Fake snow might be used to keep spectators cool at Tokyo Olympics
Japan’s summers are so oppressively hot that organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are considering using snow machines to keep spectators cool at outdoor events. The machines were tested on a crowd of volunteers in Tokyo on Friday, but the system clearly needs a bit of work.
Airport hotel builds a full-sized flight simulator into one of its guest rooms
Aviation fans flying out of Tokyo's Haneda Airport, there's a new hotel room designed just for you. It features a full-size Boeing 737-800 flight simulator, though you'll have to pay extra to use it. The Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu opens the room this week, with flight lessons offered by a qualified flight instructor.
Hayabusa2 probe collects first-ever subsurface samples from an asteroid
It can be hard waiting for news from 200 million miles away, but on Wednesday night, Japan's space agency said it believes its Hayabusa2 probe had successfully collected the first subsurface material from an asteroid. Now comes the tricky job of getting it back to Earth.
Why are people in Japan renting cars but not driving them anywhere?
App-based car-sharing services where you can rent a vehicle for a short period of time are becoming increasingly popular in Japan. But some operators have recently noticed that more and more people aren't going anywhere in them. A recent report threw some light on what’s going on.
7-Eleven’s mobile payment app shut down after hackers nab $500K from customers
A mobile payment system launched by 7-Eleven in Japan has been forced to shut down just days after launch after it was targeted by hackers. Poor security measures have been blamed for the mishap, which saw 900 customers lose a total of $500,000 in fraudulent transactions.
Sloshed drone pilots in Japan can now be punished with jail time
If you're flying a drone in Japan, better not be sloshed when you send your bird skyward. A new law passed this week could see drunk drone pilots sent to jail for up to a year or hit with a hefty fine. New Jersey brought in a similar rule last year threatening a six-month prison sentence or a $1,000 fine.
Japan’s latest bullet train begins trial runs that will see it reach 248 mph
Japan has begun testing its next-generation bullet train in trial runs that will see it reach speeds of 248 mph. It’s surely its coolest design to date, too, with the 22-meter-long nose on its front car guaranteed to turn heads.
Sony’s massive new MicroLED display stands 17 feet tall and packs 16K resolution
Sony has a massive new 16K MicroLED display that stands 17 feet tall and is longer than a bus. Announced at the 2019 NAB trade show in Las Vegas, the display is located in Japan and will be used for research, while the presentation uses specially created footage produced in-house.
‘Guerrilla rainstorm’ warning system aims to prevent soakings, or worse
In Japan, a "guerrilla rainstorm" refers to a sudden and highly localized downpour, some of which can cause havoc in a matter of minutes. They're difficult to forecast, though researchers in Tokyo claim to have built an accurate early-warning system, giving people ample to time to get out of harm's way.
How skillful translations helped these Japanese video games gain global appeal
Translators have helped double the worldwide audience of some Japanese games, giving players keen insight into Japanese culture in the process. It’s something the gaming industry could see more of in the future, as long as companies approach the localization of their games with their targeted audience in mind.
Forget fireworks. Japan will soon have artificial meteor showers on tap
Tokyo-based startup Astro Live Experiences is preparing to launch its first artificial meteor shower over Japan, serving as a showcase of its prowess in the space entertainment sector. Here's what you'll be able to expect from the event coming soon to a sky near, well, Japan.
A Japanese hotel fires half its robot staff for being bad at their jobs
Japan’s oddball Henn na Hotel has fired half of its 243 robot staff. The reason? Because these labor-saving machines were causing more problems than they were solving -- and requiring humans to come in and fix things as a result. These are some of the robots that got the chop.
Japan’s new ‘vomit vacuum’ hard at work during end-of-year party season
End-of-year parties can be a real headache for those in charge of public places, with at least a few inebriated revelers guaranteed to throw up as they make their way home. Just as well, then, that a Japanese cleaning company has created the "vomit vacuum" to deal with such unfortunate accidents.
iPhone X to make a comeback, but only in international markets
Apple appears to have resumed manufacturing the older iPhone X for the international market. The cheaper iPhone X will likely be offered in India and China, where the high price of the iPhone XS has proven to be a tough sell to customers leading to low sales numbers in those markets.
Man in Japan drives sports car ‘faster than a bullet train’ in YouTube stunt
A motorist in Japan is in serious trouble with the law after he drove his Nissan GT-R sports car at a speed that would've seen it overtake some of the nation's famously fast bullet trains. The unnamed driver recorded the stunt and put it on YouTube because he "wanted everyone to watch it."
Say what!? A wind turbine in Japan got blown over by — the wind
A huge wind turbine was blown over in windy conditions on Friday. The rare event occurred during a typhoon in Japan when the extreme conditions tore the turbine from its base. Video shows how the turbine had been toppled, with its 20-meter-long blades badly damaged when the structure hit the ground.
Apple Store Kyoto: Step inside the new retail space in Japan’s ancient capital
Yes there was hootin', yes there was hollerin', and yes there was high-fivin'. Apple opened its first store in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto on Saturday, August 25, offering a modern contrast to the city's storied history, and thousands went along to check it out — Digital Trends included.
Remember the Y2K scare? Japan is facing a similar date-related tech crisis
Remember the Y2K bug which scared us all witless in the buildup to the year 2000? Jump forward 18 years, and Japan has its own impending Millenium bug-style problem -- and it’s threatening to hit systems in April next year when the current emperor of Japan departs the post.
A Japanese startup is planning an artificial shooting star show by 2020
Who says you have to wait around for a meteor shower? Certainly not ALE Co., a Tokyo-based startup that wants you to wish upon a shooting star anytime you'd like. The company is looking to develop a system that would offer paying customers "shooting stars on demand," and it could be in operation by 2020.
This crash-tastic video shows why rocket launches aren’t easy
Japanese rocket company Interstellar Technologies has been inspired by the likes of SpaceX and Blue Origin, but its efforts have proved disappointing. Two launches have resulted in two rocket failures, the latest of which created a large fireball that you can now watch from multiple angles in a new video.
Japan aims to power Tokyo Olympics with 100 percent renewable energy
Japan is aiming to make the Tokyo Olympics the greenest ever, with plans to power the sporting extravaganza with 100 percent renewable energy. Part of the strategy includes ramping up wind and solar projects before 2020, while other efforts include making medals from metals taken from discarded mobile phones.
Airbnb forced to cancel Japan bookings as new law approaches
A new law about to come into effect in Japan has forced Airbnb to cancel a number of bookings, causing serious disruption for many travelers. The incoming law stipulates that hosts have to apply for a special permit to operate, but many are still dealing with the paperwork.
Finally, an ‘umbrella drone’ that hovers above your head
Is it a drone? Is it an umbrella? It's both actually, and it hovers directly above you to keep the rain off your head or the sun off your skin. If you can ignore the rather annoying racket, and have $275 to spare, this unique contraption could be yours as early as next year.
Uber gears up for its latest scheme in the tricky Japanese market
Strict regulations make it tough for Uber to launch its regular ridesharing service in Japan. But it hasn't lost hope. Taking a different approach, it plans to link its app with 20 cab firms to offer a taxi-hailing service to 150,000 inhabitants of an island near the city of Osaka.
Camera lost at sea for two years reunited with its owner after Facebook post
Photos recovered from a camera lost at sea two years ago helped a group of Taiwanese students to find its Japanese owner.
Japan to crack down on cryptocurrency exchanges after high-profile hacks
Japan's financial regulatory agencies are gearing up to slap punishments on cryptocurrency exchanges whose lax security measures may have cost investors hundreds of millions of dollars.
First sheep, then cats, and now Google Street View offers a dog’s perspective
If you're a fan of dogs, Japan, and Street View, then the latest imagery to hit Google's online service is sure to delight.
Get seasick? Then this floating hotel room ‘pod’ is definitely not for you
If you're a fan of quirky hotel accommodation, then how about this personal floating pod for a couple of nights on the open water?
Japan’s new symbols for high-tech toilets get official recognition
A set of symbols for various functions on Japan's high-tech toilets have now been officially recognized by the International Organization for Standardization.
Get closer. Lee Chapman shares the secrets of his Tokyo street photography
Tokyo street photographer Lee Chapman likes to get close to his subjects, and often considers it a bonus if they look right at the camera. We asked the Brit about his work, and how he captures striking portraits of the city's many colorful characters.
Uber’s competition in Japan heats up thanks to Didi, Softbank, and Toyota
Didi and SoftBank are working together to bring ridesharing services to Japan. Plus, JapanTaxi and Toyota are collaborating, too.
Japan just launched the smallest rocket to carry a satellite into space
Bigger isn't always better, at least not when it comes to breaking records. Over the weekend, Japan launched a miniature satellite by way of a modified SS-520 sounding rocket.
Baby got Beck: Grandmother’s Instagram inspires rock icon’s new music video
How a Japanese grandmother's cute Instagram shots led to a starring role for her family in Beck's latest music video.
Nissan made some self-parking slippers to show off its clever car tech
To highlight its autonomous car features, Nissan has already developed self-driving office chairs. And now it's come up with self-parking slippers.