ILEA000188230: AI tech in fishery in Japan

Foxter's Hybrid Image Processing System for AI Visual Inspection

Foxter Corporation (Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture) will release in May a hybrid image processing system that combines Preferred Networks' (PFN, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo) artificial intelligence (AI) visual inspection and conventional image processing methods.The company will market the system in Japan and China in cooperation with a subsidiary of the OPTEX Group, which is engaged in the manufacture of lighting for image processing, in terms of sales and service. The sales target is 200 units a year. Auto parts manufacturers and others have already begun to introduce the system on a trial basis. The device in the center of the photo is the AI Stellar Controller. (Photo taken on March 16, 2020, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Mitutech's AI-Based Visual Inspection Support System

Mitsutec (Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture) has developed a visual inspection support system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI). When the user wears the smart glasses, the system displays abnormalities such as dirt on the object to be inspected. Currently, the mechanization of inspection is progressing, but the final inspection often relies on visual inspection. In order to help pass on the skills of visual inspection, the company will appeal the use of this system mainly to those who have little experience in inspection. In preparation for the trial sales, the company will accumulate inspection image data in various lighting environments to improve the accuracy of AI judgment. Mitsutec has been building production lines on consignment for specific customers. In April, the company established a "New Business Department" within the company with a 10-person team to develop its own products. Image taken on September 13, 2019, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

KMC's AI system for preventing press forming defects.

KMC (Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City), in collaboration with En Industries (Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture), has developed a "predictive and preventive AI system" that records the operating status of presses, detects problems with dies, and allows artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically stop operations. The system is scheduled to go on sale in April 2020. The company expects annual sales of 200 million yen. In the new system, the AI learns the data of the equipment under normal conditions and gradually improves the accuracy of judgment in case of abnormalities. KMC is in charge of the overall system and sensor development. En Industries will manufacture the sensors. The number of sensors to be provided can be increased or decreased according to individual requests such as the size of the mold. Until the product goes on sale, they will invite companies to monitor and collect data to further improve the accuracy of the system. (Photo taken on August 27, 2018, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Nakanihon Furnace Works, where PSTC's IoT system is installed.

Panasonic Solution Technology (PSTC, Minato-ku, Tokyo, President Toshiyuki Kada, 0570-087-870) will commercialize embedded artificial intelligence (AI) for industrial equipment such as inspection machines by the end of fiscal 2019. The company will provide AI specialized for frequently used applications such as appearance inspection and machine condition analysis. This will simplify the process of users manually collecting data to train the AI. It will be widely proposed as AI that can be easily introduced by small and medium-sized companies. In this photo taken on December 7, 2017, at the Nakanihon Furnace Plant in Ama City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Sojitz begins shipment of farmed bluefin tuna

SASEBO, Japan - People involved with a tuna farming project pose for photos during a ceremony to commemorate Sojitz Tuna Farm Takashima Co.'s first shipment of farmed bluefin tuna on Dec. 8, 2010, in Matsuura, Nagasaki Prefecture. Major trading house Sojitz Corp., which wholly owns Sojitz tuna farm, is the first Japanese trading company to enter into tuna farming, while an international commission decided to slightly reduce the bluefin tuna fishing quota for 2011. (Kyodo)

Daiwa Securities Group names Daiwa SMBC director Suzuki as head

TOKYO, Japan - Daiwa Securities Group Inc. said April 19 it has decided to name Shigeharu Suzuki (R), senior managing director of the group's wholesale securities unit, Daiwa Securities SMBC Co., as its next president. The current president, Yoshinari Hara (L), will become chairman without representation rights, the company said.