Tokyo outlines timetable for flying cars and bases on Mars

Nov 02, 2019 | News On Japan

Nov 02, 2019 (Nikkei) - Quantum computing will reach the practical stage by 2035, and human outposts will be established on the moon and Mars by 2040, an institute under Japan's science ministry predicts.

The National Institute of Science and Technology Policy's report released Friday projected those dates among estimated timelines for progress on roughly 702 technologies, based on a survey of 5,352 experts.

The Science and Technology Foresight 2019 survey looked at Japan's competitive edge in global tech. The findings will help Tokyo devise technology policy.

The S&T Foresight survey offers predictions in earthly fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence, medicine and natural disasters -- plus outer space and the origins of life.

Floodwaters Strand 1,200 Cars in Chiba

More than 1,200 vehicles are believed to have been left stranded on roads across Chiba Prefecture after torrential rain caused widespread flooding, with authorities confirming eight deaths and investigating a drainage pump failure at an underpass where a man died.

Eight Confirmed Dead in Chiba Floods

The death toll from the record-breaking heavy rain in Chiba Prefecture has risen to eight, with one person still missing and damage reported to at least 170 homes as flooding, landslides, water outages and transport disruptions continued on August 14.

Aso Volcano Eruption Alert Level Raised to 3 in Kumamoto

Japan's weather agency raised the volcanic alert level for Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture from Level 2 to Level 3 on August 14 after volcanic tremors strengthened and gas emissions increased sharply, warning people to stay away from areas within about 2 kilometers of the Nakadake No. 1 crater.

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Google Opens Flagship Store in Tokyo's Omotesando

Google opened its first flagship store in Japan in Tokyo's Omotesando district at 2 p.m. on August 13, marking the company's first flagship retail location outside the United States.

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