Ambassador Tsujihara seeks to strengthen Kuwait-Japan
Top 10 Japanese Exporters
Popular Dishes of Japan Japan - Car Evolution
Japan Hot Spots Tokyo-New Perspectives
Sophisticated Digital Cameras Fans of Kyoto
Yukata - Traditional Garment Miss Japan crowned Miss International 2012
In Cooperation with the Embassy of Japan - KUWAIT
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Contents Ambassador Tsujihara seeks to strengthen Kuwait-Japan ties
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Welcome to Japan
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Japan’s Hot Spots
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Car Evolution
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Lexus LS - Refreshed Lexus LS as new as its front grille
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All Aboard the Transport of our Dreams
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Popular Dishes of Japan
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Sophisticated Digital Cameras at Your Fingertips
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Tokyo New perspective
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Japanese Wedding Traditions
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Shikki (lacquerware)
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Japan - The Strange Country
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Miss Japan Crowned Miss International 2012
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Yukata Traditonal Garment for Summer
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Top 10 Japnese Exporters
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Hi-tech Nursing Care For Elderly-Friendly Society
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Mount Fuji Timeless Symbol of Japan
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Fans of Kyoto
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Tokyo Sky Tree The New Symbol of Japan’s Capital City
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Japan’s Super Stationery
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Living Amidst Heavy Snowfall
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Instant Phone Translation No Longer a Dream
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Cover 2011
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan
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www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/magazine
www.japanfocus.org
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www.web-japan.org/nipponia/
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www.asia-trip.info
www.japan-photo-jnto.go.jp Contemporary Japan
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Toshihiro TSUJIHARA Ambassador of Japan
Ambassador Tsujihara seeks to strengthen Kuwait-Japan ties “During the Gulf war in 1990, Japan provided financial, logistic and technological contributions for the liberation of Kuwait and in post-war reconstruction. Kuwait acknowledged the previous stance of Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March last year.
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Newly-appointed Japanese ambassador to Kuwait HE Toshihiro Tsujihara hopes to make already-close relations between Kuwait and Japan even closer. Speaking during a celebration to mark His Majesty the Emperor Akihito’s 79th birthday, the envoy hoped his tenure in Kuwait would be a fruitful one. “My career started at the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure. During my service with this Ministry, I was often seconded to other agencies and experienced various mission including an economic attaché at the Embassy of Japan in France and Vice Governor of Nagasaki Prefectural Government. Prior to my designation as ambassador to Kuwait, I was the Vice President of Japan Expressway Agency. I also wrote a book on land and city planning in France. I wonder whether this can give me the chance of being of some help in solving the traffic and infrastructure problems here,” Tsujihara said.
“Kuwait and Japan officially started diplomatic relations in 1961, the year of its independence. In a quick review for the relations between the two countries, Japan’s Arabian Oil Company started oil exploration in Kuwait in 1958 before establishing the diplomatic ties. Following the independence, Japanese companies outstandingly contributed in building the infrastructure of Kuwait. The power plants and oil refineries built by Japanese companies during the 60s, 70s and 80s are still operating and over 90% of the electricity is generated by plants built by Japanese companies. “During the Gulf war in 1990, Japan provided financial, logistic and technological contributions for the liberation of Kuwait and in post-war reconstruction. Kuwait acknowledged the previous stance of Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March last year. The Government and people of Kuwait provided immediate support to Japan in various ways, the most significant was the 5 million barrels of crude oil contribution. The donation was the largest contribution to Japan by any country in the wake of the March disasters. HH the Amir also made a generous donation of $3 million to rehabilitate very popular aquarium “Aquamine Fukusima” which gathered a lot of attention and appreciation in Japan,” Tsujihara said.
“As Japan was one of the first countries to recognize Kuwait as an independent state, Kuwait and Japan celebrated the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries through various activities last year. The celebrations were crowned by the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad to Japan in last March. “Now we are standing before a new chapter of relations. I would like to promote relations in various fields. My personal interest is to introduce and promote the Japanese culture here and to build reciprocal understanding based on mutual respect of cultural heritage. For example, we have recently hosted the Japanese Anime Film Festival. I was thrilled to see the popularity of Japan’s Pop Culture among Kuwaiti youth. I was more delighted to learn there are growing numbers of students studying Japanese Language at Kuwait University. Furthermore, the over 30 Japanese restaurants spreading all over Kuwait show another sign of the interest of Kuwaiti people in Japan,” said Tsujihara. “During my tenure in Kuwait, I promise I will spare no effort to encourage, promote and strengthen our bilateral ties for further progress of our two countries,” he vowed.
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Embassy Marks the National Day of Japan The Japanese Ambassador to Kuwait Toshihiro TSUJIHARA along with his staff hosted a reception on Monday, December 10, 2012 to celebrate the 79th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at his residence. The evening began with the Ambassador and his staff personally welcoming their guests. Attendees numbered around three hundred, comprising of diplomats, officials from the Kuwait government, representatives of the business world and Japanese nationals. The evening held much promise, and proceeded to the cake-cutting ceremony which was graced by the Ambassador.
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Eng Mohammed Al Radwan Deputy Chairman
Japan: Where Old and New Live in Harmony
J
apan is an extraordinary country. It is fascinating and different in every aspect. Japan is famous for their food, animation and art. Their myriad of activities attracts many people of different interests and hobbies. In Asia, Japan is the most developed country. It is a global industrial and technological giant. Japan is known for its cuisine, which usually is steamed white rice with side dishes or main dishes. Sushi for example has become a significant meal worldwide. Chopsticks and hands in Japan are used as traditional means to eat for thousands of years. Even if chopsticks originated from China, many East Asian countries now use it as a basic utensil including Japan. Many people now practice the art of sushi at home, or go to a Japanese restaurant to enjoy their time. Animation in Japan started in the early 1900s. The first anime was only a two minute clip because they were only experimenting with the techniques. Later it became as a form of storytelling and many artists worked in that field. Competition arose later that century and animators and manga artists simplified Walt Disney’s productions to reduce costs. Now they are well known for anime cartoons and people travel the world to go to Japan and see their productions. In spite of their fast development in technology and industries, the Japanese still cherish and hold on to their traditions and culture, as it has been preserved and passed from the old generations to the new generation. This is why they feel they are obligated to hold on to this beautiful culture.
FOREWORD
Timeless Relations
Mujahid Iqbal managing editor
Dear Readers, We are once again proud to present the latest edition of ‘Contemporary Japan’ in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan in Kuwait. Japan is a country that is dear to Kuwait and its people. This is evident in the strong relations between the two states. Last year, Kuwait and Japan marked 50 years of diplomatic ties with each country firmly standing shoulder to shoulder with the other during crises, notably during the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the natural disasters that have struck Japan over the years. On the commercial front, trade ties have been strengthening. Japanese products are very coveted in Kuwait, especially automobiles and electronics, while Japan is an important buyer of Kuwait’s petrochemical products. Cultural relations are blossoming too, with troupes from both countries visiting each other to perform to rapturous applause. Of course, Japanese anime, hi-tech games and cuisine have always been popular in Kuwait. We hope this latest issue gives our readers more insight into Japan, its latest innovations and the Japanese way of life. Here’s wishing you’ll a happy New Year.
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Welcome to
F
rom time immemorial, the shores of Japan have been the first part of Asia to be awakened by the rising sun. Each day the four main islands of Japan – Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu – would emerge again from darkness into light, revealing a land of steep mountains, verdant forests, simmering hot springs and wave-swept coasts. From ancient times, the land and people of Japan have met in the morning sun to create a rich and varied culture with a vibrant and fascinating history. Stretching for some 3,000 kilometers from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the
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south, its terrain encompasses vacation pleasures that range from the world-class hiking and skiing of alpine peaks to the sunny pleasures of tropical beaches. Formed long ago by volcanic activity, some two- thirds of its area composed of mountains, and it features many short, swift rivers, forested slopes and narrow coastal plains. With a population of about 123 million people, most of its citizens live on the four main islands, and particularly in an urban belt that runs from Osaka to Tokyo. Japan’s climate ranges from northern
temperate climes to southern subtropical lushness. For visitors, modern Japan offers a highly developed transportation system. Its “Shinkansen” Bullet trains can zip you to many parwts of the country at average speeds of 190 k.p.h. (with a maximum speed of 300 k.p.h.) Japan, inheritor of a human tradition rich in nuance and form, developer of the technology of tomorrow’s new age, land of sleepy villages and bustling urban power centers, extends a hearty IRASSHAI MASE! – welcome – to you, its honoured guest.
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The Seasons In Japan
SPRING When cherry blossoms fall
S
pringtime in Japan is one of the best times for a visit. From the first days of March, when flowering plum blossoms emerge, to the last days of May, when the last flowering cherry blossoms are falling from the trees of northern Japan, spring is a time of rebirth, of the dominion of nature and human celebration throughout the land. Springtime in Japan also means flowers, in stunning rainbow panoply of varieties and shapes. Particularly plentiful are blossoms of the camellia, iris, lotus and mustard. Numerous festivals are held centering on these flowers. In spring, dishes such as Takenokogoham are especially popular. Favored marine products of this time are red snapper and giant clams, which are featured in a number of dishes.
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SUMMER Season of greenery
S
ummer arrives in Japan in June. This time of the year also includes the vacation season, when the beaches and mountain resorts are filled with crowds of people. Hiking and climbing are popular activities with the best time running generally from midJuly to mid-August. A climb up Mt. Fuji is the most popular form of this activity. With its long exposed seacoast, sea-bathing and sports are particularly well-developed, with summer being the peak season. Cold foods such as Hiyamugi, or the Tofu concoction called Hiya-yakko, are especially appreciated. Summer is also the best season for enjoying Bonito, a fish with red, fatty meat that is served as a lightly cooked type of Sashimi.
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AUTUMN Time of falling leaves and harvest
A
utumn in Japan brings swirls of changing leaves, in vivid hues of crimson, gold, bronze and yellow, that paint the hills and mountainsides in a riot of colour. Pleasant breezes send the dog days of scampering, and the weather turns mild as the leaves begin to fall. This is the season of harvest, frequent festivals, sports meet and cultural functions around the country. Two fishes that are representative of the melancholy joys of autumn are the Samma, or saury pike, and Saba, or mackerel and are featured in various dishes of the season.
WINTER Season of Frosty breath and snow pleasures
E
xcept for the extreme north, winter in Japan is not very severe and is usually tempered by warm sunshine and blue skies. The full range of winter sports is available, especially in central and northern Japan. In the northernmost island of Hokkaido, the yearly ‘Sapporo Snow Festival’ features mammoth snow sculptures that regularly attract between 1 and 2 million people.
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Also, well frequented during winter months are the nation’s thousands of Onsen, or hotspring resorts. Typical winter dishes are hot and filling, and include the well-known Sukiyaki. Another
stomach-warming winter concoction is Oden, which is a variety of small items such as fish paste cakes, Tofu, Daikon and Konnyaku (devil’s tongue) simmered in a soy broth and eaten with mustard.
Japan’s Hot Spots
NAGOYA
Nagoya is the biggest city in the Chubu region. The area around Nagoya is a highly developed center of car making and other industries. Nagoya castle, the city’s symbol was built in 1612 by Tokugawa Leyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Government that ruled Japan for 270 years. It is famous for the two golden statues of shachihoko (imaginary sea creatures) on the roof. Apart from some turrets and the gateway, the castle was destroyed in 1945. It was rebuilt, complete with new golden shachihoko, in 1959 . Sakae, 5 min. by subway from Nagoya Station, is a traditional shopping area and a noted nightlife spot. The Tokugawa Art Museum is worth a visit for its over 10,000 articles handed down by Tokugawa family.
FUKUOKA
The biggest city in Kyushu, Fukuoka is geographically close to mainland Asia and is a hub of exchange between Japan
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and the rest of Asia. It hosts the spectacular Hakata Dontaku and Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festivals. Home to many famous foods, including mizutaki (chicken hotpot) and ramen noodles, one of the city’s attractions is the food stalls that line the river bank. Fukuoka is renowned for its Hakata-ori silk textiles and its refined Hakata clay dolls. At Dazaifu, 20 min. by car from Fukuoka, a lot of archeology related to Japan’s ancient court culture can be found.
NARA
Nara, 42 km. South of Kyoto, is an older capital of Japan, and was also a major cradle of Japan’s arts, crafts, literature and industries. The major tourist attractions are clustered near Nara station. Todaiji Temple, famous for its Great Buddha, Kasuga Grand Shrine are found in the Nara Park. With deer striding through its grounds, the park is also a relaxation spot for its public. The unmodified old capital includes many
temples and shrines that are listed as world heritage sites, such as the world’s oldest wooden temple, Horyuji. Mt. Yoshino, located in the south, is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, however, its autumn colours are also beautiful.
TOKYO
The political center of Japan since 1603, Tokyo is the nation’s capital and economic and information hub. At the city’s heart is the Imperial Palace, which used to be Edo Castle. The main entrance is approached by the elegant Nujibashi or Double Bridge and is occasionally open to the public. Around the palace are the National Diet Building, government ministries, and business districts. A 10-minute walk takes you to the Ginza district, famous around the world for elegant shopping and its bright neon lights. The
Kabukiza Theatre is also located near here. The Ueno Park in the Ueno district is the largest in the city. The park is home to a zoo, numerous museums, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall. Shinjuku, on the city’s trendy Westside, is a popular and raucous nightspot area, as well as home to the sedate Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Mt. Fuji, at 3,776m, is Japan’s tallest mountain as well as its most well-known symbol. Besides being a favoured climbing site for two months of the year, it is the center of wide-ranging natural recreation zone. This includes the Fuji Five Lakes district to its north, which offers extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, camping and picnicking. The new waterfront area facing Tokyo Bay and Tokyo Disneyland, is visited by many throughout Asia.
HIROSHIMA
In 1945 Hiroshima became the first city in the world to have an atomic bomb dropped on it, but it has recovered to become one of Japan’s major cities. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Peace Memorial Park are the symbols of everlasting peace, portraying the horror of atom bombs and the ghastliness of war. Near by is the Statue of Mother and The child in the Tempest and the Fountain of Prayer. Miyajima, an island near Hiroshima is home to Itsukushima Shrine, whose famous torii (shrine gateway) sticks out of the sea at high tide. The shrine is a World Heritage site. The entire island, with an area 30 sq.km., is designated by the government as a Special Historic site and Special Place of Scenic beauty. Other tourist attractions include the Shukkeien Garden and Hiroshima Castle.
Hiroshima’s special dish is Okonomiyaki. Winter oysters are also a representative food of this region.
SAPPORO
Sapporo is the biggest city in Hokkaid. Sapporo was developed by design at the end of the nineteenth century, and its streets are laid out in an orderly pattern. Sapporo is the base for holidaymakers to enjoy Hokkaido’s natural beauty in the summer and for skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Odori Park and Sapporo TV Tower are the two symbols of the city. Every February, the famous Sapporo Snow Festival takes place in this park.
OSAKA
Since it was found in the 17th century, Osaka has been a base for trade with foreign countries. Greater Osaka is the second biggest metropolis in Japan behind Greater Tokyo. The city is known for good food and comedy and in 1970 hosted the first ever World Exposition to be held in Asia. In 1994, Contemporary Japan
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KYOTO
Once the capital of Japan, a status it gained in the late eighth century, Kyoto has a history of over 1,200 years and is known for its many beautiful old temples and gardens. UNESCO designated 17 temples, shrines, and castles in the cities of Kyoto, Uji, and Otsu as a World Heritage site in 1994. Kansai International Airport opened on an artificial island in Osaka Bay and is now a major gateway for overseas visitors to Japan.
Osaka serves as an extended tour to the Inland Sea area, and Shikoku and Kyushu islands.
The temples worth seeing in Kyoto are Higashi-Honganji Temple, Nishi-Honganji Temple, Toji Temple, Sajusangendo Temple, Kiyomizu Temple and Ginkakuji Temple.
Shinsaibashi, is one of the best downtown areas in the city, possessing a wide array of shops. Osaka’s unique open culture can be experienced here.
Universal Studios Japan, the theme park where you can experience the real Hollywood, has been recreated here in Japan. Attractions based on popular Hollywood movies and shopping areas with goods that are unattainable elsewhere are sure to entertain any family.
In the center of Kyoto is the Imperial Palace, renowned as a pinnacle of the simplicity of Japanese architecture. Nearby is the more lavishly appointed Nijo Castle, home of the Tokugawa shogun on his rare visits to the city.
Osaka Castle, constructed in 1583, is one of Osaka’s representative sightseeing spots. As a classical city, Osaka is very proud of its Kabuki drama and Bunraku puppet show.
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Shijo-Kawaramachi is a shopping area where department stores and old and new specialty
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shops are located.the nearby Gion Corner is an excellent place to view traditional arts and traditional theatre. The Katsura Imperial Villa, located in western Kyoto on the Katsura river, is considered to be one of the finest examples of traditional Japanese architecture and garden landscaping.
Special Attractions
Japan offers a very wide range of attractions, from historical and cultural treasures to modern and futuristic sights and beautiful forests, mountains and seacoasts.
Temples
Temples are the places of worship in Japanese Buddhist. Virtually every Japanese municipality has at least one temple, while large cultural centers like Kyoto have several thousands of them. Temples store and display sacred Buddhist objects, and some of them used to or still function as monasteries. The best cities to visit temples are Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura. One of the best places to overnight at temples is Mount Koya.
Shrines
Shinto shrines are places of worship and the dwellings of the kami, the Shinto “gods”. Sacred objects of worship that represent the kami are stored in the innermost chamber of the shrine where they cannot be seen by anybody. People visit shrines in order to pay respect to the kami or to pray for good fortune. Shrines are also visited during special events such as New Year, setsubun, shichigosan and other festivals. New born babies are traditionally brought to a shrine a few days after birth, and many couples hold their wedding ceremonies there. The architecture and features of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples have melted together over the centuries. Only a few of today’s shrines are considered to be built in a purely Japanese style. Among them are Shinto’s most important shrines, the Ise Shrines.
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festivals are held over several days. An important element of Japanese festivals is processions, in which the local shrine’s kami (Shinto deity) is carried through the town in mikoshi (palanquins). It is the only time of the year when the kami leaves the shrine to be carried around town. Many festivals also feature decorated floats (dashi), which are pulled through the town, accompanied by drum and flute music by the people sitting on the floats. Every festival has its own characteristics. While some festivals are calm and meditative, many are energetic and noisy.
Cherry Blossoms
The cherry blossom (sakura) is Japan’s unofficial national flower. It has been celebrated for many centuries and takes a very prominent position in Japanese culture.
Gardens
Garden design has been an important Japanese art for many centuries. Traditional Japanese landscape gardens can be broadly categorized into three types, Tsukiyama Gardens (hill gardens), Karesansui Gardens (dry gardens) and Chaniwa Gardens (tea gardens).
Open Air Museums Japan has many, beautifully arranged open air museums, displaying historic buildings from various regions of Japan and historical periods. Some of the best are Historic Village of Hokkaido in Sapporo, Abashiri Prison Museum in Abashiri, Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, Meiji Mura, Hida Folk Village, and Glover Garden.
Hot Springs
Natural hot springs (onsen) are numerous and highly popular across Japan. Every region of the country has its share of hot springs and resort towns, which come with them. There are many types of hot springs, distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals provide different health benefits, and all hot springs are supposed to have a relaxing effect on your body and mind.
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Hot spring baths come in many varieties, indoors and outdoors, gender separated and mixed, developed and undeveloped. Many hot spring baths belong to a ryokan, while others are public bath-houses. An overnight stay at a hot spring ryokan is a highly recommended experience to any visitor of Japan.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Japan offers several world class skiing and snowboarding resorts with abundant, high quality snow, beautiful scenery and relaxing hot springs. The country has staged the winter Olympic games twice in the last 40 years. There are over 500 ski resorts across Japan from the northern island of Hokkaido to the southern main island of Kyushu, varying in size from large resorts with dozens of runs to small one-lift slopes. The best resorts and snow conditions are found in northern Japan (Hokkaido and Tohoku) and in the mountains along the Sea of Japan Coast (incl. Niigata and Nagano).
Festivals
There are countless local festivals (matsuri) in Japan because almost every shrine celebrates its own one. Most festivals are held annually and celebrate the shrine’s deity or a seasonal or historical event. Some
There are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan, most of which bloom for just a couple of days in spring. The Japanese celebrate that time of the year with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the blooming trees.
Shopping
The Japanese themselves love shopping and look upon a visit to the big department stores in the major cities as recreation. The stores encourage this by offering child-care service, giving away free food samples in their grocery markets, holding art shows and demonstrations of native and foreign crafts. Among the valued items sought, as souvenirs are cameras, ceramics, bamboo ware, dolls, and woodblock prints, all of which are available in specialty shops and the department stores of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
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Four-metre super robot can be controlled by iPhone, costs $1.35m, weighs 4t and has a Gatling gun A Japanese electronics company has unveiled a 4m super-robot that can be controlled by an iPhone. But be careful with the jokes if you are phoning in instructions, as the robot, made by Suidobashi Heavy Industry in Tokyo, brings a whole new meaning to the phrase «trigger-happy».
As the robot is made to order, the styleconscious buyer will not have to worry about sticking to the grey exterior - it comes in 16 colours, including black and pink, and for an extra $90 they will sort you out with a cupholder.
«Kuratas» is fitted with a futuristic weapons system, including a Gatling gun capable of shooting 6000 BB bullets a minute, which fires when the pilot in its one-man cockpit smiles.
Engineers Wataru Yoshizaki and Kogoro Kurata were saluted in front of Kuratas with their pilot, Anna, when they showcased the robot at the Wonder Festival in Chiba, suburban Tokyo, yesterday.
The four-tonne robot is going on sale for £900,000 ($1.35 million), but you will have to pay extra for the cupholder.
The team have been working on the robot since 2010.
The robot can be operated either through a pilot, who mans the controls in a cockpit in its chest cavity, or remotely using the touchscreen of any smartphone connected to the 3G network.
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The robot has about 30 hydraulic joints, which the pilot moves using motion control.
Contemporary Japan
The robot’s four-wheeled legs ensure that it is easy to transport and the pilot will be able to drive it at a top speed of just under 10km/h. Four-metre Super robot will set you back $1.35 million
Not Resting on their Laurels
Hisham Abu Youssef, General Manager of Al Mulla Office Automation Division, speaks about his company’s dominant market position and future plans. Q – Tell us more about Al Mulla Office Automation Division? Al Mulla Office Automation Division was established in 1980, and we are the sole distributor in Kuwait for Konica-Minolta and Sharp office equipment products and many other products in the Information Technology industry and the graphic arts market. Al Mulla Office Automation is now the market leader in its field with more than 38% total market share. Q – In the present situation what do you expect from the government to boost the economy? The economy in Kuwait is stable but I believe that there are big opportunities for the government to invest in major development projects which will give the market a great boost for years to come.
Q – Do you agree that maintaining top notch position is more difficult than attaining it? For sure, maintaining the top position is harder than getting there since all the completion will have you as their main target. Yet if you invest in the right products, processes and people in addition to continuous market research, this will enable you to hold and maintain your leadership.
Q – Goals for the future and what are your expansion plans? Now that we are long established in the office equipment market, we are expanding aggressively in the IT market through enhancing our collaboration with HP, the world leader in the IT industry. We are now a tier one distributor, a golden partner and a service one provider for HP solutions and products which will greatly extend our ability to engage this fast growing market segment.
Q - How many competitors are present in your business category? Kuwait is an open market so there many competitors in our industry, but I always view completion in a positive manner as it will motivate you to stay on top of your business and walking the extra mile to excel in what you do to distinguish yourself from the completion.
Q – The office automation industry has cutthroat competition. So how do you manage to stay on top? The leadership triangle elements in any industry are products, customer and people, We are always among the first to introduce to the market the latest technology products at competitive pricing, customer satisfaction is a top priority for us and we invest continuously in systems and process that will insure we deliver the highest industry standards in customer satisfaction and finally we also invest in recruiting , training and development of the best staff which will always give us an edge over our competition.
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Q – Did the recent economic recession affect your company in any way? Our industry relies significantly on government business and though the recent recession has impacted the private sector, the government business was moderately impacted resulting in single digit growth in the recession time instead of double digit growth that we deliver year over year.
Q – What is your principle for business? My number one principle in business is ethics and it is the base for any business decision I take going forward. Q – What is the hardest part about being General Manager? As a general manger you have many obligations towards the company owners, the customers, the workforce and your supplies and it is very natural in business that you come across conflict of interests between your obligations and it is vital that the general manger should always make the adequate decisions without compromising his obligations.
Giving Shape to Ideas
Car Evolution Next-Generation Safety Systems
Next-generation Japanese cars in the development pipeline are focusing more than ever on safety as much as on environmental friendliness. Car safety previously meant little more than a sturdily built body, airbag protection in the event of collision or improved braking performance. Now, however, Japanese carmakers are
busy developing safety systems aimed at avoiding a collision itself. Japanese cars are witnessing a high-tech evolution as seen in sophisticated automatic braking and driver-warning systems made possible with miniaturized cameras and advanced radar technology.
Competition is hotting up in Japan to develop driving assistance systems to detect all hazardous objects, including pedestrians and other vehicles, to avoid a collision. Š Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
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Cameras, Radar Used for Safe Driving Assistance: Collision Avoidance System In 2003, a Japanese carmaker introduced to the market for the first time in the world a car fitted with a collision avoidance system the company developed with milliwave radar. A major attraction of milliwave radar is it can detect objects even in the dark of night or in bad weather such as rain or fog. It can detect objects as far ahead as 100 meters. Using milliwave radar, if the collision avoidance system detects a car within a dangerously close distance, it first warns the driver with a buzzer, and then automatically activates the brakes. If it detects an imminent danger of collision, the system electronically rolls up the seat belts to take out slack, giving a warning to the driver. At the same time, the system reduces the actual impact and damage from a collision. It was an epoch-making system, but failed to be widely used because of its high price (about 300,000 yen), targeted at highend cars.
An image of milliwave radar detecting the car ahead. The system works well at night and in bad weather. © Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
The race in Japan to develop collision avoidance systems really heated up in 2008 when an affordably priced system found wide use. This system detects objects in front of the vehicle with a pair of miniaturized cameras fitted right behind the windshield. It accurately measures the distance between the car and an obstacle and, if necessary, gives a warning to the driver or, depending on urgency, automatically activates the brakes to avoid a collision. The Japanese carmaker that came up with the system developed a new image-processing LSI chip capable of measuring distance as fast as 30 times per second, and combined it with a pair of cameras for a high-performance and yet lightweight system. In 2010, two years after the initial introduction, the company offered it as an option at an affordable price of 100,000 yen. Buyers of models offered with the optional collision avoidance system chose to purchase it at an astonishing rate of over 70 percent, showing to the public that collision avoidance technology was no longer a special option limited only to expensive cars. The system boasts the capability of automatically stopping the car, without the driver slamming on the brakes, to avoid a collision if the car in front is dangerously close and the difference in the two cars’ speeds is less than 30 kph. To improve the system’s situational recognition capability in identifying hazardous objects among those captured with the car-mounted cameras, the company reportedly collected data on driving the equivalent of three times around the globe.
An image of a safe driving assistance system fitted with «stereo cameras» or a pair of miniaturized cameras. The system has won wide support in Japan for its affordable price, boosting interest in safe driving assistance systems as a whole. © Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Making Up for Driver’s Distraction: Driver-Monitoring Camera Many car accidents take place as drivers fail to recognize the situation around their vehicles by looking aside or dozing off. A system combining a miniaturized camera and an image-processing computer has been developed to keep tabs on the driver so that he/ she does not take their eyes off the road or doze off. This system uses a car-mounted camera to monitor the driver’s face direction as well as the upper and lower eyelids. If the driver fails to keep his/her head straight ahead for a while, the system assumes that the driver may have become distracted. Or if the frequency of blinking becomes less than an average, the system assumes the driver may be dozing off. The system then gives a warning to the driver or applies the brakes.
An image of the «Driver-monitoring Camera» developed by Toyota Motor Corp. This camera keeps tabs on the driver›s eyelids, mouth and face to detect possible danger based on face direction and the frequency of blinking. Contemporary Japan
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Based on this system, the maker says it aims to be the first in the world to develop another system capable of steering automatically to avoid a collision. Taking note of the fact that many accidents take place during low-speed driving on city streets or in a traffic congestion, where drivers tend to be less attentive, another carmaker developed a safety system activated only at low speeds from 4 to 30 kph. As a sensor, this carmaker employed an inexpensive infrared laser, in place of more costly cameras, limiting its detection capability to a car or an obstacle within six meters in front. The company says the system can avert a collision if the speed is slower than 15 kph and can still reduce collision damage at speeds of 15 to 30 kph.
A picture in an experiment to test the control of a car fitted with a safe driving assistance system applicable only at low speeds. © Mazda Motor Corporation
An image of the «Around View Monitor» system capturing moving objects around the car. The system is activated automatically when any of the vehicle›s camera-assisted sonar units, fitted in all four corners of the car, detects an object. It informs the driver of a possible danger with an alarm sound and a simulated image. © NISSAN MOTOR CO.,
Reducing Driver’s Blind Areas to Avoid Risk: Moving Object Detection System In Nov 2011, a carmaker introduced a moving object detection system, the world’s first system capable of showing moving objects all around the car, captured with cameras installed on the four sides of the vehicle and shown on an “Around View Monitor”. The system detects without fail any object coming close to the car, including any in the driver’s non-viewable “blind spots”, and warns the driver by showing an image on the display and by sounding an alarm. The system, showing a simulated bird’s eye view on the display, can cover any object in the blind areas previously undetectable in the rear-view mirror, such as a pedestrian walking behind a parked car. Thus drivers are made aware of unseen risks. Japanese cars, which have become popular worldwide because of their fuel efficiency, durability and compact size, are now generating a new wave of interest in the safety technology area.
LTD.
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For KAICO, Customer is No. 1
INTERVIEW
Speed, surprise and power drives company forward
Mr Ashish Tandon, General Manager Of KAICO (Al Shaya & Al Sagar), expounds on his company’s vision, strategy and future plans. Q: What rapid and significant changes have you witnessed in Kuwait since your posting? A: Automotive markets all over the world are always changing. In the
Middle East there is a visible recovery in some markets. The automotive industry depends on individual and projects demand. With a prospect of growing economy and more projects the outlook is good.
Q: What is your company business philosophy? A: We have a very simple business philosophy – Customer Is No 1
and Customer For Life. We established our Sales and Service Standards based on a independent customer survey and understood the best way forward is to delight customers. The surveys have indicated better scores year on year which reflects that we are gaining and retaining more customers. Our investment in facilities, people and processes is well appreciated. Growing customer confidence in our processes that are derived from three golden words – Speed, Surprise & Power drive our teams to attain CS levels in line with international standards.
Q: Tell us more about your future expansion plans, new launches etc? A:
MAZDA The 2013 Mazda CX-9
The 2013 Mazda CX-9 with amazing new facelift carries over the utility and dynamic driving performance of the current model while adopting Mazda’s “KODO - Soul of Motion” design theme at the front and rear for even sportier styling and stronger presence. Enhancements in craftsmanship and interior design further the feeling of quality and refinement. With regard to equipment, the infotainment system features the latest audio, navigation. In addition, advanced activesafety features, such as Forward Obstruction Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, and High Beam Control System, help
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drivers recognize and avoid danger. The 2013 CX-9 features the MZI 3.7-liter V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission for powerful and refined driving pleasure.
PEUGEOT
Peugeot 208 is a highly-ambitious compact vehicle and optimallycomfortable car that offers smooth and easy driving anytime, anywhere. Thanks to Peugeot Connect Apps implemented through the touchscreen, you will discover a revolutionary new way of moving. This groundbreaking connected service provides the driver with a range of applications that are useful and practical everyday, everywhere. The Peugeot 208 embodies and embellishes the brand’s new stylistic codes. Floating grille, lucent signature, boomerang rear lights, each detail has been designed to harmonize the overall appearance. Peugeot 301, which in time is expected to become one of the Marque’s best selling vehicles worldwide, is positioned at the heart of its segment. It offers modern styling and features that are carefully adapted to fulfill the expectations of the different markets in which it will be sold. Peugeot 301 was developed to adapt to all conditions of use, and extremes (hot countries, cold countries, and poor roads). Peugeot 301 incorporates modern comfort equipment (electronic air conditioning, MP3 audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit and USB connection, remote opening of the boot, rear parking assistance, etc), all of which guarantee an excellent level of comfort on board.
LEASING
Our leasing and tender business continues to grow stronger in these challenging times. We have won important tenders in the oil sector and continue to attract corporate and individual leases for customers wanting better service and very stylish looking car models. We do support our customers with other brands in case our range of products cannot fill their demands.
INTERVIEW
TYRES/LUBES
MICHELIN is a global standard for tires and continues to roll confidently on Kuwait roads with a 10% market share. When it comes to making the right tire purchase, trust MICHELIN. A better way forward. I am very proud to announce that MICHELIN Kuwait was recently awarded a SUPERBRAND status following a strict selection process by the Kuwait Superbrands Council. We have just opened new Tyre outlet in our Rapide Service in Banks str, Shuwaikh to cater to all customers` needs. In 2013 our goal is industrial as well as retail business expansion through launching two new Tyre/Lubes outlets in Shuwaikh Industrial area. APOLLO Tyres continue to expand their market presence and market share has reached a near 4% within 3 years of launch with a limited range. It will launch its new truck tire range next year and is rolling strongly to become a preferred brand of customers in Kuwait. APOLLO intends to be in the top 10 tire companies in the world within the next 3 years with global manufacturing facilities. Recently we have introduced a new brand to the Kuwait market - ACHILLES tyres manufactured by MASA, one of the top tire manufacturers in Indonesia. Achilles range, introduced by us in Kuwait, is suitable for Japanese, American and European brands of passenger cars as well as SUVs. These tyres will delight customers with high performance and very competitive prices. ExxonMobil uses innovation and technology to deliver energy and petrochemical products to meet the world’s growing demand. Their global reach provides a competitive advantage and ensure broad exposure to high-quality opportunities—from conventional exploration to opportunities that require close integration across businesses. They are the world’s number one supplier of lube base stocks and the largest global marketer of finished lubricants. Supported
by a highly trained field force, a strong distributor network and a robust supply, MOBIL also creates long-term value by selling highquality products and services daily to millions of customers across the globe. They market fuels, products to millions of customers worldwide through retail service stations and three global business-to-business segments—Industrial and Wholesale, Aviation, and Marine. KAICO provides the best MOBIL range of products to three segments – Passenger Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles and Industrial Lubricants. MOBIL has a solution be it a toy to an aircraft. MOBIL is used by major car makers as the first fill and it has many advantages – high temperature resistance, superior protection at engine start, extends engine life, improves fuel efficiency , reduces down time to name a few. We have recently launched Mobil 1 Centre/Car wash in Zina str. Shuweikh and Mobil centre in Banks str Shuwaikh and we intend to launch 2 additional Tyre/Lube outlets next year.
GEELY CARS
Recently we launched GEELY cars in Kuwait which have since become the new sensation in budget cars. Geely cars are renowned for their up-to-date technology, great performance and superb quality and were developed in accordance with European standards. The full range of Geely vehicles can be test driven at our new Geely Showroom in Al Rai, 4th Ring road. GEELY, the fastest growing privately owned automotive brand from China, has acquired Volvo and the second largest Automatic Transmission manufacturing company, DSI Australia. They have an aggressive launch strategy across the Middle East.
AFTERSALES
We have introduced a new Valet service whereby customers can save valuable time and money by calling our CRM team and get their cars picked and dropped back for Service for a nominal fee. Customers also have the option to visit us and take advantage of the Rapide Service for any brand for an oil filter change from as low as KD 7. Contemporary Japan
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We have year round training programs internally and those conducted by our principals that ensures that our staff are ready to serve customers efficiently and professionally to bring out the best in your cars at all times.
Kuwait participates in
Japan bazaar
The Service team is ably supported by a dedicated CRM team that takes care of customer needs and gives them a real time feedback system that ensures we delight them with our services. We remain committed to our simple philosophy – “Fix It Right First Time “
AUTOMECHANICA 2013 EXHIBITION Next year we intend to participate in Automechanica exhibition in Dubai, UAE, the largest automotive aftermarket trade exhibition. We will display our newly launched brand VR12 (vitamin for your radiator) and other brands. VR12 increases the cooling efficiency of the vehicle which is a must in hot climatic conditions of the GCC. We have the exclusive distributorship of VR12 for Kuwait and the GCC and have opened the first VR12 outlet in Zina str Shuwaikh.
Q- What is the hardest part about being General Manager? A: There is no difficult part. There are challenges we face from a business perspective. My motto has always been SPEED, SURPRISE and POWER. The most crucial is sacrificing family time everyday.
Q- Could you please provide us a brief history of your education and career? A: I am a Mechanical Engineer with a Management qualification and have worked in 3 markets over the last 3 decades namely – Kuwait, Oman, India.
Q- Tell us about your hobbies A: I regularly follow a fitness regime at the gym, play sports like golf, squash and cricket.
Q: What would you wish to your loyal customers? A: I would like to thank them for their support and encouraging feedback which has helped us to expand our operations in various segments by adding new products, services to serve them more e fficiently. We serve with SPEED & BEST QUALITY at all times with our highly skilled and professional manpower using the best equipments available in the industry. Wishing you and your families all the very best for the years ahead! Thank you!
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Princess Tsuguku (left), and Jamila Abdul Rahman pose in front of the Kuwaiti pavilion.
K
uwaiti Embassy in Japan participated in an annual bazaar organized by the Association of Arab Ambassadors Wives (Suwag) in Tokyo in the presence of Japanese Princess Tsuguko, the embassy said in a statement to Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA) . Princess Tsuguko was received by spouse of Kuwaiti Ambassador Jamila Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi at the Kuwaiti pavilion, which showcased the country’s clothing, handicrafts and food products. Al- Otaibi gave her a full explanation of the items on display, which were highly acclaimed by the princess and the visitors. Al-Otaibi said that Kuwait Embassy is always keen on participating in such occasions, whether by the embassy alone or the Suwag Society’s activities, in order to deliver a message to the Japanese people through exhibits from Arab in general and Kuwait in particular. The proceeds from the charity will be donated to the children in the eastern prefecture of Fukushima, which was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami in March last year, according to Al-Otaibi. She also hailed the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry for their cooperation, saying it affirms the keenness of ministry officials to facilitate Kuwaiti missions’ work abroad.
Lexus LS Time flies. Lexus has been producing luxury vehicles for the global market since 1989, taking the fight to European auto magnates like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Now long in the tooth, the current flagship LS sedan has been on the market since way back in 2007 and so it’s no surprise to see it gain a slew of improvements to satisfy consumers looking for the freshest look on the road for 2013. In fact it’s quite overdue. The line-up includes the familiar LS 460, LS 460L, LS 600hL hybrid and the first-ever LS 460 F Sport. Immediately
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obvious details include the dramatic new spindle grille and an impressive new interior. But there’s also plenty new that you can’t see. In total, half of the car’s 6,000-odd parts have been reengineered and it shows in every way.
IN A NEW LEXUS STATE OF MIND Each LS is different in subtle ways, yet part of a successful DNA of great engineering. The LS 460 and LS 460L are available with rear-wheel drive and AWD drivetrains. Under the hood is a 4.6-liter dual injection (conventional and direct-injection) V8 engine. The
Refreshed Lexus LS as new as its front grille RWD model makes 386 horsepower (six more than 2012) and 367 lb-ft of torque. The AWD makes an additional two horsepower over its predecessor. With a 0-60 mph time of just 5.4 seconds, this big boat hustles. Fuel economy, however, isn’t brutal at 16-mpg city, 24-mpg highway and 19-mpg combined on the RWD car, with AWD models just one tick less both highway and combined. Helping deliver the best in both departments is a reworked 8-speed automatic with shorter first and second gears for better acceleration and longer third through eighth gears for fuel economy. Totally unique in the large luxury segment
is the LS 600h L hybrid, mating a 5.0-liter V8 engine to an electric motor and using a CVT transmission. Making 389-hp and 385 lb-ft of torque on gasoline alone, it delivers a total system output of 438 hp. Substantial power, it’s also capable of 19-mpg city, 23mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. Now available with AWD, fuel economy numbers drop only slightly, while the car gains a central Torsen limited slip center differential for better grip, traction and cornering. Like many high-end automotive manufactures, Lexus is tailoring its vehicles with a Drive Mode Select that allows for particular powertrain, suspension and
steering characteristics. Modes include Eco, Normal and Sport and function to what their names imply. LS models equipped with air suspension (optional on the LS 460 and standard on the rest) add Comfort and Sport S+ modes. And for the record, Sport S+ makes the drive more intense, improving the steering, throttle and braking sensitivity. One of the standout improvements that can truly be felt is the revised air suspension system. Previously all four wheels acted independently (which you’d think would be a good thing), but now the system acts as a whole, helping better control the three types
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FAST FACTS
1. While technically a mid-cycle refresh, half of the LS’s 6,000 parts have been reengineered. 2. An updated air suspension delivers an even smoother ride, helping to further minimize the car’s bounce, pitch and roll. 3. Most notable inside the cabin is a new 12.3-inch display screen. 4. A new Drive Select Mode adapts steering, acceleration and braking response. 5. The newest edition to LS line-up is the LS 460 F Sport with a more dramatic exterior, custom interior with better bolstered seats and an Alcantara headliner, not to mention 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, a unique chassis setup and a sound generator to help emphasize the car’s character.
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blending the former upper and lower grilles into a single, aggressive element. Adding to the fearsome front fascia is a surplus of sophisticated lighting design. All standard exterior lighting is HID. But if you’re looking to make more of a statement, optional three projector LED headlamp units as well as turn signals, fog lamps and Lexus-logo taillamps are available, which all look remarkable night and day. External paint options are repeated from last year with the addition a few stunning color options such as Nebula Gray Pearl, Liquid Platinum and Matador Red Mica. The truth is that the new LS looks good in every color, though
of body movements (bounce, pitch and roll). With an almost unmatched luxury glide, it also helps such a large vehicle feel nimble and easily maneuverable. Further improving that sensation is a new steering system with a gear ratio that’s eight percent more responsive.
TAKE A HOT LAP IN LUXURY
No different in size or weight compared to the 2012 model, the refreshed LS is lower, bolder and has far more road presence. This is due mostly to the new “spindle grille” first seen on the GS model,
the 18 and optional 19-inch wheels do seem a touch undersized for a car with this much presence. Regardless, from roof to rim, you won’t miss it pass you by.
INTERNAL OPERATIONS
New internal modifications make the LS even more luxurious, like quicker heating/cooling systems for the seats, an autoheated steering wheel, a Climate Concierge regulating 2-zone and 4-zone temperature conditions, an all-new gear shifter and an unmissable standard 12.3-inch split-screen navigation and
operations zone. Seemingly dated, however, is the second-generation haptic joystick used for navigation and other functions. Unfortunately it’s unnecessarily sensitive and at times mildly frustrating to use. A wrist-turning circular toggle switch would be more effective. Nothing has changed with the standard 10-speaker audio system, though for those who prefer their volume at 11 (and still demand the audio be crystal clear) there’s the option of the 450-watt 19-speaker Mark Levinson Surround System which provides a 5.1 home theatre surround sound. And for people who like their apps, incorporated into the Enform tech system is App Suite allowing smartphone connectivity to handy lifestyle applications such as Bing, Facebook Places, OpenTable, MovieTickets. com and internet radio stations Pandora
or iHeartRadio. Technology doesn’t stop there either with safety features like Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, full-speed adaptive cruise control, an auto high bean function, lane keeping assist, and even a pre collision system that can apply full brakes if it detects a crash is imminent.
FRONT ROW SEATING
The LS interior combines the classic elements of stretched leather, shaped metal and polished wood in a modern fashion infused with intuitive technology. Improved is a simplified and elevated dashboard cluster with a 5.8-inch multi-information screen. Furthermore, the signature Lexus analog clock is now equipped with a GPSContemporary Japan
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based time correction. In typical Lexus fashion, interior trim offerings come in five conservative color schemes: Ivory, Light Gray, Black, Black and Saddle Tan, and a newly available Topaz Brown. Optional wood trim compliments are Walnut, Matte Brown Bird’s Eye Maple, Bamboo on the hybrid and a wild new Shimamoku Espresso. Perfect for giving the LS a full black interior, Shimamoku means “striped wood” and uses meticulously layered cuts of dark and light shaded wood veneers created in a process of 67 steps in 38 days. It is the interior trim to sport if you’re not rolling in the LS 460 F Sport with its black leather and metal accents. Now, if you require even more luxury, there’s also an Ottoman Seating Package with Shiatsu Massage and a Rear Seat Entertainment System featuring ceilingmounted nine-inch screen and Blu-ray DVD player because you can’t go wrong with a massage and a movie.
LS 460 F SPORT: THE ONE AND ONLY
Four hundred horsepower hybrids be damned, the LS 460 F Sport is easily the most compelling item in the new LS lineup. Defined by its riveting front fascia, it
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incorporates a chrome-plated outline with a highly textured black mesh grille with larger cooling openings and exclusive round LED fog lamps. The chrome theme continues below the doors and out back with wide, soft-edge rectangular tailpipes. Both front and rear bumpers are exclusive to the model, as is the obligatory black and silver badging and an exclusive Ultra White paint. On the inside, what separates the F Sport from all the rest is the touch of aluminum ornamentation on both the dashboard and pedals, not to mention the sumptuous black Alcantara headliner. Plus don’t forget the special steering wheel and better bolstered seats with logo-embossed headrests. Upping the performance ante is a Torsen limited slip differential, Brembo brakes, a re-engineered chassis and suspension plus with hollowed noise-reducing 19-inch BBS wheels. It even sounds the part with Lexus adding a little aural drama by installing an intake sound generator for a more performance style engine growl. Sadly, however, power is kept to the same as the base LS460 models. After pushing the F Sport on the open road
and around some great curves, we can say it’s a vehicle that offers priceless pleasure and drives beyond expectations. Don’t think of it as a sporty land yacht, rather it’s the pavement-hugging equivalent of a 50-foot cigarette boat.
THE VERDICT
Thoroughly reworked, the LS continues to represent the very best the Lexus brand has to offer. Matching, and in many ways besting its German rivals, it’s now packed with more technology, craftsmanship and luxury, while offering improved driving comfort and enjoyment, not to mention a look that the fashion conscious will flock to. And on top of all that, it’s all but certain to retain the brand’s quality and reliability, making owning a luxury machine hassle free. And while the base and hybrid LS models are excellent, the real exception is the F Sport with its dramatic styling and engaging nature. Combined, it’s a package that’s so hedonistic, those who can, absolutely must.
All Aboard
the Transport of our Dreams A variety of highly innovative, high energy-efficient transport systems are currently under development in Japan. Below are three such transport systems whose practical realization is now more than a dream.
Aero-Train
Conceptual image of a completed Aero-Train service (with capacity for 360 passengers). If put into practical use, Aero-Trains running entirely on natural energy could cover a distance of approximately 500km in one hour, much faster than conventional bullet trains, while using significantly less energy in the process.
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The Aero-Train, currently undergoing research and development by Professor Yasuaki Kohama of Tohoku University’s New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, will fuse aircraft technology with the styling of a railway to float and buzz over the earth’s surface at high speeds using the propulsive force of electric propellers. Serving as the driving force behind the Aero-Train is a phenomenon known as the ground effect, which dramatically improves energy efficiency. When an aircraft flies close to the ground, interference between the wings and the ground surface simultaneously produces a sharp rise in lift, and a significant decrease in drag. In the 1980s, flying boats that would use this ground effect to glide over the water were being actively developed in the former Soviet Union and elsewhere. However, since the fuselage would be subjected to severe impacts that led to serious accidents
A model of the NYK Super Eco Ship 2030, currently on display in the Japanese Pavilion at Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea, which runs until August 12
when it came into contact with waves, the technology never achieved widespread adoption. However, since the Aero-Train will run along a concrete guide-way enclosed by walls on either side, there are no such risks. According to Professor Kohama, the most difficult part of his twenty-five-year research and development efforts has been working out how to maintain levitated travel in a stable attitude [level orientation of the vehicle’s axes]. We are familiar with the risks faced by vehicles such as racing cars that move across the ground at high speeds. When their fronts float upward due to gusts of wind or other forces, the entire vehicle can fly and then flip over. After a lengthy process of trial and error using wireless signals, sensors and other devices, Professor Kohama came upon the solution in the form of an attitude control program embedded in robots that move the way humans do. Using this program, Professor Kohama first managed to produce stable travel by making extremely precise adjustments to the front and back wings of the Aero-Train to control its attitude.
“When we managed to achieve stable travel, maintaining an altitude of around ten centimeters off the ground without the left or right wings touching the walls of the guide-way, I was so happy I was moved to tears,” recounts Professor Kohama. The Prototype No. 3 of the Aero-Train is currently engaged in repeated testing on a test course, and last year achieved a top speed of 200 km/h with two passengers on board. The tests have produced promising results—per-unit energy consumption is less than half that of a conventional bullet train, and roughly a fifth of a linear motor (mag-lev) train. When adopted for practical use, the aim is to run the Aero-Train entirely on natural energy by covering the top portion of the guide-way with solar panels obtaining power from a special pantograph. The Aero-Train is being targeted for practical application sometime between 2020 and 2025. Based on these research results, concepts for introducing the Aero-Train around the world have been produced, with possible uses including shuttle-type lines
that would link outlying airports with city centers at speeds of 500 km/h.
NYK Super Eco Ship 2030 CO2 emissions from international shipping have now reached 840 million tons per year. This represents just under 3% of worldwide CO2 emissions. With the volume of worldwide trade expected to increase in the future, reducing CO2 emissions in marine transport is an issue of critical importance. Given these circumstances, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) has envisaged the Super Eco Ship 2030 as its next generation of container transportation vessel. As its long-term corporate goal, NYK Line has set itself the challenge of eliminating all CO2 emissions from its entire fleet of vessels by 2050. The practical utilization of the Super Eco Ship 2030, which enables a 69% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with existing container vessels, can be considered a significant milestone on the way to achieving zero emissions. Contemporary Japan
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in the fact that the carriages can be made extremely lightweight. Being lighter naturally means better fuel efficiency, and as a result, in terms of the energy required to carry one passenger one kilometer, EcoRide can manage with a fifth the energy required by a bus, and around half of that required by conventional rail. It’s fair to say that this is truly the ultimate in energysaving transportation systems.”
Conceptual image of a completed Eco-Ride urban transportation system
“It’s hard to say precisely when this ship will become a reality. The Super Eco Ship 2030 has been designed as a roadmap making it clear what kind of energy-efficient technologies we need in the long term. In order to promote the practical use of each technology, we have started to adopt some of the technologies on actual vessels in the sea. We conduct research and development on shore as well. We hope the Super Eco Ship 2030 becomes an opportunity for more people to consider problems such as the technologies needed to conserve energy,” explains Tomoo Kitayama, general manager of the Environment Group at NYK Line’s Technical Headquarters.
advances, such as the development of efficient and compact fuel cells. “We are also actively addressing more immediate challenges such as improvements to fuel efficiency,” says Kitayama. One of those initiatives is an air lubrication system which is also slated for installation on the Super Eco Ship 2030. This is a mechanism that significantly reduces the frictional resistance between the hull and seawater by running air bubbles along the underside of the ship. The system has been equipped on multiple NYK Line hulls of varying shapes to verify the effects during actual voyages.
The Super Eco Ship 2030 features a streamlined hull that represents a notable departure from conventional container vessel design. This is to reduce the energy required for propulsion to the utmost limit. The ship is powered by fuel cell-driven motors which are also supported by the energy generated by solar panels that completely cover the top surface of the hull. In addition, when favorable winds are blowing the ship will unfurl sails resembling the wings of a bird so that it can also utilize wind power without waste.
Eco-Ride, which is being jointly developed by the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Industrial Science and Senyo Kogyo Co., is an energy-saving urban transportation system which runs by converting potential energy into kinetic energy. The principles at work are basically the same as for a roller-coaster. The body of the vehicle contains no engines or motors; rather, it coasts downward atop two rounded pipes set on a decline. Professor Yoshihiro Suda, who serves as the director of the Advanced Mobility Research Center at the University of Tokyo, explains the benefits of Eco-Ride.
Driving the ship with electric power will require a number of future technological
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Eco-Ride
“The biggest advantage of Eco-Ride lies
What’s more, a lighter vehicle can considerably reduce track construction costs. The new elevated tracks can be laid above roads and do not therefore require the securement of new land. In that case, the construction costs are estimated to be equivalent to Light Rail Transit (LRT), the next-generation streetcar system that runs over land. The practical application of Eco-Ride envisaged by Professor Suda and his team would involve tracks with a maximum length of ten kilometers and between two and seven carriages each holding up to twelve passengers strung together. At an average speed of 20 km/h, the system could carry between 2,000 and 2,500 passengers every hour. If electric power is used to pull the vehicle up to a height of ten meters with wire cables or other means at every station, Eco-Ride can run a distance of 400 meters, the average interval between bus stops in Japan, without difficulty. The technical hurdles towards practical application have largely been cleared, and all that remains is establishing safety standards as a public transportation system and finding suitable locations for operation. When this can be accomplished, the technology has reached a level where the Eco-Ride can be put into practical use right away. If realized, it would be the world’s first energy-saving urban transportation system to utilize potential energy. Imagine running through the valleys between city buildings while looking down on bumper-to-bumper traffic below… EcoRide promises to create a comfortable and eco-friendly urban rail system.
The Dons of Udon Use your noodle in Takamatsu A genuine udon maniac wouldn’t think twice about making a day trip to the island of Shikoku for a decent bowl of the thick white noodles. In fact, many folks from as far as Kansai do so. Within the area, Takamatsu is the capital of the foodstuff, and the home of Sanuki udon. The thick wheat-flour noodles, known in China as wudong, were brought over to Japan in the ninth century by Buddhist monks, and reportedly first eaten in Sanuki, the former name of today’s Kagawa Prefecture, of which Takamatsu is the capital. I first heard of the biggest city in Shikoku via Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore, where the main character, Kafka, is mysteriously drawn to Takamatsu from Tokyo, crossing the Great Seto Bridge from Honshu by bus. A 1955 ferry disaster in which 171 lives were lost prompted the epic ten-year construction project of this 13-km bridge, which is the longest double-deck bridge in the world. The 20-minute train ride across it almost justifies the trip in itself. The bridge offers panoramic views over the Seto Naikai (Seto Inland Sea), dotted with islands
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covered with olive trees that thrive in the Mediterranean-like climate. Finding a Sanuki udon shop in Takamatsu is about as hard as finding a cake shop in Ginza. Because the weather was warm, we ate our noodles cold on a zaru, or shallow bamboo basket, dipping them in a cold soysauce based soup - more diluted in the west country than back east in Kanto. Common toppings include tempura, sliced negi, or sweetened, fried tofu skins in the case of kitsune (fox) udon - so named because it’s supposedly a favorite of the Shinto fox deity. After a diet of pre-cooked, mushy supermarket udon, eating real homemade Sanuki udon is a revelation. They are ridiculously long, thick, springy and delectably chewy. However, there’s more to Takamatsu than noodles, such as the famous Edo-era Ritsurin Koen (Chestnut Grove Gardens). Owing to its proximity to Honshu, Takamatsu became a prosperous trading center and castle city during feudal times. Lord and shipping
magnate Ikoma Takatoshi used his wealth to begin construction of the garden in 1625, and work wasn’t completed until 1745 - after over more than a century of improvements by successive lords. In the ancient Chinese tradition of borrowed scenery, the heavily wooded surrounding hills and mountains provide a tranquil, natural backdrop to the spacious gardens, a complete circuit of which takes several hours. The gardens are home to various wood workshops producing, and selling, finely crafted bowls, carvings and kitchen utensils. At the center of the garden is a teahouse, located in a pond filled with the biggest and most ferociously greedy carp I have ever seen. Watching them wolf down their breadcrumbs I couldn’t help remembering the faces of the maniac Kansai day-trippers slurping down their Sanuki udon with the same - almost religious - fervor. After trying Sanuki udon for myself I could understand their dedication.
Steak Teppanyaki
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Total Time:
35 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Yield:
2 servings
Level:
Easy
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Ingredients
Soybean oil 2 (6-ounce) New York steaks Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Garlic powder 2 teaspoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 4 tablespoons soy sauce, divided 1 carrot, thinly sliced on the bias 1/2 cup snow peas 1/2 cup sliced savoy cabbage 1/2 cup bean sprouts 2 tablespoons mirin 2 tablespoons sliced shallots 2 tablespoons finely chopped tomato 1 pinch red chili flakes Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Directions
Put a large skillet over medium-high heat and brush it with some soybean oil. Season the steaks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. When the pan is hot, add the steaks. Cook until the steaks are nicely browned, about 4 to 6 minutes. Flip the steaks and cook for 2 more minutes. Top the steaks with the butter and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, depending on how you like your steaks done. Remove the steaks to a cutting board, cover them with foil, and let them rest while you cook the vegetables. Carefully wipe out the pan and brush it with some more oil. Add the carrots, snow peas, and cabbage. Season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and cook them until they are just tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add more oil, if necessary. Add the bean sprouts and 1 tablespoon soy sauce and cook just until the bean sprouts are warmed through. Divide the vegetables between 2 serving plates. Slice the steaks and arrange them on top of the vegetables. Put the remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce and mirin into the pan over low heat. Add the shallots, tomato, and chili flakes and cook until the shallots have softened, about 2 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the steaks and garnish with cilantro.
مطاعم
Restaurant
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atchi continues a tradition of success of the renowned multi-cuisine Caesars Restaurant – this time providing you with an interesting and diverse fusion of Japanese, Italian and East Asian cuisines at their finest. A sophisticated, enigmatic and unique location, Satchi offers you privacy and seclusion. Satchi’s ambience is very warm and inviting, making you feel an unique experience. Satchi offers you numerous tempting appetizers, soups, salads, main meal and desserts.
S
atchi is situated in Kuwait City, Marzouk Tower, besides Sheraton Hotel and in Fahaheel on the 11th floor of Hamoud Tower above Centrepoint, overlooking Kout Mall and the spectacular sea-front, a view from the top. Marzouk Tower, Beside Sheraton Hotel, Kuwait. Tel.: + 965 2247 6591, +965 2247 6592 11th Floor, Hamoud Tower, Fahaheel, Kuwait. Tel.: +965 2391 2137, +965 2391 2139
Open 12.15 pm to 11.30 pm
For more inquiries please call 22476591 (Kuwait City) and 23912137 (Fahaheel)
Taste and Tradition
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are Key at Kei
ocated on the ground floor of JW Marriott Hotel and within walking distance of the exclusive Salhiya shopping mall, Kei Japanese Restaurant has been offering the wonder of authentic yet contemporary taste and heartwarming service since 1981. Kei is a space where people can relax and enjoy refined Japanese fare, and has been visited by extensive and distinguished guests who enjoy high standard cuisine. Kei’s chic décor with soft lightning creates a relaxing and sophisticated atmosphere. The restaurant features a sushi bar, an a la carte room and teppanyaki where the dish is personally served directly from the grill to your plate. It’s more than a meal, it’s an art! The cuisine at Kei is superb! There are over 200 dishes including appetizers, sushi, sashimi, diverse contemporary makis and teppanyaki among others. These and the set menu are freshly prepared by expert chefs. Kei also offers the Japanese chef’s recommendation seasonally. Definitely worth trying! The tuna salad – lightly seared fresh tuna served with chopped garlic and black pepper is a delicious medley of delicate flavors. Salmon saikyo yaki – grilled marinated salmon with miso paste is mouthwatering! As is lobster teppanyaki – cooked lobster with special cream sauce. The chef cooks in front of you at the live cooking stations, which is definitely an enjoyable experience! For the sweet-toothed, tempura ice cream – cold creamy ice cream meets a warm, crispy tempura coating and anmitsu – traditional fruit cocktail with ice cream are irresistible! Kei Japanese Restaurant is open from 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm at JW Marriott Hotel. Valet parking is available at entrance of the hotel. Tel: 22422650
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Famed for its cuisine, Kei Restaurant has charmed the senses of international gourmets since 1981. Enjoy the wonders of authentic taste and heartwarming service.
JW Marriott Tel: (965) 22422650 Open 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM website: www.kei-restaurant.com Delivery and outside catering are also available with rich selection of delicacies
Taste of Japan at Koji Koji, a new Japanese restaurant by Qoot International Restaurants Management Company, was opened in Kuwait City by Ministry of Commerce Undersecretary Dr Mansour Al-Saeed. Also present were a host of officials from various ministries and from the Japanese Embassy. The new eatery replaces the old Wasabi restaurant in Qibla. “Koji” means “tradition” or “origin” in Japanese.
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The restaurant is compact and neatly decorated, with comfortable seats and relaxed lighting. Japanese music plays in the background. The staff is friendly and responsive. The menus comes in both classic and iPad formats. The menu contains a variety of classic Japanese dishes including sushi, teppenyaki and maki among others. Prices are reasonable and
the general ambience is excellent, with small private rooms. Service is great and orders come quickly.
Address: Kuwait City -Mashoura Towers, behind HSPC bank Phone: 22461882 / 22461884
Koji is located in Qibla in Kuwait City at Mashoura Towers, behind HSBC bank, and is open from 12 noon to 12 midnight.
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Ramen
Different Styles Vie for City Favorite in Tokyo
R
amen — noodles made of wheat flour, eggs, and kansui (alkaline mineral water) in a soup broth with various toppings — was brought to Japan from China around 1910. Soon afterwards, the first Japanese ramen flavored with shoyu (soy sauce) was introduced in the Asakusa
area of Tokyo. Ramen in Japan has since evolved in a variety of ways at different times and in different places, to become one of Japan’s most well-loved comfort foods. Today, Tokyo is home to every conceivable type of ramen. They include noodles served
in the standard regional broth flavors of shoyu, miso (soybean paste), and tonkotsu (pork bone), as well as variations such as cold noodles served with dipping sauce (called tsukemen) and mazesoba, literally “mixed noodles.” “The fact that ramen in Tokyo has become so diversified can be largely attributed to the widespread use of the Internet,” comments critic Osaki Hiroshi of Ramen Databank, a company that plans promotional events of the delicacy. Customers will often sift through the massive amount of information available online to find a new restaurant to try, and this makes for fierce competition between ramen shops, which must come up with unique dishes in order to survive. Of the 5,000–6,000 ramen shops in Tokyo today, only 10% have actually been in business for ten years.
Restaurants Igniting a Ramen Renaissance
With the noodles and the soup served in separate bowls, requiring each mouthful of noodles to be dipped in broth, tsukemen is the most extreme example of ramen’s
A ramen shop crowded with customers at lunchtime
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development. Taishoken, a restaurant in Higashi-Ikebukuro, set off the popularity of tsukemen in Tokyo. Originally a meal served for shop workers when the restaurant first opened in the early 1960s, tsukemen soon became a popular menu item and then spread throughout the country. Thanks to Taishoken, tsukemen is now served in a variety of flavors in Tokyo. Located along the Tokyo Ramen Street at Tokyo Station, home to the most talkedabout restaurants, the unique Shichisai is also renowned for originality. The restaurant is exacting when it comes to ingredients. Hand-picked from production sites, they include from the wheat for its homemade noodles, the chicken used in its broth (which is monosodium glutamate-free), and the shoyu and miso used to flavor its dishes.
The deluxe morisoba tsukemen at Taishoken. After being boiled and rinsed, the noodles are dipped into warm broth (left) flavored with shoyu, vinegar, sugar, and red pepper
The Everlasting Tradition: Shoyu Ramen
The mazesoba at Junk Garage, also located
customers with their large appetites. Chabuya, a chain with several shops in the Tokyo area, has redesigned its interiors in the style of French restaurants to break from
Made with only the very best ingredients, the miso ramen at Tokyo Edoama is served only for dinner. By day, the restaurant goes by the name Shichisai and serves shoyu ramen.
No soup, but also a full-fledged ramen. The specialty mazesoba is served with a variety of toppings and is the most popular item on the menu at Junk Garage.
The more delicate flavor and smaller portions at Chabuya are particularly popular with female customers.
on Tokyo Ramen Street, is not served in broth at all. Diners choose such toppings as thick dipping sauce, garlic chips, mayonnaise, raw eggs, or cheese to be mixed with their noodles. With hard rock music playing in the background, the ramen served here is made to the tastes of the shop’s young
common conceptions of the “greasy spoon” ramen shop, making it extremely popular with female diners. Served with seasonal ingredients in small portions, the refined flavors of their ramen have the elegance of a main dish in a four-course meal.
ramen continues to hold its own. First appearing more than 100 years ago, the vanguard of all Japanese ramen is Tokyo ramen, known for its clear shoyu broth. “Shoyu ramen is the comfort food that most Japanese people eventually return to,” Osaki declares. “This type of ramen will never go out of style.” Established in 1949, Harukiya has not changed the basics of its shoyu ramen recipe over the years, though it continually seeks to improve its taste through the choice of ingredients and cooking techniques. This commitment to tradition makes Harukiya one of Tokyo most-loved ramen shops to this day.
Harukiya continues to serve traditional Tokyo-style ramen.
In modern Tokyo where every style of ramen can be found, the classic taste of traditional
Ramen is no longer merely fast food for a quick hunger fix: It has evolved into a bit of a treat that one never grows tired of. Tokyo ramen will surely continue to offer new tastes and surprises for diners for years to come. Contemporary Japan
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Somen
Popular Dishes of Japan Japanese cuisine offers a great variety of dishes and regional specialties. Some of the most popular Japanese and Japanized dishes are listed below. We have categorized them into rice dishes, seafood dishes, noodle dishes, nabe dishes, soya bean dishes, yoshoku dishes and other dishes. Please note that some dishes may fit into multiple categories, but are listed only once.
Rice Dishes
For over 2,000 years, rice has been the most important food in Japanese cuisine. Despite changes in eating patterns over the last few decades and slowly decreasing rice consumption in recent years, rice remains one of the most important ingredients in Japan today, and can be found in numerous dishes.
Rice Bowl
A bowl of plain cooked rice is served with most Japanese meals. For breakfast, it is sometimes mixed with a raw egg and soya sauce (tamago kake gohan) or enjoyed with natto or other toppings.
Sushi
Sushi can be defined as a dish which contains sushi rice, cooked rice that is prepared with sushi vinegar. There are various kinds of sushi dishes.
Domburi
A bowl of cooked rice with some other food put on top of the rice. Some of the most popular toppings are tempura (tendon), egg and chicken (oyakodon), tonkatsu (katsudon) and beef (gyudon).
Onigiri
Onigiri are rice balls made of cooked rice and usually
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wrapped in nori seaweed. They are slightly salted and often contain some additional food in the center, for example an umeboshi (pickled Japanese plum), katsuobushi (dried bonito shavings), tuna or salmon. Rice balls are a popular and inexpensive snack available at convenience stores. Rice Bowl
Sashimi
Kare Raisu
Kare Raisu (Curry Rice) is cooked rice with a curry sauce. It can be served with additional toppings such as tonkatsu. Curry is not a native Japanese spice, but has been used in Japan for over a century. Kare Raisu is a very popular dish, and many inexpensive Kare Raisu restaurants can be found especially in and around train stations.
Chawanmushi
Sukiyaki
Fried Rice
Fried rice or chahan has been originally introduced from China. A variety of additional ingredients such as peas, egg, negi (Japanese leek) and small pieces of carrot and meat are mixed into the rice when stir fried. It is a suitable dish for using leftover rice.
Chazuke
Chazuke is a bowl of cooked rice with green tea and other ingredients, for example, salmon or tarako (cod roe) added to it. It is a suitable dish for using left over rice. Miso Soup
Korokke Nabe
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Kayu
Kayu is rice gruel, watery, soft cooked rice that resembles oatmeal. It is a suitable dish for using left over rice and is often served to sick people because it can be digested easily.
Seafood Dishes
Hundreds of different fish, shellfish and other seafood from the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers are used in the Japanese cuisine. They are prepared and eaten in many different ways, for example, raw, dried, boiled, grilled, deep fried or steamed.
Sashimi Chanko Nabe
Sashimi is raw seafood. A large number of fish can be enjoyed raw if they are fresh and prepared correctly. Most types of sashimi are enjoyed with soya sauce and wasabi.
Yakizakana
Yakizakana means grilled fish. Many varieties of fish are enjoyed in this way.
Noodle Dishes
There are various traditional Japanese noodle dishes as well as some dishes which were introduced to Japan and subsequently Japanized. Many of them enjoy a very high popularity.
Soba
Soba noodles are native Japanese noodles made of buckwheat flour or a mixture of buckwheat and wheat flour. Soba are about as thick as spaghetti. They can be served cold or hot and with various toppings.
Udon Nikujaga
Udon noodles are native Japanese noodles made of wheat flour. Udon are thicker than soba and can also be served either hot or cold and with various toppings.
Ramen
Ramen are Chinese style noodles prepared in a soup with various toppings. Ramen is one of the many popular dishes that were originally introduced from China but have become completely Japanized over time.
Somen
Like udon noodles, somen are Japanese noodles made of wheat flour, but they are much thinner than udon and soba. Somen are usually eaten cold and are considered a summer speciality.
Yakisoba
Yakisoba are fried or deep fried Chinese style noodles served with vegetables, meat and ginger. Hayashi Raisu
Nabe Dishes
Nabe dishes or hot pot dishes are prepared in a hot pot, usually at the table. Typical ingredients are vegetables such as negi (Japanese leek) and hakusai (Chinese cabbage), various mushrooms, seafood and/or meat. There are many regional and personal varieties, and they are especially popular in the cold winter months. Some special nabe dishes are:
Oden
A nabe dish prepared with various fish cakes, daikon, boiled eggs, konyaku and kombu seaweed, boiled over many hours in a soya sauce based soup.
Sukiyaki
A nabe dish prepared with thinly sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu and shirataki (konyaku noodles). The pieces of food are dipped into a raw egg before eaten.
Gyoza
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Shabu-Shabu
Korokke
Shabu-shabu is Japanese style meat fondue. Thinly sliced meat, along with vegetables, mushrooms and tofu is dipped into a hot soup and then into ponzu vinegar or a sesame sauce before being eaten.
Korokke has its origins in the croquettes which were introduced to Japan in the 19th century. Korokke are breaded and deep fried, and come in many varieties depending on the filling. The most common filling is a mix of minced meat and mashed potatoes.
Chanko Nabe
Omuraisu
Meat Dishes
Hayashi Raisu
Chanko nabe is traditionally the staple diet of sumo wrestlers. There are many varieties of chanko nabe. A few chanko nabe restaurants can be found around Ryogoku, the sumo district in Tokyo. Meat has been eaten in Japan in larger amounts only since the second half of the 19th century. Nowadays there are a variety of Japanese meat dishes.
Yakitori
Yakitori are grilled chicken pieces on skewers. Most parts of the chicken can be used for yakitori.
Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu are deep fried meat cutlets. Tonkatsu is usually served with shredded cabbage or on top of cooked rice (katsudon) or with Japanese style curry rice (katsu kare).
Omuraisu (abbreviation for omelet rice) is cooked rice, wrapped in a thin omelet, and usually served with a gravy sauce or tomato ketchup. Hayashi rice is Japanese style hashed beef stew, thinly sliced beef and onions in a demi-glace sauce served over or alongside cooked rice. It resembles kare raisu, and, like kare raisu, it is also eaten with a spoon.
Hamubagu
Hamubagu is a Japanese style hamburger steak. It is typically served on a plate and usually with a demi-glace sauce, but without a bun.
Other Dishes Tempura
Nikujaga is a popular dish of home style cooking made of meat (niku) and potatoes (jagaimo).
Tempura is seafood, vegetables, mushrooms and other pieces of food coated with tempura batter and deep fried. Tempura was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but has become one of Japan’s most famous dishes internationally.
Soya Bean Dishes
Okonomiyaki
Yudofu
Monjayaki
Nikujaga
Tofu, natto, miso and many other important ingredients of Japanese cooking are made of soya beans. The following are some of the most popular soya bean based dishes: Yudofu are tofu pieces boiled in a clear, mild soup and dipped into a soya based sauce before being eaten.
Agedashi Tofu
Agedashi Tofu are deep fried tofu pieces that are dipped into a soya based sauce before being eaten.
Miso Soup
Okonomiyaki is a mix between pizza and pancake. Various ingredients such as seafood, vegetables and meat can be mixed with the dough and placed on the okonomiyaki as topping. Monjayaki is a Kanto region specialty that is similar to Okonomiyaki, however, the dough used is much more liquid than the okonomiyaki dough.
Gyoza
Gyoza are dumplings with a filling usually made of minced vegetables and ground meat. Gyoza were introduced to Japan from China. In Japan gyoza are usually prepared by frying them.
A bowl of miso soup often accompanies breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is made by dissolving miso paste in hot water and adding additional ingredients such as wakame seaweed and small pieces of tofu.
Chawanmushi is savory steamed egg custard that usually contains pieces of chicken, shrimp, fish cake and a ginko nut mixed inside.
Yoshoku Dishes
Tsukemono
A large number of Western dishes have been introduced to Japan over the centuries. Many of them have become completely Japanized, and these dishes are now called Yoshoku dishes. Some of the most popular ones are:
Tempura
Chawanmushi
Tsukemono are Japanese pickles. There are many variety of pickles, and a small dish of tsukemono is usually served with Japanese meals.
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Ekiben-Japanese bento box W
hen Japanese people go to a long trip by trains, they would buy what is called «Ekiben» (bento box) for lunch or for dinner. In Japan, there is a box called «bento» and people put food such as rice, fried chicken, hamburger steak, sausage, salda etc in it, and bring it to school, office, or for picnic. Many of «Ekiben»and «bento box» are nicely decorated with varieties of food because Japanese people enjoy eating many kinds of food at the same time. At every stations of «Shinkansen,»there are several stores where people sell souvenirs, special products of the regions, and so there is uniqueness in bento box depending on the regions.
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Cybernetic ‘muscle suit’ makes heavy objects seem as light as a feather
S
tudents at the Tokyo University of Science have developed a cybernetic suit that won’t only make you look like a superhero straight out of Transformers but will also give you superhuman abilities in lifting heavy objects. The reporter who tested the suit said the 40 kg (88 lbs) bag of rice he was holding seemed as light as a feather! In contrast to robotic suits that use mechanical motors, this new invention utilizes PAMs — pneumatic artificial ‘muscles’ — which are filled with compressed air, offering a power-to-weight ratio that is 400 times greater than that of current models. Another advantage is that the suit responds to voice commands which will come in handy for anyone using the suit for medical reasons. The exoskeleton weighs 9,2 kg (20,28 lbs) but feels weightless for the wearer because of the special construction with the artificial muscles. The technology is still being perfected but the engineers believe that the suit is practical enough for commercial use. The robot suit is scheduled to be released early next year and available for rent from 15,000 yen ($186) per month, but Japan’s health insurance will cover 90% of the charge in most cases.
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Sophisticated Digital Cameras at Your Fingertips
M
ost people want to take good pictures in a simple operation. New digital cameras hitting the Japanese market one after another now make that happen easily. Most popular are those models which come with a lot of unique mechanisms already built in. Some cameras automatically acquire and stay focused on the face of a target person while others warn you that the person you are shooting just closed his or her eyes.
From Film to Digital Cameras: Easy to Take Fine Shots Much of Japan’s sophisticated technology for digital cameras was already developed in the days of film cameras. There have long been many high-performance singlelens reflex (SLR) cameras for professional photographers. But those cameras were often quite difficult for ordinary people to use, requiring special knowledge and
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techniques, and many were too bulky and inconvenient to always carry around every day. Still, Japanese camera makers have led the world for the last 50 years in the race to develop SLR and compact cameras that enable ordinary people to take great pictures simply, whether in their daily lives or while traveling. It was a Japanese camera manufacturer that commercialized autofocus – a common camera function today – in 1977 for the first time. Entering the 21st century, most photographers have switched from film to digital cameras, with autofocus continuing to evolve. One of the most outstanding features of autofocus now is “face recognition.” This function automatically matches faces in the picture frame with those registered in the camera’s memory and keeps focused on them to produce fine pictures. If you have faces of family members and friends prerecorded in your camera, the camera automatically finds their faces, keeping them better focused than on other people, and preferentially adjusting their brightness. This function is convenient when shooting a picture of many people at the same time or taking photos in crowded places such as tourist spots. One new model can memorize the faces of up to 16 people while another can recognize faces in profile as well as those of dogs and other pets. There is even a model that automatically snaps a photo only when it detects a smiling face, so you will never fail to have the best commemorative shot taken with friends. It features a mechanism in which the camera automatically releases the shutter only after identifying a smile from the movements of the eyes, mouth and teeth. There are other features in addition to autofocus, including one to resolve the annoying problem of camera shake that
results when hands move the camera body at the time of a shutter operation, resulting in blurred pictures. It was a Japanese camera maker again that achieved another world first in 1994 by adding a new function to a film camera – an image stabilizer to automatically make up for camera shake. The image stabilizer offsets camera shake by controlling lens movement. In 1995, a Japanese camera maker came up with an LCD monitor, another world first that allows the photographer to confirm how the just taken picture looks. The age of highperformance point-and-shoot cameras that allow anyone to take fine pictures with ease has come after those many years of technological development by Japanese camera manufacturers.
Compact Digital Camera: Variety of Functions Today, even compact digital cameras have standard features such as automatic shutter speed control and automatic flash operation to adjust exposure according to scenes. These functions are useful when shooting nighttime landscapes and fireworks. Another notable standard function is a full high-definition video mechanism with image quality just as good as that of many video cameras. A unique function very popular among women is a “beautiful skin” mode available in some cameras. It automatically adds a
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soft skin effect to the picture of a woman to make her skin appear brighter and smoother and make blemishes and wrinkles less noticeable. Moreover, there is another new camera that can add beauty effects after a picture is taken, making a woman’s eyes appear larger and brighter and changing the colors of her lips, cheeks or eye shadow if desired. Women can try different colors and then keep the lovely pictures they like. One new camera can take as many as 60 continuous shots in one second for shooting such targets as an athlete in motion or a quickly moving animal; another camera can take up to 30 shots before and after the shutter button is fully pressed after having been kept half-pressed for a while. With functions like those, missing a split second of an optimum shooting chance is almost impossible. In addition, various editing functions are available to add attractive effects so pictures look more professional. There are around 30 types of editing effects – monochrome or sepia coloring, a diorama effect showing a landscape like a miniaturized model, a fisheye view, and a pop-art effect – made available by Japanese camera makers exclusively for digital cameras. None of these effects needs special knowledge or techniques; they are available at the push of a button.
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Mirrorless Camera: Small But High Quality In 2008, Japanese camera makers introduced compact, mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILCs) with the functions of regular SLR cameras. These are bringing more of the joy of photography to ordinary people. Regular SLR cameras have a mirror behind the lens to reflect the incoming light, or the image of an object, for a photographer to see. MILCs have got rid of the mirror, creating a different kind of image-viewing system. Thus, the body is more compact and lightweight. Still, much like SLR cameras, the MILC can use interchangeable lenses such as telephoto, macro or many other lenses for higher-quality photography.
Before, SLR cameras were used almost exclusively by older hobbyists or professionals. With the arrival of MILCs, which are lightweight and easier to carry, there is a new photography boom among women, known as “camera girls”, who now carry one wherever they go, clicking away at travel destinations and in daily life. There is little wonder then that Japanese digital cameras, packed with advanced functions, are the most popular in the world camera market. Japanese manufacturers will continue to make cameras even easier to use and keep people amazed not only in Japan but around the world with new functions they may not even have dreamed of.
Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world’s major cities. Surprisingly, the city has a short history. In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed shogun, and established a shogunate government in Edo (former name for Tokyo), which became an economic and political center. For about 260 years afterward, the Tokugawa shogunate ruled Edo, which had a population of about 150,000 at first. Despite earthquakes and large fires, Edo grew, and had a population of 1 million by the start of the eighteenth century. During the Meiji Restoration, which restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868, Edo was renamed Tokyo, and developed into a modern city. Tokyo was devastated by both the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and World War II, but recovered from the damage each time, leading to further development. Today, Tokyo is one of the world’s largest cities, with a population made up of 13 million Japanese and foreign nationals, and is visited by over 4 million foreign tourists every year. The Greater Tokyo Area, which encompasses the prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama, has a population of over 30 million. One characteristic that describes Tokyo is diversity. The combination of the latest trends, fashions, culture, and entertainment all make this a novel, urban city. Yet Tokyo is also an old city, rich in character.
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The Capital’s New Symbol: Tokyo Skytree
measures magnitude 7.9, which is the same strength as the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, or if there is a storm with wind velocity that measures as fast as 83 m per second.
Tokyo Tower, which has been popular among those from Japan and abroad as a symbol of Tokyo ever since it opened in 1958, looms above the heart of Tokyo. And then came Tokyo Skytree, which opened in May of this year in the downtown area of the eastern side of Tokyo. Tokyo Skytree, which is 634 m high, stands proud as the highest free-standing broadcasting tower in the world. The tower could be considered a new symbol, which was constructed on the strength of technology and tradition cultivated over many years. Protecting Tokyo Skytree
Skytree also has a role of being the disaster prevention center in the region. There are four water thermal energy storage tanks that store about 7,000 tons of water located about 20 m below the site of Skytree. This water is normally used for air-conditioning facilities, including Skytree’s own, but at times of major disaster, the water will be provided to the region for daily living and fire-extinguishing. A total of 7,000 tons of water equals the amount of water used by about 230,000 people in one day.
Cutting-edge technology is the foundation for safety for Tokyo Skytree, which is located in Tokyo where natural disasters like earthquakes and torrential rain are frequent. The most important piece of technology is the Shinbashira-seishin (Center Column Vibration Control), which is the world’s first vibration suppressing system. “Shinbashira” is a term originally used to refer to the central pillar in five-story pagodas found in traditional Japanese architecture. The shinbashira, which is a 375-m concrete pillar that runs right through the center of Tokyo Skytree, is connected to the main body of Skytree by an expanding and contracting oil damper. As the timing of the swaying of the main body and shinbashira caused by earthquakes and wind would not coincide with each other, the mechanism is such that the swaying of both structures would cancel each other out. Also, the wall-shaped piles that have been driven 50 m into the ground at the foot of Skytree attach to knuckle walls, which are protuberances that ensure that the piles are securely anchored in the solid foundation. Such technology prevents Skytree from toppling, even if it is hit by an earthquake that
Aside from the water thermal energy storage tanks, there are about sixty rainwater holding tanks (total volume about 2,600 tons) in the basement. Water used for toilets and plants within the facility accounts for around 800 tons of the total, while the remaining 1,800 tons are used to store water, adjust water levels that flow in the surrounding areas and prevent flooding during a localized torrential downpour.
Tokyo’s Latest Spot: d47 MUSEUM (Shibuya)
The d47 MUSEUM located in the commercial complex Shibuya Hikarie in Shibuya, is an art museum that opened in April of this year. The museum is a place where the old and young, men and women can casually visit day after day as it is in a great location that connects directly to a station and is situated in a district that is a source of youth culture. The “d” in d47 MUSEUM stands for design, and “47” stands for Contemporary Japan
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the number of prefectures in Japan. Here, a theme is set for each exhibition, which introduces designs and crafts that are representative of the themed area. The unique features of each Japanese region, which have been shaped by their respective cultures over a long period of time, are surprisingly multi-faceted. The museum has a display of items that have been collected from each prefecture and are placed individually on forty-seven tables that measure 90 cm by 90 cm. While still in Tokyo, it is possible to witness a broad view of Japan’s diversity by visiting this art museum. The themes selected for exhibitions to date have been on travel, domestic craft beers and accessories. Themes that are being considered are varied, from the Good Design Award and supermarkets to outdoor sports. In addition to exhibitions, there is a plan to hold special exhibitions on a specific prefecture two or three times a year. The art museum also contains the d47 design travel store, where some of the displayed items can be purchased, and the d47 cafeteria, where set meals using seasonal ingredients from all over Japan are offered. It might be possible to find an interesting prefecture by learning, buying and eating food from the forty-seven prefectures in this area. The d47 MUSEUM is also a place that inspires visitors to go on a trip somewhere new.
Architectural Regeneration
Tokyo has developed through three ages in Japan’s long history: early modern times beginning with the Edo period (1603–1867), modern times beginning with the Meiji period (1868–1912), and contemporary times. This history is reflected in aspects of the city’s architecture, and in the case of some buildings, almost all at once.
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Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building
The Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building, which was built in 1914, is a resplendent, Victorian-style red-brick building with a regal air. It is said to be the greatest work of architect Kingo Tatsuno. The three-storey, 350-m-long station building is centered on the entrance in the middle, with its design extending symmetrically to the right and left and domed roofs on either end. The building, which has a symbolic presence in Japan’s modern architecture, has been designated as an important cultural asset. Tokyo Station was built extremely sturdily and thus did not sustain much damage in 1923 at the time of the Great Kanto Earthquake. During World War II, the uppermost third floor of the building was destroyed by fire due to major air raids over Tokyo in 1945, but there was no major damage to the basic structure of the building. Following the damage from the air raids, during reconstruction in the postwar period, Tokyo Station became a two-story building. The main purpose of the latest restoration project was to return the station building back to its original three-story edifice. While freely utilizing advanced cutting-edge technology, such as seismic base isolation, original specifications and construction methods were incorporated as often as possible in the restoration. The objective was to retain the original construction materials, such as the inner walls, bricks and cast stones, whenever they were deemed to be usable. One difficult part of the restoration was that there was not much of a blueprint to work from. Photographs and documentation of the original building were extremely limited. Moreover, there are few craftsmen who have learned the traditional construction methods. The labor and time required for manual work were massive. For example, the natural slate used for the second-floor rooftop was used for the thirdfloor roof, and a huge quantity of these slate tiles were individually checked to ensure their integrity. There are said to be just a few craftsmen in Japan who can perform this type of visual work. A traditional method unique to Japan was used to lay the ornamental bricks for the facade. The technique requires advanced skills entailing creating a rounded seam between the bricks using a special trowel. This type of work also requires many hours and can only be performed by an extremely small group of craftsmen. Contemporary Japan
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The bricks used were fired at different temperatures, and a mix of them was laid in each area in order for the ornamental bricks for the newly built third floor to harmonize with the existing bricks used for the first and second floors. Highly proficient workshops conducted tests and repeated a process of trial and error in order to create bricks with the same texture as that of the bricks that have survived for nearly 100 years. In addition to such traditional techniques and construction methods, the restoration has incorporated an abundance of cuttingedge technologies. To incorporate the seismic isolation structures, for example, in which 352 earth-resistant rubber and 158 oil dampers were inserted between the area above and below ground, temporary
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support construction was required that entailed driving piles into the ground to support the 70,000-ton weight of the enormous station building. Such efforts contributed to making the project one of the largest ever conducted in Japan. As for rebuilding the two domes, and although there was little in the way of blueprints or pictures of the interior to go on, the reliefs inside the domes that had been lost were nevertheless reconstructed after old documents were carefully scrutinized and upon repeated analyses and studies. The Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building resembles stately Western architecture when viewed from the outside, but Japanese designs, such as the zodiac signs
and eagles, have been used for the reliefs in the interior of the domes. One of the major appeals of Tokyo Station is that the spirit of Japan exists through such ornamentation in a Western-style building. Tokyo Station Hotel was renovated and reopened on Oct 3 along with completion of the restoration of Tokyo Station. The Hotel is based on the concept of the classic European style, and has bolstered its presence as a luxury hotel within an important cultural asset.
Nihonbashi: Where
Edo and Tokyo Intersect
The history of Nihonbashi begins in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu founded the government in Edo (former name for Tokyo). The Nihonbashi bridge was constructed that
year and in 1604 became the starting point for Gokaido, the five major roads that started in Edo. Soon, various types of items started arriving to the areas around Nihonbashi not just by land, but via waterways, and the area evolved into the center of commerce lined with streets of various types of stores. Also, a fish market was created at the foot of Nihonbashi and turned into a busy area bustling with people buying and selling fish. As a result, the Nihonbashi area is still home to numerous stores that were established during the Edo period. These include Mitsukoshi, which was established in 1683 (it was initially established as a kimono store and is now a department store), Ninben (1699, known for its dried shaved bonito), Senbikiya (1834, fruit shop) and Yamamotoyama (1849, seaweed specialty
store). Incidentally, the first Nihonbashi was a wooden bridge, and burned down a number of times due to fire. The current stone bridge, which was built in 1911, was designated as an important cultural asset in 1999. When you walk around the Nihonbashi area, you can see some historical buildings that were constructed during the Meiji period (1868–1912) and early Showa period (19261989). Among them is the main building of the Bank of Japan that was completed in 1896. Like Tokyo Station, this three-story stone building was designed by Kingo Tatsuno. The building retains virtually the same appearance as when it was built as it suffered very little damage from the Great Kanto Earthquake or in World War II. It was
designated as an important cultural asset in 1974. The seven-storey Mitsui Building, which stands next to the Bank of Japan, was completed in 1929 and is also an important cultural asset. The building was designed by Trowbridge & Livingston, one of the three major architectural firms in New York of the time. On the seventh floor of the Mitsui Main Building is the Mitsui Memorial Museum where traditional Japanese arts and crafts, including national treasures, are on display. The entrance to the museum is an atrium (an open area with glass ceilings) that serves as the first floor of the Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower (39 storeys) that was built in 2005. Here one can witness the intersection of early modern architecture and that of today. Contemporary Japan
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Cool, Calm and Kichijoji
In the section of a popular Tokyo magazine’s annual reader survey asking where Tokyoites would most like to live, Kichijoji regularly takes the top spot. The area is popular with people living outside Tokyo and with visitors from overseas as well. It is only a couple of train stops from the bright lights and brash streets of Shinjuku, but Kichijoji is a world away from most of the rest of Tokyo. The area immediately around the station - which is undergoing an extensive makeover - has a maze of narrow back streets with one-off shops and restaurants, while the European-style pavement cafe concept has long since taken hold. On paved terraces or decks, visitors can soak up the energy of a district that is arty, youthful and just a little bit rebellious. Framed pictures rest on easels outside an art gallery; a huge red daruma doll occupies pride of place in the window of a secondhand shop; the scent of German sausages sizzling on an outdoor grill wafts along the narrow street. A used-clothing store is doing a brisk trade alongside a shoe boutique, a hip hairdressers and a cafe-bar serving crepes. The “live house” bar and club a little further along the street will come into its
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own later in the evening. Kichijoji can get crowded at the weekends, but the nearby Inokashira Park provides a green oasis in the heart of the city. There are spots in the middle of the park, amid the cherry trees, cypresses, red pines and azaleas, where the buildings of the surrounding city cannot be seen. For residents of this metropolis, the sensation is refreshing. The long, narrow expanse of Inokashira Pond, the source of the Kanda-gawa river, is at the heart of the park and visitors can take out pedal-boats shaped like outsized swans or rowing boats onto the water. Looking for a meal, multicolored koi carp approach the boats with their large mouths agape while ducks preen and turtles sunbathe on the banks of the lake. The park also has a small temple, dedicated to Benzaiten, and a petting zoo and aquarium. In the far southwest of the park is a museum dedicated to the works of Studio Ghibli, famed for such classic animated movie titles as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Porco Rosso. A juggler in a bright red hat is performing in front of a crowd of appreciative children as another twists balloons into animal shapes. In the distance, a man on a keyboard is performing covers of Beatles tunes. Amid
the children on swings and slides, makeshift stalls are selling everything from handmade jewelry, screen-printed T-shirts and glass pendants to clothing for dogs. An artist draws caricatures of a couple while alongside her, another delicately marks a henna tattoo on the back of a young woman’s hand.
A Walk through Tokyo’s Great Outdoors
Tokyo is not just a concrete jungle. Take a bit of a jaunt and one can experience the great outdoors, stunning scenery blessed with water and greenery. Tokyo is also home to world natural heritage sites where treasured natural environments still remain.
Okutama
“This place really does not seem like Tokyo! I also visited here last week, and since it was such a great place, I brought three of my friends here today.” A woman in her sixties in hiking shoes and a backpack speaks cheerfully in front of the Nejire no taki waterfall that surges downstream. These four people got on a two-hour train ride on the JR Ome line from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, got off at the end of the line at
Okutama Station, and instead of getting in a car, walked on a trail for two and a half hours along the river to the waterfall. There are two waterfalls close to Nejire no taki: Mitsugama no taki, a three-tiered waterfall with an 18-meter drop, and Otaki with a 23-meter drop. The Unazawa Santaki trail has been set up to lead to these waterfalls. Very close to this trail is a mountain stream, with beautiful mossy rocks. Here, people enjoy an activity called canyoning, which involves traveling in canyons using techniques such as climbing, scrambling and sliding. Starting from JR Okutama Station, which is a base for the Okutama area, there is the Unazawa Santaki trail, but also a number of mountain climbing and hiking spots that cater to people of all ages along the Tamagawa river and its tributaries. For example, there is the Okutama Mukashimichi hiking trail that stretches around 9 km from JR Okutama Station. The Okutama Mukashimichi trail was originally created during the Edo period (1603–1867), and thus, there are shrines and Jizo statues that still stand, revealing the faith of the Edo period. One can get a sweeping view of the flowing Tamagawa from the trail, but especially impressive is the view
of the Tamagawa gorge from a suspension bridge called Shidaraku-bashi. Simply walking on it will make this bridge sway, so one can also enjoy quite a thrill here. The Aometachi Fudoson Yasumidokoro, which is located just before the end of the Okutama Mukashimichi trail, is a rest stop that is also a renovated private residence built over 100 years ago. One can enjoy handmade soba noodles and rice cakes here, and have one’s fill of the gorgeous views of the expansive Okutamako below. “Not only the Japanese, but also tourists from Asia, Europe and the Americas take walks on these ancient paths. The other day, there was a woman who was here alone from Hong Kong and said she found the place on the Internet,” says a male employee at Aometachi Fudoson Yasumidokoro. “There are a lot of people who say Okutama is a great place to commune quietly with nature. But Okutama does bustle with people in the fall because the foliage is beautiful then.” A sweeping view of Okutamako is visible from Aometachi Fudoson Yasumidokoro. The mountains are imbued with red foliage in the fall.
Ogasawara Islands
The Ogasawara Islands, which consist of around thirty small and large islands in the
Pacific Ocean, are said to be the farthest islands in Japan because of a decision not to build an airport from the standpoint of conserving the natural environment. The only way to get there is to take a 25hour journey by boat from Tokyo, but the Ogasawara Islands are definitely worth taking the time to visit. The value of the Ogasawara Islands is in its nature. The islands have been recognized internationally and were registered as a World Natural Heritage site in June 2011. One characteristic found in the natural environment of the Ogasawara Islands is the presence of numerous indigenous species. The Ogasawara Islands, since they were made, were never connected to a continent or another piece of land, so the life forms that have established themselves on the islands are descendants of those that travelled to the islands on birds, via the wind, ocean currents and driftwood. As a result, indigenous species that have paved their own evolutionary path now inhabit the islands, which is why they are also called the Galapagos of the East. It is also possible to see whales, birds and turtles that are close to extinction at the Ogasawara Islands. Various types of eco tours are held in the Ogasawara Islands, such as night tours during which one can see the Mycena Contemporary Japan
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chlorophos, a type of mushroom that glows green in the dark in forests, or the Bonin fruit bat, which is indigenous to the islands and is designated as a natural treasure. Also, one can go whale watching to see humpback or sperm whales, or go swimming with wild dolphins. Of course, one can also enjoy fishing, scuba diving and marine sports like sea kayaking. The temperatures are mild on the islands, with the average temperature at 23°C, so it is possible to swim outdoors all year round. The best season for swimming is from May through November. There is one ship that sails to the Ogasawara Islands (Chichijima) every week or so. The only inhabited islands in the chain are Chichijima (around 2,000 residents) and Hahajima (around 500). Camping outdoors is prohibited, so it is necessary to make reservations for overnight accommodations.
A City of Slopes
In the section of a popular Tokyo magazine’s annual reader survey asking where Tokyoites would most like to live, Kichijoji regularly takes the top spot. The area is popular with people living outside Tokyo and with visitors from overseas as well. Nogizaka, Miyakezaka, Dangozaka…. There are said to be over 700 named slopes in central Tokyo, with many of them having been named during the Edo Period (1603–1867). Venerable slopes are accompanied by signs that provide an explanation of the origin of their names. There are a lot of slopes named Fujimizaka because Mount Fuji was viewable from the sites. There are around twenty Fujimizaka slopes in central Tokyo alone (out of these, there are two slopes from which Mount Fuji can still be seen today; Mount Fuji is around 100 kilometers from Tokyo). One of the famous slopes in central Tokyo is Kagurazaka. Kagurazaka is also the name of the area. There are various views on the origin of the name: some say it is because sacred Shinto music and dancing (kagura) were performed on this slope, while others say that the sounds of kagura were heard on this slope. Zenkoku-ji temple, which is located on Kagurazaka, has been attracting worshippers since the end of the Edo period, and ever since, the area around Kagurazaka has developed into a busy shopping area. Even today, there are traditional restaurants around Kagurazaka on elegant cobblestoned alleyways where one can enjoy geisha performances while dining. There are several slopes in the Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi areas (in Bunkyo Ward and Taito Ward) that have become popular recently
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and are reminiscent of the Edo period and the Meiji period (1869–1912). Of these, the slope (steps) Yuyake dandan (yuyake means sunset) is known to be a place where, literally, a beautiful sunset can be viewed. The shopping street Yanaka Ginza is at the
foot of Yuyake dandan. It is a traditional shopping strip that frequently appears on TV and in magazines, and is lined with stores like confectionary stores, fishmongers and butchers. This is a great place to learn about the life of the masses in Japan.
Japanese Wedding Traditions The Japanese wedding traditions are a unique blend of what is rooted in their culture and how their beliefs come together to bind a union. In this section we discuss the traditions that the Japanese practice when tying the knot...
T
he Japanese when following their traditional arrangement of putting a wedding together, perform sacred rituals and proceedings that is both an ancient practice and one that is very much revered till date. A lot of Japanese people want to get married through this method, where many old folk parents and grandparents will insist on doing it the traditional way. A rich heritage backing proves to be quite the foundation to such a mesh of cultural solidness, where no other culture has the Japanese›s subdued traditions and welcoming facade. The wedding is traditionally held in a shrine, known as the Shinto style ceremony. The engagement when done, is called the yunio, where the gifts exchanged symbolize different ideas like ‹growth›, ‹child-bearing woman›, ‹wealth› and ‹good will›. Gifts of the sort include konbu, linen thread, dried cuttlefish and so on.
Japanese Wedding Customs and Traditions What we›re used to when it comes to the old-fashioned Christian white wedding dress and dark suit, dims in contrast to what a Japanese wedding unfolds being a completely different and symbolic affair. You›d think it was some kind of elaborate initiation
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than a wedding taking place with the various outfit changes as part of the Japanese traditional clothing that the bride and groom are seen in during the entire course of the ceremony. Let›s now take a look at what is customary as part of the Japanese wedding style proceedings.
The Wedding Ceremony The Japanese traditional clothing finds the bride dressed up in a white silk kimono known as the shiromuku. Hair is also done in what is called bunkintakashimada, where tortoise-shell combs, ornaments and other intricate pieces are added to her hairdo in the quintessential Japanese bride hairdo. A white cloth and veil covers her head and face where she is given a white-faced look, with makeup applied to give her face that effect. The bride unlike others in varied traditions, changes her bridal wear repeatedly, wearing traditional garments that are intricately detailed with symbolic representations of flowers and cranes in one of many kimonos. Another special outfit that is worn by the bride, is the uchikike gown, which is worn over a kimono and adorned with fine embroidery work, and ornaments. The groom is seen in an all black kimono (that can also be in brown/ gray), with a hakama draped over it with a slit running down the
center, to divide it like pants. His family crest is placed strategically in five parts of the outfit, known as the montsuki.
The Reception Celebration The reception which follows is called kekkon hiroen where the dress etiquette is not dictated to the guests, although a mix of western wear, and kimonos are spotted. The reception then flows into the next part called the harai gushi where the priest blesses the union of the couple using a sacred branch to perform this. The popular ritual then follows called san-san-kudo, which is where the couple and the families drink the sake from three different cups depending on how the particular ritual is practiced by the families. The couple first drinks the sake, after which the groom reads out the words of commitment, or vows, followed by the priest who reads the wedding contract. Sake which is a rice drink, with a small percentage of alcohol, is served first to the bride and groom, with their respective families, followed by the guests. Starting from the smallest cup to the largest of the three, the bride and groom take three sips from each of these, where the families mimic the same act. This then binds the two families together for as long as the couple is united.
Giving of Gifts Guests are told sometimes through the invitation itself, on how much to present the bride and groom in terms of money. It is known as oshugi or cash gift. It is sealed in an intricately colorful and decorated envelope called the shugi-bukuro with the guest›s name scrawled on it, which is given to the couple during the reception. The amounts when not specified then depend on the guests on how much to give.
Folding of the Cranes It is customary for the bride and her side of the family, to fold 1001 golden origami cranes, which is seen on display as a mark of good fortune, fidelity and good luck for her marriage, before she is sent off to her new family.
Toast Cry It is a traditional part of the reception for a relative to make a toast, while then screaming out loud the word bonzai three times, while guests follow in a repetitive fashion after he/she has said the cheer.
Japanese Wedding Favors The giveaways for the parting guests usually consist of Japaneseesque items like sake cups, chopsticks and folding fans. These gifts along with other kinds that speak of the Japanese culture are what are traditionally offered. Sometimes guests can actually select what they want as a wedding souvenir (hikidemono) from catalogs provided in present day Japanese style weddings. The Japanese wedding tradition is really an experience one ought to witness, being an elaborate affair of something that isn›t what we›re accustomed to. This one-of-a-kind wedding proceeding gives us an idea on just how extraordinary cultures can be in their own way when two people make a commitment to get married. By Naomi Sarah
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Shikki (lacquerware) Masterpiece of Japanese Traditional Art
“What is Japan’s representative traditional art and craft?” To this question, many Japanese would answer, “Shikki (lacquerware).” Lacquerware is wooden containers and utensils made by applying many coatings of resin, harvested from trees such as poison oaks or black trees. The items are then decorated using various techniques. Lacquerware has a subdued luster and is smooth to the touch. It exudes a sense of warmth only wood can give, and the colors are deep and fascinating. Lacquerware has thousands of years of history, with the first pieces reaching Europe around the 16th century. By the 18th century, Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, had a large collection of lacquerware. The beauty of lacquerware, in which Japan takes pride, continues to charm people around the world. While porcelain is called “china”, lacquerware is truly “japan”.
Art objects from 5,500 years ago The Japanese have been making lacquerware since the Jomon period some 12,000-2,500 years ago. And despite their great antiquity,
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the brightness of colors of lacquerware from the Jomon period is stunning even today. At the Sannai Maruyama Site in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, on the northern tip of Honshu, Japan’s largest and most heavily populated island, pieces of lacquered wooden plates have been unearthed that are estimated to be 5,500 years old. Remarkably, these pieces still retain a bright vermilion coating. And when the fragments are put back together, the restored pieces show the amazingly high technological level of the times, rivaling even that of today. In fact, contemporary Japanese lacquerware is made using technology and techniques passed down from ancient time - solid black or vermilion lacquerware, pieces with exquisitely rendered decoration, etc. Techniques used today to produce the most gorgeous Japanese lacquerware have evolved over centuries of craftsmanship.
The most well-known technique is makie (gold or silver-sprinkled lacquerware), which is made by using a brush to draw designs with lacquer resin, then sprinkling gold or silver powder on the wet design and polishing it over and over. There is also chinkin (lacquer with gold inlay), made by carving designs on a lacquered surface and then rubbing gold or silver leaf into the fine lines. Raden (mother-of-pearl) lacquerware is made using thinly shaved leaves from glittering seashells, such as abalone, set on a lacquered surface. All of these techniques originated from the delicacy and precision of the Japanese people. Lacquer art objects have been admired abroad since the 16th century as they display these attributes and sensibilities of the Japanese people.
Fascinating beauty
Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture, on the Noto Peninsula which juts out into the Sea
of Japan from the west coast of Honshu, is where Wajima-nuri, or Wajima lacquerware, is produced. Wajima lacquerware has a history of some 500 years, and is known both for its elegance and sturdiness. The pieces are coated with lacquer and polished, and as these processes are repeated over and over, it takes more than 100 steps to make Wajima lacquerware. Wajima lacquerware, which uses a lot of gold on a black, lacquered surface, is visually stunning and magnificent. Many pieces are viewed as true art objects, though conceived of as items for practical use. For many centuries, the Japanese have been using beautifully designed, exquisitely made lacquerware in their daily lives. A good example is Kawatsura shikki (Kawatsura lacquerware), produced in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast in the Tohoku (northeastern) region. Kawatsura
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lacquerware, with 800 years of history, does not have eye-catching decorations. But it is so sturdy and practical that it is said, “Once you buy it, it will last through your grandchildren’s generation.” Lacquerware can be re-coated and used for decades. It is made of natural materials and so free of man-made chemicals, reflecting the history of the Japanese people, who have always lived with a reverence toward nature and in harmonious coexistence. To pass on to children an appreciation of these attributes of this local lacquerware, some elementary schools use Kawatsura lacquerware for school lunches. Ryukyu shikki (Ryukyu lacquerware), produced in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan’s southwesternmost island group, is bright vermilion in color as it is exposed to abundant ultraviolet rays. The unique designs also show the influence of many centuries of trade between Okinawa and
other regions of East Asia. While most Japanese lacquerware features drawings of plants, Ryukyu shikki features flying dragons and other exotic designs. Tsuikin technique, which is said to have originated in Ryukyu (an ancient name for Okinawa) in the 18th century, features dynamic expressions due to its three-dimensional relief.
Rings and nail tips
While Japanese lacquerware has a long history, many objects have been developed in recent years to be enjoyed as homeinterior decorations or as fashion items, attracting the attention of young women in particular. This is an expression of another Japanese national characteristic — that of making improvements again and again on existing items. An example is Hidehira-nuri (Hidehira lacquerware), made in Hiraizumi Town in Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region,
where the Chuson-ji Buddhist Temple and other historical buildings and gardens were designated in June 2011 as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. It has introduced new concepts, such as wooden shot glasses and brandy glasses for toasting. The unique, cone-shaped shot glasses are modeled after party crackers. Their shape and colors render them suitable also as interior decoration items. Toasting with these glasses makes a sip of anything even more delectable. Kagawa shikki (Kagawa lacquerware), produced in Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku, the fourth largest island in the Japanese archipelago, now includes sets of a tea cup, a rice or soup bowl, a large bowl and a plate, which, when put together, look like rose blossoms. This beautiful serving ware also adds rich color to your table. The application of lacquer, utilizing Japanese traditional colors and design sense, also is being used now “to do” women’s fingernails - with stunning effect. Rings and pierce-type earrings in eye-catching colors, made by applying many layers of lacquer, have become popular fashion accessories as well. The deep, subdued colors unique to lacquer are very popular among women. Lacquer, with its deep roots in the lives of the Japanese people, truly captures Japan’s traditional notions of beauty, backed by thousands of years of history. Yet while preserving the tradition, the Japanese have introduced many new ways of enjoying lacquerware. They are art objects created by the Japanese and admired around the world.
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Japan – The Strange Country
Recently we came across this excellent video titled Japan – The Strange Country. Kenichi Tanaka, a 23-year old graphic designer from Nagoya, created this motion piece as his final thesis project. The 11-minute tragicomic animation features some interesting facts and stats about Japan while pointing out certain social problems that the creator thinks need to have attention drawn to them. Tanaka says he created this video from a foreigner’s viewpoint, rather than Japanese point of view.
18 things you will only see in Japan!
There are things you can find only in Japan.
For best invisibility, some airplanes fly in Pokemon camouflage.
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Sparkling clean floors in trains provide excellent sleeping places for overworked salarymen.
But if they misbehave, they must bow down to the floor.
The top guys always get the best toys.
What is most fascinating here is the fact that the guy in the middle isn’t using a cell phone.
If having a priest marry you seems too old school, let a robot do it.
You can have a lunch at an upside down restaurant like this one.
Godzilla apparently isn’t the only one terrorizing Japan.
Well, nothing too unusual here.
There is always somebody who stands out.Japan Contemporary
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We’ll not even try to guess what is going on here.
Japan is famous for its sleek bullet trains.
Unexplained mysteries happen in TV shows.
Not to be confused with arcade machines.
For cost-effective, compact accommodation, try a capsule hotel.
In Japan, there is a spa where you can swim in wine. Literally.
Like members of various Japanese tribes.
Yes, even the exhaust pipes are kawaii.
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Miss Japan crowned
Miss International 2012
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he Miss International event, one of the three major beauty pageants along with the Miss Universe and the Miss World competitions, was held in Japan for the first time in five years to mark the 40th anniversary of Okinawa›s reversion to Japan. Miss Japan took the crown in the Miss International Beauty Pageant 2012 held this year in Okinawa. 25 year old Ikumi Yoshimatsu bested 59 other candidates in one of the most prestigious international beauty competitions in the world. Ikumi Yoshimatsu, 25, defeated participants from 68 countries and regions at the 52nd Miss International 2012 in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on Oct 21. Created in 1960 in Long Beach, California, the Miss International competition aims to promote world peace and understanding, especially among the participating nations. Hosting switched from Long Beach to Japan and back to Long Beach, but the
beauty pageant has been annually held in Japan since 1971. Contestants are called “Ambassadors of Peace and Beauty” and are expected to possess qualities such as tenderness, benevolence, friendship, beauty, intelligence, and a great international sensibility. This year’s six hour broadcast was shown live on the Internet streaming service Ustream, with as much as 200,000 viewers tuning in from all around the world. Viivi Suominen from Finland came in as first runner-up, followed by Madusa Mayadunne from Sri Lanka in the second runner-up position. The Dominican Republic’s Melody Mir and Paraguay’s Nicole Huber took the third and fourth runner-up positions, respectively, rounding up Japan’s court. Other countries included in the top 15 were Columbia, Brazil, Japan, Sri Lanka, Finland, Namibia, Venezuela, United Kingdom, USA and the Dominican Republic.
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Yukata
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Candidates for “Miss Yukata� 2012 in colorful yukata at Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture.
Traditional Garment for Summer
Yukata is a traditional Japanese summer garment that makes women look particularly beautiful. It is a type of traditional kimono, but more casual than conventional kimono. Yukata is popular among young women for dressing up to go out to special summer events such as firework displays or bon-odori dance festivals. In recent years, yukata with modern, colorful, bold patterns has appeared, and many women enjoy coordinating yukata with obi (sash) and geta (wooden clogs), etc.
Comfortable Wear in Summer
Yukata is usually made of cotton fabric, which lets air through. And whereas an ordinary set of kimono requires juban, or kimono underwear, yukata can be worn without juban and tabi (Japanese socks) as well, which makes it a very comfortable garment for summer. Yukata dates back more than 1,000 years, when noble persons wore it to and from taking a bath. The custom of wearing yukata spread to ordinary people in the 17th to 19th centuries, and has been handed down to us. There also is yukata for men, but today it is mostly women who choose to wear it. Traditional yukata usually has patterns of
flowers or grasses against a white or indigo blue background. White yukata used to be worn indoors during the day to appear crisp and cool, while indigo blue yukata was worn for going out in the evenings because the scent of indigo, used to dye the fabric, repelled insects. Yukata is something the Japanese have invested a great deal of ingenuity in developing it as an ideal summer garment. But in addition to its comfort, yukata is loved in Japan as a garment which draws out the charm of a woman to the greatest extent. Like kimono, yukata comes loose at the top or at the bottom if the wearer gestures extravagantly or walks with long strides. In order to appear elegant in yukata, you must pull yourself up straight, walk in small steps and refrain from making large gestures. Therefore, wearing yukata always makes you behave in a refined manner.
Colorful Designs of Yukata
In addition to traditional patterns, new types of yukata with colorful designs have appeared in recent years. Nowadays there are contrasting color patterns: yukata which is mostly black or red, and yukata that uses bold, primary colors such as blue or pink in the
pattern. Patterns are often traditional motifs of flowers or grasses, but with bold, vivid mixtures of colors to emphasize the contrast between the shade of the fabric and color of the pattern. Novel geometric designs are also increasingly used for the pattern. One of the pleasures of wearing yukata is choosing the obi (sash) to go with it. If yukata is a cold color, you can choose an obi of warm color to make it stand out, or an obi in the same color family to be chic. Young women also like to experiment with obi. On top of the traditional obi, some women now wear another obi of light, transparent material – and arrange the two obi as flowers or wings in the back. Yukata is worn with geta, or traditional Japanese wooden clogs, as it is important to dress your feet elegantly as well. Geta look like beach sandals with hanao (thongs) to slide the feet into. There are women and girls who stick accessories on hanao as accents, or wear pokkuri (geta with thick, rounded soles, originally worn by children) to show their individuality or to appear kawaii (cute). The beauty of yukata is that you can wear it in Contemporary Japan
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Hair ornament consisting of large and small flowers and a bow.
many ways and enjoy your ideas. You can put an obidome (an ornament worn at the front of an obi) which looks like a Western brooch, or arrange your hair elaborately and pin big flowers or a kanzashi (hair ornament) to it as a final flourish.
Every summer, young women throng to yukata corners of department stores or
If you want to dye your own yukata, you can do so by learning how to dye a yukata. One of such classes is the yuzen process of pasteresist dyeing from artisans at Kyo-yuzen ateliers in Kyoto. After you dye your own
A yuzen atelier in Kyoto welcomes an increasing number of people who come to create their own yukata using an authentic dyeing process.
Putting on an unobtrusive obidome, an obi accessory, gives an accent to the outfit.
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specialty shops to buy a new yukata to wear that season. Some women begin to shop in May for fabric to be made into a yukata. Such women are on the increase.
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Kanzashi, a traditional Japanese hair ornament, used in a hairstyle done up to look gorgeous.
fabric, they will tailor-make it into a yukata for you. It takes three days and many processes to dye each pattern color separately and to dye the background color. It really feels special to wear your own beautifully made kimono. Yukata is traditional Japanese summer wear, forming an unbroken tradition among women while incorporating new designs. The sight of women casually, but elegantly, dressed up in yukata is a custom which adds much color to the summer in Japan.
Coordinating pokkuri, wooden clogs with thick, rounded soles, with yukata is fun.
TOP 10 JAPANESE EXPORTERS Manufacturing and exports have long been the lifeblood of the Japanese economy. Here’s a look at the ten biggest Japanese exporters. 10. Mitsui & Co. Mitsui & Co. is one of Japan’s sogo shosha, or general trading companies. These companies tend to be involved in all sorts of business activities, from sales and services, to heavy manufacturing. Mitsui & Co. isn’t the biggest of the sogo shosha overall, but it is one of those more heavily involved in manufacturing and exports. They’re best known overseas for their involvement in the export of steel products and materials.
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9. Mitsubishi
8. Fujitsu
Mitsubishi has perhaps the greatest overseas name recognition of the sogo shosha, largely thanks to its efforts in the auto and electronics industries. If you’ve ever been to Japan you’ve probably got some idea as to just how many things Mitsubishi has its hands in, from cars and trucks, to gas stations and stationery. Although it’s gradually wound down its auto sales business overseas, Mitsubishi remains a big exporter, most notably in the areas chemicals and heavy machinery.
Though now focused largely on IT services and consulting, Fujitsu is still a major manufacturer of products in a few different areas. Fujitsu’s PC sales business has declined over the years, but their notebook sales remain strong, and they continue to produce things like servers, storage systems, monitors, and computer parts and accessories.
7. Toshiba
6. Sony:
Toshiba is one of Japan’s largest and most historic companies, with roots in the late 19th century. Today the company is a major player in several different sectors. Best known among consumers for its TVs and laptops, Toshiba is also an exporter of semiconductors, printer parts, and power generation technology.
One of the world’s largest entertainment conglomerates, Sony remains one of Japan’s biggest exporters of products and parts, primarily of electronics. Sony still does about half of its production in Japan, most of which is then exported overseas. Among the Sony products entirely or partially made in Japan today are TVs, cameras, and PCs and computer parts such as semiconductors and batteries.
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4. Nissan
5. Panasonic:
The third largest Japanese car manufacturer, Nissan has possibly the most tumultuous history. The company looked to be on its way to extinction by the 1990s and was forced to enter into a partnership with Renault in 1999. Its subsequent turnaround under CEO Carlos Ghosn is the stuff of legends. These days Nissan is doing pretty well, although sales of its Infiniti luxury line continues to lag behind those of Lexus and Acura. Nissan also produces marine equipment in partnership with Tohatsu.:
Although second to Sony in terms of worldwide brand name recognition, Panasonic is actually Japan’s largest electronics company thanks to its success as a manufacturer and exporter of electric components (which is where Panasonic, then using the National brand name, got its start) and semiconductors. In addition to its eponymous television, power tool, camera, telephone and appliance manufacturing operations, Panasonic also owns the Sanyo and Technics brands.
2. Honda
3. Hitachi
Honda is the world’s sixth largest auto manufacturer, and number two out of Japan. Like the other Japanese car makers, Honda now produces many of its products either partially or entirely in other countries, but its largest individual facilities are still located in Japan. In addition to some of its cars, the bulk of Honda’s motorcycle and ATV manufacturing business has remained in Japan.
Hitachi is perhaps best known to consumers as a relatively minor player in home electronics, so it’s probably a surprise to see it so high on the list. Consumer electronics are only a small part of Hitachi’s overall operations, though. In addition to components for electronics, Hitachi also exports medical equipment, power systems, heavy machinery, auto parts, rail products and vehicles, elevators and escalators, ATMs, data storage devices, batteries, appliances, power tools, and more.
1. Toyota The world’s #1 automaker is also Japan’s leading exporter in terms of sales. Although Toyota has gradually shifted some of its auto manufacturing operations overseas, many of its parts and finished vehicles continue to be produced in Japan for export, including the entire Lexus line. With a massive lead over everybody else, Toyota looks set to remain Japan’s number one exporter for the foreseeable future.
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High-Tech Nursing Care For Elderly-Friendly Society High-tech bed “Rakusho Series KQ-9652” developed by Paramount Bed Co. The bed incorporates a motion control system based on human engineering.
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apan has become the world’s most aged society, with senior citizens aged 65 and over constituting about 23 percent of the entire population. One prediction holds that two in every five people will be senior citizens in 2050. Meanwhile, Japan has a public nursing care system which everyone aged 40 and older is supposed to join. The scheme provides a variety of services to elderly people recognized as needing nursing care. These include support for shopping and other livelihood matters and for going to bed, changing sleeping positions and rising in bed, as well as for using nursing care facilities, all available at 10 percent of costs. High technology is being employed in nursing care in Japan, in such products as automatically rising/reclining beds (based on human engineering) and nursing care robots, to help care receivers live more comfortably. These technologies, which also help reduce caregivers’ physical burden, are expected to be an important part of Japan’s nursing care system in the near future. The ageing of society is not confined to Japan; it is a challenge common throughout advanced countries of the world. Japan’s high technologies can be instrumental in shaping a new kind of aged society in the future.
Automatically Controlled Bed
Some people are forced to stay in bed due to old age or illness. It is not uncommon that people stay in bed around the clock, including mealtimes. Bedridden people often suffer from bedsores or worse health conditions unless they constantly change their position in bed. However, getting a person to sit up in bed requires some physical strength on the part of a caregiver. A Japanese bed-manufacturing company has developed a hightech bed with a motion control system aimed at solving just that problem. The company analyzed 6,500 combinations of bed movements to find the least painful body positioning in bed based on human engineering. It came up with an ideal bed movement pattern that causes the least uncomfortable body positioning and minimizes the feeling of oppression. The high-tech bed has these factors programmed into a built-in computer. When a person lying in bed pushes the buttons on an LCD remote controller, the bed moves to help the person sit up, automatically balancing the upper and lower parts of the body.
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The bed helps the user sit up by balancing movements of the upper and lower parts of the body so that pressure on the chest and belly can be reduced.
The bed can significantly reduce the pain in the chest and belly inflicted by conventional automatic beds designed to lift the upper half of the body alone. The high-tech bed is capable of lifting the upper body to any angle between 0 and 75 degrees, and the knee portion between 0 and 35 degrees, allowing the user to choose any angle felt most comfortable. The bed not only makes it more comfortable for a person lying in bed to rise, but also significantly reduces the burden of a caregiver.
Robots for Walking and Moving Assistance
Moves are afoot to use high technologies more actively in a wider area of nursing care. Japan is developing robots for nursing care, and self-moving support designed to help elderly people walk or move on their own. One such product is a robot system for walking support, dubbed “Robot Suit HAL” for Well-being developed by Prof Yoshiyuki Sankai of the University of Tsukuba. HAL stands for Hybrid Assistive Limb. The “robot suit” comes with a pair of limb frames made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The limb frames cover the outside of a person’s limbs, from the waist to both feet. As a person attempts to move, the brain sends bioelectric signals to the relevant parts of the body. The robot suit detects these biosignals with sensors and activates power units attached to the various joints of the suit, helping the user make leg movements. In short, it substitutes for a person’s impaired legs or weakened leg muscles, helping the user conquer walking difficulties.
“RIBA” is a nursing care assistance robot developed to move a person from the bed to other places. The newest RIBA II is basically humanoid in appearance, 137 cm tall and 82 cm across, but with the face of an adorable bear. The robot uses its two arms to lift a person from the bed or a wheelchair, and can move and set him or her down wherever necessary. The robot has been developed by putting together the newest control, sensor, information processing and structural design technologies. It can lift a person weighing up to 80 kg. One of the toughest duties required of caregivers is to lift a person lying in bed and set him or her in a wheelchair. With the robot taking care of that muscle work, caregivers are freed from the tough work.
Left: “Robot Suit HAL” for Well-being assists the user in walking. Developed by Prof. Yoshiyuki Sankai of the University of Tsukuba. Right: The robot helps a person wearing it walk by detecting bioelectric signals sent from the brain to relevant parts of the body and activating power units attached to the robot’s joints.
Seal Robot for Mental Care
Not only nursing care assistance and selfsupport but also mental care is important for elderly people. Communication robots are being developed for mental care. PARO, a seal-shaped robot developed in Japan, is also called a “mental commitment robot” or a therapeutic seal robot, giving joy and comfort to people who play with it. PARO, modeled after a baby harp seal, measures 57 cm and weighs 2.7 kg. As a person picks it up, caresses it or speaks to it, the robot seal responds as if it were alive, blinking, moving limbs and tilting its head. It even remembers its new name, understands greetings and words of praise, and responds accordingly with a body movement or a trill. Elderly people, devoid of a conversation partner, can communicate with PARO, which appears to be just like a living animal. By caressing its body covered with artificial fur very pleasant to touch, they can release stress, relax and even get cheered up. PARO, developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), funded by the Japanese government, is currently serving the mental care needs of elderly people in about 30 countries including European nations and the US. Japan’s high technologies are being put to use one after another in varying areas of nursing care. They are developing a whole new industry in the country and, at the same time, contributing to building a society more accommodating to the needs of aged people.
Left: Robot for Interactive Body Assistance (RIBA), developed by RIKEN-TRI Collaboration Center for Human-Interactive Robot Research. It is a humanoid with the face of an adorable bear. Right: The robot uses two arms to lift up a person lying in bed or sitting on a wheelchair, moves and sets him or her down.
The robot moves limbs and tilts its head as it is caressed or Baby seal robot “PARO” developed by AIST. The body is spoken to. The robot, which looks as if it were a live animal, covered with artificial fur pleasant to touch. gives comfort to elderly people playing with it.
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Mount Fuji Timeless Symbol of Japan
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ount Fuji is a world-famous mountain symbolic of Japan. At 3,776 m high, its perfectly symmetrical shape can be seen from all around. Mount Fuji presents different faces in different seasons. In Japan, they describe the mountain as “Diamond Fuji” when backlit by the sun at dawn or dusk and as “Red Fuji” when lit by the early morning sun. Mount Fuji is an important part of Japanese culture. The mountain has been the subject of numerous works of art since the first ukiyoe woodblock prints that influenced overseas artists like Vincent van Gogh. It has also been part of Japan’s ancient faiths. Mount Fuji is in Yamanashi Prefecture, only 100 km from the center of Tokyo, and can be reached by express train in around 2 hours.
Sacred Beauty of Volcano Mount Fuji is what is called a composite volcano, meaning that it is formed from many layers of hardened lava that has spread to
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produce an extensive conical base. The last major eruption occurred around 10,000 years ago. The lava on Mount Fuji acts as a natural filter for snow and rain falling on the mountainside, producing Fuji mineral water. The village of Oshino in Yamanashi Prefecture, around 20 minutes by car from the city of Fujiyoshida, has eight springwater ponds called Oshino Hakkai. You can see grains of sand dancing in the ponds as springwater pours out after filtering through the Fuji rocks for over 20 years. The views over the ponds are breathtaking, with endlessly blue water, fresh green pondweeds, and golden trout swimming lazily. Fujigoko is a region of Fuji springwater lakes, including Lake Motosu, Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Yamanaka. The shores of the lakes are colored with seasonal flowers like moss pink, lavender and tulip. The image of Mount Fuji reflected in a lake surface is called “Upside-Down
even in the summer climbing season because temperatures at the mountaintop can fall to around 5°C in the afternoon. The Japanese used to believe that gods lived on Mount Fuji. In the 17th-19th centuries, Mount Fuji was thought to have mystical energy, and mountain worship, called Fuji-ko, was popular. The Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine was the start point for mountaintop pilgrimages. This shrine was built in 788 to calm the people’s fears of a volcanic eruption. The Yoshida Fire Festival is held at this shrine on Aug 26 every year to mark the end of the summer climbing season. The festival is one of Japan’s three most unique festivals and features over 70 large taimatsu torches 3 m in height that are set on fire and carried blazing along a 2-km route.
Yamanashi Food The city of Fujiyoshida is at an altitude of 700-900 m. The land here is not suited to rice cultivation, so the region has become famous for the surprisingly chewy Yoshida udon noodles that are made from ground wheat. There are around 60 noodle shops in Fujiyoshida. The city is also famous for hoto, a hearty stew made from the same wheat noodles roughly chopped up and mixed with pumpkin and other vegetables. The story goes that hoto was eaten on the battlefield by the 16th-century warlord Takeda Shingen who controlled this region. Yamanashi Prefecture is one of Japan’s fruitproducing regions, and fields of peaches and grapes ripen between summer and fall. The Koshu grape variety has been grown for over 1,300 years around Koshu city on the northern side of Mount Fuji.
Hot-Spring Stays and Souvenirs There is a collection of hot springs (onsen in Japanese) nestled around Mount Fuji, including Fujigoko Kaneyama Onsen and Fujikawaguchiko Onsen village. Visitors can soak in outdoor hot springs while admiring the view of Mount Fuji and dine on seasonal Japanese food, such as fresh ayu sweetfish.
Fuji” in Japan and can be found on the 1,000 yen note. Geological formations made by flowing lava are a feature of this region. Nature tours are popular to visit lava tubes nearly 400 meters long and see lava tree molds.
Mountain Climbing
Recommended as souvenirs of one’s trip is Koshu inden, a traditional handicraft made by technique used to make patterned objects from lacquered deerskin. The craftsmanship has a 400-year history. Koshu inden coin purses and other handy items are light and supple and come in a range of gorgeous colors. Shingen mochi rice cakes, named after Takeda Shingen, are another souvenir typical of Yamanashi. They are eaten covered in soybean flour and drizzled with kuro-mitsu dark brown sugar syrup - delicious!
Thus, you cannot help but feel the aura of Mount Fuji when traveling For those wanting to climb to the top, the most common route is in this region. Japan’s highest mountain is closely woven into the to take a bus up to a halfway point, called a fifth station, and start country’s legends and arts, and is endlessly fascinating to those who walking from there. The climb is not particularly hard if spread over see it. 2 days, with a rest of a few hours in mountain huts near the eighth station before starting off again before daybreak. Climbers can watch the starry sky on the ascent, including the Big Dipper, and can even see the famous Tokyo Skytree in the city center if the weather is clear. Nearly 300,000 people throng to Mount Fuji each year to make the climb. The climb is popular because it is an easy ascent that can be managed by inexperienced climbers. Winter clothing is essential Contemporary Japan
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Fans of Kyoto
Decorative, dancing and darts-like
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lose to the famous Kyoto geisha district of Gion can be found Ogiya Hangesho, a traditional fan maker and dealer. In this former geisha house now functioning as art gallery and repository of fan-related knowledge, owner Kimiko Nishino gave a glimpse of an earlier era. Folding fans were invented in Japan around the 800s, originally for the nobility to hide their faces. They were exported to China and later used by the European royalty, but their design evolved to western taste with the addition of feathers and other materials. Nisino tells some amazing stories about how their design and usage have changed over time.
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One kind of fan on display are dance fans, which portray the same design on both sides. These fans are used in buyo, the traditional Japanese dance which forms part of the geisha’s traditional repertoire, and which can be seen in daily performances at Gion Corner theater. Decorative fans have different designs on each side, such as spring on one side and autumn on the other. Apart from seasonal themes, images can represent tigers, festive subjects, or stories from the Tale of Genji, for example. Ogiya Hangesho can even produce designs of your own choosing, made of paper or fragrant kinoki (Japanese cypress). Visitors of all ages can
also join a fan-making workshop to learn some of the secrets of the trade. Upstairs to the tatami room of this traditional Japanese geisha house tosenkyo is played, a game played by people of all echelons during the Edo Period (16001868). The game - rather like darts with a fan, with points awarded based on where and how the fan lands -was the subject of intense betting until banned by the government. While non-Japanese speakers can appreciate the game’s visual beauty and joy, an intermediate speaker will be able to enjoy the experience on a much deeper level. For seekers of heirlooms, collectors of fine art, or enthusiasts of Japanese culture, Ogiya Hangesho will reward a visit. Contemporary Japan
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Tokyo Sky Tree The New Symbol
of Japan’s Capital City
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Tokyo Sky Tree The New Symbol of Japan’s Capital City
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n Tokyo, the capital of Japan, a new tourist attraction called «Tokyo Sky Tree» has recently risen up toward the sky. With a height of 634 m, it is the world›s tallest freestanding broadcast tower. Up until now, most of the broadcasting in Tokyo was transmitted from the 333-m-tall Tokyo Tower, but as super-high-rise buildings have increased over the years in the Tokyo metropolitan area, transmission has become obstructed in many places. Therefore, a much taller broadcast tower was envisioned, culminating in the construction of Tokyo Sky Tree. Scheduled to open to the public at the end of May 2012, the tower attracted many people›s attention as it was being constructed, and it is now being hyped as a «must-see» spot for tourists.
Bringing Together Advanced Technologies and Traditions
Tokyo Sky Tree was built in an area very close to Asakusa, a district popular with tourists since long ago. The tower is to the east of Asakusa across the Sumida River and can be reached from Asakusa in about five minutes by train or 20 minutes on foot. When looking at Sky Tree, one can see that its horizontal section is shaped like a triangle at the base, and it gradually forms a cylindrical shape as the tower rises. This design, which makes the tower appear to twist, draws on and updates the traditional Japanese architectural methods known as mukuri, by which some of the tower›s beams and surfaces are twisted in a convex shape, and sori, by which other beams and surfaces are twisted oppositely in a concave shape. The tower design also borrows from the fivestorey pagoda at the Horyuji Temple in Nara,
built in the eighth century, by including a thick central pillar down the middle to make it highly resistant to earthquakes. About 300 m above the ground, the tower›s first observatory features cafes and restaurants with a total capacity for around 2,000 people. Each of this observatory›s three floors has been made progressively more spacious as they go up, offering excellent viewing of the surrounding scenery. Further up is the second observatory, and at 450 m above the ground, it boasts the highest man-made viewing point in Japan. Visitors can see all of Tokyo, and, of course, Mount Fuji on a clear day. When operations begin, Tokyo Sky Tree Town will also open at the base of the tower. This complex will be home to cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and stores selling character merchandise. A planetarium and aquarium are also scheduled to open. A popular spot for observing Tokyo Sky Tree is the Jikkenbashi Bridge, situated about 10 minutes to the east on foot from the tower. Sightseers should be able to see Sky Tree›s reflection in the Kita-Jikkengawa River below during mornings when the wind is light. Visitors can also stroll over the Sumida River to Asakusa, a place bustling with many tourists. The sightseeing boats cruising along the river also provide a great view of Sky Tree. In the Sky Tree environs, the atmosphere of days gone by is still preserved in neighborhoods like Oshiage, Hikifune, and Mukojima, where traditional craftsmanship thrives. Visitors can enjoy browsing in the
old shops and studios, including glass ateliers of Edo kiriko (cut glass that has a history of more than 200 years), where visitors can try their hand at glass-cutting. Other shops sell tabi, which are traditional split-toe socks worn with kimonos, and take measurements of customers to provide tailor-made items. There are also plenty of local delicacies to choose from, including Japanese sweets wrapped in cherry tree leaves and tsukudani, a sweet and salty dish of shellfish and kelp cooked in soy sauce and sugar. Meanwhile, many new stores and unique products are popping up with the opening of Sky Tree, and countless delicacies made to celebrate Sky Tree are on offer. One restaurant serves a «Tower Don,» a dish made with three deep-fried shrimps formed into the shape of a magnificent tower, while another offers a «Tower Parfait» that stands 634 mm tall, representing the 634 m height of Sky Tree. There is also a bistro serving drinks poured in special 40-cm tower glasses. The portions as well as tastes of these items are sure to bring full satisfaction. Interesting and cute Sky Tree-related products are also on sale in local shopping districts, including beverages sold in bottles shaped just like the tower. With an incredible view from Japan›s newest tower and the chance to encounter the traditions of old Tokyo in the nearby neighborhoods, Sky Tree is definitely a must-see spot when visiting Tokyo.
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Japan Cultural Week
Cultural event held to mark First Asian Cooperation Dialogue Summit
Japanese folk dance troupe delights Kuwait audience
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apanese folk dance troupe “The KIKUNOKAI” presented an outstanding performance of Japanese traditional dances Tuesday evening at the Kuwait National Museum. Colorful and highly technical traditional dances delighted the audience and prompted the Japanese Ambassador to join the troupe in its closing act. The cultural event is in celebration of the First Asian Cooperation Dialogue Summit, hosted by Kuwait from Oct 15-17. Japanese
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Ambassador Yasuyoshi Komizo said the event was proposed by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah last year to emphasis the importance of coordination, collaboration and cooperation between the dynamic Asian countries. “Thirty-one members are currently participating and I understand this year two new members are maybe participating, altogether 33 countries. We are cooperating with the Kuwaiti authorities to show our culture to the Kuwaiti people. We are very proud to present one of the best performances of Japanese arts so you can see the various aspects of Japanese daily life. Culture is a very important tool to overcome differences and create understanding,” he commented.
KIKUNOKAI’s first act of tradition and creativity consisted of three performances, first of which was the ‘Kotobuki Kiku Sanba So’ dance traditionally performed on celebratory occasions such as New Years. Shakkyo, the Lion Dance, is based on the folk tale about a lion pushing his cubs over a cliff, a metaphor teaching Japanese sons to be strong. The second act contained a series of dances that showcased Japanese daily life. One of the performances was a charming and humorous play — Migawari Zazen — about a cheating husband, Yamakage Ukyo, who had to face his wife’s dreadful scorn when he was caught. Lying, especially to one’s wife, will not lead to any good, was the message of play. Despite the language barrier, the
audience understood the happenings and laughed at the husband’s dilemma when his wife discovers his scheming. KIKUNOKAI was established in 1972 by celebrated dancer and choreographer Michiyo Hata and has traveled around the world to showcase Japanese culture.
Japanese classical dances which emphasize the dynamic energy and charm of the country’s people are the troupe’s foundation. In 1976, the KIKUNOKAI was awarded the Excellent Art Prize by the Agency for the Cultural Affairs of Japan and has received numerous awards and commemorations since.
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Japanese students
deepen understanding of Kuwait TOKYO: Four Japanese university students visited the Kuwaiti Embassy in Tokyo to express appreciation to the Kuwaiti government for offering scholarships, the embassy said on Nov 19. The four young students studied Arabic at the Kuwait University’s Language Center in 2011-2012 through sponsorship from the Kuwaiti government, according to the embassy. The four discussed relations between Kuwait and Japan with embassy’s Third Secretary Mohammad Al-Othman, who is in charge of education, culture and media.
made study tours to the embassy to deepen understanding of bilateral relations, the embassy told KUNA. Joined by Second Secretary Hamad Al-Mulla at the embassy, three students and their teacher from a junior high school in Naruto City, about 500 km southwest of Tokyo, learned about Kuwaiti costumes, sweets, history and culture. In their talks with Al-
Mullah, the group gave a series of questions about Kuwaiti costumes and foods. As a part of their school activities to learn about Kuwait, seven girls from senior high school in Tokyo also visited the embassy, where AlOthman explained about Kuwaiti society, history, economy, politics, and culture. The teenage girls exchanged their opinions on various issues with the diplomat and tried Kuwait’s traditional dresses. – KUNA
Earlier this year, former Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hirofumi Hirano told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Japan is willing to enhance educational cooperation with Kuwait and to increase the number of Japanese students in Kuwait, attaching great importance to humanitarian exchanges, especially those among the young generations. Situated in the heart of Tokyo and elegantly designed, the Kuwaiti Embassy here gains high reputation among Japanese schools by taking a cooperative stance toward study tours and receives a steady flow of young visitors, including those from distant places. Two groups of students recently Contemporary Japan
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Focus on Concentrated Solar Power technology
Japanese, KCCI
hold seminar on ways to cut energy consumption
The Japanese delegation with KCCI members at the seminar on ‘Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvement’ at KCCI .
Adel Al Yousifi, Board Member of KCCI, in his welcome address underlined the importance of the seminar in the light of the world’s search for alternate energy solutions. The seminar is the result of decisions taken at a meeting of Japan Kuwait Business Committee last month, in which topics such as renewable energy and environmental and medical services were dwelled on. Yousifi said bilateral ties between the two countries have been growing strong with trade doubling to $13.4 billion in the last 15 years. “Japan is Kuwait’s third largest importer after the US and China.”
Relationship Seiji Hirota addressing the meet.
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In his opening address, Seiji Hirota, Executive Director of JCCME, said the business delegation from Japan is here in Kuwait to seek out a win-win relationship with Kuwaiti partners. The seminar was attended by 12 Japanese companies and one Japanese business association. Japanese entrepreneurs, Hirota said, have been receiving many business delegations from the Middle East to identify specific problems faced in the field of power generation, waste water recycling and so on and provide the best solutions.
JCCME held roundtable talks with Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) prior to the seminar. Based on the insights gained from the meeting, Hirota said that Kuwait is going to face an acute increase in power and water demand in the near future, “which in turn will lead to heavy consumption of fossil fuels.” The question is how to minimize energy consumption, the director added. “This seminar aims to provide some answers to that question.” The quantity and stability of solar radiation in the Middle East, according to Hirota, have huge potentials for generation of solar power. The seminar mainly focused on Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology. Ryohei Okada of Japanese Business Alliance for Smart Energy Worldwide (JASE) gave a quick introduction to his organization, after citing some statistics on Japan’s energy savings. Despite Japan’s tremendous growth in GDP between 1976 and 2006, there has not been a commensurate increase in energy consumption. Okada attributed his country’s energy efficiency to organizations like the Energy Conservation Center, which has
undertaken many pioneering projects in energy conservation. JASE is a more recently established organization, and has 45 members companies, who have cumulatively created 221 energysaving technologies in the fields of electricity, oil refinery, construction and transport and iron and steel. CSP uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight, or solar thermal energy, onto a small area. Electrical power is produced when the concentrated light is converted to heat, which drives a heat engine, usually a steam turbine, connected to an electrical power generator. Increasingly, the developed countries are turning to CSP technology to meet their power needs. CSP is being widely commercialized and the CSP market has seen about 740 MW of generating capacity added between 2007 and the end of 2010. More than half of this, about 478 MW, was installed during 2010, bringing the global total to 1,095 MW.
Reflectors
Kazuaki Ezawa, who spoke on Japanmade CSP, explained the four types of CSP technologies: Tower, Fresnel, Trough and Dish. A solar power tower consists of an
array of dual-axis tracking reflectors called heliostats that concentrate sunlight on a central receiver atop a tower. The receiver contains a fluid deposit, which can consist of sea water. The working fluid in the receiver is heated to 500-1,000°C and then used as a heat source for a power generation or energy storage system. The Trough consists of reflectors that concentrate light onto a receiver positioned along the reflector’s focal line. The receiver is a tube positioned directly above the middle of the parabolic mirror and filled with a working fluid. The reflector follows the sun during the daylight hours by tracking along a single axis. Trough systems are the most developed CSP technology. Enclosed trough systems are used to produce process heat. The design encapsulates the solar thermal system within a greenhouselike glasshouse. The glasshouse creates a protected environment to withstand the elements that can negatively impact reliability and efficiency of the solar thermal system. Lightweight curved solarreflecting mirrors are suspended from the ceiling of the glasshouse by wires. A single-axis tracking system positions the mirrors to retrieve the optimal amount of sunlight. The mirrors concentrate
the sunlight and focus it on a network of stationary steel pipes, also suspended from the glasshouse structure. Water is carried throughout the length of the pipe, which is boiled to generate steam when intense sun radiation is applied. Sheltering the mirrors from the wind allows them to achieve higher temperature rates and prevents dust from building up on the mirrors. Fresnel reflectors are made of many thin, flat mirror strips to concentrate sunlight onto tubes through which working fluid is pumped. Flat mirrors allow more reflective surface in the same amount of space as a parabolic reflector, thus capturing more of the available sunlight, and they are much cheaper than parabolic reflectors. The Dish engine system consists of a stand-alone parabolic reflector that concentrates light onto a receiver positioned at the reflector’s focal point. The reflector tracks the sun along two axes. The working fluid in the receiver is heated to 250-700 °C and then used by a Stirling engine to generate power. Contemporary Japan
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Japan’s Super Stationery Constantly Evolving Tools Driving Japanese Office Efficiency
Over the past few years, revolutionary new Japanese stationery appliances have dramatically boosted the efficiency of routine office tasks. New products embodying Japan’s distinctive traditions of innovative craftsmanship and attention to detail are constantly appearing on the market and fascinating people around the world.
Evolving Excellence
The efficient work habits of the Japanese are acknowledged around the world, constituting a valuable business strength. In addition to speed and accuracy, the meticulousness and attention to detail which are typical of Japanese culture are another major asset.
Frixion:
The revolutionary ball-point pen uses a special ink that can be erased using the rubber provided.
Japan’s outstanding stationery and office appliances have played an important role in fostering these successful habits. Japanese office appliances are internationally renowned for their quality and accuracy. The latest gadgets used in Japanese offices today are the result of evolution over many years as manufacturers have worked to meet exacting customer expectations, resulting in ever greater convenience for the user. A spokesperson at ITO-YA, one of Japan’s oldest stationery firms, says that outstanding quality is one of the factors that set Japanese products apart. “A Japanese notebook will not just have superior paper quality—it will also be beautifully put together in terms of its binding and design. There is a widespread expectation of high standards of quality among Japanese people, who tend to be quite particular about the finer points. Manufacturers in Japan have to keep up with the exacting needs of the market.” Consumers constantly on the lookout for new and improved products, and manufacturers responding carefully to consumer demand—this is the environment that has given rise to Japan’s highly efficient paperwork culture.
Making an Impression around the World
The demanding expectations of the Japanese market have resulted in several outstanding products that have attracted a lot of attention overseas in recent years. One of the best-known examples is the Frixion pen, a revolutionary new erasable-ink pen. The specially developed new ink it uses is sensitive to heat, and disappears when friction produced by an eraser attached to the end of the pen generates heat on the paper. This revolutionary new pen has eliminated the need to rewrite a document from scratch because of changes or corrections. The pen sold out in many stores soon after it was released, and has gone on to become a bestselling product
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Milli Keshi:
Different sized raser edges make precise corrections easy.
Harinacs:
This staple-less stapler works by clipping a small incision into a piece of paper and twisting to form a bond. The papers can later be easily separated again simply by pulling the pages apart.
OLEeNU:
The leads in this mechanical pencil can withstand heavy writing pressure.
Alisys:
This hole-puncher uses a double lever and requires very little pressure. (Alisys is on the bottom half of the photo.)
Pencut:
This nifty gadget looks more like a pen than a blade, and fits easily into a pencil case. Contemporary Japan
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worldwide, with more than 200 million units sold since it debuted four years ago. Another new twist on the eraser concept that was a big hit last year is the Milli Keshi(millimeter eraser), invented to meet consumer demand for an eraser small enough to deal neatly with text and figures written between ruled lines in a notebook. Arranged like spokes on a wheel around the cylindrical body of the eraser are five differently sized eraser edges in one-millimeter increments of 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm, with an extra small edge provided for even more exacting corrections. Narrow enough to match the ruled lines in a notebook or diary, the new eraser is perfect for times when you need to make changes to a small portion of text within a narrow space on the page. Another stationery product that created a storm in 2010 is Harinacs staple-less Stapler, a revolutionary new device that joins sheets of paper without the need for staples. The product flew off the shelves in the weeks and months following its release in July 2010, eventually selling some 260,000 units—outstripping the manufacturer’s annual sales targets by more than 50 percent in just three months. The device works by clipping a small incision into a piece of paper and twisting to form a bond, liberating the user from the hassle of refilling the machine with staples and laboriously picking old staples out of sheets of paper. The incisions at the top of each sheet can also be used for filing purposes, so that the new tool also boosts office efficiency.
Making a Good Thing Better
In addition to these recent hits, there are plenty of other stationery products likely to become popular in the near future. One to look out for is the mini-sized Alisys hole-puncher, which won a grand prize in the Function category at the International Stationery and Office Products Fair, Tokyo, the biggest event of its kind in Asia. The device has two levers, reducing the amount of pressure that needs to be applied and making it perfect for punching holes in large numbers of documents without fatiguing the hands. Another is the OLEeNU mechanical pencil, equipped with springs inside its workings so that the lead doesn’t snap even if the user presses down hard when writing. The Pencut scissors can be retracted to the size of a pen when not in use, making them easy to carry around. The Kirinuq paper cutter cuts effortlessly through a single sheet of newspaper or magazine paper, regardless of the pressure applied. These products and many more like them are sure to win the enthusiastic support of consumers as the latest addition to the huge supply of Japanese stationery products, increasing efficiency in the workplace. All of these products have been developed by concentrating on improving and refining existing products. Effective use of these new products will ensure that Japanese office work continues to evolve and become even more efficient in the future.
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Kirinuq:
The springs inside the device maintain the pressure of the blade at a constant level, so that the blade cuts at a given thickness, regardless of how much pressure is applied. Ideal for cutting a single piece out from a newspaper or magazine. (Kirinuq is on the bottom half of the photo.)
J
SUMO WRESTLING
apanese Sumo Wrestling is one of the oldest martial arts in Japan. Sumo wrestlers were a favorite subject on Japanese woodblock prints. In contrast to some of the traditional Japanese art forms like kabuki, which has a heavy stand in today’s world, sumo wrestling is enjoying a rising popularity – comparable to basketball in North America or soccer in Europe.
History of Japanese Sumo Wrestling Sumo has its roots in the shinto religion. The matches were dedicated to the gods in prayers for a good harvest. The oldest written records date back to the 8th century. But it is probably more than 1500 years old. Sumo prints from the 18th and 19th century prove the popularity of the sport in the past. During the last two decades the art of sumo wrestling could establish itself even outside of Japan. Akebono, an American born in Hawaii, became the first American champion to reach the highest rank.
The Rules of the Game A sumo wrestling match is accompanied by a lot of traditional ceremony. The marchingin of the wrestlers is a sequence of formal rituals. The wrestlers are accompanied by two assistants - one walking in front and one behind him - the one behind is usually hard to spot. The referee is clad in a luxurious kimono and wears a strange hat. After performing a series of opening rituals, the contest begins. The wrestling match is all about pushing or throwing the opponent out of the doyo - the ring - or to bring the other guy down on the floor. Sumo does not know any weight categories. There are a few basic techniques - from pulling the opponents legs to grabbing his belt and trying to throw or carry the opponent out of the ring.
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LIVING AMIDST HEAVY SNOWFALL
S
SHIRAKAWA-GO COMMUNITY WITH STEEPLY THATCH-ROOFED HOUSES
hirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture is famous for its heavy snowfall. During winter the village is blanketed in several meters of snow. Persevering in the harsh winter environments of the village’s Shirakawa-go community have adapted by develping houses with steeply pitched thatch roofs. These houses known as gassho-zhkuri (A-frame structure), took this name from their distinct, acute trinagular shape, which is said to resemble gassho (two hands pressed togather in pryer). The houses are constructed of logs and can withstand strong winds and heavy snowfall. Though they may appear fragile, these buildings boast a robust structure that is based upon sound principles of mechanics. The incline of these thatch roofs is very steep. Snow that would otherwise accumlate slide down the roof. This innovation was inspired by a desire to reduce the work needed to remove snow from roofs. Every thatch roof in the community faces east to west. This seves to increase the sunlight that shines on the roof and facilitates the melting of snow that does build up. Beyond this, the way in which
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these houses are constructed is designed to cope with strong winds that buffet the long valley in which they are situated. Their orientation means that a minimal surface area of the house is exposed to the guests that blow from the north during winter and from the south in summer. At the same time this serves the dual purpose of increasing the flow of air through the large houses in summer. These structures are truly the culmination of wisdom aquired through living in harsh natural conditions. These houses typically have three or four stories, Traditionally, people inhabited the lower stories, and the spacious area under the roof was used for raising silk worns to make silk. The roofs need to ber e-thatching every 30 to 40 years, and the re-thatching is a massive endeavor in which the whole community cooperates. However, with modernization these traditional houses have largely vanished. Thanks to the heavy snowfall and isolated nature of Shirakawa-go as well as Gokonzan in Toyama Prefecture, the gasshostyle houses of these tow villages have been able to survive, leading to their registration as UNESCO World heritage sites in 1995.
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Instant Phone
Translation No Longer a Dream Recognizing Voice and Translating Speech into Another Language Many people wish they could overcome the language barrier and communicate with anyone they please. For years, the dream of a «voice translation device» has been limited to science fiction. But now, Japanese phone technology has finally made the dream come true.
cell phones, or other things—via a connection to a server on the Internet. In May 2011, NTT DOCOMO announced a Phone Translation Service for smartphones and certain cell phones. It translates the user›s words into the language spoken by the person on the other end of the call almost instantaneously. A campaign to recruit users to try out the new system began in November 2011. They were provided with smartphones and cell phones (FOMA phones) and given access to both Japanese and English language services. Translation accuracy is constantly improving, and the new translation service should be available to general cell phone users early in 2012.
Demonstration of the Phone Translation Service by NTT DOCOMO. The representative on the right speaks in Japanese, while the representative on the left speaks in English.
I
n order for computers to translate the spoken word, three technologies are required: a voice recognition function that allows them to convert spoken words into text, a machine translation function that translates the text into another language, and a speech synthesis function that converts the text back into audible speech and sends this sound signal to a speaker. Work on these technologies has been steadily progressing around the world. In Japan, NTT and other telecommunications companies as well as university research centers worked to develop a Japanese speech synthesis technology. At the same time, a national project headed by Kyoto University was at work on Japanese-to-English and English-to-Japanese machine translation technology. Both of these efforts resulted in functional technologies in the early 1980s, but it has taken a much longer time to produce a prototype of a «voice translation device.» This is because, until lately, the processing speed of a super computer was necessary to realize nearly instantaneous and highly accurate voice recognition.
Integrating Cloud Computing with Cell Phone Technology A user can view his or her spoken words and their translation on a tablet (left) or smartphone (right). Enlarge photo The world moved one step closer to making the dream of «voice translation devices» practical as we entered the 21st century. In order to perform processing at a speed equivalent to the super computers of the 1990s, the world had to wait for «cloud computing,» which allows users to use all their devices—computers,
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A user can view his or her spoken words and their translation on a tablet (left) or smartphone (right).
To begin using the service, users press the «begin translation» button on the touch screen and then speak. The spoken words are first displayed on the LCD screen on the speaker›s handset. They are then translated and displayed in the language of the person on the other end of the call. Two to three seconds later, the translated text is transferred into sound signals that the other person hears as speech in his or her own language. That person can then answer questions, for example, by speaking in his or her own language. This answer is then converted into written words, translated, and then sent to the other person as a voice signal (text display is only available on smartphones).
Nearly Instant Voice Recognition, Machine Translation, and Speech Synthesis The phone translation service records the spoken words in the cloud, transposes them to written words, translates the written words, reconverts the translated text into a voice signal, and then sends that voice signal to the other person›s handset. The key to the new service was to develop and implement an algorithm able to perform the voice recognition process quickly and accurately. Taking advantage of the widespread use of cloud computing, applications that make it possible for a network computer to translate words spoken into a smartphone have recently been developed.
How the Phone Translation Service works: Via the cloud, speech is recorded and processed using voice recognition, machine translation and speech synthesis technology. The translation is then heard on both phones.
However, for this type of application to work, it must be installed on both users› smartphones. Japan›s translation service—which can be used by both smartphones and conventional cell phones—is the first of its kind in the world.
Applications That Make Multi-Language Conversations Possible In October 2011, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) developed an application that allows several people speaking in different languages to converse via smartphone. The application, known as ChaTra, allows up to five people to converse in up to six languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, and Vietnamese. It utilizes VoiceTra, a speech translation software launched in August 2010. NICT is testing speech translation technology in cooperation with research institutes around the world. It is releasing the results of these tests to private companies and the technology is already being used in applications. In December 2011, NICT›s speech translation technology was provided to Narita International Airport, which has released it as NariTra, a speech translation application for travelers.
Screen shots of chats using ChaTra, a translation application developed by NICT. © NICT
Now you can talk on the phone or participate in conferences with people who speak other languages, make reservations in foreign hotels from home (using the telephone), have a conversation with local people in a foreign café (using a face-to-face translation application), or converse in multiple languages using special applications… the possibilities are almost endless. Japanese technology is making the dream of tearing down language barriers between people around the world through the use of translation devices into reality. (January 2012)
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