rock-paper-scissors
Ordinarily, this much confidence would border on arrogance, but there’s no way we can stay mad at that face.
A couple of years ago we reported on a robot hand that could always win at the timeless hand game rock-paper-scissors or janken as it’s known here in Japan. After wrapping up, we confirmed that it would never lose, declared that the human race was doomed to sit in the back seats of our robot overlords, then called it a day.
Now we are surprised to learn that Tokyo University’s Ishikawa Watanabe Lab is back with an even better performing rock-paper-scissors robot, somewhat awkwardly dubbed the Janken Robot with 100% Winning Rate.
Rock-paper-scissors. Scissors-paper-stone. Roshambo. Elephant-man-ant. Whatever you call it, chances are you’ve played it at some point. In Japan, the game is known as janken, and is used to settle any kind of dispute or awkward situation, from who gets the last cookie to which parents have to sit on the PTA that year.
It’s not hard to see why janken is so popular in Japan: it’s simple, and everyone knows how to play. It’s also efficient (particularly if the thing being decided is trivial anyway). Decisions made by janken are stuck to religiously: in three years teaching Japanese schoolkids I never once saw a student complain about the result or demand a rematch. It’s seen as a fair way to make decisions, because the game is based on luck.
Or is it? A group of researchers from Chinese universities has published a paper that shows sure-fire ways to win at rock-paper-scissors. Join us after the jump as we explore how to outsmart small children at their own game!
Rock-Paper-Scissors, the longstanding arbitrator of riding shotgun or eating the last slice of pizza has been celebrated for hundreds of years for its simple yet elegant balance of psychology and chance.
It’s such a part of the human experience that a robot could never out match the human mind in the RPS arena. Until now that is, as Engineers from the University of Tokyo decided to stick their noses in and build a robot that never ever loses at Rock-Paper-Scissors – ever! So how does it do it?
MOST POPULAR
Today
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Mass murder plot stopped by friend of Akihabara mass murderer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Weekly
- Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
- Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month- Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
- Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]- Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it- Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Monthly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer- Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
- Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Yearly
- Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Mass murder plot stopped by friend of Akihabara mass murderer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Gundam’s Char Aznable normal suit becomes roomwear for doing normal stuff in the real world [Pics]
Starbucks Japan adds new Frappuccino, Tea, and Chillax Soda to its limited-edition summer menu
Baskin-Robbins Japan’s semi-secret affogato is a perfect mix of fun and fancy [Taste test]
A donut and sugar-loving bear in Japan is breaking into homes, checking fridges for sweet snacks
Studio Ghibli releases huge new wooden clip collection featuring 25 anime movies
Defacing the Japanese flag is now a crime, says government, punishable by up to two years in jail
After job-quitting service, leave-of-absence-request proxy service sees rising demand in Japan
Woman in short skirt arrested after inciting upskirt photography in Tokyo
Tokyo and Osaka make it into this year’s EIU ranking of the world’s Top Ten Most Liveable Cities
-
