Companies in Japan are increasing their use of technology to reduce food waste and cut costs during the coronavirus health crisis. They are using artificial intelligence, or AI, to help those efforts. The businesses are also looking to increase their sustainability efforts. Government information from Japan shows that it throws away more than 6 million tons of food waste each year. The cost to handle this food waste is estimated at $19 billion. This means Japan wastes more food for each of its citizens than any other Asian country. For this reason, the Japanese government has enacted a new law. Its goal is to cut the costs of food waste by 50 percent from levels in 2000. The government wants to reach this goal by 2030 and it is urging companies to find ways to solve the problem. Convenience store operator Lawson is now using AI from the U.S. company DataRobot. DataRobot uses technology to find ways to make supply meet demand.
