Author: Putri

TOKYO, Oct 21, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team further closed the gap in the FIA World Rally Championship with a strong final day performance even as it missed out on overall victory.Car 33 (Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin)Takamoto Katsuta was the star of the final day as he completed an excellent return to action, claiming the maximum 12 points on offer by topping both the Super Sunday classification and the rally-ending Power Stage.Following a short break in his season as he sat out the previous round in Chile, Katsuta showed good confidence and pace from the start of the all-asphalt CER, while also driving smartly when the often-slippery conditions required a more cautious approach. Pushing harder on Sunday, he was quickest on the first pass through the Passauer Land test and again when he returned for the Power Stage.Finishing fourth overall, Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston were quickest across Sunday by 3.8 seconds ahead of team-mates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin, who scored a second successive podium in second place and were third in the Power Stage.Together, the efforts of Evans and Katsuta meant TGR-WRT scored two points more than its main rival Hyundai this weekend, closing the gap to 15 points ahead of next month’s final round at Rally Japan – where a maximum score across the event would be enough to claim another title.Evans had been part of a close battle for the victory which was led by TGR’s Sébastien Ogier coming into the final day. While a wide moment meant he conceded the lead to Ott Tänak (Hyundai) in the first stage of the day, Ogier responded to reduce the gap to 1.5s with two stages to go. Continuing to push hard, he then unfortunately slid wide on a muddy corner in SS17 and hit a tree, forcing him and navigator Vincent Landais out on the spot.Sami Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen suffered a similar fate in the first stage of the morning, bringing a slightly early end to another impressive outing in a GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID – his first on asphalt and third in total. Pajari was on for another top-six finish overall as he continued his learning process at the highest level, gaining more valuable experience.As planned, Pajari will return to driving the GR Yaris Rally2 car at Rally Japan where he has a chance to claim the WRC2 championship title if he can finish in the top two in the category.The GR Yaris Rally2 car took second place on the WRC2 podium at CER in the hands of Czech driver Filip Mareš and the Toyota Dolak team.Quotes:Jari-Matti Latvala (Team Principal)“I’m happy with the really strong results of Elfyn and Takamoto on this rally and especially today, they have really helped the team to keep the championship alive. Seb was naturally very disappointed after his accident which was very unfortunate because he was again very fast here. After that, it was looking like we might lose some points, but in the end thanks to Taka and Elfyn we gained two on our competition, so we are still in the game for Rally Japan: it’s in our hands if we aim for a one-two overall and full points on Sunday. We’re really happy for Taka especially: with time to reset he came back and did exactly what we needed him to do. He was careful when he needed to be, increased the confidence and then his performance on Sunday was coming naturally. With Sami, his performance was growing all the time on asphalt. It was just a small mistake this morning and he paid a big penalty but that’s part of the learning process and the next goal for him is to fight for the WRC2 title in Japan.”Elfyn Evans (Driver car 33)“It’s not been a bad weekend for us. Together with Scott we come away as the crew that scored the most points and we have to be somewhat satisfied about that and it’s good for the team. Maybe we were not always setting the stage times alight, but we had some strong moments and it was quite a consistent weekend. We were missing a little bit here and there but we’re here at the end in second place and we can be reasonably happy with that. In terms of manufacturers’ points we took a little hit today unfortunately but it wasn’t bad on that side so at least we’re still in the game and it’s all open for Rally Japan.”Sébastien Ogier (Driver car 17)“I feel really very sorry for the team for what happened today. In this penultimate stage the first corner going under the trees was much muddier than I anticipated and I just understeered wide and hit the tree on the outside. The route note crews did not have the chance to pass through this stage before us so I didn’t have the information in my notes, but this is no excuse because I’m behind the wheel and the other drivers didn’t make the same mistake. Right now I feel very disappointed, especially for the team because it could have been a strong weekend for us. It's been three rallies in a row where we clearly have the speed but not the result at the end. Thanks to Elfyn and Taka we still have a chance in the championship at Rally Japan and we will try our best again there.”Takamoto Katsuta (Driver car 18)“I want to say a huge thanks to the team for the incredible support they gave me through some difficult moments in the last two months. It’s been a very tough season for myself so I felt a lot of pressure to do a good job here, but we are able to do it with full points on Super Sunday and the Power Stage as well as fourth overall. I was really enjoying the driving and the feeling in the car, and I’m really happy to finish the rally with this result. Of course we have still one rally to go at Rally Japan and I will try to do my best there together with the team. We never give up and we keep pushing.”Sami Pajari (Driver car 5)“In the first stage today I went a bit wide on one corner and we were maybe a bit unlucky to roll so easily, but it was my mistake. It’s a pity and I’m sorry for the team. I just need to learn from this, understand what happened and be better in the future. Up to then, the rally had been really nice for us, every day was really clean, and there was clear development through the weekend. I got quite a nice feeling with the car and did some decent stage times, and most importantly we learned a lot. These three rallies in the Rally1 car have been really amazing, a dream come true for me and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Now I look forward to doing my best at Rally Japan in WRC2.”PROVISIONAL FINAL CLASSIFICATION, CENTRAL EUROPEAN RALLY1 Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) 2h37m34.6s2 Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) +7.0s3 Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) +39.8s4 Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) +1m21.0s5 Grégoire Munster/Louis Louka (Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID) +3m41.9s6 Nikolay Gryazin/Konstantin Aleksandrov (Citroën C3 Rally2) +9m17.6s7 Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +9m34.1s8 Filip Mareš/Radovan Bucha (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +11m41.5s9 Miko Marczyk/Szymon Gospodarczyk (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +12m10.6s10 Kajetan Kajetanowicz/Maciej Szczepaniak (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +12m20.3sRetired Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID)Retired Sami Pajari/Enni Mälkönen (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID)(Results as of 17:00 on Sunday, for the latest results please visit www.wrc.com)2024 FIA World Rally Championship for drivers after round 12:1 Thierry Neuville 225 points2 Ott Tänak 2003 Elfyn Evans 1854 Sébastien Ogier 1665 Adrien Fourmaux 1466 Kalle Rovanperä 1147 Takamoto Katsuta 1028 Dani Sordo 449 Sami Pajari 4110 Gregoire Munster 372024 FIA World Rally Championship for manufacturers after round12:1 Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team 526 points2 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team 5113 M-Sport Ford World Rally Team 267What's next?The season will conclude on home roads for TGR at Rally Japan on November 21-24. The event, which returned to the WRC calendar in 2022, is held on demanding asphalt roads in the mountains of the Aichi and Gifu prefectures, around the service park in Toyota City near Nagoya. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Key Highlights:GHL and JCB announce its strategic partnership, enabling the acceptance of JCB Cards on GHL’s merchant terminals in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.This partnership ensures that GHL will continue to remain an omni-channel provider of payment acceptance services across its footprint, enabling its merchants to accept all payment types including JCB cards, bolstering the accessibility and flexibility.The rollout is set to begin in Malaysia in the third quarter of 2024, followed by Thailand and the Philippines.TOKYO & KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - GHL Systems Berhad (GHL) and JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading international payment brand (JCB) have officially announced its strategic partnership, enabling the acceptance of JCB Cards for GHL’s merchants in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. This regional collaboration represents a significant step forward for both companies, aiming to empower merchants and shoppers across these regions with enhanced payment convenience.With JCB's extensive global presence and card network, this partnership adds another dimension to GHL's payment solutions. GHL merchants will seamlessly accept JCB Cards, offering a smooth payment experience for JCB cardmembers.With GHL's merchant network stretching over a vast footprint of over 480,000 payment touchpoints, spanning various sectors across Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, this partnership holds the potential to significantly increase JCB Card usage and accessibility. Through this partnership, the entire region can benefit from greater flexibility and the fostering of stronger business relationships between merchants and customers alike.The tourism industry is projected to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, with international tourism levels expected to surpass pre-pandemic figures. This resurgence is primarily driven by a stronger recovery in Asia, according to a report by the UN World Tourism Organization.Sean Hesh, Executive Director & Group Chief Executive Officer at GHL said, "This partnership not only reinforces our dedication to innovation and delivering seamless payment solutions but also highlights our commitment to simplifying payments regionally. With GHL poised to expand payment options at the merchant’s point of sale, businesses are empowered to better accommodate the anticipated surge in inbound tourist spending in 2024 and beyond."Hiroko Michishita, Managing Director, JCB International Asia Pacific said, “This is a milestone for JCB’s business expansion in the region since GHL has a strong presence as well as ambition to grow further in acquiring business. Leveraging this partnership, we will be able to better serve our cardmembers from across the globe with enhanced card acceptance points. In addition, our confidence in this partnership is strengthened as GHL utilizes the JCB Payment Gateway* powered by Soft Space.”The rollout is set to begin in Malaysia in the third quarter of 2024, followed by Thailand and the Philippines.About GHL Systems BerhadAs ASEAN’s leading payment solutions provider, GHL’s reach spans across 6 countries; Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia – stretching over a vast footprint of over 480,000 payment touchpoints across the region. At the forefront of the region’s cutting edge fintech, GHL empowers the payment revolution that is shaping today’s spending trend, offering extensive payment options, both offline and online to fulfil merchants’ and consumers’ needs.GHL is the leading payment acquirer in ASEAN for over 100 global and regional payment schemes and channels, processing over RM2 billion payment transactions per month. Apart from being Malaysia’s largest prepaid credit top up and bill collection network, GHL aspires to catalyse sustainable livelihood of the Micro Small Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) through financial and non-financial value-added services. In 2024, GHL Systems Berhad was acquired by and became a wholly owned subsidiary of NTTData Japan, one of the top ten global IT services providers. (www.ghl.com)About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 49 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 158 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/About JCB Payment GatewayThis is a regional payment gateway service which enables businesses to accept payments from JCB cardmembers, both in-store and online. Powered by Soft Space, a leading fintech-as-a-service (FaaS) provider backed by JCB investment, it offers acquirers and payment facilitators a straightforward Application Programming Interface (API) specification and provides their merchants access to 158 million JCB cardmembers.For more information, kindly contact:GHL Group Corporate CommunicationEmail: marcomm@ghl.com Tel: +603 6286 3388JCB Corporate CommunicationEmail: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp Tel: +81-3-5778-8353 Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 18, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is pleased to announce that MC, Ayala Corporation (AC), and AC Ventures Holding Corp (ACV) have reached an agreement on MC’s investment in ACV subject to the execution of definitive transaction documents and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. AC is a major conglomerate in the Philippines and ACV currently holds an about 13% stake in Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt), the parent company of GCash, the Philippines’ number one finance super app and largest digital cashless ecosystem in the country. Under the terms of the agreement, MC shall acquire a 50% stake in ACV and pursue future investment opportunities.In addition, MC and AC are going to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a comprehensive collaboration in the Philippines. The MoU covers additional business developments aimed at stimulating the country's economic growth.MC aims to create a prosperous society and a “Smart-Life” ecosystem in the form of improved lifestyle for consumers by launching multiple attractive businesses that address social issues and consumer needs in each region and country, and organically connecting them. These ecosystem addresses both challenges faced by social issues and consumer needs, and sustainable growth of our business portfolio.Among the various consumer services, digital financial services are positioned as a critical initiative to capture the growth of consumer demand in ASEAN and to realize a society where everyone can easily access financial services (i.e. financial inclusion). It is also seen as an infrastructure business that organically connects multiple consumer services.The Philippines is expected to have the highest population and GDP growth among ASEAN countries. Although relatively few people in the Philippines have bank accounts, most have mobile phones and access to the Internet, which makes the Philippines an attractive market with significant room for growth in digital financial services. Approximately 80% of the country's citizens have ever tried using the "GCash" mobile wallet, which is Mynt's core business. With a vision to accelerate financial inclusion in the Philippines, the product has by far the largest mobile-wallet customer base in the Philippines and has grown into an indispensable service infrastructure, relied on by millions for daily payments, transfers and other financial transactions. In addition to its digital payments and transfers, Mynt, through its other subsidiaries, also provides access to loan services using non-traditional ways to assign customer credit scores to enable access to fair lending. It has also expanded its financial services offerings to provide users access to savings, insurance, and investment products. Furthermore, it has built the largest network of online and offline merchants including social sellers with over 6 million partners while hosting over 1,000 merchant partners in its app, via GLife.AC is among the Philippines' largest business conglomerates. MC first partnered with it in 1974 and has since built up an impressive, nationwide track record of collaborative businesses in various industries. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the partnership, and to further enhance the relationship, the two companies have signed an MoU for comprehensive collaboration. Both MC and AC are committed to boosting Mynt's corporate value and leveraging other joint initiatives to create new businesses in the Philippines and contribute to its economic development. Those efforts will include continuous business development and cross-sales in C2B area* like retail and healthcare, and multifaceted collaborations in mobility, renewable energy, carbon management and elsewhere.*In MC, we develop our growth strategies starting from consumer needs under the belief that it is the consumers who hold the power of choice in today's society with full of goods and services. To emphasize the importance of addressing consumer needs through a 'market-in' perspective, we deliberately define and refer to our so-called 'B2C' business as 'C2B' business.With the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) having also announced its investment in Mynt this past August, MC and AC shall work with MUFG as fellow shareholders to aid the company's future growth and development.VisionAbout Mitsubishi CorporationEstablished: April 1, 1950 (Foundation July 1, 1954)Representative: Katsuya Nakanishi, Representative Director, President and CEONumber of employees: Non-consolidated 5,421, consolidated 80,037 (as of the end of March 2024)Business description: The company develops diversified businesses in a wide range of industries through its eight groups: Environmental Energy, Materials Solution, Mineral Resources, Urban Development & Infrastructure, Mobility, Food Industry, S.L.C. (Smart-Life Creation), and Power Solution.Website: www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/About MyntHeadquarters: Taguig City, PhilippinesRepresentative: Martha Sazon, President and CEO Year of Establishment: 2015 Main Business Activities: Mynt is the first and only $5 billion unicorn in the Philippines. It is a leader in mobile financial services focused on accelerating financial inclusion through mobile money, financial services, and technology. Mynt operates two fintech companies: GXI, the mobile wallet operator of GCash — the #1 finance super app and largest digital cashless ecosystem in the Philippines, and Fuse Lending, a tech-based lending company that gives Filipinos access to microloans and business loans.About Ayala CorporationHeadquarters: Makati City, PhilippinesRepresentative: Cezar P. Consing, President and CEOYear of Establishment: 1834Main Business Activities: For 190 years, Ayala Corporation has been building businesses that enable people to thrive. As one of the largest and most enduring conglomerates in the Philippines, Ayala has established meaningful presence in real estate, banking, telecommunications, and renewable energy. It likewise has a growing presence in healthcare, logistics, mobility, fintech as well as investments in industrial technologies, education, and technology ventures. Ayala manages its corporate social responsibility initiatives through Ayala Foundation.MaterialityBased on the Three Corporate Principles, which serve as MC’s core philosophy, MC has continued to grow together with society by contributing to the sustainable development of society through its business activities while pursuing value creation. MC’s revised “Materiality” was announced in Midterm Corporate Strategy 2024 as a set of crucial societal issues that MC will prioritize through its business activities, towards the strategy’s goal of continuous creation of MC Shared Value (MCSV). Guided by this Materiality, MC will continue to strengthen its efforts towards sustainable corporate growth. Out of the six material issues relating to “Realizing a Carbon Neutral Society and Striving to Enrich Society Both Materially and Spiritually”, this project’s activities particularly support “Contributing to Decarbonized Societies”,“Promoting Stable, Sustainable Societies and Lifestyles”,"Utilizing Innovation to Address Societal Needs","Addressing Regional Issues and Growing Together with Local Communities".Inquiry Recipient:Mitsubishi CorporationTelephone:+81-3-3210-2171 Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 18, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has received an order from Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc. (Kyushu) to supply MOX(1) fuel assemblies for Unit 3 of the Genkai Nuclear Power Station. Under this contract, MHI will perform design of MOX fuel, and have components such as cladding tubes manufactured by Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd. (MHI Group) provided to Orano, who plans to fabricate 40 MOX fuel assemblies at its MELOX plant in France.MOX Fuel AssemblyMHI has previously supplied 57 MOX fuel assemblies to Japanese utilities, and will supply high-quality MOX fuel by leveraging its past experience and technical capability. MOX fuel will enable Kyushu to utilize plutonium extracted by reprocessing spent fuel, and MHI will contribute to steady promotion of Kyushu's "Plu-Thermal" plan(2) through the supply of MOX fuel.(1) MOX (Mixed Oxide Fuel) is nuclear fuel made of plutonium extracted by reprocessing of spent fuel, and uranium.(2) The "Plu-Thermal" plan is to utilize MOX fuel in light water reactors.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 18, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501; hereafter Hitachi), today announced that Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd. (hereafter Hitachi Building Systems) and Hitachi Lift India Pvt. Ltd. (hereafter Hitachi Lift India), a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. which operates sales, installation, and maintenance of elevators and escalators in India, successfully secured an order for 56 units of elevators and escalators from CRC Group for CRC The Flagship in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. Theproject is one of the most prestigious commercial projects in Noida.The order consists of 44 elevators including high-speed elevators with a rated speed of 180 or 150 m/min, 12 escalators and a destination floor reservation system that efficiently allocates elevator cars. The elevators have anearthquake emergency operation system that detects an earthquake and stops the elevator quickly on the closest floorso that passengers can get out without being stuck in it. These features provide users with safety, security, and comfort.Masaya Sakakibara, Managing Director, Hitachi Lift India said “We are honored to be involved in this prestigious project for the Noida district. Our aim is to contribute to the safe, secure and comfortable transportation for all usersand development of the city by offering our high-quality products and services. We will continue to commit to the improvement of India’s society and the well-being of its people.”Bharat Kaushal, Corporate Officer, Hitachi, Ltd. and Managing Director, Hitachi India said “Hitachi India Pvt. Ltd. (hereafter Hitachi India)’s burgeoning partnership with India for over nine decades is growing at an unprecedented pace. As India accelerates its voyage to become one of the leading economies in the world by not only empowering its citizens, but also by building a world class infrastructure to enhance quality of life for billions. Hitachi Lift India is an integral partner of India’s transformational journey and CRC Group has been instrumental in further strengthening the resilient infrastructural landscape of the nation. We are overwhelmed to collaborate with CRC Group that marks a significant milestone in our commitment to further enhancing the urban infrastructure in India. This collaboration not only represents a strategic alignment between two leading organizations but also underscores our shared vision of innovation and excellence in ensuring India takes a giant leap forward for setting unparalleled architectural benchmarks, building a sustainable society. With our exemplary yet varied bouquet of solutions including urban mobility, energy, IT, payments, e- Education and e-Healthcare, Hitachi India is chartering an ambitious and progressive vision for building an ecosystem that further supports the mission of offering best in class technology for India and for the World.”By undertaking this project, Hitachi Lift India aims to enhance its presence in the premium market and commit to the further business growth in India.Outline of CRC The FlagshipCRC The Flagship is a 223,000 square-meter business hub mainly consisting of 4 towers and a retail building. It offers office spaces, retail shops, and premium services apartments with various facilities such as a co-working space, an auditorium, and even a putting golf course.The project also has the greenery with more than 20% of its whole area, achieving climate- friendly infrastructure with pre-certified platinum rating by Indian Green Building Council.Closely located to the Noida–Greater Noida Expressway, it takes approximately 35 minutes from Noida InternationalAirport, being constructed at present and to be the one of the biggest international airports in India as an alternative to Indira Gandhi International Airport.Outline of CRC GroupCRC Group is a highly respected developer in the NCR region of India known for its premium projects. The Group is dedicated to enhancing the standards in the real estate industry by introducing the finest buildings, which have beenand will continue to be full of perfection and excellence.Hitachi's Elevators and Escalators Business in IndiaIndia's new installation market for elevators and escalators exceeds 67,000 units in fiscal year 2023, making it the world's second-largest market that is expected to grow 6-7% per year.Hitachi established Hitachi Lift India in January 2008 and began full-scale operations in the elevator and escalatormarket. Since then, it has secured many orders and has been engaged in installing and maintaining its products,including high-speed elevators for luxury residences, hotels, and offices. Hitachi Lift India currently operates in all majorcities in India, such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.For more information, visit www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2024/10/241017.pdf. Website of Hitachi Lift India: www.hitachi-lift.co.in/Website of Hitachi Elevators and Escalators: www.hitachi.com/businesses/elevator/Hitachi Building Systems Brand Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCfOgxcLRk3NHm2WrqHeQ6MAAbout Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railwaysystems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in variousindustries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 18, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd. (MHI Thermal Systems), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has signed a new agreement with Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), the world's largest district cooling services provider(Note1), to supply large-scale centrifugal chillers to Empower's District Cooling plants in Dubai, UAE.CEO H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar and President Ito at the Signing CeremonyUnder the agreement, MHI Thermal Systems will supply 18 advanced chillers that will be ready for delivery from the beginning of 2025 for an aggregate cooling capacity of 56,250 refrigeration tons (RT) (Note2). They will be used in three District Cooling System (DCS) plants that Empower operates and will supply chilled water for cooling to residential, commercial, healthcare, educational, and multi-use projects. The agreement also includes a provision allowing Empower to increase the order up to 31 December 2024, potentially increasing the total capacity to 100,000 RT.MHI Thermal Systems has previously received an order for large-scale centrifugal chillers from Empower in 2021. The latest contract was received in recognition of the excellent chilling efficiency and environmental performance of MHI Thermal Systems chillers, as well as the operational performance and after-sales service from the previous order. Delivery is scheduled to begin sequentially from 2025, bringing the total number of chillers delivered to Empower to at least 46 units. The use of DCS is part of the Dubai government's long-term strategies, aiming to achieve savings of at least 30% by 2030 and 50% by 2050 in electricity, water and transport fuel consumption.MHI Thermal Systems and Empower held a contract signing ceremony in Dubai on October 8, attended by Empower CEO H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, and MHI Thermal Systems President Yoshihiro Ito.President Ito said: "We are proud that Empower has highly evaluated the performance and the quality of the after-sales service of the units previously delivered, and has once more chosen MHI Thermal Systems' chillers for these latest projects. We will continue improving energy efficiency while continuously enhancing operational and production effectiveness. We will continue implementing our advanced solutions to Empower's DCS plants so that our partnership will also contribute to the Dubai and the UAE's carbon emissions reduction strategy."Ahmad Bin Shafar emphasized that this deal offers both parties a significant opportunity to advance the district cooling sector and accelerate efforts toward a carbon-free future through energy-efficient solutions. He noted that these solutions reduce environmental impact and pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow. Bin Shafar also highlighted that the agreement supports Empower's goal of upgrading its plants with innovative technologies that promote efficient, energy-saving production processes, aligning with the company's environmental and societal objectives and its commitment to safeguarding resources for future generations.Empower is responsible for more than 80% of Dubai's district cooling capacity, supplying chilled water for cooling from 87 district cooling plants, making it the world's largest district cooling services provider.MHI Thermal Systems, as a part of MHI Group, will continue to respond to customer needs and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral world through the supply of energy-efficient centrifugal chillers.(1) In terms of connected capacity(2) 1 refrigeration ton = approx. 3.516 kWAbout MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 18, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Fujitsu and the Okinaga Research Institute at Teikyo University announced that, as of today, they will begin a full-scale joint research project for the development of a user experience (UX) platform. This platform will help to improve health consciousness and healthcare literacy by increasing patients’ understanding of their internal condition through the use of digital technology, such as extended reality (XR) and spatial computing (1).In this research project, Fujitsu and the Okinaga Research Institute will use XR and spatial computing to recreate a patient's internal anatomy in a virtual space, enhancing their understanding of the locations where health issues may arise. The two parties will examine how this visualization can foster health consciousness, behavioral change, and improved patient outcomes. The technology will be used in interviews with patients who have been advised to improve their lifestyle based on health check results. In addition, the two parties will also create an AI healthcare supporter avatar with generative AI technology to follow up with patients and will examine its effect on improving patient healthcare literacy.BackgroundIn recent years, lifestyle-related diseases have increased among both the elderly and younger populations. Preventing serious illness through lifestyle improvements is expected to reduce the national healthcare burden, improve corporate labor productivity, and enhance individual quality of life. Consequently, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires health insurance societies to devise and implement data health plans. From this, effective improvements are being promoted through the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle. In this cycle, data from the results of health checkups retained by health insurance societies and medical treatment bills are used to analyze the relationship between the data obtained from the medical examination and diseases to improve patient’s lifestyle.Improving lifestyles requires not only the support of healthcare providers but also a fundamental shift in individual mindset.In October 2022, Fujitsu and the Okinaga Research Institute started conducting research to eliminate the communication gap between doctors and patients by using XR, spatial computing, and generative AI in informed consent. This research led to the development such as virtual internal body models generated from patients’ biological data and technology for an AI medical supporter avatar. This research forms the basis of this latest project.Roles of Both Parties:1. Fujitsu- Conducting design research (2) with related parties and experts to identify hinderances to people’s awareness of true lifestyle improvement- Creating UX/UI scenarios for people to autonomously improve their lifestyles- Providing development support for an initial prototype, suggest improvements, and conduct a demonstration test with the prototype2. Okinaga Research Institute:- Providing medical expertise- Sharing visualization expertise in the area of medicine- Developing an initial prototype that uses organ dataFuture PlansBased on the results of this joint research project, Fujitsu and Teikyo University will contribute to improving people’s well-being and solving societal issues related to health by preventing lifestyle-related diseases through the societal implementation of health guidance that utilizes digital technology.(1) Spatial computing: A technology that seamlessly integrates physical and digital spaces, enabling people to interactively control information within that space.(2) Design research: Research with the aim of designing products and services from the user’s point of view. In this research, various information is collected and organized to identify potential customer needs and discover new issues and value.About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$26 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.Press Contacts:Fujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiriesTeikyo UniversityHeadquarters Public Relations SectionInquiries Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 18, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku Tokyo; Group CEO: Koichiro Tanaka) will provide and donate gold, silver, and bronze medals to the top three finishers in the half marathon (elite athletes) and elite para-athletes (wheelchair and visual impairment) award categories at the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024. The Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024 is organized by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation and will be held on October 20, 2024.*If the top three finishers above have a guide runner, a medal will also be provided to the guide runner.Medals Using Gently Expanding Curves to Represent the Event’s ConceptThe medals were designed based on the concept of the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon: "We want to expand the opportunity for everyone to run, including those who have never run before, and create an event in which anyone can participate." The front of the medal features the event title, Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024, written in English, and incorporates the event logo, which uses a motif of gently curved circles expanding outward. This logo represents the Earth’s continuous rotation, honoring the dedication of the runners who have trained tirelessly for 365 days leading up to the event. Additionally, the design of the Earth is reduced to about half the size of the medal to symbolize the half marathon.On the back of the medal, Tokyo Legacy Half 2024 is inscribed in braille, along with the TANAKA Precious Metals logo, and the word "FINISHER" and the event date. The ribbon is designed with the event logo, which resembles a tapestry of interwoven lines representing each runner, volunteer, and spectator.About the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024The Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024 is a public participation half marathon (21.0975 km) that is half the distance of the Tokyo Marathon (42.195 km). It was born from the desire to create a half marathon that would give the extraordinary experience of running to everyone. This year, the event’s tagline is "If it’s a half marathon, I can barely make it, Maybe." aiming to offer a race where a wide variety of runners can enjoy the streets of Tokyo at their own pace.(Official website of the event: https://legacyhalf.tokyo/en/ )Since the inaugural event in 2022, TANAKA Precious Metals has been producing the medals awarded at the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon, and this will be their third time providing them. In addition to the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon, the company has also produced winner’s medals for the Tokyo Marathon, supported the promotion of para-sports as an official partner of the Japanese Para-Sports Association (JPSA), and manufactured and sold the official commemorative medals for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. TANAKA Precious Metals will continue to produce medals made of precious metals and support the promotion of sports with the aim of contributing to the realization of a prosperous society.Overview of the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024 MedalsWeight, size and materialGold Medal: approx. 55g; approx. 55mm in diameter and approx. 2.3mm thick; pure silver with gold platingSilver Medal: approx. 55g; approx. 55mm in diameter and approx. 2.3mm thick; pure silverBronze Medal: approx. 45g; approx. 55mm in diameter and approx. 2.3mm thick; pure copper Race Information of the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon 2024OrganizerTokyo Marathon FoundationCo-organizersTokyo Metropolitan Government; JAAF (Japan Association of Athletics Federations); Tokyo Sports Association for the DisabledManaging OrganizationTokyo Athletics AssociationOperation SupportJapan Para AthleticsSupporting OrganizationsJapan Industrial Track & Field AssociationOfficial PartnersSky Co., Ltd.; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; New Balance Japan, Inc.; Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd.; KINTETSU INTERNATIONAL; Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co.,Inc.; Tokyo Kiraboshi Financial Group, Inc.; TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.; Rokko Butter, Co., Ltd.; Photocreate Co.,Ltd.; SEIKO GROUP CORPORATIONOfficial SuppliersNIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION; Porsche Japan K.K.DateSunday, October 20, 2024 (rain or shine)Start/Finish AreaJapan National Stadium (Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku, Tokyo) About TANAKA Precious MetalsSince its foundation in 1885, TANAKA Precious Metals has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volume of precious metals it handles. Over many years, TANAKA has manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry and provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and worldwide collaborate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a full range of products and services. With 5,355 employees, the group’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ending December 2023, was 611.1 billion yen.TANAKA Holdings Websitehttps://www.tanaka.co.jp/english/Press inquiriesTANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-mediaPress Release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20241017.pdf Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Shimadzu Corporation, Eisai Co., Ltd., Oita University, and Usuki City Medical Association have demonstrated the utility of blood biomarkers in predicting the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ)(1) in the brain, a noted cause of Alzheimer’s disease(2), in a cohort study conducted in Usuki City, Oita from November 2022. A research paper reporting the details of this study was published on October 10, 2024, in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions.This joint research attempts to develop Japan’s first diagnostic workflow for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease and mild dementia based on blood biomarkers. Comprising a phase 1 and phase 2 study, the phase 1 study uses frozen samples of blood plasma from a regional cohort collected by a prospective cohort study performed in Usuki City between 2015 and 2019 to evaluate the utility of blood biomarkers in predicting Aβ accumulation in the brain. The phase 2 study is a prospective study that uses blood plasma samples collected from 100 newly recruited subjects through diagnostic workflows adopted at all levels of health care, from primary care physicians to specialists certified by dementia-related societies, to evaluate the psychological impact on participants of different results and who discloses them.The research paper primarily compiles results from the phase 1 study. The ability of blood biomarkers to predict the results of amyloid PET scans(3) was evaluated in terms of an area under the curve (AUC) value. Blood biomarker measurements performed by Shimadzu resulted in an AUC value of 0.94 and identified PET-positive patients in the regional cohort with a high degree of accuracy. The joint research also revealed the possibility to predict the progression of clinical symptoms using baseline blood biomarker results, i.e., the progression from MCI due to Alzheimer's disease to Alzheimer's dementia from analysis of participant data over a seven-year observation period. Blood biomarker testing is less invasive than amyloid PET and cerebrospinal fluid testing(4), and could reduce patient stress and help predict the future onset of dementia if used as an alternative to these two diagnostic methods. The data collection stage of phase 2 is complete with plans in place to carry out data analysis and draft an overall report of the results of both phases of the joint research.The four parties involved in this joint research are committed to building an ecosystem that improves the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s through diagnostic workflows adopted at all levels of health care from primary care physicians to specialists who are members of dementia-related societies, and through this research develop social infrastructure that ensures patients and their families live happy and fulfilling lives.Comment by Noriyuki Kimura, an Associate Professor at the Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita UniversityTreatment of Alzheimer’s disease is approaching a new turning point with the emergence of anti-amyloid beta antibodies that will require the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease at the MCI or early dementia stage. Biomarker-based tests to detect amyloid accumulation in the brain include amyloid PET scans and cerebrospinal fluid testing, but PET scans are expensive and cerebrospinal fluid testing is highly invasive. Blood biomarker testing is low-cost and less invasive, and its adoption promises to reduce the financial and physical burden on patients.(1) Amyloid beta is a protein believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease that accumulates in the brain to form senile plaques beginning around 20 years before the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.(2) Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and its key pathological hallmarks are senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal cell death.(3) Amyloid PET is a brain imaging test that can visualize amyloid beta accumulation in the brain.(4) Cerebrospinal fluid testing collects cerebrospinal fluid and tests it for amyloid-β 42, amyloid-β 40, phosphorylated tau protein, and total tau protein, which are biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.Research Paper InformationJournal name: Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical InterventionsTitle of paper: Plasma amyloid beta biomarkers predict amyloid positivity and longitudinal clinical progression in mild cognitive impairment.Authors: Takuya Ataka, Noriyuki Kimura, Naoki Kaneko, Teruaki Masuda, Yosuke Takeuchi, Kenichi Yabuuchi, Takeshi Mizukami, Tsukasa Takeuchi, Temmei Ito, Hideaki Tasai, Takehiko Miyagawa, Shunya Hanai, Shinichi Iwamoto, and Etsuro MatsubaraDOI: 10.1002/trc2.70008Related InformationNovember 22, 2022 Press releaseTo Develop Japan’s First Blood Biomarker-Based Diagnostic Workflow for DementiaShimadzu, Eisai, Oita University, and Usuki City Medical Association Commence Joint Researchwww.eisai.com/news/2022/news202280.html For Press and Media Inquiries, Please Contact:Shimadzu CorporationCorporate Communication Department Phone: +81-75-823-1110Eisai Co., Ltd.Public Relations Department Phone: +81-3-3817-5120Oita UniversityDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine Phone: +81-97-586-5814Usuki City Medical AssociationUsuki City Medical Association Office Phone: +81-972-63-0099 Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct 17, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc. announced today that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia issued a public statement about the initial decision not to register the humanized anti-solubleaggregated amyloid-beta (Aβ) monoclonal antibody lecanemab for the treatment of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild AD dementia.Eisai will request a reconsideration of this decision under Section 60* of the Therapeutic Goods Act within 90 days to make lecanemab available for eligible people living with early AD in Australia. Following Eisai’s request for review, the TGA will issue a final decision within 60 days of receiving Eisai’s request.Lecanemab is already approved in the United States, Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel UAE and Great Britain, and is being marketed in the U.S., Japan and China.Eisai serves as the lead for lecanemab’s development and regulatory submissions globally with both Eisai and Biogen co-commercializing and co-promoting the product and Eisai having final decision- making authority.*When we receive the outcome of the evaluation, Section 60 of the Australian legislation defines this as an “initial decision”. This is because the legislation states any decision considered an “initial decision” can be reviewed on request. This legislated process is referred to as a“request for a review of an initial decision” by the TGA. Note the specific part of the legislation that defines this is Section 60 of the Therapeutic Goods Act.About lecanemab (Leqembi®)Lecanemab is the result of a strategic research alliance between Eisai and BioArctic. It is a humanized immunoglobulin gamma1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody directed against aggregated soluble (protofibril) and insoluble forms of amyloid-beta (Aβ).Lecanemab is approved in the U.S., Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, UAE and Great Britain for the treatment of MCI due to AD and mild AD dementia. Lecanemab’s approvals in these countries were primarily based on Phase 3 data from Eisai’s global Clarity AD clinical trial, in which it met its primary endpoint and all key secondary endpoints with statisticallysignificant results. The most common adverse events (>10%) in the lecanemab group were infusion reactions, ARIA-H (combined cerebral microhemorrhages, cerebral macrohemorrhages, and superficial siderosis), ARIA-E (edema/effusion), headache, and fall.Lecanemab is marketed in the U.S., Japan and China. Eisai has also submitted applications for approval of lecanemab in 10 countries and regions, including the European Union.Since July 2020 the Phase 3 clinical study (AHEAD 3-45) for individuals with preclinical AD, meaning they are clinically normaland have intermediate or elevated levels of amyloid in their brains, is ongoing. AHEAD 3-45 is conducted as a public-private partnership between the Alzheimer's Clinical Trial Consortium that provides the infrastructure for academic clinical trials in AD and related dementias in the U.S, funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, Eisai and Biogen. Since January 2022, the Tau NexGen clinical study for Dominantly Inherited AD (DIAD), that is conducted by Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU), led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is ongoing and includes lecanemab as the backbone anti- amyloid therapy.About the Collaboration between Eisai and Biogen for ADEisai and Biogen have been collaborating on the joint development and commercialization of AD treatments since 2014. Eisaiserves as the lead of lecanemab development and regulatory submissions globally with both companies co-commercializing and co-promoting the product and Eisai having final decision-making authority.About the Collaboration between Eisai and BioArctic for ADSince 2005, Eisai and BioArctic have had a long-term collaboration regarding the development and commercialization of AD treatments. Eisai obtained the global rights to study, develop, manufacture and market lecanemab for the treatment of AD pursuant to an agreement with BioArctic in December 2007. The development and commercialization agreement on theantibody back-up was signed in May 2015.About Eisai Co., Ltd.Eisai's Corporate Concept is "to give first thought to patients and people in the daily living domain, and to increase the benefits that health care provides." Under this Concept (also known as human health care (hhc) Concept), we aim to effectively achieve social good in the form of relieving anxiety over health and reducing health disparities. With a global network of R&D facilities,manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to create and deliver innovative products to target diseases with high unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology.In addition, we demonstrate our commitment to the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which is a target (3.3) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working on various activities together with global partners.For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), and connect with us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook. The website and social media channels are intendedfor audiences outside of the UK and Europe. For audiences based in the UK and Europe, please visit www.eisai.eu and Eisai EMEA LinkedIn.About BiogenFounded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patient’s lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities. We apply deep understanding of human biology and leverage different modalities to advance first-in-class treatments or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver long-term growth.The company routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its website at www.biogen.com.Follow Biogen on social media – Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube.ContactsMEDIA CONTACT:Eisai Co., Ltd.Public Relations Department+81-(0)3-3817-5120Eisai Europe, Ltd.EMEA Communications Department+44 (0) 7974-879-419Emea-comms@eisai.netEisai Inc. (U.S.) Libby Holman+ 1-201-753-1945Libby_Holman@eisai.comMEDIA CONTACT:Biogen Inc. Jack Cox+ 1-781-464-3260public.affairs@biogen.comINVESTOR CONTACT:Biogen Inc. Stephen Amato+ 1-781-464-2442IR@biogen.comINVESTOR CONTACT:Eisai Co., Ltd.Investor Relations Department+81-(0)70-8688-9685Biogen Safe HarborThis news release contains forward-looking statements, about the potential clinical effects of lecanemab; the potential benefits, safety and efficacy of lecanemab; potential regulatory discussions, submissions and approvals and the timing thereof; thetreatment of Alzheimer's disease; the anticipated benefits and potential of Biogen's collaboration arrangements with Eisai; the potential of Biogen's commercial business and pipeline programs; including lecanemab; and risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization. These statements may be identified by words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "possible," "potential," "will," "would" and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small numberof research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage clinical studies may notbe indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical studies and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements.These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including without limitation unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data, analysis or results obtained during clinical studies; the occurrence of adverse safety events; risks of unexpected costs or delays; the risk of other unexpected hurdles; regulatory submissions may take longer or be more difficult to complete than expected; regulatoryauthorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail or refuse to approve or may delay approval of Biogen's drug candidates; including lecanemab; actual timing and content of submissions to and decisions made by the regulatory authorities regarding lecanemab; uncertainty of success in the development and potential commercialization of the medicine; failure to protect and enforce Biogen's data, intellectual property and other proprietary rights and uncertaintiesrelating to intellectual property claims and challenges; product liability claims; and third party collaboration risks, results ofoperations and financial condition. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results todiffer from Biogen's expectations in any forward-looking statement. Investors should consider this cautionary statement as wellas the risk factors identified in Biogen's most recent annual or quarterly report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the U.S.Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Biogen does notundertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

San Francisco, CA & Hanoi, Oct 17, 2024 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - VPBank, one of Vietnam’s largest private banks, partners with CleverTap, the all-in-one customer engagement platform, to deepen understanding of customers and their aspirations and use the insights to deliver hyper-personalized experiences to users, at scale. VPBank aims to elevate customer experience and drive higher conversions on products and offers through highly targeted campaigns built on complex, real-time segmentation that quickly connects with customers. Through this association with CleverTap, VPBank’s objective is to improve engagement, deepen relationships and drive higher retention, while keeping costs low.Established in 1993, VPBank operates in a wide variety of businesses including retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, and consumer finance. VPBank aims to become a top-ranking financial institution among joint stock commercial banks in Vietnam, in terms of business scale, market share, and service quality. Leveraging CleverTap’s AI/ML-powered capability suite, Clever.AI, VPBank will be able to hyper-personalize its engagement via multiple automation and journeys. It will enable a seamless and omnichannel onboarding experience for new users, driving higher success rates for key milestones such as registration and the first transaction. With the unified customer view on CleverTap, VPBank can identify high-intent users and target them with contextual and relevant offerings, achieving an increase in customer lifetime value.Varun Krishna, Head of Digital Marketing, VPBank said, “We’ve always strived to maintain our position as one of Vietnam’s leading financial institutions. In an increasingly competitive banking landscape, delivering personalized and meaningful customer experiences is paramount. Partnering with CleverTap empowers us to harness advanced AI-driven insights, enabling us to engage our customers more effectively and tailor our offerings to their unique needs across digital channels. This collaboration not only enhances our ability to connect with customers on a deeper level but also drives sustained growth and loyalty. Together, we are committed to setting new standards in customer engagement and positioning VPBank as the most trusted and preferred bank in Vietnam.”Mai Vo, Country Manager, CleverTap said, “Vietnam’s banking sector is at the precipice of a new era of growth. Our partnership with VPBank couldn’t be timed better. With a legacy of innovation and customer-centricity, VPBank has consistently set benchmarks in the Vietnamese banking industry. Their commitment to using technology for crafting exceptional customer experiences aligns perfectly with our vision. Together, with CleverTap’s state-of-the-art omnichannel platform, personalizing and enhancing customer engagement has never been more seamless. This partnership is not only a testament to CleverTap’s expertise in driving conversion and retention but also underscores VPBank’s leadership in propelling Vietnam's banking sector into a new era of excellence”About CleverTapCleverTap is the leading all-in-one customer engagement platform that helps brands unlock limitless customer lifetime value. CleverTap is trusted by over 2000 brands like Domino’s, Levis, Jio, Papa John’s, Zomato, Kotak Bank, Air Asia, Carousell, TD Bank, and Tesco to help build personalized experiences for all their customers. The platform is powered by TesseractDB™ – the world’s first purpose-built database for customer engagement, offering speed and cost efficiency at scale.Backed by top-tier investors such as Accel, Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, CDPQ and 360 One, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, with presence across Seattle, London, São Paulo, Bogota, Mexico, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Singapore, Vietnam, and Jakarta.For more information, visit clevertap.com or follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clevertap/ X: https://twitter.com/CleverTap Forward-Looking StatementsSome of the statements in this press release may represent CleverTap's belief in connection with future events and may be forward-looking statements, or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. CleverTap cautions that such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties that could result in the actual outcome being absolutely different from the results anticipated by the statements mentioned in the press release.Factors such as the development of general economic conditions affecting our business, future market conditions, our ability to maintain cost advantages, uncertainty with respect to earnings, corporate actions, client concentration, reduced demand, liability or damages in our service contracts, unusual catastrophic loss events, war, political instability, changes in government policies or laws, legal restrictions impacting our business, impact of pandemic, epidemic, any natural calamity and other factors that are naturally beyond our control, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different, from those anticipated by such statements. CleverTap does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or updated or revised status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will CleverTap and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction.For more information:SONY SHETTYDirector, Communications, CleverTap+91 9820900036sony@clevertap.com ASHMIT CHAUDHARYAssociate Consultant, Archetype+91 8850752121ashmit.chaudhary@archetype.co Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and NEC Personal Computers, Ltd. (NECPC) today announced an agreement to transfer the sales functions related to NEC-brand PCs for commercial customers from NEC to NECPC. The transfer is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2025. Once the transfer is complete, NECPC will be responsible for the development, design, manufacturing, marketing and sales of both NEC-brand PCs for consumer and commercial customers.NEC brand PCs for commercial customers are provided to enterprises, organizations and educational institutions under product names such as "VersaPro" and “Mate", and have a reputation as reliable products that support businesses and society. By integrating the management resources of NEC and NECPC, NECPC will develop more competitive products that meet the needs of its customers. In addition, NECPC will enhance the total value of its products by enabling its dedicated PC sales team to work with sales partners to provide faster customer care. Furthermore, NECPC will support the success of its customers by prioritizing the resolution of their challenges and through continuous innovation.“I am confident that this transfer of functions will strengthen the competitiveness and product appeal of NEC-brand PCs for corporate customers. We will also support our customers' workstyle transformation and DX promotion by combining NEC's value creation model, NEC BluStellar, with PCs," said Tetsuhiko Kimura, Corporate Executive Vice President, NEC Corporation.“Since being launched as a joint venture between NEC and Lenovo in 2011, NECPC has always focused on solving the challenges of our customers and society, and has worked on product innovation. By building a system that covers everything from development to sales, I am confident that NECPC will be able to contribute to the success of our customers even more," said Taro Hiyama, President, NEC Personal Computers.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 17, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Koichiro Tanaka), which develops industrial precious metal products as one of the core companies of TANAKA Precious Metals, has announced the development of TK-SK, a palladium alloy designed for probe pins used in the final testing stage (post-processing) of semiconductor packages. This new product will be showcased via a panel display at SWTest Asia 2024, an exhibition scheduled for October 24–25, 2024, in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, with samples available for shipping before the end of the year.Key Features of “TK-SK”:640HV Hardness: This palladium alloy offers maximum hardness of 640HV, making it ideal for use in test socket applications, particularly in the final continuity testing stage (back-end process).TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo has manufactured and supplied a range of precious metals for probe pins used in testing equipment in the front-end and back-end processes of semiconductor manufacturing.As a palladium alloy for probe pins, TK-SK exhibits maximum hardness of 640HV that makes it suitable for use in test socket applications mainly in the final continuity testing stage (back-end process).Demand for high-hardness probe pins has increased in recent years. However, one common challenge with harder materials is that they can be more difficult to process and are prone to breaking during machining. Additionally, palladium alloys on the market previously had a maximum hardness of around 560HV. Through its unique processing technology, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo has successfully developed TK-SK with a hardness of 640HV. By 2028, the company aims to ship 1.5 times the volume of its existing products.Pogo pin-type probe pins are typically used in test sockets. During testing, the tip or plunger of the probe pin can become deformed due to friction from contact with substrates. Solder may also adhere to the plungers, needing regular cleaning, which further increases the risk of deformation due to friction. High-hardness probe pins, like TK-SK, reduce wear-related deformation, leading to longer service life and lower maintenance costs for semiconductor test equipment.Looking ahead, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo plans to continue contributing to the development of the semiconductor market, which is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years.TK-SK Properties (Reference Values)Exhibition detailsExhibition name: SWTest Asia 2024Dates: October 24 (10:00–15:30) and October 25 (10:00–16:00), 2024Venue: Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk, JapanOfficial website: https://www.swtestasia.org/Exhibitor: TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.Booth No.: 210Panel display: Palladium alloy for probe pins (TK-SK wire, TK-FS wire and sheet), copper-silver alloy for probe pins (TK-101 sheet), and precious metal plating solution for probe cardsAbout TANAKA Precious MetalsSince its foundation in 1885, TANAKA Precious Metals has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volume of precious metals it handles. Over many years, TANAKA has manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry and provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and worldwide collaborate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a full range of products and services. With 5,355 employees, the group’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ending December 2023, was 611.1 billion yen.Global industrial business websitehttps://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/Product inquiriesTANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-on-industrial-products/Press inquiriesTANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/Press Release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20241017_EN.pdf Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 16, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has completed the construction of a 50-megawatt (MW) class woody biomass-fired power plant in the city of Hyuga, in Miyazaki Prefecture, successfully handing over of the facility within the contract period. The Hyuga Biomass Power Plant, developed by a consortium led by MHI as part of a full turnkey solution for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), will be operated by Hyuga Biomass Power Co., Ltd., a special purpose company (SPC).Hyuga Biomass Power PlantThe power plant facility comprises a steam turbine, circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler, generator, and other equipment that deliver high combustion efficiency for biomass power generation. Improving power generation and fuel efficiency will lead to further reductions in the plant's environmental impact. The SPC that will operate the plant is jointly owned by Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., ITOCHU Corporation, Tokyo Century Corporation, and Tokyo Energy & Systems Inc. Based on the EPC contract, MHI leveraged its experience with numerous power systems to build and supply the main power generating equipment, including the steam turbines, CFB boiler, and other large auxiliary machinery. MHI Group company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Power Environmental Solutions, Ltd. provided the air quality control systems (AQCS), while Mitsubishi Electric Corporation supplied the generator and electrical components,* and Fujita Corporation handled the civil engineering and construction.Going forward, MHI Group will continue to focus efforts on the further spread of renewable energy power generation systems such as biomass fuel, which makes effective use of resources and is beneficial in reducing environmental loads, contributing to the stable supply of energy and the conservation of the global environment.*The generator and related electrical components were supplied by Mitsubishi Generator Co., Ltd., which was formed on April 1, 2024, through the integration of MHI and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's power-generator systems businesses. Mitsubishi Electric handled the power receiving and transforming equipment.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 16, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) held a commemorative ceremony on October 15 to celebrate reaching cumulative orders for 150 gas turbines units through Dongfang Turbine Co., Ltd. (Deyang, Sichuan Province), a subsidiary of Dongfang Electric Corporation, MHI's partner for the gas turbine business in China.Commemorative CeremonyThe ceremony for the 150-unit milestone was attended by Zhang Yanjun, President of Dongfang Electric, with Liu Hui, Chairman of Dongfang Turbine. MHI was represented by Toshiyuki Hashi, Executive Vice President/President and CEO, Energy Systems, Takashi Tozawa, Senior Vice President/Vice President, Energy Systems, and Takashi Kubo, Senior Vice President/Chief Regional Officer, China. Also attending as a special guest was Qin Zhaohui, President of China Huaneng Group Co.,Ltd., Jiangsu Branch, the customer for the 150th unit.Dongfang Turbine is one of three major manufacturers of heavy electrical equipment in China, handling manufacturing and repair services for steam turbines, gas turbines, and auxiliary plant equipment used for power generation. Since 2003, MHI has gradually expanded its licensing of large-scale gas turbines to the company. In 2015, Mitsubishi Power (China) Co., Ltd., the headquarters for MHI's thermal power systems operations in China, opened the Chengdu Branch in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, with the aim of strengthening the collaboration. In addition, MHI and Dongfang Turbine provide localized after-sale services through Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Dongfang Gas Turbine (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., a joint venture established in 2004 to enable a swift response to local customer needs.Electricity demand continues to rise in China, and the gas turbine market remains robust against the backdrop of increasing demand for replacing aging coal-fired power generation facilities, as well as demand for load-following power sources in line with the expansion of renewable energy. Amid the rising demand in China for high-efficiency gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power generation equipment as a means of reducing environmental loads, MHI has steadily accumulated orders for its highly competitive gas turbines, owing to its state-of-the-art and high-efficiency models, and hydrogen co-firing technology. Shipments of gas turbines made in collaboration with Dongfang Turbine reached 100 units in March 2024, and the number of cumulative orders for gas turbines has now reached the 150 unit mark.Going forward, MHI, along with its power solutions brand, Mitsubishi Power, will continue to work in cooperation with Dongfang Electric and Dongfang Turbine for the development of electric power in China, and contribute to the improvement of energy efficiency and the reduction of environmental impacts.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 16, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Eisai Co., Ltd. announced today that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment “Rozebalamin® for Injection 25 mg” (mecobalamin) has received the Good Design Award 2024 (by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion) for its light-proof vial packaging.“Rozebalamin for Injection” was approved in Japan on September 24, 2024 as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Its active ingredient is mecobalamin, which was developed as a freeze-dried formulation which is dissolved into a solvent at the time of administration. Mecobalamin is chemically unstable when exposed to light, therefore requiring a higher level of light-protection than that of the commonly used light- blocking film made by depositing aluminum onto a PET film (aluminium-deposited PET), from the time of distribution/storage until immediately before administration. However, there is also some necessity for visibility, such as the ability to visually confirm the medication inside the vial at the time of use and see the needle tip when extracting the medication with a syringe.For Rozebalamin, packaging was created with a high level of light-protection by applying a black print to aluminium-deposited PET. While the entire vial is covered by the light-blocking packaging, a resealable window to visibility to inspect the solution inside, and the neck of the vial allows that can be peeled back. In addition, perforations were not added to the film with the aim of maintaining the high capacity for light- protection. In doing so, the conflicting issues of increasing light-protection while maintaining visibility were solved, which was also highly evaluated in this selection. This packaging was co-developed with IL Pharma Packaging Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Aichi), and the award was also presented to both companies.Eisai considers neurology a therapeutic area of focus. As a human healthcare company, Eisai is committed to further addressing the diverse needs of, and increasing the benefits of, patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, by providing high-quality and easy-to-use Rozebalamin as a new treatment option for ALS patients.About Good Design AwardA Japanese design evaluation and promotion mechanism that was first established in 1957 as the Good Design Product Selection System. As a global design award with participation from numerous domestic and international companies and organizations, it is held annually with the aim of improving the quality of life and utilizing design to solve social issues and themes. The "G Mark," which symbolizes the award, is widely recognized as an emblem of excellent design. www.g-mark.org/en.Media Inquiries:Public Relations Department, Eisai Co., Ltd.+81-(0)3-3817-5120 Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 16, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Fujitsu today announced that it has begun a project to develop a disinformation countermeasure platform alongside a consortium of leading academic and private sector organizations. Fujitsu was selected as a primary operator for this initiative in July 2024 through a public call for proposals by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (“NEDO”) (1). The effort is part of the Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program (“K Program”) (2), which was established with the collabor"ation of Japan’s Cabinet Office, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and other related Japanese ministries, to strengthen and drive Japan’s economic security. The consortium, assembled by Fujitsu, includes the National Institute of Informatics (NII), NEC Corporation, Keio Research Institute at SFC, Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Tech), The University of Tokyo, University of Aizu, Nagoya Institute of Technology, and Osaka University.The project aims to develop the world’s first comprehensive disinformation countermeasure platform that can process false information from initial detection to evidence gathering, analysis, and evaluation, with development slated for completion by the end of fiscal year 2025.Vivek Mahajan, Corporate Vice President, CTO, CPO, Fujitsu Limited, comments: “We are excited to be working on this initiative with a top-tier consortium of Japanese academic and private sector organizations that have a proven track record of combating disinformation. In addition to our consortium partners, Fujitsu will collaborate with relevant government agencies and other organizations to develop a robust countermeasure solution and contribute to solving this serious societal challenge.”Figure 1. Consortium member organizationsAs prime operator of this project, Fujitsu will lead the R&D efforts, technology integration, and construction of the overall platform. Leveraging the latest trends in disinformation tactics and technologies, Fujitsu will also create use cases for public and private sector organizations, facilitating the practical application of the research findings.Technology to be developed and consortium roles1. Information analysis by media type and disinformation detection (Responsible parties: NII, NEC)NIILeveraging its track record in the field of fake media detection, NII will develop a technology to detect deepfakes of images, video and audio from social media posts and other content. The technology will identify how the media content has been created and any areas that have been manipulated and assign a confidence score which will be provided as supporting evidence.NECNEC will develop media understanding technology that extracts content including images, video and audio as text and uses it to analyze matches with social media posts and to collect supporting information.2. Evidence/endorsement management (Responsible parties: Keio Research Institute at SFC, Fujitsu, Osaka University)Keio Research Institute at SFC and FujitsuKeio Research Institute at SFC which has a track record in the field of trusted internet architecture and Fujitsu develop technology to integrate evidence collected from the internet, including the analysis results from technology 1 above. This evidence will be structured and stored as an evidence/endorsement graph (3) to verify authenticity and assess impact.Osaka UniversityOsaka University will leverage its expertise in IoT data analysis to develop technology to collect sensor data as a source of evidence. In cases where information for the target area is incomplete, the system will infer evidence based on available data from neighboring areas. This proactive, AI-driven evidence gathering, mimicking human information collection and inference, is a highly advanced initiative.3. Comprehensive authenticity determination (Responsible parties: Fujitsu, Nagoya Institute of Technology)Fujitsu- Fujitsu will develop technology to analyze the consistency of evidence linked to target information using evidence/endorsement graphs from technology 2. This technology enables comprehensive information authenticity analysis, presenting the results and supporting evidence in a user-friendly manner.- Fujitsu will also develop a specialized Japanese LLM for disinformation countermeasures, utilizing its supercomputer (Fugaku) and LLM (Takane) expertise. This specialized LLM will enhance comprehension of news and social media data, improve logical reasoning capabilities, and enable high-speed, high-accuracy inference for authenticity verification while mitigating hallucinations.Nagoya Institute of TechnologyFujitsu will collaborate with Nagoya Institute of Technology to develop a user interface and information provision technology based on cognitive science, considering factors related to human psychology (e.g., continued influence effect). This will help users to accurately judge the truthfulness of information and encourage appropriate actions, including making efforts to avoid the unintentional spread of false information.4. Evaluation of disinformation impact (Responsible parties: Institute of Science Tokyo, The University of Tokyo, Aizu University)Institute of Science Tokyo, The University of Tokyo, and University of Aizu, with their expertise in computational social science related to social media, will develop technology to assess the impact of disinformation. By extending LLMs to build an AI model for disinformation assessment, the three parties will analyze characteristics of disinformation, such as similarity to past disinformation and proliferation speed, focusing on the source, content, and social context of messages from social media data. This will allow for the evaluation of metrics such as proliferation scale and social impact. This development of technology to visualize and quantitatively assess the social impact of disinformation represents a highly advanced endeavor.Figure 2. Diagram of the disinformation countermeasure platformFuture PlansIn fiscal year 2024, the project will focus on analyzing use cases for private companies and public institutions, defining functional requirements, and initiating R&D of individual technologies, with the final system scheduled for development by the end of fiscal year 2025.By developing this platform, Fujitsu and its consortium partners aim to contribute to economic stability in the face of increasing disinformation risk and with NEDO’s support aid in increasing new industry development, international competitiveness, and strengthening Japan’s global position.Comments from partner academic-industrial organizationsProf. Junichi Yamagishi, National Institute of Informatics, comments:“Combating disinformation demands a sophisticated, integrated arsenal of technologies. Leveraging years of cutting-edge research in technology for detecting fake media, we are going to create a robust foundation for a powerful disinformation defense system.”Motoo Nishihara, Corporate Executive Vice President and CTO, NEC Corporation, comments:"We are excited to join this important initiative. As AI is linked to the production of increasingly sophisticated disinformation, AI-powered countermeasures are paramount. Leveraging NEC's cutting-edge AI technologies, we aim to contribute to the development of truly effective solutions."Prof. Hiroyuki Kusumoto, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, and Project Professor Shigeya Suzuki, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, comment:“Information on the internet nowadays is not only transmitted by individuals, but also by information systems utilizing LLMs. Leveraging cutting-edge digital identity technology, we will create a platform that meticulously tracks sender identity and information relationships, enabling multifaceted analysis for more informed and accurate end-user decision-making.”Prof. Kazutoshi Sasahara, Institute of Science Tokyo, comments:“The increasing scale and sophistication of disinformation pose a grave threat to our daily lives and democracy. With AI making truth increasingly indistinguishable from falsehood, developing technologies to assess the influence of disinformation is a critical, urgent task. We aim to spearhead the development of widely accessible tools to combat this escalating challenge.”Prof. Masashi Toyoda, The University of Tokyo, comments:"We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with experts from diverse fields in tackling the challenge of misinformation. We will leverage a wide range of expertise and technologies to build a foundational infrastructure for assessing the impact of disinformation."Yasuhiro Hashimoto, Senior Associate Professor, Aizu University, comments:“The generation and spread of disinformation pose a grave threat to societal stability and national security, demanding a multidisciplinary approach drawing on informatics, engineering, social sciences, and more. We will develop technologies to visualize the large-scale structures and complex relationships in which disinformation circulates, and build an environment where the dynamics of disinformation can be quickly viewed and analyzed.”Prof. Yuko Tanaka, Nagoya Institute of Technology, comments:"I am pleased to participate in this project that integrates cutting-edge technologies to address the increasingly sophisticated and serious circulation of disinformation. I am contributing to the development of interface design that effectively communicates the results—from disinformation detection to evaluation—by considering human cognitive characteristics."Shin’ichi Arakawa, Associate Professor, Osaka University, comments:"We are excited to be involved in R&D that addresses the growing problem of disinformation. Within the project, we will focus on practical research and development, and on delivering real-world impact, going beyond theoretical evaluation."(1) Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program Press Release regarding the Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration/Development of Disinformation Analysis Technology (K Program) :www.nedo.go.jp/koubo/CD2_100359.html (in Japanese)[2] Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community (“K Program”) :www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/anzen_anshin/kprogram.html (in Japanese)[3]Evidence/Endorsement Graph :Information added to the target information that serves as the basis for authenticity judgment, such as the sender (person or organization and its attributes), location, and date.About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$26 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.About National Institute of InformaticsNII is Japan's only academic research institute dedicated to the new discipline of informatics. Its mission is to "create future value" in informatics. NII conducts both long-term basic research and practical research aimed at solving social problems in a wide range of informatics research fields, from fundamental theories to the latest topics, such as artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and information security.As an inter-university research institute, NII builds and operates academic information infrastructure essential for the research and educational activities of the entire academic community (including the Science Information Network) as well as developing services such as those that enable the provision of academic content and service platforms.https://www.nii.ac.jp/en/.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.About Keio Research Institute at SFCThe Keio Research Institute at SFC was established in 1996. In its capacity as an academic entity and research institute affiliated with the Graduate School of Media and Governance, Graduate School of Health Management, Faculty of Policy Management, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, and Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, the institute serves as a platform for promoting advanced research activities and collaborative initiatives involving the community and local regions. By 2021, the institute had more than 40 laboratories (transdisciplinary research groups with advanced research missions) and more than 30 SFC research consortiums (joint research deployed by the Keio Research Institute at SFC in conjunction with a number of external organizations), and together with approximately 500 senior and guest researchers from various industries, government, and academia, aims to develop unique research to create a vital society. In this manner, the Keio Research Institute at SFC has an impressive wealth of experience and track record in the creation of pioneering knowledge through collaborations among industry, government, and academia.About Institute of Industrial Science, The University of TokyoThe Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo (UTokyo-IIS) is one of the largest university-attached research institutes in Japan. UTokyo-IIS is comprised of over 120 research laboratories—each headed by a faculty member—and has over 1,200 members (approximately 400 staff and 800 students) actively engaged in education and research. Its activities cover almost all areas of engineering. Since its foundation in 1949, UTokyo-IIS has worked to bridge the huge gaps that exist between academic disciplines and real-world applications.About University of AizuNurtures talent who will exercise leadership in the knowledge-based society.Nurtures computer scientists and highly-skilled computer engineers who will create and exploit "knowledge" for the new era.Has first-class faculty members from almost twenty countries around the world.Provides an outstanding computer environment unparalleled by other universities.Established the graduate school open to the world, where English is used as the common language.Fosters students' latent limitless creativity by training critical thinking and appreciating their curiosity, free from preconceived ideas.About Nagoya Institute of TechnologyNagoya Institute of Technology (NITech) was founded as the first national institution of higher education in central Japan in order to develop the region as Japan’s center of industry. Maintaining a respect for this historic mission and acting as one of the leading engineering institutes in Japan, NITech shall therefore make its fundamental mission as follows: developing revolutionary science and technologies, fostering rich human resources, and contributing to peace and social welfare of the future by acting as a source to consistently produce and develop new industries and culture.About Osaka UniversityOsaka University was founded in 1931 as one of Japan’s imperial universities through strong demand from political and business circles in Osaka, as well as the people of Osaka City and Prefecture. The spiritual roots of Osaka University can be found in Kaitokudo and Tekijuku, educational institutions of the Edo period. After its merger with Osaka University of Foreign Studies in 2007, Osaka University became a comprehensive university with its own School of Foreign Studies. Boasting 11 undergraduate schools, 15 graduate schools, and 6 affiliated research institutes excelling in the fields of the humanities and social sciences, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, science, and engineering, Osaka University is one of Japan’s premier comprehensive research universities.Osaka University will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2031. We will contribute to the creation of a society where each member feels worth living through co-creation with diverse stakeholders to solve local and global challenges in accordance with the university's motto of “Live Locally, Grow Globally.”Press ContactsFujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiriesNational Institute for Informatics Research Organization of Information and SystemsPublicity Team, Planning Division, General Affairs DepartmentTEL: +81-3-4212-2164E-mail: media@nii.ac.jpNEC Corporate CommunicationsE-mail: press@news.jp.nec.comKeio Research Institute at SFCOffice of Research Development and Sponsored Projects Shonan Fujisawa CampusE-mail: kri-pr@sfc.keio.co.jpThe Institute of Industrial Science, The University of TokyoPublic Relation OfficeE-mail: pro@iis.u-tokyo.ac.jpUniversity of AizuPlanning and Collaboration DivisionPlanning and Public Relations SectionTEL: +81-242-37-2510E-mail: cl-planpr@u-aizu.ac.jpNagoya Institute of TechnologyFoundations GroupProfessor TANAKA YukoE-mail: tanaka.yuko@nitech.ac.jpOsaka UniversityGraduate School of Information Science and TechnologyAssociate Professor Shin’ichi ArakawaE-mail: arakawa@ist.osaka-u.ac.jp Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 16, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) announced that it has invested in Koloma, a startup company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The investment has been executed through Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. (MHIA), which joins a syndicate of investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, United Airline's Sustainable Flight Fund and Energy Impact Partners.Koloma Natural Hydrogen Exploration SiteKoloma is a geologic hydrogen company that leverages its technology, proprietary data, and human capital advantages to identify and commercialize geologic hydrogen on a global scale. Koloma is actively engaged in exploration and appraisal of assets that will play a significant role in global decarbonization efforts. As the rapidly emerging geologic hydrogen industry takes shape, Koloma's data-driven approach helps power the discovery of geologic hydrogen resources around the world."Building a hydrogen solution ecosystem is one of the core strategies in the energy transition business for MHI," said Takajiro Ishikawa, President and CEO of MHIA. "In MHI's role as a value chain solutions provider, we are aiming to accelerate the hydrogen economy by both offering cutting-edge technologies and enabling breakthrough innovations in the hydrogen space through investments into startups.""We are excited to welcome Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to the Koloma family," said Pete Johnson, CEO of Koloma. "Partnerships with industrial leaders like MHI will maximize the positive impact geologic hydrogen can have as a new clean primary energy source. We look forward to collaborating and innovating together to drive progress in this field and in the broader energy transition."MHI Group is collaborating with and investing in partners to develop innovative technologies that will help to decarbonize existing infrastructures and help build a hydrogen ecosystem to contribute towards achieving a decarbonized society. The Company will continue to enhance and diversify its solutions portfolio to provide customers with alternative decarbonization technologies to achieve their net zero goals.About MHI GroupMitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

KAWASAKI, Japan, Oct 15, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Fujitsu today announced the development of an application that leverages AI technology to enhance mobile network communication quality, while achieving energy savings and optimizing network operations. This development is part of the Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems (hereafter NEDO-led project) (1) conducted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Fujitsu, which has a successful track record of introducing radio unit (RU) products to the global market, will incorporate this technology into its O-RAN (2) compliant Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) (3) system, FUJITSU Network Virtuora Service Management and Orchestration. Fujitsu will implement a gradual global rollout of the technology to mobile network operators starting in November 2024 by leveraging the footprint it has already cultivated in RU.This application comprises three key technologies:An AI-powered technology that can estimate smartphone users’ quality of experience (QoE) on their networks in real time.A technology that detects early signs of increased communication traffic and proactively prevents network quality degradation.A technology that detects network quality degradation and redefines the area covered by peripheral base stations to maintain optimal quality.Fujitsu verified the effectiveness of these technologies in August 2024 using real commercial data from mobile network operators (4) under conditions closely resembling actual operating environments.This application will ensure a seamless and reliable connection for mobile network users, not only during normal operations but also during emergencies and periods of increased network traffic, ultimately enhancing user convenience, satisfaction, and safety in critical situations. For mobile network operators, the application will reduce operational costs and save power through optimized operations.BackgroundAs digital transformation (DX) accelerates globally, the adoption of 5G mobile networks is rapidly expanding as a key infrastructure component. Mobile network operators are expected to further enhance their capabilities, including ultra-low latency and simultaneous connectivity, while ensuring network quality at user and application levels. Furthermore, the RAN (Radio Access Network) domain is undergoing open and virtualized transformation based on the O-RAN concept, leading to anticipated reductions in total cost of ownership (TCO).The three technologies in this application operate on the RIC (5) deployed within the O-RAN compliant SMO, contributing to the intelligent automation and self-sufficiency of RAN.Development achievements1. Real-time QoE estimation and quality assurance using AIThis technology estimates QoE in real-time and automatically switches users to other base station network areas when QoE degradation is detected. It is a world-first, enabling the creation of AI models that can easily estimate QoE for individual applications by selecting feature values from statistical data (KPIs) calculated from high-speed packet analysis for 100 Gbps RAN traffic. This approach allows for flexible adaptation to various applications.By accurately understanding the QoE of each user and assigning the necessary resources, this technology ensures user convenience and satisfaction while simultaneously suppressing excessive resource allocation. This results in a 19% increase in the number of users that can be accommodated per base station (6).Figure 1: QoE estimation based on packet analysis2. Proactive base station activation/deactivation for quality maintenance and energy savingsFujitsu has developed a technology that utilizes AI to anticipate increased communication traffic and proactively activate previously dormant base stations to prevent degradation in user communication quality.Previously, energy savings were achieved by monitoring traffic in each area in real-time and putting unnecessary base stations into sleep mode. This world first technology goes a step further by detecting unusual increases in pedestrian traffic, such as those associated with local events, and predicting subsequent traffic increases at the grid level (7). This predictive technology has been proven to successfully activate base stations in advance without impacting user quality 99.8% of the time during the verification period.This enables pinpoint activation and deactivation of base stations based on traffic conditions, achieving a balance between maintaining QoE and saving energy when combined with the energy-saving application announced by Fujitsu in December 2023 (8).3. Detection of service quality degradation and area redesign for service quality maintenanceTraditional anomaly detection technologies for single cells (9) struggled to differentiate between simple load reductions and actual anomalies. Fujitsu's new technology addresses this by comparing traffic trends across surrounding cells using AI, achieving a fault detection accuracy rate of over 92%. This technology supports both supervised learning with limited fault data as well as unsupervised learning. By understanding the service impact including cell overlap, it is possible to make a judgement on which areas should be recovered first.When this anomaly detection technology identifies areas undergoing significant service impact, it utilizes a radio propagation prediction model that considers path loss (10) in the real field, in addition to the direction and load conditions of surrounding cells, to calculate the optimal tilt angle for surrounding cells. This minimizes the impact on service quality caused by faulty cells. As a result, recovery time from anomalies such as equipment failure, which previously took 24 hours, has been reduced to less than one hour, minimizing the impact on users.Figure 2: Service quality degradation detection and recoveryFuture PlansFujitsu will continue to contribute to the realization of a safer, more secure, and sustainable society by providing O-RAN products using AI-centric technologies for networks that support applications and services across industries.[1] NEDO-led project :Project name: Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems (JPNP20017) (Commissioned)Period: FY2021 - 2024Overview: Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems[2] O-RAN :O-RAN refers to a Radio Access Network (RAN) built based on open interface specifications developed by the O-RAN ALLIANCE.[3] Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) :In the O-RAN architecture, Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) defines a system that manages the operation, maintenance, and optimization of RAN, as well as its lifecycle.[4] Commercial data from mobile network operators :This refers to data collected by mobile network operators during their actual operations. This data is used in AI development for this research and development project.[5] RIC :Abbreviation for RAN Intelligent Controller, a controller that autonomously executes and controls RAN parameter settings and operational optimization.[6] A 19% increase in the number of users that can be accommodated per base station :This figure was calculated based on a comparison of cell-based performance measurements and QoE-based performance measurements in Fujitsu's lab environment.[7] Grid :A grid refers to a section on a map based on latitude and longitude.[8] The energy-saving application announced by Fujitsu in December 2023 :This refers to an energy-saving application that applies Fujitsu's AI technology to estimate communication traffic based on the distribution of user location information in the mobile network.Press Release: “Fujitsu leverages AI technology to realize energy saving in network operations”[9] Cell :A cell is the smallest unit of a communication area formed by the radio waves of a base station.[10] Path loss :Path loss refers to the attenuation of radio waves as they pass through the air or are blocked by obstacles.About FujitsuFujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$26 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.Press ContactsFujitsu LimitedPublic and Investor Relations DivisionInquiries Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 15, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The NEC C&C Foundation today announced that the 2024 C&C Prize will be awarded to two groups for their contributions to the development and implementation of large-capacity, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical submarine cable systems, and to pioneering research of the Transformer deep learning model serving as the foundation of generative AI, which is used in various fields such as global internet, web applications, data science, and artificial intelligence, that support modern society. Dr. Shigeyuki Akiba, Dr. Masatoshi Suzuki and Dr. Itsuro Morita will represent Group A and Transformer team will represent Group B. Each recipient will be recognized with a certificate of merit and a plaque. Each group will also receive a cash award of ten million yen.The C&C Prize was established in 1985 and is awarded to distinguished persons in recognition of outstanding contributions to R&D activities and pioneering work related to the integration of computers and communications technologies and the social impact of developments in these fields. This year’s two recipient groups are outlined below.The prize ceremony and acceptance speeches will be held on Wednesday, November 27 from 15:00 at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo and will be streamed live to those who apply at the Foundation’s website.2024 C&C Prize RecipientsGroup ADr. Shigeyuki AkibaFormerly KDDI R&D Laboratories Inc., President and Chief Executive OfficerDr. Masatoshi SuzukiChitose Institute of Science and Technology, Vice-President, ProfessorWaseda University Graduate School, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Visiting ProfessorDr. Itsuro MoritaWaseda University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, ProfessorCitationFor contributions to the development and implementation of large-capacity, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical submarine cable systemsAchievementInternational communications began in the latter half of the 19th century with the laying of a submarine cable providing one telegraph line. This was followed by the appearance of coaxial cables that expanded circuit capacity and that could also be used for making telephone calls. In the 1970s and 1980s, however, satellite communications having even larger circuit capacity became mainstream. Nevertheless, on entering the 1980s, optical fiber and semiconductor lasers came into practical use, and by exploiting the low-loss and broadband properties of optical fiber, large-capacity transmission became possible while decreasing the number of submarine repeaters and decreasing the cost of communications, all of which drove the adoption of optical submarine cables. As for transpacific cables, operation of the 3rd transpacific cable (TPC-3) using optical fiber (capacity per fiber: 280 Mbps) began operation in 1989, TPC-4 (capacity per fiber: 560 Mbps) began operation in 1992, and TPC-5 (capacity per fiber: 5 Gbps), which significantly increased transmission capacity with the introduction of an optical-amplifier-repeater transmission system, began operation in 1995. However, due to a phenomenon whereby the velocity of light waves propagating through optical fiber differs according to wavelength (called wavelength dispersion) and due to the nonlinearity of optical fiber, WDM signal waveforms become distorted, which greatly hindered the implementation of large-capacity optical submarine cable systems spanning a distance of 10,000 km. Against this background, it was KDDI engineers including Dr. Shigeyuki Akiba, Dr. Masatoshi Suzuki, and Dr. Itsuro Morita that were instrumental in increasing the capacity of optical submarine cable systems and upgrading WDM-based optical submarine cable systems in particular, thereby supporting the rapidly expanding demand for Internet communications.The technologies developed by Dr. Akiba, Dr. Suzuki, and Dr. Morita became essential to WDM optical submarine cables and came to be applied to many optical submarine cables from 1999 to 2016 covering a total system length of 206,000 km. These included transpacific (PC-1: 1999, Japan-US: 2001), transatlantic (TAT-14: 2001), and Asia-region (C2C: 2001, EAC: 2002) optical submarine cables as well as 1-Tbps-class transpacific optical submarine cables (TGN-Pacific: 2003, UNITY: 2010). These technologies made a major contribution to the deployment of a global broadband infrastructure supporting communication traffic that increased rapidly due to the spread of the Internet and expanded use of smartphones.Dr. Akiba, Dr. Suzuki, and Dr. Morita pioneered the research and development of technology for expanding the capacity of long-haul optical submarine cables particularly through optical-nonlinearity control. They played a major role in applying this technology to transpacific/transatlantic large-capacity optical submarine cables, which constitute major arteries handling approximately 99% of all international communications. These achievements have had huge ripple effects in academia and industry. They are remarkable on a global basis and have made great social contributions in the C&C (Computers and Communication) field. For these outstanding achievements, it is more than fitting that Dr. Akiba, Dr. Suzuki, and Dr. Morita receive the C&C Prize.Group BTransformer TeamMember：Eight authors of the paper "Attention Is All You Need"Ashish Vaswani - CEO, Essential AINoam Shazeer - VP, Gemini Technical Co-Lead, Google DeepmindNiki Parmar - Research scientist, essential AI, GoogleJakob Uszkoreit- InceptiveLlion Owen Jones - CTO, Sakana AIAidan Gomez - CEO, CohereLukasz Kaiser - Member of Technical Staff, OpenAIIllia Polosukhin - NEAR ProtocolCitationFor pioneering research of the Transformer deep learning model serving as the foundation of generative AIAchievementArtificial intelligence (AI) technology has been evolving remarkably in recent years and has come to deeply penetrate not only industrial fields but society as well. The appearance of generative AI, in particular, has sent shock waves throughout the world as AI possessing creativity. The third-generation AI boom arrived in the 2000s. Machine learning came into practical use, deep learning made its appearance, and the performance of AI improved in many fields including image recognition, natural language processing, and speech recognition using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and other models. In 2017, the innovative Transformer model that revamped conventional neural networks appeared achieving a level of performance greatly exceeding existing models. It is said that the present progress in AI could not have occurred without Transformer.Following the presentation of the paper, AI studies using Transformer architecture were announced one after another. In addition to high speed and high performance, Transformer features a significant improvement in accuracy as the scale of training data increases, which has also brought about scale-related competition in AI models. In 2018, OpenAI announced the initial version of its generative pre-trained transformer (GPT), a large language model, and has been releasing updated versions ever since. As AI that can carry on conversations like a human, the number of users of ChatGPT appearing in 2022 topped 100 million in less than three months after its release. In addition to being talked about as AI that can foster innovation in a variety of fields including business, work, education, medical care, and everyday life, it also gave rise to discussions on ethical matters. Open AI also announced DALL-E, an image generation system, and Whisper, a speech recognition model. In 2018, Google announced a natural language processing model called BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers), which was followed up by ViT (Vision Transformer) specializing in image recognition. Then, in 2023, it announced Gemini (formerly known as Bard), a generative artificial intelligence chatbot. These eight individuals who presented Transformer that changed the history of AI have since left Google. Seven of them have founded their own start-ups and all but one of these companies conduct business based on Transformer technology.Transformer not only broke through the limitations of what were advanced technologies at that time like RNN and LSTM but also enabled the seamless integration of diverse types of data in multimodal AI while greatly improving the capabilities of AI systems. Although deep learning gave rise to AI-based innovation from around 2010, Transformer can be called the second great innovation in the sense of revamping existing neural networks. The present spread of generative AI using Transformer as base technology and its impact on society has been huge, and in view of these achievements, these eight members of the Transformer team are deserving recipients of the C&C Prize.For additional information, please visit The NEC C&C Foundation website at: www.candc.or.jp/en/index.html About The NEC C&C FoundationThe NEC C&C Foundation is a non-profit organization established in March 1985 to foster further growth in the electronics industry by encouraging and supporting research and development activities and pioneering work related to the integration of computers and communications technologies, that is, C&C, and ultimately to contribute to the world economy and the enrichment of human life. The Foundation is funded by NEC Corporation.The Foundation currently has two main activities. It presents the annual C&C Prizes to recognize outstanding contributions to R&D activities and pioneering work in the area of C&C. Candidates are recommended from all over the world. Each prize winner receives a certificate, a plaque, and a cash award (ten million yen per group). As of 2024, 129 prominent persons had received the prize.The Foundation also gives the following two grants: (1) grant to enable researchers in Japan to attend international conferences overseas to make presentations in the field of C&C and (2) grant to researchers in a doctorial course at a graduate school in Japan.For additional information, please visit The NEC C&C Foundation website at: www.candc.or.jp/en/index.html About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at www.nec.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Toyota City, Japan, Oct 11, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team will continue its chase for the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship on challenging roads across Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria when the Central European Rally takes place on October 17-20.2024 GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRIDBy achieving a magnificent maximum score on the previous round in Chile, TGR-WRT more than halved the gap to the manufacturers’ championship lead from 35 to 17 points with two rounds remaining. Both of the final events are made up of demanding asphalt roads – as the WRC returns to the surface for the first time since the Croatia Rally in April – with the second edition of the cross-border Central European Rally to be followed by the season finale at Rally Japan in November.Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans both remain in mathematical contention for the drivers’ championship and are joined in the team’s line-up for the Central European Rally by the returning Takamoto Katsuta. Following impressive first drives in the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID on the gravel stages of Finland and Chile, rising star Sami Pajari once more lines up in an additional fourth entry for his first experience on asphalt at the highest level.The Central European Rally made its WRC debut one year ago, becoming the first round to ever feature stages driven in three different countries. The character of the stages varies from one region to another and the weather – in the middle of the European autumn – can also be changeable, making the roads more slippery with rain, mud and leaves.As in 2023, the rally begins from the Czech capital city, Prague. This year, shakedown will also be held on the edge of the city on Thursday morning before the ceremonial start in the capital’s famous castle district. The opening super special stage follows at the Velká Chuchle horse racing course, before a longer stage in the evening near the town of Klatovy. The same test is run twice more on Friday together with two other stages on Czech roads – which are especially bumpy and narrow yet fast in nature. There are opportunities for remote service to begin the morning and mid-afternoon, before cars return to the service park in Karpfham, to the south-west of the German city of Passau, at the end of the day.Saturday is the longest day of the rally with 123.46 competitive kilometres to be driven across two loops of three stages spanning Germany and Austria. The middle stage of the loop, Beyond Borders, begins in Germany and ends in Austria. Sunday’s finale features a pair of stages run twice on German roads before the final podium in Passau.The GR Yaris Rally2 car will be seen in WRC2 action in the hands of the top-seeded Czech driver, Filip Mareš, entered and run by ACCR Toyota Dolák.For more information, visit https://toyotagazooracing.com/wrc/release/2024/rd12-preview/. About Toyota Toyota strives to be a strong corporate citizen, engaging with and earning the trust of its stakeholders, and to contribute to the creation of a prosperous society through all its business operations.Our corporate principles form the basis of our initiatives, reflect values that enable action, and drive our mindset.For the latest Toyota-related news and information:https://tinyurl.com/ToyotaPressReleasenewsroom@global.toyota Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Toyota City, Japan, Oct 11, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Honda released an overview of the RTL ELECTRIC competition trial bike, to compete in the 2024 MFJ(1) All Japan Trial Championship Series, starting with the 6th round in Wakayama/Yuasa on October 13, 2024.RTL ELECTRICThe RTL ELECTRIC is being developed as an electric trial bike superior to the Montesa COTA 4RT factory bike, the pinnacle of trial bikes which demand lightness and strength to balance and operate in the most demanding situations, which contributed to Toni Bou’s unprecedented 18 consecutive Trial World Championship titles.For the power unit, the RTL ELECTRIC is equipped with the CR ELECTRIC PROTO electric motocross bike’s battery which has been optimized for trial use. The motor is integrated with an inverter. Honda is aiming to achieve high output performance with a view to future participation in the World Trial Championship. The RTL ELECTRIC is also equipped with a clutch, flywheel and transmission, essential for trials.The frame is newly developed based on the aluminum twin tube that has a proven track record with Honda’s RTL series of competition trial bikes. The frame’s rigidity is optimized for riding stability and weight reduction. The swing arm is also newly developed based on the RTL series, contributing to weight reduction. Furthermore, EV component placement has been optimized to position the center of gravity so that it is ideal for trial riding, aiming to realize intuitive maneuverability.Honda is committed to the electrification of motorcycles as the mainstay of its future environmental strategy, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality in all of its products and corporate activities by 2050, and in all of its motorcycle products by the 2040s. In motorsports, the CR ELECTRIC PROTO competed as a wildcard entry in last year’s All Japan Motocross Championship (JMX), and is competing in the FIM(2) E-Xplorer World Cup, a worldwide competition for electric off-road bikes, from this year. By competing in trials with electric bikes, Honda aims to further enhance its technologies.(1) MFJ: Motorcycle Federation of Japan(2) Féderation Internationale de MotocyclismeFor more imformation, visit https://global.honda/en/topics/2024/2_2024-10-11eng.html. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Toyota City, Japan, Oct 11, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced today that they have concluded a basic agreement on entering a technical partnership concerning MoneyGram Haas F1 Team vehicle development and collaborative efforts. Through this partnership, the two sides aim to contribute to the development of the automotive industry by creating an environment in which young Japanese drivers, engineers, and mechanics can gain experience and grow in the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), the pinnacle of motorsports.TGR continues to compete in motorsports to hone the three essential elements of car manufacturing: people, pipeline*, and product. In the "driver-first" carmaking strongly advocated by Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, aka Morizo, cars are repeatedly broken and fixed in the arena of motorsports, and professional driver feedback is thoroughly incorporated into the development of production vehicles. In recent efforts to strengthen this approach, there is a growing need to enhance people by developing drivers, engineers, and mechanics, to effectively use the pipeline of data analysis and utilization, and to apply insights gained to products through vehicle development. Through the technical partnership announced today, TGR intends to further strengthen people and learn MoneyGram Haas F1 Team's pipeline, which is one of the team's strengths in F1, to accelerate the creation of ever-better motorsports-bred cars.Specifically, the agreement entails the participation in MoneyGram Haas F1 Team test drives by TGR training drivers, engineers, and mechanics. This will enable the drivers to gain driving experience in F1, and it will allow the engineers and mechanics to learn how to analyze vast amounts of data, such as driving data, to effectively operate a pipeline for such at TGR. The agreement also entails the participation of TGR engineers and mechanics in MoneyGram Haas F1 Team racing car aerodynamics development to cultivate human resources―by having participants design and manufacture carbon-fiber parts in simulated extreme operational environments―who can play active roles on the front lines of the pinnacle of motorsports and reflect the technology and knowledge acquired in production vehicles.Sharing a desire to contribute to motorsports and the automotive industry through human resource development, TGR and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team intend to continue their initiatives for strengthening their racing teams.*The know-how and infrastructure for multi-point sharing of vast amounts of data, such as ongoing-race driving data, immediately analyzing such data, and promptly utilizing it in strategic planning for the race at handAbout Toyota Toyota strives to be a strong corporate citizen, engaging with and earning the trust of its stakeholders, and to contribute to the creation of a prosperous society through all its business operations.Our corporate principles form the basis of our initiatives, reflect values that enable action, and drive our mindset.For the latest Toyota-related news and information:https://tinyurl.com/ToyotaPressReleasenewsroom@global.toyota Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 11, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. (Dongfeng Honda), a Honda automobile production and sales joint venture in China, today held a ceremony to commemorate the start of operation of its new energy vehicle (NEV) production plant in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.The ceremony was attended by a number of guests and executives including representatives of Wuhan City and Hubei Province governments; Yang Qing, Chairman of Dongfeng Motor Corporation; Toshihiro Mibe, Global CEO of Honda; and Masayuki Igarashi, Managing Executive Officer of Honda and Chief Officer in charge of Regional Operations (China).The Dongfeng Honda NEV production plant is the first dedicated Honda electric vehicle (EV) production plant in the world to begin operations. A highly efficient EV production line was realized by increasing the level of automation, mainly in the assembly process, and also by integrating quality and various operational data obtained in each process within the plant. Moreover, through the introduction of a multi-level automated warehouse and automation of parts logistics, this plant became the first Honda plant in the world to completely eliminate logistics personnel in the stamping process.As for environmentally-responsible features, the overall energy consumption of the plant was reduced through various measures including the reduction of electricity use with the adoption of an efficient daylighting layout, as well as the utilization of thermal energy generated during production for heating systems and other purposes. In addition, through the real-time monitoring of the energy consumption of each process within the plant, excess electricity consumption will be reduced depending on the situation. Furthermore, Dongfeng Honda will strive to further reduce the plant’s environmental footprint by linking the respective data on each process and optimizing overall power consumption, while minimizing the impact on production.Dongfeng Honda NEV production plantHonda has set a global environmental goal of “realizing carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050.”In China, Honda is planning to introduce a total of 10 Honda-brand EV models by 2027, including models for the e:N Series launched in 2022, as well as the Ye Series, a next-generation EV series Honda unveiled in April 2024. With these EV models, Honda is aiming to achieve 100% EV sales in China by 2035.Comments by Toshihiro Mibe, Global CEO of HondaIt is our great pleasure to hold an opening ceremony for the first dedicated Honda EV production plant which just started operation. Honda will operate this new plant smoothly and stably and provide high-quality EV models to our customers in China, through which we will continue our pursuit to “Expand the Joys for our customers and society.” Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 11, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - National University Corporation OITA UNIVERSITY ("Oita University") and Hitachi High-Tech Corporation ("Hitachi High-Tech") today announced that we have started conducting research ("this research") into predicting and extendingthe life of electrocatalysts used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC), utilizing Hitachi High-Tech’s technology that uses AI to perform image analysis. We will be giving a joint presentation on the contents of this research at The Chemical Society of Japan Autumn Event 14th CSJ Chemistry Festa 2024, which will be held at Tower Hall, Funabori (Tokyo) from October 22 to 25, 2024.Kinumoto Laboratory at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Oita University is involved in research initiatives using the Identical Location Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (IL-FE-SEM)*1 of Oita university's proprietary technology to figure out the degradation mechanism of PEFC electrocatalysts and develop robust PEFC.This research is part of the Green Technologies for Excellence (GteX)*2 project of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).Hitachi High-Tech develops, manufactures, and sells electron microscopes, so has a wealth of expertise in the analysis of observation images, also solves problems faced by customers using informatics technologies, Materials Informatics (MI) and Process Informatics (PI)*3. Hitachi High-Tech has drawn on these strengths and combined them with AI and SEM image analysis technologies to provide support for Oita University’s PEFC research and development.Including with this research, Oita University and Hitachi High-Tech aim to continue working to accelerate efforts to develop longer-lasting PEFC going forward and contribute to solving social issues such as by achieving carbon neutrality and a decarbonized society.BackgroundPEFC are a type of fuel cell that use polymer materials as the electrolyte*4 to generate electricity (energy) by causing chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen at two electrodes. Fuel cells of all kinds are increasingly used as a form of sustainable energy that can reduce CO2 emissions and, among those, PEFC are also used in everyday applications such as vehicle and household power sources. As the achievement of carbon neutrality becomes recognized as a key issue facing society, it is predicted that PEFC will become increasingly necessary. To that end, however, PEFC in their current state need to be higher durability, with higher output, and lower in cost. This research aims to shed light on the mechanism behind the degradation of electrocatalysts, which is the utmost important issue in prolonging PEFC life, by using AI technology to analyze FE-SEM observation images and make more efficient analysis based on quantitative data possible.Overview of this ResearchThis research used Oita University's IL-FE-SEM technology and Hitachi High-Tech's AI- powered image analysistechnology to study electrocatalyst durability and surface degradation through accelerated degradation tests in which a pulse voltage is repeatedly applied to the PEFC electrocatalysts.*5In order to figure out the deterioration mechanism, in which there is a reduction in the electrochemical surface area (ECSA)*6 of the electrocatalytic platinum particles, Oita University is using IL-FE-SEM technology to visually inspectand analyze the platinum particles in observation images. However, although it is possible to use IL-FE-SEM technology to acquire a large volume of observation images, this has its problems in that there is a tremendous workload involved in analyzing all of the observation images due to there being hundreds of platinum particles present in each individual image. To resolve this problem, Hitachi High-Tech provided AI-driven image analysis technology to streamline the task of image analysis. Specifically, AI image analysis was used to detect*7 platinum particles present in each test. After the particles were detected in the images that had been taken, changes in the status of the particles (their disappearance, aggregation, or formation) could be tracked and the particle count automatically determined.Going forward, the researchers will continue to work to improve particle detection accuracy and make advancements in figuring out the degradation mechanism of more efficient PEFC, as both Oita University and Hitachi High Tech will push ahead and continue to work together to develop long-lasting PEFC. They will also contribute to the cultivation ofdata scientists with a grounding in chemistry by working together with the students of Oita University on pushing this analysis forward.This research is being performed through technical collaboration with Hitachi Co., Ltd. (“Hitachi”), and the presentation at CSJ Chemistry Festa 2024 is planned to be performed jointly by Oita University, Hitachi High-Tech, and Hitachi.Related Information- CSJ Chemistry Festa 2024 https://festa.csj.jp/2024/index.html (Japanese only)- The date and time of the presentation on this research: Wednesday, October 23, 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM within the Festa plan, student poster presentations*8.- Presentation topic: “Analysis of Degradation of Pt/C Electrocatalysts for PEFC using Identical Location FE-SEM Observation and AI Image Analysis”(1) Identical Location Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (IL-FE-SEM): It refers to the observation of a fixed-point using FE-SEM and is a technology independently developed by Oita University. Observing a fixed-point can be used effectively in research tracking and figuring out changes in physical matter.(2) Green Technologies for Excellence (GteX): A project by JST for supporting R&D and personnel development at universities, National Research and Development Agencies and similar institutions with the aim of continually creating new technologies targeted toward achieving GX (green transformation).(3) Materials Informatics (MI) and Process Informatics (PI): Initiatives to make materials development more efficient by using informatics techniques that leverage statistical analysis and other such methodologies. MI is often used to predict material properties or for design purposes, while PI is often used to streamline the production process.(4) Electrolytes: A substance used to move ions between electrodes and facilitate an electrochemical reaction.(5) Durability testing using an accelerated degradation test (ADT). ADT rapidly evaluates fuel cell durability by applying a constant potential pulse to a sample. FE-SEM was used to image the same location on the catalyst surface to study the degradation in the cathode catalyst surface occurring over repeated tests.(6) Electrochemical surface area: It refers to the surface area over which the reaction occurs, and it serves as an important metric when evaluating the performanceof catalysts and electrode materials. The larger the electrochemical surface area, the higher the electrochemical reaction efficiency.(7) Detected particles using semantic segmentation. Semantic segmentation assigns labels to each and every pixel in an image, enabling a precise level of detection even across wide image areas.(8) Student poster presentations: A student poster session will be held with the objective of encouraging discussion between students and industry, academia, and government representatives.About Hitachi High-TechHitachi High-Tech, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is engaged in activities in a broad range of fields, including manufacture and sales of clinical analyzers, biotechnology products, radiation therapy systems, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, analytical instruments, and analysis equipment. Also, we provide high value-added solutions in industrial fields such as mobility, connected, environment and energy, etc. Through business based on our core Observation, Measurement and Analysis technologies, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by solving social issues.The company's consolidated revenues for FY2023 were approx. JPY 670.4 billion. For further information, visit https://www.hitachi-hightech.com/global/en/About Oita UniversityOita University has a Faculty of Education, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science andTechnology, and Faculty of Welfare and Health Science. The university's Basic Policy state that it strives to “foster people rich in creativity, social abilities, and humanity through education and research in the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. In addition, it will actively contribute to peace and development in the world. It will play an active role in promoting human welfare and creating new culture.” This initiative is being conducted at theFaculty of Science and Technology, where research and development targeted at achieving carbon neutrality is conducted, including research into fuel cells.Contact:Takumi SenbaMaterial Solution Dept., Supply Chain Resilience Div.,Supply Chain Platform Business Group, Hitachi High-Tech CorporationEmail : mi-info.aj.ml@hitachi-hightech.com/ Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 11, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - NEC Security, Ltd., an NEC Group company, has been commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to conduct cybersecurity capacity building exercises for Pacific island countries. Exercises were first conducted in Fiji for seven days from October 2 to 10, 2024, with 29 cybersecurity practitioners from government agencies and critical infrastructure operators from 13 countries participating. Additional training is scheduled to take place in the United States territory of Guam in February 2025.In recent years, international cooperation is indispensable for ensuring the success of cybersecurity measures that are implemented across national borders. In order to reduce cybersecurity risks for the entire world, it is important to support the building of cybersecurity capabilities in developing countries, including the Indo-Pacific region, which occupies an important geographical position.Since the opening of the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC)(1) in 2018, NEC has supported the project’s operations through initiatives that include the coordination of approximately 30 cyber exercises for ASEAN member countries. Utilizing this knowledge, instructors and tutors from NEC Security, a cybersecurity specialist, are providing training tailored to the current state and needs of cybersecurity in Pacific island countries. Specifically, after participants conduct more than one month of online pre-study, NEC Security’s program includes five days of incident response training in the event of a cyberattack, thereby contributing to the building of practical cybersecurity capabilities.SummaryDate, time and place: - 1st Session: October 2, 2024 ~ October 10, 2024, Fiji- 2nd Session: February 2025, Guam, USATarget Audience: - Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Cook Islands- Cybersecurity practitioners serving government officials and critical infrastructure operatorsOrganizer: Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and CommunicationsContents of the event: - 1 month or more of online pre-study- Incident response training, review of pre-learning and desktop exercises- Cyber exercise using CYDER(2) (5 days hands-on)Going forward, NEC and NEC Security will continue to contribute to the improvement of cybersecurity capabilities by providing cyber defense exercises, products and services to government agencies and critical infrastructure companies internationally.Under the value-delivery model “NEC BluStellar”(3), NEC is transforming business models with cutting-edge technologies to help solve challenges for customers and society.(1) The ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) was opened by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in September 2018 to promote the development of cybersecurity human resources for ASEAN member countries.(2) The Cyber Defense Exercise with Recurrence (CYDER) is a hands-on, practical cyber defense exercise conducted by Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) for information system personnel from national administrative agencies, local governments, independent administrative agencies, and critical infrastructure operators.(3) NEC provides end-to-end services for digital transformation (DX) through the "NEC BluStellar" value-delivery model. NEC BluStellar transforms business models to address social and business challenges by applying diverse industry insights and world-leading technological expertise to the entire DX process, from customer strategy consultation through implementation.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 10, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), MC Retail Energy Co., Ltd. (MC Retail Energy), Kaluza Japan and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) are pleased to announce our official commencement of an electric-vehicle (EV) smart-charging service leveraging connected technologies. The commercial viability of this business, which is the first of its kind in Japan1, was verified during a proof of concept (PoC2) that began in February 2024. The objectives of the PoC were to refine both the level of service provided and precision of the app used by its customers.Features of this ServiceThis service makes it possible for owners of MMC's Outlander PHEVs3 to directly control the charging of their vehicles from an advanced energy software platform provided by Kaluza Japan via MMC's connected systems4. It offers customers a new EV-charging experience, as it can optimize charging in line with electricity prices. The service will be made available through subscriptions to MC Retail Energy's EV smart-charging plans for households. Benefits to Customers:- Daily Smart ChargingSimply by connecting their Outlander PHEVs to their home charging stations and using the smartphone app to set the time they intend to next use their vehicles, customers can instruct the system to automatically control when their vehicles are charged. They do not need to purchase any special equipment or follow any complicated procedures.- Points System Based on Use of Controlled Charging (electricity discounts)Some of the cost savings realized by using this service to optimize charging via MC Retail Energy's smart-charging plans will be returned to the customer in the form of electricity-bill discounts.Benefits to Society:- Effective Use of Renewable Energies (renewables)Electricity prices fluctuate based on power generation and demand, and they tend to be lower when a lot of electricity is generated by renewables. As this system factors those prices into the timing of its controlled EV charging, it will make an indirect contribution to using renewables more effectively.- Efficient "Peak-hour" ShiftsBy controlling charging, this service will also help to shift the hours of peak electricity loads to facilitate more efficient operation of Japan's energy grid, which will lessen the burden on society when costs are incurred in upgrading or expanding that infrastructure.For more information, visit www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/pr/archive/2024/html/0000054825.html.Inquiry Recipient:Mitsubishi CorporationTelephone:+81-3-3210-2171 Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 10, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Lexus brings new enhancements to the LX and introduces the LX 700h, featuring the brand's newly developed hybrid system, which was announced on October 10th. A phased rollout across various regions is scheduled to begin in late 2024.Since its founding in 1989, Lexus has consistently upheld a spirit of innovation, continually striving to provide customers with new technologies and value. With the aim of achieving a carbon-neutral society and the desire to enrich automotive lifestyles with one's car, we will continue to provide a diverse range of options to meet the needs of customers around the world.The LX is a flagship SUV based on the concept of "effortless and refined driving on any road around the world." It combines driving performance that can handle any road in the world, while still providing the signature refined comfort of a Lexus. It is now beloved by customers in over 50 countries across the globe.At the same time, it was also the only model in the Lexus lineup that did not have an electrified vehicle option.Introducing the LX 700h, Lexus has developed a new parallel hybrid system that prioritizes preserving the "reliability," "durability," and "off-road performance" that the LX series has cultivated over generations, even amidst the shift to electrification. By utilizing motor torque to achieve the signature Lexus driving experience, annual CO2 emissions across all global vehicles will be significantly reduced, further improving environmental performance.Lexus has further refined its distinctive Lexus Driving Signature by enhancing the core fundamentals, including the engine model. The "engaging driving dialogue" that reacts instantly to driver inputs has been further refined while the vehicle has been upgraded with the latest Lexus Safety System + (LSS+) for enhanced safety and peace of mind.To further meet the diverse needs of our global customers, we have added the new OVERTRAIL series. With the early launch of the GX and NX OVERTRAIL models, we will continue to expand the lineup of the LEXUS OVERTRAIL PROJECT.Takami Yokoo, Lexus International Chief EngineerIn 2021, the LX underwent a full model change based on the concept of "effortless and refined driving on any road," earning widespread acclaim from customers worldwide, for which we are sincerely grateful. However, it posed a challenge within the Lexus lineup, as it remained the only model without an electrified option―despite our commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral society. For those of us who have been deeply involved with the LX over the years, electrifying it for use in demanding global environments seemed both an immense challenge and a long-held aspiration.During development, we were determined in our commitment not to compromise the reliability, durability, and off-road performance that has defined previous LX models, even with electrification. Our goal was to ensure safe, reliable operation, allowing customers to return home safely, while preserving the true Lexus driving experience. The solution we reached, as a unified development team, was the development of a new parallel hybrid system along with upgrades to the GA-F platform.Three years after the release of the gasoline and diesel models, we have further refined the Lexus Driving Signature, while enhancing both safety and comfort features. Our extensive ongoing driving flavor refinements have been fully integrated into the HEV models, elevating the "engaging driving dialogue" with the car. With updates to the electronic platform and the latest enhancements to LSS+, we have introduced improvements that make driving even more effortless and refined. We invite you to experience the new LX, thoughtfully crafted with the passion and dedication of our development team, as we embrace the next chapter of electrification with the HEV models.For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/lexus/41628808.html. Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Special Exhibition: TV Anime Pokémon 1st anniversary event to be held!TOKYO, Oct 10, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The anime exhibition hub, Anime Tokyo Station, which leverages Japanese anime content loved by fans worldwide, has welcomed over 100,000 visitors from Japan and abroad since its opening in October last year.This facility serves as a launch point into the world of anime, where travelers visiting Tokyo from all over the world, specialists, children, and adults alike can gather and enjoy discovering both past masterpieces and the latest popular series.To commemorate its 1st anniversary, a special exhibition for the globally popular TV anime Pokémon will be held. Through displays featuring iconic scenes broadcasted on TV, visitors can relive Pokémon's vibrant history. Additionally, there will be an interactive corner where the two protagonists from "Liko and Roy Channel" come to life and react to visitors.Furthermore, at the end of October, the facility will host a "1st Anniversary Event" featuring the popular voice actors Miina Tominaga and Ryūsei Nakao.Please visit Anime Tokyo Station and indulge yourself in the allure of anime.Symbolic artistic installation on the 1st floor of AnimeInquiries regarding this press releasePublic Relations Office of "Anime Tokyo Station" (Kyodo PR)Contact person: Miri YasudaE-mail: animetokyo-pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp TV Anime Pokémon Special Exhibition- Exhibition OverviewThe new series of the currently airing TV anime Pokémon features a dual protagonist format, centering on a young girl, Liko, and a young boy, Roy, and began airing in April 2023. On Friday, October 11th, a new chapter, "Rayquaza Rising," will commence. This special exhibition will present the world of the TV anime Pokémon and trace the journey of Liko and Roy’s adventures thus far.- Main Exhibition Contents・ ExhibitsOriginal drawings of iconic scenes, panels of the main characters and Pokémon, Liko's pendant, and the ancient Poké Ball, among other items.・ Photo SpotsPhoto spots where visitors can take pictures with characters and Pokémon, including face cutout panels.・ "Liko and Roy Channel" Experience CornerAn interactive experience corner where Liko and Roy react to visitors.- Exhibition PeriodFrom October 26 (Sat), 2024, to February 2 (Sun), 20251st Anniversary Event(1) Date & Time: October 31 (Thu), 2024, 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m. (tentative)(2) Venue: Anime Tokyo Station, 1st Floor (Tokyu Building East Building No. 5, 2-25-5 Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward)(3) Panels:Miina Tominaga (voice actor)Ryūsei Nakao (voice actor)(4) Overview:Talk show and special segments by the panels, congratulatory messages from the voice actors, etc.(5) Participant Application Overview:- Number of participants: 50 (by lottery)- Application period: From October 4 (Fri), 2024, to October 20 (Sun), 2024- Application method: Please apply via the dedicated application form.Please refer to the official Anime Tokyo Station website for more details and applications.*Panels and content are subject to change without notice. Thank you for your understanding. Overview of the Facility- Name: Anime Tokyo Station (abbreviation: Anime Tokyo)- Location: Tokyu Building East Building No.5, 1-2F above ground, B1F below ground (2-25-5, Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo) *4-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station- Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (last admission by 6:45 p.m.)- Closed: Mondays *If Monday is a holiday, the museum will be open on Monday and closed the following day. Also closed on New Year holidays, temporary closures, etc. *Please check the official website before visiting.- Admission: Free- Official website: https://animetokyo.jp/en/Press release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20241010.pdf Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

TOKYO, Oct 10, 2024 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) has announced that Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam Co., Ltd. (hereafter, MMV) held a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on October 8 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the start of operations of MMV, which is a local subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors.Mitsubishi Motors went into business in Vietnam when the country’s automotive industry began taking shape in 1994, partnering with Mitsubishi Corporation and Vietnamese partners to establish the production and sales company that preceded MMV in order to contribute to the development of Vietnam's economy. Along with the automotive market growth in Vietnam, MMV has become one of the key enterprises supporting Mitsubishi Motors’ growth strategy in ASEAN.In fiscal year 2023, the Xpander, a seven-seat MPV that has been praised by Vietnamese customers for its advanced design and user-friendliness, was the best-selling vehicle in Vietnam, while the Xforce, a compact SUV launched in March 2024, ranked third in its first month of sales. MMV’s sales volume in fiscal year 2023 was about 30,000 units.These vehicles have continued to enjoy strong sales in fiscal year 2024. The Xpander ranked among the top three vehicles in sales for four consecutive months up to July, and the Xforce was the best-selling vehicle for two consecutive months since July. The new Triton was introduced to the Vietnamese market in September with the aim of achieving further growth in sales volume.Takao Kato, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors said, “Mitsubishi Motors has been developing together with the Vietnamese market since its automotive industry started taking shape, and it has now become an important base that contributes to our company’s growth. Going forward, we will strive for further expansion in production and sales in support of the development of the automotive industry and the local economy in Vietnam.”About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) — a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan — is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 28,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan and the ASEAN region. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification — launched the i-MiEV, the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV, the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. With a target of increasing the sales ratio of electrified vehicles to 100% by 2035, Mitsubishi Motors will deliver models that embody Mitsubishi Motors-ness and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company's website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/ Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.