Is it a good idea to slap QR Codes on Japan’s road signs for self-driving cars? Will unions be able to halt A.I. from taking jobs from the Japanese? How far will Japan go to acquire automated defense capabilities? Show Notes JAPAN Parasitic worms 'manipulate' praying mantises onto asphalt roads: Japan researchers SOCIETY 5.0 In the age of autonomous driving, road signs may become "QR codes" List of anticipated use cases Tobu Railway has announced its intention to introduce new autonomous trains on the Daishi Line. Sekisui House launches Japan's first "AI Clone Owner" service that allows home buyers to easily consult with the owner via chat DXYZ's facial recognition platform "FreeiD" introduced to Pressance Corporation's "Presance Grand Kyoto Kawaramachi," the first condominium in the Kansai region to use all facial recognition technology Japan audio industry calls for appropriate use of AI as voice actors air frustrations SoftBank taps Nvidia for Japanese 'AI grid' project Prime Minister Ishiba plans to provide more than 10 trillion yen in public support to the AI and semiconductor industry over seven years Microsoft Research Asia – Tokyo established Hello Work to use artificial intelligence (AI) to list job vacancies AI-equipped unmanned demonstration aircraft to make first flight in November 2025, Defense Acquisition Agency official reveals at technology symposium "Fire watchtower" equipped with AI camera installed in Oarai Town China's Baidu releases the latest version of its autonomous driving platform "Apollo" to the world North Korea tests exploding drones as Kim calls for mass production DEPOPULATION / MIGRATION 102 local Japan traditions halted or lose folk cultural asset status amid population decline Japan's births likely to fall under 700,000 for 1st time in 2024 Salmon poachers in Hokkaido likely solicited by foreign language ads online SGOTW American tourist accused of defacing gate at Meiji Shrine with fingernails