TOKYO, Jan 27, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Infinium's proprietary technology enables the production of ElectrofuelsTM, a clean fuel allowing organizations to meet carbon reduction goals faster while accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels. Converting carbon dioxide and renewable power into net-zero carbon fuels, ElectrofuelsTM can be used in todays air, maritime, and surface transportation fleets.MHI Group is committed to strengthening and diversifying its CO2 capture and utilization business this investment in Infinium helps ensure the energy transition's success toward carbon neutrality on a global scale. MHI joins a consortium of investors including Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, AP Ventures, Neuman & Esser Investments, and the Grantham Foundation."These investments are critical to making continued progress toward global carbon neutrality goals," said Yoshihiro Shiraiwa, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America. "We are proud to partner and collaborate with this group of industry leaders to build on the progress we have already made toward accelerating the energy transition."Nearly a quarter of global carbon emissions stem from the transportation sector, posing a significant challenge in industry efforts to reduce emissions. New business mandates that include corporate climate commitments and ESG investing have increased the demand for low-carbon transportation alternatives. While technologies such as electrification, carbon offsets, carbon capture and hydrogen fuel cell technology are part of the solution, they do not fully address transportation's carbon reduction needs.Infinium's ElectrofuelsTM are "drop-in" replacements for traditional petroleum-derived products. Infinium's fuels enable commercial transportation industry and logistics operators to make an immediate impact on carbon reduction targets without capital and time-intensive upgrades to transportation infrastructure."Backing from the largest hydrogen-focused venture capital firm in the world, AP Ventures, is a huge vote of confidence for the promise of electrofuels and our technology's ability to scale in order to meet todays urgent climate challenges," said Robert Schuetzle, Chief Executive Officer, Infinium. "We're thrilled to be working with Amazon and MHI to demonstrate the commercial impact of our technology as well as other investors in this round. We expect that current projects under development will be the first broad-scale utilization of electrofuels by commercial vehicles and we're working with MHI to bolster the company's hydrogen utilization and carbon capture efforts through the production of our ElectrofuelsTM."Infinium is developing commercial applications of its technology with strategic partners to build ElectrofuelsTM production plants, focusing first in markets where low-cost renewable power generation coincide with large CO2 volumes.About InfiniumBased in Sacramento, Infinium offers one of the only market-ready, renewables-based electrofuels solution that can decarbonize transportation at scale using todays infrastructure. Infinium's ElectrofuelsTM are a net-zero carbon alternative to existing liquid fuels that can immediately "drop in" and be used in plane, ship and truck fleets. For more information, visit www.infiniumco.com. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 27, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - The "S Series" is equipped with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) as standard and can record operation time, operation mode, and alarm activation status on a general-purpose memory card (SD card). By checking these records, users can grasp the condition of equipment and perform prompt troubleshooting. The optional upgrade, Data Logging Advanced (DLA) is also available. With additional hydraulic/speed sensors, DLA-equipped cranes enable crews to accurately diagnose the performance of hydraulic equipment themselves."S-Series Connected" is a DLA-equipped S Series model with a remote communication function. MHI-MS has completed its development and applied it to actual bulker ships. The operation data of the deck crane is automatically transferred to the ship bridge by radio communication. This allows the bridge crew to centrally manage the deck crane operating status.With the introduction of this next-generation deck crane, MHI-MS has realized support for maintenance management and troubleshooting by crews themselves. With the S Series, MHI-MS will further promote digitalization and contribute to the reduction of life cycle costs and accident risks by providing user-friendly products. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 27, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - In recent years, ESG investments have been gaining momentum in the capital market, as companies evaluate and decide on investments from ESG perspectives. The "FTSE4Good Index Series" and the "FTSE Blossom Japan Index" are among the most important criteria used by investors worldwide for corporate ESG activities. The "FTSE Blossom Japan Index" has been adopted as a passive ESG investment management benchmark selected by the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the world's largest public pension fund.Since its establishment, based on the corporate philosophy of "Contributing to society through the development of superior, original technology and products," Hitachi has demonstrated continued growth alongside the development of society. In the 2021 Mid-term Management Plan announced in May 2019, the company put forward goals for simultaneously increasing three types of value for society and the customers - Social value, Environmental value, and Economic value - as part of efforts to achieve a sustainable world. In this Mid-term Plan, milestones for achieving the long-term environmental goals laid out in "Hitachi Environmental Innovation 2050" are reflected in management strategies for business rollout. As a leader in environmental value in particular, Hitachi announced "Hitachi Carbon Neutrality 2030" to assist in building a decarbonized society, and is accelerating activities aimed at achieving carbon neutral in its own business site (factories and offices) by FY2030.Hitachi will strive to develop and provide new solutions that apply digital technologies to take on a variety of challenges, including ESG, for customers and society. By improving Quality of Life and increasing value for customers, Hitachi will contribute to building a sustainable society.About FTSEThe "FTSE4Good Index Series" and the "FTSE Blossom Japan Index" are semi-annually selected by FTSE Russell, a wholly owned subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group. These indexes are composed of stocks that meet a variety of criteria related to the environmental, society, and governance.About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is focused on its Social Innovation Business that combines information technology (IT), operational technology (OT) and products. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2019 (ended March 31, 2020) totaled 8,767.2 billion yen ($80.4 billion), and it employed approximately 301,000 people worldwide. Hitachi drives digital innovation across five sectors - Mobility, Smart Life, Industry, Energy and IT - through Lumada, Hitachi's advanced digital solutions, services, and technologies for turning data into insights to drive digital innovation. Its purpose is to deliver solutions that increase social, environmental and economic value for its customers. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

BOULDER, Colorado, Jan 27, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Techstars, the rapidly-growing global investment and accelerator network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, today announced a new program supporting 50 Japan-based startups in partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Japan Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Taking place from February to April, the 10-week "Startup City Acceleration Program" will provide local startup businesses with guidance and hands-on mentorship, while also helping them progress toward overseas expansion by making connections with worldwide investors and business partners."Today's global environment has become a source of demand for new ideas and progress toward innovation across everything from healthcare to climate change, but at the same has restricted the collaboration and resources needed to propel promising innovations toward success," said Maelle Gavet, Techstars chief executive officer. "We're thrilled for the opportunity to support these startup ecosystems and help entrepreneurs make the connections they need to advance their businesses."Techstars has funded more than 2,300 startups including companies such as SendGrid, DigitalOcean, Zipline, Outreach, Remitly, Classpass, Pillpack and DataRobot. Collectively, Techstars' portfolio has raised more than $11.7 billion from investors and is currently worth more than $185 billion today. The Techstars portfolio includes 12 unicorns - privately held startups worth more than $1 billion - and its success with thousands of startups across the globe offers a promising opportunity for entrepreneurs and innovators participating in the Startup City Acceleration Program.The 50 Japanese companies selected to participate in the program are from four key startup ecosystems, including Tokyo, Nagoya, Kansai and Fukuoka. Industries and fields of these companies span a variety of sectors, such as robotics, hardware, materials, advanced manufacturing, AI, blockchain, and IT services, among others.Techstars CEO, Maelle Gavet, went on to say, "We believe that great ideas can come from anywhere and we are committed to driving greater diversity in the technology and investment sectors outside of Silicon Valley. Japan has an incredible history of innovation with strong potential for growth and transformation. The Startup City Accelerator Program will be one of the most innovative and interesting programs we have run to date, and we look forward to helping unlock its potential."For more information, visit techstars.com.About TechstarsThe Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas - entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,300 companies and has a portfolio valued at more than $185B. www.techstars.com Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 26, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - NTT DOCOMO, INC. and AGC Inc. announced that they have developed a prototype technology that efficiently guides 28-GHz 5G radio signals received from outdoors to specific locations indoors using a film-like metasurface lens that attaches to window surfaces. DOCOMO and AGC also conducted what is believed to be world's first successful trial to direct 28-GHz signals passing through a window to specific locations indoors as well as raise the strength of the signals.Newly emerging 5G networks as well as 6G networks of the future are expected to use high-frequency radio waves, such as 28 GHz. Although high-frequency signals enable the realization of advanced communication standards, they are subject to high attenuation over long distances and their high directivity resulting in low diffraction (or weak bending around objects) generally limits their range to within the line of sight of the transmitting base station. Consequently, it is difficult for high-frequency radio waves to penetrate windows, and even if they do they are attenuated to the point of not being able to propagate sufficiently to establish wireless communication links indoors.The new metasurface lens is made with an artificially engineered material featuring a large number of sub-wavelength unit cells arranged periodically on a two-dimensional surface. Elements arranged in various shapes on the metasurface substrate can be attached to a glass window to direct radio signals to specific points (focal points) indoors. It is believed that radio waves from an outdoor base station could be received on a window's broad surface and then efficiently propagated to specific focal points inside a building with the help of repeaters and reflectors.The metasurface lens material is a transparent film that can cover virtually the entire inside surface of a window. The material has no effect on LTE and sub-6 band radio waves, so it can be used to improve indoor reception of 28 GHz radio signals without affecting the performance of legacy wireless frequencies.The trial confirmed that the metasurface lens improves the power level of 28 GHz radio signals received at indoor focal points. The trial also confirmed the ability to control focal-point position as well as the ability to switch from single to dual focal points.In addition, DOCOMO and AGC verified that structural design technology can be deployed to enable metasurface lenses to allow high-frequency radio signals to penetrate glass that has been coated for heat insulation.DOCOMO and AGC have been developing transparent metasurface technology for use in solutions that not only improve access to high-frequency radio signals but also are aesthetically acceptable. The new metasurface lens incorporates DOCOMO's metasurface design technology and AGC's design and microfabrication technologies.The prototype metasurface lens will be presented during DOCOMO Open House 2021, which will take place online this February 4 to 7.Going forward, DOCOMO and AGC will continue to collaborate in the research and development of technologies for highly efficient and flexible 5G and 6G wireless communication.About NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 80 million subscriptions, is one of the world's foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities ("+d" partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/.About AGC Inc.AGC Inc. is the parent company of the AGC Group, a world-leading glass solution provider and supplier of flat, automotive and display glass, chemicals, ceramics and other high-tech materials and components. Based on more than a century of technical innovation, the AGC Group has developed a wide range of cutting-edge products. The AGC Group employs some 55,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately 1.5 trillion Japanese yen through business in about 30 countries. For more information, please visit New windowhttps://www.agc.com/en/ Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 26, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Vietnam Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Honda in Vietnam, announced that it has reached a cumulative automobile production milestone of 100,000 units.The 100,000th unit was a City, representing not only a significant milestone for Honda's automobile operations in Vietnam, but attests to the achievements of Honda?s business activities over many years in the country. Heading towards its next milestone, Honda Vietnam will continue to provide high quality products that exceed customer expectations, and continue being "a company that society wants to exist" in Vietnam.Honda Vietnam was established in 1996 as a motorcycle manufacturing and sales company, and begun automobile production in 2006. In order to better meet domestic customer demand, six models, of which, two domestically produced models: City and CR-V, and four imported models: Accord, Civic, HR-V and Brio, are distributed through 42 dealers. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 26, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. announced that it has been listed in the 2021 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World (Global 100), a global ranking by Canada-based media and investment advisory company, Corporate Knights, Inc. This marks Eisai's fifth inclusion on the list. Ranked 16rd, Eisai was the highest ranking company among global pharmaceutical companies. Also, Eisai became the highest ranking Japanese company among the five Japanese companies listed in the Global 100.The Global 100 evaluates the sustainability of approximately 8,100 of the world's major corporations based on various corporate initiatives in areas such as ESG (environment, society and governance). Since 2005, those companies ranking among the top 100 in the world have been announced each year at the World Economic Forum in Davos week. The Global 100 is based on up to 24 key performance indicators covering clean revenue, financial management, supplier performance, employee management and resource management, with the evaluations carried out based on data publicly disclosed in financial filings, integrated reports, or through other such channels. Eisai received high evaluation particularly on clean revenue and investment*, as well as employee safety and stability.Eisai's corporate philosophy is to give first thought to patients and their families, and increase the benefits that health care provides as well as address diverse healthcare needs worldwide. Based on this corporate philosophy, Eisai is striving to sustainably enhance corporate value by strengthening its ESG initiatives and increasing non-financial value.* Sales revenue, R&D cost and investment for products such as medicines which are under equitable pricing strategies and included in the WHO Essentials Medicines Lists or used to treat any of in scope diseases, conditions and pathogens defined by the ATM Index Foundation. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

MUNICH, Jan 26, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Designed during the global pandemic, the new-generation Fujitsu LIFEBOOK U9311 is built to focus on the new normality for a busy executive. Based on the 11th generation Intel vPro platform and even thinner, more powerful, longer-lasting, and lighter than before - weighing just 885 grams - the new flagship model to the LIFEBOOK range redefines no-compromise working.The featherlight LIFEBOOK U9311X convertible and LIFEBOOK U9311 clamshell 13.3-inch notebooks weigh several hundred grams less than market-leading tablet and keyboard combinations, running Windows 10 Professional and featuring a full-size keyboard. The LIFEBOOK U9311 introduces 5G data connectivity, and the LIFEBOOK U9311X folds flat into a tablet with a generous 13.3-inch touchscreen.Real-world improvements match today's working stylesSweeping improvements for 2021 characterize the refreshed high-end LIFEBOOK line-up, designed with new working styles top of mind. The most apparent visual improvement is the super-narrow bezel on the LIFEBOOK U9311, delivering an almost frameless screen and an extreme small footprint. A magnesium chassis ensures the notebooks are robust enough to stand up to the knocks and bumps of being carried around.Built for videoconferencing: A front-facing built-in HD camera ensures super-sharp images - and can be completely closed with a new mechanical shutter. Crystal-clear conversations are guaranteed with best-ever audio for LIFEBOOK models, thanks to Dirac's patented frequency and impulse response correction, and volume enhancement technologies - specifically tailored for small speakers.Stunning graphics: The introduction of Intel Iris Xe graphics ensures a smooth and immersive experience for graphics-intensive applications - even on a par with notebooks using more expensive entry-level discrete GPUs.Secure by design: New LIFEBOOK models integrate Windows Hello for convenient login, while Fujitsu's contact-free PalmSecure biometric authentication provides the highest security level compared to any other integrated biometric authentification. Models also feature Intel Hardware Shield, available exclusively on the Intel vPro platform. This provides the world's most comprehensive hardware-based security for business, including below-the-OS-security protection, application and data security protection, and advanced threat detection.The best connectivity: 5G mobile data arrives in selected LIFEBOOK models for the first time, offering built-in access to the latest, fastest connectivity. New models also retain the practicality of wired networking, with a full-size LAN port accessible via an innovative folding latch, without the need to carry a dongle.Setting new standards: All-day battery life reduces runtime anxiety and avoids the need to carry a charging adapter and cable. For extra convenience, the new LIFEBOOK models standardize on USB-C Thunderbolt 4 charging. A new four-cell battery ensures enhanced battery performance and durability.Rudiger Landto, Head of Product Category Management EMEA - Client Computing Devices - at Fujitsu, comments, "We had the perfect opportunity to put new working requirements front and center as we designed improvements to the new top-of-the-line LIFEBOOK models. Consequently, we've been able to focus on making LIFEBOOK the perfect partner for mobile and remote working - whether you prefer to use a notebook in clamshell model, like a tablet or docked.""We are pleased to partner with Fujitsu on the new, super thin and lightweight LIFEBOOKs, based on the 11th Gen Intel vPro platform. Fujitsu and Intel share a commitment to meeting the varied needs of business users with high-performing, secure and versatile commercial devices," says Stephanie Hallford, VP and GM of the Business Client group at Intel. "With this new device from Fujitsu, employees can work faster and be more productive on modern thin-and-light PCs - all with the peace of mind that Intel Hardware Shield provides comprehensive, hardware-based security for business."Fujitsu also introduces the 11th generation Intel vPro platform to the upgraded LIFEBOOK U7311 clamshell and STYLISTIC Q7311 tablet, which feature all-day battery runtime.Pricing and availabilityThe new LIFEBOOK and STYLISTIC models are available to order immediately. Prices vary by country and specification.About FujitsuFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 130,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.9 trillion yen (US$35 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 26, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Environmental & Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (MHIEC), a Group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has received an order from Kagoshima City for refurbishment of its Hokubu Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Plant. The order calls for renovation of the facility's stoker type incinerator, capable of processing 530 tonnes per day (tpd)(Note1), to extend the plant's service life and enhance its energy efficiency. The contract is valued at 6.75 billion Japanese yen, with completion scheduled for February 2026.Under the newly concluded contract, the service life of Kagoshima's Hokubu WtE Plant will be extended through refurbishment of main equipment: including the waste receiving hopper as well as all equipment handling combustion, combustion gas cooling, flue gas treatment, waste heat recovery, ventilation, ash treatment, water supply and electrical instrumentation. To increase energy efficiency, high-efficiency motors and inverters will be newly adopted throughout the facility. The introduction of a low-temperature catalyst in the plant's desulfurization equipment, a proprietary technology of MHIEC, will enhance the facility's heat recovery ratio, while a low-air-ratio combustion system will improve combustion and enhance boiler efficiency. By increasing the steam turbine output from 8,700 kilowatts (kW) to 10,005 kW, CO2 emissions will be annually reduced by more than 10%, helping to curb global warming.The Hokubu WtE Plant was originally designed and constructed by MHI. On completion in March 2007, the facility incorporated two stoker type incinerators each providing a processing capacity of 265 tpd, plus related equipment. It offered an electricity generation capacity of 8,700 kW. Today, renovation of WtE plants is increasing as operators seek to extend the service life of their facilities and reduce their environmental impact. The trend has accelerated further following establishment of a related subsidy program(Note2) by the Japanese national government in fiscal 2010.MHIEC succeeded to MHI's environmental protection business in 2008, taking over its accumulated technological development capabilities in environmental protection systems as well as its broad expertise in the construction and operation of waste management facilities both in Japan and overseas. Based on this strong track record, MHIEC is well positioned to propose and provide comprehensive solutions encompassing all aspects from plant construction to operation.Going forward, on the strength of this record and boosted by this latest contract, MHIEC will pursue additional refurbishment projects to enhance the energy efficiency and stable operation of existing waste treatment plants. It will also proactively propose solutions for lowering maintenance expenses and other lifecycle costs, in a robust quest to attract new orders.(1) A stoker furnace is the main type of WtE plant. Waste is combusted as it moves along on a fire grate made of heat-resistant castings.(2) This program, administered by Japan's Ministry of the Environment, centers on fostering improvements to existing facilities for more effective use, and as a measure to mitigate climate change in the waste management sector. Municipal governments seeking to extend the service life of their WtE facilities and implement climate change countermeasures are eligible for subsidies on projects that will reduce CO2 emissions (promoting the introduction of leading-edge facilities), or grants for establishing a sound material-cycle society, equivalent to one-half or one-third of project costs. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 26, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION (MMC) has released a video of the all-new OUTLANDER undergoing final tuning and testing. The all-new OUTLANDER will make its global debut on Tuesday, February 16 at 3pm PST/6pm EST (February 17 at 8am JST) and introduce the company's latest Super-All Wheel Control system. Coupled with the company's pioneering all-wheel drive technology, the flagship SUV provides driver confidence and security in all weather and road conditions.The all-new OUTLANDER was put through its paces, as the system's final calibrations were developed in severe weather and road conditions. Redesigned and reimagined in every way, the vehicle will be bigger and bolder than the previous generations.With a knowledge base proven over years of competitions in the deserts of Dakar and on the slippery dirt-covered and snow-packed roads of the world's rally circuits, the all-new OUTLANDER builds on a heritage forged by the PAJERO/MONTERO cross-country SUV. Engineers focused on building a crossover SUV that embodies the MITSUBISHI MOTORS' DNA and the product concept "I-Fu-Do-Do", which means authentic and majestic. The all-new OUTLANDER is set to deliver the highest level of maneuverability and superb driving performance."We took everything we know about on- and off-road driving from the rally experiences to apply the latest Super-All Wheel Control technology in our newly developed platform," said Kentaro Honda, segment chief vehicle engineer (lead engineer) for the all-new OUTLANDER. "We also specifically developed a new drive mode selector to provide confident driving at all times and in all weather conditions. We hope that many customers will have great experiences with the enhanced driving performance of the all-new OUTLANDER." Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 25, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) announced today it has demonstrated multiple highly stable simultaneous terminal connections and transmission capacity in a real office environment through distributed-MIMO(1) in the 28 GHz millimeter-wave frequency band. This demonstration achieved approximately 3 times the number of simultaneous connections and transmission capacity compared to cases without distributed-MIMO in the 28 GHz frequency band. Moreover, transmission deterioration from obstacles was also reduced.According to NEC research, this is the first demonstration in the industry to apply a distributed-MIMO system in the millimeter-wave frequency band in an office environment. This is expected to contribute to the construction of highly convenient 5G environments that enable simultaneous multiple connections in the future.Earlier this year, Japan began to commercially deploy 5G in the sub 6 frequency band and millimeter-wave frequency band, with the expectation of enhancing network performance to support 10 times more capacity than 4G, as well as higher throughput, lower latency, and multiple connections. However, since the usable frequency band of the sub 6 frequency band is more narrow than in the millimeter-wave frequency band, Massive-MIMO(2) systems have been introduced to expand capacity and increase the number of simultaneously connected terminals. Applying Massive-MIMO techniques to millimeter-wave frequency is considered to be optimal for applications where each terminal requires a high transmission capacity, such as indoor offices or stadium seats with high terminal density.However, in the millimeter-wave frequency band, challenges to applying Massive-MIMO techniques include difficulty in achieving stable connections and spatial multiplexing due to the characteristics of radio waves, such as short wavelength and large attenuation due to reflection and shielding.NEC has established itself as a leader in digital beamforming technology and has commercialized Massive-MIMO in the sub 6 frequency band(3). Moreover, NEC has developed digital coordination technology among antenna elements distributed in the millimeter-wave frequency band and conducted verification activities to solve the problems of indoor mobile communications, such as shadowing and diffraction of propagation paths(4).Against this background, NEC conducted propagation and transmission trials in a real office environment using a distributed-MIMO technique for the Radio Units (RU) of a 28 GHz band base station system, demonstrating simultaneous connections with multiple terminals and increased capacity. Specifically, NEC developed a technology to effectively calibrate phase and amplitude in response to the difficulty in calibrating and coordinating the phase and amplitude between distributed antennas. As a result, NEC achieved approximately 3 times the number of simultaneous connections and transmission capacity when compared to cases where a distributed-MIMO system is not used.NEC will continue to carry out 5G demonstration experiments for enabling stable and high transmission speeds in environments where stable millimeter-wave communication is difficult due to obstacles and densely arranged terminals, such as offices and stadium seating, aiming to contribute to the development of millimeter-wave mobile access networks and building ecosystems among operators and venders.Furthermore, NEC will continue its initiatives for creating new social value by providing "NEC Smart Connectivity"(5) for connecting data generated by people and things and reaching beyond conventional thinking in support of network performance.(1) Distributed-MIMOAn approach to massive MIMO where a large number of antennas are distributed rather than being placed in a single array.(2) Massive-MIMOA Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technique that enables multi radio beams and stabilizes radio propagation paths using a massive number of transceivers.(3) NEC develops compact and lightweight massive-element active antenna system for 5G communicationshttps://bit.ly/3sUlpxiNEC succeeds in simultaneous digital beamforming that supports 28 GHz band for 5G communicationshttps://bit.ly/2Y8mALk(4) NEC develops millimeter-wave distributed antenna radio unit improving the channel quality for indoor 5G applicationshttps://bit.ly/39jUmUx(5) NEC Smart Connectivityhttps://bit.ly/3pknP60 Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 25, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Sebastien Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia have won the legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo for a record eighth time, leading team-mates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin in a fantastic one-two finish for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team on the opening round of the 2021 season. Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne Halttunen finished fourth to complete an amazing weekend for the team.The victory is also the 50th for Ogier and Ingrassia in the FIA World Rally Championship, becoming only the second competitors to reach the landmark.This is the first time that the team has won the WRC's most prestigious event with its Toyota Yaris WRC, having made the podium every year since its debut in 2017. It is the fourth Rallye Monte-Carlo win in Toyota's history, coming on the 30th anniversary of its maiden victory in 1991.Rallye Monte-Carlo lived up to its reputation as the most demanding event on the WRC calendar with special challenges for this year's edition. A modified schedule to follow coronavirus restrictions in France meant that some stages took place before dawn complete with ice and snow. WRC teams also had to get to grips with tyres from the new sole supplier Pirelli on an event where tyre choice is always criticial to the outcome.The Toyota team led the rally from its third stage early on Friday morning, with Rovanpera, Ogier and then Evans all taking turns in the lead over the course of the rally's longest day. On his home event, Ogier claimed the lead back with a storming stage win on Saturday's first test. He took a 13-second advantage over Evans into the final day, when he won three of the four stages - including the rally-ending Power Stage - to begin the defence of his title in the perfect way.With second place Evans also makes a strong start to his championship campaign, while Rovanpera begins his second season at rallying's highest level having fought for the podium on such a demanding event. Tyre damage on Sunday's first stage contributed to Rovanpera missing out on the top three, but he did finish with the second fastest time in the Power Stage.With Evans third quickest, the team locked out the top three positions on the Power Stage, which from this season also gives bonus points towards the manufacturers' championship. This, combined with the one-two finish in the rally, means the team takes maximum points from the opening round - a dream start for new Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala as he looks to build upon the work of his predecessor Tommi Makinen.TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program driver Takamoto Katsuta made it four Yaris WRC drivers in the top six as he completed Rallye Monte-Carlo for the second year in a row and scored his best WRC result so far in sixth place.For the full release, visit https://toyotagazooracing.com/release/2021/wrc/rd01-day4.html. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 22, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - The companies Shell, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Vattenfall and municipal company Warme Hamburg are planning how they can jointly produce hydrogen from wind and solar power at the Hamburg-Moorburg power plant site and utilize it in its vicinity. To this end, the four companies have now signed a letter of intent. In addition to the construction of a scalable electrolyser with an initial output of 100 megawatts, the further development of the site into a so-called "Green Energy Hub" is planned. This includes the exploration of the extent to which the existing infrastructure of the Moorburg location can be used for the production of energy from renewable sources. In this context, concepts for the necessary logistics chains and storage options for hydrogen will also be considered. Subject to final investment decision and according to the current state of planning, once the site has been cleared, the production of green hydrogen is anticipated in the course of 2025 - making the electrolyser one of the largest plants in Europe.The partners intend to apply for funding under the EU program "Important Projects of Common European Interest" (IPCEI). This should take place in the first quarter of 2021 with the submission of a first outline of the project. The four partner companies view the energy location as having ideal conditions for further use. It is connected to both the national 380,000 volt transmission network and the 110,000 volt network of the City of Hamburg. In addition, overseas ships can call at the location directly and use the quay and port facilities as an import terminal. The municipal gas network company also intends to expand a hydrogen network in the port within ten years and is already working on the necessary distribution infrastructure. Numerous potential customers for green hydrogen are located near the site, thus enabling the project to cover the entire hydrogen value chain - from generation to storage, transport and utilization in various sectors. With these prerequisites, the Moorburg location is optimal for the German federal state of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and Northern Germany and can become a potential starting point for the development of a hydrogen economy.For many years, Moorburg was the site of a gas-fired power plant operated by Hamburgische Electricitats-Werke, and Vattenfall had been operating a coal-fired power plant here since 2015. Its commercial operation was terminated after the power plant won a bid in the auction for the nationwide coal phase-out in December 2020. A decision by the transmission system operator on the system relevance of the plant is expected in March 2021. The City of Hamburg and Vattenfall are striving to clear [partial] areas of the site as soon as possible for the project to produce green hydrogen and the development of a Green Energy Hub.In their efforts to form a consortium, the four companies can also count on the support of the City of Hamburg's government. In their coalition agreement, the governing parties agreed to examine and support the feasibility of sector coupling and the establishment of hydrogen production in the city-state.For the full report, visit https://www.mhi.com/news/210122.html. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

Edmonton, Alberta, Jan 22, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - A low carbon future for cement is advancing through a unique feasibility study to see carbon capture and storage (CCS) on Lehigh Cement's plant in Edmonton, Alberta. Recognizing the substantial role that large-scale CCS has in reducing greenhouse (GHG) emissions, the Lehigh Cement, International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America (MHIA), part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, are moving forward with the engineering design for this feasibility study of the cement plant's carbon capture system.A first for the North American cement industry, the Lehigh CCS Feasibility Study looks at the viability of capturing 90-95 per cent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) - an estimated 600,000 tonnes of CO2 annually - from the cement plant's flue gas. The study is also a first for each of these organizations in North American all of whom pledge to actively work toward decarbonization.The study is timely as the recently released Canada Climate Plan specifically indicates that it will develop a comprehensive CCS strategy and explore other opportunities to help keep Canada globally competitive in this growing industry.With experience gained through the design, construction, operation, and subsequent enhancements/modifications of the SaskPower Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility (BD3 Facility), the Knowledge Centre, along with MHI Group and their collaborative work on the Shand CCS Feasibility Study, continue to be at the forefront of post-combustion capture processes globally and see an opportunity for CCS across post-combustion industries.Due to the remarkable similarities in flue gases, the expertise acquired at the BD3 Facility can be adapted to the cement sector with experienced-based guidance from the Knowledge Centre. The Lehigh CCS Feasibility Study will look to an engineering design that tailors the carbon capture technology owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering (MHIENG), part of MHI Group, so called KM CDR ProcessTM being deployed at 13 commercial plants globally, for integration with Lehigh's plant and output specifications, such as a flue gas pretreatment system and the carbon capture and compression process. In addition to eliminating the majority of CO2 emissions, the capture system would also eliminate other flue gas particulates.With cement demand on the rise and as a sector that is challenged with further abating emissions, large-scale CCS could well become the definitive solution to cut GHGs. The Lehigh CCS Feasibility Study explores the value of this for the cement industry, by encompassing engineering designs, cost estimation and an in-depth business case analysis.For the full release, visit https://www.mhi.com/news/21012102.html. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 21, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group has been working on the development of various products that will have zero CO2 emissions. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger, Ltd. (MHIET, President: Takeshi Kajino, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture), a part of the group, is strengthening its efforts to develop a hydrogen engine based on their existing diesel and gas engines. MHIET has conducted a combustion test of a hydrogen engine in a joint research project with Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST, President: Kazuhiko Ishimura). A modified single cylinder gas engine (bore 170mm x stroke 220mm) based on MHIET's 4-stroke reciprocating gas engine "GSR series" offered in 6 to 16 cylinders was installed at the AIST Fukushima Renewable Energy Institute (Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture).The test was carried out to identify the conditions to achieve stable combustion of 100% hydrogen without emitting CO2.MHIET and AIST began the joint research on combustion of hydrogen on an engine in fiscal 2019. MHIET and MHI Research and Innovation Center designed and built the hydrogen engine using the knowledge of hydrogen combustion technology, industrial-use diesel engines and natural gas engines, studied the conditions for optimum combustion, and analyzed the test data. AIST constructed and operated the hydrogen supply equipment and the test bench and acquired data utilizing its experience in developing combustion technology for high-power, high thermal efficiency, and low NOx (nitrogen oxide) hydrogen engines for large scale power generation.Hydrogen has a wide flammability range and a high combustion wave propagation velocity, making the engine prone to abnormal combustion such as backfire and knocking (Note1). The test used MHIET's existing lean-burn gas GSR series engine with additional modifications in fuel supply method, ignition method, timing of intake air valve closing, and excess air ratio etc. for optimum combustion to determine the conditions that ensure stable combustion with hydrogen-only firing and premixed firing. Converting the test results, the maximum output is estimated to be 340kW for 6-cylinder engine and 920kW for 16-cylinder engine. MHIET intends to accumulate more test data that will lead to the realization of multi-cylinder hydrogen engines and aims to make the engines available for the introduction of hydrogen economy in the 2030s.Further into the future, MHIET will replace the gas engine generator set currently used with "EBLOX" in the "Triple Hybrid" self-sustaining power supply system(2) with a hydrogen engine generator set to provide a distributed energy solution that achieves a self-sustaining power supply with no CO2 emission using solar power, batteries, hydrogen engines, and contribute to an energy-stable and carbon-free economy.(1) Backfiring is the movement of a flame in the opposite direction toward the engine's intake air passage, which damages the engine intake system. Knocking occurs when the fuel-air mixture self-ignites because the ignition timing is too early or the compression ratio is too high, resulting in a rapid rise in the cylinder pressure and producing a knocking sound, vibration, and damage to internal components.(2) A combined power generating system of renewable energy, reciprocating engine and batteries that contains optimal control for stable power supply. Please see the following URL for details http://www.mhiet.co.jp/en/news/20190624.html Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

KAWASAKI, Japan, Jan 21, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories, Ltd. has announced the development of a new multi-factor biometric authentication technology to deliver an innovative shopping experience for the "New Normal" era, combining non-contact biometrics that filter the verification target through facial data with identification performed via palm vein recognition. This technology enables identification with greater than 99% accuracy even when the user wears a mask, and will be showcased at a concept cashless Lawson convenience store at the Fujitsu Technology Square office in Shin-Kawasaki, Japan (1), for a field trial starting from January 2021.Fig. 1 Technology currently being verifiedFig. 2 Masks added to facial image dataFig. 3 Image of the updated user interfaceFig. 4 Multi-factor biometric authentication terminal in useUsers wearing masks present challenges to conventional facial recognition filtering technologies because a large part of the face is obscured, rendering authentication impossible in some cases. With the newly developed technology, however, differences in the appearance depending on the presence or absence of the mask can be absorbed by generating a composite image that combines the mask with the face image and training the model, achieving filtering accuracy of greater than 99%, or equivalent to that without a mask. Fujitsu has additionally enhanced its existing palm vein authentication sensor technology by improving the user interface so that users know how close to position their hand from the sensor for smooth authentication. This technology was ranked 6th amongst 147 participating global vendors and 1st place amongst Japanese vendors (2) in the face authentication vendor test conducted by the United States' National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).Development BackgroundIn recent years, the use of biometric authentication technologies has been increasing, including in areas like the processing of payments at brick-and-mortar stores and in ID verification for events. Now, these technologies also promise to help limit the spread of COVID-19 by limiting human contact during transactions and verification processes. To this end, Fujitsu is accelerating the introduction of contactless user interfaces for authentication leveraging facial and palm vein recognition with a variety of field trials over the past year (Fig. 1).ChallengesIn many parts of the world, mask-wearing has been highlighted by health officials as an important tool to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like the COVID-19 virus. However, when face authentication is performed while wearing a mask, most of the face is hidden, and the accuracy of this method can sometimes deteriorate. With this in mind, Fujitsu has worked to improve the accuracy of multi-factor biometric authentication at its pilot store by combining facial filtering technology with palm vein recognition. In addition, when considering the introduction of the system for general users in brick-and-mortar stores going forward, it will become essential to improve the user interface of the system to improve user-friendliness, allowing users to register and authenticate themselves without complex explanations or intervention from store clerks.Newly Developed TechnologyFujitsu Laboratories has developed a data expansion machine learning technology that enables highly accurate filtering even when the target user is wearing a mask.The features of the developed technology are as follows.With typical facial recognition technology, when a user is wearing a mask only the exposed eye area is checked in order to extract features such as the shape and position of the face. While this method can help reduce the influence of wearing a mask over an accurate reading, it cannot extract the features of the entire face, presenting the possibility that the target user cannot be recognized due to insufficient data.In order to reduce this effect, the newly developed technology generates an image of the user's face without a mask while taking into account the extraction of features of the entire face, like its shape and contours. This means that even when the user is wearing a mask, the user can be recognized against the corresponding facial image can be narrowed down from a large database with the same level of accuracy as without a mask. Specifically, the technology estimates the position of the face based on facial features such as the position of the eyes and nose, and based on the estimation results, an artificial mask is resized and reshaped then superimposed over the face image to generate a natural masked facial image. In addition, the system uses various types of masks in order to deal with situations in which masks of various colors, patterns and shapes are worn by users (Fig. 2). This makes multi-factor authentication more hygienic and easier to use by allowing people to undergo authentication without removing their mask.Improved user interfaceThe user interface of the palm vein authentication system has also been improved to enable smoother use. A palm-shaped light has been added to the sensor, and the color and the pattern of the light changes according to the distance of the hand, so that the appropriate height for accurate authentication is apparent (Fig. 3). This allows people who are not familiar with palm vein authentication to adjust their palms to the appropriate height for smooth, contactless authentication (Fig. 4).OutcomesBy using the newly developed technology and user interface, Fujitsu hopes to provide safer and more secure services while preventing the spread of infectious diseases in a variety of situations, including payments at brick and mortar stores using biometric authentication and personal identification at leisure facilities.Future PlansTo make sure users can do the authentication process by themselves using the developed technology and improved UI, Fujitsu will introduce this technology to a system currently under verification(3) at a concept cashless Lawson convenience store in Shin-Kawasaki Technology Square in cooperation with Lawson, a major Japanese convenience store chain. Fujitsu will conduct verification tests from January 21, 2021 with the aim of putting the system into practical use by the end of FY 2021.(1) a concept cashless Lawson convenience store the Fujitsu Technology Square office in Shin-KawasakiSince February 2020, Fujitsu has been participating in a POC conducted by Lawson, Inc. for cashier-less solutions at a location in its offices. Based on the results of the POC, Lawson has been working with the Fujitsu as well as America's Zippin to identify business and technical issues.(2) This technology was ranked 6th amongst 147 participating global vendors and 1st place amongst Japanese vendorsIn the facial recognition vendor test conducted by the United States' NIST in November 2020. FRVT Face Mask Effects(3) Fujitsu will introduce this technology to a system currently under verificationRefers to system provided by VCOGNITION TECHNOLOGIES, INC "Zippin". The system integrates devices such as cameras and weight sensors necessary for automatic payment, AI functions for recognizing customers and products, and linking functions with payment and inventory management.About FujitsuFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 130,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.9 trillion yen (US$35 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.About Fujitsu LaboratoriesFounded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. is one of the premier research centers in the world. With a global network of laboratories in Japan, China, the United States and Europe, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Next-generation Services, Computer Servers, Networks, Electronic Devices and Advanced Materials. For more information, please see: http://www.fujitsu.com/jp/group/labs/en/. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 20, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda has announced that it will collaborate with Cruise and General Motors on self-driving vehicles for its autonomous vehicle mobility service (MaaS) business in Japan, based on the development and commercial agreements signed in October 2018.Cruise will be sending the first of its self-driving test vehicles to Japan and start development for testing this year.Further ahead, Honda aims to launch its MaaS business using the Cruise Origin, a vehicle the three companies are jointly developing exclusively for autonomous vehicle mobility service businesses. Honda Mobility Solutions Co., Ltd., established in February 2020, will be the operator of such MaaS business in Japan.Comments by Dan Ammann, CEO of Cruise:"Cruise's mission to provide safer, cleaner and more accessible transportation is not limited to the US. These are major changes that are needed almost everywhere in the world, and this is a small, but symbolic step with Honda on our global journey."Comments by Takahiro Hachigo, President & Representative Director, Honda Motor Co, Ltd.:"This collaboration with Cruise will enable the creation of new value for mobility and people's daily lives, which we strive for under Honda's 2030 Vision of serving people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life's potential. Through active collaboration with partners who share the same interests and aspirations, Honda will continue to accelerate the realization of our autonomous vehicle MaaS business in Japan." Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

KARIYA, JAPAN, Jan 20, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - DENSO, a leading mobility supplier, has announced a partnership with U.S. LiDAR and perception systems company, Aeva, to develop next-generation sensing and perception systems. Together, the companies will advance Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR, a groundbreaking solution that measures velocity, in addition to depth and reflectivity, and bring it to the mass vehicle market. LiDAR plays a key role in automated driving and advanced driver-assistance systems. At present, most LiDAR systems use the Time of Flight (TOF) method to operate. This method accurately detects the distance and direction of objects by emitting pulse laser beams and measuring the time taken to receive the beams reflected by the objects. It can detect the positions of objects around a vehicle with high resolution, and is expected to provide high-performance detection.Founded in 2017 by former Apple engineers Soroush Salehian and Mina Rezk, Aeva is developing LiDAR with a new measurement method called FMCW. Unlike the TOF LiDAR, FMCW LiDAR detects not only the distance and direction of objects but also measures the moving speed of objects by emitting laser beams while measureing the changes in frequency of the beams reflected by objects. These capabilities allow FMCW LiDAR to detect moving objects close to a vehicle, such as pedestrians and bicycles, with higher accuracy and speed. As the collaboration progresses, DENSO's deep knowledge of sensing technology and commercialization paired with Aeva's proprietary technology will allow each to further strengthen FMCW LiDAR and innovate perception systems for the future. The partnership also supports DENSO's goal to eliminate traffic accidents and realize freedom of mobility for all. To do this, the company is focusing on developing technologies that improve road safety, like advanced driver-assistance and automated driving systems; working with public and private partners to promote traffic accident prevention; and innovating solutions that help detect driver health and measure driving skills. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 19, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (MGC), Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering (MHIENG) have teamed up with the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) and Massy Holdings (Massy), a joint venture in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited (CGCL), to launch commercial operations of a methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) plant. CGCL's PlantCGCL was established in March 2013, and it completed construction. Fueled primarily by natural gas sourced from Trinidad and Tobago, the plant has an annual production capacity of one million tons of methanol and 20,000 tons of DME. It began operating commercially in December 18, 2020. Methanol is a basic chemical that is used as a raw material in the production of many downstream products. Its applications include adhesives, agricultural chemicals, paints, plastics and synthetic textiles. In recent years, it has been garnering more attention as an alternative to heavy fuel oil in the shipping industry and as an otherwise environmentally-friendly source of energy. Furthermore, because it can be produced from CO2 and as a promising hydrogen carrier, it could play a part in realizing sustainable, low-carbon societies. DME is also raising interest as a clean, next-generation energy source. In addition to its use in aerosol products and other daily goods, it can serve as an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas and diesel fuel for automobiles and power generation. Currently, the global demand for methanol is approximately 81 million tons per year, and that is expected to increase steadily in step with GDP growth. Through this business, MGC, MC and MHIENG are aiming to help meet that demand and provide a boost to economic growth in the Caribbean. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Jan 14, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TOKYO:4004) will increase its capacity to produce aluminum substrate for HD media through consolidated subsidiary Showa Denko HD Yamagata K.K. (SHDY), raising the group's production capacity by 30% and thereby strengthening its hard disk (HD) business.SDK's policy decision to increase supply capacity and diversify and strengthen its supply chain has been qualified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as eligible for subsidy under the government's "Program for Promoting Investment to Strengthen Supply Chains in Japan ".With the launch of 5th generation mobile communication (5G) service, the spread of the Internet of Things (IoT), the penetration of telework, and the development and expansion of digital transformation, the volume of data communication is expected to continue to increase dramatically. As a result, the demand for hard disk drives (HDDs) for data centres has been growing significantly. As most of our supply capacity is concentrated in Malaysia, it is necessary to secure a more stable supply chain against the spread of the new coronavirus worldwide.In order to solve this problem, we have decided to expand our aluminum substrate production capacity at SHDY, our domestic base, in order to increase our supply capacity and to further diversify and strengthen our supply chain. Construction of the new facility will begin in February 2021, with mass production scheduled to commence in early 2022.The Group's vision is to become a KOSEIHA company (an alliance of KOSEIHA businesses that can maintain a high level of profitability and stability over time), and the HD business is one of our KOSEIHA businesses. As the world's largest external HD media manufacturer, we will continue to support an ever-expanding and evolving digital society and expand our business by rapidly introducing world-class products to the market under the motto of "Best in Class". About Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TOKYO:4004, ADR:SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving heavy industry to computers and electronics. Petrochemicals provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene; Chemicals provides high-performance gases and chemicals to semicon and other industries; Inorganics provides ceramic products: alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbons. Aluminum provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum; Electronics provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high-bright LEDs and rare earth magnetic alloys; Advanced Battery Materials (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. Please visit us: www.sdk.co.jp/english/.For further information, contact:Showa Denko K.K., CSR & Corporate Communication Office, Tel: 81-3-5470-3235 Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com