PressReleaseJapan.net – Latest Press Releases in Japan

Gaming

The new JRPG Alice Fiction™　Closed Beta participants Increased to 5,000!

Post author By Press Release Japan
Post date March 4, 2022

〜Amazon eGift Card Campaign winners Also Increased to 40.〜

NAGOYA, JAPAN –WonderPlanet Inc., an entertainment service led by Founder and CEO Tomoki Tsunekawa, an entertainment service provider, has decided to expand the number of participants for the closed beta test of its new smartphone game “Alice Fiction” to a total of 5,000 due to popular demand.

Additional Recruitment of Closed Beta Test Participants

In response to the large number of applications received since the start of the closed beta test on Monday, February 28th, we will be adding 5,000 participants to the closed beta test, where you can play “Alice Fiction” ahead of time.

The purpose of the closed beta test is to verify the game adjustments and server load prior to the official release of “Alice Fiction”, a game for smartphones set in the virtual space [ALICE]. Based on the opinions and impressions we have received from our customers, we will strive to further improve the quality of the game for the official release, so we would appreciate your cooperation.

Closed Beta Test Application Period

2022/2/28~2022/3/10 06:59 (PST)

▸Alice Fiction official website：https://alice-fiction.com/en/

▸ Alice Fiction Closed Beta Test Recruitment Page: https://alice-fiction.com/en/cbt/

Winners of the closed beta test will be selected by lottery. Please refer to the closed beta test recruitment page on the official website of “Alice Fiction” for application, terms of application and details.

Commemorating the start of closed beta test participant recruitment, a present campaign is underway!

▸ Alice Fiction Closed Beta Test Recruitment Page: https://alice-fiction.com/en/cbt/

The official Alice Fiction Discord is now open, with a campaign for participants to win gifts.

The official Discord server for Alice Fiction is now open. Let’s enjoy the world of Alice Fiction with other players who have applied for the closed beta test.

This official Discord server is not only for official announcements and game information, but also to create a place where people can communicate with the management closely so that they can get excited about Alice Fiction from the development stage.

Based on the opinions and impressions we have received from our customers through this closed beta test, we will strive to further improve the quality of the game for the official release, and we hope that you will join us in making the “Alice Fiction” community more exciting.

In addition, there is a campaign to win “Airpods Pro” by lottery among those who join the official community of Alice Fiction during the period.
▸ Alice Fiction Official Discord Server: https://discord.gg/u2kkrKPg75

Service Outline
Title: Alice Fiction
Genre: RPG in Wonder Metaverse
Scheduled service areas: Japan, English-speaking countries, Traditional Chinese, Korea, and other major global regions
Scheduled service launch date: Summer 2022
Supported OS: iOS / Android
Supported Devices: iOS: 11 or higher, Android: 5 or higher
Price: Free for basic play (with in-app purchases)
Development, operation, and distribution: WonderPlanet Inc.
Copyright: © WonderPlanet Inc.
Official Website: https://alice-fiction.com/en/
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicefictionen/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/alicefiction_EN
Official Discord server: https://discord.gg/u2kkrKPg75

Android and Google Play are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc.
iPhone, iTunes and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the United States and other countries.
The names of companies and products mentioned herein are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.
The information contained herein is current as of the date of publication. All information is current as of the date of publication and is subject to change without notice.

Outline of the Company
Company name: WonderPlanet Inc.
Location: Japan
Headquarters: New Sakae Building 5F, 3-23-18 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Date of establishment: September 3, 2012
Capital: 1,303.7 million yen (including capital reserve, as of August 31, 2021)
Representative: Tomoki Tsunekawa, President and CEO
Business description: Entertainment service business
Representative title of game developed and operated: Crash Fever
Official website: https://wonderpla.net/en/

Travel and Tourism

Discover the hidden treasures of Japan: a spectacular cultural legacy, in unity with nature

Post author By Press Release Japan
Post date March 1, 2022

TOKYO, March 1, 2022 — In February, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, in cooperation with the Japan National Tourism Organization, revealed additional special content featuring exclusive destinations for its Japan Heritage website. The content helps provide a more relaxed travel experience; soaking in the local atmosphere and taking a deep dive into Japan Heritage’s unique combination of historic traditions and bold innovation. The additional pages prominently feature photos by a famous Japanese photographer and exquisite high-definition videos, giving a sense of being virtually transported to Japan. As with all Japan Heritage content, there is a strong emphasis on sustainability and preserving the country’s cultural legacy.

The newly-added special content page highlights the harmony between culture and the natural landscape in a place where land meets sea. Hidden on the fringes of the Kii peninsula, the Ise-Shima area is riven with coastal bays and inlets, intrusions of the Pacific into the land. The blue waters of Ago Bay aren’t just a scenic backdrop, though; they are home to some of Japan’s most delicious seafood, such as the spiny Ise ebi lobster. Experience the centuries-old tradition of the ama divers, fearless women who venture into the ocean’s depths to harvest the region’s bountiful shellfish and seaweed. Though mountainous and remote, this rugged coastline can be visited in comfort, however, as Ise-Shima boasts some of the most luxurious and secluded resorts in Japan.

Special content #3: Where land meets sea, discover the heritage of ama divers

Once found across Japan, Ise-Shima hosts many of the country’s remaining ama divers. The ama live in close harmony with nature – plunging into the inky depths without any modern diving equipment, they rely instead on their expert knowledge of the sea and weather conditions to make their dives successfully. A typical catch includes abalone shells, turban shells, and seaweed, although the ama are careful never to take too much and disturb the delicate marine ecosystem – a form of sustainable fishing dating back to at least the 8th century, when ama divers were mentioned in the Man’yoshu poetry compilation. Today, you can join ama divers underwater as they practice their craft or sit with them in their amagoya huts where they rest after dives, grilling the fresh shellfish and imparting unique tales of ama life.

The observation deck atop Mount Yokoyama offers expansive views of Ago Bay and its many islands.

Special content (English version): https://www.japan.travel/japan-heritage/luxuryTravel

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmNmAsBgK20

Japan Heritage Official Website: Japan Heritage is a project focusing on various historic cultural properties across Japan, from those famous across the world to hidden gems known only to the select few. The website features deep-dive reports, stunning virtual reality and video content, descriptions of the historical backgrounds of cultural properties, and much more. Links are provided to download many of these content free of charge.

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Japan Heritage Site (English version): https://www.japan.travel/japan-heritage/

Health and Medical Lifestyle

Over 500,000 sales in Japan in the pandemic (COVID-19) period The stress-free mask frame “MASKBONE”, supporting the center of non-woven mask with a single line, kicks off to sell globally

Post author By Press Release Japan (Auto)
Post date March 1, 2022

Takebayashi Manufacturing, a manufacturer of plastic molds in Osaka Japan since 1972 (CEO : Yoshitaka Takebayashi), has opened a global sales site for “MASKBONE” on 1st March that is a stress-free mask frame supporting the center of non-woven masks with a single line. “MASKBONE” was invented on Dec 23 2020, and has been spread all over Japan and sold over 500,000 sets.

MASKBONE Official Website (English is available)

https://tmc1972.myshopify.com/en

“MASKBONE” relieves various stresses in wearing non-woven masks and contributes to preventing infection by increasing the rate of mask use globally with this product, as it is thought to be one factor in the worsening of the infection situation that many cases of coronavirus are caused by low rates of mask use.

Structure that creates space inside the mask by supporting it with a single white frame like “bone” relieves the stress of wearing a non-woven mask, such as suffocation, steaminess, skin irritation, coming off makeup, and difficulty in speaking.

Generally, the mainstream mask frames are cup-shaped, as shown in the figure, which create a space inside the mask, but they are not comfortable to wear, such as uncomfortable fit and the mask frame may slip or fall off when moving.

“MASKBONE” has a smart shape with a single line supporting the center of the non-woven mask and is comfortable without touching the area around the airways as space is created inside the mask.

Hooks are attached to both ends of the mask for one-touch attachment, so completely out of sight.

It is also very economical as it can be washed with water after use and used repeatedly.

The idea behind “MASKBONE” came from a factory in Osaka that had the largest share of the Japanese market for making toothbrush molds, considering if there was anything to help people in need under the coronavirus pandemic by utilizing these professional skills.

The name of the product, which is hard to forget once you hear it, was inspired by the company president’s remark, “That looks like bone!” when he saw the long, thin shape made of molded plastic, and then “MASKBONE” was launched in December 2020 on the Japanese market.

There are three types of “MASKBONE” and a set designed to be installed in the workplace: a set of 10, 50, and 100 mask frames. This product is suitable for people working on the front lines of medicine, sales, customer service, manufacturing and education.

And “MASKBONE” sells four sizes of frames (175mm, 165mm, 145mm, and 125mm in width) according to the size of non-woven masks.

We will continue to contribute to infection control by relieving the stress of wearing non-woven masks and increasing the rate of mask use not only in Japan but also globally with our “MASKBONE”, which was created by utilizing our plastic mold manufacturing technology accumulated over the years.

About Takebayashi Manufacturing

Takebayashi Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was established in Osaka in 1972 and has been manufacturing plastic molds. In Particular, toothbrush molds have the largest share in the Japanese market. Three workmen of Takebayashi Manufacturing got the “Best Erudite” award by Osaka Prefecture for its outstanding workmanship.

“MASKBONE”, Takebayashi Manufacturing invented on Dec 23 2020, has been spread all over Japan and sold over 500,000 sets.

ISO9001 Certificated Factory

MASKBONE Official Website (English is available)

https://tmc1972.myshopify.com/en

Wholesale and any inquiries are always welcome as well. Please feel free to get in touch with us by contact form.

Takebayashi Manufacturing Website

https://tmc1972.com/

Gaming

WonderPlanet Inc. announces JRPG Alice Fiction™ for Summer 2022

Post author By Press Release Japan
Post date February 28, 2022

– Recruitment of Closed Beta Test Participants Begins Ahead of Simultaneous Worldwide Distribution –

NAGOYA, JAPAN –WonderPlanet Inc., an entertainment service led by Founder and CEO Tomoki Tsunekawa, is going to announce a smartphone game “Alice Fiction” for iOS and Android devices worldwide in the summer of 2022.

The game will be distributed in Japan, English-speaking countries, traditional Chinese, Korea, and other major global regions. Prior to the launch of the official service, a “closed beta test” will soon be conducted for users in English-speaking countries, traditional Chinese, and South Korea, who will be able to experience the world of “Alice Fiction” first hand, and recruitment for the closed beta test participants began today, February 28, 2022.

In addition, we are pleased to announce that we have decided to collaborate with Korean sound producer ESTi for the announcement of this title’s development in the global area. We are planning to collaborate not only with Japanese creators, but also with other popular creators such as illustrators and artists who are active around the world, and we will be preparing a service that can be enjoyed by JRPG fans around the world. Please look forward to further news.

Alice Fiction official website：https://alice-fiction.com/en/

Alice Fiction teaser PV：https://youtu.be/XWHW-rDiVas

Alice Fiction battle video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZVE3gW0O9c

Closed beta test participant recruitment has begun on the official website!

Ahead of the official release of Alice Fiction, a game for smartphones set in the virtual space [ALICE], we will be conducting a closed beta test for the purpose of verifying game adjustments and server load.

Based on the opinions and impressions received from customers through the closed beta test, we will strive to further improve the quality of the game for the official release.

Closed Beta Test Application Period
Monday, February 28, 2022 – Thursday, March 10, 2022 6:59 AM

Alice Fiction Closed Beta Test Recruitment Page: https://alice-fiction.com/en/cbt/

Winners of this closed beta test will be selected by lottery. Please refer to the closed beta test recruitment page on the official website of Alice Fiction for application, terms of application and details.

Commemorating the start of closed beta test participant recruitment, a present campaign is underway!

In commemoration of the start of the application for the closed beta test, a campaign to win an Amazon Gift is now underway. If you participate in the closed beta test from the Alice Fiction closed beta test application page, you can win an Amazon Gift.

Alice Fiction Closed Beta Test Recruitment Page: https://alice-fiction.com/en/cbt/

The official Alice Fiction Discord is now open, with a campaign for participants to win gifts.

The official Discord for Alice Fiction is now open. Let’s enjoy the world of Alice Fiction with other players who have applied for the closed beta test.
　
This official Discord server is not only for official announcements and game information, but also to create a place where people can communicate with the management at a close distance so that they can get excited about Alice Fiction from the development stage.

Based on the opinions and impressions we have received from our customers through this closed beta test, we will strive to further improve the quality of the game for the official release, and we hope that you will join us in making the “Alice Fiction” community more exciting.

In addition, there is a campaign to win “Airpods Pro” by lottery among those who join the official community of Alice Fiction during the period.

Alice Fiction Official Discord Server: https://discord.gg/u2kkrKPg75

Teaser PV now on view! The theme song “Un-Reality Escape” by Japanese duo FantasticYouth.

“Alice Fiction” Teaser PV: https://youtu.be/XWHW-rDiVas

The PV currently on view shows a part of the story that unfolds in the virtual space [ALICE], the stage of this work.

The theme song for the game is “Un-Reality Escape” by FantasticYouth. Please take a look at the PV along with the lyrics that link to the stage of the virtual space [ALICE].

　FantasticYouth “Un-Reality Escape” Lyrics
　Lyrics by LowFat, Sung by Onyu

　This world is full of so many things that are truly unreal
　Everyday reality just isn’t real… A first and final vacant space
　No fear of failure, you can always hit Ctrl-Z in a pinch
　The cables that connect everything are severed, and we’re better off that way

　However, one day we’ll realize
　That nothing will come out of this world
　A meaningless world that spirals on into an endless and eternal paradise
　Going out in search of meaning isn’t always the right course of action
　But there’s definitely possibility there
　Stand… walk… run… take flight!

　So escape the unreality, escape this unreality
　Don’t let it unravel like the laces on unfamiliar shoes
　From here, escape the unreality, escape this unreality
　To a place that shines brighter than light
　Go somewhere to, escape the unreality, escape this unreality
　Like playing a part in a comedy special
　Escape the unreality, escape this unreality
　Run and get away to truly live today

Profile of FantasticYouth

Formed in 2017.
FantasticYouth is a two-piece music unit consisting of Onyu, a vocalist with overwhelming singing ability, and LowFat, a composer, rapper, and vocalist.

The unit’s first video has become a hit with over 10 million views and has been ranked in the top 100 in the entertainment category on the video sharing site “Nico Nico Douga” for 50 consecutive weeks. The total number of views on the video posting site is over 80 million.

FantasticYouth：https://fantasticyouth.com/

FantasticYouth Onyu comment:
We are very honored to have our song used in this project.
I can’t wait to see how “unrealistic escapism” will blend in and mix with “Alice Fiction”. I’m looking forward to playing this game!
I hope that the world of “Alice Fiction” will reach and be enjoyed by many people.

Collaboration with Korean composer and sound producer ESTi to cover FantasticYouth’s “Unreality Escape,” the theme song for Alice Fiction.

For the global launch of “Alice Fiction”, we have decided to collaborate with a Korean sound producer, ESTi.

We are planning to create a cover song of the popular Japanese music unit FantasticYouth’s “Un-Reality Escape”, which will be played in the teaser PV of “Alice Fiction”.

We plan to collaborate with not only Japanese creators, but also popular illustrators and artists from around the world to create a service that can be enjoyed by JRPG fans around the world. Please look forward to further news.

Profile of ESTi

Composer, Sound Producer
Contributed music mainly for game titles such as “DJMAX”, “Destiny Child”, “The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls”, “Ragnarok Online”, and “Tales Weaver”. In recent years, as a K-POP producer, he produced “YUKIKA – SOUL LADY”, which was ranked in “Billboard Best K-POP Album of the Year”, and has been developing his global music activities.

ESTi：https://estimate.co.kr/esti

ESTI Comment:
I am very happy to be able to greet you all through “Alice Fiction”.
Furthermore, I am very excited to work on retouching “Un-Reality Escape”, one of the most popular songs of the popular Japanese music unit FantasticYouth, for global development.
Please look forward to the new version of “Un-Reality Escape,” which has been newly analyzed and emotionally reborn by ESTi.

Culture Technology

What Is the “Official Jokers Club,” That Is Attracting the Attention of VIPs Around the World?

Post author By Press Release Japan (Auto)
Post date February 27, 2022

The Official Jokers Club is a community that can make the American dream come true.

Official Jokers Club has been a hot topic on social media among celebrities and VIPs around the world.

Steve Aoki, the world’s top DJ, and Dubai’s super VIPs follow the Jokers on social media. It’s clear that the Jokers are a meticulously crafted work, dressed in the new luxury fashions and adorned with the new luxury watches and jewelry, all of which are detailed and precise. However, apparently, that’s not all that’s being talked about.

The Joker is often considered as a diabolical villain in Batman series, however the Jokers that you can see here is to create community, connect people around the world, and solve global issues that are happening in every corner of the world. The official website also says that the Jokers will achieve this by connecting empowered people, working together to create business and wealth, and giving back to society.

https://official-jokers-club.com/

How did such Jokers come about?

It is easy to understand if you watch the following video.

Joker Club Story Video

https://youtu.be/kwlLjyWHAPQ

“Our potential is infinite, and we can all change.”

One day, a poor joker falls in love at first sight with a watch in a city show window.

He had worked hard for years to buy the watch, but no matter how hard he tried, he was not able to get any reward.

One day, the Joker happened to get acquainted with an old man, Joker.

In the course of this interactions with the old Joker, he realizes the importance of “taking care of others and being your own best move”. This is when the Joker’s great leap forward begins.

Eventually, the Joker, who had acquired a huge amount of wealth, said, “Our potential is infinite. Anyone can become a success by meeting good people and changing the way they think and act!” And he vows, “Next time, it will be my turn to change people’s lives.”

Official Jokers Club is a guide for the modern world

The Official Jokers Club provides guidance to those who do not know how to live their lives, and to those who are poor and negative due to the Covid pandemic. The Official Jokers Club has several events scheduled on the roadmap that will provide you with the opportunity to meet VIPs and learn how to succeed in life.( Example, apparel collaboration and The sandbox Land)

The Official Jokers Club is a community that can make the American dream come true, and the social media already has 9,800 followers in just one month since its opening.

Is the team behind Official Jokers Club the people who sold Mayweather the $18 million watch?

Floyd Mayweather, the undefeated champion, posted his favorite watch he bought on his Instagram. It’s the $18 million “The Billionaire” by Jacob & Co. and it was featured in several media.

Mayweather wearing The Billionaire watch on social media has become a hot topic within The Official Jokers Club’s discord server, and word of mouth is spreading that it was the team behind Official Jokers Club that sold The Billionaire to Mayweather.

As a result, rumor is spreading that the team has contacts with VIPs around the world.

Official Jokers Club WEB https://official-jokers-club.com/

Official Jokers Club Discord https://discord.com/invite/cNjWyvSNVb

Official Jokers Club Twitter https://twitter.com/O_Jokers_Club

Official Jokers Club instagram https://www.instagram.com/888jokers/

Health and Medical

Notice of exclusive license agreement for artificially modified nucleic acid technology with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Post author By Press Release Japan (Auto)
Post date February 24, 2022

Luxna Biotech Co., Ltd. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the use of Luxna’s breakthrough xeno nucleic acid technology for multiple undisclosed target genes in the area of neurological diseases.

Osaka, Japan, February 24, 2022 Luxna Biotech Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Hideaki Sato, Headquarters: Suitashi, Osaka, Japan, hereinafter “Luxna”) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) for the use of Luxna’s breakthrough xeno nucleic acid technology (hereinafter “Luxna XNAs Technology”) for multiple undisclosed target genes in the area of neurological diseases. Under the license agreement, Takeda will have the exclusive right to develop and commercialize nucleic acidbased therapies using Luxna XNAs Technology for specified targets.

Luxna will receive an undisclosed upfront payment upon execution of the license agreement. Luxna may receive up to a total of 10 billion yen including the upfront payment and future development and commercial milestone payments over the course of the partnership if all milestones for each target are achieved. Luxna is also eligible to receive royalties based on net sales of any commercial product developed from the partnership.

Luxna XNAs Technology originated in Professor Obika’s laboratory at the Osaka University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioorganic Chemistry. Licensing this innovative technology to Takeda has the potential to accelerate the development of nucleic acidbased therapies for neurological diseases.

About Luxna Biotech Co., Ltd.

Luxna is a biotech that was founded to support the discovery of medicines for patients who are suffering from diseases that are amenable to oligonucleotide therapeutics by installing nucleic acid pharmaceutical element technologies accumulated in Osaka University to promote safer and more effective oligonucleotide therapeutics in the clinical setting. Luxna actively promotes codevelopment with some pharmaceutical companies and inhouse drug discovery with antisense oligonucleotides (hereinafter “ASOs”) as our main development drugs.

About Luxna XNAs Technology

Luxna XNAs Technology collectively means an innovative nucleic acid group of AmNA, scpBNA and GuNA accumulated in Professor Obika’s laboratory (Osaka University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioorganic Chemistry). Luxna XNAs Technology could make available ASOs that satisfy requirements for both a high level of activity and low toxicity, by taking advantage of its haracteristics of high affinity for mRNA and reduced hepatotoxicity.

Health and Medical

CancerX announces 18 “Cancer Agenda,” which we aim to collectively impact for the society at World Cancer Week 2022.

Post author By Press Release Japan
Post date February 24, 2022

To celebrate and promote World Cancer Day (February 4, 2022), CancerX hosted World Cancer Week 2022 from January 30 to February 5. This event involved 102 panelists, including experts and influencers from diver

Cancer Agenda

Cancer agenda visualizes the necessary and critical issues in order to move toward concrete solutions rather than a vague awareness of social problems. Eighteen items called the “Cancer Agenda” is an open resource that can be used by anyone.

Improve the image of cancer.
Enable people with cancer to work in diverse ways.
Visualize unmet needs related to cancer.
Provide equitable access to the members of minority groups with cancer-related issues.
Create diverse communities within which laypeople with and without cancer play a leading role in supporting each other.
Enable people to live their lives in their own way to the fullest extent possible despite a cancer diagnosis.
Create a culture in which it is not taboo to talk about the final days.
Create a culture supporting not only cancer patients but also caregivers.
Build a sustainable healthcare system.
Provide credible cancer information.
Increase access to important cancer information and improve medical literacy.
Create an environment that nurtures cancer patient empowerment.
Enable cancer patients to choose the optimal medical treatment.
Provide medical care that emphasizes the patient’s quality of life.
Ensure the equity of cancer care.
Invest in cancer healthcare providers and cancer researchers to improve the quality of team-based clinical care and research.
Provide the best possible cancer treatment and prevention by promoting research and approval process.
Promote the evidence-based cancer screening and prevention.

Two global sessions hosted by World Cancer Week 2022

CancerX Global

~How to close the care gap in developed countries~

Four panelists and a moderator who has extensive experience working internationally discussed ways to close the treatment gap in developed countries. Ms. Kuge’s wonderful facilitation led to interesting discussions on the issue of care gaps, such as differences in information and medical care received due to disparities in socioeconomic status and regional medical care infrastructure.

Dr. Ueno, a medical oncologist and a cancer survivor, explained the CancerX vision, working with UICC, and the importance of creating a comprehensive cancer treatment and prevention approach. Dr. Jean-Christophe Barland, working in the pharmaceutical industry, has worked in cross-functional collaboration to develop drugs for all cancer patients. Dr. Manago presented data from 1995 and 2018 to show that cancer mortality rates have decreased by 30% and 5-year survival rates have improved, signifying that cancer patients in Japan live longer. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare promotes cancer control measures.

The discussion focused on the importance of obtaining accurate information to close the care gap and, in the jumble of information on social networking sites, the importance of sharing best practices. Finally, Ms. Kuge summarized “the importance of creating a platform such as CancerX to promote exchanging ideas and sharing views related to care gaps from diverse people and social backgrounds. And the importance of mutual understanding of what gap issues are happening in different developed countries to close the care gap.

You can watch the archived session at the following link.

Archive link; https://link.cancerx.jp/wcw2022-023-global

CancerX R&D

~How we can accelerate the approval of cancer treatments~

The session featured three distinguished speakers who discussed the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine USA rapid approval process and how we can accelerate the approval process for cancer therapies. Under the Trump administration, Dr. Steve Hahn, who served as FDA Commissioner from 2019-2021, led Pfizer and Moderna’s expedited approval during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “The clinical trials and approval process that I experienced in the development of cancer drugs came into play in this expedited approval”.

The cooperation of the pharmaceutical companies is essential, and it is vital to ensure continuous communication and transparency of the approval process.” Dr. Yanagihara works as a review director reviewing oncology drugs at PMDA, the Japanese review organization. Dr. Yanagihara explained that Japan’s “Designation System for Pioneering Drugs” started in December 2019, which allowed the approval process in 6 months. Finally, Dr. Ohtsu, director of National Cancer Center Hospital East, reported on establishing a data platform for clinical trials involving hospitals and pharmaceutical companies across the country to create a cooperative system for the development of cancer drugs. After discussion, all panelists agree that there is a need for an expedited approval process for oncology similar to COVID-19 vaccine approval. Further, there is a need for establishing an international cooperative system with a transparent approval process. It is also vital to build an infrastructure that allows rapid participation in international joint clinical trials and sharing data.

You can watch the archived session at the following link.

Archive link; https://link.cancerx.jp/wcw2022-021-randd

About CancerX

CancerX is an organization that combines the power of people from diverse positions in industry, academia, government, and the private sector to work on solving social issues related to cancer. It was launched in 2018 and joined the UICC in 2020. As Japan’s largest platform for social issues related to cancer, it runs an annual conference and numerous subcommittees to address social agenda in conjunction with World Cancer Day.

– Co Representative Directors

Naoto T. Ueno (MD, PhD, FACP, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Professor of Medicine, Cancer survivor)

Elina Hanzawa (Producer, Dentsu Inc. / Editor-in-chief, cococolor)

– Directors

Rin Ogiya (MD, MPH, PhD, Government medical official, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Akinori Kasuya (Sync Happiness Co., Ltd CEO Physical therapist Graduate School of Social Design Studies, Rikkyo University)

Yasutaka Kato (MD, PhD, Genomics Unit, Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine Assistant Professor)

Shuji Kitahara (Associate Professor Faculty of Advanced Techno-Surgery Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science Tokyo Women’s Medical University / Executive Advisor to the City of Yokohama)

Misato Suzuki (St. Luke’s International Hospital, Medical Genetic Center, Certified Genetic Counselor)

Yuta Mishima (PhD, University of Tsukuba Faculty of Medicine, Trans-border Medical Research Center Department of Clinical Medicine Assistant Professor University of Tsukuba Hospital Office for the Promotion of Regenerative Medicine Deputy Director)

Noriko Moriuchi (DENTSU MEITETSU COMMUNICATIONS INC. Producer）

Mutsumi Yamagami (2020 J-TOP Workshop Vice-Chair / Certified Nurse Specialist in Cancer, The University of Tokyo Hospital)

*26 members including the above, and several volunteers.

Fashion and Beauty Technology

Street influenced artist “Backside works” to launch NFT in collaboration with digital fashion label 1Block ~The first drop is “Valiant Girl x Digital Sneaker”~

Post author By Press Release Japan (Auto)
Post date February 22, 2022

Based in Los Angeles, USA and Tokyo, Japan, Japanese digital fashion label 1Block, under the parent company 1SEC (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan, CEO: Yoshu Miyachi) will collaborate NFT digital sneakers with Backside works.

They will be sold on the NFT market platform “OpenSea” from 2/22/22 (Tue) until 3/1/22.

The NFT will not only prove ownership a one-of-a-kind work of art, but is also tied to a physical version of the sneaker.

The “Valiant Girls” are characterized by facial expressions and poses that seem to be taken out of everyday life. This is a one-of-a-kind digital sneaker (NFT) that combines “street x culture” and the utility that 1BLOCK is known for.

Backside works. x 1Block “AIR SMOKE ZERO

https://youtu.be/ymmv_krKg2s

Market Place OpenSea

Amount: 1 of 1

Start Time: 2.22.22 (Tue) 21:00（JST）

End Time: 3.1.22 (Tue) 20:00（JST）

1BLOCK OFFICIAL STORE URL： https://opensea.io/assets/0x13135b229c95d7f0b61462e95332d34173841e38/3

About the Auction

【How to use OpenSea】

Backside works x 1Block “AIR SMOKE ZERO” will be sold on the NFT marketplace OpenSea on the Ethereum blockchain.

This is a step-by-step explanation on how to participate in the auction.

1. Wallet

In order to use OpenSea a digital wallet holding Ethereum is required. For this explanation, we will use the Popular wallet MetaMask.

2. Sending money to MetaMask.

Send Ethereum from your currency exchange to MetaMask, which is a browser extension. Be careful not to leak your MetaMask password or secret phrase to anyone.

3. Access OpenSea

You can access it from https://opensea.io/. Click on “My Account Settings” in the upper right-hand corner of the top page to go to the sign-in screen where you can connect to Metamask. Click on “Sign In” and you are done.

4. Participating in the Auction

You can participate in the actual auction and win the NFT of Backside works. x 1Block “AIR SMOKE ZERO”.

Please click the link below to go to the purchase page.

https://opensea.io/assets/0x13135b229c95d7f0b61462e95332d34173841e38/3

On the screen that appears, you can see the current price and price history along with NFT information. Click on “Bid” to decide the amount of your bid. The winning bidder will be decided after the pre-set “auction period” has passed.

What are NFTs?

NFT stands for Non Fungible Token.

It is a digital token that records a certificate of ownership on the blockchain for unique digital assets such as art, music, and digital fashion items, and gives them inherent value. The technology is attracting attention as a way to create new trading markets and businesses.

Backside works.

(PART2) “Heroine Addiction” Exhibition

2.22 (Tue.) – 2.27(Sun.) 2022

12:00-19:00SH GALLERY

Tokyo-to, Shibuya Ku, Jingue-mae 3-20-9 WAVE Building 3F

www.shartproject.com

About 1Block

1Block is Japan’s first digital fashion label. Using the latest technologic advances in AR and Blockchain, they develop digital contents with a variety of utility such as use in virtual worlds. Japan’s first virtual sneaker (NFT), AIR SMOKE 1, sold out in 9 minutes for 5 ETH, collaborative virtual sneakers (NFT) with Atmos, NYLON, and original series AIR SMOKE ZERO all also sold out immediately.

Twitter : https://twitter.com/1block_official

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/1block.official/

Discord：https://discord.com/invite/1block

OpenSea: https://opensea.io/assets/0x13135b229c95d7f0b61462e95332d34173841e38/3

Company Profile

Name：1SEC inc

Representative ：Hirokuni Miyaji

Office：【USA】　1541 Ocean Avenue , Santa monica CA, US

【Japan】　Tokyo-to Meguro-ku Oohashi 1-6-13 6F

Established：1.19

Capital：2.5 Million USD

URL：https://www.1sec.world

Education and Training

Intrinsic structure of the supermassive black hole at the center of our Galaxy

Post author By Press Release Japan
Post date February 22, 2022

Astronomers have found that underlying structure of the supermassive black hole at the center of Milky Way, named Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), is almost circular from the East Asian VLBI Network (EAVN) observations at 1.3 cm and 7 mm wavelengths. Its size may indicate the accretion flow around the Sgr A* contains the nonthermal electrons, and the shape tells us the accretion flow’s rotation axis (or a possible radio jet) may be almost pointing at the Earth.

(Left: Galactic Center region from MeerKAT and SARAO. Right: The results from EAVN observations at 1.3 cm (top) and 7 mm (bottom). The scattered structures are on the left-hand side, and the scattering mitigated intrinsic structures of Sgr A* are shown on the right-hand side.)

Sgr A* is the best target to investigate what happens around a black hole, since it is the closest supermassive black hole from the Earth. In 2020, the Nobel Prize in Physics has also awarded to the studies of Sgr A*. To resolve the fine structure of Sgr A*, astronomers have used the very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) technique which consists of many radio telescopes at different geographic locations so that it makes a virtual telescope the size of the distance between telescopes. Toward Sgr A*, however, there is another challenge which is the light scattering by the gas clouds in our Galaxy. To overcome this issue, Dr. Cho of Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia (IAA-CSIC) and the international team applied the scattering model from recent studies based on the historical observations to their observations with the East Asian VLBI Network (EAVN). As a result, the team has found that the intrinsic structure of Sgr A* is almost circular at 1.3 cm and 7 mm wavelengths. “Before correcting the effect of interstellar scattering medium, the structure of Sgr A* is more elongated towards the East-West direction. Through our study, we show that the elongation is mostly coming from the scattering effect”, explains Dr. Cho of IAA-CSIC who has led this work confirmed it with three different methods independently.

The EAVN consists of 21 radio telescopes: 11 in Japan, 4 in Korea, and 6 in China. For this study, 10 and 8 of them have been used to observe at 1.3 cm and 7 mm wavelengths, respectively. The observations were conducted in 2017 April, as a part of the large program of the Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) Science Working Group under the EAVN consortium. In addition, they are a part of the multi-wavelength campaign of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) which has unveiled the image of black hole shadow for the first time ever from the M87*. Dr. Kino of Kogakuin University of Technology and Engineering (KUTE-Tokyo) who leads EAVN AGN Science Working Group says, “After years of our dedicated efforts, the EAVN is now up and running, and we have now obtained the important scientific results on Sgr A* that take advantage of the benefits of the EAVN. The EAVN enabled us to make it all.”

(The radio telescopes of East Asian VLBI Network, which participated in the observations in 2017.)

Compared with the theoretical simulation of an accretion flow, the circular shape of Sgr A* may imply that the rotation axis of the accretion flow is almost pointing at us. In addition, the size of Sgr A* implies that the accretion flow around the supermassive black hole has to contain the nonthermal electrons.

Dr. Kawashima of Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR) University of Tokyo, who is in charge of numerical simulations, says “Only with the thermal electrons, the predicted size is much smaller than the observed value. We found that this size-mismatch problem can be solved by including nonthermal electron components”.

Together with the result at 3 mm by Dr. Issaoun and the colleagues, the relation of the Sgr A*’s size and brightness and observing wavelength have been found. This is the first analysis with the VLBI data within a 2 days timescale. Assuming the same relation at shorter wavelengths, the size & brightness of the Sgr A* at 1.3 mm wavelength (230 GHz frequency) is predicted. Dr. Zhao of IAA-CSIC, one of the coordinators of the EHT scattering working group, says “This could be of great help to the EHT 2017 data analysis aiming to make the first image of the black hole shadow of Sgr A*.”

There is a long-standing debate on the dominant radio emission scenario for Sgr A*, whether an accretion flow or a jet. This study has improved the accretion flow model prediction, but the jet scenario is still available to explain the results. To constrain the possible scenarios, future studies will be of great importance such as the long-term monitoring observations with multiple wavelength receivers of EAVN. This will provide the finer structure of Sgr A* and accurate position of the radio emission region at different wavelengths so that the possibility of each emission model can be further narrowed down.

These results were published as Cho et al. in the Astrophysical Journal

URL: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ac4165

on February 22, 2022.

Title: The Intrinsic Structure of Sagittarius A* at 1.3 cm and 7 mm

Authors: Ilje Cho, Guang-Yao Zhao, Tomohisa Kawashima, Motoki Kino, Kazunori Akiyama, Michael D. Johnson, Sara Issaoun, Kotaro Moriyama, Xiaopeng Cheng, Juan-Carlos Algaba et al.

DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ac4165

■About KOGAKUIN University

Kogakuin University was initially founded in 1887. It was the first private engineering school established in Japan to train engineers who would work on the front lines of the industries that were needed for promoting Japan’s modernization. Its graduates are particularly active in the fields of engineering and architecture.

Kogakuin University has several research institutes, supported by financial assistance from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and encourages joint research with corporate partners. https://www.kogakuin.ac.jp/english/about/message.html

Business and Economics Technology

FIRST GROUP Raises 13.9 Million USD (1.6 Billion JPY) in Series A Funding　- Aim to strengthen the development of global car life-tech services under the “cars” brand. –

Post author By Press Release Japan (Auto)
Post date February 19, 2022

FIRST GROUP Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Takaaki Todo), the supplier of “cars,” a global car life tech service, has raised approximately 13.9 Million USD (1.6 Billion JPY), including a capital increase through a third-party allotment, as a series A round.

With this, we will strengthen our development into “cars MANAGER,” a marketing automation service that supports management,

attracting customers, and multiple business deployment for the automobile industry, including the automobile maintenance industry and “cars,” a global car life tech service for individuals.

We will also promote the car life revolution through co-creation with companies in other industries, including the previously announced capital and business alliance with Cainz and related groups.

Summary of Funding

FIRST GROUP Inc.　Funding amount: Approximately 13.9 Million USD (including debt)

About “cars”

The concept is “Enjoy! Smart Car Life.” It is a car life tech service that provides people worldwide with an enjoyable and stylish car life.

B to C Service: “cars”

“cars”: A global car life tech service for users such as car sales, maintenance, body repair and paint, parts, insurance, sharing, and MaaS. We provide a one-stop service for all aspects of car ownership and utilization, including a trading market that boasts one of the largest registered numbers in Japan and AI-based vehicle price assessment.

Website: https://cars-enjoy.com/

*Only available in Japanese

B to B service：”cars MANAGER”

“cars MANAGER” is an empathetic marketing automation service that focuses on the car life of customers in the automobile-related market. Collecting and analyzing AI and car life data of people and cars, it utilizes them for “management support,” “support for attracting customers,” and “support for multiple businesses,” which leads to sustainable growth, increased sales and profits, and customer building.

Website: https://cars-enjoy.com/biz/manager/

*Only available in Japanese

Company Profile

Company name: FIRST GROUP Inc.

Tokyo head office: 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo WeWork Shibuya Scramble Square

Establishment: 1960

Representative: Takaaki Todo, President and representative director

Business: Planning, development, and provision of the “cars” brand of global car life tech services, etc.

Website: https://cars-enjoy.com/corporate/

*Only available in Japanese

FIRST GROUP Inc.
Tsuguyo Hieda
tsuguyo.hieda@firstgroup.jp