According to the Australian Financial Review today, Japan listed robotics manufacturer Fanuc is well positioned to take advantage of a growing trend.
Appetite for industrial robots versus human workers is being driven by the potential for cost savings (especially as labour costs rise), faster speeds, quality, stability and safety advantages. This has seen global robot sales rise 8 per cent year on year in 2015 to breach the 240,000 unit mark for the first time, driven by solid demand from the automotive industry and China.
Fanuc, which has about 17 per cent market share globally, is heavily positioned in China, where demand for "cobots" (collaboration robots) rose 16 per cent last year to 66,000 units. These articulated robots (which have rotary joints) work side by side with human workers and are routinely used in a number of industries.
The market in the Western world is also growing strongly, with North American sales up 11 per cent last year to 34,000 units while Europe saw 9 per cent year-on-year growth to about 50,000 units. Fanuc is expanding its footprint, with plans to establish four new facilities across the Americas which management says will "significantly increase" capacity.
The Japanese manufacturer has also partnered with multinational technology company CISCO with its concept of "zero downtime", which involves connecting bots with sensors and the internet to streamline factory production. 
The new technology will enable factory owners to easily customise their robots and systems by downloading the necessary applications via the Fanuc platform, in much the same way that phone users download smartphone apps on iStore.
The new platform will also be open to peers in the sector to connect their machines and apps to the platform. Fanuc will be able to generate revenues from that as well as fee income from app developers as a platform provider, in a model similar to that used by Google and Apple. It will gain a tremendous competitive edge by being the first player to provide such a service.
Fanuc's results were in line with expectations in the third quarter to December 31, with the market already expecting weaker sales. Revenues fell 25.1 per cent year on year to ¥137.6 billion ($A1.67 billion). But robot division sales were a bright spot, up 20 per cent.

Ref: http://www.afr.com/personal-finance/shares/robotics-maker-fanuc-likely-to-prosper-20160426-goez6f

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/162

According to The Australian Financial Review today, the human guinea pigs of Australia are in strong demand from pharmaceutical companies in China, Japan and Korea.
Demand from offshore for drug trials is rising fast from Asian companies, on top of the traditional core business from United States giants, which has prompted CMAX, a division of ASX-listed IDT Australia, to shift into a new hi-tech clinical trials facility in Adelaide's CBD. The clinic operates much like a mini-hospital, except without sick patients.
Individuals can earn up to $4000 for a two-week stay in the 50-bed facility, taking part in a range of clinical trials to test new drugs and vaccines as part of the long regulatory process before they can become available to the public.
An army of 14,000 people are on the CMAX database. They comprise shift workers, small business people, retirees and university students who are keen to earn some extra dollars and also advance the frontiers of medical science. It has also done clinical trials over the past few months with people of Chinese descent, and those from Japan, who are living in Adelaide, for specific projects requiring an answer on the impact on a specific ethnic group.
Jane Kelly, the vice-president of clinical services for CMAX, says demand has accelerated from China, Japan and Korea over the past 12 months. Offshore customers are attracted by the speed of the process and the robust reputation that CMAX has earned from regulators around the world.
Just as vitamins companies led by Blackmores and Swisse have experienced a huge jump in sales to China because of the "clean and green" reputation of Australia, health and pharmaceutical service providers are increasingly perceived as delivering high quality. Ms Kelly says extra work has come through to CMAX from companies wanting traditional Chinese medicines tested in a clinical setting.

Ref: http://www.afr.com/business/australias-human-guinea-pigs-in-demand-from-asia-for-clinical-trials-20160426-gofko5
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If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/161
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According to The Nikkei Asian Review today, a major Japanese company, IHI, will construct a jet engine facility in Japan for the first time in two decades to tap growing maintenance demand from low-cost carriers, as domestic rivals also ramp up investment in the aerospace industry.
IHI will invest about 10 billion yen (US$89.8 million) to build an engine service centre on a roughly 400,000-sq.-meter plot in the city of Tsurugashima, Saitama Prefecture. It plans to employ 200 to 300 people at the plant, which is expected to come online in fiscal 2018. IHI will both inspect engines, which will be removed from planes before being transported to the facility, and make necessary parts replacements there.
This will become the Tokyo-based company's largest domestic plant for its aerospace business. IHI's last domestic aircraft factory was constructed in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, in 1998.
U.S.-based General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, as well as the U.K.'s Rolls-Royce, dominate the jet engine market. But IHI and compatriot Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produce turbines and many other components that require high precision. IHI hopes to win maintenance orders from both domestic and foreign airlines on its expertise in engine structure.
The number of passenger jets across the world is expected to soar 90% between 2014 and 2034 to about 37,000, according to the Japan Aircraft Development Corp. New orders in emerging economies, particularly in Asia, are expected to far exceed the number of planes that age out of service. And low-cost carriers have flourished on deregulation in many markets. They tend to outsource many of their operations, and could fuel a boom in maintenance and other fields.
Aircraft parts suppliers are expanding their focus to support services, since the growing number of planes in the world points to a steadily expanding market. Maintenance services currently account for about 40% of IHI's sales in its civilian jet engine business. Its goal is to raise the figure to 60% over the next decade.
Many Japanese manufacturers are holding back on domestic investment in anticipation of shrinking demand within the country. But those in the aerospace industry have positioned themselves as key suppliers of Boeing and Airbus and are expanding aggressively. Kawasaki Heavy Industries is investing 24 billion yen in a Gifu Prefecture plant for Boeing-related parts. Mitsubishi Heavy is pouring just under 30 billion yen into a Hiroshima facility.
Mitsubishi Aircraft, meanwhile, is developing the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, Japan's first passenger plane in half a century. Japan could soon have a full-fledged aerospace sector, complete with airframe builders, parts suppliers and support service providers.

Ref: http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/IHI-to-build-first-jet-engine-facility-in-Japan-in-20-years

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/-ihi20-lcc100

According to The Australian Financial Review today, Sydney's residential auctions achieved a stronger-than-expected clearance rate over the Anzac Day long weekend, with western Sydney showing some improved sales as investors went bargain hunting. 
Despite the traditionally quieter auction activity, Sydney had an improved clearance rate of 71.2 per cent. APM PriceFinder reported 232 home auction sales at the weekend, with a total value of $241.8 million.
Domain senior economist Andrew Wilson said while the result was good, sellers should expect softer results ahead.
"I think the clearance rate is more likely to consolidate below the 70 per cent level, not above," Mr Wilson said. "We just don't have the capacity to push up prices any more."
The surprise at the weekend was western Sydney, where the clearance rate rose to more than 60 per cent, up from 50 per cent the previous week, he said.
"I think some investors have found opportunities in that market."
The owners of the four properties – at 13, 13a, 15 and 15a Coolong Road – joined to sell all four houses in a combined site of more than 4000 square metres.
The name of the buyer was not disclosed but it is likely the homes will be knocked down to create a single "masterpiece".
"This is proof of the future of Sydney property," Ray White chairman Brian White said. "There's a lot of talk that the market is cooling. That's nonsense."
At the weekend Melbourne also had a higher clearance rate, of 74.7 per cent.
Overall the national clearance rate hit 70.5 per cent, up on last week's 66.9 per cent. Across the 759 auctions reported there were $450 million in sales achieved, down from last week, where there were 1174 reported auctions, with $628.3 million in sales.

Ref: http://www.afr.com/real-estate/investors-go-bargain-hunting-in-sydneys-west-20160424-goe279

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/160

According to The Asahi Shimbun recently, a boom in Japanese granola production has led to new varieties being created with ingredients such as green powdered tea and tofu added to broaden the products’ appeal.
Japanese food makers are targeting their granola products at a wider range of customers, such as children and elderly people, by making their products more nutritious.
Domestic production of granola has multiplied six-fold over the last five years. According to the Japan Snack Cereal Foods Association, the production of granola products was worth 36.9 billion yen (US$340 million) in 2015, about six times that for 2011, when it was worth just 6.1 billion yen.
Working with tofu manufacturer Sagamiya Foods Co., Calbee Inc. began marketing a tofu variety of granola in the Kanto region on March 11. Calbee also intends to expand its production facility in Utsunomiya-city by the end of April.
“We will win over elderly customers who are very conscious of their health,” said Akira Matsumoto, chairman and CEO of Calbee, referring to the company’s move.
On March 14, Nissin Cisco Co. also released new granola products including ones containing 10 percent more fruit than conventional products and featuring “Uji maccha” green powdered tea.
Kellogg Co. is another big name to join the trend, and the cereals giant has begun selling a tastier and more nutritious granola product aimed at children.

Ref: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604230023.html

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/159

According to The Asahi Shimbun, scientists are developing a rechargeable battery that could have an electricity storage capacity that exceeds lithium ion batteries, which could lead to a smaller, high-output power source for electric vehicles and home electronics.
A research team from Kyoto University and other institutes said on 28 March that its battery will contain electrodes made from a compound of fluorine and a metal.
Additional research will be conducted to heighten the durability of the battery so it can be repeatedly recharged. The goal is to commercialize such a battery in small sizes with the ability to store large volumes of electricity.
According to members of the research team, the battery will generate electricity by having fluorine ions flow from a positive electrode to a negative one. That would be a reverse flow from what happens within lithium ion batteries where ions flow from the negative electrode to the positive one.
A major characteristic of the new battery is the use of a compound made up of a metal and fluorine, which was believed unsuitable for use as a material for electrodes.
At an experimental level, the new battery recorded an energy density of 398 watt-hours per kilogram of the battery. Energy density is a measure of battery function. Lithium ion batteries are believed to have a maximum energy density of about 300 watt-hours.
The fluorine ion battery research is part of a national project begun in fiscal 2009 by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.
"We hope the new battery can contribute to resolving energy and environmental issues related to energy sources for electric cars," said Zempachi Ogumi, a professor emeritus of engineering at Kyoto University, who heads the research team.

Ref: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201604150018.html
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​If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/158

According to The Australian Financial Review today, the Australian arm of global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has formed an alliance with local technology startup LawPath, to offer other startups a cut-price option to get the legal side of raising capital and expanding their business in order.
The move is the latest by Australian legal practices to try and position themselves to win more business from the growing band of startups, looking to raise funds.
Under the alliance LawPath will provide packages which give startups access to pre-prepared documentation online. Previously such forms – relating to areas including capital raisings, shareholder agreements and convertible notes; and permanent and contract employment agreements – would have been completed with legal representatives incurring much greater cost.
As part of the packages, startups are also allotted pre-paid hours with a senior Norton Rose Fulbright lawyer, to review and tailor documents.
Norton Rose Fulbright managing partner in Australia Wayne Spanner said attempting to raise capital had typically been the first time that many startups have sought to engage legal advice. However legal firms are looking to get on board with the potentially lucrative startup wave.
"There is no question that all major law firms are thinking about what the legal industry will look like in five to 10 years, and what that means for their businesses," Mr Spanner said.
LawPath meanwhile has previously been viewed as a disruptor to the traditional law firms. Its model of providing pre-packaged legal services online takes some of the bread and butter, form-filling legal work away from law firms.
The startup raised $1.3 million itself last October, and says it has more than 20,000 small to medium businesses using its platform. In the last year it says its revenue has risen by 800 per cent, with customer numbers up 400 per cent.
LawPath co-founder and CEO Damien Andreasen said this particular product had been developed alongside Norton Rose Fulbright, so would not be available through other legal firms. He said avoiding excessive legal fees would make a big difference to startups at a crucial stage of their growth.
"I have been through and done capital raises myself and legal fees starting at $2099 for all of the investment documents you need to raise capital and for four plus hours with a senior lawyer is very affordable in comparison to the traditional model," he said.

Ref: http://www.afr.com/technology/legal-giant-norton-rose-fulbright-teams-with-lawpath-to-lure-startup-clients-20160407-go0v36

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:

http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/157

According to The Australian Financial Review today, the supply of residential aged care places is unlikely to keep up with the demand generated by Australia's ageing population, an industry report has found.
Demand for aged care beds hit a shortfall of 28,000 places in the 2015 round of federal government allocations for aged care places, according to a report by accountancy firm RSM.
By 2025, demand for places could reach as much 392,000, on a forecast of high population growth.  
However the forecast for available places is just 262,000 places in 2025.
"The available statistics suggest that even if supply could be created to meet demand that there is insufficient appetite for this within the sector."
It notes that if the market for aged care places were to be deregulated supply would find a level to match to demand.
But the supply of places is in fact tightly regulated through government control of bed licences, Another major constraint is the lag before an allocated aged care place can become operational.
The median time for an allocated place to become active is at least four years.
Another factor weighing on availability is an emerging trend towards shorter stays of between one and three months. This may contribute to higher vacancy rates.
As well, the proportion of allocated places that are not being made operational is increasing, with industry players more focused on investment returns than creating additional capacity.
 "Many of the overarching industry trends we're seeing in the residential aged care industry suggest that the profitability of the sector is actually declining, despite increasing demand," said RSM director Bruce Bailey said.
"Although there was improvement in operating performance in 2014, the industry is no more profitable than it was in 2012."
Return on assets and equity in the sector are also declining, the report found.
As a result, the industry will become increasing reliant on short term finance in the form of resident loans, increasing the sector's risk profile.

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/aged-care-places-not-keeping-up-with-demand-report-20160418-go8xxu

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/156

According to The Business Insider Australia and News.com.au, the Swedish flatpackers at IKEA are getting into cycling, announcing that their first mass-produced bicycle, a low-maintence beltless commuter bike, the Sladda, will be released in Australia in September.
Sladda means "skid sideways" in Swedish, and yes, it comes in a flatpack, in just one colour, off white, with two sizes - 26-inch and 28-inch frames - making its suitable for anyone over 12. The rear wheel is connected to the frame, so you'll need about 30 minutes to add the front wheel, handlebars and pedals.
The big innovation is that it swaps the bike chain for a rust-resistance and maintenance-free belt drive and it's guaranteed for 15000km, which is about 7 return trips between Sydney and Melbourne. It also uses a back-pedal break on the rear wheel, so there are no brake cables. The bike frame is guaranteed for 25 years.
But the most amazing part is an automatic gear-change system inside the rear wheel, technology that only emerged last year.
And if you're thinking of riding the bike to an IKEA store, there's a range of accessories using a modular click system, including front and rear racks ($50/$40), rear pannier bags ($79) and even a tow cart.
The other impressive part is the price. At $799 ($649 for IKEA Family members) in Australia, it looks set to be a bargain, with the European price being touted at €700 and £450 ($900) in the UK when it hits the market a month earlier in August.

Ref: http://www.businessinsider.com.au/ikea-is-launching-a-chainless-bicycle-in-australia-2016-4
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/outdoors/ikea-launching-its-first-bicycle/news-story/68c66ae62820f15fb3e677239fe7769d

If you want to read this article in Japanese, please see the following link:
http://www.j-abc.com/jp-blog/-ikea