02/15/2019
Japanese startups moving onto international stage
In June, flea market application operator Mercari Inc. went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Mothers section. It had garnered attention as a startup unicorn, which is a privately held company valued at more than $1 billion. Stoking high expectations, many market players wonder, “Which company will be the next Mercari?”
01/25/2019
‘Digital first’ shift transforming society
Public administrative services look to streamline to new platforms
What kind of future does the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry foresee ahead of administrative reform under the premise of digitalization that the ministry is working on?The METI Journal...
01/11/2019
‘Digital first’ shift transforming society
Leading administrative reform under premise of digitalization
As economic activities and people’s lifestyles undergo transformation through the use of digital technology, public administration entities are also promoting digitalization efforts. For instance, the government is considering a...
12/28/2018
Cashless payments changing Japan
‘Time has come’ to promote and standardize cashless payments
People from companies engaging in cashless payments gathered at a Tokyo hotel on Oct. 15 to celebrate the founding of the Payments Japan Association. “Finally, the time has come,” noted...
12/14/2018
Cashless payments changing Japan
Playing catch-up, Japan forges ahead with cashless payments
Japan has seen increasing momentum to promote cashless payments that don’t require physical currency. It is not only because of a response to such needs from inbound tourists in...
11/23/2018
The universe within reach
The days to come: Science fiction’s transition to everyday reality
In addition to companies that have traditionally worked in space development — dubbed established space — these days, there are active efforts from new players in the field termed newspace....
11/09/2018
The universe within reach
Varied private sector goes galactic, government boosting efforts
Half a century has passed since the first humans landed on the moon and today, the space industry has hit a major tipping point. One after another, private companies have...
10/26/2018
Time for the aviation industry to leap forward
Companies bridge borders of respective fields to join growing market
Established in 2011 with funding from companies such as Kobe Steel Ltd. and Hitachi Metals Ltd. to produce large forged parts domestically, airplane component maker Japan Aeroforge Ltd. (known as...
10/12/2018
Time for the aviation industry to leap forward
New horizons mark next chapter of Japanese aviation industry
The domestically made regional passenger jet Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) flew over British skies at the Farnborough International Airshow, held at an airport on the outskirts of London, from July...
09/28/2018
‘Future Classroom’ nurturing those creating change
Ministries discuss future of artificial intelligence and education
When looking at a future society where artificial intelligence and humans coexist, how to nurture personnel to address social changes is an important matter. Curiously enough, in June, the Ministry...
09/14/2018
‘Future Classroom’ nurturing those creating change
Future of education: Startups eye programming, custom learning
The environment surrounding education has seen changes thanks to an approach to utilize the latest information technology in education, which is known as “edtech.” Today, there are a variety of...
08/24/2018
Essential skills of a working adult in the era of the 100-year life
‘Right to a career’ serves as compass for economic and social changes
In the era of the 100-year life, “why do people work?” and “how do people want to work?” are the fundamental questions that individuals of all generations will inevitably face...
08/10/2018
Essential skills of a working adult in the era of the 100-year life
100-year-life era enhances motivation to carve out skills, careers
The arrival of the era of the 100-year life urges individuals to constantly “upgrade” themselves through lifelong learning. How can people nurture the potential to exercise their abilities in any...
07/27/2018
Current situation in Fukushima
Recovery is progressing step by step in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the town of Tomioka in Fukushima Prefecture moved its entire town hall to the city of Koriyama in response to the evacuation order...
07/13/2018
Current situation in Fukushima
Companies’ Fukushima branches hope to reinvigorate healing region
Seven years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. For those who are not aware of the current...
06/29/2018
Connected Industries
Connected Industries cooperative business endeavors underway
In 2017, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko announced a new strategy called Connected Industries based on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including the spread of the “internet of...
06/22/2018
Connected Industries
Minister hopes shared data will transform Japanese corporate culture
“Connected Industries” (CI) aims to create added value and solve a variety of social problems through the connectedness of various data. The concept was first proposed by Minister of Economy,...
The articles on this website are edited translations from the METI Journal.
