Japan is known as the biggest consumer of tuna. Be it raw for sushi or sashimi or fried, broiled or canned, tuna is an important element of the food culture.

But concerns are growing because tuna is disappearing, and this is putting Japan in a difficult diplomatic position.

How much tuna does Japan consume annually, and how does the rest of the world feel? Following are basic questions and answers:

How many types of tuna are there?

Read the rest of the story: Does Japan’s affair with tuna mean loving it to extinction?.

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In comfortable, convenient, modern Japan, there are some who are willing to drop everything for a communal life on a remote island where they will begin each day before 5 a.m. with a hard run, followed by hours of housework and drum practice.

The island, Sado Island, is best known for the kidnappings of Japanese citizens by North Korea. But for Yuichiro Funabashi, artistic director of this year’s mid-August Earth Celebration — the Kodo drummers’ annual festival — it’s all about “being face to face with the drum.”

Read the rest of the story: Earth Celebration: Taiko drums and communal life on a remote Japanese island.

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We all know Japan is second only to Singapore when it comes to keeping things clean, so it’s little surprise to see the country’s captains of industry come up with a futuristic vehicle called the Solarve Bus (a contraction of "Solar Vehicle") that’s sparkly both inside and out.

Sanyo and Ryobi teamed up to outfit (Japanese) the standard road-going bus with solar panels on the outside to generate power and some nifty air scrubbers in the cabin for the passengers to enjoy cleaner air.

Read the rest of the story: The Solarve Bus: Sanyo’s clean, green solar-powered machine.

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NEC Corp announced Aug 6, 2010, that it will start testing a rapid charger for electric vehicles (EVs) in collaboration with Portland General Electric Co (PGE).

The rapid charger manufactured by Takasago Ltd, a subsidiary of NEC, was installed at the headquarters of PGE, which is located in Portland, Oregon, the US. The two companies had a demonstration of charging Nissan Motor Co Ltd’s Leaf electric vehicle.

The rapid charger is based on the standard being promoted by Japan’s CHAdeMO Council. According to the standard, the maximum voltage and maximum current are 500V and 125A (direct current), respectively. The maximum output is 50kW. And it is possible to charge a storage battery to about 80% in 20 to 30 minutes.

Read the rest of the story: NEC to Start Testing EV Rapid Charger in US

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Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that cumulative sales in Japan of its hybrid vehicles have topped the 1-million mark, while more than 2.68 million units have been sold globally as of July 31, 2010(1).

In August 1997 in Japan, TMC launched its first hybrid vehicle, the Toyota "Coaster Hybrid EV" minibus. In December of the same year, TMC launched the Toyota "Prius" – the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The use of the Toyota hybrid system was subsequently expanded to such vehicles as minivans, SUVs and rear-wheel-drive sedans. In 2009, TMC broadened its range of hybrid vehicles further with the launch of the third-generation Prius, as well as two other dedicated hybrid vehicles, the Lexus "HS250h" and the Toyota "Sai". Currently, nine TMC-produced hybrid passenger vehicle models and three hybrid commercial vehicle models are sold in Japan.

via Sales in Japan of Toyota Hybrids Top 1 Million Units, Global Sales Pass 2.68 Million Units.

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Scientists say soy contains a natural compound which can help reduce production of oestrogen, the hormone which contributes to menopausal problems.

Studies in Japan, where soy is consumed with meals regularly, found that Asian women experienced milder menopausal symptoms than Americans and Europeans where use of soy is less frequent.

Soy has already been found to have anti-cancer properties and can lower cholesterol.

Now researchers say the new wonder food could be an alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy as a way of treating uncomfortable menopausal problems, such as hot flushes and even bone loss.

Read the rest of the story: Soy sauce ‘could reduce symptoms of the menopause’

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Honda Motor Co. plans to consolidate its lineup in Japan by ceasing development of new models of name-brand cars and will only offer a hybrid version of its Civic, according to a report Friday. The Nikkei business daily reported that while Honda plans to roll out a new Civic worldwide in fall 2011, in Japan only the hybrid version will be released. Honda also plans to discontinue the Legend sedan, and has already halted development of the Elysion, according to the report.

Source: Market Watch

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The convenience store equipped with a lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable battery system

Daiwa House Industry Co Ltd announced June 9, 2010, that it has constructed a convenience store equipped with a lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable battery system in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.

The company installed photovoltaic (PV) batteries, Li-ion rechargeable batteries, LED lighting equipment and an energy management system to use solar energy for the lighting equipment and refrigerators in the store. Also, the rechargeable batteries store surplus electricity to equalize the power load.

Read the rest of the story: Daiwa House Industry Builds Green Convenience Store in Japan

The Li-ion rechargeable battery manufactured by Eliiy Power

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The customized Mira EV travelled at speeds of around 40kph as it drove non-stop around a car racing course in Shimotsuma in Ibaraki Prefecture.

The red and white vehicle, fitted with a special lithium ion battery created by the Japanese company Sanyo, ran for 27.5 hours covering a distance of 1,003km without being recharged.

A total of 17 different people took turns at the wheel of the electric car as it circled repeatedly around the racecourse during the experiment.

Read the rest of the story: Electric car travels record 1,000km on single charge

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Japan’s solar cell market more than tripled in the year to March, as government incentives spurred households to purchase the eco-friendly technology, industry data showed Tuesday.

Shipments of solar cells and modules in Japan rose 263 percent from the previous financial year, the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association said.

Nearly 90 percent of the shipments were for household use, due to government cash subsidies and tax incentives for homeowners to install the greener technology.

Read the rest of the story: Japan’s solar cell market more than tripled in 2009

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