Web3

Sony Releases Free AI Image Evaluation Data

TOKYO, Nov 11 (News On Japan) - Sony Group has released a free dataset designed for evaluating AI image analysis performance, opening new opportunities for developers and researchers to improve machine learning models.

The dataset, which includes a wide variety of annotated image data, is expected to enhance accuracy in fields such as autonomous driving, medical imaging, and industrial inspection, where precise image recognition is critical.

Industry observers have noted that Sony’s move reflects Japan’s growing interest in global data-sharing initiatives, aiming to strengthen its competitiveness in artificial intelligence and digital content creation. The company hopes that open access to such data will foster innovation both domestically and internationally, possibly leading to the next major AI-driven success story from Japan.

Meanwhile, Nikkei continues to promote its popular audio programs “Nagara Nikkei” and “Young Nikkei” via TV Tokyo’s Biz platform on weekdays. “Nagara Nikkei” condenses key business and economic updates into a 10-minute morning segment for those listening during commutes or daily routines, while “Young Nikkei” delivers news geared toward younger audiences with a focus on optimism and social change.

Nikkei is also offering an online seminar series titled “Accounting Lessons for Business,” aimed at professionals seeking to strengthen their financial literacy. The third session, “Understanding Corporate Cash Flow,” will be held at 7 p.m. on November 26th, covering how to interpret company cash flow statements as an indicator of real financial health. Interested participants can register through the link provided on Nikkei’s official website.

Monday’s “Young Nikkei” program is hosted by Mai Kamishita, a first-year graduate student studying clinical psychology and a former member of a university rifle shooting club. Kamishita, who enjoys musicals, karaoke, and kimono dressing, said she hopes to deliver “news that resonates with the hearts of our listeners.”

Source: テレ東BIZ

Kyoto Raises Lodging Tax as Peak Travel Season Begins

Kyoto City significantly raised its lodging tax from March 1st, increasing the maximum charge per person per night from 1,000 yen to as much as 10,000 yen, in a move aimed at tackling overtourism and funding the preservation of cultural assets, even as questions remain about its impact on visitors and the local economy.

Foreign Visitors and Ex-Rescuer Pull 80-Year-Old Woman From Hakuba Crashed Car

A former emergency responder and foreign tourists worked together to rescue a woman in her 80s who was trapped inside an overturned light vehicle in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture.

Tokyo Metro Begins Touchless Ticket Gate Trial

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Himeji Castle Hikes Admission Fee for Non-Residents

The admission fee for the World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, was revised on March 1st for the first time in 11 years, introducing a dual pricing system that significantly raises costs for visitors from outside the city.

Australian Girl, 8, Dies After Snowmobile Overturns in Hakuba

An eight-year-old Australian girl died after a snowmobile overturned in Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture, at around 11 a.m. on February 28th, with authorities investigating the cause of the accident.

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