tech

Gov't looks to self-driving cars, drones to spur innovation

11 Comments
By Stanley White and Takaya Yamaguchi

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11 Comments
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Piecemeal deregulation is better than nothing but deregulating the entire economy would allow for innovation across the entire economy. The government needs to get out of the way of everything as fast as possible to allow for growth.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

"....deregulating the entire economy would allow for innovation...."

Yes, deregulation is the answer. For instance, ever since the US govt deregulated its airlines in 1979, the US carriers have been providing unprecedented levels of quality, service and consistency, while thriving in a lucrative business environment. I'd rather fly Delta than state-owned (yuck) Singapore Airlines any day.

And when California deregulated and privatized its energy market, America's wealthiest state was plunged literally into darkness. Yeah, deregulation: bring it on!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

This is a good thing? Really? Self-driving car technology has been mastered by European car companies like BMW. And why drones? I can buy one online from China for 40 bucks! There are far more pressing 'innovations' that need to be addressed than silly sci-fi ideas. How about innovations like, getting of nuclear power and developing safer renewable energy sources or innovations in how remove and store all nuclear waste in Japan?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What is it with Abe and low hanging fruit?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I highly doubt that self driving cars will be on the road and accessible to general public in Japan by 2020.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So, the headline is "Japan looks to American technology to spur innovation"?

It may have worked 20-30 years ago, but the whole "Japan takes American Tech and makes it better!" phrase I always hear is not exactly something to strive for.

It might have worked in the analog days...and it might have worked when Japanese people were willing to buy 10 versions of the same machine because "hey it's new!", but here and now most tech can (and is) updated regularly via firmware. No need to buy an "improved" version when we can update for free.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Japan isn't a leader in self driving cars or drones

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I see 4 votes in favour of centrally planned economies, the biggest failure of the 20th century and making a similar fist of it in the 21st.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

self-driving cars to be tested on public roads from fiscal 2017 with the aim of companies providing the service for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo>

Only 5 years to get it done. Good luck with it. Does Abe know that apart from perfecting the driverless car itself there is other things need to be changed? For example many legislative changes would have to be made before the vehicles could be made available for the public. What is the consequences if there is an accident and there's no driver and somebody's killed? Is Abe prepared to sign off on authorising a driverless vehichle cause I doubt if any other politician is willing to do it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If Abe really wants to spur technology in Japan, he would stop subsidising and otherwise assisting huge dinosaur companies that squash new competitors, and help new entrepreneurs to flourish.

As it is, it's like a dictator announcing that revolutionary changes are needed, and he will lead the revolution.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Strange, one minute he is trying to promote population increase, the next he is encouraging future technologies where people are redundant.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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