KARIYA, JAPAN, Jun 27, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - DENSO Corporation today announced it plans to launch a pilot program in July at its Hirose Plant that uses an SOEC(1) (Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell), a DENSO-developed device that produces green hydrogen through electrolysis of high-temperature steam, to help power and increase the sustainability of its manufacturing operations. The trial will incorporate a verification test using the produced green hydrogen in a prototype power card(2) line.Demonstration Facility at the Hirose PlantDENSO for years has pursued initiatives in the three areas of "Monozukuri (manufacturing)," "mobility products" and "energy use" to achieve carbon neutrality. The utilization of hydrogen energy is essential for realizing carbon neutrality as it does not emit CO2 when burned and can generate significant energy. To establish a hydrogen supply chain, DENSO engages in technology development related to producing, storing, transporting, and using hydrogen. As part of these efforts, the Hirose Plant, positioned as a green hydrogen utilization model factory in the semiconductor manufacturing field, will conduct a verification of green hydrogen pr...

TOKYO, Jun 27, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Honda announced an overview of its main teams to compete in 2023 FIM(1) Endurance World Championship "Coca-Cola" Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race 44th Tournament (Suzuka 8 Hours), to be held at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan, on Sunday, August 6, 2023.Team HRC, which brought Honda its first victory in eight years last year, will compete again this year as a Honda factory team(2) with a factory bike based on the CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP. This year, the team will be represented by FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK) riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, and Takumi Takahashi, who is competing in the MFJ(3) All Japan Road Race Championship (JRR) ST1000 class this season. Takahashi was one of the winning riders at last year's event, and a victory this year will be his fifth in total, tying him for the most wins in the Suzuka 8 Hours.2022 EWC series champion F.C.C. TSR Honda France will be represented by its regular riders Josh Hook, Mike Di Meglio and Alan Techer. The team won the season-opening Le Mans 24 hours race, is currently one point behind the series leader, ranked second this season (as of the end of Rou...

Toyota City, Japan, Jun 26, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has achieved an incredible clean sweep of the top four positions on Safari Rally Kenya for the second year in succession: Sebastien Ogier winning the epic African event ahead of team-mates Kalle Rovanpera, Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta.Podium CeremonyTGR-WRT remains unbeaten on the toughest round of the FIA World Rally Championship since it returned to the calendar in 2021, with Toyota's all-time Safari record now extended to 11 victories - 10 of those achieved as part of the WRC.The 1-2-3-4 finish comes 30 years to the month since Toyota first recorded such a result in Kenya with the Celica ST185, something it repeated with the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID in 2022. It's the first time any manufacturer has managed the feat on the same WRC round on three separate occasions, or to do it in two successive editions of a rally.Ogier's second Safari success in three years is also his third victory from five starts so far this season together with co-driver Vincent Landais. They led ever since the first full-length stage of the rally on Friday morning, and came into Sunday with a lead o...

Toyota City, Japan, Jun 26, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota), Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Toyota Tsusho), and Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, Ltd. (Mitsubishi Kakoki) will introduce biogas-derived hydrogen production equipment for the first time in Thailand.The hydrogen production equipment to be introduced will be manufactured by Mitsubishi Kakoki and installed in Thailand in November 2023 to produce hydrogen from biogas derived from local chicken manure and food waste. Toyota and Toyota Tsusho will cooperate on hydrogen production to consider the construction and introduction of an overall system for the compression, storage, and transportation of biogas and hydrogen, as well as the establishment of an operating system.Furthermore, unlike conventional hydrogen production equipment for hydrogen station-related facilities, the three companies and their respective local affiliates will work together and hold discussions to optimize the design for local conditions.This equipment will be used as part of a series of initiatives in the areas of producing, transporting, storing, and using hydrogen.The three companies will continue to utilize Japan's hy...

TOKYO, Jun 23, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has been added to the FTSE4Good Index Series(1) and FTSE Blossom Japan Index(2) for four consecutive years, and to the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index(2) for two consecutive years in recognition of the company's environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. The FTSE4Good Index Series is a globally recognized index that measures the performance of companies in their ESG practices and adds superior companies to their index. It is regarded as one of the important criteria for investors to evaluate companies' ESG initiatives when deciding where to invest. The FTSE Blossom Japan Index was designed to reflect the performance of Japanese companies that demonstrate strong ESG practices. In addition, the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index, designed in 2022, tracks the performance of Japanese companies that, relative to their sector, demonstrate prominent approaches to ESG issues. As well, in order to promote the shift to a decarbonization economy, only companies with high performance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions are included, where the company efforts are measured by the T...

TOKYO, Jun 22, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is pleased to announce the establishment of Eneco Diamond Hydrogen B.V. (Eneco Diamond Hydrogen) to develop green hydrogen and associated renewable energy in Europe. Eneco Diamond Hydrogen, which was officially registered on June 6, 2023, is a joint venture between MC and its subsidiary N.V. Eneco (Eneco), an integrated energy company that is also headquartered in Rotterdam. With global efforts to decarbonize gaining momentum, more and more countries are looking to make renewable energy a larger part of their energy mix. As it can be stored, piped, and otherwise shipped, there are growing expectations surrounding the use of hydrogen as both a fuel alternative and a flexible capacity for power grid. EU has been accelerating the introduction of hydrogen by, for example, setting annual targets of 10 million tons for both its own production and its imports of green hydrogen by 2030.Eneco Diamond Hydrogen develops green hydrogen and associated renewable energy businesses, pivoting from the Netherlands, by taking full advantage of its parents' respective strengths. These include Eneco's lengthy track rec...

Toyota City, Japan, Jun 22, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that it has started offering an upgrade service in Japan that allows customers to swiftly evolve their cars in line with technological innovation as part of its efforts to enhance car value. The service is available for the Prius U Grade.Upgrades and car evolutionToyota Teammate [Advanced Park (with remote function)]Toyota has been offering retrofitting of new equipment that was not installed at the time of purchase through KINTO FACTORY(1). This new upgrade service enables retrofitting of safety and security devices and functions previously unavailable, such as the Advanced Park feature of the Toyota Teammate advanced driving support technologies, to cars equipped with Upgrade Ready Design.Upgrade Ready Design allows future devices and functions to be retrofitted by anticipating the work required for upgrades at the development stage and designing systems in advance that can significantly reduce the time required.Toyota will continue its transformation into a mobility company by expanding upgrade menus and models to evolve cars so that customers can continue driv...

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Jun 22, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mazda Motor Corporation announced that, on June 22, the company started mass production of the European model of the MAZDA MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV at Ujina Plant No. 1 in Hiroshima City. This is Mazda's first mass-production rotary engine vehicle in 11 years since the Mazda RX-8 was discontinued in June 2012. Mazda has cumulatively produced over 1.99 million rotary engine vehicles.The MX-30 e-SKYACTIVE R-EV is a unique plug-in hybrid model. It has an 85 km battery electric driving range(1) sufficient for a wide range of everyday driving needs with the rotary engine generating additional power to extend the driving distance. On top of this, the entire driving range is motor-powered.Introduced in 2020, the MX-30 is Mazda's first mass-production battery electric vehicle, adding both a mild hybrid model and new plug-in hybrid model to Mazda's product lineup. The MX-30 embodies Mazda's multi-solution approach to achieving carbon neutrality. Environmentally-conscious materials were intentionally adopted in the design process, applying cork and fabrics made from recycled materials in ways that bring out their natural appeal...

TOKYO, Jun 22, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Corporation ("MC") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share subscription agreement with Marimaca Copper Corp. ("Marimaca" or the "Company"). Marimaca is a publicly-listed Canadian company focused on the development of the Marimaca Copper Project (the "Project") located in Chile. MC will invest CAD20 million by way of a non-brokered private placement to subscribe for an aggregate 4.64 million units in the Company, with each such unit comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant at a price of CAD4.31 per unit (the "Strategic Investment"). Upon completion of the Strategic Investment, MC will own approximately 5% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis. The Project is located in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile. Since its discovery in 2016, the Company has continued to conduct exploration activities and as a result its resources have steadily increased, as disclosed in the Company's updated mineral resource estimate for the Marimaca Oxide Deposit published on May 18, 2023. The Company plans to prepare a feasibility study with respec...

Osaka and Hiroshima, Japan, Jun 21, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. ("Panasonic Energy") and Mazda Motor Corporation ("Mazda") are pleased to announce that they have agreed to enter into discussions on establishing a medium- to long-term partnership to meet demand for battery EVs and automotive batteries in a rapidly expanding market.Automotive cylindrical lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Panasonic EnergyPanasonic Energy and Mazda will commence concrete discussions with a view toward Panasonic Energy supplying Mazda with automotive cylindrical lithium-ion batteries manufactured at Panasonic Energy's plants in Japan and North America, and Mazda installing batteries procured from Panasonic Energy in battery EVs scheduled to be launched in the latter half of the 2020 decade.Kazuo Tadanobu, President, CEO of Panasonic Energy, stated, "As the automotive industry rapidly advances electrification and is leading in this technology, collaboration with Mazda will be a major step toward the achievement of our mission of realizing a society in which the pursuit of happiness and a sustainable environment are harmonized. With our superior technology and ...

Toyota City, Japan, Jun 21, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that it commenced sales of the all-new Alphard and Vellfire gasoline and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) versions. They were launched on June 21, and to further contribute toward carbon neutrality, we also plan to introduce plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in the future.Toyota launched the Alphard in 2002 during a wave of minivan popularity; positioned as the ultimate Toyota minivan, it was targeted at customers who appreciated luxury. When the second-generation Alphard was released in 2008, the company developed the Vellfire as a new model for customers seeking greater individuality. In 2015, the third-generation Alphard saw the adoption of a new double wishbone rear suspension for exquisite ride comfort, as well as the introduction of a new top-tier Executive Lounge grade. By seeking even greater luxury, Toyota succeeded in transforming the Alphard and Vellfire from minivans into ultra-spacious luxury saloons with greater customer appeal.When designing the improved fourth-generation models, the development team discussed the value they wished the Alphard and Vellfi...

TOKYO, Jun 21, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) will hold the world premiere of the fully redesigned Triton1 one-ton pickup truck in Thailand on July 26.The Triton is Mitsubishi Motors' global strategic model that has been well-received in the ASEAN region, Oceania, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and other markets for its durability, robustness and drivability, as well as comfort and ride quality required for private use. The all-new Triton - the sixth generation of Mitsubishi Motors' midsize pickup truck - is updated with a beefed-up body and a powerful, horizontally-themed styling. At the front, the combination of daytime running lights resembling the sharp gaze of a hawk and a set of three dimensional headlights below emphasizes the impressive presence and robustness of the new model. "The all-new Triton has been completely reimagined under the design concept Beast Mode, or audacious and daring," said Seiji Watanabe, division general manager of design, Mitsubishi Motors. "While expressing the toughness and powerfulness expected of a pickup truck, the all-new Triton combines agility with the brand's rob...

TOKYO, Jun 19, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) has been contracted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through NEC Corporation (Thailand) Ltd. (NEC Thailand) to conduct exercises with the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) in order to develop cybersecurity human resources for ASEAN member countries. NEC, in collaboration with NEC Thailand and NEC Asia Pacific, will hold a variety of hands-on cybersecurity exercises with the AJCCBC, including recovery measures against cyberattacks, and incident response exercises for personnel from governments and critical infrastructure companies based in ASEAN member countries. These exercises will be held four times in Bangkok, Thailand, by December 2023. Moreover, new exercises will also be provided for trainers, aiming for them to conduct local exercises independently in the future. In recent years, technologies and methods have been rapidly evolving, and damage caused by cyberattacks has been expanding on a global scale. However, there is a global shortage of cybersecurity personnel, making the development of human resources and capacity building an important issue...

MANAMA, Bahrain & TOKYO, Jun 19, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The Eazy Financial Services B.S.C (Closed) (EazyPay) and JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., Japan's only international payment brand, have signed an agreement to enable JCB payment acceptance at the bank's POS and e-commerce merchants in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The signing ceremony was held on 12th June 2023 at EazyPay's Hub (EP's Headquarters) in the presence of EazyPay and JCB representatives. The partnership will provide JCB cardholders around the world with greater convenience, allowing them to enjoy the usage of their JCB Cards at all EazyPay merchant outlets across the Kingdom. This is in line with the Kingdom's Economic Vision 2030, to provide customers with a competitive, sustainable and fair environment.Commenting on the partnership, Nayef Al Alawi, founder and CEO of EazyPay, said: "Our aim is to add value, and JCB gives us the opportunity to do that. This comes in harmony with our ongoing commitment & efforts to consistently accelerate our clients cutting-edge technology and innovative payment solutions, driven by our vision of cementing ...

TOKYO, Jun 19, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Fujitsu and Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (hereinafter Mizuho) launched joint verification trials using Fujitsu's generative AI technology to streamline development and maintenance operations of Mizuho's system. The trials will take place between June 19, 2023 and March 31, 2024.Generative AI technologies offer enormous potential to transform the ways we work, and with rigorous verification may soon allow companies to optimize various work processes and tasks.Recognizing the promise of this technology, Mizuho is now exploring ways to incorporate AI in its operations to improve the quality and resilience of its systems during the development and maintenance phase. Fujitsu is actively promoting research and development into generative AI models to support system development and maintenance technology under the framework of its "Fujitsu Kozuchi (code name) - Fujitsu AI Platform," which supports users globally to accelerate the testing and deployment of advanced AI technologies.Within their joint trials, Fujitsu and Mizuho will focus on applying Fujitsu's generative AI technology within the development process of Mizuho's system, ...

TOKYO, Jun 16, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team returns to the legendary Safari Rally Kenya on June 22-25, aiming to continue its proud record of success on the epic African event.2023 GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRIDMarking its 70th anniversary this year, the Safari is known as one of rallying's toughest challenges and made a welcome comeback to the FIA World Rally Championship calendar in 2021. TGR-WRT has won both editions held since - doing so in style last year with an incredible 1-2-3-4 finish that also secured a record-extending 10th victory for Toyota on the event.All four drivers who played a part in that historic result return this year. Reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera (who leads the current standings by 25 points) took victory last year ahead of Elfyn Evans, and they are joined by 2021 winner Sebastien Ogier to form the team's manufacturer line-up. Takamoto Katsuta, who claimed his first WRC podium finishes in Kenya in '21 and '22, drives an additional GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID with the support of the TGR WRC Challenge Program.While the Safari used to be held over incredibly long stages on roads that were still open to the public,...

TOKYO, Jun 16, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Aalok Kumar, Corporate Officer & Sr VP - Head of the Global Smart City Business, NEC Corporation, and President & CEO, NEC Corporation India, has been appointed as a member of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) High-level Advisory Group on Digital Technology for Development with effect from May 1, 2023. The eight-member group, consisting of global industry leaders in digital technology and academicians, is committed to further accelerating the utilization of ICT technology among ADB activities for developing countries.Mr. Aalok Kumar takes on this mantle from Katsumi Emura, former NEC Corporation Fellow, one of the founding members of the group. Carrying Emura's legacy forward, Aalok will leverage his decades of experience and wide range of knowledge in providing strategic counsel towards the optimal adoption of digital technologies for ADB to carry out its developmental work.Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Aalok Kumar said, "I feel humbled to have been elected to represent NEC Corporation as part of Asian Development Bank's High-level Advisory Group on Digital Technology. I look forward to the opportunity to work ...

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, Jun 16, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, today announced it won an order from Electricity Interconnection France-Spain (Inelfe), the joint venture bringing together operators of the Spanish (Red Electrica) and French (RTE) electricity transmission networks, in charge of the construction and commissioning of all cross-border connections between both countries, to supply four high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations to interconnect France and Spain via a subsea cable across the Biscay Gulf.The Biscay Gulf interconnection, labeled as project of common interest (PCI) at the European level, will consist of two HVDC links, with a converter station at each end of both systems. Combined, the links will efficiently supply a total of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity at 400 kilovolts (kV) over 400 kilometers (km). Providing the equivalent of the power consumption of more than two million households(1), the links will improve the safety, stability, and quality of the electricity supply between the two countries. It will advance the integration of emiss...

TOKYO, Jun 15, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., Japan's only international payment brand, announces the launch of a promotion in collaboration with Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Semboku Rapid Railway Co., Ltd., Nankai Rinkan Bus and Nankai Ferry Co., Ltd. (Nankai Group) to offer 50% cashback (up to 1,000 yen)[1] on train, bus and ferry fares through JCB Contactless payment[2] with JCB cards issued outside Japan[3]. This promotion will run from June 15, 2023 to September 30, 2023.This promotion enables international JCB cardmembers visiting Japan to save their money and enjoy a smooth journey using JCB Contactless payment such as the train ride from Kansai International Airport to Namba, bus ride to Mount Koya, the World Heritage Site, and ferry ride to Tokushima. The cashback promotion using JCB Contactless payment exclusively for international JCB cardmembers is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Japan. For more information, please click here. https://www.specialoffers.jcb/en/campaign/detail/nankai/67230/To enjoy this benefit, JCB cardmembers simply tap their JCB Contactless cards a...

TOKYO, Jun 15, 2023 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Fujitsu today announced the successful completion of a year-long pilot project which began in January 2022 for its proprietary "ConnectionChain" blockchain technology with the Asian Development Bank, blockchain vendor ConsenSys Software Inc., R3, and SORAMITSU, LTD demonstrating its effectiveness in streamlining and enhancing the safety of cross-border transactions (1) of financial securities.Figure 1: Adding ledger linkage function to Data e-TRUSTThe trials integrated "ConnectionChain" to realize a system that can connect multiple blockchains to securely facilitate transactions between different economic areas. The trials focused on improving cross-border securities settlement in regions including ASEAN, Japan, China and South Korea.Based on the results of the project, Fujitsu will begin offering a trial environment, "Fujitsu Web3 Acceleration Platform," which integrates "ConnectionChain" to enable flexible, secure connectivity across multiple economies from June 30, 2023. Fujitsu's Web3 Acceleration Platform offers a number of "Fujitsu Computing as a Service Data e-TRUST" ("Data e-TRUST") technologies to partners participat...