced society by collecting information in real space (physical space) from various sensors, etc. and linking it to virtual space (cyberspace).
*DOCOMO 6G White Paper
https://shorturl.at/zLQUZ
(4) In-network Service Acceleration Platform (ISAP)
As In-Network Computing, it mediates information processing related to services on devices and in the cloud, and forms a cascading processing base on hardware in the network that is suited to the communication environment and the service usage environment, while synchronizing and coordinating both at high speed. The network cooperates and speeds up information processing between terminals and the cloud anytime and anywhere, leading to the creation of flexible service experiences that are not limited by customer environments, devices, or services. ISAP enables the use of a variety of advanced services, regardless of device specifications or access network environments, to reach more users than service providers.
(5) Network Exposure Function (NEF)
Network function for providing information held in a mobile communication network to the outside
(6) In-Network Computing (INC)

This technology concept transfers the processing function of the application layer to the data transfer function in the network, and achieves high-performance and high-performance services while reducing latency and device power consumption. Offloading information processing to switches and other devices in the network is expected to reduce device load.About NTT

About NTT DOCOMO

Fujitsu introduces “Uvance Wayfinders”, expanded and strengthened consulting capabilities to deliver cross-industry business value

hooi — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 06:23:01 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 22, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Fujitsu today announced the launch of “Uvance Wayfinders,” a move to significantly strengthen its consulting capabilities. It establishes 13 key focus consulting areas including business and technology consulting to contribute to the solution of customers’ business challenges and societal issues.

Fujitsu will build a team of 10,000 Wayfinder consultants by FY2025. This will be achieved through a new certification scheme, reskilling opportunities, recruitment efforts, as well as potentially acquiring talent and resources through M&A.

This move underlines Fujitsu’s vision for 2030 announced in its Mid-term Management Plan and its ambition to transform into “a technology company that realizes net positive (1) outcomes for its stakeholders including society, customers, shareholders and employees, while providing digital services which contribute to sustainability across industries.”

The concept of “Wayfinders” alludes to how Fujitsu can help customers achieve their business goals, when the route may be unknown or uncertain. Fujitsu’s consultants can offer customers support in finding direction, design strategic paths, and provide guidance and assurance during implementation. In doing so, Fujitsu will contribute more effectively to the solution of societal issues across industry sectors, rather than solving problems based on traditional industry sectors siloes.

Fujitsu aims to become a partner of choice by drawing on its advanced technological capabilities and deep knowledge, cultivated through decades of experience and successful relationships built with customers in a variety of industries.

Focus areas of the consulting business

Developing people skills with ‘Wayfinders’

Fujitsu in August 2023 established the Consulting CoE (Center of Excellence) as a new organization responsible for the governance function of its consulting business. The Consulting CoE will develop an overall strategy for the consulting business and promote the expansion of consulting personnel, including a reskilling program. Fujitsu has further introduced a certification system to ensure the quality of its consultants, and since January 2024 successively produced certified consulting personnel under this scheme. Fujitsu will develop a personnel system throughout its group that provides compensation commensurate with the responsibilities of certified personnel, and promote the following three measures in the training of its consulting talent:

1. Supporting employees’ career transitions through the implementation of reskilling

Ridgelinez Limited (2) will develop educational programs and on-the-job training utilizing its knowledge and know-how on consulting services, and will support employees in their career transition to consultancy.

2. Promotion of mid-career recruitment

Fujitsu will actively promote mid-career recruitment in its 13 key focus consulting areas. Fujitsu will be recruiting a wide range of people with specific industry and technology knowledge, regardless of recruits’ prior experience in consulting.

3. Expansion of human resources through strategic M&A

Fujitsu will actively explore the possibilities of M&A while taking into account the progress of efforts to expand pool of talent in-house through the promotion of reskilling and career recruitment.

Badge design awarded to certified consulting personnel

[1]Net positive :In addition to maximizing financial returns, Fujitsu will work to solve global environmental problems, develop a digital society, and improve people’s wellbeing. Through technology and innovation, Fujitsu will make a positive impact on society as a whole
[2]Ridgelinez Limited :Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Representative Director and CEO: Toshiya Imai

About Fujitsu

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Fujitsu delivers new supercomputer system to Japan Meteorological Agency to improve prediction accuracy for typhoons and torrential rain

hooi — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:22:49 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 21, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Fujitsu today announced the delivery of a new supercomputer system to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) (1)to improve prediction accuracy for typhoons and torrential rains and help authorities develop data-driven plans to provide early warning and evacuation for residents during natural disasters. The JMA will start operations of the new supercomputer system on March 5, 2024.

Together with a supercomputer system for use in linear rainband forecasting Fujitsu provided to the JMA in March 2023, the new system will increase the computing power to about four times that of the previous supercomputer and contribute to the agency’s ability to more accurately predict various phenomena.

To promote the utilization of meteorological data by private companies and research institutions, Fujitsu has also created a dedicated environment for sharing meteorological information and data as part of this system, making it possible to leverage large amounts of meteorological data that could not be provided by the previous system.

Supercomputing for more robust disaster prevention

As part of its “JMA’s NWP Strategic Plan Toward 2030” (2) the JMA is focusing on early warning and evacuation in the case of heavy rain disaster prevention, wide-area evacuation in the case of typhoon disaster prevention, and the realization of high-precision forecasts several days in advance. To enable accurate predictions and disaster prevention, the utilization and distribution of large volumes of weather information and data to society, as well as the timely dissemination of such information with private companies and research institutions will become an increasingly important priority. To this end, Fujitsu developed a new system based on the “Fujitsu PRIMERGY RX2540 M7,” which offers users high performance and reliability.

Image of the system (3)

Future Plans

Fujitsu will continue to leverage its world-class supercomputing technology to support the JMA’s efforts to achieve its goals for 2030, and contribute to disaster prevention and mitigation of water disasters caused by the effects of climate change, with the aim of realizing a safe, secure, and resilient society.

(1) The Japan Meteorological Agency :Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Director-General: Takashi Mori
(2) Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Strategic Plan Toward 2030 :The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued numerical forecasts in October 2018, which are the basis of weather and climate forecasts.Based on this plan, the JMA aims to promote technology development with the goal of responding to social needs from the present to the near future.
(3) NAPS case design :NAPS on the main panel stands for “Numerical Analysis and Prediction System”; name as registered by the JMA (NAPS is not a registered trademark of Fujitsu)

About Fujitsu

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Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations Division
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MHI Group Presents “Best Innovation 2023” Awards for Activities that Contribute to Protecting the Environment

hooi — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 09:22:51 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 21, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has presented its “Best Innovation 2023” awards to 18 products, technologies and services related to its business activities and growth strategies that contribute to the preservation and protection of the global environment and mitigation of environmental harm, thereby contributing to the realization of a carbon neutral society. Through this in-house program, the Company aims to raise environmental awareness and encourage further innovation among its groupwide employees.

Of this year’s 18 award-winning recipients, here we introduce 12 innovations related to the Company’s strategic growth areas that will contribute to reduction of environmental impacts.

M701JAC: A large frame gas turbine that contributes to a decarbonized society through world-class efficiency and operation flexibility
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Energy Systems

The Energy Systems domain developed and commercialized a system for enhanced air cooling of combustors that also enables control of turbine tip clearance by supplying cool air to turbine blade ring in response to the turbine’s load. Based on the widely adopted J Series gas turbine which feature a turbine inlet temperature of 1,600℃, the M701JAC’s turbine inlet temperature has been increased to 1,650℃. This model has also achieved world-class efficiency as a gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power generation system, and features an improved load change rate and shorter startup time, resulting in outstanding efficiency and operation flexibility in all load ranges. By enhancing the operating ease of the large frame 50Hz model, this model is ready to meet user demand for stable power supplies with GTCC thermal power systems in tomorrow’s decarbonized society.

An Automatic Picking Solution That Realizes Manpower Conservation through the Linking and Optimization of Logistics Machinery
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Logistics, Thermal & Drive Systems

The Logistics, Thermal & Drive Systems domain developed an automated picking solution integrating automated guided forklifts (AGFs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and palletizers for stacking products such as beverage cases on pallets. Commercialization of a system responding further to user needs was achieved together with Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd., and following a joint demonstration in collaboration with a beverage company, the first order for the system was received in November 2023. Through systemization of the operating expertise of experienced workers and applying optimized technologies, a near 40% increase in throughput was achieved compared to earlier automated systems. In collaboration with MHI’s Integrated Defense & Space Systems domain, the system’s InteRSePT-based cybersecurity capability was also expanded. An anchorless construction method enables easy equipment installation and layout changes-, a feature that has brought accolades from multi-tenant warehouse owners.

Proprietary “anti-bulging bender” technology enabling stable continuous casting
Primetals Technologies, GBU Upstream

Primetals Technologies developed and commercialized “anti-bulging bender,” a proprietary technology that stabilizes the continuous casting process by appropriately changing the position of the rollers that hold slabs during the casting of thin slabs from molten steel, and minimizes the impact of slab surface bulging on the molten steel in the mold. The technology helps to stabilize the level of molten steel in the mold and enables production of products with minimal defects such as internal cracking during coagulation and segregation. It can also respond to demand from the automotive industry for the processing of high-grade steel.

Unparalleled Level Control: Anti-Bulging Technology (primetals.com)

A liquefied CO2 handling system that accelerates building of a CCUS value chain
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Strategic Planning & Operation Office

CCUS is gathering an attention as an effective measure to achieve carbon-neutral society. Since CO2 emission site and place for storage/utilization is unevenly distributed on earth, realization of large-sized liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier is expected as efficient means of CO2 transportation. Unlike other liquefied gas such as LNG and LPG which has been transported by ship, it is crucial to control temperature and pressure since CO2 cannot remain liquefied at ambient pressure. By utilizing knowledge and expertise of MHI group, a “liquefied CO2 handling system” enabling transport of liquefied CO2 in large volumes is being developed. Whereas current liquefied CO2 carriers can accommodate only small-scale loads, development of a large-scale CO2 carriers will enable economic transport of liquefied CO2 and MHI group will greatly contribute to development of CCUS value chain and realization of carbon-neutral society.

High-performance Hybrid Bag Filter® contributing to decarbonization of waste treatment facilities and reduced environmental impacts
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd., Engineering Division

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering has developed a high-performance Hybrid Bag Filter® which, while maintaining filtration capability for conventional toxic substances, achieves a world-class dioxin filtration rate. The HBF was achieved by developing a unique catalyst supporting technology applicable to PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), a fiber that repels catalyst slurry. PTFE offers outstanding durability, enabling replacement of the conventional glass fiber filter materials used in the precipitators of municipal waste incinerators. This improved durability cuts the life cycle cost (LCC) by 25% compared with earlier products, while its adaptability to waste incineration facilities enables reductions in energy to reheat denitration exhaust gas and supply active carbon to remove dioxins. The overall result is a 12% reduction in a plant’s total CO2 emissions.

Factory decarbonization project at Mihara Machinery Works demonstrating how CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Value Chain Headquarters

In 2022. a factory decarbonization project was launched at MHI’s Mihara Machinery Works (Mihara, Hiroshima) with the aim of realizing net zero CO2 emissions, to serve as a location to demonstrate how to achieve carbon neutrality in practice. To date, the corporate and production divisions have worked closely to acquire practical knowhow for achieving overall energy savings and operational streamlining: for example, a solar power plant was created throughout the Works’ total area (approx. 140,000m2), operational processes for all factory production equipment underwent review, and the number of uses of emergency power equipment during planned power outages was reduced. Together these efforts cut CO2 emissions by roughly 10,000 tons, equivalent to about 98% of all such emissions. This accomplishment has solidly demonstrated, both within and beyond MHI Group, the potential for realizing the Company’s MISSION NET ZERO pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. It also enabled MHI to show customers a practical image of how carbon neutrality can be achieved.

E-Isolation: Japan’s first full-scale seismic isolation testing machine enabling verification of large-scale seismic isolation devices
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems, Ltd.,
Machinery Engineering Department
Infrastructure Facilities Business Division

Japan’s first full-scale seismic isolation testing machine was completed with the technical collaboration between Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyoto University, Taisei Corporation, Japan Seismic Isolation Laboratory and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems and began operation in June 2023.

It has made possible the dynamic testing of earthquake resistance within Japan and can correctly measure the performance of full-sized seismic isolation bearings over one meter in diameter. Amid heightened awareness toward earthquake disasters following the major tremor that devastated the Noto Peninsula this January, effective use of this full-scale seismic isolation testing machine is expected to result in higher reliability of seismic-resistant and vibration-damping structures.

Model predictive control technology realizing rapid load change operation of large gas turbines used for power generation
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Digital Innovation Headquarters

To respond to demand for stable power supplies in a decarbonized society, MHI’s Digital Innovation Headquarters developed next-generation control technology for large gas turbines that achieves a high ramp rate to cope swiftly with fluctuations in power generation output. The technology combines a high-temperature estimation method based on a physical model, and model predictive control that anticipates power output and turbine inlet temperature several seconds forward. Demonstration was achieved of 115 MW/min load change operation at the second T-point. This represents the world’s first practical application of model-based predictive control for large gas turbines.

Casting analysis technology that promotes decarbonization by reducing the weight of metal poured to produce large-sized cast steel
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Value Chain Headquarters / Research & Innovation Center

MHI’s Value Chain Headquarters and Research & Innovation Center developed a high-precision casting analysis technology that promotes decarbonization by enabling 40% reductions in both the weight of steel needed for casting and power usage and CO2 emissions resulting from steel smelting. Application of the technology enables optimal placement of the metal cooling material that controls the temperature of the molten steel poured into the sand molds and the solidification order of the various parts. It also enables a significant reduction in excess parts formerly placed to control shrinkage holes that occur during solidification. As a newly developed technology which is both innovative and without precedent worldwide, going forward it is expected to promote decarbonization in casting fields.

Cryogenic fluid pressure boosting and transportation technology enabling realization of a 90 MPa-class liquid hydrogen pump for hydrogen stations
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nuclear Energy Systems

MHI’s Nuclear Energy Systems domain developed an ultra-high-pressure 90 MPa-class liquid hydrogen pump for hydrogen stations capable of stable provision of large flow volumes at 160 kg/h in the high-pressure range. By optimizing the pump through flow, structure and machine analyses, the pump’s practicality was verified in long-term durability testing performed at FirstElement Fuel Inc.’s Hydrogen Distribution Hub in Livermore, CA, with zero emissions of boil-off gas (BOG) during operation. To raise the pressure of the liquid hydrogen directly, hydrogen supply capability was increased threefold compared to current hydrogen stations (compressor type), while energy consumption was reduced by approximately 25%.

Promotion activities inaugurated toward realizing a carbon neutral society through full-scale operation of Takasago Hydrogen Park
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Energy Systems

Takasago Hydrogen Park, the world’s first integrated facility enabling verification of technologies from hydrogen production to power generation, went into full-scale operation at MHI’s Takasago Machinery Works in Hyogo Prefecture, demonstrating the practical achievement of business in hydrogen, which is expected to be a viable next-generation energy resource. Diverse promotional facilities were established where presentations are given tailored to the needs of specific visitors and visitor groups are guided along set routes on the premises. For optimal effectiveness and efficiency, explanations are provided by automated guidance. In these ways, MHI Group has been making its initiatives toward realizing a carbon neutral society widely known.

Selection as a core company for developing fast reactors and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors for realizing a carbon neutral society
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nuclear Energy Systems

MHI was selected as a core company in charge of developing two demonstration reactors being promoted by the Japanese Government. One is a fast reactor that will contribute to making effective use of uranium resources and reduce the volume and toxicity of high-level radioactive waste. The other is a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor enabling stable supply of large volumes of hydrogen at high temperature, completely carbon-free. Selection was made in appraisal of the Company’s abundant track record, outstanding technological capabilities, and comprehensive engineering capabilities, and it demonstrates how MHI possesses specific solutions for realizing a carbon neutral society.

The “Best Innovation” program has been held annually since 2003 to recognize innovative new products, services, technologies, businesses and environmental activities within MHI Group, and going forward the Company will continue to pursue further technological innovations. By providing the world with outstanding products and technologies, MHI Group looks to contribute to realization of a sustainable society and to simultaneously enhance its corporate value through the long term.

About MHI Group

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.

Eisai to Boost Initiatives on Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Aiming to Achieve Net Zero by 2050

hooi — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 09:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 21, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Eisai Co., Ltd. announced today that it has received approval to participate in the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) Race to Zero Circle, which commits to achieve net zero* by 2050, as part of its mid- and long-term initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Eisai also received approval for the SBT 1.5°C target, a new GHG reduction target, by “Science Based Targets (SBT) initiatives”, as outlined below.

55% reduction of GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by FY2030 (compared to FY2019).
27.5% reduction of GHG emissions (Scope 3 emissions based on purchased products and services) by FY2030 (compared to FY2019).

Scope 1: Direct emission of GHG released into the air by the use of fossil fuel
Scope 2: Indirect emission of GHG with use of electricity and steam purchased from others
Scope 3: Indirect emission of GHG by supply chain excluding Eisai

Upon the establishment of the Paris Agreement at the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2015, global common initiatives have been accelerated to the limit the global temperature rise to within 1.5°C of above pre-industrial levels (1.5°C target), and to by extension achieve net zero by 2050.

The need for immediate action to achieve the 1.5°C target was reaffirmed at the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in December 2023. Eisai set a SBT 2.0°C target (30% reduction of GHG emissions by FY2030 compared to FY2016) in FY2019, achieving the goal for three consecutive years by FY2022, accomplishing a 60% reduction of emissions compared to the baseline FY2016 level. In order to achieve Net Zero by 2050, Eisai continues to strengthen its GHG reduction initiatives though the JCI Race to Zero Circle and the newly approved SBT 1.5°C target, as well as our continued commitment to the global initiative RE100.

Eisai’s corporate concept is to give first thought to patients and the people in the daily living domain, and increase the benefits that health care provides to them as well as meet their diversified healthcare needs worldwide. To realize this human health care (hhc) concept, it is essential to ensure the sustainability of the global environment, which is the basis of its business activities.

Eisai will promote its initiatives to mitigate climate change in line with its set goals in order to support people to “live their fullest lives” through ensuring social sustainability.

*Net Zero (the SBTi definition of net-zero)

Reducing scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to zero or to a residual level that is consistent with reaching net-zero emissions at the global or sector level in eligible 1.5°C -aligned pathways.
Neutralizing any residual emissions at the net-zero target year and any GHG emissions released into the atmosphere thereafter.

About The Japan Climate Initiative (JCI)

The Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) is a network committed to forging communication and the exchange of strategies and solutions among all actors, such as Japanese companies, local governments, research institutions and NGOs, that are implementing climate actions. JCI Race to Zero Circle is an official partner of Race To Zero, a global campaign promoted by the United Nations (UN).

Please refer to JCI website for further details.

About Race To Zero

Race To Zero is a global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial, educational, and healthcare institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest. Five criteria known as 5P’s (Pledge, Plan, Proceed, Publish and Persuade) apply to all members who join Race to Zero.

About Science Based Target (SBT) initiative

SBT initiative is an international joint initiative by CDP, which is a global non-governmental organization (NGO) running an environmental information disclosure program, the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the World Resources Institute (WRI). SBT is a set of science-based targets for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction goals, which is reviewed and approved by the SBT initiative and globally embraced as a de facto standard.

Please refer to SBT initiative website for further details.

About Eisai’s Environmental Initiatives

The protection of the global environment, which is the foundation of our business activities, is not only an important, management issue for Eisai, but also has a significant impact on the lives of patients and the people in the daily living domain. It is also closely connected to Eisai’s contribution to social sustainability from a long-term perspective as stated in our Articles of Incorporation. Under “the ENW Environmental Protection Policy”and “Environmental Management Vision”, Eisai is committed to providing solutions to social issues by enhancing its environmental activities.

Please refer to our website for Eisai’s environmental commitments.

Media Inquiries:
Public Relations Department
Eisai Co., Ltd.
+81-(0)3-3817-5120

NEC, Arm, Qualcomm, Red Hat, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise demonstrate Open vRAN and 5G Core UPF using Arm-based CPUs

hooi — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 09:22:48 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 21, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) together with Arm, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Red Hat, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) have successfully demonstrated end-to-end operation of NEC’s Open virtual Radio Access Network (vRAN) and 5G Core virtual User Plane Function (vUPF) products using the HPE ProLiant servers running Arm® Neoverse-based CPUs and the Qualcomm® X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card, with Red Hat OpenShift in conditions equivalent to a commercial environment. The collaboration led to a successfully integrated and demonstrable solution that is optimized for total cost of ownership (TCO) and power efficiency for both edge and data centers.

NEC’s Open vRAN and the 5G Core vUPF deployed on the same server as the vCU are carrier-grade quality cloud-native applications, compliant to O-RAN Alliance and 3GPP standards. They support multiple servers and virtualization platforms and are highly flexible and scalable for a variety of network scenarios and configurations.

The new solution includes the HPE ProLiant RL300 Gen11 powered by Ampere® Altra® Arm Neoverse-based processors with the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN Accelerator Card. The harnessing of an in-line accelerator is an example of Open RAN enabling a multi-vendor landscape using modern network equipment, and workload-optimized compute independent of CPU architecture, as opposed to all workload processing being done on legacy, single-vendor equipment.

By successfully demonstrating call processing and packet communication in conditions that are equivalent to a commercial environment and using Arm-based servers and X100 with enhanced power and space savings, the range of applications of Arm-based servers is now further expanded, confirming the potential to significantly reduce the TCO for mobile networks.

With this demonstration, NEC’s mobile virtualization software suites (Open vRAN and vUPF) have also proven a high degree of flexibility and portability over various servers and virtualization platforms.

Network sustainability continues to be a critical priority for service providers given the exponentially increasing traffic demands and associated processing power requirements. Therefore, innovation across leading technologies is important to help accelerate sustainability gains into the commercial network, which has been represented by this important milestone.

We received the following comment from Vodafone.

Andy Dunkin, Open RAN RF & Digital Platform Development Manager, Vodafone, said: “Vodafone is keen to see the diversification of the eco-system for silicon architecture with the demonstration of an ARM-based Open RAN platform, widening the choice of power efficient compute solutions. The maturity of Arm-based architecture, combined with high-quality NEC vRAN and acceleration from Qualcomm, shows the continuing progress made on the interoperability of Open RAN software and hardware.”

NEC’s solution and further insights will be exhibited at MWC (Mobile World Congress) Barcelona 2024 within the Arm booth (Hall 2, Stand I60), Red Hat booth (Hall2, stand 2F30), Qualcomm booth (Hall3, stand 3E10), and NEC booth (Hall 2, Stand 2H40), February 26-29, 2024.

Eddie Ramirez, vice president of go-to-market, Infrastructure Line of Business, Arm, said: “Realizing the full potential of 5G requires new thinking and new system architectures. Open RAN and virtualization are making this possible by enabling new architectures and compute options for telcos. This demonstration is an incredible example of the power of the Arm ecosystem in enabling real-world deployments of Open RAN, proving TCO benefits for mobile networks by leveraging the performance-per-watt benefits of the Arm Neoverse platform.”

Gerardo Giaretta, Vice President, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said: “This is an exciting demonstration that reinforces the Open RAN opportunity and validates the performance and power efficiency capabilities of the Qualcomm X100 5G RAN accelerator card, increasing sustainability while reducing network cost. We are honored to be part of this ecosystem collaboration to make 5G RAN more capable and accessible.”

Honoré LaBourdette, Acting Senior Vice President, Global Telco, and Vice President, Telco Partner Ecosystem, Red Hat, said: “Red Hat is dedicated to helping service providers extend the scope of their 5G network capabilities to deliver new customer experiences. The burgeoning technological innovation of 5G brings with it a crucial responsibility to combine our expertise with our partners to deliver more sustainable network operations for our customers. With this collaboration, NEC is able to utilize Red Hat OpenShift and energy efficient hardware from Arm and Qualcomm to optimize its RAN and 5G Core network solutions with reduced power consumption.”

Phil Cutrone, senior vice president and general manager of Service Providers, OEM and Telco, HPE, said: “We’re excited to work with NEC in demonstrating new and innovative 5G solutions that we believe will shape the future of the industry. HPE ProLiant RL300 Gen11 servers offer an open and power-efficient platform for telco environments, broadening operator choice of infrastructure foundations for vRAN networks.”

Katsumi Tanoue, General Manager, Global Mobile Solution Department at NEC, said: “This demonstration is a proof-point where the latest HW technologies, combined with carrier-grade Open RAN SW result in energy efficient, innovative and competitive RAN solutions. We at NEC are looking forward to accelerating collaboration within the Open RAN eco-system and promoting diversity and competition for the benefit of Network Operators.”

Gratitude

For this demonstration experiment, Juniper Networks, Inc.’s fronthaul switch ACX7024 and layer 3 Switch QFX5120-48Y, and VIAVI Solutions’ TM500 Network Tester and TeraVM Core Simulator were provided. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to both companies for their efforts.

About NEC Corporation

NEC launches new User Plane Function (UPF) product for telecom operators, aiming to achieve networks for the Beyond 5G/6G era

hooi — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 06:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 21, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – In April 2024, NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701), a leading global IT and network transformation services provider, will launch a new User Plane Function (UPF) product for telecom operators that can be used to process user data traffic in 5G core networks. Offering an enhanced built-in Deep Packet Inspection (DPI, *1) function enabling visualization of communications quality and the collection of traffic data, an interface for external exposure that provides data to external systems (external analyzers) for deep analysis, and multi-platform compatibility, the new UPF will contribute to building the flexible, high-value-added networks for the Beyond 5G/6G era.

Background behind the introduction of the new UPF

In the Beyond 5G/6G era, the application of mobile networks will expand to Internet of Things (IOT, *2) devices, smart cities, and industries ranging from construction and civil engineering to manufacturing. Accordingly, service-level agreements (SLA, *3) will become more diversified, requiring low latency, high reliability, stable throughput, and more. Networks compliant with such a wide variety of SLA will require the flexibility to enable telecom operators to not only grasp communications quality in a timely and precise manner but also to properly reflect analysis results on the network side.

Keys to enhanced functionality

1. Real-time monitoring of communications quality and timely utilization of data
To maintain and improve communications quality and reliability, the new UPF facilitates real-time monitoring of communications quality and the acquisition of data that can be used for traffic analysis. Information such as the type of application utilized by the user, the volume of communications data for each application, the throughput experienced, and the number of packets discarded is necessary to fully comprehend and preserve communications quality. The enhancement of the built-in DPI function has made it possible to visualize and convert the data required for each application type used. As a result, telecom operators can analyze traffic trends and carry out real-time monitoring of communications quality for each application, thus contributing to higher customer satisfaction through swift responses to reports from corporate customers and users, the provision of new rate plans based on service trends, and more.

2. External device linkage for the realization of SLA-guaranteed mobile networks
The new UPF is equipped with an interface for providing a variety of data acquired by monitoring communications quality to external analyzers. By incorporating this interface, external analyzers can be used to quickly analyze the data required to improve network operations, including the detection of signs predicting poor connectivity due to degradation of communications quality and the autonomous preservation of user experience quality. Improvements in the accuracy of analyzers will accelerate the realization of SLA-guaranteed mobile networks.

3. The construction of flexible networks through multi-platform compatibility
In the Beyond 5G/6G era, it is anticipated that coverage will expand to all locations, including those not adequately covered by existing networks—namely, the sea, sky, and space. It is also believed that all things will be connected to networks. While up until now it has been commonplace for core networks to be installed and operated within the private data center of telecom operators, it is expected that there will be a need to utilize public clouds and install servers closer to customers to perform data processing as coverage expands. Based on open technology and infrastructure, this product enables packet processing independent of specific platforms, making it possible to flexibly respond to those needs. It not only gives telecom operators greater freedom in building their networks, but it also reduces deployment time, accelerates service delivery, and maximizes revenue.

Example of operator network configuration with the deployment of the new UPF

(1)DPI is a technology for identifying the type of communication content by detailed analysis of traffic data packets flowing through a network.
(2)IoT is a technology that enables connecting everything in the real world to the Internet and achieves industrial efficiency, automation, and improved living convenience through data collection and transmission.
(3)SLA is an agreement signed between a service provider and a customer that sets the purpose and standards related to service quality and performance.

About NEC Corporation

TANAKA to Provide Pure Gold, Pure Silver, and Pure Bronze Medals for the Tokyo Marathon 2024

hooi — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 21, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Group CEO: Koichiro Tanaka) will provide and donate pure gold, pure silver, and pure bronze medals to the top three men and women finishers of the marathon and wheelchair marathon events at the Tokyo Marathon 2024. The Tokyo Marathon 2024 is organized by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation, and will be held on March 3, 2024; the wheelchair marathon has been officially sanctioned as an international event since 2016.

Rare Medals Made from Pure Gold, Pure Silver, and Pure Bronze ~Expressing the “Inclusive Power Woven by Obi” Through Design~

The Tokyo Marathon medals provided by TANAKA Holdings are made from pure gold, pure silver, and pure bronze — this makes them special and unique among sports medals and rarities of considerable value. The medals presented to the top three finishers are approximately 65 mm in diameter and approximately 2.8 mm thick; the weights of pure gold, pure silver, and pure bronze are approximately 180 grams, 100 grams, and 85 grams, respectively.

The gold, silver, and bronze medals feature the Tokyo Marathon 2024 event logo in the center, as if it is wrapped in an obi. The spherical event logo is reminiscent of the earth and represents the diverse range of people from all over the world who gather at the 2024 event. The area wrapped by the obi symbolizes the welcoming and inclusive nature of the various participants. This design is also inspired by the traditional Japanese temari ball, containing wishes for “a good match” and “harmony.”

On the backside of the medal, “Tokyo Marathon 2024” is designed in braille and inscribed with the logo of the TANAKA Precious Metals Group and the slogan “TOKYO, My Favorite Place…” The ribbon design of the medal was inspired by the event logo, which is a tapestry-like design of overlapping individual lines that represent each runner, volunteer, and spectator.

About the Tokyo Marathon 2024

The Tokyo Marathon 2024 is the 17th edition of one of the largest public participation marathons in Japan. The Tokyo Marathon 2024 will be held under the slogan of “TOKYO, My Favorite Place…” and the event aims to be the warmest in the world, to encourage people to enjoying running in Tokyo, to value the diversity of each and every individual, and to depict Tokyo as “My Favorite Place” more than anywhere else in the world.

The TANAKA Precious Metals Group has produced the winner medals and finisher medals for every Tokyo Marathon since the first held in 2007, with this year marking the 17th year. The Tokyo Marathon joined the World Marathon Majors (currently the Abbott World Marathon Majors) in 2013, attracting global attention as one of the world’s six premier marathons. The TANAKA Precious Metals Group has produced and sold various commemorative medals other than for the Tokyo Marathon, including the official commemorative medals for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. The TANAKA Precious Metals Group will actively continue to produce medals made of precious metals and support the promotion of sports with the aim of contributing to the realization of a prosperous society.

Overview of the Tokyo Marathon 2024 Medals

Weight and size

- - Pure Gold Medal: approx. 180g; approx. 65 mm in diameter and 2.8 mm thick
  - Pure Silver Medal: approx. 100g; approx. 65 mm in diameter and 2.8 mm thick
  - Pure Bronze Medal: approx. 85g; approx. 65 mm in diameter and 2.8 mm thick

About TANAKA Precious Metals

Since its foundation in 1885, TANAKA Precious Metals has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volumes of precious metals handled. Over the course of many years, TANAKA has not only manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry but also provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and around the world collaborate and cooperate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a full range of products and services. With 5,355 employees, the group’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, was 680 billion yen.

Tanaka Precious Metals Website
https://www.tanaka.co.jp/english/

Press Inquiries
TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.
https://www.tanaka.co.jp/support/req/other_contact_e/index.html

Press Release: http://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/202402EN.pdf

Fujitsu collaborates with QuTech in development of new technology for freezing electronics to control diamond spin qubits

hooi — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:22:51 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 20, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Fujitsu today announced a collaboration with QuTech (1) for the development of the world’s first cryogenic electronic circuits for controlling diamond-based quantum bits. Enabling convenient operation of both the qubits and the control electronics in a compact cryogenic refrigerator, the new technique addresses the ‘wiring bottleneck’ in cooling qubits while maintaining high quality performance, marking a significant milestone toward the realization of larger-scale quantum computers.

QuTech will present the results of the joint research project with Fujitsu at the “International Conference on Solid State Device Circuits ISSCC 2024 (IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference 2024),” one of the largest conferences on semiconductor technology to be held in San Francisco, U.S., from February 18, 2024 to Thursday, February 22.

Background

Qubits make use of extremely fragile quantum effects that are perturbed by various influences including smallest amount of heat. Heat leaking into quantum computers would immediately destroy the information that a qubit was holding, rendering any quantum computer unreliable and unusable. To assure accurate operation, qubits need to be cooled down to the coldest temperatures possible, close to absolute zero kelvin (-273°C).

Accurate operation of the electronic circuits controlling the qubit represents an ongoing challenge, and conventional methods to keep qubits cold enough require a small cryogenic refrigerator, where qubits are connected with wires to the electronics outside the fridge.However, wires between the cold qubits and the room-temperature electronics significantly impact reliability, manufacturing and the size of quantum computers.

To address this, Fujitsu in collaboration with researchers and engineers at QuTech—a collaboration between the TU Delft and TNO – developed a new technique leveraging QuTech’s expertise in cryogenic semiconductor integrated circuit (cryo-CMOS circuit) technology and diamond spin qubit, which is more robust to heat disturbance, to successfully drive a diamond spin qubit using a cryo-CMOS circuit installed in a cryogenic refrigerator. The new technology enables the installation of a cryo-CMOS circuit at the same temperature as a diamond spin qubit (4 Kelvin), which can simplify wiring and lead to the construction of high-performance, large-scale integrated quantum computers.

Newly developed technology to cool electronics

Fujitsu in collaboration with QuTech developed a new technology that cools the whole quantum computer instead of just the qubits. Leveraging cryo-CMOS circuit technology, Fujitsu together with QuTech designed a magnetic field application circuit and a microwave driving circuit necessary for driving a diamond spin qubit at 4 Kelvin. By driving this magnetic field application circuit and microwave driving circuit in the same cryogenic refrigerator as the qubit, Fujitsu and QuTech successfully generated a magnetic field and microwaves strong enough to drive the diamond spin qubit.

The new technology simplifies wiring, and may one day contribute to the realization of high-performance, large-scale integrated quantum computers.

Fabio Sebastiano, Lead Investigator, QuTech, explains: “In designing electrical systems, there is always a balance between performance and power: the increase of one means a decrease of the other. Our challenge is obtaining high performance, while also not limiting the power consumption.” Masoud Babaie, Principal Investigator, QuTech adds: “This is crucial as too much power could overheat the cryogenic refrigerator used to keep the system at a low temperature. We used specific cryogenic electronic controllers (cryo-CMOS controllers) to alleviate the interconnect bottleneck: now we need fewer wires to enter the cryogenic fridge, which greatly enhances the scalability of the whole quantum computer.”

Dr. Shintaro Sato, Fellow, SVP & Head of Quantum Laboratory at Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited, explains: “Wiring between control circuits and qubits is a common problem in the process of scaling up quantum computers. Results of our joint research highlight the potential of cryo-CMOS technology for diamond spin qubits to overcome this bottleneck. We anticipate that the new technology will enable us to achieve the high scalability expected in quantum computers using diamond spin qubits.”

Future Plans

Realizing cryogenic electronic circuits for controlling diamond-based quantum bits, the newly developed technology signifies a significant step toward the realization of large-scale quantum computers. Moving forward, Fujitsu and QuTech will further enhance the newly developed technology, including the expansion from 1-qubit operation to 2-qubit operations, implementation of the qubit read-out functionality, and the scaling up to a larger quantum processors.

[1]QuTech :QuTech is a mission-driven research institute of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Together, they work on a radically new technology with world-changing potential. Their mission: to develop scalable prototypes of a quantum computer and an inherently safe quantum internet, based on the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics.

About Fujitsu

Press Contacts
Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations Division
Inquiries

NTT DOCOMO and SK Telecom Release White Paper on Base Station Equipment Utilizing Virtualization Technology

hooi — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:22:54 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 20, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NTT DOCOMO, INC. and the leading South Korean telecommunications operator SK Telecom (SKT) today announced the joint release of a white paper summarizing the technical outlook for base station equipment using virtualization technology, the latest result of their ongoing technical cooperation.

The white paper reviews the future prospects of virtualized RAN (vRAN) base station equipment for use by telecommunications operators, drawing on the two companies’ combined experience in network construction and operation. In addition to outlining expectations for base station equipment vendors, the paper also discusses technical insights targeted at telecom operators.

One of the two main themes of the white paper is the direction of technological advancements that are critical to the introduction of vRAN base station equipment, including three future requirements:

– Increased processing capacity and reduced power consumption
– Early implementation of key virtualization capabilities, including resource pooling, scaling, and auto-healing, and
– Enhanced integration technology and tools for vRAN base station equipment.

The paper’s other main theme focuses on accelerator technologies for signal processing required to implement vRAN base station equipment:

– Technical analysis on capacity, power consumption, and complexity according to different accelerator structures and network architectures based on proprietary studies.

Accelerator technologies for signal processing in vRAN base station equipment

“This white paper represents a significant milestone based on the strong collaboration between our two companies, building upon our joint publication last year on Green Mobile Networks and 6G Requirements white papers. We will continue our collaboration with global leading operators like DOCOMO to prepare for the evolution towards future networks.” said Yu Takki, Vice President and Head of SKT’s Infra Tech Office.

DOCOMO and SKT signed a cooperation agreement in November 20221 to advance technology studies of next-generation telecommunications infrastructure for 5G Evolution and 6G. In February 2023, they jointly released two white papers on power-saving technologies for mobile networks and related technologies, as well as 6G requirements.2

Going forward, DOCOMO and SKT will continue their technical cooperation in various fields, including improving the competitiveness and operational efficiency of 5G and international standardization and technology verification for 6G, with the aim of sharing their knowledge and innovative technologies with the world for the further advancement of 5G Evolution and 6G mobile communications.

(1) NTT DOCOMO and SK Telecom to Collaborate on Technological Advancement of Metaverse, Digital Media and 5G/6G (November 22, 2022) www.docomo.ne.jp/info/news_release/2022/11/21_00.html (in Japanese only)
(2) NTT DOCOMO and SK Telecom Release White Papers on Green Mobile Networks and 6G Requirements (February 22, 2023) www.docomo.ne.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2023/0222_00.html

About NTT DOCOMO

NEC Develops AI Technology for Robotics Capable of Autonomous and Advanced Handling of Disorderly Placed Items

hooi — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:22:58 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 20, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) has developed AI technology for robotics that enables precise handling operations on unorganized and disorderly placed items. By predicting both the areas hidden by obstacles and the results of a robot’s actions, this technology makes it possible for robots to perform tasks that were previously performed manually, thereby contributing to the improvement of productivity and work-styles.

Background

In recent years, due to labor shortages and other factors, the need for automation through the introduction of robots and large-scale equipment has been increasing in logistics warehouses and factories. However, it is difficult for existing robotics technologies to correctly recognize an environment in which objects and obstacles are disorderly placed, making it necessary to prepare an environment so that a robot can easily perform its tasks. For this reason, the introduction of robots has been limited to simple, routine tasks.

Features of this technology

NEC has developed AI technology for robotics that consists of two technologies based on “World Models” (*) – “Spatiotemporal Prediction,” in which a robot precisely predicts the work environment and the results of its own actions from camera data, and “Robot Motion Generation,” which automatically generates optimal and precise actions based on these predictions. According to NEC research, this is the world’s first technology of its kind to be applied to robot operations.

Application of World Models to Robotics

1. Autonomously executes precise actions in optimal sequences for items of various shapes and sizes

The handling of objects performed manually at a work site are executed by a combination of various actions. For example, in packing items, people can instantly execute a combination of precise actions such as “placing and then pushing items” without hitting other objects or obstacles. In robot control that uses conventional technologies, however, actions such as “push” and “pull” are more difficult to execute with high precision than actions such as “pick up” and “place.” This is because slight differences in actions or shapes significantly influence how objects move in response to actions. In addition, as the number and types of actions to be considered increases, the combination and sequence of actions becomes more complex, which makes real-time planning a challenge.This technology uses World Models to accurately predict the results of robot actions on objects of various shapes from video camera data, enabling robots to execute precise actions such as “push” and “pull.” Moreover, robots can autonomously and instantly execute combinations of multiple actions such as “place and push” and “pull and pick up” by generating the appropriate action sequence at real-time speed depending on the work environment.

2. Operates while predicting hidden and invisible items

In a work environment where multiple items are closely arranged or disorderly piled up, people naturally predict the hidden areas and act accordingly, such as picking up items while avoiding interference with hidden objects. However, conventional recognition technology for robots has been difficult for practical use because it requires the preparation and learning of a large amount of teaching data showing the state of hidden objects in order to predict the hidden areas.This new technology enables unsupervised learning that does not require labeling through the application of World Models and is able to efficiently learn prediction models of hidden object shapes. This enables robots to accurately predict a work environment from camera data and automatically generate optimal actions that do not collide with other objects or obstacles.

Technology Features

Future development

NEC will test this technology in logistics warehouses and other sites where much of the work is done manually by the end of 2024. By promoting social implementation of this technology in various industries with significant need for automation, NEC will contribute to improved productivity and work style reform.

(*)Technology that enables a robot to predict what will happen in the real world as a result of a certain action without trying it out in reality. This has been attracting attention in recent years as a key technology for autonomous control.Share

About NEC Corporation

JCB and The Bicester Collection expand their partnership to offer more luxury shopping opportunities for Asian travellers

hooi — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:22:57 +0000

TOKYO and LONDON, Feb 20, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – JCB International Co, Ltd, the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co, Ltd, and Value Retail, creator and operator of The Bicester Collection, today announced the expansion of their partnership for another two years, following the success of the initial three-year partnership. This offering will be available in eight luxury shopping destinations across Europe. With the increase in international travel, the extension of this collaboration provides new growth opportunities.

In line with JCB’s commitment to expand card acceptance across Europe, the partnership initiated in April 2019 has played a pivotal role in fostering growth. Beginning with JCB Card acceptance at boutiques in Bicester Village (London) and La Vallée Village (Paris), JCB Card acceptance has progressively extended to additional Villages across Europe. Over the past two years, this collaboration has resulted in an impressive 51% YoY growth in spending by JCB Cardmembers at The Bicester Collection (as of June 2023). Better still, JCB Card acceptance has expanded to an additional shopping destination, Maasmechelen Village (Brussels).

In addition to increased acceptance opportunities for cardmembers, this collaboration will offer more special promotions and savings for valuable JCB Cardmembers. The luxury Villages’ brand partners stand to gain from increased spending by Cardmembers from the Asia-Pacific region into Europe, notably from top-spending countries and territories such as Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines and South Korea. In addition, emerging countries and territories such as India, Vietnam, Laos, and Bahrain, characterised by a commendable uptick in spending, present a promising avenue for brands to explore new revenue streams. This partnership, therefore, serves as a strategic conduit for brands to engage with the valuable clientele that JCB Cardmembers represent, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.

Ray Shinzawa, Managing Director, JCB International (Europe) Ltd, said: “Our partnership with The Bicester Collection has been a great success over several years and we are thrilled to extend it for another two years. This expansion allows us to continue to offer our valuable cardmembers exclusive benefits and increased spending opportunities at luxury shopping destinations across Europe.”

Graham Stanford, Director of Partnerships, B2B, The Bicester Collection said: “We are delighted to support our brand partners further through the expansion of our partnership with JCB and its 156 million cardmembers. At The Bicester Collection we are committed to providing magical experiences for our guests, numbering 46 million in 2023 and whom we welcome from all corners of the world. As international travel grows, we look forward to serving more JCB Cardmembers and to creating ever-more memorable experiences for them on their travels in Europe.”

About JCB

JCB is a major global payments brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 46 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 156 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/

About The Bicester Collection

The Bicester Collection is a family of 11 distinctive shopping destinations in Europe and China defined by extraordinary experiences while offering remarkable value. The Collection, created and operated by Value Retail, brings together the world’s most discerning guests and the world’s most renowned brands – often for the first time – on a journey of discovery. The Villages are located close to some of Europe and China’s most celebrated cities: London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, Shanghai and Suzhou. Collectively home to more than 1,300 boutiques, The Bicester Collection offers guests an ever-evolving curation of fashion and lifestyle brands, world-famous restaurants, exciting pop-ups, and imaginative art installations throughout the year. Discover more at www.TheBicesterCollection.com

MEDIA CONTACTS:

JCB International (Europe) Ltd.
Diana Lee: dlee@jcbeurope.eu

JCB (Head Office in Japan)
Ayaka Nakajima: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp

The Bicester Collection
Press@ValueRetail.com

National High School in the Philippines Built with the Support of Mitsubishi Motors Holds Opening Ceremony

hooi — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:22:56 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 20, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – A junior high school(1) in Santa Rita, Samar, Republic of the Philippines, whose building was constructed with the support of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors), has held its opening ceremony.

This school building construction support project is a collaborative venture between Mitsubishi Motors and World Vision Japan, an international NGO, with the aim of improving the learning environment for children. Mitsubishi Motors contributed 4.96 million yen, together with voluntary donations(2) from Mitsubishi Motors employees, to construct a national high school building and donate equipment such as tablet arm chairs, projectors, and fans.

The opening ceremony was attended by Principal Violeta Duran and other dignitaries, as well as Takehisa Usami, Executive Vice President of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (hereafter, MMPC).

MMPC Executive Vice President Usami remarked, “Mitsubishi Motors began its operations in the Philippines in 1963, and since then, for the past 61 years, we have been producing and selling automobiles with the support of the people of the Philippines. This is indeed our great pleasure and pride that our support has served to help build the new national high school building. I sincerely hope that the children will experience many things in this school building and will play a role of the development of the Philippines in the future.”

In 2018, Mitsubishi Motors advocated Contribution to Local Economy through Business Activities as one of its materiality. It is working to contribute to local economies in the ASEAN region through the employment, human resources development, investment, technology transfer, and exports generated by its business growth in the region. To further help resolve environmental and social issues in ASEAN, Mitsubishi Motors continues to leverage its unique technologies and services.

(1) Basic education in the Philippines consists of kindergarten, primary education (years 1–6), junior high school (years 7–10), and senior high school (years 11–12)
(2) The donation program that started in April 2009 in which Mitsubishi Motors Group employees voluntarily contribute small donation every month. The fund raised is used to benefit society.

About Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) —a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan—, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities around the world. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification—launched the i-MiEV –the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV –the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company’s website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/.

Eisai Selected for ‘Human Capital Leaders 2023’ and ‘Human Capital Management Gold Quality’, Recognized as Company Committed to Excellent Management and Disclosure of Human Capital Initiatives

hooi — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:22:54 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 20, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Eisai Co., Ltd. announced today that it has been selected for “Human Capital Leaders 2023” and “Human Capital Management Gold Quality” in the “Human Capital Survey 2023” jointly conducted by HR Technology Consortium, HR Research Institute (ProFuture Inc.) and MS&AD InterRisk Research & Consulting, Inc.

In the “Human Capital Survey 2023” (conducted between September and December 2023), 16 highly rated companies were selected for “Human Capital Management Gold Quality”, and 8 companies that were recognized by experts as having made particularly outstanding efforts were selected as “Human Capital Leaders 2023” out of approximately 500 participating companies and organizations. Eisai was highly evaluated for its unique initiatives, such as human capital management that is connected with its Articles of Incorporation, and straightforward communication on its social impact, as well as its proactive attitude on information disclosure including the use of its own performance indicators.

Eisai made a partial amendment to the Articles of Incorporation at an Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders in 2022, adding “respecting human rights and diversity”, “providing full opportunities for growth to support self-fulfillment”, and “creating an employee-friendly environment” to “Ensuring stable employment”, which had previously been stipulated in it. The company has also reinforced its human resource initiatives, including the formulation of an “Integrated Human Resource Strategy”, with the pillars of “Wellbeing including health of employees”, “Diverse work style”, “Development and growth of employees”, and “Growth of the organization and businesses”, as well as introducing a compensation system based on employee roles in 2023, along with a personnel assessment system putting high value on employee actions with the aim of encouraging employees to grow autonomously and motivate them to serve in higher positions. Moreover, Eisai published the “Human Capital Report 2023”(PDF) in July, 2023 that summarizes its human capital initiatives and KPI linked to its human resource strategies. Eisai promotes information disclosure regarding its initiatives on human capital management in its annual “Value Creation Report(PDF)” and on its corporate website’s “Sustainability” section.

Eisai is seeking to provide impact to not only our shareholders, but various stakeholders throughout society including our customers and local communities by delivering new value to patients and the people in the daily living domain through the activities of our employees who are the only stakeholders who can directly contribute to our corporate concept, human health care.

Media Inquiries:
Public Relations Department,
Eisai Co., Ltd.
+81-(0)3-3817-5120

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Finishes Strongly on Swedish Snow

hooi — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:22:53 +0000

Toyota City, Japan, Feb 19, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has ended a challenging Rally Sweden on a high with Elfyn Evans scoring a strong haul of points towards the championship after setting the pace on the final day and claiming second overall.

Car 33 (Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin)

It was a strong recovery for Evans after he was forced to run first on the road and plough through deep snow on Friday afternoon. Having been just 1.9 seconds from the eventual winner during mid-day service, the extreme conditions left him 1m50s from the lead at the end of the day.

Having moved up from fifth to third on Saturday morning, Evans then stormed into second place on Sunday’s opening stage. He was fastest in the subsequent second pass of that stage, and finished a close second in the rally-ending Power Stage. That was enough to top the ‘Super Sunday’ classification, giving he and co-driver Scott Martin a total of 24 points from the weekend – more than any other crew.

Both Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta fought for the rally lead before they fell victim to the snowbanks that line the stages. Rovanperä held the early lead until contact with a snow bank in SS4 on Friday caused radiator damage. He restarted on Saturday and targeted manufacturers’ points on Sunday, where he was second-quickest to Evans across the day and fastest by just 0.039s in the Power Stage. The team therefore took the maximum 22 points available on Sunday and remains jointly in the lead of the manufacturer’s’ championship after two rounds.

After an excellent drive through the demanding conditions of Friday, Katsuta was only 0.9s from first place before he got stuck in a snowbank on Saturday morning’s SS10. He too returned to action on Sunday.

Lorenzo Bertelli enjoyed driving an additional fourth GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID on the Swedish stages for the second year in succession through TGR-WRT’s customer programme. Enthusiastic as ever, the Italian reached the finish in 10th place overall.

In its second WRC2 event, the GR Yaris Rally2 proved to be a competitive force with four cars finishing inside the top five of the class and the overall top 10 in the hands of customer teams. Those four cars were engaged in close competition for most of the event, with Sami Pajari ultimately finishing second in WRC2 for Printsport ahead of Georg Linnamäe (RedGrey), Roope Korhonen (Rautio Motorsport) and Mikko Heikkilä (TGS). There was also an outright stage win in the extreme conditions of Friday afternoon in the hands of Linnamäe in SS5.

For more information, visit https://toyotagazooracing.com/wrc/release/2024/rd02-day4/.

MC to Subscribe Shares in TVS Vehicle Mobility Solution in India

hooi — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:22:51 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 19, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is pleased to announce that it has agreed to subscribe shares (approx. 32%) in TVS Vehicle Mobility Solution Private Limited (TVS VMS) through the private placement. The completion of these transactions is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.

To gain a downstream foothold in the rapidly growing Indian automotive sector, MC had invested in one of India`s largest independent after-sales services providers, i.e., TVS Automobile Solutions (TASL), in 2019. TASL has a network of roughly 700 service centers and partnerships with 16,000 retailers of wholesale auto parts connecting through digital technology.

This latest investment in TVS VMS, one of the largest multi-brand dealers in India, widens MC’s investment coverage through enhanced downstream service capabilities. This investment is intended to propel MC’s aim to develop comprehensive mobility solutions spanning not only after-sales services and multi-brand sales, but also leasing and other automotive operations by utilizing extensive TVS VMS’ customer base and digital technology.

TVSM Overview

TVSM is one of TVS Group’s most recognizable companies, with a proud history in automobile sales dating back to 1951. In December 2023, TVSM established a new company called TVS VMS where these automotive operations will be spun off within 2024. Having inherited TVSM’s nationwide network built over time, TVS VMS is one of the leading automotive dealers in India. Its 152 dealerships carry construction and material handling equipment, in addition to distribution of commercial and passenger vehicles produced by number of automakers, including Honda, Renault, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra.

TVSM has an established local customer base, and its dealerships have sold more than one million vehicles since 1951 and performed roughly 100,000 regular maintenance services on an annual basis. In recent years, TVSM began focusing on customer convenience with the usage of digital technology and developed TVSOne, an app designed to offer one-stop services for insurance, finance, maintenance and other automotive and equipment needs.

Indian Automotive Market

India boasts the world’s third-largest market for new automobiles, with sales topping five million vehicles in 2023. While the market is expected to grow at 6-7%, a recent trend in India has been a transition from vehicle ownership to usership, particularly in the corporate segment. In India, where electricity is less expensive than petrol, more drivers are shifting from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE vehicles) to electric vehicles (EVs) in order to enjoy the total cost of ownership advantage that the latter provides. As such, India’s near-term market growth will likely reflect a mix of ownership, usership, ICE vehicles and EVs. Due to these market conditions, it is expected that customer needs for comprehensive mobility solutions that not only include the sales of vehicles but also cover after-sales service, leasing, insurance, and other services would rise in the future.

Transition & Direction of MC’s Automotive Business

MC has been engaged in overseas automotive businesses since the 1950s. Primarily targeting Thailand, Indonesia and other ASEAN markets, its operations cover everything from automobile manufacturing to sales, sales financing and after sales. In the fast-growing Indian market, MC got involved in manufacturing and sales since 2012 (through Isuzu Motors India Private Limited), and will further strengthen its operations together with TVSM led by Mr. Dinesh, currently serving as President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), though expansion of a customer base and the application of digital technology.

Capital relationship diagram

Reference Information

About Mitsubishi Corporation

Headquarters：3-1 Marunouchi 2-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Established：1954
Main Business: MC is a global integrated business enterprise that is comprised of Industry DX Group, Next-Generation Energy Business Group and ten Business Groups: Automotive & Mobility, Natural Gas, Industrial Materials, Petroleum & Chemicals, Mineral Resources, Industrial Infrastructure, Food Industry, Consumer Industry, Power Solution and Urban Development.
Representative: Katsuya Nakanishi, President and CEO

About TVS Vehicle Mobility Solution Private Limited

Headquarters：No. 13, By pass Road, Poonamallee, Tiruvallur, Tamilnadu 600056, India
Established：2023
Main Business：TVS VMS is a spin-off of TVS Mobility Private Limited, a representative company of TVS Group. TVS Group was established in 1911 and is currently engaged in diversified businesses such as motorcycle business and logistics.
With 400 in-house digital engineers, TVS Group is now driving the business model transformation through AI/digital utilization.
Representative: Mr. R. Dinesh, Director and President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for FY 2023-24

Inquiry Recipient:
Mitsubishi Corporation
TEL：+81-3-3210-2171 ／ FAX：+81-3-5252-7705

NEC Enhances Value Added Network Solution Suite to Boost Enterprise Digital Innovation

hooi — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 19, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701), a leading global IT and network transformation services provider, announced today that it will enhance the NEC Value Added Network Solution Suite by adding open enterprise network solutions to its portfolio, including AI-enabled network and security solutions to accelerate businesses’ digital transformation (DX) and enable telecom monetization. Moreover, in collaboration with its strategic global partners, NEC will provide holistic network solutions and services – including award-winning telecom B2B/enterprise network solutions – to support businesses in achieving sustainable growth through innovation.

Currently, the business landscape is marked by an unprecedented transition from traditional non-automated workstyles to digitalized ones, and enterprises must harness the possibilities of digital and artificial intelligence to gain an edge. As part of this, they must transform their networks by improving capacity, security, and operational efficiency. However, infrastructure transformation is not easy since each business has unique objectives, requiring corresponding infrastructure adjustments. For example, businesses must determine whether to use public or hybrid clouds, or whether to utilize centralized or edge architecture.

To meet the emerging challenges of enterprises, NEC has added open enterprise network solutions to its Value Added Network Solution Suite portfolio, which is helping businesses to optimize their ROI through best-of-breed solutions and trusted advanced services that meet diverse enterprise needs. These services are offered by NEC Transport Network Centers of Excellence in EMEA, LATAM and APAC, which enhance customer experiences in their regions and collectively boast over 500 engineers worldwide, whose best practices provide a wide range of services, from business planning consultation and engineering services, to managed services offering integrated support for enterprise success.

With a trusted service record, the NEC Value Added Network Solution Suite has already been successfully deployed by global Tier-1 Telecoms. With this new enhancement for enterprise network solutions, NEC is poised to further accelerate support for digital transformation in the era beyond 5G, building on its expertise, and delivering innovative solutions and services for the unique challenges of modern businesses.

Supporting Quotes

“Adtran is proud to be part of NEC’s Enterprise Digital Innovation initiative with our innovative open networking solutions. Supporting the enterprise market is part of our DNA and we believe that our long and successful track record in that space will help NEC to achieve its goals. Automation of network operations is becoming a key requirement for staying competitive in the market. Our AI-driven network management solutions will help NEC to support automation transformation for their customers. We are also very happy to contribute our open optical solutions and market leading synchronization products to NEC Transport Network Centers of Excellence,” said Stephan Neidlinger, Vice President, Global Business Development, Adtran.

“We are pleased to collaborate with NEC, an Infinera global alliance partner, to deliver best-in-class open optical solutions that enable enterprises to harness the benefit of artificial intelligence with improved efficiency and sustainability. Our robust suite of datacenter interconnect solutions helps enterprises cost-efficiently connect their distributed datacenters, a differentiated offering delivered jointly with NEC’s Center of Excellence,” said Lorraine Twigg, Global Vice President, Channel Partners, Infinera.

“Networking that focuses end-to-end on consistent, reliable user experiences by leveraging true AI innovation delivers digital transformation and business value for the enterprise. Juniper’s new windowAI-Native Networking Platform provides the assurance that every connection is more reliable, measurable and secure for any user, device, application or asset in the cloud-first ecosystem. As a long-standing global technology partner of NEC, it is exciting to extend our COE collaboration into the enterprise space with this unique technology,” said Thomas Desrues, Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Juniper Networks.

“NEC recognizes that digital transformation (DX) is fundamental to a business’ sustainable growth. Leveraging decades of experience in networking accumulated through the telecom business, NEC enables network transformations for enterprises, leading to success in the era of artificial intelligence,” said Masayuki Kayahara, General Manager, Service Provider Solutions Department, NEC Corporation.

About NEC Corporation

Fujitsu develops technology to speed up quantum circuit computation in quantum simulator by 200 times

hooi — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:22:48 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 19, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Fujitsu today announced the development of a novel technique on a quantum simulator that speeds up quantum-classical hybrid algorithms, which have been proposed as a method for the early use of quantum computers, achieving 200 times the computational speed of previous simulations. For quantum circuit computations using conventional quantum and classical hybrid algorithms, the number of times of quantum circuit computation increases depending on the scale of the problem to be solved. Larger-scale problems that require many qubits, including simulations in the materials and drug discovery fields, may even require several hundred days.

The newly developed technology enables simultaneous processing of a large number of repetitively executed quantum circuit computations distributed among multiple groups. Fujitsu has also devised a way to simplify problems on a large scale with less loss of accuracy by using one of the world’s largest-scale quantum simulators (1)it has developed. Fujitsu has made it possible to perform computations on a quantum simulator in just one day, which would take an estimated 200 days to complete with conventional methods. As a result, it is now possible to complete simulations of large-scale quantum computation within a realistic timeframe and to simulate the behavior of larger molecules computed by a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm, leading to algorithm development.

Fujitsu plans to incorporate this technology into its hybrid quantum computing platform to accelerate research into the practical application of quantum computers in various fields, including finance and drug discovery. Additionally, Fujitsu will not only apply this technology to quantum simulators, but also to accelerate quantum circuit computations on actual quantum computers.

Background

Although the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers (FTQC (2) ) is currently progressing worldwide, current quantum computers face many problems, such as the inability to eliminate the effects of noise. At the same time, in order to demonstrate the usefulness of quantum computers ahead of FTQC, practical applications for small and medium-sized quantum computers (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum Computer, NISQ) with noise tolerance of 100 to 1,000 qubits are being studied.

By applying VQE (3), a typical NISQ algorithm, Fujitsu, for example, has developed a quantum simulator for quantum application development (4) and has been working to speed up quantum circuit computation itself. However, in VQE, the number of iterations of quantum circuit computation increases as the size of the problem increases, so it takes a very long time to perform computation, especially for large problems requiring many qubits, and it is estimated that it takes several 100 days for a quantum simulator. Therefore, it was difficult to develop quantum algorithms for practical use.

Figure 1: Overall VQE flow

Outline of the newly developed technology

In response to this problem, Fujitsu has developed a technology that achieves 200 times higher the performance speed of conventional technologies by simultaneously distributing multiple repetitively executed quantum circuit computations and reducing the amount of quantum circuit computations by reducing accuracy degradation.

Distributed concurrency of optimization processes requiring repeated computation of quantum circuits

Quantum-classical hybrid algorithms seek a quantum circuit that provides the lowest energy state, for example, the ground state of a molecule, by alternating between the process of performing quantum circuit computation and the process of optimizing quantum circuit parameters (5) using a classical computer. However, for parameter optimization of quantum circuits by classical computers, it is necessary to prepare a large number of quantum circuits with small changes in parameters, perform quantum circuit computation for all of them sequentially, and derive the optimal parameters from the results. This requires considerable time for computation, especially for larger-scale problems. Increasing the number of nodes simply to speed up circuit computation has conventionally been limited by communication overhead, and new technologies were required.

Focusing on the fact that quantum circuits with small parameter changes can be executed without affecting each other, Fujitsu has developed a distributed processing technology that enables each group to execute different quantum circuits by dividing the computation nodes of the quantum simulator into multiple groups and using RPC (6)technology to submit quantum circuit computation jobs through the network. Using this technology, multiple quantum circuits with different parameters can be simultaneously distributed and calculated, and the computation time can be reduced to 1/70th of the conventional technology.

In addition, since the computation quantity in the quantum-classical hybrid algorithm is proportional to the number of terms in the equation of the problem to be solved, and the number of terms is the fourth power of the number of qubits in the general VQE, the computation quantity increases as the problem scale increases, and the result cannot be obtained in a realistic time. Through simulations of large molecules using 32 qubits of one of the world’s largest 40 qubit quantum simulators, Fujitsu has found that the ratio of terms with small coefficients to the total number of terms increases as the scale increases, and that the effect of terms with small coefficients on the final results of calculations is minimal. By taking advantage of this characteristic, Fujitsu was able to achieve both a reduction in the number of terms in the equation and prevention of deterioration in computation accuracy, thereby reducing the quantum circuit computation time by approximately 80%.

Figure 2: Processing flow of quantum circuit computation for optimization

Figure 3: Differences in the frequency distribution of the coefficient values of the equation by the scale of the problem

By combining these two technologies, Fujitsu was able to demonstrate for the first time in the world that when distributed processing of 1024 compute nodes into 8 groups for a 32 qubit problem, it was possible to achieve a quantum simulation run time of 32 qubits in one day, compared to the previous estimate of 200 days. This is expected to advance the development of quantum algorithms for problems with a large number of qubits and the application of quantum computers to the fields of materials and finance.

Yukihiro Okuno, Senior Research Scientist, Analysis Technology Center, Fujifilm Corporation, comments:

�We are investigating the application of quantum computers to materials development. Among them, the use of VQE in NISQ devices is an essential consideration. We expect that this acceleration technology will greatly speed up the principle verification of the VQE algorithm.�

Tsuyoshi Moriya, Vice President, Digital Design Center, Tokyo Electron Limited, comments:

�We are studying the use of VQE to calculate the energy of molecules related to semiconductor materials, to predict the electronic structure and physical properties of specific materials, and to optimize chemical reactions in semiconductor manufacturing processes. We hope that accelerating this process will enable us to quickly verify the principle and effectiveness of the VQE algorithm and discover its usefulness. NISQ devices whose use is limited by noise and errors will be considered with an eye toward these limitations.�

[1] One of the world’s largest-scale quantum simulators :It is one of the world’s largest permanent dedicated units of State Vector (As of February 2024, according to Fujitsu), a universal quantum circuit simulation method.
[2] FTQC :Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer. Quantum computer capable of executing quantum computation without error while correcting quantum error.
[3] VQE :Abbreviation for Variational Quantum Eigensolver, a technique for determining the energy of matter by repeating computation with a quantum computer and optimization with a classical computer.
[4] A quantum simulator for quantum application development :Fujitsu achieves major technical milestone with world’s fastest 36 qubit quantum simulator (March 30, 2022)
[5] Quantum circuit parameters :Rotation angle of the gate of the quantum circuit for adjusting the reference quantum state to a physically meaningful quantum state.
[6] RPC :Short for Remote Procedure Call. The art of performing a process from one computer to another over a network or the like.

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu�s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$28 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.

Press Contacts
Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations Division
Inquiries

MHI Recognized by CDP as Being at the Leadership Level for Climate Change Earning A- score

hooi — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 06:22:51 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 19, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) received an “A-minus” rating in the Climate Change Report 2023 published by CDP (headquartered in London, U.K.), a non-profit organization that maintains a global environmental information disclosure system. This A-minus is the CDP’s second-highest rating and is one rank up from the B ranking MHI received in the previous year.

CDP scoring and collected environmental data are publicly available on CDP’s platform and widely referenced by institutional investors and companies. MHI believes this improved rating will enable it to draw broad attention to its progress in addressing climate change in its business activities.

Every year since 2002, CDP sends letters to companies on behalf of investors asking those companies to disclose data on their environmental impacts. In 2023, 746 financial institutions (with more than US$136 trillion in invested assets) requested responses to a CDP-prepared questionnaire, and more than 15,000 companies worldwide were asked to provide environmental information.

CDP’s climate change questionnaire is comprehensive in content. It asks companies to provide not only climate change-related environmental data but also assessments of their governance structures as well as of opportunities and risks. Additionally, because the questionnaire’s content is the same worldwide, it provides stakeholders with a tool for comparing the efforts undertaken by different companies.

In recent years, MHI has been enhancing its disclosures in line with TCFD (Note) recommendations. This effort is leading to higher scores for items concerning “disclosure of opportunities,” “disclosure of risks,” and “risk management procedures,” among others.

MHI will continue striving to help bring about a sustainable society and enhance its corporate value over the medium-to-long term through continuous innovation and superior products and technologies.

About MHI Group

MAZDA INNOVATION SPACE TOKYO Opens

hooi — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 09:22:48 +0000

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Feb 16, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – On Friday, February 16, Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) opened MAZDA INNOVATION SPACE TOKYO (Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo). This hub will serve as a place where partnerships are formed and talented individuals dare to create new value.

In our 2030 VISION, Mazda sets out “to be a car-loving company that creates moving experiences through the joy of driving” and aims to bring about an ideal situation in which we can, for everyone connected to our company, provide uplifting experiences, emotionally and physically, and enrich life-in-motion every day.

Our strength has been in co-creating value together with our partner companies and business partners in manufacturing. However, in recent years as digital technology has rapidly evolved and customers’ automobile preferences have increasingly diversified, there is a pressing need to create and realize new value in a manner that transcends the traditional boundaries of the automobile industry.

That is why we established this new space in Tokyo so that we may reach far beyond the conventional framework of the automobile business, encounter a diverse range of talented individuals and business partners, and accelerate our co-creation activities. In addition to recruiting IT, MaaS, and other specialists, this space is slated to host interactions with new business partners, including those engaged in the electrification process, and facilitate new business development, internal workshops, and other activities for co-creation both inside and outside the company.

MAZDA INNOVATION SPACE TOKYO

Executive Officer Tomiko Takeuchi, who oversees human resources, said about this project, “The concept underlying this new space is to provide a place that enables people to form partnerships and dare to generate new value. To envisage this, we are first creating an environment that inspires each and every one of our employees to passionately commit themselves to their endeavors. Then, from here at Mazda Innovation Space Tokyo, that positive energy will transcend the automobile industry, encouraging new business partners, prospective new graduates and others wishing to make a career at Mazda as well as other future partners to accelerate collaboration generating innovation. Mazda aims to be a company where diverse work styles and talents thrive in an environment that enables people to follow their passion more than anywhere else. We will continue to enrich life-in-motion for those we serve.”

Mazda will continue to pursue the ‘Joy of Driving’ under its core value, “Human Centric”, and aim to deliver ‘Joy of Living’ by creating moving experiences in customers’ daily lives.

Overview
Name: MAZDA INNOVATION SPACE TOKYO
Location: Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 33rd Floor 6 Chome-10-1 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo
Total floor area: 420 m²

NEC develops RAN autonomous optimization technology that dynamically controls 5G networks based on user terminal status

hooi — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 06:22:48 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 16, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) has developed a RAN autonomous optimization technology that dynamically controls 5G Radio Access Networks (RAN) according to the status of each user terminal, dramatically improving the productivity of applications, such as the remote control of robots and vehicles. NEC will incorporate the technology into RAN Intelligent Controllers (RIC) and conduct demonstration tests using this technology by March 2025.

Outline of the RAN autonomous optimization technology

Background

There is growing momentum to promote digital transformation (DX) by utilizing the latest technologies such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) with the aim of resolving labor shortages and improving productivity. When using these technologies for remote control of robots and vehicles, two-way communication consisting of status monitoring and control instructions for each robot/vehicle must be completed within a certain period of time. However, if the communication latency exceeds the requirement, the operation is repeatedly suspended for safety reasons, resulting in a decrease in the operation rate and productivity. The communication delays, such as retransmission delays due to poor radio quality and queuing delays* due to congestion on the radio links, have been a barrier to the introduction of remote control systems. Currently, stable communications environments have been achieved by installing high performance network equipment, providing sufficient frequency resources, increasing redundancy in coding and communication paths, and pre-configuration of RAN parameters according to the application. However, with these methods, it is difficult to widely support applications that are diversifying with the advancement of DX, and the time and cost required for implementation is also an issue.

About the RAN autonomous optimization technology

The RAN autonomous optimization technology developed by NEC consists of AI that analyzes communication requirements and radio quality fluctuations on a per-user terminal basis, such as robots and vehicles, and AI that dynamically controls RAN parameters on a per-user terminal basis based on the results of that analysis. This AI learns from past operational records of robots and vehicles, and optimally controls RAN parameters such as modulation and coding scheme (target block error rate), radio resource allocation (resource block ratio), and maximum allowable delay (delay budget) while predicting the probability of exceeding communication latency requirements. Whereas in a typical 5G network, RAN parameters are fixed and set for the entire network, this technology dynamically controls them on a per-user terminal basis to improve application productivity.Technology features are as follows.

1. Flexible support for a variety of applications

RAN parameters can be dynamically controlled according to the communication requirements of applications, enabling overall optimization even in environments where diverse applications are mixed.

2. O-RAN Alliance-compliant and easy to deploy

Since it can be mounted on RIC that are compliant with O-RAN Alliance standard specifications, it is easy to install or add to existing facilities.

3. Dramatic productivity gains are possible at industrial sites

Simulation results of applying this technology to a system that remotely controls multiple autonomous robots operating in factories or warehouses confirmed that the number of robot stoppages can be reduced by 98% or more compared to cases where this technology is not used.

Future Developments

NEC plans to incorporate the technology into RIC platforms compliant with the O-RAN Alliance standard specifications and conduct demonstration tests using this technology by March 2025.NEC will exhibit this technology at MWC Barcelona 2024, the world’s largest mobile exhibition, which will be held from February 26 to February 29, 2024 at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain.

Acknowledgements

This news release is based on results obtained from the “Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems” (JPNP20017), commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

For more detail about this technology
www.nec.com/en/global/rd/technologies/202315/index.html

*Time lag between packet data being stored in a buffer and being transmitted to a device.

About NEC Corporation

Eisai: Metoject Subcutaneous Injection Pen (Methotrexate) Pen-Type Autoinjector Approved in Japan

hooi — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 03:22:49 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 16, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Eisai Co., Ltd. and nippon medac Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of medac Gesellschaft für klinische Spezialpräparate mbH announced that they have obtained manufacturing and marketing approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for the additional formulation of Metoject Subcutaneous Injection for the anti-rheumatic agent, pen-type autoinjector “Metoject® Subcutaneous Injection 7.5mg Pen 0.15mL, 10mg Pen 0.20mL, 12.5mg Pen 0.25mL and 15mg Pen 0.30mL” (methotrexate). Based on the license agreement signed by Eisai and medac GmbH in May 2019, nippon medac will hold the marketing authorization of Metoject, while Eisai will be responsible for product distribution of Metoject in Japan.

This formulation incorporates the previously MHLW-approved Metoject Subcutaneous Injection pre-filled syringe formulation in a pen-type autoinjector and was developed to reduce the burden on patients and improve safety during self-injection. The drug can be self-injected in two steps (1- removing the cap, 2- pressing the pen against the skin). The built-in needle cover prevents the needle from being seen prior to administration and automatically locks after administration to prevent accidental skin puncture.

It is estimated that there are approximately 700,000 – 800,000 rheumatoid arthritis patients in Japan,1 and methotrexate is used as the first-line option for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis. Eisai and nippon medac are committed to delivering this treatment option to reduce the burden on patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and will make further contributions to address the diversified needs of, and increase the benefits provided to, rheumatoid arthritis patients.

About Metoject Subcutaneous Injection Pen (methotrexate)

Methotrexate (MTX) is positioned as the anchor drug for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.2 For rheumatoid arthritis, it is believed that MTX regulates cell growth by inhibiting folate metabolism in lymphocytes and other cells, and also has an anti-inflammatory mechanism through the promotion of adenosine synthesis in vascular endothelial cells and other cells in synovial membranes. Metoject Subcutaneous Injection Pen will be the first self-administrable MTX subcutaneous injection pen-type autoinjector for rheumatoid arthritis in Japan. It is approved in more than 16 countries in Europe.

About Eisai

Eisai’s Corporate Concept is “to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides.” Under this Concept (also known as our human health care(hhc) Concept), we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.

In addition, our continued commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is demonstrated by our work on various activities together with global partners.

For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), and connect with us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About nippon medac

nippon medac Co., Ltd. was established in April 2016 as the Japanese subsidiary of medac GmbH. We are working to develop new drugs that can expand treatment options for diseases for which therapeutic requirements have not yet been fully met. We will work diligently to deliver quality drugs as quickly as possible to improve the quality of life of patients and their families in areas with high medical need.

(1) Report from Study Committee on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Allergy
www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/houdou/2r9852000001nfao-att/2r9852000001nfdx.pdf
(2) Japan College of Rheumatology, Clinical practice guideline of methotrexate for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: 2016 updated version

Media Inquiries:
Eisai Co., Ltd.
Public Relations Department
TEL：+81-(0)3-3817-5120

nippon medac Co., Ltd.
Tatsuya Otsuki
TEL: +81-(0)3-6661-6270

PoC Launched to Test Smart-charging Service Using EV Connected Technologies

hooi — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:22:50 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 15, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (Mitsubishi Motors), MC Retail Energy Co., Ltd. (MC Retail Energy), Kaluza Ltd. (Kaluza*), and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) are pleased to announce the launch of a proof of concept (PoC) in electric-vehicle (EV) smart charging. This PoC will seek to verify the commercial viability of what would be Japan’s first smart-charging service leveraging EV connected technologies. The data collected during the PoC period shall be applied towards the future development of such a service, the objectives of which are to lower society-wide energy costs and create a more appealing charging environment for EV users. *Kaluza is a subsidiary of the UK-based innovative energy service provider OVO Group, in which MC acquired a 20% interest in 2019.

PoC Summary

This PoC will provide Mitsubishi Motors’ all-new Outlander (PHEV model) users1 with a service that allows them to use a smartphone app to set the times they want their vehicles charged. The app-based service will connect the users’ home charging stations to Kaluza’s EV charging-control platform, which automatically optimises charging by ensuring it takes place both prior to the customers’ selected charge-by times and only during hours when energy-market and other prices are lowest. During the PoC period, customers will subscribe to a charging plan that has been specially developed by MC Retail Energy exclusively for this service. It will enable them to lower their charging costs in accordance with data collected by the control system. Furthermore, because this service will make it possible to directly control EV charging from Kaluza’s platform via Mitsubishi Motors’ connected systems, it does not require any communications-capable (i.e. “smart”) charging devices or other additional equipment.

For more information, visit www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2024/html/0000052975.html.

Inquiry Recipient:
Mitsubishi Corporation
Telephone: +81-3-3210-2171

Hitachi Energy and TransnetBW make German grid fit for future

hooi — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:22:48 +0000

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, Feb 15, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Hitachi Energy has signed a major order with German state-owned transmission system operator, TransnetBW to enable the expansion of renewable energy and stabilization of the grid.

Hitachi Energy will supply two Enhanced STATCOM1 stations with the next-generation grid stabilization technology, SVC Light® Enhanced, to enable TransnetBW to improve power quality in the transmission grid, which supplies power to 11 million people and numerous industries.

Seated from left to right: Dr. Rainer Pflaum, CFO TransnetBW, Dr. Werner Götz, CEO TransnetBW, Pascal Daleiden, Country Managing Director Hitachi Energy Austria, Germany and Switzerland, and Stefan Habild, Business Unit Manager Grid Integration, Hitachi Energy Germany AG [Source: TransnetBW]

The agreement comes at a time that transmission system operators are relying on new technologies to provide stability to the network due to the acceleration of the energy transition and the move away from conventional power plants.

“The implementation of this solution is another milestone for us in ensuring safe and reliable grid operation in the future,” said Dr. Werner Götz, CEO of TransnetBW.

“As the pioneering technology leader, we are proud to support TransnetBW to safeguard the success of their energy transition,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “With power networks evolving rapidly, we are committed to helping our customers and countries transition toward a carbon-neutral energy future and providing future-proof solutions that will offer the flexibility needed to adapt to changing grid conditions.”Hitachi Energy’s power quality solutions enable grid operators to dampen the destabilizing effects of renewable energy and expand transmission capacity without building new lines. This pioneering technology supports the energy transition by strengthening and stabilizing power grids handling larger amounts of renewable energy. It helps maintain grid voltage and frequency to ensure operational security and a smooth transition to clean, quality power.

Hitachi Energy’s breakthrough solution combines two power quality and grid stabilization technologies in a single compact device. Using innovative power electronics, it integrates the efficient reactive power compensation of SVC Light with supercapacitors, which are electronic devices that absorb and inject active power into the grid in milliseconds. The SVC Light Enhanced technology safely protects grid stability, reliability and power quality as the transition to renewable energy accelerates. Advanced control features like Grid Forming Control provide significant improvements over previous solutions and make this technology less sensitive to future changes in the network.

1Static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) continuously provides variable reactive power in response to voltage variations, supporting the stability of the grid.

About Hitachi Energy

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. We integrate more than 150 GW of HVDC links into the power system, helping our customers enable more wind and solar. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ more than 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of over $10 billion USD. https://www.hitachienergy.com

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

JCB Cards are now accepted at Maybank merchant terminals in Singapore

hooi — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 03:22:50 +0000

TOKYO & SINGAPORE, Feb 15, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd. (JCB), is pleased to announce the acceptance of JCB Cards on the merchant terminals of Maybank Singapore Limited (Maybank), one of Asia’s leading banking groups, in Singapore. With this latest development, JCB Cards are now being accepted in three of Maybank’s key markets: Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Singapore is one of the key travel destinations in Southeast Asia, and its inbound tourist arrivals hit 13.6 million in 2023[1]. In addition, tourists from Japan, major ASEAN countries and territories, Taiwan and India account for approximately 42% of Singapore’s inbound tourists in 2023[1].

Those countries and territories coincide with JCB’s strengths in its card issuance base. While JCB has more than 156 million cardmembers across the world, JCB’s growth in ASEAN regions, Taiwan and India have seen an extraordinary rise in the last few years. In ASEAN regions, JCB experienced an exponential growth of 232% in card base from 2018 and 2023. In Taiwan, there are currently 29 banks issuing JCB Cards, and in India, there are approximately 1 million RuPay JCB Cards since its launch two years ago.

Ms Tessa Er, Head of Cards and Personal Loans Maybank Singapore, said, “We are very pleased to partner with JCB as we continue to serve and enhance the payment convenience for customers. As inbound tourism continues its growth momentum, we look forward to enabling more customers to spend on experiences that matter most to them with ease.”

“Maybank and JCB have a long history of collaboration in Malaysia and Indonesia. In addition to card acceptance, Maybank also issues JCB Cards in Indonesia. We are therefore grateful to be able to extend our cooperation to Singapore. The acceptance of JCB Cards at Maybank merchant terminals will provide our cardmembers with further convenience when travelling to Singapore. We look forward to deepening the relationship between the two companies through further successes in the near future”, said Hiroko Michishita, Managing Director, JCB International Asia Pacific.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 46 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 156 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/

Contact
Ayaka Nakajima
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp

[1] As of 2023. Source: STB

Arsaga Partners, Tokyu Land, NTT and DOCOMO to Explore Collaboration for R&D to Create Services with IOWN

hooi — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:22:48 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 14, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Arsaga Partners, Inc. (Arsaga Partners), Tokyu Land Corporation (Tokyu Land), NTT Corporation (NTT) and NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) announced today that they have agreed to jointly explore the development of groundbreaking telecommunication services using NTT’s advanced all-photonics Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN).

Tokyu Land, NTT and NTT Corporation introduced APN IOWN 1.01 to Shibuya Sakura Stage2 in December 2023, as part of the Greater Shibuya3 project, a major redevelopment in one of Japan’s leading entertainment hubs, Shibuya district, Tokyo. The three companies, along with Shibuya-based company Arsaga Partners, plan to use IOWN technologies for the development of telecommunication services that will enhance daily life in the Greater Shibuya area and beyond.

The first initiative will be to use APN IOWN 1.0 for a remote conferencing system called Secure Hotline Powered by IOWN. The development of the new remote conferencing service started in response to companies that participated in IOWN WEEK, who expressed a need for a service that takes full advantage of APN IOWN 1.0’s exceptionally low latency and zero jitter4 characteristics, enabling users to hold meetings with partners in remote locations as if they were all face-to-face.

This service aims to achieve a sophisticated user interface and state-of-the-art user experiences. Initial setup and call operation will be intuitive and easy, allowing users to communicate smoothly and effortlessly based on a user-friendly design.

A secure environment using IOWN’s dedicated lines for remote communication aims to ensure robust security for confidential meetings involving corporate strategy, non-public information, stock-related information, and the like.

Web Conference using APN IOWN 1.0 during IOWN WEEK

Arsaga Partners has been committed to advancing towards a digitally transformed society by expanding its business as a consulting and development partner in Shibuya since its establishment. With the recent relocation of its office to Shibuya Sakura Stage6, a building with APN IOWN 1.0 implemented, Arsaga Partners will continue to provide users valuable innovations taking advantages of the APN IOWN 1.0’s innovative network features.

Tokyu Land Corporation has adopted Environmental management as the company-wide policy, aiming to expand its business with the concern towards environment as a starting point. In addition to promoting its renewable energy business, which is one of the largest in Japan, the company completed the switchover to 100% renewable energy for all of its 244 facilities7, including office buildings and commercial facilities, in December 2022, and working on address environmental issues through its business activities such as biodiversity conservation through urban greening.

NTT Corporation and DOCOMO, has adopted IOWN as a fundamental tool for the realization of an inclusive and sustainable society. Therefore, focusing on a R&D of network and information processing infrastructure including terminals to provide high-speed, high-capacity data transmission beyond the conventional infrastructure, by utilizing optical technology. As a result, APN IOWN 1.0 was launch in Marh 2023 and will continue developing to achieve significant reduction in power consumption through applying optoelectronic convergence devices in both network and computing.

Going forward, the four partners will continue to develop next-generation solutions for enhanced daily life supported with advanced IOWN technology.

An All-Photonics Network service, launched by NTT East and NTT West in March 2023, utilizes exclusive optical wavelengths across the entire communication network. https://www.ntt-east.co.jp/release/detail/20230302_01.htmlShibuya Sakura Stage is the newest iconic landmark in Shibuya, Tokyo. It was built in November 2023 on a 2.6-hectare site in the Sakuragaoka area, situated adjacent to Shibuya Station, which offers convenient access between Shibuya Sakura Stage and other popular sites as Daikanyama and Ebisu.Area within a 2.5km radius of Shibuya Station (defined by the Tokyu Group) undergoing urban development (Greater SHIBUYA 2.0) integrating work, recreation and living in a sustainable community. https://www.tokyu-land.co.jp/urban/area/shibuya.htmlBy employing time-division multiplexing (fixing transmission time to differentiate information), delays and packet loss due to traffic conditions are minimized.Terminal equipment with delay visualization and delay adjustment functions for APN IOWN 1.0 network services.Details regarding Arsaga Partners relocation. https://www.arsaga.jp/news/press-release-sakuragaoka-office-relocation/Except in some joint management projects.

About Arsaga Partners

Arsaga is a Japanese all-in-one digital transformation consulting and development partner that offers consulting and engineering services to clients all around the world. We encompasses all functions necessary for the development and operation of IT systems, including consulting, planning, design, system development, and maintenance operations, all within our organization. With engineers comprising 80% of our workforce, we engage directly with client companies and adhere to the motto of in-house development, enabling us to deliver services at an appropriate cost. Serving the highest quality at the fastest speed,We guide businesses towards greater certainty of success by empathizing with our customers.

About Tokyu Land

TOKYU LAND CORPORATION is a comprehensive real estate company with operations in Urban Development, Residential, Infrastructure & Industry, Wellness, Overseas Businesses and more. At present, we are leveraging our development capabilities—which are backed by a proven track record—and taking advantage of our steady earning power, as we develop our businesses to implement the Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Group’s long-term vision, GROUP VISION 2030, and our Medium-Term Management Plan 2025. We will continue advancing our business operations to realize the Group’s ideal vision of creating value for the future.

About NTT

About NTT DOCOMO

TMC Announces Personnel Changes in Senior Management

hooi — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 06:22:50 +0000

Toyota City, Japan, Feb 14, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – On March 1, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) intends to make the following personnel changes in senior management based on the structure revision of Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.

SDGs Initiatives: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/

Fujitsu AI strategy strengthens data integration, generative AI capabilities with dedicated platform and new Fujitsu Uvance offerings

hooi — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 06:22:48 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 14, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Fujitsu today announced details of a new company-wide AI strategy that focuses on deepening human-AI collaboration, presenting a vision of AI as a trusted assistant that supports and augments productivity and creativity.

As the first major step of this new strategy, Fujitsu plans to offer Fujitsu Data Intelligence PaaS as part of its Fujitsu Uvance portfolio and launch consulting services for AI and related technologies starting March 2024 for users in Japan and from April 2024 to the global market.Fujitsu will further commercialize Fujitsu Kozuchi, Fujitsu’s dedicated AI platform that allows users to accelerate the testing and deployment of advanced AI technologies, as one of its key AI commercial offerings and will focus on the integration of AI capabilities into solutions for the four cross-industry vertical areas of Fujitsu Uvance.

In addition to Fujitsu Kozuchi, Fujitsu Data Intelligence PaaS will also incorporate Fujitsu Track and Trust, Fujitsu’s blockchain offering that enables data linkage and traceability across companies and industries, and support for data platforms including Palantir and Microsoft Azure.

As a global leader in AI, Fujitsu has been promoting the research and development of innovative AI and machine learning technologies for over 30 years, and continues to embrace recent breakthroughs in areas like generative AI. To date, Fujitsu boasts a track record of more than 7,000 AI customer use cases in fields including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, public safety and more.

Figure 1: Overview of Fujitsu Uvance, Fujitsu Data Intelligence PaaS, and Fujitsu Kozuchi

Fujitsu’s AI strategy: past milestones and the road ahead

In addition to R&D on a distributed training method for LLM using supercomputer Fugaku (1), Fujitsu in December 2023 further developed a special LLM model based on Open LLM (2) to improve Japanese language performance, achieving top-class outcomes against key performance benchmarks (3).

Fujitsu is also currently developing its own generative AI technology specializing in image and code generation, as well as generative AI mixture technology that integrates Fujitsu’s generative AI models with generative AI models from partner companies efficiently. Fujitsu confirmed that the accuracy of these generative AI models is equal to or higher than that of state-of-the-art generative AI models including GPT-4V and HuggingGPT.

Fujitsu is further linking its own knowledge graph technology that enables the verification of relationships across more than 1 billion nodes and generative AI with trustable internet technology, which enables users to determine the reliability of data. By combining these technologies, Fujitsu will work on the development of a generative AI trust technology that eliminates output instability, an ongoing task in generative AI, and ensures accurate output in compliance with large-scale and complex legal and internal regulations.

Starting April 2024, Fujitsu will offer these generative AI mixture technologies, the generative AI trust technology, and LLMs that can be used securely in local environments to users via the Fujitsu Research Portal, an online resource that that provides registered users free-of-charge access to trial versions of Fujitsu’s advanced technologies.

Figure 2: Fujitsu’s overall vision for generative AI models

To encourage creative experimentation and further development of AI technologies, Fujitsu has also created an environment in which all of its 124,000 global employees can securely use generative AI. Since May 2023, Fujitsu has been actively promoting internal use in areas including programming code generation and internal report generation. These in-house use cases will allow developers to explore the many potential uses of generative AI and ultimately lead the way to the commercialization of new solutions for its customers.

(1) “Tokyo Tech, Tohoku University, Fujitsu, and RIKEN start collaboration to develop distributed training of Large Language Models” (press release, May 22, 2023)
(2) Open LLM :This refers to the Llama2 13B parameter model developed by Meta.
(3) Top levels of benchmark performance :Results of independent comparison with domestic, open models with 13B parameters or less in JGLUE, a Japanese language comprehension benchmark.

About Fujitsu

Press Contacts:
Fujitsu Limited
Public and Investor Relations Division
Inquiries

Mitsubishi Power Receives Order for State-of-the-Art JAC Series GTCC Power Plant for Uzbekistan Navoi 3 Power Plant Project

hooi — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 12:22:52 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 13, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has received an order for one system of core equipment for a high-efficiency power generation facility, including a state-of-the-art M701JAC (J-series Air-Cooled) gas turbine, for the third facility planned to be built at the Navoi Power Plant (Navoi 3) by JSC Thermal Power Plants, the state electric power corporation of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The planned system will comprise a gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) to generate 600 megawatts (MW) of electric power and 200 Gcal/h of heat. Commercial operation is scheduled to start in 2026. This is the third order received by Mitsubishi Power for GTCC equipment for the Navoi Power Plant.

The Navoi Power Plant is located approximately 360 km southwest of the capital of Tashkent. Mitsubishi Power had previously supplied GTCC power generation equipment for the nearby power plants Navoi 1 and Navoi 2, which started operations in 2013 and 2019, respectively. Navoi 3 will also utilize gas-fired GTCC power generation to supply electricity to the surrounding area, as well as industrial steam and district heating to the Navoi Free Economic Zone (Navoi FEZ).

In addition to supplying the gas and steam turbines, Mitsubishi Power will handle the design, procurement, manufacture, and commissioning of the core components of the power generation facilities and major auxiliary equipment, such as air-cooled condensers and gas compressors. The generator will be manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Mitsubishi Power has received many orders for large-scale gas turbines in Uzbekistan, including state-of-the-art JAC and F series. This latest project is the 13th such order and the fifth for a JAC series gas turbine, giving Mitsubishi Power a market share of about 90% large-scale gas turbines in the country. In addition, the company supports the country’s diverse power and heating needs. This has included fulfilling a series of orders for H-25 small- and medium-sized gas turbines for a city-based distributed natural gas-fired cogeneration facility being constructed in Tashkent. Through its projects, Mitsubishi Power has contributed to the stable supply of electricity in Uzbekistan by maintaining high reliability through efficient maintenance services.

Going forward, Mitsubishi Power will continue to support the stable and efficient operation of the electric power business for the realization of energy transition in Uzbekistan. The company will make a concerted effort as a corporate group to further focus its resources into promoting the adoption of high-efficiency, environmentally friendly GTCC power generation equipment, and contributing to the stable supply of electric power indispensable to economic development worldwide, and helping to achieve a sustainable, decarbonized world.

About MHI Group

DOCOMO to Collaborate with AT&T, Verizon and Jio for Open RAN Verifications

hooi — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 09:22:49 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 13, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it will participate in Open RAN verifications in the United States as the ACCoRD (Acceleration of Compatibility and Commercialization for Open RAN Deployments) project in a consortium jointly founded with AT&T Inc. (AT&T), Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon), and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. (Jio). This consortium was awarded a USD 42.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)(1) on February 12.

The consortium comprises telecom operators and US universities and suppliers include equipment vendors from the United States and abroad, and is committed to verifying multi-vendor Open RAN connectivity for further commercial deployments. Leveraging its experiences and expertise in multi-vendor interoperability since the 4G era and Open RAN deployment in 5G networks, DOCOMO will contribute to the realization of integration and interoperability between major and emerging vendors with its consortium partners.

The grant program, part of the Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund established by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 in the United States, is aimed at promoting open and interoperable solutions in the wireless communication equipment market, stimulating the ecosystem, and providing grants to activities advancing verification, adoption and deployment of such technology and equipment.

Going forward, DOCOMO will contribute to supporting operators in their adoption of Open RAN through this consortium and the company’s Open RAN service brand OREX®.(2)

(1) Principal advisory body to the President of the United States on domestic and international telecommunications and information policies.
(2) OREX is an Open RAN service provider launched by DOCOMO in collaboration with multiple global vendors, providing customized Open RAN solutions to address the needs of each customer.

OREX is a registered trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC.

About NTT DOCOMO

Daihatsu Removed from CJPT in Light of Certification Irregularities

hooi — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 09:22:48 +0000

TOKYO, Feb 13, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) has announced today that it has accepted a request initiated by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. (Daihatsu) for removal from CJPT in light of procedural irregularities in certification applications.

Since its establishment in April 2021, CJPT has been carrying out on-site efforts with its partners to accelerate the spread of CASE, thereby aiming to contribute to achieving a carbon neutral society and solving social issues such as the 2024 problem in the logistics industry. Daihatsu, one of the participating companies, requested removal from CJPT in light of a series of procedural irregularities in certification applications. CJPT has decided to accept Daihatsu’s request based on the belief that the continued inclusion of Daihatsu in activities will not gain the understanding of the public needed to progress its projects to build the future together.

Specifically, Daihatsu will be excluded from all agreements, including the joint planning agreement, and Daihatsu’s equity stake (10%) in CJPT will be transferred to Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota). The same measures will also be taken for Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Asia Co., Ltd., a new company that was established in Thailand last year.

With respect to the previously announced project to introduce mini-commercial van electric vehicles that will contribute to last-mile electrification toward the achievement of carbon neutrality, Daihatsu will continue to fulfill its role in cooperation with Suzuki Motor Corporation and Toyota to avoid any inconvenience to customers.

We will continue to work with our partners on the project to solve the issues facing the transportation industry and contribute to achieving a carbon neutral society.

JCB partners with Giift to provide JCB special offers to inbound tourists to UAE

hooi — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 06:22:47 +0000

TOKYO and DUBAI, Feb 13, 2024 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., announced its partnership with GIFT MANAGEMENT DMCC (Giift), a renowned global leader in loyalty technology solutions based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to provide JCB Cardmembers travelling to the UAE with a wide range of special offers at hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues in Dubai such as Carnival by Trèsind.

“Our partnership with JCB International is specifically crafted to deliver unique and valuable benefits tailored to JCB cardholders. Through the integration of Giift’s advanced loyalty solutions, we are excited to present a specially selected range of discounts and offers from our best merchant partners, designed to perfectly suit the needs and preferences of JCB cardholders. Our commitment is to provide a highly rewarding and seamless experience, reflecting our dedication to superior customer service and satisfaction,” says Sumit Uttamchandani, Strategic Partnership Head, Giift.

Yuichiro Kadowaki, Director and CEO of JCB Middle East LLC commented, “We are excited about our partnership with Giift and its potential to enhance our cardmembers’ experience. Giift’s innovative loyalty solutions align seamlessly with our commitment to providing our Cardmembers with exclusive offers and rewards. This collaboration opens up new avenues for both organizations to drive customer engagement and satisfaction.”

About Giift

Giift is a leading loyalty technology provider and program management partner with headquarters in Singapore. Founded in 2013, Giift has expanded into multiple countries, including Dubai, Mumbai, New York, London, Wuhan, Beijing, Jakarta, Colombo, Doha, Dhaka, Nairobi, and now Pakistan. Giift has served 3,000+ corporate clients across industries and has created customized, sustainable loyalty and rewards-based programs globally.

About JCB

JCB Contact
Ayaka Nakajima
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp