Ericsson Japan begins AI network research with Tokyo partners

Ericsson Japan and the University of Tokyo have partnered on AI network research through an initiative named Enter New Horizons.

The collaborative project examines how connectivity supports national responses to demographic change across Japan. It also investigates methods for maintaining domestic social infrastructure while generating alternative avenues for economic growth.

Hiroaki Ando, President and Representative Director of Ericsson Japan, says: “I am very pleased that we are able to launch ‘Enter New Horizons’ in Japan as Ericsson marks its 150th anniversary. Starting with our workshop with the University of Tokyo, we will broaden our dialogue with communications service providers, companies, local governments, and academic institutions as we explore new possibilities together.

“By turning these dialogues into new initiatives for the future, we aim to contribute to the realisation of a sustainable and prosperous society in Japan.”

Tokyo workshop models domestic societal requirements for 2035

A two-day co-creation workshop hosted in Tokyo marked the operational start of the programme. University of Tokyo students joined personnel from Ericsson Japan to establish structural projections targeted around 2035. 

Participants evaluated technical capabilities and discussions concentrated on combining advanced network infrastructure with computational tools. The working sessions evaluated how communication links interface with AI systems to assist public organisations and commercial entities that face structural difficulties across regional communities.

Four operational themes guided the exploratory workshop sessions. Manufacturing represented the initial industrial track reviewed by the joint student and corporate working groups. The teams dedicated a separate technical category to public energy distribution systems alongside the continuous maintenance of civic infrastructure assets.

Mobility formed the third exploratory sector, and the concluding category addressed long-term regional sustainability to protect municipal prefectures that face shrinking populations from complete economic contraction.

Interdisciplinary faculty guide technological and social integration

Academic administration for the collaborative programme involves the University of Tokyo College of Arts and Sciences.

Fumitaka Mafune coordinates the Liberal Arts Innovation Village, an internal community exploring social progress through liberal arts scholarship. Mafune, who heads the Social Collaboration Division at the Center for the Advancement of Higher Education in Liberal Arts, stated that connecting academic knowledge with industry helps address increasingly complex societal issues from multiple perspectives.

Subsequent project phases rely on advisory input from university faculty members. Associate Professor Yukino Baba provides domain expertise in AI architectures and human-computer interaction models from her university post. Professor Shinji Kajitani contributes philosophical guidance—his academic work focuses on dialogue methods regarding human values and daily living conditions.

Ericsson plans to combine these varied faculty perspectives with local government feedback to evaluate how planned network deployments influence social problems, technological development, and individual human priorities across the country.

Mafune noted that combined AI and connectivity establish an operational foundation for commerce and domestic life. The academic coordinator identified healthcare as a specific operational sector alongside regional communities, mobility, and physical infrastructure that requires fresh analytical perspectives for long-term planning. Student discussions linked these technical systems directly to pressing community requirements.

Mobile networks transition toward 6G AI architecture

Mobile networking infrastructure provides the transmission layer for these projected societal models. Jawad Manssour, who also holds the role of President and Representative Director of Ericsson Japan, reported that automated systems require high-performance connectivity to operate safely at scale across industry.

Cellular networks must advance beyond existing standalone 5G topologies to support widespread autonomous enterprise equipment in field conditions. 6G standards target native machine intelligence. The vendor aims to demonstrate how high-performing, dependable mobile connections sustain the growth of a digital society in Japan.

Autonomous machinery requires uninterrupted data transmission across industrial facilities. Ericsson has delivered commercial communications technology for 150 years. That engineering background guides its collaborative work with domestic Japanese universities, regional public authorities, and commercial equipment customers. Manssour observed that deepening collaboration across enterprise customers, industrial partners, and academic institutions remains essential to construct digital infrastructure supporting future society.

Deliverables from the Tokyo workshop will become public at the end of September this year. Ericsson plans to present the initial project outcomes through produced video recordings and physical exhibition displays during that release period.

Ericsson has omitted the specific names of collaborating commercial businesses alongside the municipal local government bodies slated to join subsequent collaborative research phases. Field trials require confirmed municipal testbeds. Ando confirmed that the enterprise aims to translate these multilateral dialogues into concrete regional initiatives fostering social sustainability and commercial vitality across Japan.

See also: LG Uplus sets TM Forum benchmark for autonomous networks

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