Official Author

児玉 勇（Yu Kodama）

The battlefield of Iwo Jima The video "Touring the battlefields of Iwo Jima = a scorching underground moat, and group burial ground（硫黄島の戦跡を巡る＝灼熱の地下壕、集団埋葬地）is by "時事通信トレンドニュース" (Current Trending News and Events). World War II left many scars in Japan. However, since many historical facts have been twisted, many people still do not know what the Pacific War and former Japanese army were like. One remnant of them is the tragic battlefield of Iwo Jima. In the Showa era, it was taught that the only decisive battle that took place on Japan's home soil was fought in Okinawa Prefecture. However, it was the small island of Iwo Jima (8.1 mi²) near the Ogasawara Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, where (before the battle in Okinawa) a decisive land battle took place . Many civilians lived on Iwo Jima before the war, but due to the war, Iwo Jima became a fierce battleground, and many civilians who could not flee to the mainland in time, as well as Lieutenant General Tadashi Kuribayashi and many other soldiers, were killed in battle. The movie "Letters from Iwo Jima" starring Ken Watanabe and Kazunari Ninomiya of the band "Arashi" is one of the few movies that tells of the fierce battle of Iwo Jima. In this article, I will introduce the history of Iwo Jima along with a video introducing the island. What is Iwo Jima? Was the Iwo Jima landing plan the cornerstone of Japan's defeat? Photo：Iwo Jima Iwo Jima is one of Ogasawara's villages, and Ogasawara itself belongs to Tokyo. Eruptions continue to occur on the small volcanic island located approximately 1,200 km from the 23 wards of Tokyo. From 0:06 in the beginning of the video, you can see the mural created by the US military in the northern part of Iwo Jima. The mural depicts the famous scene of the Marines who landed on Iwo Jima setting the Stars and Stripes on Mt.Suribachi. Resentful that only these people were treated as heroes, other US military members shot at the mural. Being that it’s a battlefield, from 1:45 in the video we can see the battered Armstrong gun that was hit by bombs, as well as some of the un-exploded shells that have been excavated. And from 3:33 in the video, the remains of the abandoned Sherman tank that the US Army destroyed are shown on the battlefield. Source of photo :YouTube screenshot The Iwo Jima landing plan by the US Army was called Operation Detachment. From the beginning of the war, there was a clear difference between the Japanese and Allied forces. However, the geothermal heat of Iwo Jima, which is an active volcano, is high and it is said that the underground bunker had the appearance of scorching hell. At 0:40 in the video, we see one of the battlefields that was used as a hospital, and when entering the back of the Navy Medical Department trench, the geothermal heat causes the camera lens to fog in an instant, making you wonder just how hot it really is. In addition, it was reported that the toxic gas from the underwater volcano filled the assault trench and it was used as a defensive tactic when in danger of defeat. The former Japanese army, while exposed to the double hardships of the US military and the natural environment of Iwo Jima, persisted for about a month in the battle of Iwo Jima, which was said have been decided in only 3 days' time. Spending this much time on Iwo Jima shows that the island was an important base for the U.S. forces to capture if they wanted to take mainland Japan. The remains of the battle of Iwo Jima Photo：Iwo Jima Currently, the general public cannot visit Iwo Jima, but once a year there is a tour to see the battlefields of the three Iwo Jima islands. Open to the public are the mass burial grounds, the murals that were used as propaganda in the United States after the war and that are said to have been shot at by US soldiers, as well as the Osakayama artillery battery and the battlefield housing the ashes of war. At other times, the Maritime Self-Defense Force is stationed there, where they train and collect remains from the war, so it is a restricted area. Summary of the battlefield of Iwo Jima video Source of photo :YouTube screenshot After the war, Japan was under American occupation, and Iwo Jima became an area where the Japanese were not allowed to set foot until autonomy was restored. The surviving islanders were chased from their homes, and scattered all over the country, and even now, they can only return home to Iwo Jima once a year. As you can see from the video 2:14, the official document released by the United States states that 2,000 sets of ashes have been buried in the ashes containment area, but more than 60% of Iwo Jima's dead still rest on the island to this day. Learn the history of Japan from its scars, that we do not repeat the tragedies of war. 【Tripadvisor】Iwo Jima https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g1137885-Iwo_Jima_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto-Vacations.html

Shohei Otani - MLB Rookie of the Year! This article will introduce Shohei Otani of the Los Angeles Angels, the 4th Japanese person to win the MLB Newcomer of the Year award. The video is an interview video titled "Shohei Otani I MOVE ME- Newcomer of the Year" (大谷翔平選手　I MOVE ME～新人賞受賞～). This video was made by popular sportswear maker ASICS. Shohei Ohtani is famous for his ability to be both a pitcher and a fielder at the same time. This is something that Shohei Ohtani has been doing since his days as a member of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. However, Shohei Ohtani's style of play wasn't the only thing that caught the attention of big league scouts. Already as a professional baseball player in Japan, he stood out as a pitcher, throwing the fastest pitch speed in Japan at 165 km/h and became the first NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) player to win both the Best Nine Award and Best DH Award Shohei Ohtani won one of the top awards in 2018, the Rookie of the Year award, and it's a wonder he didn't win the Rookie of the Year award during his time in the NPB. Profile of Rookie of the Year - Shohei Ohtani Source :YouTube screenshot Let's take a look at the profile of Shohei Ohtani, a player with a well-proportioned body and facial features popular among women. ・ Height: 193 cm ・ Weight: ~95.3kg ・ Date of birth: July 5, 1994 (25 years old) ・ Blood type: B ・ Throws right/Hits left ・ Schooling: Hanamaki Higashi High School, Iwate Prefecture ・ History since high school baseball: Played as a cleanup hitter since his first year of high school. Since fall, he began to double as a pitcher and is called "Michinoku's Darvish." He pitches with a mighty 151 km/h (93 mph) fastball. He was discovered by the scout of a professional baseball team. Participated in a high school baseball tournament with select teams only, during his third (senior) year of high school. Hit a home run off rival pitcher Shintaro Fujinami. ・In 2013, he was drafted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters as the first overall pick. He made his professional debut in earnest. (He was not selected for the Rookie of the Year award that year because he was hit in the face by a ball and had to miss a game. ・In 2016, he became the first player in the NPB to win 10 games, hit 100 hits and hit 20 home runs, but fell short of the required number of innings pitched and missed out on his second consecutive best defensive rating. ・In 2017, he joined the MLB, signed with the Los Angeles Angels. ・In 2018, he became the fourth Japanese baseball player to win the Rookie of the Year award, joining the likes of Hideo Nomo, Kazuhiro Sasaki, and Ichiro. ・He is now a member of Instagram, although his profile is not public. He has more than 10,000 followers. MLB Rookie of the Year Award Source :YouTube screenshot In the major leagues, the Rookie of the Year Award is an award that attracts a lot of attention every year because it's an honor that can only be received once when the player is still a rookie. To win the award, players must have rookie status, which is defined as follows: ・If you're a pitcher, you must have thrown no more than 50 innings of baseball in the previous year's majors, and if you're a fielder, you must have had no more than 130 at-bats. ・The player who receives the highest number of votes from journalists belonging to the Baseball Writers' Association of America will be selected as the winner of the award. Therefore, the award is not limited to baseball players in their first year with the organization. Shohei Ohtani shares his thoughts about winning the award at 0:20 in the video. At 1:30, he mentions how the support of fans and those around him helped push him. Summary of Rookie of the Year, Shohei Otani Source :YouTube screenshot In 2019, Ohtani missed games due to injury and his yearly salary dropped to $700,000, but due to his hard work strength training paid off and he made a great comeback and was greeted with an "Ohtani Saan!" from the fans at the ballpark. The response from non-Japanese fans was also very positive, with many saying his recovery and dedication was admirable. However, he has never been one to let his popularity get in the way of his success, and he has been writing a "Goal Achievement Sheet" since his high school baseball days to complete a rigorous training program. It's expected that he will continue to excel well into the future.

滋賀県草津市の魅力を満載した動画の見どころ こちらで紹介する動画は「滋賀県草津市役所」が公開した「草津ストーリー」です。 今回は「草津ストーリー」と題した7:21秒の動画をご紹介！ 案内役は今滋賀県で売り出し中のご当地アイドル「フルーレット」と「草津市観光使節グッドウィルナー」です。 滋賀県草津市のご当地ゆるキャラのたび丸も出てくるのでちびっこも楽しめますよ。 みんなが楽しめる観光名所がいっぱいある草津！ 動画の冒頭は草津のフルーレットと草津市公認マスコットキャラクターのたび丸君が滋賀県草津の魅力と観光名所を案内してくれます。 豊かな自然が残る景勝地、そして日本の歴史文化を今に伝える街、近畿圏住みやすさナンバーワンの街など様々な魅力溢れる草津にあなたも一度観光で訪れてみてはいかがでしょう？ 草津の絶景ポイントでインスタ映えする記念写真を撮ろう！ 日本最大級の本陣と言われる草津宿本陣は400年の歴史を持ち、当時の日用品や資料を見学することができます。 さらに江戸時代を再現した衣装体験ができるので、殿様や姫君気分の仮装でタイムスリップ！インスタ映えする記念写真を撮ることができますよ。 滋賀県草津で歴史文化を体験しよう 街道の宿場町として400年の歴史を持つ草津には伝統工芸を体験するイベントやお土産もいっぱい！ お土産として有名な瓢箪専門店の加工品や銀峰工房、吾亦紅を使った草木染め工房ではオリジナルストール作りが体験できます。 滋賀県草津のグルメをご紹介！ 草津はご当地グルメの宝庫！その一部をご紹介しましょう。 一つ目は近江草津産コシヒカリ「匠の夢」というブランド米！琵琶湖は淡水と海水が交わる湖。琵琶湖から引かれた水には豊富なミネラルが含まれ、伝統的な製法で栽培されたブランド米は甘みと歯ごたえが絶妙のおいしいお米です。 動画の5:30頃から登場する「草津市観光使節グッドウィルナー」が紹介するのは江戸城改築にも携わった太田道灌を先祖に持つ太田酒造という日本酒の酒蔵。 滋賀県産の原料にこだわった日本酒やワインを製造しています。 まだまだあるよ！滋賀県草津の穴場的おすすめ観光スポット 滋賀県草津の穴場的なおすすめ観光スポットはまだまだあります。 例えば東海道と中山道が通っていたことを示す道標や、1200年の歴史を持つ立木神社をはじめとした弁天池や印岐志呂神社、荻の玉川、宿場町裏路地など街のあちこちに歴史と文化、そして人々の信仰を感じる穴場スポットがたくさんあるのです。 これらのエリアは草津観光の散策ルートとしてもおすすめです。 滋賀県草津市の魅力紹介まとめ 滋賀県草津では宿場まつり、熱気球フライト、草津街あかりなどの人気イベントも行われます。 是非あなたもこの歴史ある滋賀県草津市に訪れてみてはいかがですか。

兵庫観光のかくれた観光名所「福崎町」の魅力とは？ こちらの動画は「福崎町観光協会」が公開した「福崎町観光PR動画「観光ＰＲ」」です。 兵庫県福崎町は民俗学者柳田國男を始めとした多くの偉人を排出した町です。 清流市川に育まれる豊かな風土と気候に恵まれ、古くから交通の要衝として宿場町としても栄えた場所です。 風光明媚な景勝地として、また学問と歴史の町として兵庫県の穴場的な観光スポットでもあり、知る人ぞ知る名所の宝庫。 大庄屋三木家住宅や旧辻川郵便局、学問成就の道は必見です。 兵庫県福崎町の歴史 兵庫県福崎町は昭和31年に田原村、八千種村、旧福崎町が合併してできた町です。 周囲を緑豊かな自然に恵まれた静かな町ですが、古くには東西南北に伸びる街道の交差する要衝の宿場町として栄えました。 今でも当時の名残が残っており、南北はJR播但線と播但連絡道路、国道312号線、東西には中国自動車道と県道が交わる動脈として機能し、福崎町東部工業団地（福崎工業団地）は兵庫県の重要な産業の一翼を担っています。 兵庫県福崎町周辺の観光スポット&イベント情報 周囲を豊かな自然に恵まれた兵庫県福崎町には歴史的に重要な史跡などの観光スポットが数多く点在しています。 おすすめの観光エリアは福崎東洋ゴルフ倶楽部、春日山、作門寺山門、七種の滝、田口奥地、七種神社（七種山）、清流市川、駒が岩などです。 また古くから宿場町として栄えた名残りで古刹が多く、苔むした風情はインスタ映えすること間違いなしです。 兵庫県福崎町を代表するおすすめの古刹は應聖寺、金剛城寺、神積寺、鈴ノ森神社、北野天満神社、本覚寺、日光寺など…。 小さな町にこれだけの寺院仏閣がひしめくのは日本有数の密度なので、寺院仏閣巡りが好きな方にもおすすめです。 四季を通じてイベントも多く、春は桜の花見や民俗辻広場まつり、夏の虫送りなどが開催されます。 柳田國男とかっぱの出会い 兵庫県福崎町出身の日本民俗学者柳田國男がいなければ「妖怪」という存在がこれほど多くの人たちに認識されることがなかったと言われています。 妖怪は怖いだけでなくどこかユーモラス。 ゲゲゲの鬼太郎やポケモン、妖怪ウォッチなどの作品は柳田國男の影響が強く出ていると言われているほどです。 柳田文学でも特に有名なのは「かっぱ」との出会いを記した遠野物語です。 日本の昔話につきものの妖怪の数々を紹介した功績をたたえ、柳田國男生家を文化財として保護し、神崎郡歴史民俗資料館などにその足跡を記録しています。 そして福崎駅前商店街には柳田國男の石像と妖怪ベンチを設置、兵庫県福崎町を訪れる観光客のインスタ映えポイントとして人気を博しています。 兵庫県福崎町周辺のグルメ情報 兵庫県福崎町は日本有数のもちむぎの産地です。 おすすめのグルメは何と言ってももちむぎ麺でしょう。 福崎駅やホテル周辺にはいたるところでもちむぎ麺を楽しむことができます。 もちむぎ麺をお土産として求めるなら「もちむぎのやかた」がおすすめです。 もちむぎともう一つの名産品ツノナスは夏に収穫されるのでお盆のころには新麦のおいしいもちむぎ麺とツノナスの郷土料理を食堪能することができます。 兵庫県福崎町紹介まとめ 兵庫県福崎町は西日本陸路の要衝地、また歴史と文学と自然が混じり合う町として人気のある観光地です。 四季折々の豊かな自然、そして妖怪と人との共生を動画と共にお楽しみください。

日本一の大都会「新宿」紹介動画について こちらの動画は「一般社団法人新宿観光振興協会 Shinjuku Convention & Visitors Bureau」が公開した「SHINJUKU 9Stories【English】」です。 新宿には数多くの観光スポットがあります。 映画、ランチやディナーなどのグルメ、ショッピング、文化や歴史の散策など新宿にきて揃わないものはないと言われるほどディープな大都市「新宿」の魅力をたっぷりとご紹介します。 日本一の大都会「新宿」の人気スポット まず、新宿といえば高層ビル群。 西新軸エリアには未来的なデザインがオシャレな東京モード学園を始めとした数多くの高層ビルが見られます。 そして西新宿一帯は東京でも一二を争うシティホテルの激戦地！ 世界的にも有名なホテルが数多く軒を連ねています。 「新宿」の日本一とは？ また、新宿には数多くの日本一が存在します。動画でも頻繁に新宿の日本一が登場していましたが皆さん気づきました？ 一つ目は日本一乗降客数が多いと言われるJR新宿駅。 毎日300万人以上の人が新宿を利用しています。 二つ目の日本一は不夜城歌舞伎町。 新宿ゴールデン街やゴジラヘッドのある映画館など、毎日朝まで多くの観光客で賑わうスポットです。 しかし、歌舞伎町には喧騒ばかりではありません。 実は花園神社を始めとした多くの神社仏閣があることでも有名です。 毎年11月になると花園神社では人気のお祭り、酉の市が開催されます。 三つ目の日本一はアジア最大とも言われているゲイタウン新宿二丁目です。 お値段はとてもリーズナブル！ 女性が安心して遊べる上にディープな魅力に溢れた街。 そしてグルメも充実している新宿イチオシの観光スポットです。 四つ目の日本一が新宿伊勢丹！ ここは何が日本一かというとデパートの年間売上が毎年日本一なのです。 まさにショッピングの殿堂ですね。 新宿には他にも高島屋や小田急をはじめとした高級百貨店やブティックがひしめき合っています。 代々木方面にはスポーツの聖地、東京体育館や神宮球場、秩父宮ラグビー場を有する明治神宮外苑、新宿二丁目と三丁目、広大な新宿御苑と緑もたっぷり！大都会の真ん中で森林浴が楽しめるのです。 日本一の大都会「新宿」紹介まとめ 新宿で歴史や文化を感じたい人は新宿三丁目周辺がおすすめスポットです。 落語小屋や能楽堂、美術館、新宿ピカデリーなどの映画館などが楽しめます。 新宿では古くから伝わる伝統のお祭りも開催され、日本の古き良き時代も感じることのできる街です。 歴史と現代が交錯する大都会新宿の魅力を動画でご堪能ください。

Tons of Fun To Be Had During a Summer Trip To Kyoto! This video, titled "［4K］Kyoto summer JAPAN 京都の夏 観光 旅行 五山 送り火 灯篭流し 清水寺 鴨川 納涼床 風物詩　川床 Festival August Trip Visiting Guide," was published by Discover Nippon. Kyoto is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan and is an ancient capital that has been around for more than 1,000 years. Kyoto, being a basin, gets very hot during summer! However, it's exactly because of Kyoto's harsh summers that there are many summer poems and cool spots that you can enjoy in the ancient capital. In this article, we'll introduce some of Kyoto’s summer traditions alongside a high-resolution video! Cool off Along Kyoto's Kamo River on the Way To Arashiyama Photo：Pontocho, Kyoto On days when it's so hot you start sweating just lying about, taking a stroll along the Kamo River to Arashiyama (嵐山, Arashiyama) is a great way to cool off and is a popular sightseeing route. There are many restaurants along the riverbank that offer platforms to cool off over the Kamo River, and we recommend enjoying a delicious lunch while soaking up the negative ions. This can be seen from 5:48 in the video. After that, consider checking out Arashiyama, one of the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto, and enjoy Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋, Togetsukyo) and other popular tourist spots in Kyoto? Gozan Okuribi - One of the Main Attractions of Kyoto During Summer Photo：Gozan Okuribi, Kyoto When it comes to summer in Japan, Obon is one of the most celebrated festivals. Gozan Okuribi has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan by the city of Kyoto as an important Bon event to send off ancestors to Buddhist paradise. The festival is nicknamed "Daimonji-yaki" (大文字焼き) because on August 16, during the sending off of ancestors during the Bon Festival, the character "大" meaning "big" (pronounced “dai”) is lit on Higashiyama after the sun goes down. Following Higashiyama, the characters "妙" and "法" (wondrous dharma, referring to Buddhism) are lit on Matsugasaki, a fire resembling a boat is lit on Nishigamo, and another "大" is lit on Kita Daisen. Lanterns then float down the river, illuminating the beautiful summer nightscape of Kyoto. This can be seen from 8:15 in the video. If You’re Visiting Kyoto in Early Spring, We Recommend the Goryo Festival Source :YouTube screenshot Shown at 3:33 in the video is the Goryo Festival (御陵祭り). This festival is held at Goryo Shrine, which is said to be the birthplace of the Goryo faith practiced in various parts of Japan. Since 2009, the parade of portable shrines through the city has been revived, making early summer sightseeing in Kyoto even more exciting! The Gion Festival - The Most Popular Event in Kyoto During the Hot Summer Months Photo：The Gion Festival, Kyoto The Gion Festival (祇園祭, Gion Matsuri), one of the three major festivals of Japan, is an event that heralds the arrival of summer in Kyoto. It's no exaggeration to say that Kyoto is consumed by the Gion Festival in July. The Gion Festival is a traditional festival held at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. The climax of the festival is Yamaboko Junko, a parade of floats through the city, held on July 17 and 24. On this day, many tourists dress up in kimono or yukata and enjoy the beautiful and majestic Yamaboko floats as they parade through the city. On the day of Yamaboko Junko, many travel agencies offer special tatami room dinner plans for tourists. When It Comes To Kyoto, the Temples and Shrines Are a Must-See! Photo：Ryozen Gokoku Shrine, Kyoto Touring shrines and temples is an essential part of sightseeing in the ancient capital of Kyoto, a place where one can feel the history in the air. Here we'll introduce a tour of temples and shrines in Kyoto that you can visit at night during the hot summer, as seen in the video. ・Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku Shrine (京都霊山護国神社, Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku Jinja) (video 3:35-) Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the spirits of the dead, and during the Mitama Festival, the shrine is lit up with many lanterns to welcome the spirits of the dead. ・Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺, Kiyomizudera) (video 4:45-) In the summer, Kiyomizudera Temple hosts "Sennichi-mairi," a thousand-day pilgrimage where you can accumulate the virtue of a thousand days by visiting the temple for just one. On this day, there is also a special "Yoi-mairi" event that allows visitors to visit Kiyomizudera Temple at night making the temple bustling with visitors all day long. Gourmet Food in Kyoto You Don't Want To Miss When Sightseeing! Photo：Japanese sweets Kyoto is a city where you can enjoy a variety of gourmet foods from all over the country, but this time I want to recommend some gourmet spots between Nijo Dori and Gojo Dori. The area is lined with popular Kyoto kaiseki restaurants, international cuisine, and famous Japanese confectionery shops. Summary of Summer Sightseeing in Kyoto Photo：Kaju-ji Temple, Kyoto Kyoto is a popular tourist destination with many sightseeing spots, such as temples, shrines, and rich natural scenery that attract tourists all year round. The beautiful green maple leaves at Kifune Shrine (貴船神社, Kifune Jinja), "Kyo no Tanabata" at Nijo Castle, and the lotus blossoms at Kaju-ji Temple (勧修寺, Kajuji), a place famous for its cherry blossoms, are all places that you won't want to miss during your summer sightseeing adventure in Kyoto. In Kyoto, the roads are laid out in a grid formation, a remnant of Heian-kyo (平安京, Heian-Kyo), and the entire city is seemingly one massive tourist destination. During the harsh summer months, it's popular to take a one-day tour of Kyoto's sightseeing spots on a rickshaw with a sunshade, as you can see at 1:37 in the video.

The Cutting-Edge Robotics Company, FANUC This video, titled "FANUC Product Introduction (Full Version) 2020" (ファナック 商品紹介（フルバージョン） 2020), was uploaded by "FANUC CORPORATION." Have you heard of the robotics company FANUC? FANUC is a Japanese electrical equipment manufacturer that ranks first in the world in sales of robots and peripheral machine products for factory automation equipment. They're located in Oshinomura(忍野村,Oshinomura), Minamitsuru Ward(南都留郡,Minamitsurugun), Yamanashi Prefecture(山梨県,Yamanashiken). FANUC was the first manufacturer to successfully develop Japan's first numerical control device (NC) in 1956, and since then has continued to supply CNC equipment and robots for machine tools worldwide. The name FANUC has grown into an international brand thanks to its advanced technology and service. In this article, we'll introduce a number of exciting and futuristic factory automation products that FANUC will release in 2020! FANUC's CNC Series Source :YouTube screenshot FANUC’s CNC series is a vital product group that serves as the core of its FA products. The world-class CNC series, that increases productivity in manufacturing, uses an interface called iHMI, shown at 1:09 in the video, which is equipped with a high-quality AI that allows users to intuitively manipulate high-level production functions and simultaneous sharing of information regarding maintenance through networking. The FANUC servo motor offers a diverse lineup of motors that meet the needs of a wide range of customers, from small to large, and provides a comfortable manufacturing environment with excellent operability and easy maintenance. The Manufacturing Functions of FANUC Source :YouTube screenshot FANUC's products, which can be seen at 1:40 have earned a worldwide reputation for their machining performance. Even flat surface machining and shaping of complex shaped molds can be done at high speed and with high precision. AI servo tuning uses AI to automate the technology that skilled craftsmen have developed through experience. You can see the AI feed-forward tuning in progress at 3:03 in the video. In addition, the combination of CNC, servo motors, and robots makes it easy to perform complex laser engraving, metal cutting, and welding processes. About the FANUC robots introduced in the video Source :YouTube screenshot FANUC has a wide range of robots in its robot lineup, ranging from a 500 gram payload robot to a large robot with a payload of over 2.3 tons. These can be seen at 4:52 in the video. Cumulative production of FANUC robots has exceeded 640,000 units, making it the world's top producer of robots. Robomachines, its bestselling product so far, is yellow, FANUC’s brand color, but its new series, shown at 6:57, features a green color scheme and is a cooperative robot that stops moving when touched by a person. The Collaborative Robot provides a barrier-free environment for humans and robots to work together, helping to significantly improve workflow. Machines such as spot welding robots, arc welding robots, SCARA robots, handling robots, and Robodrills that incorporate high-precision vision sensors shown at 7:33 and force sensors shown at 7:51, can learn and manufacture products at higher speeds and with greater precision through the introduction of AI functionality. Summary of the Advanced Robotics Company, FANUC Although people tend to think of FA machines and robots as products for large factories, FANUC provides FA products for small and medium-sized companies as well. Its products can be operated via a tablet terminal interface and can be moved by AGVs and dollies. FANUC prides itself on its safe design, and its collaborative robots boast a safety design that does not require protective measures even in small work spaces, as they stop safely when touched by a person. The Japanese manufacturing industry is comprised of nearly 90% small and medium-sized enterprises. FANUC’s FA machines such as its small production processing machine, Roboshot and Robonano are bringing an industrial revolution to modern machining. 【Official Homepage】FANUC CORPORATION https://www.fanuc.co.jp/eindex.html

The Asteroid Surveying Spacecraft "Hayabusa 2" This video, titled "「Hayabusa 2」CG Conceptual Video of Touchdown/"Hayabusa2" CG Animation"（「はやぶさ2」タッチダウン想像図CG/"Hayabusa2" CG Animation), was released by "Jaxa | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency." “Hayabusa 2,” introduced in the video, is an asteroid surveying spacecraft developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA as a successor to the spacecraft “Hayabusa.” This video introduces JAXA’s CG video of Hayabusa 2 touching down on the asteroid Ryugu and retrieving a surface sample. It's only a conceptual video; however, the plan of Hayabusa 2’s touchdown is visualized in an easy-to-understand manner. The basic settings and touchdown methods of the “Hayabusa 2” are the same as its predecessor, Hayabusa; however, the spacecraft has been significantly improved and the ion engine and antenna surroundings have been greatly augmented. The news that this groundbreaking mission was successful also attracted a lot of attention around the world. Incidentally, “Hayabusa” is also used as the project name for JAXA’s asteroid survey project. The Touchdown of Hayabusa 2 Source :YouTube screenshot The first “Hayabusa” mission’s goal was to bring back rock samples from asteroids for the first time ever. The mission succeeded, and the return of “Hayabusa” received praise from all around the world; in Japan, it received so much attention that it was made into a movie. Whereas the first Hayabusa was an experimental machine, Hayabusa 2, shown in the footage, collected samples from the surface of an asteroid which has organic matter and water on it. And the developmental process differs from its predecessor in that it was designed to collect surface samples from an asteroid with organic matter and water to obtain clues about the existence of rare metals and the mystery of the birth of life. The survey plan of the “Hayabusa 2” was also carefully scheduled. The “Hayabusa 2” was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center Large Rocket Launch Site in 2014 to coincide with the timing of when the asteroid Ryugu would be closest to the Earth. Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see from 1:09 in the video, once the spacecraft has come into the closest proximity with the asteroid Ryugu, they first launch an impactor command with the goal of creating a crater on the surface of Ryugyu to make it easier for Hayabusa 2 to land. This impactor command was named "Explorer" after the world’s first satellite series. Hayabusa 2 will attempt to touch down after taking rock samples scattered in the vicinity during the second Explorer launch. A small rover was also placed on the asteroid Ryugu, which collected as many surface samples as possible after touchdown and returned to Earth by fully autonomous operation. Summary of Hayabusa 2's Touchdown Mission Source :YouTube screenshot The Ryugu project was featured on NHK as a special program and was also broadcast overseas. It was very well received abroad, and managed to attract attention from all over the world. The success of Hayabusa 2's touchdown mission is said to be an incredible feat. You can see the details on JAXA’s official website. 【Official Website】JAXA Hayabusa 2 Project http://www.hayabusa2.jaxa.jp/en/

Japan’s Cutting-Edge AI Technologies Contribute to an Aging Society This video is titled "A New Aging Society Led by Japanese Technology" (日本のテクノロジーが導く新しい高齢化社会). It introduces Japan's response to an aging society using cutting-edge technology. It was released by the“Foreign Ministry / MOFA”. Currently, Japan is said to be one of the most aging societies in the world. However, an aging society is not an issue unique to Japan, but a problem growing worldwide. Living a long, healthy life and increasing opportunities to participate in society is a very important theme when faced with an aging society. In this article, we'll introduce some cutting-edge technologies in Japan that the public and private sectors are developing together. NEC the WISE: An AI Technology Adapting to an Aging Society Source :YouTube screenshot The AI technology shown in the video at 0:32 is called “NEC the WISE.” In the video, NEC Director Fellow Katsumi Emura says “the problem is not the aging society itself, but how to adapt to an aging society, so that people can live long, healthy, fulfilling lives.” In light of the global trend toward an aging society, NEC is focused on developing and providing solutions that can be used to predict and prevent various diseases. That's what the AI technology, “NEC the WISE,” is all about. If we can prevent people from getting sick as they get older, it means that people will still be able to participate in society in good health as they age. In today's society where we are told that we have 100 years to live, "retirement in our 60s" is too early. If it becomes the norm for people to remain healthy and active past 60, we will no longer be able to call it an "aging society." HAL Lumbar Support: An AI Technology That Addresses the Declining Birthrate and Aging Population Source :YouTube screenshot With Japan's declining birthrate and aging population, the age of caregivers, whose job it is to care for the sick and elderly, is increasing every year. The "HAL Lumber Support" project, which can be seen at 1:02 in the video, is a project to introduce nursing care robots to reduce the physical burden on caregivers in the nursing care industry. The video introduces AI technology that places an assistive robot suit on a caregiver's waist and receives biopotential signals emitted by the brain and transmits them to the power-assist suit to reduce the strain on the back and lower body. This is an AI technology that can be applied patient side as well. In addition, because HAL is an artificial intelligence (AI) equipped support robot, repeated use of the robot helps it learn how neurotransmission works and can assist in walking more efficiently. It's not just a robot that moves according to commands, it's an autonomous machine that learns on its own, meaning that the cyborg robots you see in science fiction movies are already a reality. These mechanized technologies are collectively referred to as Hybrid Assistive Limb” (HAL). Summary of Japan's Cutting-Edge AI Technology and Measures for an Aging Society As seen at the end of the video from 1:30, Japan’s cutting-edge technology “HAL” is already being applied to medical technology in Malaysia. It is believed that increased social participation opportunities for the elderly with the help of autonomous robots will increase the well-being of society. It'll be interesting to see what Japan, the superpower of robots, has to offer in the future. 【Official Website】Cutting-Edge AI Technologies – NEC the WISE - : Solution/ Service | NEC https://www.nec.com/

iPS Cells: The World's Leading Regenerative Medicine This is a video released in 2018 by the "Hitachi Brand Channel" that introduces the efforts of Japanese company Hitachi Kobe Lab, in Regenerative Medicine using iPS cells. Speaking of regenerative medicine, the 3D iPS cell culture method invented by Professor Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University's Institute for iPS Cell Research and Development won the Nobel Prize in 2012, and it has become a hot topic of conversation. So what is this regenerative medicine? We'll give you a rundown. Photo：Research Regenerative Medicine is a technique that reanimates cells in areas damaged (or lost) by illness or injury. This has made it possible to treat incurable diseases that are difficult to treat with current medicine. Professor Yamanaka had been studying regenerative medicine for some time, but in contrast to the conventional method which required the use of fertilized eggs, human iPS cells, which can be cultured from a sterile egg, solved the ethical issues and attracted attention as a new dawn in medical technology. However, iPS cells have weaknesses. It is difficult to stabilize the quality of iPS cells and to mass-produce them. Maintaining the sterility of the lab was a critical challenge for culturing stable, quality iPS cells, especially since they are less resistant to bacteria. The Future of Hitachi's Regenerative Medicine, Opened up by Open Innovation Source :YouTube screenshot Due to the difficulty of culturing iPS cells, Hitachi began development of Automated Cell Culture Equipment for iPS cells through joint research with Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma. Currently, Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Chemical are also participating in the research and have been successful in producing reputable induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). The greatest benefit of open innovation is that, rather than a single company monopolizing research, specialists in each field, with their own specialties, can come together to conduct research and development without being bound by interests. The services and products, created through the combined strength of the Hitachi Group's technology and Japan's top minds, will continue to lead the world's medical infrastructure in the future. The Automated Cell Culture Equipment for iPS cells is one such development. The Regenerative Medicine that Hitachi is currently working on is said to be second-generation, but if it can incorporate AI technology and achieve more stable iPS cell culturing, it's possible to break through to third-generation regenerative medicine technology and raise hopes in the future, as it could be applied to the treatment of other incurable diseases. Summary of Hitachi Kobe Lab's Regenerative Medicine Research