Two of the free services we run at LoreaTec Labs are aimed squarely at companies doing business with, or in, Japan.
Japan Tenders — government procurement, in English
Japan Tenders collects public-sector tenders and procurement notices from across Japan and translates them into English every day. You can search for free and set up email alerts, so foreign suppliers can follow Japanese government opportunities without reading through each portal in Japanese.
BizSearch — check any Japanese company
BizSearch lets you look up any Japanese company by its corporate (T-)number: registered details, licenses, qualified-invoice registration, procurement history, and a set of import and trade tools. It is a fast way to run due diligence on a supplier or partner in Japan.
Both are free to use. Explore them, and the rest of our tools, at LoreaTec Labs.
We build small, useful web tools for our own projects in Japan — and we have put the whole collection online, for free, at tools.loreatec.jp.
LoreaTec Tools is a suite of 200+ browser-based utilities for files, images, PDFs, text, data and developers. The rule behind all of them: your files never leave your device. Everything runs locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded to a server, there is no sign-up, and there are no ads.
Convert, compress and edit images and PDFs
Format, clean and transform text and data (JSON, CSV and more)
Data erasure, also known as data wiping, is the process of permanently deleting data from a storage device. This is often done to protect sensitive information and ensure that it cannot be recovered. One of the most common methods of data erasure is known as the Department of Defense (DOD) erasure method.
The DOD erasure method involves overwriting the data on a storage device multiple times with a series of 1s and 0s. This makes it nearly impossible to recover the original data, even with advanced data recovery techniques. The DOD recommends performing this process at least three times to ensure complete data erasure.
Data erasure services can be used to wipe data from laptops, desktops, and servers. This is often done when a device is being retired, sold, or repurposed. By wiping the data from the device, businesses can protect themselves from the potential consequences of data breaches, including financial loss, damage to their reputation, and legal action.
In addition to using data erasure services, there are other steps businesses can take to protect themselves and their sensitive data. These include regularly backing up data, encrypting sensitive information, and implementing strict access controls to prevent unauthorized access to data.
Overall, data erasure is an important aspect of data management and security. By using data erasure services and following best practices, businesses can protect themselves and their customers from the risks associated with data breaches.
Starlink was activated last week for some areas of Japan that includes Tokyo and Kanagawa all the way north to Akita. Hokkaido and other areas south of Tokyo do not seem to be available yet, but I expect it will be working soon.
Starlink coverage area in Japan as of October 2022
On Monday this week we received what is probably one of the first Starlink antennas in Japan.
The parcel is shipped from California but it arrived very quickly by DHL in 3-4 days after the order. The outer box had some damage from the shipping, but the equipment inside is protected inside a plastic casing, so it was all fine. The parcel is quite big you can see some measurements in the images below.
When you open the box there is a big white sheet with some Ikea style mount manual. The connection is very easy and before the final installation on the roof we just set it on a table and we had it working in just 2 minutes.
When you power on the antena will move automatically to find the best position. So be careful not to have anything around it.
The initial wifi name will have the word starlink on it. It will not have a password so you can connect to the wifi without a password. Then from the mobile app you can change the wifi name and set up a password.
That is all for the installation. Wifi is working and we are getting very high speeds. We are seeing that the speeds are almost similar to the fiber Internet although the Internet speeds may vary depending on the time of the day and how many satellites are available as well as general network congestion.
The primary use is for remote areas that do not have good internet connection. For example the ministry of defense is planning to install it on ships to make life in the ships better: https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2022082000302&g=pol
It can also be very useful for businesses that need a backup Internet connection for emergency use.
Best effort speeds for each contract type
Each satellite beams a cell of around 24Km. You can see the cells as an hexagon on starlink website https://www.starlink.com/map. That means that the capacity is the same in a 24Km cell in the middle of the sea or in Tokyo. Because of that there is only a short window during which you will be able to get a starlink lines in the big cities. For example in many areas in the USA such as san francisco or Los Angeles, you can not buy starlink anymore as they already have as many customers as the satellites can support for that area. We expect the same will happen in Tokyo and other cities in Japan. Also you may notice that the speeds get lower once the number of starlink terminals are maxed out in your area.
The starlink constellation of satellites is still increasing, so the speeds and number of terminals that can connect in an area will increase with time, but there will always be a limit for crowded areas.
After you buy starlink you can only use it in the designated area, but you can request moving it to a new area. However if for example you buy it for a location in Tokyo, then you move it to Akita, and then you want to move it back to Tokyo you may not be able to do that if all the slots have been filled for your area in Tokyo.
There is also a business level starlink that costs $500 per month with higher speeds and I expect when the internet is crowded they will give priority to the customers on this plan.
I hope this review was useful for anyone considering starlink in Japan.
In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have become an increasingly popular segment of the aeronautics industry. In fact, a report by the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International indicates that the global drone market will reach an estimated value of $11 billion by 2021. In response to this growing demand for UAVs, industry experts have designed specialized trade shows in which attendees can learn more about these technologies and the companies that produce them. One such event is Drone Expo Japan. If you are curious about the drone industry in Japan and would like to know more about this event, keep reading for an overview of Drone Expo Japan.
Who Attended Drone Expo Japan?
The types of people who attend events like Drone Expo Japan include: – Drone manufacturers: Companies that design, produce, and sell UAVs and related products may attend exhibitions like this one to expand their customer base and network with industry leaders. – Industry experts: Engineers, analysts, and other professionals may attend trade events like this one to keep abreast of the latest developments in their fields of work and make connections with like-minded people. – End-users: Businesses, government agencies, and other organizations that use drones for a variety of applications may attend trade shows like this one to learn about the latest developments in this technology and expand their knowledge about how to best utilize UAVs. – Investors: Venture capitalists, angel investors, and other people who fund startups may attend events like this one to source new investment opportunities and find out about the latest trends in the industry. – Students and other individuals exploring careers in the drone industry: Students who are curious about career opportunities in this field and people who are interested in a career change may attend exhibitions like this one to learn more about the industry and meet successful professionals. – Service providers such as LoreaTec. The service providers are an important part of the drone ecosystem. Most manufacturers prefer to outsource drone repairs and warranty servicing and loreatec.jp/e/ fills that niche in Japan.
What Was Shown at the Exhibition?
At Drone Expo Japan, attendees could learn more about the following technologies and products: – UAV technology: Visitors to this exhibition could learn more about the different types of drones, their components and functions, and the industry’s most recent developments. – Drone applications: Attendees could also learn more about the various ways in which drones can be applied. Some of the most popular applications for drones include aerial surveying, inspecting power lines, agricultural monitoring, land surveying, search and rescue operations, law enforcement, and security. – Drone piloting: Visitors to this event could learn more about the qualifications needed to become a drone pilot, the required certifications, the skill set required for this profession, and the best ways to start a career as a drone pilot. – Drone product development: Visitors to this exhibition could learn more about how to develop a new drone product and how to start a business in this industry. – Drone repair: Businesses that repair broken drones could attend this event to network with new clients and learn more about the latest developments in the industry. – Drone software: Companies that develop software related to drones could attend this exhibition to network with potential clients and learn more about the latest developments in this industry.
The State of the Drone Industry in Japan
The drone industry in Japan experienced significant growth in the past decade. For example, in 2016, a report indicated that the value of the Japanese UAV market was expected to reach approximately $2 billion, with unmanned helicopter sales being the main driver of growth. The report also predicted that the drone market would grow to $5 billion by 2021. In addition to these figures, another report found that the Japanese government had granted more than 50 companies permission to fly drones in the country. This shows that the industry is maturing in the country and gaining more momentum than ever before.
Key Takeaway
The growing popularity of drone technology has created a new and expanding industry with numerous career and business opportunities.
If you are loooking for a partner in Japan to help with your drone company services expansion please contact loreatec.jp/e/ to check how we can help you.