Cool Japan: Cafeterias and home cooking

 ■ Cool Japan: Cafeterias and home cooking

The “Cafeteria” episode from NHK’s Cool Japan

There is no other country in the world with as many international restaurants as Japan. No country has as many French and Italian flags fluttering in the streets. Tokyo has three times the number of Michelin-starred restaurants than Paris. There are many reasons for this.

Communication

Japanese restaurants place importance on entertainment and communication with the customer. The benches at sushi restaurants are calculated to be of a width that makes communication with the chef as easy as possible. 

Showing the cooking process

The three pinnacles of Japanese cuisine are sushi, tempura and soba. They all trace their roots to standing-only roadside stalls where food is prepared right in front of customers. This has the effect of building trust with the customer about what ingredients are used and how they are prepared. Japanese outlets of an American fried chicken chain were the subject of much chatter as they are the only ones where the cooking process is made visible.

Chain restaurants

Japanese diners expect that the flavor at a chain restaurant will be the same no matter at which restaurant they eat. The flavor of the food is rigorously standardized in the central kitchen. There are chain restaurants in most countries, but a characteristic of Japan is our effort and innovation, which makes it possible to make not just fast food but also cuisine such as Japanese and Italian, which have many complicated dishes.

Restaurant magazines

There have been guidebooks on cafeterias ever since the time of pilgrimages to Ise Shrine in the Edo Period. We have long believed the information written in these guidebooks. Comments, which can be left online by anyone, are of course useful. But information derived from professional research is trustworthy and worth the price tag. This has ensured the popularity of guidebooks.

The ‘Home Cooking’ episode

Perhaps it is due to the negative business conditions, but eating at home is experiencing something of a boom. This is something that has developed with a long history. Japanese cuisine prepared at restaurants is popular around the world. Despite my doubts about whether home cooking can really be ‘cool,’ this is a theme I would like to suggest. 

Overflowing supermarkets

Since the Kamakura Period, Japanese home cooking consisted of one soup and three vegetables. From its very origins it was extremely varied. It also incorporated things from around the world. The evolution of the distribution system brought in new ingredients which were used in cooking. Moreover, everyone cooks. This is all supported by careful service provision at supermarkets. This is certainly ‘Cool Japan.’ 

Websites for posting recipes

Only in Japan could these websites be so popular. There must be no other country in the world where housewives are so concerned about what to make for dinner. What’s more, Japan has one of the highest rates of internet usage, with the world’s largest per-capita amount of posted information. Everyone shares information, improves upon it, and creates their own food. This is very Japanese. 

School cooking classes

Cooking involved a lot of tasks — selecting ingredients, cutting them, putting them together, serving and cleaning up afterwards. It is quite tough. It is a way to come to an understanding of how one’s country’s culture and ingredients are made and how hard parents have to work to provide what students feel comes as a matter of course. Learning in this way allows for the discovery of things that children wouldn't normally notice.

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Cool Japan: Manners and Club Activities

 ■ Cool Japan: Manners and Club Activities

The “Manners” episode from NHK’s Cool Japan

There is no such thing as a global standard for manners. For foreigners, some manners must be impenetrable and confusing. It is not a matter of right or wrong — manners are merely different. Let’s take a look at manners that are thought to be strange. 

Waving goodbye to someone until you can no longer see them

This is seen as part of hospitality and showing concern for the other person. One must not assume that it will be possible to meet again. Each and every meeting and farewell must be taken seriously and the feelings one has for the other person should linger. 

Not crossing legs while seated

The standard for Japanese people is seiza — sitting upright on the floor with legs tucked underneath. There is also a belief that you should not sleep with your feet pointed at an important person and that it is rude for one’s toes or the soles of the feet to be pointed at someone. However, it was only in the Edo period, with the introduction of tatami mats, that seiza became the proper way of sitting. 

No drinking before all superiors have arrived

This is a rule around fitting in in a hierarchical society, no doubt influenced by Confucianism. Drinking must start with a toast and end with a proper recital of ippon jime clapping.

No talking on mobile phones in a train

Trains are a public, social space. Noisy announcements in these public places aren’t an imposition, but private conversations certainly are. This rule relates to consideration for others.

All these — waving until you lose sight, not crossing legs, avoiding phone conversations on the train —  relate to consideration and hospitality. Perhaps it has been taken so far that it seems strange, but isn’t it strange in a cute way? Perhaps strange is fine.

The “Club Activities” episode 

Videos of Japanese bukatsu, or club activities, are quite popular online. Searching for ‘bukatsu’ brings up a large number of hits showing videos from schools across Japan. This is because internationally popular manga and anime like Captain Tsubasa, Slam Dunk, The Prince of Tennis and K-On! include a lot of content about club activities.

Strict club activities

Japanese schools are not merely for studying. They place importance on building character, valuing friendship, operating as part of a group, manners and greetings, collaboration and discipline. They are a place to learn not just about horizontal relationships but hierarchical relationships as well. Teachers, who have to teach these things in addition to the curriculum, have a tough job!

Town revitalization club activities

This is pure love for one’s hometown, rather than something aimed at making profits. These activities are spurred on by a desire to do something for one’s local area. Students are also aware of the issues and crises faced by their local community, including depopulation and aging. By interacting with people in their local community through club activities, they deepen their affection for their local area. In some cases, this has given rise to hit products. How wonderful!

Sumo lifestyle

Schools promote themselves through sport, often leading to people trying to gain entry across school district boundaries. But only a select few can make a living in professional sport. Teachers ensure that students are able to support themselves even if they don’t make it as a professional by ensuring they study and build their character. What a solid system.

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Thinking about education in the age of AI

 ■ Thinking about education in the age of AI

There was a symposium called “Thinking about education in the age of AI.” So, what is education in the age of AI? Japan’s best researchers and members of the business community came together to exchange opinions on this question.

Three participants were luminary leaders in the field of AI research.

One was Dr Inui, Team Leader at RIKEN and Professor at Tohoku University.

Another was Dr Saeki, NICT Center Leader.

Another was Dr Takamura, Team Leader at AIST and Professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Dr Inui commented that he would like to contribute to education by creating AI technology that can understand language. Fostering intellect, judgment and expressiveness requires revisions through feedback. AI technology that can automatically revise and grade will give students more opportunities to write. He says that a workable technology that could support lessons and homework may be available within several years.

Dr Saeki commented that it is possible to develop education-oriented AI that can, for example, assist listening skills to distinguish between the pronunciation of R and L, produce  automatic translations or conduct conversations on social media. However, this requires learning data, human resources and funding. He hopes his research output can be proactively harnessed.

Dr Takamura said that it should be possible to apply AI to detect mistakes and provide corrections, create problems and educational materials as well as create automatic explanations. Technology to automatically correct grammar in English essays has been achieved and it is possible that this could be expanded to other subjects. This requires a massive amount of data and verification is important. For this reason, he has asked for the cooperation of educators and learners alike. 

However, for AI researchers, research on education seems to have been a lower priority than applied research into automobiles, manufacturing and finance. Reasons for this include a separation between researchers and educators as well as a lack of data. However, we are beginning to see the usage of AI falling behind in the same way that the education sector fell behind when it came to usage of IT and digital technologies. This is something the education system must be aware of.

Conservative educators are likely to say that AI and big-data are unnecessary for education (in fact some do actually say this). This is the same argument that was made in the recent past that IT and digital textbooks are not required.

This has led to Japan’s usage of information in the education sector being at the level of a developing country and the educational environment for children falling behind. I do not want to see this situation repeat itself.

With this in mind, there has been an active exchange of opinions regarding issues and possibilities for using AI in the education sector. Problems that remain with collecting data on educational activities include the disclosure and distribution of research data conducted nationally, standards and skills of educators and the protection of private information.

Others voiced the opinion that we must come to a common and clear understanding of the definition of the term ‘AI’ as well as a clarification of what it can and cannot achieve. Furthermore, others have pointed out that we must develop technologies in consideration of how they will be introduced to areas other than adaptive learning and based upon how we want to teach children in our ideal education system. 

Many have expressed their hopes for the promotion of open innovation such that schools are not merely conceived of as limited communities, but rather as an attractive field of research in which industry, governments and academia can collaborate and push forward technological innovation.

Japan, which has come late to the party in terms of use of IT in the education sector, is running a serious risk of being left behind in terms of AI as well. We would not be able to recover should this happen. The time for action is now.

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Open data - third in the world

 ■ Open data - third in the world

I am a group leader for one of VLED’s committees.

The Cabinet Secretariat IT Strategy Office, MIC, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Keidanren, NTT, KDDI, Fujitsu, NEC, Hitachi, IBM, Microsoft, Dentsu, etc.

At the Council for Investments in the Future, Prime Minister Abe announced that he would “forcefully pursue” open data and nominated the time until 2020 as a period for intensive implementation. He went so far as to say in a policy speech to the Diet that “the default is that government data should be disclosed and open to the private sector.”

The Government’s IT Strategy Office reviewed what data it held, discovering 955 statistical data sets. Of these, it released 46% as open data, and a further 40% as partially open data.

On the other hand, the goal of reaching 100% implementation for local governments within two years was set. However, as of the end of last year, only 17% had been achieved. According to MIC, when it asked local governments why they have problems with working on open data, 62% replied that the benefits and outcomes are unclear, and 48% replied that they lacked human resources. I understand that they are conducting training for local government officials as well as serving as an intermediary and source of consultation between local governments and businesses.

I heard about a smartphone app that shares school lunch menus. Mothers can check the app at the supermarket to ensure they don’t make the same menu for dinner. What an eye opener - this is data that mothers can check on their smartphones every day. Creating an open data policy that has users in mind is important.

Some have complained that this app does not take into account what the father had for lunch; other female participants said that their children should eat what they are given even if it is the same as they had for school lunch. The difficulties are obvious. Open data is not simple to achieve.

In international data openness rankings, Japan scored 14th in the OECD in 2014, but had risen to third place in 2016. South Korea is 1st and France 2nd.

In 2012 when I began working on these matters, I threw down the gauntlet to reach top spot. We are now in sight of that goal.

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Telecommunications and broadcasting convergence 2.0: Issues and future trajectory

 ■ Telecommunications and broadcasting convergence 2.0: Issues and future trajectory

Issues can be divided into 1) business issues, 2) technical issues and 3) systemic issues.

1) Business issues

Issues include: how businesses approach the internet; they are not yet conducting live streaming and cannot see a path away from being a business that relies on advertising income; viewing histories are not being used; the issue of copyright processing has been neglected; the business is not keeping up with the fact that the internet is evolving into the realm of big-data and AI.  

2) Technical issues

The limits of terrestrial broadcasting are there for all to see. There have been innovations, such as the division of one digital channel into multiple slots for use as 1seg, but this has lost steam. We have not seen it being used effectively for multiple devices. There is no role for terrestrial broadcasting in the up-and-coming trend of 4K8K.  

3) Systemic issues

A legal framework that allows for combined services and the division of tangible and intangible aspects has been put in place, but examples of this framework being put to use are few and far between. Telecommunications services for the provision of newspapers, etc., via broadcasting bandwidth and new businesses in IoT broadcasting are envisaged. However, a detailed system has not been constructed as such visions have not yet become reality.

I will now introduce three examples to illustrate the trajectory of the field. These are 1) a version of radiko for TV, 2) Osaka Channel and 3) FLATCAST.

1) A version of radiko for TV

Editing and transmission costs can be significantly reduced by developing an IP-based radio-wave and cable-mediated multi-network. A joint-platform for TV networks has been formed. Big data on viewing histories can be fed into AI to direct viewer behavior.

2) Osaka Channel

Yoshimoto Kogyo and NTT Plala launched this smartphone streaming service, which mainly provides Yoshimoto-related programs that were broadcast on terrestrial commercial networks in the Osaka region. It also provides some original content. The monthly fee is set at ¥400. This is a model whereby a production company and a telecommunications business have made a TV platform.

3) FLATCAST

This is a demonstration project in which high-quality video is broadcast using the optic-fiber network. Broadcast video is streamed to multiple devices via IpV6 multicast from Tokyo and Osaka, etc. This uses secure technology such as blockchain, etc.  The Keio Research Institute at SFC took the lead, with cooperation from broadcasting and telecommunications operators, advertising agencies and IT operators, etc.

While not limited just to these, this requires an expansive business design that would be difficult for an individual broadcast network. I would like to see technical demonstration by telecommunications companies and international businesses, as well as requisite deregulation. However, before moving on to technical and systemic issues, I would like to see broadcast networks that are pursuing this route display a mindset of entrepreneurship. This, however, is not simple.

I believe it would be best to sketch out a new vision for media that can deal with ‘convergence 2.0’ in which the media structure and the sector as a whole is changing significantly. I look forward to seeing the design of bold deregulation measures based upon that vision.

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The current state of convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting

 ■ The current state of convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting

I was invited to the investment working group at the Regulatory Reform Council to engage in debate about broadcasting reforms. I made a presentation entitled “Telecommunications and Broadcasting Convergence 2.0.” Let me share a summary of this presentation below.

What is the current state of telecommunications and broadcasting convergence?

Major developments in video services are 1) convergence, 2) smartphones and 3) large screens.

There are three trends: 1) the development of combined telecommunications and broadcasting services, 2) the trend to ‘smartphone-first’ and 3) signage and public viewings for 4K8K.

1) One example of combined services is broadcaster ‘radiko,’ which was formed out of a collaboration between an Osaka radio station and NTT and was launched as an experiment in collaboration between industry and academia here at Keio University. It has since expanded nationwide.

An example of using DTTV bandwidth for telecommunications was led by a consortium called the ‘IPDC Forum’ since 2009 whereby IPDC was spread by overlaying IP onto the broadcasting bandwidth

2) The main battleground has shifted to smartphones

There has been an unmistakable shift to ‘smartphone-first,’ whereby the central device has shifted from the television to the smartphone. There are examples, such as Abama, of broadcasters collaborating with IT companies, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Most services are pursued from the telecommunications side. Since last year, overseas OTT media streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon have taken off. With massive investments in content production, we are starting to see signs of structural change, mainly in the television sector.

3) Digital signage and public viewings through ultra high-definition 4K8K on large screen displays have expanded onto main street 

The ‘Digital Signage Consortium’ was formed 10 years ago and has become a fully-fledged business. The ‘Next Generation Contents Distribution Forum,’ which creates opportunities for 4K8K public viewings around the country, was established last year. In cooperation with MIC, NHK and NTT, there are plans for public viewings in 100 locations throughout 2020. Telecommunications will take the lead on 4K8K.

Now we must turn our attention to three examples from overseas.

1) All-IP, All-cloud media services

Amazon has built a platform upon AMS cloud infrastructure to create a multi-network, multi-device streaming system. Many broadcasting networks around the world have already begun to use it. Some networks are considering shifting entirely to a cloud-based system.

2) A platform in the United Kingdom

BBC and commercial networks have created a joint platform on YouView and FreeviewPlay. This also acts as a way to go head-to-head with OTT media services from the United States such as Netflix and Amazon.

3) Policy Responses in the United States

The way the United States deals with the system through bandwidth auctions and net-neutrality requires attention. In 2016, the FCC transferred bandwidth that was no longer being used by television networks to telecommunications operators, paying television networks a total of $10.5 billion (¥1 trillion). The aim was to promote equipment consolidation amongst regional networks and investment in mobile phone technology. 

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The Government’s new IT strategy

 ■ The Government’s new IT strategy

I asked the Cabinet Secretariat’s IT Strategy Office about the Government’s new IT strategy. Their reply was that they would push ahead with digital reform of Government services.

The three pillars of their approach are:

1. The full digitalization of Government services

2. The full disclosure of Government-held data

3. Laying the foundations of digital reforms

1. The full digitalization of Government services

The goal is to create a society in which all Government services — from start to finish — can be completed digitally. There has been progress toward starting legal reforms in order to eliminate the need for submission of paper-based supporting documents and the full digitalization of social security and taxation procedures. The goal is to propose a comprehensive ‘digital-first’ law for implementation of related matters in one fell swoop.

There are 43,000 types of Government services on offer, of which only 12%, or 5,000 have been moved online. This is because many procedures call for paperwork to be submitted in hard-copy. A certified copy of one’s family register must be procured from city hall when applying for social security benefits or a passport. There are 47 million such applications per year. Each year, there are 200 million applications made that require supporting documents to be attached in hard-copy! The policy is for a complete shift to digital methods, including for these supporting documents.

Moreover, around 0.9% of Government services (395 programs) account for 98% of submitted applications. There is apparently going to be a root-and-branch review of those services that are hardly ever applied for — perhaps they are not necessary.

The following three principles of digitalization have been proposed in order to accelerate this process:

● Digital first: citizens should be able to complete applications for services digitally

● Once only: There should be no need to resubmit paperwork that has already been submitted

● Connected and streamlined: All services should be available in one place

2. The full disclosure of Government-held data

Full disclosure will spur innovation through use of data and the creation of new businesses. A list detailing the data sets held by the Government should be released.

Six years have passed since the start of full data disclosure. There has been a strengthening from recommending disclosure to mandating it. That said, only 20% of all data related to Government services is managed electronically. Only 45% of statistical data sets have been fully disclosed. Only 17% of local governments have made steps toward open data. There is a long way to go.

3. Laying the foundations of digital reforms

We should set out basic rules for national and local Governments and standardizing terms, codes and characters. An issue plaguing the placement of family registers online is the incompatibility of character codes used in systems developed independently by different local governments. The IPA announced at the end of last year that it had completed ISO certification for 60,000 kanji characters. Cooperation on these developments is required.

Furthermore, Government policy is to promote digital reforms by private enterprise and the creation of businesses that harness IT and data. Other areas being pursued are collaborative projects involving agriculture, distribution and ports, etc.; promoting teleworking; use of open-source information in combination with data held by private enterprises; and promoting the sharing economy. 

As a board member of both VLED (and open data foundation) and DTA (a data logistics promotion council), I have been active in promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as being involved with an accreditation scheme at the Sharing Economy Association of Japan. I also have provided backup support to advance the IT strategies of these initiatives. The Cabinet Secretariat IT Office is doing great work in placing pressure on Government Ministries and Agencies as well as collaborating with private enterprise.

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