June
17

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Space shuttle Discovery leaps from the billows of smoke below into a clear blue sky on its STS-124 mission to the International Space Station. Launch was on time at 5:02 p.m. EDT. Discovery is making its 35th flight.

The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the space station. It is the second of three flights launching components to complete the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory. The shuttle crew will install Kibo’s large Japanese Pressurized Module and its remote manipulator system, or RMS. The 14-day flight includes three spacewalks.

Image Credit: NASA/Fletch Hildreth

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May
29


Nintendo will test the “Nintendo Spot” service, which delivers data to the “Nintendo DS” portable game console using its wireless communications (Wi-Fi) capability, in public locations in Japan. Nintendo will conduct the test at certain McDonald’s restaurants as well as Tsukuba Express stations and on the train.The test will take place at 21 restaurants in Setagaya and Suginami Wards, Tokyo. At those McDonald’s restaurants, Nintendo DS users can browse McDonald’s Japan products designed for the DS and various campaign information on McDonald’s Website and download trial versions of DS software titles as well. The proprietary “Nintendo Spot Viewer” browser software is required to use the service. Nintendo Spot Viewer will be distributed for free at McDonald’s restaurants using DS Wi-Fi capability.

At all 20 Tsukuba Express stations between Akihabara and Tsukuba and on the Tsukuba Express train itself, Nintendo DS users can browse information including news, weather and the Tsukuba Express transfer guide, as well as download trial versions of DS software titles. This service also requires the Nintendo Spot Viewer, which will be distributed for free in the test areas.

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January
22


Mazda has released updated versions of the Mazda Axela sports compact in Japan. Known as the Mazda3 in overseas markets, the Mazda Axela has earned high praise both in Japan and abroad. All models in the range – including the four-door Axela, five-door Axela Sport and Mazdaspeed Axela – feature fresh improvements and are available from today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships nationwide. Two new special edition versions of the Axela Sport, the 23HS and 20HS, which come outfitted with equipment to enhance their sporty pedigree, also go on sale from today. Reduced cabin noise and higher comfort levels have been achieved through the increased use of sound absorbent materials.

The special editions Mazda Axela Sport 23HS and 20HS come with a full complement of sports equipment including 17-inch reflective aluminum wheels, exclusive aluminum pedals, a floating rear roof spoiler and a BOSE sound system. These models also come with black Alcantara and genuine leather combination seat covers and Alcantara door trim. Mazda Axela is available in Japan from 1,510,750 ($14,220) to 2,070,000 yen ($19,485) while Axela Sport from 1,510,750 ($14,220) to 2,410,000 yen ($22,685).

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December
5


Sanyo announced today that it will establish a new ‘Advanced Photovoltaics Development Center’ within its Gifu Plant in Japan. The plant, located in Anpachi, Gifu prefecture, houses the Solar Ark, a large-scale solar power generation facility that stands as a monument to the world of Sanyo’s commitment and efforts to create a clean energy-based society. Sanyo is currently advancing the development of its solar technology, primarily focused on its proprietary HITsolar cells, at the Advanced Energy Research Center of R&D Headquarters and at the Solar Division of the Clean Energy Company. The ‘Advanced Photovoltaics Development Center’ will promote the development of next-generation thin-film silicon solar cells aiming at reducing the cost of solar power generation to match costs as low as electricity charges applied to home-use.

Aiming at a huge increase in sales, especially in the overseas market, Sanyo will invest 80 billion yen in HIT solar cells over the next three fiscal years and increase production capacity to 650 MW by FY2010, up 250% from the current amount.

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December
1


This brand is known for stylish waterproof gizmos and so the latest from then is also a music player that is a must while indulging in peaceful stress-relieving dip. The Twinbird’s water proof MP3/WMA/CD player christened as Zabady is a sleek, good-looking portable gadget that can be carried where ever you desire …..a bath room, pool, hot tub, or even kitchen. The most useful feature is a USB port inside the sealed case that allows the Zabady to play back tunes from a connected drive of up to 2GB. Here’s a more splashing feature - the IPX7 waterproofing means the player is not only splash-resistant, but can also survive immersion in 1m of water for up to half an hour. So I guess it doesn’t matter if you accidentally drop it on the tub and then forget about it too. BUT pray to god that you realize before it’s too late. It also sports an LCD for displaying track information from digital files. All juiced up this portable music player can dole out tunes for about four hours.

Weighing just 900g, its dimensions are 180 x 80 x 190mm (width x depth x height). However it seems that as of yet Zabady is meant for Japanese shores only and sells for ¥21,000 ($180).

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October
31

The NISSAN GT-R race car for the GT500 class of Japan�s SUPER GT series underwent a shakedown at the renowned Suzuka Circuit from 29-30 October supervised by NISMO (Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd).

The vehicle is scheduled to debut in the series next year. The 2-day test, conducted under sunny skies, went smoothly with NISMO�s regular drivers, Satoshi Motoyama, Michael Krumm and Tsugio Matsuda, behind the wheel.

The test was designed to obtain important data for the race car�s further development.

Yoshitaka Iijima, NISMO team director for SUPER GT, said: �The test went well without any problems. We obtained positive feedback on the car�s potential from the drivers. We are aware of the NISSAN GT-R popularity and racing heritage. We will make our best effort to win the championship next year.�

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July
27


NEC announced the launch of the world’s slimmest W-CDMA clamshell handset featuring 3G international roaming, on the Japanese market. NTT DoCoMo, Inc introduced the new N704iμ, successor of N703iμ to the market on July 20, 2007. N704iμ handsets adopt a completely unique design, which enables bright and colorful LED display of graphics, letters, and original designs on the top casing of the handset, alerting the user of new calls and messages by an original LED signal. The phone also features a special coating that creates stereoscopic patterns on the flat surface of the handset casing. Despite boasting the world’s slimmest body, the phone simultaneously achieves almost one full month of battery life, one of the longest-lasting batteries in the 3G FOMA handset range, making this phone ideal for the regular foreign traveler.
NEC clamshell handset N704iμ t featuring 3G international roaming is super slim, extra lightweight, weighs a mere 90g, and is only 11.4 mm deep when folded. The new handsets are based on NEC Electronics’ highly-integrated “Medity M1″ system LSI chip, and ultra-thin speakers. The handset is available in Blue, Black and White colors.

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July
17

Mushi Catcher

Posted In: japan, gizmo, hotel, catcher, mushi by Alex


For gizmos with crazy ideas no one can beat the Japanese. The Mushi catcher from Century Japan is an example. The mushy catcher helps you to catch small flies found on the walls. By using the catcher no marks are left on the wall and is child safe as no power, chemicals are used. The effective range is 1-3 cm from the fly. Using suction technology the fly gets inside the tube. Presto! No dirty hands, marks left on the wall. Only problem is what to do if the fly flies off. It seems the catcher is for dead flies found in hotels, guest houses near the wall clock, light etc.

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