a stem-fi graphic novel by
Jamie Jonathan Ball
...turning to the future of business... we speak with the CEO of Auto-packing-Corp, after the weather forecast. This is Tokyo Today...
Ah, this package will go via p Auto- acking-Corp. That place sounds interesting. Sorry, I’m a postal geek!
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THE TOKYO TOWER - ENGLISH EDITION
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE
AUTO-PACKING-CORP BECOMES FIRST FULLYAUTOMATED FACTORY! CEO says he’s “proud of the new found efficiency” of his packaging factory, which is now fully operated by machines.
Above: Mr. Takahashi CEO, pictured with one of his prized robots.
INSIDE:
RISING LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT
PAGE 111
Ex-factory workers protest on streets
SPEAKING to The Tokyo Tower, owner and CEO of AUTO-PACKING-CORP, Mr. Takahashi stated he was “thrilled to be at the forefront of a new era of factory, one that can work at full-speed 24 hours a day”. Takahashi smugly added that “People are ordering more and more online all the time, and I aim to meet those demands robotically. At the end of the day it’s cheap reliable labour and I want to make money”. This kind of comment has sparked outrage from ex-employees, who lost their jobs to machines. A full report follows.
PAGE 145
WORLDWIDE SOCIETY OF SCIENTISTS botanist Professor Humblebee visits Tokyo to give groundbreaking lecture on spores! - Exclusive interview inside -
BOX X-RAY
HOURLY PREDICTION
1X COFFEE MACHINE
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Ah, this is the life. Feet up, reading the paper, and making LOADS of cash.
Really, it’s great. My beloved packing factory takes care of itself. I’m talking about automation*. What could possibly go wrong...
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*Automation, the use of machines with minimal human assistance.
4
...10 minutes later
Waaaaaaaah mushrooms!?! This is terrible, my production line has ground to a halt.
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I need help. I have to call someone. I can’t handle this. I’m losing money!
I read that the world-famous botanist, professor Humblebee, is in Tokyo this week. He might know something about this...
Worldw ide Soc iety of Scie nti callin sts g...
You’ve reached Jen Okinawa, engineer-extraordinaire, how can I help?
It’s my factory, it’s been invaded!
Meanwhile, in the dazzling Shibuya-ku district of Tokyo.
GODZILLLLLLLLLAAAAA CLASSIC MOVIE MARATHON THIS WEEKEND ONLY!!!
Shibuya is famous for its bustling streets and neon billboards.
TARGET TV TOKYO
Gosh, it’s so hot and humid here*. I’m really looking forward to see Jen again.
Workers replaced with robots, terrible. I’m glad my job can’t be automated... yet!
*From early June until late July, Tokyo experiences its rainy season, called ‘Tsuyu’. Itsuki’s mother got fired from Auto-packing-Corp. Now they have to move apartments.
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That’s really terrible.
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TOKYO UNIVERSITY welcomes
PROFESSOR HUMBLEBEE
AUTO-PACKING-CORP.’s CEO in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
“SUPER SPORES” lecture this Look, it’s not my Saturday problem if people 19:00 are out of jobs.
They’ll find others. That’s business!
That sounds intriguing Mr. Takahashi. I’m meeting the professor Humblebee now, we’ll head right over to check it out.
That Mr. Takahashi is quite the devious business man. Replacing his workers with robots seems greedy.
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We were supposed to go to the Godzilla* movie marathon. But my Dad lost his job at Auto-packing-Corp. So we can’t.
So sorry I’m late. Did you read about Auto-packing-Corp.?
*Godzilla is a famous, fictional Japanese monster.