Japan's Eneos to adopt AI for failure prevention at refineries
MAO KAWANO
August 15, 2025 07:15 JST
TOKYO -- Japanese energy company Eneos Holdings will introduce AI-equipped failure prevention systems at all of its nine refineries in Japan by fiscal 2026.
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SoraNews24
5 hours ago
- SoraNews24
Japanese automaker Suzuki now makes instant curry, but does it rev our foodie engines?【Taste test】
Believe it or not, there's a very logical reason that one of Japan's most famous car companies has gotten into the curry game. Though internationally famous for their cars, many of Japan's automakers offer other products and services as well. Honda, for example, also makes aircraft and landscaping equipment, and Mitsubishi's banking and insurance divisions are more successful than its automotive one these days. Then there's Suzuki, who in addition to producing compact cars also sells outboard boat motors and, as of this summer…curry?!? Yes, it's true. Suzuki has begun selling four different types of instant curry pouches, which come in classy boxes which each depict one of the company's car or motorcycle models. The lineup consists of: ● Jimny: Brown Chickpea Masala Curry ● Swift: Tomato Lentil Dal Curry ● Hayabusa: Daikon Sambal Curry ● V-Strom 1050DE: Green Vegetable Moong Dal Curry This isn't just a case of slapping some Suzuki artwork onto preexisting instant curry to appeal to fans of the brand, though. It's a natural, if unexpected, progression stemming from Suzuki's core business operations. Many large companies in Japan have employee cafeterias, offering quick, reasonably priced, and nutritious meals for their workers. You probably noticed that instead of Japanese style, all four of Suzuki's curries are closer to Indian curry traditions, and that's because the company has a significant number of Indian workers at its facilities in Japan. So while their cafeterias serve a variety of Japanese dishes, Suzuki decided to add Indian-style, vegetarian curries to their menus too. The results were so popular, with Indian employees praising the curries' flavors and authenticity, that Suzuki decided to create instant versions of them for the general public to enjoy. As with most instant curry pouches, they're super easy to prepare. You can either boil the unopened pouch in a pot of water for five to seven minutes, or you can open the pouch, put its contents into a microwave-safe dish and cover it with plastic wrap, then heat it in the microwave at 500 watts for two minutes. We picked up two of the curries to try, and started with the Jimny Brown Chickpea Masala (pictured in the photo above and also the one below). While some instant curries are thin and watery, we were nicely surprised at how substantial the roux looked. Suzuki says this is the spiciest of its curries, and we felt some considerable heat from the first bite thanks to green chili peppers used to make it. The tart tomato notes weren't lost in the spiciness, though, and the resulting combination stimulated our appetite even as we were eating. Much like Suzuki's Jimny, this curry might seem unassuming, but it packs a powerful punch. Shifting gears, next we tried the Swift Tomato Lentil Dal Curry. Suzuki rates its spiciness as a '2,' compared to the Jimny curry's 4 on its scale, and sure enough, the spice, while noticeable, is a few levels less intense. That gives the lentils and tomato flavors more room to dance on your taste buds, though, and once again, the automotive metaphor is an apt fit, considering that all-around balance and versatility is a big part of the Swift's appeal. The curries also have a very long shelf life (ours were labeled as being good until mid-2027), so in addition to being handy to have on hand when you don't feel like doing from-scratch cooking, they're also good candidates for a home disaster preparedness kit. Suzuki's instant curry is produced in cooperation with Torizen, a restaurant in the town of Hamamatsu that's been in business for more than 150 years, further demonstrating that they're serious about the quality of the roux. All four curries can be ordered online here, where they're priced at 918 yen (US$6.20). They're a big hit, though, so the next batch won't be ready to ship until early September, but Suzuki's foodstuff foray is tasty enough that they're worth waiting for. Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
The Mainichi
6 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Living in Japan -- an exchange student's view: Treasuring local businesses (Pt. 3)
Before arriving in Japan, I had only lived in the suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area, where I grew up, or my rural college town, so moving to the center of Tokyo for my exchange program was quite the change. Nevertheless, among the bustling streets of Tokyo, I have found a small comfort in small, hidden cafes and restaurants that provide a respite from the crowds. In particular, I find joy in small businesses run solely by their owners, a rare thing where I grew up. There is something so special about spaces curated by individuals that show their personal tastes, personalities, and stories. A personal touch makes a space feel warm, something that I don't believe can be achieved by a corporate chain store. One of my favorite spaces has been a cafe close to my university, tucked away between buildings. Entering the cafe feels like entering someone's home. The walls are decorated with paintings and personal photos of the owner's dog, Latte. Latte, a well-mannered schnauzer, can usually be found lounging on sofa chairs or greeting guests. The specials of the day are written on a blackboard, and the owner welcomes guests with a warm smile. The cafe offers vegan options, and my all-time favorite menu items are the plate of the day and the brown rice latte. Finding a personal connection One day, I was feeling very homesick. Missing my parents and the sense of belonging that comes with being in one's home country, I stopped by the cafe for lunch. As usual, the space provided me with comfort. I'm not sure if the owner had sensed my sadness, but as I left, she accompanied me past the door and to the outside sidewalk with Latte in her arms, waving Latte's paw as if to say goodbye. Although the gesture may not seem like much to some, to me, it made all the difference in lifting my mood. I felt very grateful to have become a regular somewhere, and in a way, found a sense of community even outside of school. This simple act of kindness reminded me how these small businesses create genuine human connections that larger establishments simply cannot replicate. The message I would like to pass on to locals in Japan is not to take for granted the shop owners who are a vital part of the community, and the connection and comfort that comes from being a customer at a personalized business. When you can, I encourage you to support your local small business and become a part of their community. These spaces preserve local character, foster genuine relationships, and provide gathering places for community members. (By Karina Quinn) Profile: Karina Quinn was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by her American father and Japanese mother. Growing up in a bilingual household, she was strongly influenced by her multicultural background, and says she feels extremely lucky to have been able to grow up in the United States but still have the opportunity to visit Japan every year. She is currently a student at the University of California, Davis, studying international relations and Japanese. For the past year, she has been an exchange student at Waseda University's School of International Liberal Studies. (This is Pt. 3 of a series. Subsequent parts will be published intermittently.)
