Latest news with #Matsuda
Japan Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
KDDI aims to use direct satellite link for drones
KDDI plans to utilize its new service connecting smartphones directly with Space X's Starlink satellite communication network to operate drones, President and CEO Hiromichi Matsuda said. A direct link with satellites will make it easier to operate drones in mountainous areas and other regions where radio waves are hard to reach, Matsuda said in a recent interview. "We hope to resolve the pain points in drones," said Matsuda, who took the helm of the telecommunications company on April 1. On April 10, KDDI became the first Japanese company to launch a direct link between smartphones and the Starlink network, a service that allows messages to be sent and received wherever there is line of sight to the sky without the need to relay radio waves via ground base stations. "We hope to provide a sense of security from connectivity at any time," Matsuda said. The service is expected to enhance the stability of communications with drones, he said, adding that drone operations "will become more convenient by being connected with the sky." The service is expected to help promote the use of drones for transportation of goods in mountainous areas and for inspections of dams, bridges and other infrastructure in areas where radio waves are hard to reach. Among KDDI's domestic rivals, Rakuten Mobile also plans to provide a similar service connecting smartphones directly with satellites. NTT Docomo and SoftBank separately aim to launch a network service using high altitude platform stations, or HAPS, which send radio waves from unmanned aircraft flying in the stratosphere 20 kilometers from the ground.
24-04-2025
- Business
INTERVIEW: KDDI Aims to Use Direct Satellite Link for Drones
News from Japan Economy Technology Apr 24, 2025 13:18 (JST) Tokyo, April 24 (Jiji Press)--KDDI Corp. plans to utilize its new service connecting smartphones directly with Space X's Starlink satellite communication network for operating drones, President and CEO Hiromichi Matsuda said. A direct link with satellites will make it easier to operate drones in mountainous and other areas where radio waves are hard to reach, Matsuda said in a recent interview with Jiji Press. "We hope to resolve the pain points in drones," said Matsuda, who took the helm of the Japanese telecommunications company on April 1. On April 10, KDDI became the first Japanese company to launch a direct link between smartphones and the Starlink network, a service that allows messages to be sent and received wherever there is a sight of sky without the need to relay radio waves via ground base stations. "We hope to provide a sense of security from connectivity at any time," Matsuda said. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Associated Press
15-04-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Martial Arts History Museum Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Outdoor Signage
( NewMediaWire ) - April 14, 2025 - Glendale, CA – The Martial Arts History Museum, a cornerstone of cultural preservation and community engagement, today announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign to secure funding for the installation of new, prominent outdoor signage. The signage, slated for installation on Brand Boulevard in May, will enhance the museum's visibility and accessibility to the public. The museum seeks to raise $20,000 to cover the costs associated with permits, design, and installation. Entering its 26th year, the Martial Arts History Museum has established itself as a vital resource, not only for martial arts enthusiasts worldwide, but also as a haven for community outreach. The museum provides humanitarian efforts, including specialized tours and visitation for groups of individuals facing dementia, Alzheimer's, and mental disabilities, as well as offering free admission to children and adult groups with mental disabilities. 'We believe it is crucial to be an integral part of our community,' states Museum President Michael Matsuda. 'By offering specialized tours and complimentary admission to those groups, we open doors and potentially unlock memories and experiences for individuals who may benefit from them. I recall a visitor with dementia who, upon seeing a photograph of his old instructor, was able to converse in detail about his past. When people discuss underserved populations, these are the individuals we are referring to. In our own modest way, we offer a beacon of hope.' For over 15 years, the museum has provided specialized programs for the underserved, offering a supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges. This initiative provides a platform for expression and personal growth, demonstrating the museum's commitment to making a positive impact on lives. Beyond its role as a repository of martial arts history, the museum serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the arts and the sacrifices made by those who brought them to America. 'The martial arts and the Asian American community deserve a place in history,' adds Matsuda, 'a place where their contributions are acknowledged and preserved for future generations.' The museum's fundraising goal of $20,000 will address the substantial costs incurred for permits, design, and installation. 'We faced significant bureaucratic hurdles, including the need for variances and additional permits,' explains Matsuda. 'Despite being a non-profit, we received no discounts. We are committed to bringing inspiration and hope to the city of Glendale. While we have not received any waivers, we are determined to move forward.' The Martial Arts History Museum invites community members, martial arts enthusiasts, and supporters of cultural preservation to contribute to this important initiative. Donations can be made through About the Martial Arts History Museum The Martial Arts History Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of martial arts and its cultural significance. Located in Glendale, California, the museum features exhibits showcasing the diverse origins and evolution of martial arts from around the world. It also serves as a community hub, offering educational programs and outreach initiatives.
CBC
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
P.E.I. tourism industry hopes new animated Anne series will bring back Japanese visitors
The number of Japanese visitors to P.E.I. has never returned to the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, but some tourism operators hope a new animated series about Anne of Green Gables — and the attention it's getting in Japan — will help. The new Anne Shirley anime series continues the story beyond Anne of Green Gables, into the next two books in the series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. It begins airing in April on the NHK network. "A lot of travel agent is doing a promotion tying up with the this new anime series," said Katsue Matsuda, who has guided Japanese visitors on the Island for decades with P.E.I. Select Tours. "So hopefully we have more Japanese tourist this year." Chie Miyamoto visited Green Gables Heritage Place during a brief visit to the Island in early February. Matsuda helped translate her comments from Japanese. "When her daughter was little, she bought at Anne of Green Gables book for her. So she's glad to see more people will see the Anne of Green Gables," Matsuda translated. "She told her friends she's coming to P.E.I. and see Anne of Green Gables, and a lot of her friends envy her ... Maybe with this new animation series, and maybe more interest, they would love to come to see Anne of Green Gables in person." Bestseller in Japan Anne of Green Gables was first translated into Japanese and published in Japan in 1952. It went on to become a bestseller, and a 1979 animated version of Anne was also very popular. "It was a big impact for children in Japan," Matsuda said. "And so still we have lots of customers that they grew up with that anime series." Prince Edward Island was for many decades a popular destination for Japanese visitors. Tourism P.E.I. reports Japan is second only to the U.S. for international visitors to the Island. The numbers started to decline in 2014, and Tourism P.E.I. launched several campaigns in the hopes of attracting more Japanese visitors, including one connected to a television series about Hanako Muraoka, who translated Anne. But it's been especially tough for companies that specialize in travellers from Japan since the COVID-19 pandemic. "The last five years it was very, very low and last year, some came back maybe still 30 percent of 2019," Matsuda said. "So it was not really great. So this year, hopefully we can get a little bit more people." 'Hopefully it's gonna be huge' The Island's tourism industry is also hoping the animated series will give Japanese numbers a boost. "Traditionally, the Japanese market was really, really strong ... We haven't quite seen that rebound post pandemic, but certainly an important market for us," said Corryn Clemence with the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island. Canadian tourism officials are predicting that spending by Japanese travellers will rebound in 2025, reaching above 2019 levels, and that visitation will have fully recovered by 2026. In a statement, Tourism P.E.I. said Anne of Green Gables is a key piece of the Island's overall tourism draw, and it's hoped the new series helps create more awareness of P.E.I. as a travel destination. Clemence, for one, will be watching to see how the series impacts tourism. It'll be certainly interesting to hear from Parks Canada and some of our Green Gables operators if they're getting some inquiries and some interest —Corryn Clemence, Tourism Industry Association of PEI "I'll be reaching out to our tourism department to see if they're seeing any spikes in visitation for online visits to the website, kind of those kind of traffic indicators," Clemence said. "It'll be certainly interesting to hear from Parks Canada and some of our Green Gables operators if they're getting some inquiries and some interest. We'd love to see that market grow." The company making the show is planning a series of events featuring the cast, as well as promotions in bookstores, to help build up buzz before the debut in P.E.I. tourism officials hope that buzz will have a ripple effect in Prince Edward Island. "Anne of Green Gables is always loved by a lot of Japanese people and the first anime series was a big success and this one will be bigger, I hope," Matsuda said.
