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Surprise showings for startups in Tokyo

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This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology. October has seen many confabs where startups have been able to appeal their products and services, beginning with CEATEC which however was not held in Tokyo. Instead there were several others that attracted much attention. One was the Edo/Tokyo crafts & technology fair at the Tokyo International Forum. Last year it had robots such as those provided a startup by Prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University as well as Tokyo startup Ex Machina displayed at center stage, with participants like YRP IoT which is actually based in Yokosuka, in Kanagawa Prefecture. This year it appears the only startup there was Shannon Lab, a Tokyo firm researching Artificial Intelligence applications. More prominent were the Security & Safety Trade Expo (RISCON 2016) and Special Equipment Exhibition & Conference for Anti-Terrorism (SEECAT 2016) gatherings held concurrently at the Tokyo International Convention Center “Big Sight” in mid-October. Within RISCON there also was the new section dubbed “Cyber-security World” that focused on cyberspace, gathering companies ranging from Kaspersky the computer vaccine provider to PSI, a Japanese outfit working together with U.S. UK startup Darktrace. As…

This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology.


tokyo-mt-fuji-skyline
Image credit: Wikimedia

October has seen many confabs where startups have been able to appeal their products and services, beginning with CEATEC which however was not held in Tokyo. Instead there were several others that attracted much attention. One was the Edo/Tokyo crafts & technology fair at the Tokyo International Forum. Last year it had robots such as those provided a startup by Prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University as well as Tokyo startup Ex Machina displayed at center stage, with participants like YRP IoT which is actually based in Yokosuka, in Kanagawa Prefecture. This year it appears the only startup there was Shannon Lab, a Tokyo firm researching Artificial Intelligence applications.

confab-oct-2016-psi-dark-traceMore prominent were the Security & Safety Trade Expo (RISCON 2016) and Special Equipment Exhibition & Conference for Anti-Terrorism (SEECAT 2016) gatherings held concurrently at the Tokyo International Convention Center “Big Sight” in mid-October. Within RISCON there also was the new section dubbed “Cyber-security World” that focused on cyberspace, gathering companies ranging from Kaspersky the computer vaccine provider to PSI, a Japanese outfit working together with U.S. UK startup Darktrace.

As for SEECAT this year using two floors, had drones showcased in use during all types of emergencies upstairs, while lime-lighting the latest measures on the ground floor as to access restrictions for dealing with the heighted risks from terrorists organizations, not to mention startups involved in enhancing surveillance generally. It was noted that there would be increased need in Tokyo over the next few years, with both the Rugby World Cup (although this will be a nationwide event including a new stadium in the Tohoku region which was hit by the 2011 Tsunami disaster) in 2019 and the Olympics/Paralympics in 2020 being centered on the games to be hosted by the capital of Japan.

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The Challenge team at their booth

At RISCON seminars covering crowd control, disaster countermeasures and public health threats were held as well. This year, University of Electro-Communications Prof. Masashi Hayakawa who had established a spin-off venture from school ventured that earthquakes may be predictable, unfortunately not scientifically proven at this time. Other startups such as Cybozu Startups exhibited measures to mitigate post-disaster effects quickly by use of expedited information-gathering from the Japan Meteorological Agency, which provides Early Earthquake Warning among other alerts related to natural including non-weather-emanating disasters.

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Cybozu Startups’ booth

There were earthquake sensor maker on exhibit by Challenge, whose latest version of early temblor alert network EQguard-III could be checked alongside the SchoolGuard panic-button system for teachers. CEO Kazuo Sasaki noted that all these items are aimed at reducing casualty. The latest EQguard allows for 10 foreign languages to be used in announcing an impending major quake in enough time to increase the survival rate by 80%, with an eye to use at the Olympics. Digital signage and portable devices will also become linked to the EQGuard network. Challenge is said to be providing EQGuard anew in the Los Angeles area, near Caltech, too.

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Renowned geophysicist & Caltech Prof. Emeritus Hiroo Kanamori (right) with Challenge CEO Kazuo Sasaki (left)

Sensor use was also focused on at ITpro Expo 2016 sponsored by Nikkei BP. Here also the emphasis was on Artificial Intelligence as well as security. Startups running the gamut from Abeja to Uhuru were talking Deep Learning and Internet of Things. Soracom had a large booth covering their solutions while other startups were offering Virtual Reality-related solutions. It is expected that more ventures will be honing in on such products and services over the coming years.

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Abeja CEO Yosuke Okada speaks at ITPro Expo.

Startups showcase their wares at CEATEC 2016 in Japan

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This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology. Earlier this month, CEATEC 2016 was held in Chiba at the Makuhari Messe convention center. Many startups were gathered this year at the waterfront venue to the south of Narita International Airport, with Japanese firms joining forces with older companies while overseas startups entering Japan such as those from the U.S. and France gained support from their governments. One conspicuous corner was Kyoto-based startup Techmac which with electronics manufacturer Rohm (TSE:6963), also a Kyoto denizen, exhibited a joint application currently under development which is being called Pulse Launcher Unit (PLU). The enhanced IoT focus of the former Consumer Electronics/Telecom event from this year matched the exhibit items. The gun-shaped “launcher” is replete with sensors, obviously provided by Rohm, that enable users to participate in a “game” being developed, dubbed Z.O.N.E.(β). This game evaluates a person’s concentration ability as well as other traits. It may be used for example to check both physical and mental health status in the future for workers, students and other people whose performance needs to be monitored. Regarding sensors Rohm also has a subsidiary, Lapis Semiconductor…

This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology.


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Image credit: CEATEC JAPAN Organizing Committee

Earlier this month, CEATEC 2016 was held in Chiba at the Makuhari Messe convention center. Many startups were gathered this year at the waterfront venue to the south of Narita International Airport, with Japanese firms joining forces with older companies while overseas startups entering Japan such as those from the U.S. and France gained support from their governments.

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Pulse Launcher Unit
Image credit: Techmac, Rohm

One conspicuous corner was Kyoto-based startup Techmac which with electronics manufacturer Rohm (TSE:6963), also a Kyoto denizen, exhibited a joint application currently under development which is being called Pulse Launcher Unit (PLU). The enhanced IoT focus of the former Consumer Electronics/Telecom event from this year matched the exhibit items.

The gun-shaped “launcher” is replete with sensors, obviously provided by Rohm, that enable users to participate in a “game” being developed, dubbed Z.O.N.E.(β). This game evaluates a person’s concentration ability as well as other traits. It may be used for example to check both physical and mental health status in the future for workers, students and other people whose performance needs to be monitored.

Regarding sensors Rohm also has a subsidiary, Lapis Semiconductor (located in Shin-Yokohama), which is readying sensors that fathom environmental conditions of soil. It is thought that such sensors, which monitor non-soil mechanics properties like temperature and humidity, could be applied to fields ranging from agriculture to zoology.

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Tokimeki Sensor
Image credit: Rohm

Reverting to applications for human beings, in the past Techmac and Rohm had produced jointly also a game entitled Tokimeki Sensor, of course using a sensor as the name implies. In Japanese the word Tokimeki means “the throbbing heart brought on by infatuation”; actually what is sensed by the system that was exhibited at CEATEC last year is in fact heart palpitation.

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Image credit: Kabuku

Another Japanese endeavor was that of Kabuku, a design startup, who joined forces with Honda (TSE:7267) the automobile maker to produce an automobile whose body is made with parts printed using a three-dimensional printer. The Kabuku system is called Rinkak, a mass customization solution for cars and other vehicles; Rinkak in Japanese means “profile.”

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L to R: Tsubasa Koseki (Styler), Jumpei Notomi (Tohmatsu Venture Support)
Image credit: Styler

The thrust of CEATEC being changed toward IoT was underscored as well by a day-long session of seminars centered on IoT and fashion, which brought together such startups in this industry like Styler – as represented by CEO Tsubasa Koseki – taking part in discussions emceed by Jumpei Notomi of Tomatsu Venture Support.

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Lyon mayor Gerard Collomb speaks at CEATEC 2016
Image credit: Jerry Suppan, Visionworks Productions

French startups were highlighted by an event held in Tokyo in addition to the Chiba CEATEC site with the French government presence including a delegation from the startup capital Lyon. Headed by the Socialist mayor, Gerard Collomb, this city announced a tie-up with DMM.make in Akihabara.

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As for the U.S., the American corner of CEATEC supported by the Embassy had Darktrace, a startup involved in cybersecurity, appealing its services. In Japan it has its own local subsidiary based in Shibuya at Cerulean Tower, while working together with a Japanese firm known as PSI.

Japan’s Seven Dreamers developing the world’s first laundry bot with Panasonic, Daiwa House

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This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology. Japanese startup Seven Dreamers has unveiled joint development with Panasonic (TSE:6752) and Daiwa House (TSE:1925) for commercialization of “Laundroid” [1] at CEATEC Japan 2015, the largest consumer electronics exhibition in Asia being held under the theme of “NEXT – Today’s Dreams, Future Realities.” The effort fuses pioneering automatic laundry folding technology developed by Seven Dreamers, advanced washing/drying machine technology and home electronics development capacity developed by Panasonic, and track record in housing/nursing care businesses expanded by Daiwa House. Seven Dreamers implemented a large scale funding of 1.52 billion yen ($12.7 million) through third-party allocation of new shares by Daiwa House, the University of Tokyo Edge Capital, and several other companies in a series A funding, not only for development of revolutionary technology but also for expansion of business globally. The laundroid looks to free people from the labor required in folding and increases time with one’s family/hobby, resulting in revolutionizing people’s lifestyle. Through this joint development, Panasonic aims to provide more comfortable life style to consumers by enabling the automation of not only washing and drying processes but also folding…

This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology.


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Japanese startup Seven Dreamers has unveiled joint development with Panasonic (TSE:6752) and Daiwa House (TSE:1925) for commercialization of “Laundroid[1] at CEATEC Japan 2015, the largest consumer electronics exhibition in Asia being held under the theme of “NEXT – Today’s Dreams, Future Realities.”

The effort fuses pioneering automatic laundry folding technology developed by Seven Dreamers, advanced washing/drying machine technology and home electronics development capacity developed by Panasonic, and track record in housing/nursing care businesses expanded by Daiwa House.

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Seven Dreamers’ booth at CEATEC Japan 2015 (Photo by Jerry Suppan)

Seven Dreamers implemented a large scale funding of 1.52 billion yen ($12.7 million) through third-party allocation of new shares by Daiwa House, the University of Tokyo Edge Capital, and several other companies in a series A funding, not only for development of revolutionary technology but also for expansion of business globally. The laundroid looks to free people from the labor required in folding and increases time with one’s family/hobby, resulting in revolutionizing people’s lifestyle.

Through this joint development, Panasonic aims to provide more comfortable life style to consumers by enabling the automation of not only washing and drying processes but also folding process. Meanwhile Daiwa House aims to achieve the realization of ideal social model by supplying services and products for the purpose of solving social issues.


  1. Trademark pending.

Startups enter the fray with arrival of fall exhibition season in Japan

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This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology. Many startups in Japan are exhibiting their products and services with the arrival of fall, when many major exhibitions are being held throughout Japan. The characteristic this year of the exhibitions seem to be the closer cooperation and industrial crossovers between the various sectors. It is thought that in reflection of the networks that are developing around the world by the day the “niche-ness” of the past, especially for Japanese startups, may be overcome. For example on October 2, the Edo/Tokyo Comprehensive Skills and Techno Exhibition supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government was held at Tokyo International Forum. In past years, many “niche” companies from industrial areas in Tokyo were gathered here but this year saw many Tokyo firms joining forces with those from other prefectures as well as abroad. In highlighting the move, a super-compact electric vehicle maker whose product is later being showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show and a humanoid robot startup supported by Osaka University took center stage. Exhibitors of interest included a Fukushima-focused group of companies working to expand cooperation between agricultural products providers and…

This is a guest post authored by “Tex” Pomeroy. He is a Tokyo-based writer specializing in ICT and high technology.


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Folks from Yudogaku Foundation at Edo/Tokyo Comprehensive Skills and Techno Exhibition

Many startups in Japan are exhibiting their products and services with the arrival of fall, when many major exhibitions are being held throughout Japan. The characteristic this year of the exhibitions seem to be the closer cooperation and industrial crossovers between the various sectors. It is thought that in reflection of the networks that are developing around the world by the day the “niche-ness” of the past, especially for Japanese startups, may be overcome.

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Folks from Yudogaku Foundation at Edo/Tokyo Comprehensive Skills and Techno Exhibition

For example on October 2, the Edo/Tokyo Comprehensive Skills and Techno Exhibition supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government was held at Tokyo International Forum. In past years, many “niche” companies from industrial areas in Tokyo were gathered here but this year saw many Tokyo firms joining forces with those from other prefectures as well as abroad. In highlighting the move, a super-compact electric vehicle maker whose product is later being showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show and a humanoid robot startup supported by Osaka University took center stage.

Exhibitors of interest included a Fukushima-focused group of companies working to expand cooperation between agricultural products providers and small trading houses, a Saitama outfit looking to expand business overseas with “boutique trading support”, and a Yokosuka Research Park (YRP) IoT (Internet of Things) endeavor aiming to spawn actual applications of YRP-IoT technologies among others.

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YRP-IOT’s booth at Edo/Tokyo Comprehensive Skills and Techno Exhibition

Also opening the second week of October is CEATEC, the consumer electronics confab supported by the Japanese electronics industry. This year, it is cooperating closely with the Tokyo Motor Show in a first such attempt, along with hosting a hackathon event jointly with Nomura Research Institute in trying to realize IoT applications by stimulating such efforts by startups. They will also hold a “Space Robot Contest” with an eye to space development activities gaining support from the electronics sector.

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In parallel, other startups in Japan took part in La French Tech, which brought many French startups to Tokyo to present their wares. The Japanese firms were keenly interested in cooperating with business expansion efforts by such companies involved in health/sports and the environment not to mention manufacturing. Although the French firms still tend to prefer “marketing individually” as opposed to attending exhibitions there were notable exceptions.

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BeAM CEO Emmanuel Laubriat at La French Tech Tokyo

Of particular interest was BeAM (which stands for “Be Additive Manufacturing”) that had its CEO appear in Tokyo, in advance to having his engineers attend the Tokyo Motor Show in a few weeks’ time; the company’s strength is being able to use metal lasering tech for its 3D printers. Looking to market aggressively as well were companies like IDEOL selling floating platforms for wind power generators and Natural Grass, started by a former Rothschild banker, offering “manufactured turf grass” seen being usable for sport fields as well as for “greening” of buildings.

As for other European companies such as those from UK, Ireland or Norway, CEATEC was set forth as “testing ground” for their products. IoT seems to the “promising sector” for UK and Irish startups, while a chat with Nordic Semiconductor indicated field applications research in Japan to be a priority in their Asia-Pacific strategy. Regarding US firms, the CPS IoT standards for lower power consumption being pushed by industry members in conjunction with the International Energy Agency (IEA) – to realize “Energy Efficient End-use Equipment” – was seen as an impetus for venture businesses to enter the sector.

Japanese startups like Emotion Intelligence, Increments, and Repro took part in La French Tech. For the readers’ information, 2015 is “France Japan Innovation Year” and the French government has been vigorously assisting collaboration by French and Japanese firms.