Unmanned shop with avatar in Japan to support people with disabilities
JR West Group–operator of transport railways and other services mainly in western Japan–starts an unmanned vegetable vending with 'avatars' to serve customers through a new investment company. (more…)
Tokyo’s concrete jungle to soon have Japan’s biggest wooden building
Mitsui Fudosan, a major Japanese integrated property firm, and Takenaka Corporation, a major construction firm, plan to build a mega wooden office building in Tokyo. (more…)
Robot ‘Foodly’ works together with humans to make food
In Japan, the future of working with robots is getting closer and closer. (more…)
Ultra-fast freeze for fresh fish, next-gen fridge ‘HybridICE’
Japan is one of the few countries worldwide that eat raw fish. Since long ago, they have exploited various methods of eating fish as fresh as possible such as fermentation, vinegar or salt, to keep the fish fresh. (more…)
Japanese universities create glowing tree for non-electric lights
At CES 2022, held in the USA in January, two Japanese national universities: Osaka University and Nara Institute of Science and Technology, showcased their research on glowing plants.CES is one of the world's top annual high-tech electronics trade fairs. (more…)
World’s first! 7-Eleven Japan tests floating cash register
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid uptake of new technologies. (more…)
An automatic pepper harvesting robot in Japan
Japan's agriculture industry is overwhelmingly short of workers amidst what is said to be the world's worst super-ageing society. Great hopes now lie in scientific and technological innovative growth as a solution. (more…)
Edible building material from vegetable & fruit scraps
The world's growing population has led to higher demand for resources, energy and food. It caused more waste and severe environmental issues (e.g. climate change). So a transition from mass-production, mass-consumption and mass-disposal to a "circular economy"*1 is inevitable. (more…)
Helicopter tour now at Gotemba Premium Outlets
From 29th January, visitors can enjoy a helicopter ride at Gotemba Premium Outlets, a popular spot among international tourists in Japan. (more…)
CNF-based cosmetics by recycled Iyokan fruit
Cellulose nanofibre (CNF) is gaining interest as a natural "green material" from plant sources such as wood. It could also be a promising solution to achieve carbon neutrality. (more…)
Unbreakable screen door for ventilation & security
Most houses have window screens. It allows the room to ventilate better in hot weather. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, airing out areas where many people gather, such as schools or restaurants, can also help prevent virus transmission. (more…)
Glowing silk with great possibilities
Japan began raising silkworms for raw silk to make fabrics since 2,000 years ago. Around 1900, the country became the world's largest raw silk exporter, surpassing the pioneer of silk farming–China. The money earned from exports goes to invest in buying machinery for Japan's modernisation. (more…)