Cell Phones   Personal Handy-phone System Goes Nationwide (November 28, 1995) The personal handy-phone system service that began in Tokyo, Sapporo, and other major cities in July has now been expanded to cover urban areas throughout the country. The PHS gained instant popularity after its introduction owing to its lower cost compared to cellular phones, and the expansion of the service network is expected to make PHS phones even more competitive. CALLING AND DRIVING DON'T MIX: Safety Measures in the Works to Counter Portable Phone-Related Accidents (September 25, 1996) Phone-Related Accidents Reach 129 in June Along with the explosive increase in cellular phone use, traffic accidents associated with their use have also risen sharply. According to a National Police Agency survey, June this year saw 128 accidents causing injury, and 1 accident resulting in death, where the driver was operating a portable phone at the time. Of the 129 accidents, 123 involved more than one car, and 98 (80%) of these car-car crashes were rear-endings. STELLAR CELLULARS: New Mobile Phones Make Fashion Statement (March 11, 1999) Have you ever seen a leopard-spotted cellular phone? Or one that plays movie theme songs to signal incoming calls? In Japan, where approximately one in three people own a mobile phone, these have become common sights and sounds. Today's mobile phones are more than just communication devices: They have become indispensable tools of everyday use offering a multitude of functions like text transmission and information downloading. Perhaps as an indication of users' growing attachment to these devices, the number of people looking to customize the appearance and sound of their phones is also on the increase. DIGITAL FASHION: New Accessories Help Define Look of Today's Youth (April 3, 2000) Today in Japan about one in three people own a cellular phone. As of the end of February 2000, some 49.9 million people had signed up with a cellphone service, a four-fold increase over four years. In addition to their practicality, these phones have become an essential part of youth fashion. This may be why, along with the amazing growth of the phones themselves, sales of accessories used to decorate cellulars have also blossomed; there are now over 1,000 such products on the market. PHONE PROBLEMS: Cellular Phone Etiquette Becomes a Major Issue (July 5, 2000) The use of cellular phones in Japan has been widespread since around 1994. It was not until February 1999, however, when NTT DoCoMo introduced its i-mode Internet service for cell phones, that their use really took off. The age of mobile phones is upon us, but with it come problems that did not exist in an age when telephones were stationary devices. Society is now turning its attention to the issue of mobile phone etiquette, and particularly to users who talk on their phones in crowds without concern for those around them. IT'S A CAMERA, A STEREO, AND A TRAIN TICKET: Multifunction Cell Phones Arrive (February 7, 2001) More and more cell phones equipped with a variety of functions that go far beyond simple voice communication are being developed and marketed. Although these extra functions are centered on amusement, cell phones are in fact highly technologically advanced instruments. Some have a built-in digital camera, which enable users to send and receive images by e-mail; some can play music while displaying still images or text; and some can play moving images and music simultaneously. There is also a new model that can play music while the user enjoys i-mode cell-phone Internet access. Yet another new model--now under development and expected to be on the market in two or three years--will function as a train ticket or commuter pass through the insertion of an integrated circuit (IC) chip. Just how far is the cell phone going to permeate our lives? CYBER COUNSELLOR: Gadgets Used to Help Elderly and Disabled People (March 22, 2001) Today in Japan there are over 40,000 sites that can be viewed on Internet-capable mobile phones. A recent addition has been an Internet service via cell phone that calls on smokers to "enjoy the challenge of quitting smoking." When a smoker who has been hit by the desire to smoke presses a few buttons on his or her phone, words of encouragement and advice show up on the screen, complete with illustrations. MOBILE PHONES TO THE RESCUE: Support Offered via Cell Phone for Quitting Smoking (December 18, 2001) Mobile telephones are used a lot by the young and by businesspeople as a means of communication. Research is now being carried out on using them to provide support for the elderly and the disabled in their daily lives. AN EMERGING "THUMB CULTURE": Multimedia Mobile Phones Usher in New Lifestyles (January 10, 2003) Mobile phones have become a major provider of entertainment on the train. These phones are extremely versatile multimedia tools that allow users to do everything from doing e-mail to playing online games, and even listening to music.