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A bit different podcast this time: We're sharing the audio from a panel discussion on self-driving cars at TRAN/SUM, Transportation and Mobility Technology Summit hosted by NIKKEI and the Japanese Government.

Panel title: SELF-DRIVING TECHNOLOGIES: STEERING TOWARDS FULL AUTOMATION

This panel explored the current capabilities of (semi)autonomous cars, and where they will lead us in the future:

How far are we from full automation and which steps need to be done to gain the trust of industry professionals, as well as the wider public? Which steps are essential in quality assurance of large connected autonomous systems, and how will they impact our daily lives?

PANELISTS:

Christian Weiner, Senior Product Manager, Softing Automotive Electronics

Shakti Mahapatra, Co-Head, Business Development, Netradyne

Masayuki Ishizaki, CEO, Ascent Robotics

Una Softic, Innovation Consultant, TRAN/SUM & Moto Japan!

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Interviews from Tokyo Motor Show 2019:

Nobuo Momose - Mitsubishi Motors (Chief Technology Engineer, E-mobility)

Martijn ten Brink - Mazda (VP Sales & Customer Service)

Bob Starr - Yamaha (Corporate Communications Manager)

Yuya Kanzaki - Kawasaki (Marketing)

Interviewed by:

Una Softic

Kazuto Yakuwa

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End of last year recap:
- Sportsland Yamanashi (https://www.sly-rc.com/) Trackday with Gaijinriders (Apexmoto http://www.apexmoto.jp/)
- Kawasaki TR250 for Tokyo daily commute (from ATV Moto Custom Shop http://www.atv-ms.com/)
- NEUTRAL 2019 preparations (NEUTRAL [Bike x Art x Music] event: https://neutral-moto.com/)

Thanks all for making our 2018 rides magnificent. Let's keep it going!

Note: Sorry about the background noise. It was too cold to talk without the heater/aircon on.

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This time, it's all about music. We're presenting a mix created by DJ Yonekura for last week's NEUTRAL [Arts ・ Bikes ・ Music] event held in Tokyo.

NEUTRAL WEBSITE: https://neutral-moto.com/

Direct link to the mix: https://soundcloud.com/user-592219394/neutral

Moto Japan Website: https://motojapan.me/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moto.japan/

NEUTRAL photo album on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/motojapan.me/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2149527805258934

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This Saturday, September 29th, at Ryogoku Station:

NEUTRAL [bikes ・ art ・ music] event

Don't miss it:

https://neutral-moto.com/

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Meeting Misato Isobe at Motegi Twin Rings during the July Road Race, we had a privilege of meeting Yuki Kobayashi, one of most accomplished and versatile Japanese automotive journalists. Her expertise covers racing, touring, technology, events and motorcycling culture.

She is an independent writer, contributing to many motorcycling magazines, and an active racer. She owns 10 motorcycles and 2 cats.

Wikipedia Entry: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B0%8F%E6%9E%97%E3%82%86%E3%81%8D_(%E3%83%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AB%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8A%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88)

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/yukitherider/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yukky_rt

Bike Blog: http://yukky.txt-nifty.com/bikeblog/

BBB Magazine: https://www.bbb-bike.com/

BBB YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BBBpasaba/

Yuki Kobayashi reviewing one of her favorite bikes - Kawasaki Ninja H2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLACGMJnxfA

Harley Davidson Freedom Magazine http://freedom.harley-davidson.co.jp/

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This podcast was recorded at Apexmoto, the same as the last one. While we interviewed John Gavin, his customers Misato Isobe and Mikio Ide came in to tune the bike before their next BMW race at Motegi circuit.

We spoke to them about Misato Isobe's winning attitude. She started riding 4 years ago, at 42, and is currently one of the fastest females in Japan.

Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo6cASIvuVIIZ8-UoA1FzeA

Watch her racing in Motegi on July 21st and 22nd: http://www.twinring.jp/roadrace_m/schedule/schedule.html

Apexmoto: http://www.apexmoto.jp/

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We visited John Gavin, the Managing Director of Apexmoto, at his bike shop in Yamanashi.

John is an an engineer, a businessman, a rider and moreover an enabler, boosting Japan's motorcycling industry since he set his mind on building the best bike shop in the country.

In this episode, we explored why Apexmoto is a known address for Japanese and foreign riders alike, known for outperforming and providing services for their customers that many other shops in Japan don't dare to imagine.

You can find his shop in Yamanashi: http://www.apexmoto.jp/

They're also active on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ApexmotoIncJP/

Gaijinriders forum: http://www.gaijinriders.com/forum.php

Make sure to check the Gaijinriders group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gaijinrider/

listentoyourmoto and check https://motojapan.me

Also, please stay tuned and check our Japanese Moto Japan Podcast. Next Episode will be a riding champion, an Apexmoto customer　→ check it out next week!

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This time, Kazuto and Una share their BKMs where to stay in an emergency situation while touring Japan by a motorcycle. They also list options for riders traveling on budget, as well as alternative options for those looking to make some unconventional memories.

More information on Moto Japan website:

https://motojapan.me

For recommended motorcycle rental places for foreigners in Japan, check Motorcycle Paradise blog post:

https://www.motorcycleparadise.net/2016/05/see-japan-on-two-wheels.html

EMERGENCY STAY/REST PLACES:

Manga Cafe:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_cafe

Family Restaurants:

https://www.nippon.com/en/features/jg00009/

Michi no eki (RRA - according to Kazuto):

https://www.michi-no-eki.jp/

Riders Onsens:

https://www.rental819.com/pick-up/hotels/

Love Hotels:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_hotel#Japan

ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION SOLUTIONS:

Airbnb

http://airbnb.com/

Camping

http://www.autocamp.or.jp/

Riders Houses

https://www.hatinosu.net/house/

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After a long break, Moto Japan returned to Tokyo, ready for new riding season.

We intended to dedicate this episode to Tokyo Motorcycle Show, but it didn't work out as planned. Hear why!

This episode brings some riding 💩 talk, a list of best places to ride in Japan - all personal recommendations for riding routes, hotels and camping sites.

More information on Moto Japan website:

https://motojapan.me

Some roads we mentioned:

• Okutama https://motojapan.goat.me/5YX69Vk6

• Venus Line Nagano https://motojapan.goat.me/6rESRGop

• Green Line Chiba https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzDvLOzUEeI

• Mt Fuji Road https://goo.gl/maps/A4wF1EXPYLD2

• Fukushima - Inawashiro Lake https://motojapan.goat.me/6gUT0cu0

• Sambu in Fukushima https://goo.gl/maps/SHCpSoRidZL2

Food we craved this time:

• Seafood in Aihama - Aihamatei https://tabelog.com/en/chiba/A1207/A120704/12026105/

• Houtou in Kofu - Kosaku http://www.kosaku.co.jp/

Mentioned hotels and guest houses:

• Asanami Guest House in Shimoda, Izu http://asanami.main.jp/

• Backpackers Furyu in Shizuoka https://motojapan.goat.me/5VN594kr

• Sakura Daiichi Hotel in Chiba http://www.sakura-daiichihotel.com/en/

• Land/Frontier Hotel in Iwaki Fukushima http://www.hotelfrontieriwaki.com/

Mentioned Campsites:

• Kouan Motosuko (Mt. Fuji) campsite: http://kouan-motosuko.com/

• Tenjinhama on Inawashiro Lake (Fukushima) http://www.tenjinhama.com/

• Mori no Makiba in Chiba (mountains) http://www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/morimaki/

• Shobugahama Camping Ground on Chuuzenji lake in Nikko (Tochigi) http://www.shoubugahama.co.jp/

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This time, Kazu and Una visited Nepcon Japan's Automotive World and talked about automotive technology with the following guests:

~ H Sakamoto (Asano Corporation)

~ Rüdiger Lück (Euscher)

~ Weng Kai Wong (Nitto)

~ Harry Na (Roadstar AI)

~ Han Zhigong (Tokyo University Matsuo Lab)

~ Rodrigo Gonzalez Espinosa (Sanko Gosei Mexico & Cofoce)

~ Raju Sapkota (Vantech)

~ Sangsik Nam (Daemyung TS)

~ Chika Harada (Igus)

Our favorite sushi restaurant in Tokyo mentioned in the podcast: Moriichi Kinshicho

This is the English version of the Moto Japan Podcast. For Japanese version of the podcast, please search for "Moto Japan ポッドキャスト".

Moto Japan website: https://motojapan.me

~listen to your moto~

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Fascinated by joyriders of Japan, we are adding regular interviews with some of the most enchanting motorcycle riding personalities in the land of the rising sun.

In this pilot Episode, Kazu and Una visited the Tokyo Motor Show 2017 and inquired about latest motorcycling technologies.

Guests of this show are:

• Hiroyuki Nakata, the Lead Engineer behind Honda Rider Assist-e

• Teppei Maezono, the Lead Designer behind Yamaha's Motoroid

• Shigeru Murakami, the Marketing Manager at Suzuki

More information on Moto Japan website:

https://motojapan.me