Takeaways from the R&D Forum in Tokyo, Japan

At the R&D Forum 2025 in Tokyo, Michael Mossal (NTT DATA) and Ulf Nehrbass (CEO LIH) represented Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Institute of Health, NTT DATA Luxembourg, and Dataspace4Health. 

On the first day of the visit to Tokyo, there were discussions to align on the progress of DataSpace topics in Europe and Tokyo. Each visit to Tokyo reveals numerous small innovative details that improve the city's daily life for citizens and visitors. The connection to DataSpaces is less obvious. Since the last two visits, Tokyo's metro system has become more efficient, with Google Maps now providing underground routing and exit numbers. The latest enhancement to Tokyo’s smart city experience includes real-time train tracking on Google Maps, supported by a mobility DataSpace that integrates accurate public information.

DataSpaces in the center of Data Interoperability 

The primary topics discussed during the initial day's meetings were focused on updating the situation in both Europe and Japan. Specifically, discussions highlighted data exchange opportunities between Japan and other Asian countries such as Taiwan and Korea, with Europe also being a key focus. The management of supply chains in the automotive sector between Europe and Japan remains the most successful example of interoperable DataSpaces. 

This was emphasized by the presence of Ulf Nehrbass and LIH, who are currently evaluating their Asian expansion strategy. Both testbeds in Luxembourg (Luxembourg National Data Services) and Japan (University of Tokyo) were central to these discussions. 

Representing Japan were Professor Koshizuka from the University of Tokyo, Miki-san, and Dobashi-san from NTT DATA HQ. Europe was represented by Ulf Nehrbass (LIH), Michael Mossal (NTT DATA), and Marco Provolo (Executive Manager, Innovation Center of NTT DATA in Europe, Milan).

R&D Forum 

The R&D Forum of NTT is an international, invitation-only research conference held annually in Tokyo. It is one of the largest research events globally and has been compared to BELL Labs in the US historically. The forum provides insight into how NTT's $3.6 billion annual research budget is utilized. Unlike technology conferences such as MWC in Europe or the US, this event presents prototype solutions that may take years to reach final product status. The forum showcases the results of NTT Research and NTT R&D to research and development partners, important business partners, and key clients. In 2019, participants from Luxembourg attended the R&D Forum for the first time, marking a significant step forward for NTT in Luxembourg. 

IOWN 

Since 2019, NTT Luxembourg has closely monitored the NTT R&D’s key innovation known as IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network). This vision aims to enable the next generation of high-speed, large-capacity, and ultra-low-power information processing infrastructures. When introduced in 2019, IOWN seemed like science fiction. Its roadmap, divided into four chapters, promised the development of all photonic circuit boards, significantly reducing latency and power consumption, thus contributing to a more sustainable world. NTT has consistently led innovation in optical technologies, and today marks the achievement of the first of the four announced chapters. 

The concept behind IOWN is the APN (All-Photonics Network), which utilizes optical technologies to replace electronic connections with photonic ones, thereby increasing transmission speeds and improving responsiveness. The initial phase of IOWN (IOWN 1.0) focuses on long-distance connectivity. By using light instead of electricity to transmit information over vast distances, NTT’s IOWN APN today enables a 3,000-kilometer connection between Japan and Taiwan with an ultra-low latency of 16 milliseconds. In London, NTT established an 89-kilometer connection with a delay of 0.893 milliseconds for financial transactions.

IOWN APN, combined with DataSpaces, is essential for cross-border metaverse services. Users can join metaverse virtual spaces and interact in real-time through the IOWN All-Photonics Network and data-centric infrastructure (DCI). An impressive demonstration during the keynote featured a classical music concert held in Japan where the conductor was hundreds of kilometers away from the orchestra. Performers were located in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Osaka, sharing their sounds via APN and performing simultaneously despite being approximately 500 kilometers apart.

Since its inception and announcement by NTT in 2019, the IOWN Global forum has grown into an international initiative comprising more than 160 companies, including end customers and various industry stakeholders such as Fujitsu, Intel, Cisco, Nvidia, Microsoft, Deloitte, PWC, Toyota, MFUG, and Mizuho. McKinsey predicts that the APN market will reach nearly $2 trillion USD by 2025.

Sustainability 

As artificial intelligence necessitates increasing data processing power, NTT envisions photonics as a means to render large language models (LLMs) more sustainable. In alignment with Japan's vision for Society 5.0, NTT is committed to focusing on energy consumption, carbon neutrality, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing well-being. The Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) is regarded as the catalyst for advancing Society 5.0 to the next level. Introduced by the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan in 2016, Society 5.0 aims to ensure safety, security, comfort, and health for all individuals while enabling them to pursue their preferred lifestyles. It is also referred to as the Super Smart Society. 

Healthcare 

While IOWN currently serves as the horizontal layer and foundation of the R&D Forum, numerous use cases are demonstrated across various vertical domains. The collaboration with the Luxembourg Institute of Health brings the healthcare sector into focus. There is considerable emphasis on medical technologies, brain science, mental health, and physical health. Alongside advancements in the Cardio-Vascular Digital Twin, numerous showcases were presented, making it challenging to highlight them all. 

In Japan, service robots continue to be a significant topic. These smart robots are expected to address social issues such as a declining workforce and provide support for individuals requiring care. Noninvasive wearable glucose sensors based on microwave technology can continuously monitor glucose levels throughout the day and suggest diet plans to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels, potentially linking to insulin pumps in the future. Other examples include wheelchair control via brain waves and motor control showcases focusing on diseases like Parkinson's. An organic battery demonstration illustrated transdermal absorption of drugs and serums through the skin, facilitating a transition from injections to skin patches. This NTT innovation is already being utilized in beauty applications and will soon be certified for medical use.

There are many more medical use cases, but one notable example related to the IOWN APN is a recent partnership between NTT and Japanese endoscopy company Olympus. Together, they are developing the world’s first cloud-based endoscopy system. Currently, endoscopes rely on in-device image processing due to speed and performance limitations. However, leveraging cloud technology and AI for real-time image processing could be revolutionary. IOWN APN technology will address performance and latency issues, enabling the entire image processing to occur in the cloud.

Lastly, presentations on future medical technologies, such as a digital model of cardiac muscle function and the artificial reproduction of biological tissues like blood vessels or nerves via an On-Chip biological model, demonstrated how we aim to enhance reality in the future.

Other use cases 

The R&D Forum showcased numerous verticals, with optical quantum computing being a major topic. Optical device technologies are crucial for optical quantum computing, which requires less space and operates at nearly room temperature compared to traditional quantum computers. 

In generative AI, NTT’s Large Language Model, tsuzumi, was highlighted for its enhanced reading abilities to solve complex tasks. The “AI constellation approach” uses multiple LLMs with unique expertise to address complex issues, potentially setting a trend over current models like ChatGPT.

Active Noise Control (ANC) technology was also discussed. This tech can create quiet zones in noisy spaces by overlaying noise with active speakers and AI, offering an almost surreal experience similar to AirPods' function in open areas.

Space 

The space sector is advancing rapidly in Japan, with significant contributions from the Constellation 89 Project by NTT. The project's name, NTT C89, reflects the 88 constellations historically recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Recently, Nakasawa-san hosted a successful round table for decision-makers in the space sector. 

NTT and SKY PERFECT JSAT have introduced the Space Compass initiative, which integrates various layers of orbital coverage with data centres in space and plans for a future space station on the moon. This comprehensive connectivity concept includes undersea links, High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) at stratospheric orbits of 20-50 km, Low Earth Orbit Satellites at approximately 1,000 km, Geostationary Satellites at 12,000 km, and a moon base station at 380,000 km.

This ambitious project involves collaboration between NTT, NTT Docomo, NTT Communications, and SKY PERFECT JSAT, alongside global partners such as Starlink and Amazon Project Kuiper. A noteworthy announcement highlighted the goal to provide advanced satellite broadband services in Japan through strategic collaboration with Amazon Project Kuiper. Live demonstrations showcased the remote operation of construction and agricultural machinery over considerable distances.

Under the AW3D framework, NTT has made significant advancements in satellite 3D mapping using Multi-View Stereo Technology. NTT Data is expanding upon these foundations by investing in observation satellite systems that will support a dynamic Digital Twin as a Service solution. This geospatial insights platform will serve various industries, offering high-frequency, dynamic, and precise images of operational footprints combined with in-situ data integration.

One prominent use case is Smart Cities, which includes BIM design, potential analysis of wall solar power generation, foot traffic analysis with building data, streamlining insurance payment processes, underground design for urban development, and real estate ID management with building data. Beside the Moon Base Station project, another highlight was the announcement of NTT's development of its own LEO satellites. A prototype was presented alongside a production-ready version of the "Datacenter in the Sky," designed as a satellite payload. This innovation aims to process images for AW3D directly in space, leveraging AI to provide real-time information while optimizing computational accuracy and efficiency.

The objective of Space Compass is to enable real-time utilization of observation satellite data through optical satellite communication and RF connectivity. In connection with the Moon project “LUNA,” a new wireless energy transmission technology was unveiled, intending to utilize lunar sand, or regolith, to create roads and working areas for rovers on the moon. This system is designed to deliver efficient, contactless power to rovers operating on the moon's surface.

While the US garnered fame for their moon program in 1969, Japan successfully completed its first unmanned moon missions this year, with plans for manned Japanese moon missions by 2026. Although there is no definitive timeline for the moon base station, NTT is confident that its rovers will operate on the moon within this century.

Meeting with NTT R&D 

During the R&D Forum, a noteworthy meeting was organized where Luxembourg provided Karasawa-san from NTT R&D with updates on DS4H and the plans for Health Data Exchange between Europe and Japan. In addition to NTT R&D's commitment to supporting the initiative with IOWN technology, an intriguing opportunity emerged for LIH to collaborate with NTT R&D on a clinical trial based on one of their current use cases. 

World EXPO 2025 in Osaka 

The NTT Pavilion was displayed as a 1:100 model at the R&D center in Musashino. Various aspects of the IOWN vision, developed by NTT Research and NTT R&D, will be presented through consistent end user stories at the NTT Pavilion during EXPO 2025. 

Applied Innovation Summit 

On the final day of the R&D Forum, the event concluded with the Applied Innovation Summit, under the theme of "Unleashing the Power of Generative AI." The summit commenced with a bold assertion that by 2025, the most popular programming language might be English, given the remarkable coding abilities of Large Language Models. Reflecting on the achievement of programming a Tetris game in the 1980s—describing its simple rules and user experience in five English phrases—an AI today can program such a game instantly. The world currently relies heavily on software, and many opportunities remain largely untapped. 

Llion Jones, former Google employee and current CTO and Co-Founder of Sakara AI, one of Japan's leading AI startups, emphasized that one significant obstacle impeding progress in contemporary companies is the outdated mindset of development leaders who are resistant to AI writing code. These leaders, having grown up coding themselves, are reluctant to be partially replaced by AI. He urged developers to adopt an open-minded approach. This shift may parallel the transition from monolithic application development to cloud-native service design. Jones recommended leveraging AI for tedious tasks in daily jobs, like recording conversations in retail stores, using Large Language Models to mine data, and applying models to maximize profit. He also advised skepticism towards all content, as AI-generated images and videos can now achieve a quality indistinguishable as fake. Watermarking programs, such as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, aim to provide an open technical standard for tracing media origins.

Jones noted Japan's higher acceptance of Generative AI compared to Europe, attributing it to the cultural integration of robots over generations. In a society where robots can announce when your bath is ready, the acceptance of cognitive AI to enhance human capabilities is more natural. Working with Generative AI is akin to collaborating with a human colleague offering advice, with humans ultimately making decisions. The true question remains whether AI will genuinely innovate. Incorporating 100 years of scientific research data from NTT R&D presents an intriguing scenario.

The final day concluded with a meeting with Tomiyasu-san, Executive Vice President and Head of Technology and Innovation at NTT DATA. Tomiyasu-san confirmed his personal interest in the progress of DataSpaces between Japan and Europe, highlighting Dobashi-san's work with DS4H in Luxembourg and plans for Health Data Exchange. Following the initial meeting with Luxinnovation and NTT Data in Luxembourg a year ago, he expressed support for the project this year.

While the NTT R&D forum is unparalleled globally, recent years have seen NTT introduce IOWN essentials at the beginning of the year in an event in San Francisco called Upgrade Global Research & Innovation Summit. The next Upgrade will take place on April 10-11, 2025. For the first time, Europe will have an opportunity to preview future advancements with NTT announcing an innovation event in Milan during March-April. The highlight of 2025 will undoubtedly be the World EXPO in Osaka, where the global community will view Japan as a technologically advanced nation and a valuable partner for Europe, aligned on regulations regarding GDPR, DataSpaces, and international data exchange.