Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd developed two types of business-oriented projectors that can output images on curved surfaces and demonstrated them at Infocomm08, an audio-visual exhibition that took place in Las Vegas from June 18 to 20, 2008.
Continue reading at TechOn!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Panasonic's Projectors Show Images on Curved Surfaces
Sony Ericsson Wins Greenest Electronics Company Award
Gizmodo reports...
"Congratulations, Sony Ericsson, for winning what was ultimately a barely challenging competition to become the greenest electronics company around. Our favorite Swedish-Japanese conglomerate rose to the top of Greenpeace's Greener Electronics Guide by exceeding Energy Star requirements, making all its models PVC-free and banning the most harmful chemicals from phones launched since January 2008. Unfortunately, it was valedictorian in a class whose scores have plummeted all around."
Continue reading at Gizmodo.com
Fuji Heavy Develops Electric Car Based on K-car 'Stella'
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd announced that it had developed "Plug-in Stella Concept," an electric vehicle (EV) based on its "Stella" K-car.
Continue reading at TechOn!
Japanese companies work together on CCS
TOKYO (Reuters) - A grouping of 24 Japanese firms, mainly utilities and energy companies, will work with government on feasibility studies for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, an official said on Monday.
"We now have a firm that brings together all the technologies in this field," Toshihiro Mitsuhashi, who handles environmental policies for Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), told reporters.
Continue reading this article at Reuters.comSunday, June 29, 2008
Nintendo DS game console helps spur interest in English in Japan classrooms
TOKYO —The Nintendo DS isn’t just fun and games anymore for English students at Tokyo’s Joshi Gakuen all-girls junior high school. The portable video game console is now being used as a key teaching tool, breaking with traditional Japanese academic methods.
Continue reading at Japantoday.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Honda begins production of hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity in Japan
The Vancouver Sun is reporting that...
"The new Honda FCX Clarity, a zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle, has begun production at the world's first dedicated fuel cell vehicle manufacturing facility in Japan, according to Honda.
The Clarity is powered by an electric motor that runs on energy generated in the new V Flow fuel cell platform. The vehicle has a range of 450 kilometres and emits only water."
Read full article at Canada.com
Keio University's Eliica All-Electric Vehicle
"The Eliica (or the Electric Lithium-Ion Car) is a battery electric vehicle prototype, or concept car designed by a team at Keio University in Tokyo, led by Professor Hiroshi Shimizu. The 5.1 metre (16.7 feet) car runs on a lithium-ion battery and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (60 mph) in four seconds. In 2004, the Eliica reached a speed of 370 km/h (230 mph) on Italy's Nardo High Speed Track.
The Eliica weighs in at 2400 kg (5291 lbs) and seats the driver and three passengers. The body of the four door car has a futuristic, bullet shape design which was tested in a wind tunnel. The front doors open forward and the rear doors open upward like wings. The car's platform contains 4 tracks of 80 batteries, which make for one third of the vehicle's cost. They currently require about 10 hours of recharging from empty to full charge, and can be easily charged off of a residential power grid.
The car has eight wheels enabling it to be closer to the ground for better traction. Each of the wheels has a 60 kW (80 hp) electric motor, giving a 480 kW (640 hp) eight wheel drive which can tackle all kinds of road surfaces. The four front wheels steer. The electric motors mean that the Eliica can deliver a smooth acceleration free from gear shifts of about 0.8 g. Each wheel contains a disc brake and employs a regenerative brake system to recover energy.
There are currently (as of 2005) two versions of the Eliica: a Speed model and an Acceleration model. The Speed model is made to challenge gasoline-based records and has a top speed of 370 km/h (230 mph) with a range of 200 km (125 miles). The Acceleration model is made for the street and has a top speed of 190 km/h (120 mph) with a range of 320 km (200 miles).
The estimated cost of development was in excess of US$320,000. Once the team receives corporate sponsorship, they plan to produce at least 200 units. As of early 2007, the projected pricetag was ¥30,000,000, or about $255,000 US."
Wikipedia.NTT Docomo tests eye-controlled 'wearable' gadgets
Read about this futuristic gadget from NTT Docomo at CNN.com
Sony counting on core devices, video content services to win back electronic leadership
TOKYO —Sony Corp on Thursday unveiled its mid-term corporate strategy through fiscal year 2010 with a pledge to focus on realizing profitability in TV and game businesses by investing more resources into its core devices and mobilizing video content services through its online network. As potentially profitable markets, the group will bring more products and content services to BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China).
Read full article By Taro Fujimoto at JapanToday.NEC to buy U.S. software firm for $300 mln
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Mazda to Improve Average Fuel Efficiency by 30% by 2015
Mazda Motor Corp announced its specific plans to reduce CO2 emissions in the fields of powertrains, vehicle bodies, plants and others.
Read full article by Saeko Kushitani, Nikkei Automotive Technology TechOn!Toshiba Releases Laptops with Cell-based 'SpursEngine'
Read full article by Yukiko Kanoh, Nikkei Electronics @ TechOn!
Suzuki's Fuel-cell Car Certified by Japan's Gov't
Suzuki "SX4-FCV" fuel-cell vehicle
Suzuki Motor Corp has announced that it developed the "SX4-FCV" fuel-cell vehicle based on its "SX4" compact car and had it certified by Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
Read full article by Saeko Kushitani, Nikkei Automotive Technology at TechOn!Panasonic adds new compact, ultra-mobile PC to popular Toughbook series
TOKYO —Panasonic’s latest PC offering is small enough to cradle in one hand, yet strong enough to handle the rough and tumble of extreme environments.
Read full article @ JapanToday
Oki Electric recycles waste cooking oil as truck fuel
TOKYO — Oki Electric Industry Co said Tuesday it has been recycling waste cooking oil from a cafeteria at its office in Tokyo’s Hachioji as biodiesel fuel for trucks for its logistics operations since April.
Project Transportation Co, a partner of Oki Logistics Co, has signed an agreement with G.O. Food Service Co, an operator of cafeterias for Oki employees, to buy waste oil from the cafeteria and refine it into biodiesel fuel for trucks, Oki said.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
SoftBank Announces Price Plans for 'iPhone 3G'
SoftBank Mobile Corp announced June 23, 2008, its price plans for the "iPhone 3G" handsets to be launched on July 11.
Read all the details by Tatsurou Hokugou, Nikkei Electronics @ TechOn!JAL to conduct biofuel test flights
TOKYO —Japan Airlines Corp said Monday it will conduct test flights using biofuel later in the current fiscal year in cooperation with such concerns as U.S. aircraft maker Boeing Co. The first test of its kind in Asia will involve a Boeing 747-300 with one of its four engines powered with a mix of biofuel and conventional aviation fuel, JAL said.
While the remaining three engines will run on conventional fuel, the tests will check whether the aircraft can fly normally. The biofuel for the test will be made from nonfood plants such as algae, now that production of biofuels made from corn and other food materials is being blamed for food shortages.
Matsushita to Further Promote CO2 Emission Cuts
Osaka, June 24, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. <6752> said Tuesday the company aims to cut its group's carbon dioxide emissions in fiscal 2008 by 110,000 tons from the fiscal 2006 level to 3.87 million tons.
In fiscal 2007 that ended in March this year, the Matsushita group's CO2 emissions totaled 3.97 million tons, down 10,000 tons from fiscal 2006.
The electronics giant set up a special task force for promoting CO2 emission cuts in April and plans to introduce devices that can determine amounts of CO2 emissions at all group companies.
Matsushita hopes to reduce the group's CO2 emissions in fiscal 2010 to the fiscal 2000 level of 3.6 million tons.
JCN
Monday, June 23, 2008
Sakai City, Kansai Electric and Sharp Announce Mega Solar Power Generation Plan on Sakai City Waterfront
Osaka, June 23, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Sakai City, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (Kansai Electric), and Sharp Corporation today agreed to cooperate on the Sakai City Waterfront Mega Solar Power Generation Plan in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.
Read on at JCN
Softbank to sell iPhone for $215 in Japan
TOKYO (AP) — Softbank Corp., the carrier that won the coveted right to sell the iPhone in Japan, said Monday that Apple Inc.'s device will sell for $215 — comparable to the marked-down U.S. price for the hit gadget.
Read full article @ AP
Softbank To Charge Lower Web-Browsing Fee On Apple's iPhone
Unusual Cars from Mitsuoka Motors Japan
Shiotsu is reporting that in Japan we can find many strange looking customized cars. Mitsuoka Motors is famous for creating such unusual cars with their slogan ‘A small factory with a big dream’. Mitsuoka Orochi is one of them which is named after a Japanese mythological eight headed snake. Orochi is Japan’s only supercar. This model was first created in 2001 and recently updated for 2007. Mitsuoka will start manufacturing this supercar next year. The eight headed monster on wheels will be priced at around 88,450 US dollars !!
Sony's New Camcorder Takes Photos of Smiling Faces during Video Shooting
Sony Corp will release "HDR-CX12," a compact camcorder whose "Smile Shutter" function detects smiling people and automatically take still photos of them while shooting video.
The camcorder can take still pictures with a resolution of up to 7.6 Mpixels when shooting video. It is also equipped with a function to prioritize smiling child or adult subjects by automatically distinguishing between them.
Read full article by Yukiko Kanoh, Nikkei Electronics @ TechOn!
Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid Gains Government Approval to Begin Public Road Testing in Japan; Hybrid System Enhances Power by 40 Percent and Doubl
Hiroshima, June 20, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation today received permission from Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) to test the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid minivan on public roads. Mazda's newest hydrogen rotary engine vehicle features a hybrid system that increases the vehicle's power by 40 percent and doubles the hydrogen fuel range to 200 kilometers. Mazda aims to complete the road trials and start commercial leasing in Japan during fiscal year 2008. The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid is the world's first hydrogen hybrid car with a dual-fuel system that enables the car to run on either hydrogen or gasoline.
Read full article at JCN
Fujitsu Wins Major Server, Storage Order from China Mobile Communications; Building 24 x 7 Support Infrastructure Covering All of Mainland China
Shanghai, June 23, 2008 - (ACN Newswire) - Fujitsu (China) Holdings Co., Ltd. today announced that China Mobile Communications Corporation, the country's largest mobile phone carrier, has selected Fujitsu's SPARC Enterprise UNIX servers, ETERNUS storage equipment, and PRIMECLUSTER middleware for its core information system, which is to be deployed in all 31 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions in mainland China. Fujitsu will also set up 24 x 7 maintenance support sites across mainland China and dispatch personnel and supply maintenance components to the sites as part of a support network to keep the system running smoothly.
Read full article at JCN
Panasonic Accelerates Environmental Initiatives in China with Higher Targets; Progress Report on 'China Eco Project' for FY2008
Osaka, June 19, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Panasonic, the leading brand by which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is best known, today announced its environmental performance in China for the business year ended March 2008 (fiscal year 2008). Since April 2007, Panasonic Group has been carrying out the three-year "China Eco Project" aiming to make Panasonic China, Panasonic's subsidiary company of Matsushita Electric in China, the top company in environmental contributions. After achieving better-than-expected results in many areas during the first year of the plan, the company has set higher goals for FY2009 onwards to accelerate its efforts in environmental protection in the country.
Read full article at JCN
Mazda to Cut Vehicle Fuel Consumption 30 Percent by 2015
Hiroshima, June 23, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it is setting its sights on reducing the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average 30 percent by 2015. This determined commitment will entail a holistic approach which includes using lightweight technologies, the upgrade of almost all of Mazda's gasoline engines, introducing a Smart Idle Stop System, a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines worldwide. By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain lineup and, from 2011, through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generation platforms aims to reduce the weight of its new vehicles by 100 kilograms or more.
Read more about this at JCN
Nissan's Remodeled Teana Sedan Gets Off to Strong Start
Tokyo, June 23, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Nissan Motor Co. <7201> said Monday that orders for its fully remodeled Teana luxury sedan came to 5,034 units in some three weeks after its release on June 2.
The figure is more than five times the Japanese automaker's monthly sales target of 1,000 units.
Consumers aged 60 or older accounted for 50.2 pct of the overall sales, Nissan said.
Nissan aims to sell 20,000 units of the Teana by the end of March 2009. It sells the 3,500-c.c. high-end model for 3,948,000 yen and 2,500-c.c. versions at prices ranging from 2,467,500 yen to 3,265,500 yen.
JCN
Panasonic introduces world's 1st 6x write-once Blu-ray disc media
OSAKA —Panasonic says it has developed the world’s first write-once Blu-ray discs (BD-R) with 6X writing speed. The new discs will be available in Japan with both 25GB and 50GB capacities in this July.
Panasonic, which introduced the world’s first dual-layer 1X BD-RE Blu-ray Disc in 2004, 2X BD-R/RE discs in 2006, and 4X BD-R disc in 2007, is now launching the world’s first 6X BD-R to meet consumer demand to write and read large amounts of data at a higher speed. The new 6X discs have a maximum data transfer speed of 216 mbps, which is 20% faster than that of 16X DVD-R discs. This transfer speed, along with the discs’ high capacity, allows consumers to use these discs for a variety of applications such as storing high definition video or backing up PC data.
The new discs have a wide power margin at any writing speeds from 1X to 6X. This enables high-quality recording, even if the drive’s laser power fluctuates, resulting in greater overall drive compatibility.
Kansai Electric to assist solar power generation for Sharp plant
OSAKA —Kansai Electric Power Co will help operate Sharp Corp’s new large liquid crystal display panel plant in Osaka to be powered with solar panels, company sources said Monday.
The agreement, to be announced later in the day, will mark a full-fledged entry into the solar power generation business by the Osaka-based electric utility and see Kansai Electric set up a new solar power station near the Sharp plant, according to the sources. Sharp’s new LCD panel plant is now under construction on the coastal area of Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. The electronics maker plans to install solar panels on the plant’s rooftop to supply energy necessary for factory operations.
JapanToday.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Fujitsu Develops Millimeter-Band Transmitter Capable of Data Transmission Speeds Exceeding 10 Gbps
Kawasaki and Tokyo, Japan, June 19, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and Fujitsu Limited announced today, as a world's first, the development of a transmitter operating in the 70-100 GHz band using impulse radio[1] that is capable of transmitting data at speeds of more than 10 gigabits per second. This new development eliminates the need for oscillators and other hardware that had been required for use of earlier millimeter-band transmitters, thus enabling a smaller millimeter-band transmitter. As a substitute for fiber-optic high-speed lines, the new transmitter could be used in wide range of applications geared to help bridge the digital divide[2], including for platform networks and short-range wireless LANs.
Continue reading article at JCN
Mazda Hydrogen Vehicle Starts Road Test
Hiroshima, June 20, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Mazda Motor Corp. <7261> on Friday started public road testing of a new hydrogen-powered minivan.
The automaker aims to begin commercial leasing of the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid by the end of next March, targeting mainly government and other public offices.
The vehicle has a hydrogen rotary engine as well as an electric motor. In addition, it features a hybrid system in which energy gained from burning hydrogen is used to drive the motor.
The hybrid system allows the vehicle's hydrogen fuel range to reach 200 kilometers, double that of an existing hydrogen vehicle. When used together with gasoline, the range can be extended to 550 kilometers.
The vehicle enables the company to use existing production lines and to curb costs, an official in charge of development said, referring to an advantage at a time when automakers are racing to develop fuel-efficient, environment-friendly vehicles amid soaring oil prices.
JCN
NEC Electronics, Elpida Team Up on Display Driver Chips
Tokyo, June 20, 2008 (Jiji Press) - NEC Electronics Corp. <6723> and Elpida Memory Inc. <6665> said Friday they will set up a joint company in December to develop and sell display driver integrated circuit chips.
The unit, whose capital size is still undecided, will be owned 80 pct by NEC Electronics and 20 pct by Elpida, according to the parent firms.
The two chipmakers intend to combine their technologies to improve competition with rivals and to cut costs by outsourcing production to Elpida's advanced chip fabrication plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, they said.
NEC Electronics has a 13 pct share of the global market for display driver ICs, which are used to drive liquid crystal display and plasma display panels, with annual sales amounting to some 80 billion yen.
Elpida is Japan's sole producer of dynamic random access memory chips and has expressed its intention to start manufacturing system-on-chip products for sale under other brands.
JCN
Sekisui House Announces the Zero Emission House
Tokyo, June 18, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - In conjunction with the Hokkaido Toyako Summit (July 7-9, 2008) Sekisui House announces Japan's cutting edge prefabricated housing and environmental technology to the world: The Zero Emission House. The Hokkaido Toyako Summit, (The G8 Summit) being hosted by Japan, will be held over three days from Monday July 7 to Wednesday July 9, 2008 at the town of Toyako in Hokkaido, and will focus mainly on global warming prevention measures.
Continue reading article at JCN.
Toshiba signs nuclear cooperation pact with Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom
TOKYO —Toshiba Corp said Friday the Japanese nuclear plant builder and Kazakhstan’s state-run atomic company Kazatomprom have signed a memorandum promoting their nuclear energy cooperation.
The two will consider their cooperation using beryllium, tantalum and other materials for nuclear power plants, manufacturing nuclear plant components and developing supply chains for such plants, Toshiba said. Toshiba has also invited the Kazakh firm to invest in Westinghouse Electric Co, a U.S. nuclear reactor builder that Toshiba has acquired.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Sony develops green flat-panel TV to woo ecological consumers
TOKYO —Sony’s new flat-panel TV consumes less energy than comparable regular models without compromising image quality—the latest in Japanese manufacturers’ efforts to woo buyers with green products.
Full article at JapanToday.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Japan, EU to work together on new energy development
TOKYO —Japan and the European Union agreed Monday to cooperate in the development of new energy technologies as part of their efforts to address climate change, Japanese officials said. Industry minister Akira Amari and Janez Potocnik, EU commissioner for science and research, agreed during talks in Tokyo to reinforce cooperation between Japan and EU energy research institutions and organize a joint workshop in Japan early next year.It is the first time that Japan has formed an international partnership based on the country’s technology road map to aim for a 50% cut in global carbon dioxide emissions from current levels by 2050, the officials said. The road map, released in March, identified 21 emerging technologies, including near-zero emission coal-fired power plants, fuel cell vehicles and carbon capture storage, as promising in trying to address global warming.
JapanToday.
Sony develops green flat-panel TV to woo ecological consumers
TOKYO —Sony’s new flat-panel TV consumes less energy than comparable regular models without compromising image quality—the latest in Japanese manufacturers’ efforts to woo buyers with green products.
Full article at JapanToday.
Mitsubishi, Peugeot to Join in Electric Vehicle Business
Tokyo, June 17, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corp. <7211> and French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen said Tuesday they have agreed to study their cooperation in development and production of electric power trains.
The autoamakers said they will work out details over the next several months. They are to consider providing motors and lithium-ion batteries for the i MiEV electric vehicle to be launched by Mitsubishi Motors in Japan in 2009.
The announcement came at a time when Mitsubishi and Peugeot are building an automobile plant in Russia.
Separately, Mitsubishi Motors plans to mass-produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other applications at a joint venture with GS Yuasa Corp. <6674> and Mitsubishi Corp. <8058>.
JCN.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sanyo May Develop Lithium-Ion Batteries with Ford and Honda Motor
Tokyo, June 17, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Sanyo Electric Co. <6764> may jointly develop lithium-ion batteries for next-generation hybrid vehicles with Honda Motor Co. <7267> and Ford Motor Co., Sanyo President Seiichiro Sano has said.
In a recent interview, Sano said Sanyo may develop such batteries jointly with Honda and Ford if the products serve the needs of the Japanese and U.S. automakers.
Sanyo recently agreed on joint lithium-ion battery development with German automaker Volkswagen AG. The Japanese firm currently supplies nickel-metal hydride batteries to Honda and Ford for vehicles sold in the North American market.
Sanyo will have to team up with a wide range of Japanese and foreign automakers to achieve its target of raising its share of the global lithium-ion battery market to at least 40 pct by 2015, the president said.
Asked about another company goal, doubling overseas sales at its solar cell business, Sano said Sanyo has already started personnel training and other tie-ups with academic and other institutes in Hungary, where it has a key manufacturing base.
Sanyo may consider joint development projects, but any such moves may come after the Hungarian tie-ups produce concrete results, he said.
The firm's white goods business is in a severe situation, but the division will become profitable if necessary steps in selection and concentration are taken and its product planning capability is enhanced, Sano said.
JCN.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Toyota Picks Up Strong Orders for Alphard, Vellfire
Tokyo, June 13, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Toyota Motor Corp. <7203> said Friday it has received about 36,000 purchase orders for its new luxury minivans, the Alphard and the Vellfire, one month after their debut on May 12.
The total is six times more than the joint monthly sales target of 6,000 units.
The models' luxurious interiors and high fuel efficiency seem to be attracting buyers in their 30s and 40s, Toyota said.
There were around 16,000 orders for the Alphard and about 20,000 for the Vellfire.
JCN.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Japanese invent car that runs only on water
TOKYO (Reuters Life!) - Tired of petrol prices rising daily at the pump? A Japanese company has invented an electric-powered, and environmentally friendly, car that it says runs solely on water.
Genepax unveiled the car in the western city of Osaka on Thursday, saying that a liter (2.1 pints) of any kind of water -- rain, river or sea -- was all you needed to get the engine going for about an hour at a speed of 80 km (50 miles).
"The car will continue to run as long as you have a bottle of water to top up from time to time," Genepax CEO Kiyoshi Hirasawa told local broadcaster TV Tokyo.
"It does not require you to build up an infrastructure to recharge your batteries, which is usually the case for most electric cars," he added.
Once the water is poured into the tank at the back of the car, the a generator breaks it down and uses it to create electrical power, TV Tokyo said.
Whether the car makes it into showrooms remains to be seen. Genepax said it had just applied for a patent and is hoping to collaborate with Japanese auto manufacturers in the future.
Most big automakers, meanwhile, are working on fuel-cell cars that run on hydrogen and emit -- not consume -- water.
Mazda Commences Development of Non-Food-Based Bioplastic; 'Mazda Bioplastic Project' is Industry-academia-government Collaboration Aiming to Use the N
Hiroshima, June 13, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation today signed a collaborative research agreement with Hiroshima University to launch the "Mazda Bioplastic Project." The project aim is to develop a bioplastic from non-food-based cellulosic biomass and have it ready for use in vehicles by 2013.
Continue reading article at JCN.
Honda's Freed Orders Top 10,000 Units in 2 Weeks
Tokyo, June 13, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Honda Motor Corp. <7267> said Friday that cumulative orders for the Freed, its new 1,500-c.c