Special Report

2Business Materiality

Solutions to Social Issues Enabled by Advanced Visualization Technologies
Using printing technology to communicate the right information accurately

High-definition Visual Media Are

Toppan’s DNA and Technology Can

Changing the Way We Communicate

Contribute to a New Foundation forCommunication using words and printed text involves conveying

SocietyHowever, it is a means of communication that can easily lead to an

Toppan has engaged in the business of printing since its foundation

not be able to fully express what they are thinking or feeling using

accurately record and communicate information. This expertise

images and emotions by converting them into text information.

and has developed printing technologies over many years that

incomplete understanding. The person conveying information may

is leveraged in the production of media employing advanced

words and the person receiving the information may not properly

visualization technologies, such as high-quality video and virtual

understand what is being communicated.

reality (VR).

In the case of visual expression, however, it is said that aPrinting technologies for reproducing shape and color in detailphotograph can convey information equivalent to 2,000 charactersof text and that watching video is equivalent to several million

facilitate the production of VR content with an overwhelmingin particular, the amount of information contained within is evenexperience and track record built up in the daily handling of high-sense of immersion and realism. Toppan takes advantage of thecharacters of text information. With high-quality 4K and 8K video

resolution, high-volume data to create high-quality 4K and 8K

larger because the images have higher definition and resolution.

visual media.

This means that the level of immersion of the experiences is

By providing high-definition visual expression technologies,

heightened because what is displayed looks very similar to the realscenery.

Toppan not only meets promotion, marketing, and other needs ofthe way in which we communicate. If the deployment of 5G mobile

to social issues through the use of such technologies in fields

businesses and local governments, but also contributes to solutions

The use of these kinds of visual media is significantly changing

including education, manufacturing, disaster and crime prevention,communication systems enables not just high-speed, large-volume

medicine, and art.

transmission, but also multiple connections and minimal delays, it

Toppan will continue to leverage its DNA and outstanding

can drive the use of high-quality visual media and make it possible

technologies to respond to an ever-evolving society while

to deliver a wealth of content to large numbers of people.

proactively creating and rolling out services that can help form a
new foundation for that society.

Medicine
High-definition, high-resolution video
is expected to improve the accuracy ofimage-based diagnosis and help create
environments for remote medical services
that are closer to face-to-face consultation.

Social Infrastructure
Cameras are used for crime and disasterprevention to support a safe and securesociety. High-quality video can facilitate
more detailed analysis and more effective
countermeasures.

Expanding possibilities
for advanced visualization

Regional Stimulation
Visual media can also contribute tostimulating regional economies by making
it possible to showcase tourist attractions,
local produce, and other elements of aregion’s charm and appeal to people aroundthe world.

technologies indiverse fields
Education
Visual media’s role in the field of education
is expected to grow, with such applications
as the digital archiving of museum
collections and cultural assets, as welllearning materials.

Promotion
The use of visual media for branding, thepromotion of products and services, anddiverse other purposes is expanding.

Industry
Visual media can contribute to enhanced
productivity and safety management
through use in a wide range of settings,
including safety training, quality control,
and the passing down of technologies andknowhow in manufacturing workplaces.

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Business Materiality

Possibilities of advanced visualization technologies ①

Opening the Mind with Virtual WindowsTopic

Natural Window—a space solution offering hyper-immersion

Pilot Project to Support the Akita City

Government’s Efforts for an Age-friendly City

The Natural Window System and its EffectTo contribute to efforts by the government of Akita City

This solution involves taking high-quality 4K video content shot by

in Akita Prefecture to create an age-friendly city,1 Toppan

with a window frame to create an experience of window scenery withcompanies in a pilot project for “Natural Window for CATV,”2Toppan using special techniques and displaying it on digital signage

worked with four television and communication-related

an outstanding sense of immersion.

a new video distribution service. The test involved getting

rooms featuring Natural Window, posters, or blank walls has shown

4K televisions to spur communication and participation

in a short time period. By introducing Natural Window as a means toengagement by seniors, Toppan hopes to help maintain socialstyle reform and health management for employees and staff.

such as labor shortages.

feedback from users and transmitting video to household

Analysis based on measurement of biological response to breakthat Natural Window helps relieve stress and enables people to refreshin society by senior citizens. By encouraging social

improve workplace environments, Toppan aims to contribute to work

infrastructure and address issues faced by an ageing society,
1. T he World Health Organization (WHO) launched a project in 2007 toaddress the issues of global ageing, urbanization, and the ageing of urban
populations. In December 2011 the government of Akita City became thefirst local authority in Japan to join the WHO Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. Subsequently, in March 2019, Akita
was selected from cities in the network as one of 11 undertaking advanced

initiatives.
2. P ilot project for high-quality 4K video transmission conducted in Akita
City to support the creation of an age-friendly city.
Related press release (in Japanese)

Break room at Toppan’s BPO

https://www.toppan.co.jp/news/2020/03/newsrelease200312.html

Square Asaka facility

Possibilities of advanced visualization technologies ②

Preparing for Evacuation

evacuation areas. By making use of a function for going back over

one’s own evacuation route and switching between aerial, rear, andEvacuation simulation systemother views, users can confirm the action they need to take frommultiple perspectives.

Visual Content Enables Repeated Experience

Features of the Tsunami Simulation

In May 2019, Toppan worked with the government of Akita City, Akita

Prefecture, to develop an evacuation simulation system that uses visualThis content aims to help people confirm visually the dangers of a

how they become flooded in the event of a tsunami caused by a large-to be taken when evacuating.

action and routes to take when evacuating in such an emergency.

combined with computer graphics to produce something that is easythat repeated use of the system and content will allow all residents tothe Akita City website.

tsunami hitting the city and explains clearly the precautions that needmedia to demonstrate which locations might become flooded andActual video of the Tsuchizaki district in Akita City has beenscale earthquake. The system enables people to experience the specificfor residents to understand. The content is available for viewing on

Visual content simulating a tsunami was also produced. It is hoped

be better prepared for evacuation based on the simulated experience ofthe dangers of tsunamis and what action needs to be taken to stay safe.

Features of the Evacuation Simulation System
The system facilitates repeated simulated experience of evacuation

A scene from the evacuation simulation system. Users can confirm such details as timefrom start of evacuation, sea level, and rearview mirror display as they use the system.

based on the concept of “faster, higher, further” advocated by theAkita City government.

A realistic simulation of a tsunami approaching has been produced

in 360-degree virtual reality. This can be shown on a large screen
for multiple viewers or viewed on head-mounted displays for ahighly immersive experience. Using a controller, evacuation can becommenced from any location within the virtual space, and users

The tsunami simulation content explains what would happen if a tsunami hit thecity using real images to enable residents to be prepared for evacuation.

can experience evacuating via the appropriate routes to designated18

TOPPAN Sustainability Report 2020

Special Report2Business Materiality

Possibilities of advanced visualization technologies ③Fly

(Expand user experience)

Transcending Space and Time to Share Abilities

Meet people in distant locations

IoA Virtual Teleportation®

(Expand user presence)
InternetGive instructions on repair
procedure (Communicate user abilities)

Overcoming Distance and Time to Share Abilities

Toppan is undertaking joint creation and development with Jun Rekimoto, professor of the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies at theUniversity of Tokyo, who advocates the Internet of Abilities (IoA). One of the outputs of these activities is the launch of IoA Virtual Teleportation®
and efforts to drive its application in society. The IoA is a concept for the infrastructure of future society and involves fusing people andtechnologies via networks to expand consciousness and abilities.

Aiming to expand human capabilities, this initiative is expected to be effective for a wide range of applications. These include physicalrehabilitation, support for elderly people and those with limited mobility, and the tracking of movements of experienced practitioners to enabletraining and the passing on of specialist skills.

Topic

Virtual Hometown Excursion Enabled by IoA Gakuen™

IoA Gakuen™ (“gakuen” means “school” in Japanese) employs IoA Virtual Teleportation® technology
and uses 4K video and 5G-related communication to connect schools with distant locations and provide
a platform for broad-based learning for children that overcomes the physical and time constraints oftravel.
In November 2019, IoA Gakuen™ was used for a virtual hometown excursion by children attending
the Futaba Minami and Kita elementary schools in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture. The majority of the town of Futaba has beenclassified as an area to which people cannot return following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The virtual excursion
provided an opportunity for children to learn about the state of the town today and the efforts being undertaken for restoration andreconstruction.

Possibilities of advanced visualization technologies ④

Supporting Accurate Diagnosis for Remote Medicine
Color management system and high-definition video technologies

Concept for Application

Enhancing Dialogue and Information Sharing

Specialist
hospitalRemote location

Between Doctors

Local
doctorTo address the issue of support for medical care in regions with limited

5G / millimeterwaves

Specialist
doctorOpticalcommunication

numbers of specialist physicians, growing attention is being focused onremote medicine, in which specialists are connected with local doctors

Toppan aims to combine high-definition video technology with a colorand can communicate with them via networks. Due to the spread ofmanagement system for reproducing color data with a high degree of accuracy

used not just in regional areas but also by doctors in urban locations.

networks and other means for high-speed, large-volume transmission.

COVID-19, remote medicine has increased in importance and is being

to enhance the quality of communication between doctors through 5G

In addition to conveying information via language and numerical

data, video is indispensable for facilitating remote examination andconsultation. Accurate communication of visual information requires

both high definition and sophisticated reproduction of color information.
Toppan has expertise accumulated over more than 30 years in

handling high-definition digital data for printing, which is combined withadvanced control technologies and reliability that can withstand long-term use. Toppan aims to contribute to enhancing the quality of remote

Causes of disparities in communication and assessment when
there is a significant difference between input and output
Display device

Light source

Different imaging
methods andsubjective automatedimage processing

Differences in display
characteristics of eachdeviceDifferent color
components
depending on lightsourceUltra-high-definition
digital data for
printing

Not adjusted

Not appropriate

Not clear

Erroneouscorrection

medical care and enabling healthy lives by facilitating the exchange ofaccurate visual information.

Concept display in the Toppan booth at
CEATEC 2019 Society 5.0 Town
Related press release (in Japanese)
https://www.toppan.co.jp/news/2019/10/
copy_of_newsrelease191011_1.html

High definition

Imaging device

Natural light
5000K°

Halogen bulb

FluorescentlightLED(information volume)

Resolution / bit rate

Comprehensive control ≒ color management system

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Special Report

2

Business Materiality

The Ongoing Pursuit of Accuracy
in the Digital Field

Takashi Suzuki

Senior General Manager
Advanced Visualization Technology Development
Social Innovation Subdivision
Information & Communication Division

Evolution from Visualization to Accurate
Communication

The Potential Offered by Second-generation
Digital Signage

The work of a printing company can be said to be the processing ofConventional digital signage has been a substitute for signboards,

to put what the customer is envisaging into a visual format and give

displays. If we think of this as the first generation, second-generation

with the same advertising sometimes being shown on multiple

information for visualization. The core of printing technologies isdigital signage could be said to be space design that prompts human

it its finished form using photographs, text, design, and a range ofaction. We are conducting research based on exploring the idea

other technologies. Digital evolution of the expression technologies

that if we manage information that appeals not just to sight but

we have built up over the years is a major theme for us now. Our

to all five senses in spaces with displays, it might be possible tobasic approach is to develop new services centered on advanced

influence people’s emotions. In June this year we launched a spacevisualization technologies and apply them effectively to help shapedesign solution called Your Space™. We believe that this solution

Society 5.0, which will be sustainable and smart. The key to this will

can contribute to working style reforms at companies by centrally

be going beyond visualization to achieve accurate communication

managing and controlling video, sound, aroma, and lighting toof information. For example, in the creation of digital archives ofenhance people’s concentration. Toppan opened NIPPON GALLERY

cultural heritage, we work to faithfully reproduce lost portions based

TABIDO MARUNOUCHI in Tokyo to contribute to efforts to makeon research of large numbers of documents so that such heritage

Japan into a tourism-oriented nation and revitalize its regions. Thecan be passed down to future generations. The social application

facility features simulated natural lighting in the ceiling and Naturalof these initiatives involves creating and providing mechanisms for

Window displays in the walls. The space has been designed in various

systematically enabling the accurate communication of information,

ways to showcase the charms of Japan. This includes a reconstruction

and I believe that this will lead to social innovation.

of the garden of a traditional Japanese tea house and a high-intensity,

Core Technology of Accurate Color Reproduction

high-definition LED wall that enables life-size displays of scenery.
The gallery and its design have been a hit with visitors.

Toppan has worked for many years on developing the real-timerendering engines that are vital to our virtual reality (VR) business

Better Living Enabled by Digital Technologies

other engines available that can produce extraordinary images andWe have also launched “beyond 5G” initiatives that look to the future.

our own engines because it is very difficult to reproduce textures

technologies in society, but a limit is being seen even in the potential ofso that they reproduce colors and textures accurately. There are

We are conducting a range of pilot projects for the application of 5G

beautiful color expression, but we felt that we needed to develop

5G when it comes to expanding stimuli that appeal to the five senses. We

that change depending on the material, such as the soft look ofare therefore conducting research into Multi-access Edge Computing

fabric or complex depth of reflection seen on paint on a car.

(MEC), which processes data at a network location closer to final users.
In the post-COVID-19-pandemic world, there will be heightenedThe InternationalSpace Station
reproduced by arendering engine aspart of VR contentfor the Fukuoka CityScience Museum.

demand for contactless, remote communication. Toppan will beresearching and developing an array of services based on IoA

Virtual Teleportation®, which transcends space and time to enable

an experience in which users feel as if they are at the location itself.
In transcending space and time, we are also engaging in efforts torecord and explore human behavior. For example, in the field ofWith digital communication via networks, there are issues sucharchaeological surveys, we are contributing to research activities

as deterioration due to the compression of large volumes of datawith new digital techniques, providing technologies for accurate 3Dand different colors being displayed by different devices. Thisvisualization of historical sites and ruins above and below ground.

means that color management technology that conveys the right

We also continue to collaborate with universities and researchcolor under various conditions will surely become more and more

institutions in Japan and overseas to research Maya civilization

important. For example, as part of measures in response to theruins in Honduras and Guatemala and the Ayutthaya and Sukhothai

COVID-19 pandemic, the number of hospitals offering online

historical sites in Thailand.

services starting from the initial consultation has increased. When

From here on, we will see a variety of business activities being

doctors interact with patients via screens, if the color of the person’s
face is not displayed accurately or color is automatically adjusted

conducted in cyberspace. I take pride in the fact that with our history

provide an accurate diagnosis. We need to be uncompromising

we are perfectly positioned to contribute to shaping a smart society inof using printing to consistently disseminate real-world information,by the camera or image processing engine, it becomes difficult towhich cyberspace and the physical world are seamlessly linked. Wein our pursuit of precision to ensure that medical examinations

will continue to take on new challenges targeting a world in which

online can be performed with the same level of accuracy as thosepeople use digital technologies instinctively and intuitively as part of

conducted face to face.

a better way of living.

20TOPPAN Sustainability Report 2020