Japan wants to see robots compete against each other in the 2020 Summer Olympics
South Korea has robot spectators at their baseball games? Cute. Japan wants to see robot athletes competing against each other at the 2020 Olympics.
Subaru’s WRX S4 promises more sophisticated performance, but only in Japan
The Subaru WRX S4 is the first of what will likely be many special-edition versions of the newly-redesigned model. It debuts in Japan August 25.
Japan’s news-reading robot shouldn’t have too many newscasters fearing for their job
Japan unveiled the world's first news-reading robot on Tuesday, though judging by its performance, real newscasters needn't worry about being shoved aside in favor of an android. Not yet, anyway.
Chromecast arrives in Australia, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Portugal, and Switzerland
Google announced today via blog post that users in Australia, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Portugal, and Switzerland can now use its dongle to begin casting.
Xbox One set for September 4 release in Japan
Microsoft announced a September 4 release for the Xbox One in Japan, with regional launches in 26 countries overall expected for that month.
Time is ticking for Tizen, as Japanese network cancels plans to launch first phone
Are networks beginning to lose faith in Tizen? Number one Japanese network NTT DoCoMo has canceled plans to launch the first phone in March, following lengthy delays.
Space junk: Japan to use ‘magnetic net’ to clean up floating debris
Japan's national aerospace agency is planning to launch a 'magnetic net' into space in an effort to clean up the increasing amount of potentially dangerous space debris circling the planet. The first test of the technology will take place next month.
In Japan, iPhones are 8 of the top 10 best-selling smartphones
We'd heard the Apple iPhone was popular in Japan, and now sales figures have proven just how much it's adored. According to research, the iPhone occupied eight of the top ten smartphone sales positions during the first week of December.
Nissan’s self-driving car tested on public roads for first time, comes back in one piece
Nissan plans to start selling its self-driving car by 2020. This week it tested it out on public roads in full automatic mode for the very first time, and we're happy to report it returned to base in one piece.
iPhone is even more popular in Japan than it is in the United States
Apple is sure to be pleased with the iPhone 5S' performance in Japan, as according to new research, the country has become its number one market for the iPhone, passing America.
Leaked Xperia Z1S could be Sony’s international version of the small, powerful Z1F
An international version of the Sony Xperia Z1F, named the Xperia Z1S, has been leaked. Sony's small-but-powerful Xperia Z1F is currently only scheduled for release in Japan.
Sorry USA and China! Sony Mobile is focusing on Europe and Japan
Sony has decided to focus its smartphone efforts in the two regions where it's most popular, Europe and Japan, for now. Sony's CEO says it doesn't make sense to do everything at once, and says the U.S. and China will come later.
Sony’s small but powerful Xperia Z1 F announced, but only Japan gets to enjoy it
Sony has announced the Xperia Z1F, and as the rumors predicted, it's a small phone which packs a considerable punch, as aside from the screen size, it's specs are the same as the Xperia Z1. Sadly, it's only confirmed for Japan at the moment.
Google launches Android game vending machines in Tokyo
Google has launched three Google Play vending machines in Tokyo where owners of Android smartphones can download games. However, given that each machine is staffed by several Google employees, we don' expect to see them rolled out internationally.
World’s first inflatable concert hall debuts in Japan’s disaster area
The world's first inflatable concert hall is set to debut this weekend in northeastern Japan, the region devastated by 2011’s quake and tsunami. The purple and red blow-up structure comprises a coated polyester material and can seat around 500 people.
Despite exceedingly poor Xbox 360 sales in Japan, Microsoft likes its chances
Even after several major retailers in Japan decided to stop carrying the Xbox 360 altogether, Microsoft claims its sales were actually deceptively strong as it prepares for the Xbox One
iPhone 5S goes on sale, consumers around the world already caressing new device
Apple's new iPhone 5S handset is already on sale in a number of countries, including Japan where some people started lining up outside the company's Ginza store 10 days ago. Let's hope it was worth the wait.
Taxi firm to fit cabs with alarm-enabled lost property detectors
Imagine this – during a cab ride, your mobile phone slips out of your pocket onto the back seat. As you pay your fare and go to leave, an alarm sounds, alerting you to your forgotten phone, and saving you a whole load of hassle.
PlayStation 4 launches in Japan in 2014
Sony confirms that the PlayStation 4 will launch in Japan on February 22, 2014 – three months after the U.S. PS4 launch.
Japan to launch Internet ‘fasting camps’ for half a million Web-addicted students
According to a recent study by the country's Health Ministry, Japan appears to have more than its fair share of Internet addicts among its youth population, an issue the government intends to tackle with the launch of Internet ‘fasting camps’.
When tech goes wrong: Major quake alert mistakenly sent to millions across Japan
A quake alert sent out simultaneously to millions of handsets across Japan on Thursday warned that a huge quake was imminent. TV shows were also interrupted with the information as people were told to brace themselves. But nothing happened.
Segway lite? Toyota’s ‘Winglet’ aims to turn us into wheeled Wall-E fatties
Winglet. It's small, foldable, faster than walking and even kinda cool, in a super nerdy way. First seen in 2008, they are now in public trials.
Kirobo, the world’s first talking ‘robot astronaut’, heads for International Space Station
Kirobo, the world's first talking 'robot astronaut', is heading for the ISS after blasting off from Japan on Sunday. The knee-high android is set to conduct the first ever space-based communication experiments between a robot and a human.
Stunning view of Andromeda – 2.5 million light years away – captured by super telescope
A team of astronomers has captured a remarkable view of the Andromeda galaxy using an ultra-high-resolution camera attached to its Subaru super telescope in Hawaii. The feat will pave the way for an ambitious 'cosmic census' project.
Honey, let’s shrink the kids (using this 3D printer)
3D printers can create this, that and the other these days, but did you know they can also shrink the kids? That's right, a company in Japan is now offering to print up figurines of the family using nothing more than a set of photos.
Street View lets you climb Mount Fuji without breaking a sweat
If you've ever dreamed of climbing a mountain but were put off by the fact that you might have to actually expend some energy, you'll be pleased to know that Street View and Mount Fuji have come together to help turn your fantasy into reality.
Xbox One won’t launch until 2014 in Japan
Microsoft Japan president and CEO Yasuyuki Higuchi confirms that the Xbox One won't be released in Japan until 2014, owing to the fact that the country is deemed a 'tier 2' market.
Apple moves to protect ‘iWatch’ name, files for trademark in Japan
Following months of rumors suggesting Apple is developing a high-tech smartwatch, it emerged on Monday that the Cupertino company last month filed for the 'iWatch' trademark in Japan.
Abandoned Japanese island that inspired villain’s lair in Skyfall comes to Street View
If you fancy a trip to an eerie, abandoned island – one which turned up in Bond movie Skyfall – then you can probably guess which Google service will deliver the goods.
‘Anti-Glass’ specs developed to block face recognition technology
If you have concerns about Google Glass and its potential for face recognition services, you might need to get yourself a pair of these 'anti-Glass' specs developed by researchers in Japan.
Trash can that looks like new Mac Pro causes a stir in Japan
The design of the new Mac Pro is SO 2008, at least, it is if the design of the Tubelor trash can is anything to go by. The Tubelor hit the headlines in Japan this week when someone noticed it bore a striking resemblance to Apple's new workstation.
Apple fans in Japan hit with hefty iDevice price hikes
Apple has suddenly whacked up the prices of a number of its iDevices in Japan, with a weak yen cited as the cause of the hike. Anyone who was considering buying, for example, the 128GB iPad will now have to fork out an extra 13,000 yen ($130).
First-ever 256GB Surface Pro coming to Japan with Office 2013 and exclusive Touch Covers
Microsoft's bringing the Surface Pro to Japan. Not only will it have Office 2013 and Windows 8 Pro, but it'll be available with a whopping 256GB of storage.
Stormtrooper cosplayer enters train station after anonymous murder tweet, things get weird
A Stormtrooper cosplayer walks into a train station in Japan right around the same time an anonymous tweeter threatened mass murder at that very station.
Sony announces ‘Digital Paper’: Ultra-thin, 13.3-inch flexible e-reader for universities
Sony's new 13.3-inch E ink device, called 'Digital Paper', is a flexible e-reader built for reading and taking notes in textbooks for universities.
Microsoft refuses to let Japan go and gives the Xbox 360 one final push
Microsoft has never quite given up on the Japanese market despite years of failure, and it's giving the Xbox 360 one more marketing push before rolling out the Next Xbox.
Street View: Google posts imagery of town evacuated after Fukushima disaster
At the request of its mayor, Google has posted Street View imagery of Namie, a town close to Fukushima that was evacuated, and remains empty, following the multiple meltdowns at the nuclear facility more than two years ago.
Asus to release a cheaper Transformer Book … in Japan
The first Windows 8 ultrabook convertible by Asus was a tad too expensive than people would've liked. Thankfully, the company will be releasing a cheaper version of the device this week - but only in Japan.