News On Japan

Japan to deploy eerie 'behavior detection' technology to snare criminals BEFORE they commit crime

Jul 21 (Daily Mail) - Japanese police will begin testing a draconian network of AI-enhanced security cameras — hoping to stop major crimes before they happen.

The pre-crime monitoring tests, reminiscent of the 2002 sci-fi film Minority Report, will intentionally avoid using the tech's 'facial recognition' capabilities, according to Japan's National Police Agency.

Instead the AI cameras will focus on machine-learning pattern recognition of three types: 'behavior detection' for suspicious activities, 'object detection' for guns and other weapons, and 'intrusion detection' for the protection of restricted areas.

Japanese police officials said they intend to launch their AI test program sometime during this fiscal year, which ends March 2024 in Japan.

While some counterterrorism experts maintain that the new AI-powered cameras will 'help to deploy police officers more efficiently' providing 'more means for vigilance,' others worry about introducing hidden algorithmic biases into police work. ...continue reading

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

With only a week left until the New Year, people are preparing for "hatsumode," the tradition of visiting a shrine or temple for the first time in the year. However, the first three days of January see heavy crowds at popular spots. Strategic planning around timing and location can help avoid congestion and make for a quieter visit.

Abandoned hotels in Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula are becoming an increasing concern for local authorities. Once bustling with tourists during Japan’s economic boom, many hot spring resorts in Higashi-Izu Town have been left derelict, their structures crumbling and ownership unclear.

Temperatures are expected to remain unusually cold in January next year, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) predicting colder-than-average conditions nationwide for the start of the year.

Nearly a year has passed since the Noto Peninsula earthquake struck on New Year’s Day, leaving the region grappling with recovery efforts and compounding challenges. In Suzu City’s Otani district, residents began moving into temporary housing earlier this month, following 11 months of hardship, including additional damage from September’s torrential rains.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has unveiled a new passport design set to be issued from March next year. The new system will allow online applications not only for renewals but also for new passport requests. Submitting an original family register certificate will no longer be required for online applications.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Web3 NEWS

Sharp announced on December 20th that it will sell part of its Sakai factory, which previously produced LCD panels for televisions, to SoftBank for approximately 100 billion yen. SoftBank plans to use around 60% of the factory’s site, equivalent to about 450,000 square meters, to construct a large-scale data center aimed at advancing generative AI development.

Japan has set a new record for inbound tourists, with 33.38 million visitors from January to November this year, surpassing the previous high in 2019. Tokyo’s Asakusa district remains a popular destination, drawing large crowds of international visitors.

The president of a group advising Japan's main utility claimed that the growth of artificial intelligence would cause a boom in energy consumption. The nuclear expert said this will initially be fueled by fossil fuels. He added, however, nuclear power will eventually replace fossil fuels. (WION)

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski says AI has shown across-the-board benefits as he eyes an expansion into US banking under a new Trump administration. He says the company has replaced hundreds of workers with artificial intelligence and the moves have paid off. He joins Caroline Hyde on "Bloomberg Technology." (Bloomberg Technology)

A new AI system capable of quickly identifying vulnerabilities in corporate networks against cyberattacks has been developed.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we consume content, and ReadPartner is here to help you save time and boost productivity.

Engineers in Japan have built a 'human washing machine of the future' or the 'Mirai Ningen Sentakuki' which uses AI to analyse your body before using a customised 'wash-and-dry' process. (The Economic Times)

Navigating the world of trading can be both exhilarating and daunting. I remember the first time I ventured into using a trading bot; it felt like I was stepping into the future of investing.