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Japan Watchdog Accuses Google of Undermining Local Competitors

Japan Watchdog Accuses Google of Undermining Local Competitors

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The Japanese Fair Trade Commission has raised worries about monopolistic activities in the internet industry by accusing Alphabet Inc.’s Google of using strategies that hurt Yahoo Japan’s ability to compete in focused search advertising. A summary of the problem and its ramifications is provided below:

Claims of Market Restrictions

Japan Watchdog Accuses Google of Undermining Local Competitors

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The Fair Trade Commission claims that between 2015 and 2022, Alphabet denied Yahoo Japan access to the technology required to produce targeted ad income from searches on mobile devices. Yahoo Japan’s capacity to successfully compete in the online advertising market was severely hampered by this restriction. Saiko Nakajima, an FTC officer, highlighted the significance of Google’s activities, saying that they significantly reduced competitiveness in the Japanese market.

Promises and Administrative Action

Soon after the problem was brought to Alphabet’s attention, the company changed its behaviour in response to the watchdog’s conclusions and pledged to give Yahoo Japan access to keyword-tied targeted advertising technologies. This pledge was a component of the FTC’s legal proceeding against Alphabet, which was the first of its kind in Japan in opposition to the tech behemoth.

Worldwide Antitrust Issues

The case highlights worries about the dominance of large tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon that are widespread around the world. Antitrust authorities are concerned that these businesses are using their market dominance and technological know-how to suppress competition or buy out possible competitors, therefore maintaining their hegemony.

Investigations and Scrutiny of Regulations

In addition to Japan, Alphabet is under regulatory investigation in a number of other countries, including the US. Due to allegations from state solicitors general about limitations on developers’ access to customers through the Google Play app store, Alphabet is facing a $700 million settlement in the United States.

The fact that Japanese authorities are looking into Alphabet over claims that it forced regional smartphone makers to put its search services first on their products highlights the level of regulatory scrutiny that big internet companies are subject to.

Also Read: How to Configure a VPN on Your Android

Sustained Surveillance and Potential Reopening of Inquiries

The Japanese Fair Trade Commission is unflinching, signalling that it would keep a tight eye on the issue. The FTC has the authority to resume its investigation into Google at any time, which emphasises how crucial continuous regulatory supervision is to preserving fair competition in the online market.

To sum up, the steps taken by Japan’s watchdog against Alphabet demonstrate the increased regulatory scrutiny that large internet companies are subject to worldwide, highlighting the necessity of strong antitrust laws to maintain fair competition and innovation in the digital sector.

 
Japan Invests $3.9 Billion in Rapidus Chip Venture to Boost Tech Dominance

Japan Invests $3.9 Billion in Rapidus Chip Venture to Boost Tech Dominance

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Japan has given the green light to allocate a substantial sum of ¥590 billion ($3.9 billion) in subsidies to Rapidus Corp., a semiconductor venture, as part of its ongoing efforts to ramp up chip production capabilities. This significant financial injection is aimed at aiding Rapidus in procuring chipmaking equipment and advancing its back-end chipmaking processes, revealed Economy Minister Ken Saito.

Strategic Investment in Next-Generation Semiconductors

Japan Invests $3.9 Billion in Rapidus Chip Venture to Boost Tech Dominance

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During a regular news conference in Tokyo, Minister Saito emphasized the critical role of next-generation semiconductors in shaping Japan’s industrial landscape and economic growth trajectory. He emphasized the pivotal nature of this fiscal year for Rapidus, underlining the importance of their endeavors in the semiconductor domain.

This move has sparked positive market reactions, with Japanese chip equipment makers such as Tokyo Electron Ltd. and Disco Corp. experiencing notable stock price surges in response to the subsidy approval.

Reviving Japan's Semiconductor Sector

This substantial funding forms part of Japan’s broader strategy, allocating around ¥4 trillion over the last three years to revitalize its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has set ambitious targets, aiming for ¥10 trillion in financial support to chipmakers, in collaboration with the private sector.

Geopolitical tensions and a growing awareness of the strategic importance of semiconductors globally have prompted governments worldwide to bolster domestic semiconductor production. This industry’s significance extends beyond consumer electronics, encompassing critical applications in automotive, energy, defense, and more.

Rapidus’s collaboration with Japanese researchers in nanotechnology and materials underscores the nation’s commitment to narrowing the gap with leading chip manufacturers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). The aim is to leverage cutting-edge fabrication technology and enhance production efficiency.

Accelerating Innovation and Production Cycles

A substantial portion of the newly approved subsidies will be channeled into equipping Rapidus’s pilot line at its Chitose plant, collaborating with IBM Corp. researchers, streamlining production processes, and developing advanced packaging technologies. These initiatives align with Rapidus’s ambitious goal of mass-producing semiconductors using 2-nanometer processes by 2027, while achieving production cycles twice as fast as competitors.

Also Read: Xiaomi Shifts Focus from Apple to Tesla in the EV Market with 120,000 Orders in 36 Hours

President Atsuyoshi Koike of Rapidus emphasized the critical role these funds play in realizing their vision, highlighting the importance of the pilot line’s development.

Minister Saito also reflected on Japan’s past economic challenges, attributing part of its stagnation to a lack of understanding regarding semiconductor importance. He stressed the foundational role of chips in driving digitalization, decarbonization, and economic security, positioning semiconductors as the cornerstone of Japan’s industries and global economic infrastructure.

CEO Behind the $7 Billion Deal Sets Sights on Japan's Chip Linchpin, JSR

CEO Behind the $7 Billion Deal Sets Sights on Japan’s Chip Linchpin, JSR

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The CEO of Resonac Holdings, Hidehito Takahashi, has indicated an interest in acquiring a share in JSR, the largest manufacturer of photoresists worldwide, as he gets ready for yet another round of consolidation in Japan’s chip materials industry. This action comes after Japan Investment’s $6 billion acquisition of JSR, which is anticipated to drastically alter the nation’s supply chain for semiconductor materials.

CEO Behind the $7 Billion Deal Sets Sights on Japan's Chip Linchpin, JSR

Image Source: bloomberg.com

Takahashi thinks his business is the most logical partner for JSR. Takahashi is well-known for arranging Showa Denko’s 2020 acquisition of the bigger Hitachi Chemical, creating Resonac. He shows a great desire to actively engage in JSR’s future while acknowledging the possible price.

"I believe we are the most logical partner for JSR,” said the executive who orchestrated Showa Denko’s purchase of the bigger Hitachi Chemical in 2020 that led to the formation of Resonac. "It will be expensive, so we have to think about how we’d do it, but we want to get involved.”

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Japan has a vast network of relatively unknown businesses that specialise in essential materials like mask blanks and photoresists that are essential to the fabrication of semiconductors. But as demand for better semiconductor performance rises and research expenses rise, the industry is being forced to consolidate in order to remain competitive against international rivals.

One area where Japan can keep winning on the global stage is semiconductor materials, Takahashi Stated. He calls on leaders to look beyond their specialised fields and highlights the need to move away from a fragmented industry.

Resonac Hopes to Become a Chip Materials Juggernaut

With an annual revenue target of over ¥1 trillion and an EBITDA margin of at least 20%, Resonac hopes to become a chip materials juggernaut and join the ranks of multinational behemoths such as 3M and DuPont de Nemours. The 61-year-old Takahashi emphasises that Resonac need not be the only force towards consolidation, expressing a willingness to resign as CEO if doing so helps realise this goal.

"I'm not interested in Resonac swallowing everything. There is an ideal the industry should pursue. Let's think about how we can get there while keeping everyone happy," Takahashi states, emphasizing the desire to contribute to industry consolidation.

japantimes.co

Resonac’s chip materials division is anticipated to earn a profit in line with its record-breaking 427 billion in revenues in 2022. The business is positioned well in the changing semiconductor environment thanks to its focus on providing essential materials for next-generation circuits, which is being pushed by the expanding usage of artificial intelligence.

Also Read: Gmail Unveils Unsubscribe Button for Android: Managing Emails Made Easier

Resonac is reorganising its operations to focus more of its efforts on the semiconductor industry. The company intends to sell off parts unrelated to semiconductors, including one of its oldest divisions, petrochemical materials. Takahashi says that efforts are being made to remove this unit off the company’s balance sheet, even if there may be difficulties in finding a buyer for it.

Japan to Propose Rules for Generative AI to G7 Leaders: Yomiuri

Japan to Propose Rules for Generative AI to G7 Leaders: Yomiuri

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared Japan’s commitment to spearheading the establishment of international regulations for trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) during a speech at the annual Science and Technology in Society forum in Kyoto on Sunday.

Japan to Propose Rules for Generative AI to G7 Leaders: Yomiuri
Image Source: bloomberg.com

Highlighting Japan’s leadership, Kishida announced the proposal of the Hiroshima AI Process, a framework designed to address concerns related to generative AI, while holding the chairmanship of the G7 industrialized nations.

“With a view to ensuring trustworthy AI, Japan is now taking the lead in international rule-making on governance and transparency,” stated the prime minister, emphasizing the nation’s pivotal role in shaping the future of AI governance.

The decision to create the Hiroshima AI Process was made during the G7 summit meeting in Hiroshima in May. The G7 leaders aim to formulate international rules regarding generative AI by the year’s end, addressing issues such as the potential spread of false information and infringement of intellectual property rights, including copyrights.

Key areas of discussion during the international rulemaking deliberations will include the establishment of effective regulations across various fields like education, security, and elections. Additionally, preventing the concentration of generative AI development platforms in the hands of a few IT giants, thus avoiding service monopolization, will be a priority.

Prime Minister Kishida expressed his commitment to promoting advanced technologies like generative AI while acknowledging the necessity of addressing the negative social impacts and ethical concerns associated with such innovations. Disinformation, privacy concerns, and copyright protection were specifically mentioned as areas requiring serious attention.

Also Read: Oyo Talks to Apollo for $660 Million Refinance on IPO Delay

In response to rising concerns over disinformation, a new digital technology named Originator Profile has gained attention. This technology enables internet users to verify the credibility of information through digital signatures attached to online content, including news, corporate websites, and advertisements. These digital signatures are authenticated by a third-party organization, providing a potential countermeasure against the proliferation of false information.

As Japan takes the lead in proposing comprehensive rules for generative AI to the G7 leaders, the international community awaits the development of regulations that balance technological advancements with ethical considerations and societal well-being.

Japan's newest billionaire is a college dropout who built a global udon noodle empire

Japan’s Newest Billionaire is a College Dropout Who Built a Global Udon Noodle Empire

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In a tale of culinary entrepreneurship, a college dropout has achieved billionaire status, propelling Japan’s noodle scene to global prominence. 

Japan's newest billionaire is a college dropout who built a global udon noodle empire
Image Source: indiatimes.com

Takaya Awata, the visionary founder and CEO of Toridoll Holdings, has risen to prominence with a 48% stake in the company valued at an impressive $1.1 billion.

The catalyst for Awata’s remarkable journey was his brainchild, the Marugame Seimen restaurant chain, renowned for its delectable “udon noodles.” The chain has witnessed a remarkable resurgence, with shares surging by nearly 50% this year, riding the wave of post-pandemic dining fervor. As of the latest market data, Toridoll’s shares were exchanging hands at 3,930 Japanese yen, equivalent to around $27.

Awata’s ascent reads like a modern-day fable. After leaving Kobe City University of Foreign Studies in 1985, he plunged headlong into the restaurant business. Although his initial venture—a grilled chicken eatery—faced initial setbacks, fate intervened during a visit to his father’s hometown in Kagawa prefecture, renowned for its bustling udon noodle shops. The sight of eager customers queuing for this toothsome wheat-flour delight ignited a culinary epiphany within Awata. He described it as an “emotional experience of food,” which ignited the spark to launch his noodle venture.

In 1990, Awata founded Toridoll, distinguishing it by a commitment to serving freshly cooked, aromatic dishes crafted with care, as opposed to mass-produced noodles. Toridoll’s affordable self-service eateries, famously named Marugame Seimen, offer a unique interactive dining experience, allowing patrons to witness the culinary artistry behind their meals. Awata’s leadership steered Toridoll’s expansion onto the global stage, with the first Marugame Udon restaurant opening in Hawaii in 2011. This expansion fervor extended across China, Indonesia, and other parts of the world.

The year 2021 saw Toridoll’s London debut, a testament to Awata’s dedication to tailoring offerings to local palates. Even during the pandemic, Awata’s goodwill shone as his food truck distributed free udon noodles to underprivileged children and healthcare workers. He articulated his mission as “discovering hidden things and offering them as new value to generate joy in our customers.”

Also Read: Ex-Goldman Trader Building New California City Will Need to Appease Local Opponents

The Toridoll empire now spans close to 1,900 eateries worldwide, embracing not only udon noodle joints but also diverse offerings like spicy Chinese rice noodles, ramen, and tempura. The company’s emphasis on authenticity and sensory experiences has captivated diners globally. With a strategic outlook, Toridoll envisions further expansion, earmarking over $650 million for mergers and acquisitions across Europe, Asia, and Greater China. Within the next five years, their ambition is to exceed 5,500 eateries and surge revenue to an impressive $2 billion.

Awata’s journey from a university dropout to a billionaire exemplifies the power of passion and perseverance. 

TDK CORPORATION

TDK CORPORATION- ONE OF THE LEADING ELECTRONIC COMPANIES IN JAPAN

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Many Japanese companies have transformed from small scale industries to business tycoons over time. The quality of work and employees, both are highly appreciable in Japan. Moreover, the country has made some exceptional developments and pushed its threshold over the past century. With electronics and telecommunication reaching higher potential, a Japanese company, TDK Corporation unleashed its true power.

The establishment of TDK Corporation took place back in 1935 in Shiba-Ku, Tokyo city. The company developed soon after Yogoro Kato and Takeshi Takei invented the magnetic material, Ferrite. So, TDK Corporation received the patent for producing the world’s first ferrite cores and that’s how the journey began. Currently, the TDK headquarters are based on Nihonbashi, Tokyo. And, the company’s main products are electronic components, power supplies, and sensors.

The Founding History of TDK Corporation

In 1930, the invention of the ferrous magnetic material, ferrite took place. And, after a few years, the launch of the company, Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo K. K. (Tokyo Electric Chemical Industry Co. Ltd) took place. The company received the patent of it and thus started the production of ferrite. The CRT tubes of television used the ferrite for deflection in yoke cores. Thus, the production increased and common people started buying televisions.

Expansion through the early 1900s

In 1937, Tokyo established the Kamata Plant as with the demand for colored movies, the demand for ferrite ores increased. After a couple of years, the Japanese Naval Institute of Technology expressed its interest in the product for use in marine radios. So, another plant was constructed in Hirasawa-Cho. In April 1945, the production came to a halt due to an accident in the Kamata plant.

And, when it restarted late in the same year, the company showed interest in the modern communication industry. In the late 1940s transistors came into the market and the production increased for IF transformer cores. In 1951, the company also started the production of ceramic capacitors. For the next few years, new types of capacitors were designed for some of the world’s new inventions. This led to the establishment of another plant for the company for producing hard disk drives.

Growth in the international market 

In 1961, the company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for the first time. The company made a breakthrough when it introduced “Synchro Cassette Tapes” in 1966. Everyone loves music and with this new product, TDK grabbed everyone’s attention. During this time, TDK expanded its business to the USA and established an office in New York. Also, in 1968 the world witnessed the development of TDK Taiwan Corporation followed by entering the European market in 1970.

For the next decade, many new products were launched including multilayer ceramic chip capacitors, switching power supplies, multilayer chip inductors, etc. With every new invention in the world, a product of TDK rolled out in the market. In 1982, the company got listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the next year the company’s name changed to TDK Corporation. Before the company rushed into a new century, it opened a subsidiary in China and acquired SAE Magnetics, a Hong Kong-based company.

The digital era

In 2000, the company acquired Headway Technologies, a company based in the United States. The company also acquired a polymer lithium battery manufacturing company, Amperex Technology in 2005. The same year, TDK also acquired the Lambda Power Division, a part of a London-based business. After a couple of years, Imation Corporation acquired the sales department of TDK brand recording media.

In 2008, the company acquired a German-based company, EPCOS. The next decade started with TDK implementing its Environmental Action 2020 Plan. In 2014, TDK stepped back from the recording media business. And, the first product of TDK, that is, ferrite was recognized as one of the top 100 innovations in Japan after the war.

2016 witnessed the acquisition of two companies, namely Micronas Semiconductor Holdings AG and Hutchinson Technology Inc. The company came into a joint venture with Qualcomm in 2017. Faraday Semi LLC is the latest acquisition of TDK Corporation. The company also has its museum which reopened in 2017 after renewal.

Future Plans

The company is currently focusing on automotive products and wants to decrease the sale of mobile phones. Shigenao Ishiguro, CEO, and President of TDK Corporation said that it is not very productive to invest in a product that has already reached a saturation point of innovation. The company is currently working on several automotive projects especially focusing on magnetic sensors.