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Sci-tech 2003-2004
Keeping Sharp
(December 22, 2004)
Recently, an increasing number of local governments and private-sector organizations
have taken measures to encourage mental exercise as a means of preventing the
onset of dementia.
Steam Ovens
(December 20, 2004)
A revolutionary type of oven that uses steam to bake food has injected new life
into the market for cooking appliances, which was generally thought to have passed
its peak.
New Banknotes Combat Forgery
(December 16, 2004)
For the first time in 20 years, Japan rolled out a newly designed set of banknotes
in November 2004.
Roses Are Blue
(November 30, 2004)
It was announced on June 30 that Suntory and an Australian company, Florigene,
had pulled off the feat of genetically engineering the world's first blue rose,
something that had long been considered the holy grail of horticulturalists.
The Future Is Almost Here
(November 18, 2004)
Less than six months remain until the opening of the 2005 World
Exposition, Aichi, Japan, on March 25, 2005. The theme of this Expo, which is
expected to draw some 15 million visitors from around the world to the Nagoya
area in central Japan, is "Nature's Wisdom."
Floating Hotel
(April 7, 2004)
The Diamond Princess, one of the
largest passenger liners in the world with a gross weight of 116,000 tons, set
out on its maiden voyage from Los Angeles to Mexico and back on March 13 after
being completed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., at the Nagasaki Shipyard
and handed over to its owner, P&O Princess Cruises.
Building a Better Bicycle
(March 22, 2004)
The Japanese bicycle industry has been riding a wave of technological
advances recently. A small factory in Osaka has developed the world's first device
that uses the pedaling of the rider to automatically replenish the air in a bicycle's
tires, while another small enterprise in Tokyo has produced a new type of front
lamp that runs on the bicycle's kinetic energy but does not make pedaling harder.
In the Limelight
(March 19, 2004)
A technology discovered and developed independently by a Japanese
researcher roughly 35 years ago is recently attracting attention in industrial
circles around the world. This type of photocatalyst works using a reaction that
takes place when titanium oxide is exposed to light, which makes it possible for
it to break down and render harmless airborne pollutants and organic material,
such as mold and bacteria.
Countdown to Expo 2005
(March 15, 2004)
From March 25 to September 25, 2005, the Nagoya Eastern Hills,
which are located in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, will play host to the
2005 World Exposition, an unprecedented event in the history of International
Expositions that will give birth to a new global society surrounded with rich
greenery and beautiful ponds.
Can Natto Save the Earth?
(March 4, 2004)
Natto (fermented soybeans), a traditional
Japanese food rich in protein and vitamin B, is becoming widely known as a health
food. Though it is a bit difficult to eat because of its stickiness, it has been
discovered that this stickiness may be able to play an important role in protecting
the environment.
Keeping Track
(February 6, 2004)
Growing numbers of car owners are choosing vehicles equipped with GPS-based navigation systems, and security
companies and others are now marketing tracking systems that use GPS to pinpoint
the locations of people or objects.
Japanese Researcher Wins German Future Prize
(February 3, 2004)
The German Future Prize, which rewards outstanding scientific
research carried out in Germany, was won in 2003 by a team of researchers led
by the Japanese scientist Tarumi Kazuaki.
Wearable Corn
(January 9, 2004)
From underwear made from corn to fabric produced using banana
trees and T-shirts woven from bamboo, plant fibers are making their way into clothing
and other everyday products.
Farewell to Barcodes?
(December 24, 2003)
Tags that store information using tiny integrated circuits
no larger than the size of a sesame seed appear set to revolutionize the way people
shop, replacing the familiar bar code.
Bioplastic
(December 16, 2003)
More and more uses are being found for next-generation plastics
made from such plants as sweet potatoes and sugarcane. Bioplastics are environmentally
friendly because, compared with traditional plastics, their production results
in the emission of less carbon dioxide.
Robot Suits
(August 28, 2003)
"Powered suits" that support disabled or elderly
individuals in their physical activities are now under development.
A Legacy of Entertainment
(August 13, 2003)
At a special exhibition titled "Expo Edo: Science and Technology of the Edo
Era," among the
most intriguing items on display are those that were made using wind-up springs,
including mechanical dolls, the performances of which are winning particular acclaim.
Fuel Cells for the Home
(July 23, 2003)
Competition to develop fuel-cell systems for the home is
heating up, and some could be on the market as early as next year. The spread
of such systems to generate electricity will help conserve fuel and could slow
down environmental destruction.
Reaching for the Stars
(July 10, 2003)
The managers of some of the small businesses in Higashi-Osaka have
banded together to undertake a massive project that will inspire people not just
in their town but all over Japan.
Damage Limitation
(July 3, 2003)
On May 20 Honda Motor Co. unveiled an automatic braking system that monitors objects
in front of the car using radar, warns the driver when it detects the risk of
a crash, and automatically applies the brakes if it judges that the car may have
trouble avoiding an object.
Folding for Fun and Profit
(June 25, 2003)
The traditional Japanese pastime of origami has been attracting
renewed attention. In addition to its status as an
artistic pursuit and a fun hobby, origami is finding new applications in the worlds
of science, technology, and industry.
Japan's Homegrown Operating System
(May 22, 2003)
TRON is a computer operating
system from Japan in which tiny semiconductor chips are embedded in every product,
enabling computers to monitor situations and to support people in their daily
lives without specific prompting.
Driving the Information Highway
(May 2, 2003)
Car navigation systems are advancing in leaps and bounds.
Many recently unveiled models not only provide information on roads but also offer
such added features as playing music and movies, locating nearby restaurants,
and sending and receiving e-mail.
Electronic Partners
(April 14, 2003)
Robots that take care of household chores or watch the home
while residents are away are appearing one after another. In addition, the development of robots
that can assist people with everyday activities - something that holds promise
in an aging society - is continuing.
World Water Forum
(March 14, 2003)
The world is now facing a water crisis, including water
shortages and water pollution. Japan will host
the Third World Water Forum in March, at which it is hoped new efforts to solve water problems will
be proposed and carried out.
Space Race
(February 21, 2003)
With the successful launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 4 on December
14, 2002, Japan's rocket technology has taken a major step forward in
establishing its reliability.
Keeping Tradition Alive
(February 20, 2003)
Kyoto has long boasted a number of traditional
crafts that are both beautiful and original. The local board of education began implementing a program in October 2002 that enables students
of the prefecture's elementary, middle, and high schools to learn about
these crafts firsthand.
Green Plastic
(February 13, 2003)
Plastic is notorious for the harm it causes to the
environment as a result of its resistance to biological degradation. But
moves are afoot to render it into a less permanent substance.
The Benefits of Slow Food
(January 20, 2003)
Bored with fast food and concerned about the disappearance
of regionally distinctive dishes, people in Japan are waking up to the
virtues of "slow food." One innovative approach to deepening children's knowledge
of food has been through the school lunch program.
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