Editor profile
Senior Editor, Semiconductor Japan
Kenji Tanaka specializes in the global semiconductor supply chain and Japanese materials technology. His work tracks the evolution of chip manufacturing and strategic resource security.
kenji.tanaka@japantechreview.comThis article analyzes, from the perspective of Japan's industrial upgrading, how Rapidus is taking on the challenge of 2-nanometer logic chip manufacturing in Hokkaido, and the potential impact on the restructuring of the global semiconductor supply chain.
From FANUC to SoftBank, Japan's leading manufacturing and robotics companies are advancing physical AI based on the NVIDIA Cosmos platform. This article analyzes the new competitiveness behind this move, as Japan's industry transitions from hardware advantages to intelligent systems.
The Japanese industrial control and factory automation market is expected to grow from $24.91 billion in 2025 to $32.47 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how population aging, AI technology integration, and policy support are collectively reshaping the competitive landscape of Japan's manufacturing industry.
In 2025, global electric vehicle sales surpassed 20 million units, accounting for a quarter of the new car market. With China leading, Europe accelerating, and the US stagnating, this landscape poses a profound challenge to Japan's automotive industry, which has long relied on hybrid and fuel vehicle technologies. Based on data from the IEA's Global EV Outlook 2026, this article analyzes how global EV trends are compelling Japan to rebuild its competitiveness in batteries, semiconductors, and autonomous driving.
As AI search and generative AI change the way information is accessed, Veerixa launches AI Visibility Distribution services, exploring the new trend of corporate communications transitioning from media exposure to information discoverability.
Based on StartupBlink data, analyze Tokyo's startup ecosystem performance in global rankings and its deep impact on Japan's industrial upgrade.
Japan, through the Noetra alliance, with 44 core enterprises and an initial funding of $240 million, systematically promotes physical AI and robotics technology, aiming to build a sovereign AI ecosystem and address the challenges of an aging society.
Japan's telecom industry revenue grew 6.3% but profits remain weak, with investors shifting to China and South Korea. This article analyzes the diversification of digital services and changes in the competitive landscape behind this trend from the perspective of industrial transformation.
At the 2026 Automate exhibition, 24 Taiwan Excellence Award companies showcased next-generation smart manufacturing technologies such as robotics, edge AI, and industrial computing. This trend not only highlights the maturity of Taiwan's automation ecosystem but also presents potential competitive and cooperative opportunities for Japan's manufacturing industry.
Global competition in new economic zones is shifting from spatial development to cognitive development. This article analyzes how artificial intelligence, industrial ecosystems, and international communication are transforming the investment attraction model for the tech industry.
The IPO of Chinese DRAM manufacturer ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) marks the acceleration of its memory self-sufficiency strategy. Against the backdrop of global technology decoupling, Japanese semiconductor equipment and materials suppliers face a dual situation of short-term order growth and long-term substitution.
Japan's Nikkei index has recorded remarkable gains amid the AI wave, but the driving factors have shifted from chip equipment to key components for data centers. This article analyzes the industrial logic and potential risks behind this shift.
After the US imposed export restrictions on Anthropic's strongest AI model, Japan's Sakana AI and China's 360 quickly launched alternative models. This article analyzes the profound impact of this event on the Asian AI ecosystem, technological sovereignty, and the global competitive landscape.
Valmet Automotive has signed a multi-year agreement with Patria to increase the annual production capacity of Patria 6×6 armored vehicles to several hundred units. This transformation demonstrates the application of automotive manufacturing expertise in the defense sector, providing a reference for Japanese automakers to diversify their paths.
NTT, together with SK Group and Chunghwa Telecom, has established an approximately $500 million IOWN AI fund to accelerate the commercialization of all-photonics networks, drive AI infrastructure transformation, and demonstrate Japan's strategic ambitions in next-generation network technology.
AI is evolving from an efficiency tool into a business infrastructure, and Japanese companies, caught in the tension between rising customer expectations and lagging organizational capabilities, are being forced to redesign their operational models, governance structures, and competitive strategies.