Come See the Future | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Japan's science museums are attracting attention around Asia. The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, located in Tokyo's Koto City, has become a destination for school trips for students from China and other countries.

Flowers On Demand | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A group of researchers led by Professor Shimamoto Ko of Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) has identified the hormone that makes rice plants flower. It has taken 70 years for scientists to track down the hormone.

Steam Ovens | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Super Competition | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A project led by the Japanese government aimed at developing the world's fastest next-generation, high-performance supercomputer is about to get underway. The move is likely to intensify competition among supercomputer builders around the world.

Deeper Than Ever | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The deep-drilling vessel Chikyu began test drilling off the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture in August 2006. Through this record-breaking deep drilling, researchers are hoping to achieve such results as clarifying the ecology of microorganisms that live deep underground.

Expo 2005 Feature 4 | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
From March 25 to September 25, 2005, the eastern hills of Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, will play host to the 2005 World Exposition. A total of 21 countries in Europe will hold their exhibits in Global Common Four.

Flowers On Demand | Sci-tech | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A group of researchers led by Professor Shimamoto Ko of Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) has identified the hormone that makes rice plants flower. It has taken 70 years for scientists to track down the hormone.

Seeing Inside Cells | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Scientists observing the world of microscopic organisms will soon be able to obtain real-time images with exceptional levels of clarity and magnification, thanks to a Japanese invention. The breakthrough is a new type of laser microscope.

Help for the Heart | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A string of recent technological developments in Japan are holding out hope for patients awaiting heart transplants, particularly children. The goal of the researchers involved in these developments is to improve ventricular assist devices (VADs).

Battery-Powered Plane | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A propeller aircraft took to the air while powered by nothing more than commercial dry-cell batteries this past July. The flight was the fruit of a joint project by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and undergraduates at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Painless Injections | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Though injections are vital for preventing and treating diseases, they are almost universally disliked. The fear of injections, however, may soon be a thing of the past. In July 2005, a painless needle went on sale to hospitals and other medical facilities.

See-Through Stadium | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
When the opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup gets underway in Germany, Japanese technology will help fans enjoy the action on the pitch. The Allianz Arena is constructed from panels containing a fluoropolymer film called ETFE foil, which was developed and manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

Expo 2005 Feature 3 | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
From March 25 to September 25, 2005, the eastern hills of Nagoya, which is located in the center of Japan in Aichi Prefecture, will play host to the 2005 World Exposition. A total of 18 countries in Asia, excluding Southeast Asia, will hold their exhibits in Global Common One.

Expo 2005 Feature 5 | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
From March 25 to September 25, 2005, the 2005 World Exposition is taking place in the eastern hills of Nagoya, which is located in the center of Japan in Aichi Prefecture. A total of 30 countries in Africa will hold their exhibits in Global Common Five, where they will be joined by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, which will hold exhibits at the NEDO Pavilion.

Expo 2005 Feature 6 | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
From March 25 to September 25, 2005, the 2005 World Exposition is taking place in the eastern hills of Nagoya, which is located in the center of Japan in Aichi Prefecture. Twenty-two countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania are holding their exhibits in the 12 pavilions of Global Common Six.

The Future Is Almost Here | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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."

Roses Are Blue | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

New Banknotes Combat Forgery | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
For the first time in 20 years, Japan rolled out a newly designed set of banknotes in November 2004.

Back to Basics | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Modern cell phones are a lot more than just phones. In addition to voice calls, they can be used to send e-mail, take photos and videos, navigate the Internet, and even conduct bank transactions. But not everyone is impressed with such a plethora of functions.

Expo 2005 Feature 1 | Science and Technology | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
From March 25 to September 25, 2005, Aichi Prefecture will host the 2005 World Exposition under the theme of "Nature's Wisdom." Global Common Two is home to the countries of the Americas.