The Japanese government has decided to step up measures against highly venomous fire ants by designating them as an invasive alien species that requires urgent action.
Government officials made the decision amid a rise in cases nationwide involving fire ants. They fear the species, indigenous to South America, are on the brink of becoming established in Japan.
More than 90 cases have been reported since 2017, when fire ants were first found in Japan. In October, more than 10,000 fire ants were discovered in a shipping container that had been unloaded at Fukuyama Port in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The designation is based on the revised invasive alien species law, which will allow the government to take certain measures starting next April if fire ants are found in imported goods, at ports or elsewhere.
The measures will include movement bans, and inspections, the disposal or disinfection of goods and facilities by the government even after customs clearance.
…continue reading
Honda’s new humanoid-robot push aims for practical use
Nikkei – Nov 28
A decade from now, a man suddenly collapses on the street. An ambulance is called but will take time to arrive. In the meantime, a robot stationed nearby rushes to the scene to provide emergency care, controlled by an expert operator sitting dozens of kilometers away.
Why Japan’s internet is weirdly designed
Answer in Progress – Nov 26
In 2013, an article suggested that Japanese web design looks different from the rest of the world. In this video, Sabrina uses an AI to figure out if that is true and, if yes, why.
Japan approves its first homemade oral COVID drug
Nikkei – Nov 23
Japan’s health ministry on Tuesday granted emergency use of a COVID-19 drug developed by Shionogi, making it the country’s first domestically produced oral medicine for patients with mild symptoms. The drug is expected to be available for use in early December.
Japan’s 1st moon lander probe in jeopardy after launch
Nikkei – Nov 19
The Japanese spacecraft intended as the country’s first lunar lander has been plagued by communications problems since soon after its launch on Wednesday as part of NASA’s Artemis 1, putting the unmanned mission in jeopardy.
M5.0 quake hits North of Tokyo
NHK – Nov 09
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake has rocked Ibaraki Prefecture, north of Tokyo. It hit at around 5:40 pm on Wednesday.
Honda develops AI self-driving technology
NHK – Nov 03
Honda Motor says it is developing an AI self-driving system that uses cameras to help the vehicle better recognize its surroundings. This is the company’s latest step toward putting autonomous driving technology into commercial use.
Sci-Tech Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7