AKB48 Investigates DX at Small Factories!

Jun 03, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - AKB48 takes a closer look at digital transformation (DX) in small factories across Japan. How deeply has DX penetrated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? AKB48 reports from the ground, unveiling the future shaped by DX.

Japan is home to around 3.5 million SMEs. A peek into their operations reveals various levels of digital transformation. This time, AKB48 closely examines 'the best DX at your company.' Is DX already advanced, or is it in the process of development? AKB48 explores the realities of these local factories.

One remarkable example is the telescope industry. Telescopes that allow us to observe distant objects as if they were near have undergone significant digital transformation. Imagine a telescope that reaches millions of light-years away! AKB48 discovers the DX behind these incredible devices.

Another everyday product undergoing DX is shoes. Have you ever imagined how shoes are made? AKB48 reveals the surprising digital advancements in shoe manufacturing through the investigation of three distinct cases.

AKB48 learns about DX from an expert at a small business support organization, who explains that DX is the process of using digital technology to transform society for the better. The team then sets out to investigate further.

The first stop is a small factory in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, famous for its advanced telescopes. Since 1966, the company has been manufacturing telescopes and binoculars, holding a top share in the domestic market and exporting to over 70 countries. The team witnesses the meticulous craftsmanship involved in assembling each part by hand, ensuring high quality.

One of the latest innovations is a smartphone-connected telescope that automatically aligns with celestial objects. This advanced technology allows even amateurs to easily locate stars and planets from their balconies.

AKB48 moves on to their next investigation site: the shoe industry in Asakusa, a district known for its shoe production. They visit a company that has been innovating in shoe design for 24 years. The company integrates DX by using 3D software to design shoes, which reduces the need for physical prototypes and increases efficiency.

The highlight of their visit is the automated cutting machine, which uses data from 3D designs to cut materials precisely, minimizing waste. This DX innovation ensures efficient use of leather and other materials, significantly reducing losses.

After these investigations, AKB48 reflects on their experiences. They appreciate how DX not only enhances efficiency and cost savings but also improves the working environment, making tasks more enjoyable and fulfilling.

AKB48’s journey through small factories showcases the profound impact of digital transformation on traditional industries, highlighting the blend of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.

Source: テレ東BIZ

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Nikkei Tumbles As AI Rally Reverses

Tokyo stocks fell sharply on June 26 as investors locked in profits from Japan’s record-setting AI-driven rally, with SoftBank Group and chip-related shares leading a broad retreat after reports that OpenAI may delay its initial public offering.

Japan's August Current Account Surplus Exceeds 4 Trillion Yen, Up 12%

Japan recorded a current account surplus of 4.062 trillion yen in August, an increase of 12% from a year earlier, driven primarily by a sharp rise in income from overseas investments, even as higher crude oil prices pushed the country's trade balance into deficit.

Japan's Household Spending Falls 3.1% in August, Ninth Straight Monthly Decline

Household spending in Japan fell 3.1% in August from a year earlier, marking the ninth consecutive month of decline as rising food prices continued to weigh on consumer budgets, according to the latest household expenditure survey released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on October 9.

Nikkei Stalls Near 67,000 as Oil and Yen Risks Offset Financial Gains

Tokyo stocks ended nearly unchanged on August 12, with the Nikkei 225 at 66,988.82, as gains in energy and financial shares offset weakness in electronics and pharmaceuticals while investors weighed higher crude oil prices, a weaker yen and growing expectations for another Bank of Japan rate increase.

Cyberattacks on Japanese Companies Expose Structural Weaknesses

Japan is entering a more difficult phase in its cybersecurity challenge, as a succession of major data breaches and ransomware attacks exposes weaknesses not only in corporate IT systems but also in supplier networks, governance structures and operational resilience.

Japan Beer Giants Raided Over Suspected Price-Fixing Cartel

Japan's four largest beer makers were subjected to simultaneous compulsory searches on October 7 over suspicions they coordinated wholesale prices for beer and other alcoholic beverages, in a rare cartel investigation that could lead to criminal charges.

Nikkei Falls as Profit-Taking Hits AI and Chip Shares

Tokyo stocks fell on October 7, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 70,036, down 648 points, as investors took profits in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares after the index’s rapid climb above 70,000 earlier in the week.

How Japan Is Learning to Live With Years of Rising Prices

Japan's prolonged period of rising prices is continuing to squeeze households and businesses, driven by the weak yen, higher raw material costs and rising wages, forcing consumers to change how they shop and cook while companies search for ways to contain costs without losing customers.

< 2 3 4 5 >