➀ A major Japanese travel agency has announced plans to launch a point-to-point transport service connecting Tokyo and New York in just 60 minutes via outer space.
➁ The service, set to launch in the 2030s, is a partnership between Nippon Travel Agency Co. and Innovative Space Carrier Inc.
➂ The ticket price for a round trip is expected to be 100 million yen (approximately $657,000).
➀ Robert Friedland, a renowned resource investor, warns at the GSIS security conference in Hamburg about China's strategic use of rare earth metals as a tool of power.
➁ China's export controls on seven rare earths and certain magnets have affected industries in the US and Europe, with potential shortages of samarium and terbium, crucial for aerospace and ship navigation systems.
➂ Japan demonstrates the efficiency of recycling to secure rare earth supplies, with 60% of the annual demand for gallium met through recycling.
➃ Europe's reliance on China for rare earth supply is over 90%, and the need for a European strategic reserve is emphasized.
➄ The European Union is urged to invest in rare earth mining and processing to match China and the US, with a potential for significant investment opportunities.
➅ Only 2.5% of the annual US consumption of rare earths is used in the defense industry, the limited impact of potential shortages on military applications.
➀ Interstellar Technologies raised $61.8 million in Series F funding from investors including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., SPARX, and Japanet Holdings;
➁ Funds will accelerate production of its ZERO orbital rocket and satellite communications, aligning with Japan's space infrastructure goals for autonomous driving and smart logistics;
➂ The company aims to replicate SpaceX's vertically integrated model, advancing both launch vehicles and satellite networks under Japan's SBIR program.
➀ Japan hosts the third highest number of active U.S. troops deployed overseas, with 52,852 personnel;
➁ The total number of active U.S. personnel overseas is 165,830 as of June 2024, increasing to 1,294,191 when including those in the U.S.;
➂ This figure includes all branches of the military, State Department personnel, and excludes temporary duty and contingency operation personnel.
➀ The historical development of Japan's electronics industry from the Meiji Restoration to the present day, focusing on the rise and fall of key companies like Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba.
➁ The impact of the internet and smartphones on the global supply chain and the decline of Japan's consumer electronics industry.
➂ The strategic transformation of Japanese electronics brands and new positions in the international division of labor.
➀ Rapidus faces funding issues as it prepares to produce its first prototype chips next month.
➁ The company requires $32 billion for 2nm chip production by 2027, but has only secured $9.6 billion.
➂ The Japanese government plans to contribute an additional $674 million this year and is facing pressure to explain how the remaining $27 billion will be raised.
➀ The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported that January 2025 semiconductor sales reached $56.5 billion, up 17.9% year-on-year compared to January 2024;
➁ Despite a slight decline from December 2024, the global semiconductor market maintained momentum in January, achieving its highest monthly sales total for the month of January;
➂ Sales increased by more than 17% year-on-year for the ninth consecutive month, with a significant increase of 50.7% in sales to the Americas.
➀ This article lists the ten most technologically advanced countries in the world as identified by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
➁ The countries include Japan, South Korea, the United States, Germany, China, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Finland.
➂ The article does not provide a detailed analysis of each country's technological advancements but highlights their overall technological capabilities.
➀ Diamond semiconductors are poised to become the future king of semiconductor materials due to their exceptional physical properties like hardness, acoustic velocity, thermal conductivity, and Young's modulus.
➁ Diamond semiconductors are highly suitable for power semiconductors due to their excellent dielectric breakdown strength, high thermal conductivity, and high-frequency operation capability.
➂ Japan is leading in the research and development of diamond semiconductor materials, with companies like Orbray and Saga University making significant breakthroughs.
➃ Diamond semiconductors have potential applications in communication satellites, nuclear power, and quantum computing.
➄ The United States and Europe are also actively investing in diamond semiconductor research and development, with companies like Diamond Foundry and DIAMFAB making advancements.
➅ China is also making progress in diamond semiconductor research and development, with companies like Hefeng Diamond and Shangtian Xuan Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd. leading the way.
➀ Japan is allocating an additional ¥1.5 trillion ($9.9 billion) for chip and AI development, including funding for Rapidus Corp's moonshot foundry project.
➁ The budget includes ¥1.05 trillion for next-generation chips and quantum computer research, and ¥471.4 billion for domestic advanced chip production.
➂ Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has pledged over ¥10 trillion in support for chips and AI by fiscal 2030, emphasizing the importance of domestic semiconductor production for economic security.
➀ Japan's government is accelerating the development of its advanced chip manufacturing industry, planning to invest 200 billion yen ($1.9 billion) in chipmaker Rapidus in the fiscal year 2025 to stimulate further investment and financing from the private sector.
➁ Rapidus aims to achieve mass production of 2nm chips by 2027, requiring a total investment of up to 5 trillion yen. The Japanese government has agreed to provide 920 billion yen in subsidies, but the remaining 4 trillion yen gap is a focus of attention.
➂ The government plans to support the company's financing through guarantees of debt and investments by state institutions, and aims to include this proposal in the upcoming economic stimulus plan.
➀ Photoresist is a critical material for chip manufacturing, with Chinese companies making significant progress in breaking international monopolies.
➁ The article explains the working principle of photoresist and its applications in various industries.
➂ It highlights the progress made by Chinese companies in the field of photoresist, including the success of some domestic companies in developing and producing various types of photoresist.
➃ However, it emphasizes the significant gap between Chinese and Japanese photoresist technologies, particularly in the high-end and advanced markets.
➄ The article discusses the reasons behind the strength of Japanese photoresist companies and suggests that Chinese companies need to focus on research and development, industrialization, and building an industry ecosystem to catch up.
