Tokyo Tech: A City Embracing Change
Japan has long been a leader in technological adoption and innovation. For example, they were the second nation after Canada to adopt a national AI strategy, which was released in March of 2017. And while the country’s record around venture capital investment isn’t as good as others, it is on the rise. According to Japan Venture Research, privately owned Japanese startups raised a record $2.5 billion in 2017, compared to $579 million in 2012.
Tokyo is at the heart of this. Bullet trains, robot waiters, and even space-age toilets that play ‘privacy’ noises to mask other unfortunate sounds are all part of day-to-day life in this city of the future. But the commitment to embracing new technologies goes beyond such surface-level attractions. The city provides a hospitable environment for established technology companies and startups alike.
We’ve explored what makes Tokyo one of the world’s prominent technology and innovation hubs.
Number 1 in the Innovation Cities Index 2018
Tokyo has cemented its place on the world technology stage, recently gaining the top spot in the Innovation Cities Index 2018. Judged across 162 indicators, including web censorship and potential for green businesses, Tokyo beat other world leaders including London, San Francisco and New York.
The publisher of the index, commercial data provider 2thinknow, noted that Tokyo as a city had embraced robotics and 3D manufacturing, which it identified as “globe-shaking trends.”
Society 5.0
Realising Society 5.0 is the Japanese government’s goal to move beyond the information-defined Society 4.0. It introduces IoT connectivity that will utilise Big Data to form AI platforms, which in turn will influence and improve every corner of Japanese society.
One of the key components of Society 5.0 is the updating of existing financial practices still conducted in cash and bank procedures. Many Japanese banks and financial institutions have been reluctant to develop their own blockchain operations, instead relying on traditional architecture to cater for national and international transfers, which are costly for the user. However, last year, Tokyo-based SBI Holdings launched the world’s first bank-backed cryptocurrency exchange, called VCTRADE. Available for users across the country, this release has put Tokyo on a stronger footing in the world of blockchain development and innovation.
Tokyo Olympic Games 2020
Preparation for Tokyo 2020 is providing another opportunity for the city to highlight its technological innovation. Firstly, a cutting edge facial recognition program is being developed by Japanese IT giant NEC Corporation to help with security. Hailed as the first of its kind at any Olympic and Paralympic Games, the system will screen more than 300,000 attendees, including officials, athletes, training staff and members of the media. The success of this facial recognition trial may result in its wider implementation in the city, which will be a key foundation of Tokyo’s emergence as a smart city.
Another demonstration of Tokyo’s green tech innovation will be the Olympic Village in Harumi (Chūō Ward), which will be fully powered by hydrogen fuel cells. After the Games, the village will be converted into a residential area.
Smart City Development
Preparations for the 2020 Olympics are part of a wider overhaul of Tokyo’s infrastructure. A strategic roadmap is underway to implement hydrogen fuel cells in new apartment buildings, which could amount to a 700 MW capacity in Tokyo.
Another ¥45.2 billion plan in Tokyo is also in place for the deployment of 6,000 fuel cell vehicles and 35 stations. Self-driving cars are also being trialled in the city, produced by robotics and autonomous vehicles company ZMP INC. In this Tokyo trial, over 1,500 local residents applied to be passengers in the sensor-equipped minivans, with successful applicants able to unlock the vehicle doors themselves and pay the fare using a dedicated smartphone app. Future trials are now being planned for trips from Haneda airport to the city centre.
It is Primalbase’s goal to establish a base everywhere the international tech community needs us to be. We are always on the lookout for anywhere there’s demand and now you can have your say. Where would you like to see us open up one of our shared workspaces for the tech community next? You can nominate the city you believe we should launch in next here.
