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 Shusuke Murai

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Shusuke Murai
Shusuke Murai was born in Japan and spent his teen years in central Ohio. He graduated from New York University with a M.A. in Communication. His interests include the activities of virtual communities, intercultural interactions in the information society and futuristic gadgets.
For Shusuke Murai's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jul 21, 2016
Huge sail will power JAXA mission to Trojan asteroids and back
Japan's space agency has its sights on unexplored asteroids as far away as Jupiter, a project that at one level draws on centuries of sail science.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jul 14, 2016
Tokyo voters seek out corruption-free governor
As the Tokyo gubernatorial election kicked off Thursday, voters said they were looking for a clean, corruption-free governor after the last two — Naoki Inose and Yoichi Masuzoe — resigned over money scandals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jul 12, 2016
Mitsubishi Heavy unveils robot for use when flammable gas has leaked
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. on Tuesday unveiled a robot that can operate in the presence of flammable gases, such as after a gas leak following a disaster.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / ADVANCES IN PROGRESS
Jul 12, 2016
How can I help? Chatbots offer full customer support with no call waiting
Just as text messaging has become a mainstream form of communication, attention is shifting to the chatbot as the next big thing for information management and customer service.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 30, 2016
Facebook rolls out suicide alert system for users in Japan
The tool offers a way for those in despair to be noticed and given a sympathetic ear.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jun 29, 2016
Expo offers glimpses of a future assisted by artificial intelligence
From robotics to deep learning and image recognition, a glimpse of science fiction-like technologies developed by the nation's artificial intelligence industry is on display at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 27, 2016
Tamogami pleads not guilty to paying his campaign staff
Former Air Self-Defense Force chief Toshio Tamogami tells the Tokyo District Court he's innocent.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / DECISION 2016
Jun 22, 2016
Battle lines drawn for July Upper House poll
As the campaign for the July 10 Upper House election kicked off Wednesday, the major parties unveiled their platforms to win over voters.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 17, 2016
Neurosurgery theater in Japan embraces cutting-edge 'smart' tech, robotics
Even in the highly technical world of brain surgery, the success of an operation still depends largely on the experience and ability of surgeons.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 14, 2016
Trial begins for South Korean man over blast at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine
The trial of a South Korean who has admitted to setting a small explosive at Yasukuni Shrine in late November begins at the Tokyo District Court.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jun 10, 2016
Computer programming seen as key to Japan's place in 'fourth industrial revolution'
The life of Emi Morikawa, 17, changed dramatically after she learned computer programming.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 9, 2016
'Nihonium' name chosen to thank Japanese public for support
The new atomic element came to fruition thanks to a long-term project funded by taxpayers.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jun 6, 2016
Ransomware making costly inroads into online Japan
Advances in technology always come at a price.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 4, 2016
NSA whistleblower Snowden says U.S. government carrying out mass surveillance in Japan
U.S. fugitive and former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden said all people in Japan are subjected to mass surveillance initiated by the U.S. government.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Society
Jun 3, 2016
Case of missing boy receives mix of sympathy and criticism from residents, experts
Japan let out a sigh of relief Friday after a 7-year-old Hokkaido boy was found alive following an intensive six-day search by hundreds of police, firefighters and Self-Defense Force troops.
Japan Times
JAPAN / OBAMA VISITS HIROSHIMA
May 27, 2016
Obama latest in long list of notable people to visit Hiroshima
Barack Obama is the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, the scene of the atomic bombing ordered 71 years ago.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 23, 2016
Anti-stalking law under fire after stabbing of Japanese idol singer
The attack on idol singer Mayu Tomita has sparked a discussion over the effectiveness of the anti-stalking law, which some experts say should include a clear statement on preventing online stalking.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 18, 2016
Future of learning on display at Tokyo's Educational IT Solutions Expo
From robotics to virtual reality technologies to 3-D printers, advanced, cutting-edge technology was on display at this year's Educational IT Solutions Expo, which kicked off Wednesday in Tokyo's Koto Ward.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 9, 2016
'Vagina artist' Igarashi loses obscenity case over 3-D data but is acquitted over pop art replicas
So-called vagina artist Megumi Igarashi loses an obscenity case for distributing 3-D data of her genitals but is acquitted for displaying pop art replicas and plans to appeal.
JAPAN
May 9, 2016
Tokyo-based international school reaches out to alumni after ex-teacher jailed for sex abuse
Nishimachi International School is trying to reach alumni from the 1980s after a teacher from that period was convicted of child sex abuse in England.

Longform

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