Digital marketing has become one of the most promising and most profitable ways of advertising in recent years. Globally, the majority of the biggest companies now pin their hopes on digital marketing to effectively reach key audiences and demographics. The digital marketing industry’s global value has reached a staggering USD 322.5 billion, showing how much brands trust online advertising.Furthermore, the reliance of brands on digital marketing can also be attributed to the consistent annual growth of internet users worldwide. The number of internet users far exceeds television viewers, radio listeners, and newspaper readers, which means a broader reach for brands with the digital marketing approach.For a nation such as Japan, where the e-commerce market comprises 92% of its 127 million population, digital marketing is the ideal approach for advertising. Add on to the fact that more people have now taken to online shopping services, as the COVID-19 crisis has prompted everyone to stay home and avoid public places such as markets, malls, grocery stores, and brick and mortar businesses in general.Some of the people behind the success of the digital marketing industry in the country are IT engineers. Companies need IT engineers, as they provide a lot of experience and expertise to the proverbial table. But what exactly do they do, and what duties do they have to fulfill? In this article, we’ll discuss the roles and responsibilities of IT engineers in Japanese digital marketing companies.Social Media MarketingSocial media marketing has become more prevalent in the last few years. Brands are aware that most of the online market dedicate much of their time to sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Line, Snapchat, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, Tiktok, etc.On social media websites, IT engineers help brands advertise their products and services to users. They use attention-grabbing images, fun videos or vlogs, substantial blogs, exciting podcasts, viral memes, and even simple posts that utilize internet humor.These strategies are guaranteed ways for companies to promote their business, generate interest, increase brand awareness, and improve customer engagement. These campaigns are designed to bring in potential customers and maintain strong relationships with long-time patrons.IT engineers offer much-needed help in the social media marketing process. IT engineers are versatile enough to create strategies, publish content, engage with users, perform analytics, and advertise products and the brand’s culture.Additionally, IT engineers also ensure that all devices used in social media marketing campaigns are updated and have no issues whatsoever. These devices include personal computers, laptops, tabs, and smartphones, all used to manage social media accounts and create the content.Search Engine OptimizationSearch Engine Optimization, or SEO, is a digital marketing technique that allows websites to increase or improve their presence on search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu, AOL, to name a few.IT engineers use SEO, as it is an excellent foundation for digital marketing companies to generate traffic to their websites. During the SEO process, companies will find out what users are searching for, which target keywords work best, how accessible their website is, and how successful their SEO campaign has been.For search engine optimization, IT engineers ensure that search engines can reach and index the brand’s content. They also see to it that content addresses the user/searchers’ questions. Moreover, they make sure that keywords are optimized, the user experience is top-notch, the content is worthwhile, the click-through rate is high, and the content attracts the most attention in search engine results pages.Web DevelopmentIn the web development process, IT engineers prioritize creating and maintaining websites. These tasks are mostly non-design, including writing markup and web scripts in languages like PHP, HTML, CSS, Java, JavaScript, and ASP.IT engineers also utilize content management systems (CMS) during web development, which makes content changes more convenient as it can be managed with basic technical skills.For overall web development, IT engineers’ duties include web publishing, web programming, web engineering, web content development, client liaison, e-commerce development, server-side scripting, database management, and web server configuration.Aside from these, IT engineers also have their fingerprints on web development aspects such as web design, mobile responsiveness, software testing, web usability, web accessibility, search engine optimization, information technology security, and information architecture.IT engineers also help in web content creation. They do some copywriting, copyediting, and even update blogs. They also spend a lot of time on content management systems like Drupal, WordPress, and Joomla.Web DesigningIn web design, IT engineers are involved in the creation of the website concept. IT engineers offer their expertise in deciding the website’s overall theme, layout, color schemes, fonts, shapes, spacing, images, icons, and the types of content that should be the main selling point or which ones should be primarily displayed.IT engineers also help in creating the website’s logos, making informational infographics, and creative videos. Moreover, IT engineers will help instruct where these content should be ideally placed on the website.IT engineers are also responsible for the website’s user navigation, user interaction, site structure, loading speed, and animations. They also ensure that the website will run smoothly across any device and any browser.To make the web design process more convenient for the development team, IT engineers will follow a few key steps. They will first determine the website’s purpose, study the latest web design trends, decide on the perfect branding, and analyze which aspects or areas need improvement.ConclusionThe digital marketing industry’s growth has not been a surprise, as businesses are now more geared towards focusing their advertising campaigns on the internet. The overwhelming reliance, usage, and trust of digital marketing strategies are thanks in part to hardworking IT engineers’ dedication and expertise.IT engineers are pivotal to digital marketing companies’ success, as they play a huge part in social media marketing, search engine optimization, web development, and web design. As the internet continues to evolve, so will digital marketing, and so will the roles and responsibilities of IT engineers.Sources:https://buffer.com/social-media-marketinghttps://neilpatel.com/what-is-social-media-marketing/https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seohttps://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/04/30/seo-basicshttps://techterms.com/definition/web_developmenthttps://www.bitdegree.org/tutorials/what-is-a-web-developer/https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/https://www.pagecloud.com/blog/web-design-guide

Nolan Bushnell, the co-founder of Atari, once said that “Video games foster the mindset that allows creativity to grow.” For hardcore gamers, there is no truer adage. Video games are more than just an activity done during their leisure time; games also spark the wildest sides of their imaginations and are a huge chunk of their lives.Game developers also share the same sentiment, albeit having a deeper connection with video games. A way of looking at it is that video games are the canvas, and developers are the artists. Behind every new game released are the heart, sweat, countless hours, and tears of a development team that has given it their all into the game’s production. The dedication they have put into games has drastically changed the landscape of the entire video game world.Video game developers are some of the most hardworking professionals on the planet despite complaints of mistreatment by the same industry that they work so hard to grow. Numerous controversies pointing to unfair treatment of game developers have popped up over the years, some of which are still ongoing in some game studios.Several months of nonstop work, no overtime pay, and trying to meet unrealistic deadlines are just some of the issues that continue to plague the video game industry. These problems have gotten so bad that developers are now pushing towards unionization to ensure their rights as professionals.Although this situation should never be romanticized, game developers are completely undeterred by all the drama, still continuing to provide gamers excellent new products while doing what they love the most. Now that’s what you call passion.In a country such as Japan, where video games are a way of life, its industry is composed of brilliant and creative enthusiasts striving to put out one great game after another. One of the hardest working members of the whole field are IT engineers. Without IT engineers, it would be challenging to develop, let alone finish a game. In this article, we’ll discuss just how important IT engineers are in Japan’s video game industry.Creating the Heroes and Villains (Character Design)In the film industry, the plot isn’t enough for a movie to be successful. Motion pictures need interesting protagonists and antagonists, complete with awesome backstories plus the proper costumes and visual style. This is the same for the video game industry.Nowadays, for games to truly be successful, there needs to be a “cool” hero character and a despicable but equally “cool” villain counterpart. Both sides need to look the part. You can’t put a colorful and ridiculous outfit like suspenders and long multicolored socks on an antagonist who is supposed to be the ruler of the underworld. That wouldn’t work.IT engineers are essential in the character design process because they are very keen on creating the different personalities that make up the game. These characters are made from scratch. IT engineers consider their backstories, what characteristics define the heroes and villains, key visual elements, and the subtle or minor details that everyone loves, like easter eggs.Gone are the days when award-winning or critically acclaimed games only had characters made up of shapes and pixels. IT engineers need to create refined and well-detailed characters, even for smaller gaming mediums like smartphones, where the characters look smaller and a lot less clear compared to the ones in proper game consoles.Setting the Stage (Scene Design)Aside from the fantastic characters, IT engineers also need to set the stage and create settings, backgrounds, etc. that properly fit with the game’s time or era.For example, suppose the developers have decided for a game to be set in Tokyo in the year 3000. In this case, IT engineers will need to create an environment that feels like Japan’s capital in the distant future, complete with state-of-the-art cars, cutting-edge technology in every corner, and whatnot. For future-set games, IT engineers can let their imaginations run wild with whatever they can think of regarding the future.But for games set in the past, there needs to be a little bit more discipline. IT engineers need to create set pieces that are incredibly detailed and era-appropriate. The most hardcore gamers are quickly going to notice if a certain type of architectural design wasn’t around during the game’s set period, or how humans haven’t invented this and that by that point. So, IT engineers need to do some thorough research when creating games set in a bygone era.Additionally, IT engineers will have to add many elements to the game’s surroundings that will help players during crucial moments of the story. If a player wants to chuck a barrel full of fish at his opponent or wants to climb up a roof to gain a commanding perspective, IT engineers need to program that particular piece or area as “interactables.”Overall Game DevelopmentAlthough they are heavily involved with the game design process, IT engineers can also be found working on other aspects of the overall game development. Game developers can rely on IT engineers to be included in any game development stage because of their broad skillset.IT engineers are always willing to collaborate, good with time management, knowledgeable in multimedia development software and programming, critical thinkers, effective communicators, good storytellers, quickly adaptive, creative, and persistent.IT engineers can offer game development expertise in steps and stages such as high concept, pitch, concept, game design document, prototype, and production. During production, IT engineers will focus on design, level creation, and programming.During the programming stage, IT engineers can focus on computer programming and use their knowledge in languages such as C++, C#, Python, Java, and many more. IT engineers also have a hand in choosing the game engine, which will provide them awesome 3D and 2D graphics rendering, audio support, animation, collision detection, artificial intelligence, and networking, to name a few.Satisfying the Most Hardcore Gamers (User Experience)Even if developers put their all into the game production, the game will likely tank if the consumers and critics aren’t going to like it. A game bombing will result in major repercussions to the game developer’s reputation going forward, so IT engineers also bear the pressure in making sure this won’t happen to the development company by following some essential steps.First off, IT engineers always know their intended audience. IT engineers will tailor the game to meet the expectations of the consumers. If gamers expect a realistic racing game, IT engineers make sure that everything’s on point and the game will give racing enthusiasts a real driving experience. If players expect a more “go-kart” feel, IT engineers will make the game less serious and inject more silliness like power-ups.Second, IT engineers who work on a sequel or another chapter of an already established game make it a point to improve upon the previous edition. Players will quickly notice if the game has stayed the same since the last installment, so IT engineers need to add better gameplay elements for later versions to keep it fresh.Third, IT engineers make sure that the game they are working on will have a responsive, fluid, and somewhat realistic experience during release. Players hate when the game is slow, the physics are awful, and the animation is lousy. This is what derails most developers, as gamers are not afraid to let the world know if a game is unsatisfactory and falls short of expectations. Negative reviews like these can easily spread and affect the purchasing decision of potential players.Lastly, IT engineers create exemplary user interfaces. The user interface can be the difference between a great game and an iconic one. Chances are that you still remember the in-game menu of your childhood game or the sound the game makes when you click different options. This is how vital user interfaces are, and IT engineers know how much of a difference it makes.ConclusionVideo games have progressively become more sophisticated and entertaining over the years, thanks to contributions from personnel such as IT engineers. The significance of IT engineers to the video game industry can never be understated, and all of their efforts should never be overlooked.IT engineers work tirelessly to design heroes, villains, and environments. Beyond their usual scope, they also offer their help on several aspects of game development. And most importantly, they always emphasize the experience of users and gamers.Sources:https://www.gamedesigning.org/learn/character-design/https://medium.com/@haikus_by_KN/how-we-design-games-now-and-why-bcbc1deb7559https://www.petersons.com/blog/10-skills-you-need-to-become-a-video-game-designer/https://www.gamedesigning.org/video-game-development/https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-get-started-with-game-development/https://medium.com/@player_research/what-is-games-user-experience-ux-and-how-does-it-help-ea35ceaa9f05https://gameanalytics.com/blog/5-tips-to-improve-your-games-user-experience.html

We will explain the current state of the IoT in Japan compared to the rest of the world, as well as the featured companies related to the Internet of Things (IoT), which has been growing rapidly not only overseas but also in Japan over the past few years.What is IoT (Internet of Things) ?The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects—“things”—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet.Source：WikipediaTo put it more simple, IoT is about attaching sensors to things, and those sensors collect information and perform activities based on the information collected.Current status of IoT in JapanLet’s take a look at the current state of IoT technology in Japan.In 2017, the Japan Center for Economic Research published a study on the current state of IoT and AI in Japan.(See chart below.)Source： Status of AI and IoT adoption by Japanese companies/ Japan Center for Economic ResearchAs you can see, at the time of this survey, 14.6% of companies had already introduced IoT technology, and 36.4% of the total if you include companies that are considering adopting it.As I mentioned in a recent blog post, according to the Japan Center for Economic Research, investment in Japan’s IT industry has grown significantly, and the current impact of the new coronavirus is expected to further increase the proliferation of the IoT and development using the IoT.Japanese IT Industry Market Size Compared to the WorldJapan’s Featured IoT CompaniesWhen you think of the IoT, you might think of Intel, Microsoft and other major companies worldwide that make devices and semiconductors on which the IoT is based.However, these days in Japan, start-ups and small and medium-sized companies are also actively engaged in the IoT field. We’d like to introduce some of the IoT companies that are getting a lot of attention in Japan.Smart Home IoT CompanyPhotoSynth Inc.PhotoSynth Inc. is developing Akerun, an IoT-based access control system.Akerun is a service that makes it possible to operate a door attached to an ordinary door using only special bonding tape or screws and to unlock it from a smartphone using an IC card such as a Suica or nanaco card or face recognition. In addition, it is also possible to make a duplicate key for a specified time and day of the week, allowing a large number of people to enter and exit the building while maintaining a high level of security.  akerun.comAkerun｜オフィスのあらゆる鍵をクラウド化https://akerun.com/?_ga=2.233001432.711981714.1598419560-1190338585.1598419560Akerunは利便性やセキュリティを向上する、オフィス導入実績4,000社超のIoTサービスです。いつものICカードで扉が開く。既存の扉に後付けで設置するだけ。  Big Data IoT companiesAbeja Inc.Abeja Inc. offers Abeja Insight, an in-store analytics service for retail stores.Based on the concept of “Visualize all the numbers in a retail store”, the system collects and analyzes consumer behavior data from cameras installed in stores to make recommendations for improvements in retail store operations.  ABEJA 2 tweets15 users77 pockets株式会社ABEJAhttps://abejainc.com/ja/株式会社ABEJAは、蓄積されたビックデータからAI（人工知能）のディープラーニングを活用して、多様な業界・シーンで社会実装事業を展開する企業です。  Featured Foreign CompaniesNext, I would like to introduce some of the companies which are using IoT technology and are attracting attention overseas.HexoskinHexoskin (Carre Technologies), a Canadian company, has developed a smart shirt with sensors called Astroskin. Just by wearing this shirt, you can measure your heart rate, lung capacity and more.It collects various data during exercise, daily life and sleep, and it manages and analyzes the data on the cloud. This makes it possible to constantly measure and visualize the heart rate that we should be aware of in our daily lives. It is expected to play an important role in the prevention and early detection of diseases.  www.hexoskin.com 1 pocketAccess deniedhttps://www.hexoskin.com/pages/about-us   LiveMapLive Map is a Russian company that develops motorcycle helmets, but instead of a standard helmet, they are developing a helmet that uses IoT. Instead of relying on the GPS function of a mobile phone while riding, the helmet itself has an AR function and it displays the traffic information on the helmet visor. In addition, the helmet is equipped with a microphone and headphones inside, so the helmet can be operated by voice instead of manual operation. livemap.infoLiveMap: Motorcycle smart helmet with Augmented Reality navigationhttps://livemap.info/index.phpDo not miss the opportunity! BE THE FIRST TO TOUCH THE FUTURE ConclusionAs introduced above, IoT has become an essential technology in a wide range of fields, from retail to automated driving. For this reason, it can be stated that the market for IoT will continue to grow in Japan.If you are looking for a job at an IoT company in Japan, register with GTalent, the leading global IT recruitment agency. Our professional consultants will support you in your job search for free.

In this article, we will provide information for “Ryugakusei” international students who are looking for a job in Japan based on data on the job offer rate for international students as of July 2021. Also, we would like to introduce the impact of the new coronavirus on the job hunting activities of international students and information on employment agencies that support international students in their job hunting activities.Job Hunting Situation for International Students Graduating on 2021Due to the impact of the new coronavirus, this year (2020) has been more challenging than ever for students who are looking for a job. Many companies have reduced the number of recruits or postponed the hiring process, making it difficult to find a job.In this section, we will take a closer look at the job hunting situation for international students graduating in 2021, based on the results of a survey to international students graduating in 2021 released by DISCO Corporation on August 26, 2020.The Impact of the New Coronavirus on Getting a Job OfferLooking at the bar graphs of foreign students and domestic students as of July this year and for the past two years, it shows that although the domestic offer rate is lower than usual, 70% of the students have job offers. On the other hand, the number of international students has decreased by about 10% compared to the previous year, and about 30% of them have job offers.Compared to last year, there was a slight impact, but companies have resumed hiring new graduates since May, and web-based interviews and other recruiting activities have been conducted on a shorter schedule than usual.However, this is only the number of students who hold job offers, so it is unclear whether they are really getting job offers from the employer of their choice.Source：Disco Coporation/外国人留学生の就職活動状況Graph 1 「7月時点の内定率(経年)」: Job Offer Rate up to July (Within 3 years)Graph 2 「7月時点の内定率(分離別)」: Job Offer Rate up to July (Humanities and Science)Graph 3 「7月時点の就職活動状況」: Job Hunting Status up to JulyCurrent Job Hunting Situation for International StudentsDue to the effects of the new coronavirus, many companies have either stopped hiring new graduates or reduced the number of jobs they had planned to hire. In addition, schedules were pushed back, which is thought to have led to a decrease in the job offer rate for 2021 graduates.Also, due to the inability to get a feel for the corporate atmosphere at web briefings and interviews, and because of concerns about the deteriorating economic environment due to the effects of Covid-19, applications were attracted and gathered by large and stable companies that had an easy to understand corporate atmosphere, so it is unclear whether they were able to obtain job offers from their preferred employers.In addition, although the number of international students finding jobs in Japan is gradually increasing every year, compared to Japanese students, 70% of international students had no job offers as of July. This is probably due to the fact that even if the skills of foreign talent are the same as those of Japanese students, there are few companies that will accept them unless their Japanese language skills are at least at a business level.Of course, it is important for foreign students who want to work in Japan to improve their Japanese language skills, but Japanese companies, which make decisions based on the ability to communicate in Japanese rather than on skills, may be responsible in no small part for this.However, an increasing number of Japanese companies are creating an environment in which Japanese language communication is necessary through English education for Japanese employees and global business development. In addition, the number of companies that are introducing Business Japanese learning services for foreigners is gradually increasing, so although it may take some time, the percentage of international student job offers is likely to rise little by little every year.Employment Agencies and WebsitesEmployment Agencies and Websites for International StudentsFrom now on, we would like to introduce specialized job-hunting support services for international students who are recent graduates and want to find a job in Japan.Global Leader  www.globalleadernavi.comグローバルリーダー：外国人留学生・海外大生の就職活動をサポートhttps://www.globalleadernavi.comグローバルリーダーは、外国人留学生・留学生・海外大生・外国人のための就職情報サイト。求人情報・就活マニュアル・就職イベント・就職セミナー・就活講座などたくさんの就活情報をご用意し、あなたの就職活動をサポートします！  This is an employment agency for international students that handles a wide range of jobs from major Japanese companies to hot start-up companies.They also offer free lectures on Japanese job-hunting etiquette and job hunting schedules.Ryukatsu  www.ryugakusei.com 2 pockets【日本で働きたい留学生の就職支援】リュウカツhttps://www.ryugakusei.com   This is an employment agency for new graduates that only gathers companies that want to hire international students and it provides job information. At weekly seminars, consultants provide information on visas and job hunting tips.Agent neo  就職エージェントneo 187 tweets13 users8 pockets就職エージェントneohttps://www.s-agent.jp新卒就職相談(就活)・内定獲得支援  Neo Career is a major company in the human resources industry, is an employment agency for international students. They provide one-on-one job-hunting consultations and advice on interviews and resumes for the companies they introduce, and even if the interview fails, they provide solid feedback as a measure to prepare for the next interview.ConclusionThere are still many international students who have not yet received any job offers. Although the job hunting situation continues to be difficult for students due to the impact of Covid-19, if you conduct a thorough self-analysis and industry research, and implement a screening strategy, we believe you will eventually get a good result.If you are a foreign student thinking about finding a job in Japan and would like to work as an IT engineer, please register to G Talent, a recruitment agency specializing in foreign IT engineers. Our professional consultants will support you in your job search for free.

Foldable smartphones, or simply just “foldables” are currently all the tech world’s rage, as industry giants such as Samsung, Motorola, LG, and Huawei have all produced their versions of the trendy new smartphone.As of the 2nd quarter of 2020, handheld devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Fold, Motorola’s Razr, Huawei’s Mate X, and LG’s V50 ThinQ and G8X ThinQ Dual Screen have dominated the foldable smartphone market. The fleet of products has also garnered high sales and positive reviews from both users and critics, much to the delight of tech brands.Other companies have now seemed to follow suit, with the market leader, Apple, already planning to throw their hat in the ring with a possible foldable iPhone in the future. Some brands like Lenovo and LG have now used the new foldability features to venture into other technological areas like foldable personal computers and foldable televisions.The popularity of foldables in a technological hub like Japan has prompted the country’s top app development companies to strike while the iron’s hot. Developers are now faced with the challenge of placing their best IT engineers to build apps that will ultimately utilize the bendable gadgets’ uniqueness.But what are the challenges that these IT engineers face when creating applications for foldables? What is the role of foldable smart devices in the bright technological future? In this article, we’ll address all of those questions and better understand today’s hottest tech movement.The Challenge for IT EngineersWhile this “foldable” stage of evolution for smartphones and devices is exhilarating for users because of the boundless possibilities it presents, app development companies are also faced with enormous hurdles to create applications that are optimized for foldables.App ContinuityNow that there is a new type of smartphone screen, IT engineers need to develop apps that will present the same experience for all smartphones. IT engineers need to ensure that the applications will be picture-perfect, whether it be on standard screens or foldable ones. Additionally, IT engineers need to prepare apps that will be able to adapt to many resolutions and densities of different screen types.Before, app developers only needed apps that can run smoothly across different kinds of operating systems and devices. Now, they need to consider running apps on foldable screen types as well.Because of foldables, developers now have the added pressure of testing their applications for possible errors and malfunctions and check if the apps can perform on foldable devices.Multi-Resume Split ScreenSince foldable devices are now able to run 2 (and even 3) apps simultaneously, developers will need to optimize apps that can be used concurrently with other apps.The multi-resume split-screen presents a tricky situation for developers. The applications running simultaneously will all be competing for the same core system and will use the same processing power, battery, and memory.Moreover, the likelihood of all running apps on foldable devices using features such as the camera and voice command at the same time is high because developers create these apps with the priority of user interactivity and convenience.Both the app continuity and multi-resume split-screen features will prove to be a challenge not only for app developers, but also for smartphone brands as they have to create handheld devices that can handle the complexity of it all.Factors to Consider When Creating an App for Foldable DevicesApp development companies want to hit a home run and develop the hottest new apps to make their mark in the new foldable smartphone market. At the same time, other already established apps want to build off their success and continue to be profitable under the new trendy devices. App developers need to take note of a few things when creating or sustaining apps for foldables.ResizabilitySince foldables have much bigger screens than regular smartphones, IT engineers must start creating applications with high quality resolutions that will be auto-responsive when displayed on either a full screen or on the multi-window mode.Usability on Both ModesApp developers and IT engineers must ensure that their apps fully-functional in different screen modes for foldable devices. They must also test the applications’ seamless transition from its basic screen and then immediately shifted to the folded version and vice versa.Screen RatiosBecause foldables are a fairly new segment, brands are manufacturing the devices in all shapes and sizes, trying to find the right proportions that will be marketable with users. This forces app development companies to test their apps on various screen ratios to ensure compatibility across all types of foldables.QualitySince more companies are now looking to develop their style of foldable devices, IT engineers must ensure the quality of applications across all types of foldables. Luckily, some emulators can enable software of a particular device to perform the same way on another different or new platform.The Role of Foldable Smart Devices in the FutureAccording to Statista and USA Today, 50.1 million foldable handheld devices are projected to be shipped by 2022, a considerable jump from 2020’s 13.6 million international deliveries. This estimate shows the increase of sales since the tech’s initial conception, and it also exhibits how much faith experts have on the future of foldables.Both consumers and tech aficionados hope that the foldables’ components could be enough to change the global technological landscape. Some of the advantages of foldable devices include:Larger Screen, Smaller SizeMany people own both smartphones and tablets. They use smartphones as a daily device while tablets are for entertainment purposes. Although tablets have proven to be incredible pieces of technology, their size has proven somewhat of an inconvenience for users.Foldable handhelds could eliminate the need to buy the two separate devices because they are combined into one. No longer will you need a tablet to have a better entertainment experience; you can simply unfold your foldable, and voila, you now have a tablet-sized screen at your fingertips. Or just use it as a regular phone, and be able to insert it into your bags or pockets with no issue whatsoever.Ability to MultitaskAs mentioned before, foldables allow users to open 2 or 3 windows at the same time. This enables users to perform 3 different tasks simultaneously.Imagine watching a live sporting event on the first tab, doing some work on a spreadsheet on a separate tab, and still being able to chat with family and friends. Users could now have a new way of saving energy as their television, laptop, and phone needs are jam-packed into one device.Room for Better HardwareSince foldables are much bigger and thicker than conventional smartphones, companies can put better and more efficient hardware into their products.Tech brands can put more hardware like larger dual batteries, which will give the foldables a longer battery life, and better camera sensors for improved photo and video capture.Fresh DesignEver since the launch of the first iPhone and subsequent start of Apple’s phone market dominance, every other brand has been emulating its new product designs.With the introduction of foldables, companies now have more leeway in terms of product design. And seeing as this segment is at its early stages, the room for design development will surely grow in the foreseeable future.ConclusionThe innovations brought about by foldables could likely influence and shape the ever-growing technological market. Every brand will create their versions of the new tech trend, much like how app development companies are going to be competing to develop the benchmark when it comes to foldable phone applications.Because the foldable device movement is just starting, IT engineers will face new challenges in building mobile apps in the coming years. But, rest assured, IT engineers will fix these kinks along the way, just as they are right now.Sources:https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/02/17/like-it-or-not-the-future-is-full-of-foldables/#6d14c4c27766https://www.mindinventory.com/blog/how-to-develop-apps-for-foldable-smartphones/https://servreality.com/blog/how-to-develop-apps-for-foldable-devices/https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/foldableshttps://mobidev.biz/blog/how-to-develop-apps-for-foldable-dual-screen-smartphoneshttps://buildfire.com/mobile-app-development-trends/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-trends/Japan-s-suppliers-eagerly-eye-market-for-foldable-smartphoneshttps://japantoday.com/category/tech/samsung-to-launch-foldable-smartphone-in-septemberhttps://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2019041001142/sharp-unveils-prototype-of-foldable-smartphone-display.htmlhttps://www.tomsguide.com/us/foldable-phones-release-date,news-28705.htmlhttps://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/news/146826-best-foldable-smartphoneshttps://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-fold-new-patent-foldable-phone-2020-7https://www.forbes.com/sites/adrianbridgwater/2019/05/06/why-foldable-phones-present-flexibility-challenges/#7203fd661f33https://www.mindinventory.com/blog/how-to-develop-apps-for-foldable-smartphones/https://appinventiv.com/blog/app-development-for-foldable-phones/https://thenextweb.com/plugged/2019/02/21/why-you-should-be-excited-for-foldable-phones-and-why-you-shoudnt/

The coronavirus has changed life as we know it. Online education, banking, shopping, and work have become the new normal. People rely on social media apps now more than ever for news and entertainment, and hang out with friends and family via online conferencing through their mobile devices.Mobile applications have become part of everyone’s lives to the point where people download new ones every day. Google’s Play Store already has 2.56 million apps, while Apple’s App Store has 1.8 million apps available for download in the Q1 of 2020 alone. The numbers are projected to increase as people are spending more time at home.The Rise of Mobile Apps During COVID-19 PandemicThe mobile app development industry is evolving, and a wide range of factors affects the technological advancements in mobile apps such as consumer and client demands. Recently, app development is focused on how to connect people to all the information they need from their handheld devices.Playing games has also become a popular pastime among mobile users. In Q2 of 2020, over 12 billion games were downloaded from Google Play and 2.8 billion from Apple’s App Store.The pandemic opened career growth opportunities for mobile app developers as the demand for apps in healthcare, education, entertainment, and remote-work increased. Healthcare organizations and startups are collaborating with app developers to help people with health consultations. Educational institutions are revamping their curriculums so students can continue learning via digital channels and platforms.Why Switch to Mobile App Development?The success of a business can depend on how they can market their products and services to their customers. Mobile apps are powerful tools to multi-channel and maintain loyal customers, making mobile app developers important in the digital world.Aside from businesses, the gaming industry needs multi-skilled and creative talents. Mobile app developers maintain and develop updates to ensure optimal user experience and prevent them from tapping the uninstall button.As the need for mobile apps arises, so does the need for multi-skilled mobile app developers. Is a career in mobile app development good? Yes! A mobile app developer’s salary in Japan can go as high as 5 to 6 million yen annually. Aside from job security, competitive pay, and opportunities to upskill, app developers play a vital role in modernizing the world.Life of a Mobile App Developer in JapanBeing involved in the development of games and apps people use is the most rewarding and exciting experience for a mobile app developer in Japan. The country is also a hub for tech-savvy individuals who are always looking for the best apps to make their lives easier. However, there is more in the process of developing mobile applications.1. Planning and requirementsJust like any development team, mobile developers also search for the tools and create designs needed for the project, and according to the client’s requests. They plan the necessities for the project such as functions, budget, and delivery date.2. TestsThe team will implement the plans and designs for the app in this stage. Mobile app development requires a series of tests to see if the app works correctly in all versions of iOS and Android operating systems. When bugs are found, developers have to make tons of adjustments in the programming until the app is ready for public release.3. MaintenanceThe job of a mobile app developer doesn’t end when the app gets released to the consumers. Operating systems and hardware constantly change, so developers need to maintain these apps to make sure that they function effectively after every OS update and on newer smartphone models. They check reviews and collect suggestions from users and clients to implement updates in mobile apps.Programming Languages and ToolsMobile app companies require different programming languages depending on the operating system and projects they market. Here are some of the popular programming languages and tools used for app development in Japan.1. JavaScriptThis programming language is not used primarily for app development. Instead, it is used to develop browsers and web pages. However, JavaScript is essential for building mobile apps when combined with CSS, HTML, and AJAX. App developers specializing in android application development must know how to use JavaScript.It’s one of the most convenient languages because developers only have to code the app once. This programming language can also be used in iOS and Windows applications.2. C#This programming language is popular among applications in the banking industry and manufacturing. Developers also recommend C# to develop graphics & designs for game applications. It is supported by Unity3D, a cross-platform game engine, making it one of the best languages for building gaming applications.3. KotlinWhen it comes to the structure of the language, Kotlin is similar to Java. This new programming language comes with advanced features and can support all Integrated development environments (IDEs), such as Android Studio and SDK toolkit. Most android app developers in Japan also recommend it. Since it’s a new code, learning the language may be difficult due to the limited sources.4. Objective-CFor iOS apps, objective-C is preferred by mobile app developers since it is the core programming language used by Apple for iOS and OS X development. Even with the release of Swift, objective-C maintains its popularity among developers because most iOS app frameworks rely on the programming language even today.5. SwiftIt is the newest programming language and is only available for iOS development and on Linux. Swift is currently the primary language used in Apple’s APIs, Cocoa and Cocoa Touch.6. Alpha AnywhereIt is an excellent development and deployment tool for creating cross-platform mobile and web apps for business. It offers enterprise-grade mobile data security and comprehensive back-end date access.7. UnityThis cross-platform tool can be deployed on multiple platforms. App developers can edit images and organize animations from its built-in editor and animator window. It even has a physics engine and built-in camera, making in-game navigation simpler.ConclusionThe job of an app developer will never disappear. The demand for new applications will grow as new operating systems and phone models are released frequently. Since working from home and mobile transactions has become the new normal, there is already an increase for app development and maintenance.Despite the job security, app developers should continue to learn new languages since their market value changes rapidly and adapt to the latest technologies and coding methods to stay competitive.Sources:https://www.switchup.org/blog/the-benefits-of-learning-mobile-developmenthttps://www.joshmorony.com/6-reasons-you-should-switch-from-web-to-mobile-development/https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/app-development/6-reasons-business-needs-mobile-app-succeed-2020/https://buildfire.com/mobile-app-development-trends/https://www.zymr.com/how-the-importance-of-mobile-apps-has-outshined-amid-the-fog-of-covid-19-pandemic/https://www.statista.com/statistics/276623/number-of-apps-available-in-leading-app-stores/https://www.statista.com/statistics/661553/global-app-stores-mobile-game-downloadshttps://medium.com/googleplaydev/find-success-for-apps-and-games-in-japan-af9e8fd1c139https://www.fca.ac.jp/work_books/9798/https://style.potepan.com/articles/136.html

JavaScript is one of the most sought-after programming languages in the world. For most developers, their first experience with JavaScript came from JQuery. It is a popular JavaScript library and framework, providing compatibility features to browsers such as interactive web pages, single-page apps, AJAX requests, and mobile web apps.As more people rely on their smartphones for information, new open-source frameworks have evolved to cater to mobile web development projects. One of the best CSS and JavaScript frameworks recommended by web developers is Bootstrap.BootstrapBootstrap’s library is a collection of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript UI widgets. It is designed as a starter kit for developers to build websites and mobile applications. It gained its popularity among the web development community for its ease of use and excellent documentation.The previous versions of Bootstrap heavily relied on jQuery codes to create dynamic layouts for websites and web applications. Its earlier versions came with JavaScript components in the form of JQuery plugins.However, in June 2020, Bootstrap 5 Alpha was released and dropped its support for Internet Explorer and removed jQuery from its framework. The Bootstrap Core Team wants to develop future-friendly tools for better APIs, great CSS variables, and faster JavaScript.One of their improvements is dropping their Button plugin for an HTML and CSS only approach to toggle states. Checkboxes and radio buttons now power toggle buttons.What’s New?Dropping support for Internet Explorer and the removal of jQuery are few of the highlights in Bootstrap 5. Besides focusing on code quality and interface, the Bootstrap team also improved its old features and made new ones to benefit web developers.1. Responsive Font SizesBootstrap 5 will ease the challenges faced by developers in solving typography problems. They can now control the appearance of typographies on web pages with the responsive font size.RFS is a unit resizing engine that automatically calculates the appropriate font-size values based on the user’s screen size or viewport. It can resize values for any CSS property with units, like margins, padding, border-radius, or box-shadow. It also works on preprocessors or postprocessor tools such as Sass, Less, Stylus, or PostCSS.2. Change Gutter Width Unit of MeasurementYou can specify sizes or lengths of CSS elements using various units of measurements such as em, % vw, and vh, but web developers widely use pixels or px. In Bootstrap 5, the team changed the gutter width from px to rem.Rem or root em is equal to the calculated value of font-size on the root element. For example, 1 rem is similar to the font size of the HTML element.3. Navbar UpdateIn Bootstrap 5, the inline-block on the navbar has been removed and uses a flex shorthand. The Bootstrap team also removed the brand margin caused by requiring containers in navbars.4. SVG Icon LibraryIn Bootstrap 5, a brand new SVG icon library was made by the co-founder of Bootstrap Mark Otto. Developers can now use these icons in their projects.5. Enhanced Class UpdatesThe Bootstrap 5 has added and removed CSS classes from the 1,500 in Bootstrap 4. Here are some of the CSS classes in the new version.gx-* classes control the horizontal/column gutter widthgy-* classes control the vertical/row gutter widthg-* classes control the horizontal & vertical gutter widthrow-cols-autoThe following are the CSS classes removed by the Bootstrap team.form-rowform-inlinelist-inlinecard-deckBootstrap in JapanThis open-source framework has also reached Japan’s thriving tech industry. It is highly recommended by the web developer community in the country for JavaScript and CSS.If you’re planning to work as a web developer in Japan, IT companies value front-end developers with experience working on Bootstrap and JavaScript. Salaries could go as high as JPY 4 million and JPY 7.5 million because top companies in the industry highly use the open-source framework.If you have tried working with the previous versions of Bootstrap, it may be easier for you to adjust working with its version 5. Here are some of the critical changes in Bootstrap 5 and the skills you have to learn before working in Japan as a web developerJavaScriptWith Bootstrap 5 functioning without jQuery, developers don’t have to worry about the size and adding non-essential functions while writing vanilla JavaScript code.However, developers who only know how to use jQuery will be greatly affected by this change. This might be an excellent chance to learn JavaScript from the root since it is a widely-used programming language. Being adept at JavaScript can open career opportunities in the tech industry.In Japan, a web developer’s salary also depends on the programming language used. A JavaScript front-end engineer can earn about 88.10 million yen annually.From Jekyll to HugoIT companies in Japan are looking for web developers who can use various open-source static site generators, such as Jekyll and Hugo.Developers have used Bootstrap 4 as a tool for integrating Jekyll through SASS. But with the recent developments in Bootstrap 5, the team has made a switch to the fast and flexible static site generator Hugo.Hugo has already been making waves in the web development community for its easy configuration and excellent integration. Being skilled in the open-source static site generator will be beneficial as more web developers in Japan use Bootstrap and other open-source frameworks in the future.ConclusionBootstrap has already been recognized in Japan’s web development community for its versatility and well-designed CSS and JavaScript frameworks. As more people access the web from various devices such as laptops, desktop computers, and mobile devices, the need for better user experience for all viewports will require businesses to have responsive web designs.One of the most challenging experiences faced in web development is coming up with a base for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to each project. The Bootstrap team aims to cut down the workload of web developers with the latest features and fixes made on Bootstrap 5. As they make frameworks light, simple, and fast, web developers will continue to recommend the use of Bootstrap in the future.References:https://blog.getbootstrap.com/2020/06/16/bootstrap-5-alpha/https://designmodo.com/bootstrap-5/https://www.infoq.com/news/2020/08/bootsrap-5-drops-jquery/https://bootstrapstudio.io/pages/releases/https://www.zdnet.com/article/bootstrap-a-ui-framework-used-by-20-of-internet-sites-is-dropping-ie-support/https://www.sejuku.net/blog/102624

Due to the impact of the new coronavirus (COVID19), travel to and from Japan has become increasingly difficult. This article is divided into two sections, “Departing from Japan to a foreign country” and “Entering Japan from a foreign country,” with information on reference websites and the current status of travel information for foreigners.Travel Conditions for Entering JapanDue to the spread of the new coronavirus, the entry of tourists and outgoing foreign residents into the country has been restricted since mid-March, and as of July 24, 2020, those who have been in countries subject to denial of landing will not be able to enter the country unless there is a special reason.More detailed information about the countries subject to refusal of entry to Japan and more detailed information is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (link below).Note that foreigners (including those from the countries and regions where the entry bans do not apply) who will arrive in Japan with a flight via any of those 146 countries or regions which are subject to denial of permission to enter, with a purpose of refueling or transit, will also be denied to enter Japan in principle. This will apply regardless of whether they have entered those countries or regions or not. Foreigners from the countries and regions, where visa restrictions (suspension of visa validity or suspension of visa exemption measures) do not apply, will also be subject to entry bans if transiting through the 146 countries or regions.Reference:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan / Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)Information is updated on a daily basis, so be sure to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website every time you have to travel.Permission to re-enter Japan for foreign residents and studentsRestrictions on entry to Japan have reached more than 120 countries, and the period of restriction is much longer than expected due to the lack of improvement in the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus around the world. There was no guarantee that a person would be able to enter Japan, even if he or she had to return to their home country to take care of a family member who was in their home country for an emergency, or if he or she was studying in Japan and left Japan for a vacation period.However, taking this circumstance into account, the government announced that on July 29, 2020, they will consider re-entry for those with residency status.On August 29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that expatriates and international students with a status of residence in Japan would be allowed to re-enter the country on a conditional basis from August 5, in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Until now, foreign nationals who had departed from a country or region subject to denial of entry were, in principle, not allowed to re-enter the country.Reference：Re-entry of foreign residents / JiJi.com Translated from Japanese to English by GtalentAs stated in the above news article, the government has announced that from August 5th foreign nationals holding residence statuses, such as international students, permanent residents, long-term residents, and work visas, will be officially allowed to re-enter the country.※Foreigners are not yet allowed to enter Japan for the purpose of tourism. There is also a wide range of residency statuses, so please make sure to check the statuses carefully.What do I need to enter Japan again? What’s the procedure?As mentioned above, the Japanese government announced on August 5 that not only Japanese people are being allowed to re-enter the country, but also foreigners with residency status. Since the number of people coming from the countries subject to refusal of entry is much higher than before, the government has begun to strengthen its quarantine measures to prevent more people from becoming infected in the country.From now on, we would like to explain the documents required to re-enter the country.Documents required for re-entry COVID-19 Test ResultThe prescribed format for the certificate must be completed by the local medical institution and signed or stamped by the doctor.Process and Required Documents for Re-entry Confirmation of Submission of Reentry Related DocumentsYou can download the necessary documents for re-entry on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Application for Confirmation of Submission of Reentry Documents PassportA valid re-entry permit (including a deemed re-entry permit) must be affixed. Resident Card (zairyu-card)It must not have expired.Pre- and Post-Reentry ProceduresYou must take a PCR test within 72 hours of departing from the country / region in which you are currently residing and certify that the test result is negative.You will need to receive a “Confirmation of Re-Entry Document Submission” from the diplomatic mission in your country or region.When you arrive in Japan, you must take the PCR test again, regardless of your country or region of origin.You must do self-isolation for 2 weeks. The place of isolation will be designated by the laboratory director, and you may be required to stay in the hospital or at home.Can you go abroad during corona season?There are many foreign employees and students who have to leave Japan to take care of their parents, relatives, and children, but there are many countries like Japan that prohibit or restrict the entry of people who have stayed in countries with high numbers of infected people (countries subject to refusal of entry).From now on, we are going to provide information on travel from Japan to other countries for foreigners and international students who have been planning to leave Japan or are considering leaving the country.Travel Information for Leaving JapanMore and more countries are gradually easing their travel restrictions and accepting visitors from Japan. As the measures and documents required for arrival in each country differ, we would like to introduce some websites where you can check the travel situation in each country.Website of the Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs is arguably the most reliable source of information in Japan.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website has a detailed list of entry restrictions for travelers from Japan to each country. It has a detailed list of restrictions on the entry of travelers from Japan to each country.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 1 user79 pocketsBorder enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID…https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html   Trip.comTrip.com is an online travel agency that provides up-to-date information on travel conditions in each country. The website provides detailed information about travelers from Japan in each country. jp.trip.com 1 userhttps://jp.trip.com/travel-restrictions-covid-19/https://jp.trip.com/travel-restrictions-covid-19/提携ホテルは120万軒以上、200ヶ国以上を網羅。3000万件を超えるユーザーレビューで、お客様にぴったりの宿選びも簡単。航空券は5,000以上の目的地からお選びいただけます。24時間・年中無休の日本語カスタマーサポートで、お客様の旅をいつでもお手伝いいたします。 ※For countries not listed on the above two sites, please contact the embassy or consulate for details.ConclusionCurrently (as of August 6, 2020), most countries are experiencing a second wave of infections. As a result, information on travel is constantly being updated. It is always a good idea to check with your home country’s embassy or other authorities for final information based on the information and websites provided in this article.

At present, there has been a remarkable advancement in the technology of image recognition and analysis in the world. In China, image recognition and analysis technology has been used to arrest more than 5,000 fugitives and has been effective in a variety of fields such as automated driving.In this article, we would like to introduce some of the hot companies in Japan and abroad for engineers who are interested in companies that are making a splash in image recognition and analysis technology.What kind of Technology is “Image Recognition & Analysis”?First of all, we would like to explain what image recognition and analysis is.Image recognition is a technology that allows a computer or machine to identify what exactly is in an image. This is one of the pattern recognition technologies that read features such as color and shape from an image and put those features into various learning machines to recognize new images.Reference: Ledge.ai / Web Media Specializing in AITranslated from Japanese to English by GtalentTo illustrate with an example, the technology allows AI to analyze features such as “fluffy, small, tail, ears, eyes, and shape” from an image and recognize that the thing in the image is a “cat”.Mechanism for Image Recognition and AnalysisThe basic mechanisms of image recognition and analysis can be classified into two types: “Recognition/Analysis” and “Detection”.（Table Reference：IMagazine /Image Recognition & Analysis, Table translated from Japanese to English by GTalent)“Recognition and Analysis” is the stage of classifying the various information in an image by features. For example, if an image has human features, it is used to determine how many people are present in the image by collecting them. Also, “Detection” is the stage where the information gathered so far (people, cars, etc.) is used to determine where in the image it is located.International Companies that are in the SpotlightWe are going to introduce four companies that are providing Image Recognition & Analysis Technology services that are gaining worldwide attention.ChinaSenseTimeThe company, said to be one of the world’s top-valued venture firms, aims to apply its image recognition technology to a wide range of fields, and is also involved in businesses other than face recognition, such as automated driving and medical image analysis. In addition, SenseTime is also actively collaborating with government companies, and its investor, Alibaba, is expanding its reach into smart city projects.SenseTimeFACE++Face++ is the first company that uses artificial intelligence for facial recognition and is one of the most notable AI startups in the world. In addition to its introduction in the Beijing police force, Face++ authentication systems have also been introduced in several major banks, the Alibaba-affiliated payment service Alipay, and the major car dispatch service Didi.FACE++USAGumGumGumGum is a new type of advertising platform that specializes in creating brand engagement aligned with premium editorial content that is guaranteed to be seen. It is best known for creating in-image advertising.The company is so high-profile that it does business with more than half of AdAge’s top 100 U.S. ad spenders, including Disney, L’Oreal, Toyota and Samsung.GumGumSwitzerlandScanditScandit is changing the way businesses and consumers interact with everyday objects, enabling businesses and consumers to use smartphones, tablets, wearables, drones, and robots to scan barcodes and extend the real-time data obtained by recognizing text and objects in the physical world. Many of the world’s innovative companies are already reaping the benefits of Scandit’s next-generation mobile data capture platform. Clients include world-renowned companies such as Ahold, Levi Strauss & Co, Coop, Macy’s, Louis Vuitton, DHL, Cardinal Health, NASA, and Verizon Wireless.ScanditImage Recognition Technology Companies in JapanWith the growing interest in image recognition and analysis technology in Japan, we would like to introduce some Japanese companies that have already succeeded in expanding their business overseas and companies that provide familiar services using this technology.Manufacturing IndustryYE DIGITALYE DIGITAL has developed MMEye, an AI image evaluation service that uses AI technology to allow for real-time inspection of defective products at the manufacturing site. It is one of the Japanese companies that has become a hot topic not only in the Japanese manufacturing industry but also overseas.YE DIGITAL / AI Image Analysis ServiceDENSODENSO is one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced technologies, systems, and auto-parts for the automotive industry.Customers include the world’s major car manufacturers such as Toyota, Daihatsu, AUDI, BMW, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and many others. Globally, it is a large company that can have more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and territories.Denso is focusing on image recognition and analysis, also it is said to have the world’s top-level automated driving technology with its strengths in “image sensing” and “automated driving algorithms”.Denso / Automatic DrivingMedical IndustryHoloeyesHoloeyes is a company that is introducing VR and MR-based services to the medical field and medical education. The company provides services using image recognition and analysis technology that allows data to be converted into 3D and stored as a digital library, which can be viewed at any time.Holoeyes / Medical VRApparel IndustryFirst RetailingStyleHint is an application developed jointly by UNIQLO and G.U, group companies of First Retailing that uses image recognition and analysis technology to search for outfits.The app allows you to search for images of similar clothing outfits from your smartphone’s camera roll, Instagram, and other photos as well as UNIQLO and G.U. products that are similar to those images.StyleHint / UNIQLO & G.U.Chaos Map of Japan’s Image Recognition & Analysis TechnologyFinally, here’s the chaos map of Japanese image recognition & analysis technology published by AISmiley (as of June 2020). In addition to the services we’ve covered so far, there are many other companies offering services.Reference: AISmiley / Chaos Map of Japan’s Image Recognition & Analysis Technology 2020 (Article in Japanese)ConclusionIn recent years, many services that use image recognition and analysis technologies have been created in Japan, and the Japanese image recognition and analysis industry is a great place to grow for IT engineers who want to develop products that have a social impact using such technologies.If you are a foreign IT engineer looking to work for a company with Japanese image recognition and analysis technology, register with G Talent, the leading recruitment agency for foreign IT engineers. Our professional consultants will help you find a job at a Japanese technology company for free.

今年に入り、Googleがノーコード開発のプラットフォームの「Appsheet」を買収したことやAmazonがノーコードツールの「Amazon Honeycode」を公開するなど、ノーコード開発が世界的に大きに大きな話題となっております。開発にかかるコストの削減や開発スピードを劇的に向上させることからIT人材が不足している日本でも注目を浴びるようになりました。この記事では、最近、日本で多くの注目を浴びているNoCode（ノーコード）開発とその人気ツールについて、日本のWebやスマホアプリの開発トレンドに興味を持っている外国人やITエンジニア向けにご説明をしたいと思います。NoCode（ノーコード）とは何か？NoCode（ノーコード）ツールとは、技術者ではない人でもコード、つまり、プログラミング言語を書くことなく、独自のアプリケーションを構築することができるソフトウェア開発プラットフォームです。これらのツールは、多くの場合、ドラッグ＆ドロップ機能を備えたシンプルなユーザーインターフェイスを特徴としており、開発プロセスを簡単に可視化し、基礎となるビジネスロジックを定義することができます。NoCode と LowCode （ローコード）の用語自体はよく同様に思われる場合が多くありますが、名前が示すように大きな違いがあります。 NoCodeNoCodeプラットフォームでは、ユーザーが基本的にプログラミング言語を用いることなくソフトウェアを構築することができます。 LowCodeLowCodeプラットフォームは、限られた量のコーディングが必要となる場合があり、開発プロセスの一部または全部の間、プログラミングの知識がないユーザーが開発者（知識のあるもの）と協力して作業する必要があります。※LowCode についてもっと詳しく知りたい方はこちらのリンクをご参考にしてみて下さい。（ローコード開発とそのメリットについて）NoCodeを用いるメリットプログラミング知識が必要ないNoCodeでアプリケーションを作るのであれば、1からコーディングを行うためのプログラミング知識は必要ありません。これまでアプリ開発とは異なり、プログラミング言語の知識がない人でもアプリ開発をすることが可能になります。例えば、IT部門の人材ではない各事業部で働く人たちが、自分で普段の業務課題を解決できるシステムを開発することや新しいシステムやサービスの素晴らしいアイデアを持っている人が、プログラミングの経験がなくても、そのアイデアを実現できるようになります。開発期間を短縮できるNoCodeの開発では手書きのコーディングにかかる時間がないため、アプリやサービスの発案から開発・リリースまでの期間を大幅に短縮することができます。多様化したニーズに応え、数多くの革新的な企業や事業がある中で生き残るためには、よりスピーディーな開発が要求されます。新たなビジネスアイデアの速度に対応することで、ノーコードという開発手法が今後大きな意味を持つことになると言えるでしょう。具体的なNoCodeサービスこれからは、注目を浴びているNoCodeサービスとその特徴をご紹介したいと思います。Bubble  Bubble 9 tweets123 users5721 pocketsThe most powerful no-code platformhttps://bubble.ioBubble introduces a new way to build a web application. It’s a no-code point-and-click programming tool. Bubble hosts all applications on its cloud platform.  Webアプリのフロントエンドからバックエンドまで柔軟に開発をすることが可能ですドラッグ＆ドロップエディタによる直感的なインターフェースを利用していますBubble自身のデザイナーが作成した無料・有料のテンプレートが豊富です外部サービスと連携するための約1,000種類のプラグインを持っていますNoCode開発ツールの中ではトップの知名度を持ち、豊かなカスタマイズ性と分かりやすい開発手順から、海外だけではなく日本でも多く利用者に愛用されています。Adalo  www.adalo.com 37 users1097 pocketsAdalo – Build Your Own No Code Apphttps://www.adalo.comAdalo makes creating apps as easy as putting together a slide deck. Turn your idea into a real native app — no code needed!  1つのツール上でWebアプリとスマートフォーン向けのアプリを両方とも開発することが可能です「Zapier」と連携しているため、外部サービスの「GMail」や「Google Spred Sheet」などとも簡単に連携ができ、業務自動化のツールとしても活躍することができるツールです画面構築に活用するUIパーツが準備されているので、ユーザーは自分の作りたいシステムにマッチするパーツをドラック＆ドロップするだけでシステムを構築することが可能ですAppsheet 2020年1月にGoogleにより買収されてから日本でも注目を浴びるようになりました予算アプリ、ウェビナーアプリ、見積と提案アプリ、などの社内の業務に関するアプリが数多く作成できますUI/UXは既に用意されている10種類以上のものから選択しカスタマイズ可能となっております  AppSheet 42 users1001 pocketsAppSheet : mobile apps from spreadsheets :https://www.appsheet.comMake apps with no-code. AppSheet's no-code app building platform allows you to quickly build apps to collect, or connect to, data. Start building for free now.  Retool  retool.com 46 users3106 pocketsBuild internal tools, remarkably fast.https://retool.comRetool is the fast way to build internal tools. Drag-and-drop our building blocks and connect them to your databases and APIs to build your own tools, instantly. Connects with Postgres, REST APIs, GraphQL, Firebase, Google Sheets, and more. Built by developers, for developers. Trusted by startups and Fortune 500s. Sign up for free.    便利なドラッグ＆ドロップエディタを使用しています機能豊富なコンポーネントライブラリ（テーブル、テキスト入力など）により、内部ツールをより速く構築できますデータを操作するための再利用可能なコードブロックと、手動でコードをカスタマイズする機能があり、独自性のあるコンテンツに仕上げることが可能ですまとめノーコード・プラットフォームはITビジネスに革命をもたらし、これまで以上に簡単に機能豊富なエンタープライズ・ソフトウェアを立ち上げて使い始めることができるようになりました。人間主導のソフトウェア開発の必要性は常にありますが、ノーコード・プラットフォームはあらゆる規模の企業や業界にとって重要なスペースを埋めています。日本のWEBやスマホアプリの開発に興味があり、日本の企業で働きたいという外国人のITエンジニアの方は、外国人ITエンジニアの転職エージェントG Talent（ジータレント）にご登録ください。プロのコンサルタントが無料で日本のテクノロジー企業への転職をご支援いたします。