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July 24, 2026
 

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INVENTIONS

A representative from Noitom Robotics demonstraties remote robot operation at the iREX International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 5, 2025
Spotlight shines on humanoid robots at Tokyo show
The 2025 International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo is showcasing humanoid robots who can perform duties ranging from extinguishing fires to working alongside humans in an office.
Yamada¡¯s Mirai Human Washing Machine at the Osaka Expo
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 27, 2025
Yamada to sell ¡®human washing machine¡¯ after expo popularity
The home electronics retailer will sell the machine at its flagship store in Tokyo¡¯s Ikebukuro district.
Kirin officials in Tokyo on Tuesday show the Electric Salt Cup, which lets users feel salty tastes more strongly and thus cut down on salt intake.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Sep 10, 2025
Kirin releases electric soup cup that enhances salty taste
The cup is available on the company¡¯s official online store at a price of ?26,950 ($182).
A staff member at the Osaka Expo wears clothing featuring a cooling fan powered by electricity generated by perovskite solar cells.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 17, 2025
Wearable perovskite solar cells tested at Osaka Expo
The cells, jointly developed by Toyoda Gosei and a startup company, weigh just 10 grams each.
Takuzo Aida, group director at the Riken Center for Emergent Matter Science, shows a sample of ocean-degradable plastic at its lab in Wako, Saitama Prefecture.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jun 5, 2025
Scientists in Japan develop plastic that quickly dissolves in seawater
The new material is as strong as petroleum-based plastics but breaks down into its original components when exposed to salt.
NTT's drone ¡ª aimed at triggering, then redirecting lightning ¡ª is described as a "flying lightning rod."
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 23, 2025
NTT develops world¡¯s first ¡®flying lightning rod¡¯ using drones
NTT said it hopes its flying lightning rods will one day shield cities and digital infrastructure from strikes.
Chieko Asakawa, chief executive director of Miraikan, with an AI-powered suitcase designed to assist people with visual impairments, in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Jan. 22
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Apr 11, 2025
AI suitcase for visually impaired to be tested at expo
The device incorporates generative artificial intelligence technology, enabling it to describe the surrounding environment through voice feedback.
A "biohybrid" robot hand developed by a research team from the University of Tokyo and Waseda University
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Feb 13, 2025
Japanese research team develops world¡¯s largest ¡®biohybrid¡¯ robot hand
Lack of nutrients, necrosis and muscle fiber alignment issues have limited the scale of previous ¡°biohybrid¡± systems.
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Society
Nov 18, 2024
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Always trying to solve the problems of modern life, the perennial candidate refuses to bow to societal expectations of age.
Nikon's new microscope specialized for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a fertility treatment
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jul 3, 2024
Nikon develops microscope for fertility treatment
The product reduces the number of operational steps involved in intracytoplasmic sperm injection by about 75%.
LignoSat, the world's first wooden satellite, unveiled at Kyoto University in Kyoto on Tuesday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 29, 2024
Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry unveil world¡¯s first wooden satellite
LignoSat is developed with the aim of combating space clutter and promoting more environmentally friendly space activity.
New study questions the trend of scientific breakthroughs and examines the changing landscape of innovation.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 8, 2024
Have scientific breakthroughs declined?
From curing disease to reducing global warming, there¡¯s no shortage of hard scientific problems crying out for solutions.
A Toyo Safety Industrial helmet with a built-in fan is showcased at Extreme Heat Countermeasures Exhibition in Tokyo in July.
BUSINESS
Jul 31, 2023
Fan-cooled beds and baby carriers among new gadgets to beat heat
At Tokyo¡¯s annual trade show last week the focus was on how to keep workers in high-temperature environments cool and reduce the risk of heatstroke.
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jul 4, 2023
Japanese app aims to help detect pain in cats
Since its release last month, ¡®Cat Pain Detector¡¯ has racked up 43,000 users, mostly in Japan but also in Europe and South America.
Japan Times
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 4, 2023
Tokyo researchers develop robot arms to ¡®unlock creativity¡¯
The Jizai Arms were inspired by traditional Japanese puppetry and a quasi-horror short story.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Jun 23, 2023
Chemical-maker Kao unveils new way to combat mosquitoes
Researchers found that spraying a solution that allows mosquitoes¡¯ wings to become wet can prevent them from flying and knock them out of the air.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 23, 2023
New device to speed up disposal of dud shells from Battle of Okinawa
The explosion-proof container is expected to reduce the evacuation area in a residential district during bomb disposal work to one third of the present size.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / FOCUS
Feb 19, 2020
Edison, Morse and Watson? AI poses question of who¡¯s an inventor
Computers using artificial intelligence are discovering medicines, designing better golf clubs and creating video games.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 9, 2019
NASA unveils its first all-electric plane, the X-57 Maxwell
NASA, best known for its many Florida-launched forays into space, showcased an early version of its first all-electric experimental aircraft, the X-57 Maxwell, on Friday at its lesser-known aeronautics lab in the California desert.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 8, 2019
Put down that phone! Indonesians invent device to aid internet addicts
From browsing social media to watching videos and chatting with friends, Indonesian university student Tyas Sisianindita spends about eight hours a day on her phone.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.
Summer has arrived in Japan and so have hot sleepless nights
Amid the heat and humidity in Japan, a good night¡¯s sleep is growing increasingly elusive without the heavy use of air conditioning.
Maya Ongaku¡¯s DIY dream is getting bigger
The members of Maya Ongaku ¡ª (from left) Tsutomu Sonoda, Shoei Ikeda and Ryota Takano ¡ª grew up on the Shonan Coast south of Tokyo and have been friends since their school days.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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