Mercari Establishes New Team Dedicated to Generative AI/LLM
WEBWIRE – Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Mercari, Inc. is thrilled to announce the establishment of a team dedicated to generative AI and large language model (LLM) technology. This team will be led by Vice President of Generative AI/LLM Yuki Ishikawa and will work with members and team across the entire Mercari Group, working together to enhance internal productivity and solve issues encountered by users of our products by applying generative AI/LLM technology.
With the advent of generative AI and LLM, we expect to see more innovation in a variety of fields moving forward, and we also see potential for many applications of this technology within Mercari Group. This team will create an environment where these new technologies can be used both within the company and in our products, and will aim to contribute to the disruptive growth of the company as indicated in Mercari Groups mission of circulate all forms of value to unleash the potential in all people.
Furthermore, in utilizing generative AI and LLM, Mercari and Mercari R4D (the research and development organization of Mercari Group) will leverage their research and knowledge of ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues) as it pertains to the field of AI in order to formulate and implement guidelines that take into account factors such as data security, governance, privacy, and AI ethics.
NEC Corporation (NEC) announced in 2019 that it would expand the application of its cutting-edge AI technologies to drug development, focusing on advanced therapy as part of enhancing its healthcare business. Subsequently, in order to advance AI-powered personalized treatment and beyond, NEC acquired Norway-based NEC OncoImmunity (NOI) that same year. Today, NEC and NOI announced that NOI will be realigned as a subsidiary of NEC Bio B.V. (NB) in Hilversum, Netherlands, a newly established wholly owned subsidiary of NEC. At the same time, NEC established another new company, NEC Bio Therapeutics (NBT) in Mannheim, Germany, also a subsidiary of NB. The new structure will enable NEC to drive long-term growth. The main focus of NB will be to streamline all AI, drug research and development activities. While NOI will continue with its research activities, working on the frontiers of the intersection between drug research and AI technology, NBT will lead the clinical development and clinical strategy of the assets in the drug development pipeline. Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Takayuki Morita, CEO of NEC, said: “We believe this is a key strategic step for NEC to continue its growth in the biopharma space. Establishment of this organizational structure will allow us to concentrate on the execution of strategies for growth in the drug development business, and reinforces NEC’s commitment to Healthcare and Life Science, which is positioned to become one of the next pillars of growth for NEC.” Mr. Akira Kitamura, CEO, NEC Bio B.V., said: “NEC Bio’s mission is to bring novel therapies to patients across the globe, to improve their quality of life and health outcomes. I am confident that with NO”s pioneering research, along with the strong clinical expertise of NBT, we can deliver on that mission. NEC Bio’s success will be a strong growth driver for NEC’s Healthcare and Life Science business.” Dr. Richard Stratford, CEO of NEC OncoImmunity, said: “This new organization is vital for further growth in the drug development space. NEC OncoImmunity will continue its cutting-edge research and development activities for world class AI technology to bring novel treatments to patients across the globe in the fields of oncology and infectious disease.” Dr. Heinz Lubenau, CEO of NEC Bio Therapeutics, said: “It has been very exciting to be part of the NEC Group team. As a next step, I am looking forward to focusing on clinical strategy and development, as well as the planning and execution of clinical trials in oncology.” NEC Bio, along with NOI and NBT, will continue to work with various partners to facilitate pre-clinical and clinical development in the infectious disease and oncology fields. About NEC OncoImmunity AS NEC OncoImmunity AS is an AI driven biotechnology company that has developed proprietary machine learning-based software which addresses the key knowledge gaps in the prediction of bona fide immunogenic neoantigens for personalized cancer immunotherapy. The AI technology can be used to identify optimal neoantigen targets for truly personalized cancer vaccines & cell therapies in a clinically actionable timeframe, and also facilitate effective patient selection for cancer immunotherapy. The AI technology has also been repurposed to identify optimal antigens from pathogens for the purpose of designing broadly protective vaccines against highly diverse viral species and viral genera, that are effective in the global population. For more information, visit NEC OncoImmunity AS at www.oncoimmunity.com/ About NEC’s AI Drug Development Business For more information, please visit www.nec.com/en/global/solutions/ai-drug/. About NEC Corporation NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at www.nec.com. TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Koichiro Tanaka), which operates the TANAKA Precious Metals manufacturing business, announced that TANAKA Kikinzoku Korea Co., Ltd. was established in Seoul, Korea on November 10, 2022, as a new base for sales strategy in Korea and will start operating as a new company as of April 3, 2023. Background of Establishment In the past, because the base operated in Korea as a branch of TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo, a Japanese company, it was necessary to carry out transactions and sales with customers in Korea as a Japanese company. As a result, there were restrictions on transactions in Korea, such as limitations on projects that could be handled due to the inability to use the local currency. Effects of Establishment Through the establishment of this overseas subsidiary, it will be possible to conduct transactions with customers in Korea as a local company using the local currency (the Korean Republic won). This will allow the subsidiary to transact directly with customers in Korea, making transactions smoother and more vibrant, such as allowing delivery of products after completing import customs clearance. In addition, by being positioned as a branch of a Japanese company in the past, the base was not qualified to participate in tenders such as for projects from Korea’s national policy research institutes and waste recovery for precious metal recycling. By establishing the base as a Korean company, it will be possible to bid in Korea for projects using plating equipment and various materials for national research as well as petrochemical catalyst waste recovery. As a result, it is expected that the scope of transactions in Korea will expand significantly. By establishing the branch in Seoul, Korea, as an overseas subsidiary, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo strives to carry out transactions in Korea more smoothly. At the same time, the company will meet the needs of local customers by further expanding the scope of products that can be offered. In addition, as a focus area after the establishment of the subsidiary, besides waste recovery and precious metal recycling centered on platinum, a new entry into the market for precursors will be sought, among other things, to further expand business in Korea. Overview of Subsidiary About TANAKA Precious Metals Since its foundation in 1885, TANAKA Precious Metals has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volumes of precious metals handled. Over the course of many years, TANAKA has not only manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry but also provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and around the world collaborate and cooperate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a full range of products and services. With 5,225 employees, the Group’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, were 787.7 billion yen.* Global industrial business website Product inquiries Press inquiries This press release in PDF: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/2023316_EN.pdf DoJ establishes Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Task Force
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Led by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, the Task Force comprises representatives from the legal sector, the academics, the business sector, Hong Kong residents in the Mainland and the DoJ.
“The development of the GBA, one of the key national strategies, provides Hong Kong with unlimited opportunities. To establish this Task Force is one of the initiatives in the 2022 Policy Address to dovetail with the national strategies to create strong impetus for growth,” Mr Cheung said.
Upon the progressive, orderly and comprehensive resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, Mr Cheung hopes that the work of the Task Force can help the legal sector to better seize the opportunities given to Hong Kong by the country; to promote the interaction and co-operation among the people and businesses in the GBA; to fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique competitive edges under “one country, two systems” in favour of a more proactive integration into the national development, and in support of the GBA’s high-quality development.
The terms of reference and membership of the Task Force are respectively set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2.
SB establishes Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum to implement Policy Address initiative (with photos)
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NEC Establishes Subsidiaries in Europe for Strengthening Global AI Drug Development Business
Topic: Press release summaryTANAKA Establishes New Overseas Subsidiary in Seoul, Korea
TANAKA Kikinzoku Korea Co., Ltd.
– Company Name: TANAKA Kikinzoku Korea Co., Ltd.
– Officers: Yasutaka Ihara, Representative Director (part-time); Lee Jun Seok, Director (full-time); Toru Shoji, Director (part-time); Shigeyuki Kamiya, Director (part-time); Akihito Sato, Corporate Auditor (part-time)
– Location: #901 OPULENCE Bldg., 254, Seocho-Daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul 06647 Korea
– Established: November 10, 2022
– Number of employees: 19 (including 4 expatriates)
– Activities: Imported sales and manufacturing of TANAKA’s precious metal industrial products (materials and components); sales of plating solutions and provision of engineering services to customers; industrial/consumer waste recovery and collection
– Capital: 1 billion won (approximately 103 million yen)
– Shareholder: TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. (100%)
*From the current consolidated fiscal year, the amounts of sales for some transactions are indicated as net values due to the application of the Accounting Standard for Revenue Recognition.
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/
TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-on-industrial-products/
TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/
Topic: Press release summaryHong Kong – DoJ establishes Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Task Force
The Department of Justice (DoJ) announces today (January 7) the establishment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Task Force to deepen the mutually beneficial co-operation for the convenience and benefit of the people in the GBA and to facilitate the development and construction of the GBA.
The work of the Task Force is mainly to advise on the promotion and utilization of the unique strengths of “one country, two systems and three jurisdictions” of the GBA; and to focus on strengthening mutual legal assistance between the GBA and Hong Kong and facilitating the convergence of legal practices, so as to enhance interactions among the people and businesses in the GBA. The Task Force is to hold the first meeting in January.Hong Kong – SB establishes Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum to implement Policy Address initiative (with photos)
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, today (October 22) attended the induction course arranged for members of the Security Bureau Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum. The course signified the establishment of the Leaders Forum (Leaders Forum) and the launching of its one-year programme to contribute to the initiative in “The Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address” to deepen the participation of government departments and civil service grades in youth work.
Participating in the two-day, one-night induction course held at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O, Mr Tang said, “Participants of the Leaders Forum are distinguished members of various youth uniformed groups of disciplined services with great potential, and they have been chosen as members of the Leaders Forum following rigorous selection. I hope that the members will take part in the diverse activities fully in the coming months to broaden their horizons and engage in public services, so as to offer advice to the Security Bureau (SB) on youth development work across disciplined services and organise the relevant activities in the future.” Mr Tang shared with members his experience in serving the community in his 30-odd years of public service and encouraged them to equip themselves and pursue excellence to become outstanding leaders.
There are 50 members aged from 15 to 25 in the Leaders Forum. Outstanding individuals in Hong Kong had been invited to share their experiences with members at the induction course, including the Chairman of the Leaders Forum Advisory Board and successful businessman, Mr Yeung Fun-bun, who shared the story of his entrepreneurial career; Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award winner and Hong Kong “fencing queen”, Ms Vivian Kong, who will share her experience in overcoming adversity; Legislative Council Member Dr Stephen Wong, who will talk about policy research; veteran media professional Mr Lo Wing-hung, who lectured on local and global developments; and the Executive Director of Outward Bound Hong Kong, Mr Nick Cotton, who spoke on the strategy of engaging with young people. In addition, the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy also provided a series of trainings on discipline, physical fitness and team building.
The Leaders Forum will hold diverse activities regularly, including sharing sessions on “one country, two systems”, studies on social issues, experiential learning and local or Mainland visits for members to gain inspiration and expand horizons.
In addition to the establishment of the Leaders Forum, the SB and the disciplined services will also implement other relevant initiatives in the Policy Address, including promoting national security education to enhance the national security awareness of about 10 000 youth uniformed group members of the disciplined services by the end of next year. They will also strive to increase the number of active members of the youth uniformed groups of the disciplined services and further strengthen the youth work to cultivate positive thinking, law-abiding awareness, sense of national identity and discipline and team spirit. Furthermore, together they will offer at least 100 internship places in the disciplined services to let members of the youth uniformed groups experience the disciplined services’ work and prepare them for a career in the disciplined services. Some 200 internship places will also be offered in different business sectors (including those in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) for members of youth uniformed groups of the disciplined services.
At present, seven disciplined services and auxiliary services under the SB have established youth uniform groups, including the Customs Youth Leader Corps, the Correctional Services Department’s Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders, the Fire and Ambulance Services Teen Connect, Junior Police Call, the Immigration Department Youth Leaders Corps, the Auxiliary Medical Service Cadet Corps and the Civil Aid Service Cadet Corps. The Government Flying Service has also established a partnership with Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps to organise youth activities on a regular basis.
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