Japan, a technological pioneer, is once again leading the way in innovation. The country is undertaking a digital transition, using new technologies to alter industries. From healthcare to retail, Japanese companies are using AI, IoT, and automation to improve productivity, save costs, and establish long-term business models. For example, AI is expediting medicine development, while digital platforms are optimising retail supply chains. Japan's technology rebirth places it as a global leader in the digital age.

Primary industries have a range of difficulties that vary by country, but in Japan, the main issue is an aging workforce with insufficient young people to replace them. Agriculture and fishing are recognised for requiring a lot of hard manual labor, thus innovations that cut labor and boost efficiency are a lifeline for workers in these industries.

One such device uses artificial intelligence to analyze photographs captured by drones, providing farmers with estimations of when to harvest and what kind of crops to expect – all without the need to visit the field. With high-resolution pictures, it can properly count the number of fruits and vegetables in a field, as well as determine their size and growth rate.

High-resolution photos also allow the AI to recognise leaf color and catch any weeds that may have sprouted. Investing in Japanese technology for AI enables farmers to quickly identify and resolve issues such as pests, weeds, and plant diseases, allowing them to maintain crop health more efficiently. The more farmers utilize these services, the more data they collect, allowing them to compare field conditions to past years. Instead of depending on expertise and intuition, farmers may now use computers to manage their land and crops.

Japanese tech companies have also created inexpensive robots that can harvest crops in place of humans. For example, one business produces a gadget that can collect bell peppers, cucumbers, and other produce while suspended on rails in greenhouses. It has no problems with tough terrain or obstructions, so it can harvest consistently and efficiently. It's a simple robot with only the essential functionality, garnering recognition as a less expensive and more accessible alternative to traditional harvesters.

(Source: Web-Japan)

The Ever-Growing Technology Landscape in Japan

Japan is home to a significant information technology (IT) sector. In 2020, the software business alone generated about 16.7 trillion Japanese yen in sales. During the same year, the data processing and information services industry produced about eight trillion yen in revenue.

The Artificial Intelligence in Japan Technology Market Size is estimated to reach USD 27.12 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 21.43% from 2022 to 2032. Japan has turned to artificial intelligence (AI) as a solution to its aging population and shrinking workforce.

Orders for industrial robots from Japanese manufacturers reached a record $7.35 billion in 2022, up 1.6% from the previous year. Production rose by 5.6%, also a record. Automation for packaging and transportation is becoming increasingly popular in industries such as logistics, food, and medicines. In 2021, Japan's manufacturing sector employed 631 robots for every 10,000 people. In comparison, the United States had 274 robots per 10,000 people.

How Technology is Shaping Up Key Industries in Japan

In the heart of the Land of the Rising Sun, where tradition meets innovation, Japan's innovation hub is undergoing a seismic transformation. With a decades-long history of technological superiority, this country has continually led the way in global innovation. However, in recent years, technology in Japan has embarked on a tremendous revolution, embracing emerging trends with the potential to reshape sectors and communities.

Here’s how technology is transforming industries in Japan:

1> Drug discovery & development

• Chugai Pharmaceutical intends to become a leading innovator in the healthcare business by focussing on its core competency in drug development technology. In general, new medication research has a success rate of one in every 23,000, takes more than ten years, and costs billions of yen. Pharmaceutical businesses face a significant challenge in leveraging digital technologies to improve the efficiency of the drug discovery process utilizing this innovation in Japan.
• The company is incorporating AI in Japan into every stage of the development process, from finding disease-causing genes to producing antibodies or compounds that could be candidates for new medications and analyzing these molecules. Its purpose is to increase the success rate of new medication development while drastically reducing the time and cost from development to market launch.

2> Personal Assistants

• Companies are also accelerating their business transformation with generative AI (GenAI) solutions like ChatGPT. Itochu Corporation intends to let all employees freely use GenAI. In July 2023, the corporation launched its inaugural internal GenAI service, "I-Colleague," as a business tool for employees to help achieve this aim and streamline operations. To that purpose, the company explores new business opportunities and the modification o f its business model.

3> Retail Innovations

• Fast Retailing, for example, is incorporating sustainability into its business strategy by visualizing and centralizing the entire supply chain, from textiles to finished products. At each stage of the supply chain, suppliers and partner manufacturers use a digital platform and other software product engineering solutions to record information such as production area and material quality. Employees at Fast Retailing may then trace and identify the origin of materials, quality, and standards while developing new items.

• Understanding the raw material production process upstream in the supply chain allows the company to achieve sustainable procurement by detecting risks to human rights and the environment early on and embedding stability in the supply of end products, resulting in a supply chain that delivers the highest value to customers.

  The Bottom Line

Undoubtedly, the Japanese tech industry’s future is primed to unleash innovation and growth through ground-breaking technologies. Japan's quest of innovation and technology continues to prosper as AI, IoT, and automation become more widely adopted. By acquiring a technology superpower, Japan establishes itself as a global leader in the digital revolution.

If you are looking to take advantage of Japan’s technological landscape, connect with Tntra to unlock your full potential. With 100+ engineers and domain experts, our software product engineering company in Japan is equipped with everything you need to achieve success in Japan.

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