“Japan’s New Technology 2025: Latest Innovations in AI, Energy, and Robotics”

Key Recent / Emerging Technologies in Japan

1. Home‑grown Quantum Computer
   Japan recently launched a quantum computer built entirely with domestic components, including the superconducting quantum processing unit by RIKEN, and Japanese‑designed packaging, amplifiers, software, etc. It’s meant to push research in areas like drug discovery, logistics, etc. Live Science
2. FugakuNEXT: Zetta‑scale Supercomputer
   A collaboration between RIKEN, Fujitsu, and Nvidia, this is Japan’s plan for a zetta‑scale supercomputer, combining Japanese made CPUs (MONAKA‑X) with Nvidia GPUs, targeting ~600 exaFLOPS in certain precisions, and much higher software efficiency. Strong push to lead in AI/HPC (high‑performance computing). Tom’s Hardware
3. AI & Robotics Collaboration (Nvidia + Fujitsu)
   They’ve agreed to work together on “humancentric” AI & robotics, aiming for smarter infrastructure in health, manufacturing, environmental tech, etc. A way to address things like aging population, workforce shortages. AP News
4. Digital Yen (“DCJPY”)
   Japan Post Bank will issue a blockchain‑based digital yen by end of fiscal 2026. It’s a fiat‑backed tokenized deposit currency (1:1 with traditional yen), intended to allow digital securities transactions and faster, secure financial flows. Reuters
5. First Osmotic Power Plant
   In Fukuoka, Japan has opened its first osmotic power plant (using the energy from mixing sea and fresh water across membranes). It’s one of very few in the world to run continuously, generating enough electricity for ~220 households. It’s a new kind of continuous renewable energy (not dependent on sun or wind) that could help in energy diversification. The Guardian
6. Laser Drones to Protect Poultry Farms
   A system developed by NTT uses laser‑equipped drones to deter wild birds (which spread avian flu) from poultry farms. Red/green flickering lasers frighten birds away instead of using more harmful or labor-intensive methods. Tom’s Hardware
7. Offshore Wind Farm Zones
   The government has identified new areas (off Akita city; Hibikinada in Fukuoka; plus others) to develop offshore (including floating) wind farms. This is part of Japan’s strategy for carbon neutrality by 2050. Reuters
8. Upgrades in Military / Defense‑Tech
   Japan is equipping some of its destroyers with Tomahawk cruise missiles in a large enhancement of maritime strike capability. Also, next‑generation offshore patrol vessels with advanced mast systems, radar stealth shaping, etc. Business Insider+1
9. Train / Transit Efficiency & Conservation
   Example: The Fukuoka Subway 4000 series trains are the first large‑scale full‑scale implementation of synchronous reluctance motors (more energy‑efficient) in subway trains, plus other improvements like steerable axles to reduce noise. Wikipedia
10. CO₂ Fixation via Steelmaking Slag
    A new technique Japan is testing: capturing CO₂ by reacting it with hot steel slag (a byproduct from steelmaking) to produce carbonates, also recovering heat in the process. Part of carbon recycling / decarbonization efforts. EU-Japan
11. Advanced Semiconductors for EVs
    Example: “SiC (silicon carbide) power semiconductor modules” developed by Japanese companies (e.g. Rohm) that are much more energy‑efficient for EV chargers / e‑axle applications. These give faster charging, less energy loss, better performance. EU-Japan
12. “Operation Log‑Driven Development Technology”
    Mitsubishi Electric has made a system to extract and visualize operator know‑how from system operation logs, to help share tacit experience (from human operators) and reduce dependency on individual expertise. This helps in maintenance, infrastructure management, etc. EU-Japan

Here are some of the newest / upcoming technologies in Japan, especially in renewable energy, AI / robotics, and consumer‑tech / infrastructure. If you tell me a field (like health tech, transportation, etc.), I can find more specific ones.

🌱 Renewable Energy & Environment

1. Osmotic Power Plant in Fukuoka
   Japan opened its first osmotic (salinity gradient) power plant in Fukuoka (at Uminonakamichi), generating ~ 880,000 kWh/year, enough for about 220 households. It uses freshwater and seawater mixing across membranes to generate power. This technology runs continuously (not depending on sunshine or wind). Wikipedia+1
2. Offshore Wind Farm Zones Identified
   Japan’s government has designated new “promising zones” off Akita City and Hibikinada (Fukuoka) for offshore wind farms. Also “preparatory zones” have been set for floating wind farms off places like Chiba, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima. Reuters
3. Perovskite Solar Cells & Domestic Solar Tech
   There is growing support and investment in domestic perovskite solar cell manufacturing. Stocks of companies developing perovskite tech (e.g. Sekisui Chemical) rose following political developments favoring local manufacturing vs. import of conventional solar panels. Reuters
4. New Hydropower Project
   The Matsukawa Hydro Power Plant (run‑of‑river type) in Yamagata Prefecture is being completed, with ~965 kW capacity, about 5.3 GWh/year expected. Japan Energy Hub
5. Corporate Renewable Projects
   Amazon has more than doubled its renewable energy capacity in Japan from 2023 to 2024, by enabling several solar and wind farms (on‑site and off‑site). These include a 35 MW solar farm in Fukushima, and projects in Hokkaido and Yamaguchi. US Press Center

🤖 AI, Robotics & Infrastructure

1. FugakuNEXT Supercomputer
   Japan is building a new zetta‑scale supercomputer called FugakuNEXT (RIKEN, Fujitsu, Nvidia). It will use Japanese ARM CPUs (MONAKA‑X) + Nvidia GPUs, aiming for huge performance (~600 exaFLOPS in certain precision) and much greater software efficiency. Operational around 2030. Tom’s Hardware
2. ABCI 3.0 – AI Infrastructure Boost
   The ABCI (AI infrastructure by AIST) has been upgraded: ABCI 3.0 (fully in operation by Jan 2025) with thousands of NVIDIA H200 GPUs, increases in storage and speed, to accelerate generative AI work. arXiv
3. Partnerships for AI & Robotics
   • Nvidia + Fujitsu are collaborating to develop AI + robotics technology, with a “humancentric” approach. Focus on healthcare, manufacturing, environmental tech, etc. AP News
   • SoftBank & OpenAI are turning an old Sharp plant in Osaka into a large AI data centre (150 MW capacity), to support AI agent development. Reuters
4. Enterprise / Sector‑specific AI Agents
   Japanese firms are increasingly using AI agents tailored to specific industries. For example, a deal between Sakana AI and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial for custom AI agents for internal operations. EU-Japan
5. Inclusive / Accessibility AI
   Examples: Aisin Corporation has developed a speech‑transcription and translation tool that helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing; Japan Airlines has an app to help cabin crew report inflight events faster using AI summarization. microsoft.com