Xbox360 Best Seller In Japan

This is NOT good news for PlayStation fanboys in Japan and the rest of the world. According to sales figures, the Xbox 360 is has outsold the PlayStation 3 and the Wii. This is according to Media Create, an analytics company.

According to Games Industry, the latest results in terms of hardware and software are:

The Square Enix title for the Xbox 360 displaced last week’s top seller, Mario & Luigi RPG 3 for the DS, pushing it into second place.

PlayStation Portable title Idolmaster Sp took three consecutive places with its iterations Perfect Sun, Missing Moon and Wandering Star at third, fourth and fifth place respectively.

Shining Force Feather on the DS also debuted during the week, taking sixth place, followed by Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP the Best) at number seven and, another debut title, Sacred Blaze on the PSP at eight.

Meanwhile, Street Fighter IV for the PS3 slipped from second place to ninth, and Demon’s Souls, also for the PS3, came in tenth.

The region saw the Nintendo DS platform dominates sales at 51,814 units, breaking down into 41,839 DSi sales and 9,975 DS Lite sales, while Sony’s PSP followed behind at 29,552 units.

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 led the home console sales with 25,334 units, beating out the Wii at 16,973 units and PS3 at 16,149 units, as well as the PlayStation 2 which lagged behind at 5029 units.

This is quite surprising, given the fact that the PlayStation and Wii consoles are both Japanese-made. There could be a variety of reasons why this has happened but that is quite beside the point right now. If Sony wants to make a comeback, they have to do something – and quick.

Free iPhones In Japan

While the rest of the world has been clamoring to get their hands on the iPhone, the Japanese seem to think otherwise. This is another classic case of cultural differences – differences in tastes and preferences. According to Forbes.com, Japanese who sign up for a 2-year contract with Softbank Mobile can avail of a free 8GB iPhone unit. And if you happen to want the higher version of the iPhone, say the 16GB unit, you only have to pay $118 with the 2-year contract. Even with the payment necessary, the price is less than half of what the iPhone is currently going for in other countries!

This is probably quite incomprehensible for one who lives in a nation such as the United States, or even the United Kingdom, where people of all ages seem to be doing most anything within their power to find a way to afford the iPhone. So why is this happening? How can a technologically advanced country not fall in love with the iPhone?

Any serious techie will give you a shake of his head as an answer. It is simple – the iPhone has not appealed to the Japanese people in general because it is not quite the technologically advanced phone that we think it is. It is true, the iPhone is cool. There is no arguing with that. But in Japan, where people change their mobile phones twice a year (this might be an exaggeration but you get the point), something like the iPhone is not that great.

In vitro Egg in Wrong Womb

It is pretty believable when a man says that a baby might not be his but to hear a pregnant woman say that the baby she’s carrying might not be hers sounds incredoulous, however, that is exactly what happened in the Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital.

Last September a woman in her early 20s became pregnant thanks to in vitro fertilisation. She was quite happy about it until medical tests suggested that it was very much unlikely that the eggs implanted in her uterus was hers. The woman opted for an abortion at nine weeks and is now seeking $215,000 as compensation for damages.

According to the hospital director, Yuzo Matsumoto, the mistake may have have happened because “”the in vitro procedures are carried out in sequence one after the other… eggs from one procedure may have accidentally been left over and used in the following procedure.”

If you are planning on undergoing fertility treatments you shouldn’t really be scared about this happening since this incident is actually very uncommon. In fact, this is the first time an incident like this has been reported. To be on the safe side you might want to ask about the procedure followed by the clinic you’re visiting. A good clinic will always give you answers and if you are uncomfortable about anything then voice your concern or find another place and doctor to accommodate your needs.

Greenhouse Gas Satellite Launched By Japan

Japan is known for so many things – the nation’s excellence in technology and affinity for the environment are among of the most notable. On the 23rd of this month, Japan as once again shown leadership in both fields as they launched the first ever satellite meant to monitor greenhouse gases. ENS-Newswire published this report on that day:

The first satellite dedicated to monitoring greenhouse gas emissions as part of global efforts to combat climate change was launched into space today from Japan.

The IBUKI, which means “breath,” will circle the globe every 100 minutes at an altitude of some 670 kilometers (416 miles) and will monitor the levels of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane at 56,000 locations.

The satellite will acquire data covering the entire planet every three days and this data will be shared with other space and scientific organizations.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, launched the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) at 12:54 pm Japan Standard Time from the Tanegashima Space Center.

So how is this satellite important? Now really, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that greenhouse gas emission is one of the most significant factors in the degrading of our environment. If the emissions can be monitored closely, together with the analysis of their impact on the environment, perhaps measures can be taken quicker and more effectively. Of course, this means that everyone in the world should have to be cooperative in this respect. Now that’s another matter altogether, isn’t it?

Japan Car at the Science Museum in London

Are you a car enthusiast? What excites you when it comes to cars? Good old American muscle cars? Sleek and sexy sports cars? How about tranquil and compact Japanese cars?

If you lean towards the last group, then you would be interested in what Shigeru Ban and Kenya Hara are doing. These two Japanese nationals are trying to change the perception of the rest of world with regard to modern Japan. One of their activities that has gotten a lot of attention is the Japan Car show. This show is actually part of the efforts of their group called Design Platform Japan.

Hara explains their ideology:

We wanted to introduce Japanese industrial culture to the world. We Japanese are not very good at explaining what is happening in Japan right now properly. Although Japanese subcultures such as anime or manga are becoming well known, when Japan is introduced it tends to be in terms of tea ceremonies or kimonos. Our industrial, mainstream culture just isn’t represented.

And they are currently tapping the strong interest in cars to showcase modern Japan. There are 14 models on display but not all of them are available in the market. More so, not all the cars might appeal to the average car enthusiast – especially the more “exotic” designs. Their aim, however, is to give viewers a glimpse of the future that Japan might be able to bring about through a fusion of their technology and culture. That is interesting, to say the least.

Clean Diesel Engine To Be Launched By Mazda

Car lovers – this news will certainly make your day. Mazda Motor Corp., one of the biggest car manufacturers in Japan, has announced that they will be launching a new diesel engine that will be more fuel efficient. Though the engine is not set to be released till next year, and only in Europe initially at that, excitement is already running through the minds of a lot of people. AFP reports:

Japan’s fifth largest automaker plans to introduce the MZR-CD 2.2 engine worldwide but first in Europe, where diesel accounts for nearly 60 percent of vehicle sales.

The technology allows the engine to burn off soot from exhaust fumes some 60 percent faster than traditional diesel engines, the Hiroshima-based company said in a statement.

Though I am not in Europe, I know that sooner or later this engine will be released worldwide. More so, as the AFP report says, other car manufacturers are set on developing and releasing their own version of clean diesel engines. This will certainly set the trend for the global market, bringing more options to the consumers.

With the ever rising fuel prices all over the world, news like this is very much appreciated by motorists. I was just away on a short weekend trip and I was amazed at how much I had to pay for the diesel! Considering that diesel is cheaper than gas, then that says a lot. And, looking at the effects on the environment of a clean diesel engine, this development means so much more.

It’s All About Food Technology

Those who love Japanese food, raise your hand! I am sure that a lot of people would agree with me when I say that Japanese food is one of the best cuisines in the world. Light and yet tasty at the same time, Japan’s cuisine is known all over the world.

I suppose that is why a lot of attention has been placed on how the Japanese go about cooking and manufacturing food. Recently, a report was released by Research and Markets. Titled “Japan’s Innovative Food Manufacturing & Processing Technology 2008,” this report highlights the juxtaposition of world class cuisine and technology. Perhaps this report would be of interest to those in the culinary sector or even to the average curious person.

What is contained in the report? Marketwatch provides some info:

1. Food Technologies
Production/processing, freezing, sterilization, inspection, quality control/freshness control, cooking, mixing, heating, separation, analysis, taste recognition, measurement, washing, detection technologies, etc.
Some specific examples of articles featured:
- Shirako Kamaboko-ten explores potential of nano-bubble water
- Kumamoto University develops a revolutionary ultra-fast freezing technology
- K Pack uses electricity to sterilize salad dressing
All articles feature excellent examples of advanced technology.

2. Food Ingredients & Additives
This section introduces excellent new food ingredients and additives, such as:
- SPM-rich milk ceramide developed by Snow Brand Milk Products
- Functional food material with anti-allergy effect developed by Nippon Meat Packers
- Pine fiber from Matsutani Chemical Industry with fat lowering function

3. Food Processing Equipment
An introduction to food processing equipment including dough sheet cutters, peeling equipment, sushi makers, machines for making Chinese-style dumplings, wrapping machines, noodle/pasta making equipment, milling devices, flour milling machines, heat sterilizing systems and pulverizers.

It seems like a lot of the information leans towards the manufacturing industry, doesn’t it? Still, the fact that this aspect has been studied so thoroughly speaks well of both the food and technology of The Land of the Rising Sun.

Wingtip: Segway Killer

Toyota Motor of Japan announced a new gadget yesterday and it is said to be the Segway killer. The Segway was introduced some years ago and has become a popular means of transporting one’s self around easily.

The Winglet, as the new electronic scooter is called, can be controlled by shifting your body weight. By doing so, the rider can go forward, backward, and turn left or right.

So just how fast can the Winglet go? A smooth 6 kilometers per hour. I don’t know if people like me would like to go that fast, though. What I like about the Winglet is its cool design, as compared to the Segway.

Wired.com gives more information on the Winglet:

Called the Winglet because of its fleet nature, it is the first gadget to duplicate the celebrated, and often mocked, navigation system of Dean Kamen’s Segway Transporter: self-balancing through gyroscopic sensors detecting the gentle directional tilts of a rider.

According to Toyota, they will begin testing three different models at a few Japanese airports later this year, as well as some popular malls. The feedback received from customers will help determine whether Toyota will mass-market the gadget for sales everywhere else.

Come to think of it, though, the Winglet would not stand a chance if it were to be pitted against the Segway in a race. The Segway looks sturdier and IS probably sturdier. So why do they call it the Segway killer? I honestly don’t know – perhaps it has more features. Has anyone tried this?

63 Japanese Set For Space Burial

At the end of this month, 63 Japanese will be “buried” in space. The ceremonial burial is in fact going to include people from all over the world. This service is provided by Celestis, Inc, a company from the United States.

Celestis has been providing this service since 1997. According to a spokesman, since the space burial service was launched, the Japanese has become their second most numerous customers, the first being Americans. So what exactly is a space burial anyway?

The first step is for the deceased to be cremated here on Earth. The ashes which result from the cremation are then placed into capsules – or rather, a small amount of the ashes. The capsules range from 1 gram to 14 grams, depending on the person. The capsules containing the ashes of the deceased are the placed in a satellite, which will eventually be launched into space. Once launched, the satellite will be orbiting the Earth for several years, after which it will burn out in space.

How much will a space burial set you back? Celestis advertises different services in their web site and based on the information given there, you can spend anywhere from USD695 to USD12,500. The services range from Earth Rise Service, Earth Orbit Service, Luna Service, and Voyager Service, respectively.

For more information – whether you are merely curious or you want to make plans for your future – visit the Celestis web site.

Solar Power For Houses To Be Encouraged

With the problems that we are encountering with fuel consumption and global warming, the best possible course for us to take would be sustainable source of power. We all know that solar power is one of the most feasible sources of energy and perhaps this is would be what the future holds for us. The Japanese government seems to think along the same lines.

Based on a report by Reuters:

The Japanese government will come up with measures on Tuesday to promote the household use of solar power systems by introducing subsidies and tax breaks from next year, the Nikkei financial daily reported on Sunday.

The paper said the steps, following an environment initiative announced earlier by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, include halving the cost of buying solar power systems in Japan, home to major solar component makers.

These include Sharp Corp, Kyocera Corp and Sanyo Electric Co.

This is really a good move by the government as the more people make use of solar power, less people will be using conventional power sources. I am sure that many of us would love to go solar but the costs of converting to this source are very high. But since the government is giving subsidies, I suppose that more people will be able to afford solar power.

Perhaps other countries in the West should study this example. It is never too early to start making use of more sustainable sources of power.

Photo courtesy of Rich_Lem