Street View: Google to map deserted town evacuated after Fukushima disaster
A town in Japan evacuated in March 2011 after a meltdown at the nearby Fukushima nuclear facility is being mapped by Google. Street View cars began collecting data in the deserted town this week, with images expected to appear online in the next few months.
Google’s Public Alerts service launches in Japan, offers up-to-date information during natural disasters
Google has launched its Public Alerts service for people living in Japan. The online system will provide up-to-the-minute information and relevant emergency alerts in the event of a natural disaster.
Apple launches iBookstore in Japan, goes up against Google, Amazon and Rakuten
Apple launched its iBookstore in Japan on Tuesday. With millions of people in the East Asian nation owning iPhones and iPads, the new market is sure to be a lucrative one for the Cupertino company.
Sega brings retro console-themed laptops to Japan
Sega's retro console-themed laptops and laptop lid covers feature the Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast, as well as Sega's signature blue color.
YouTube opens new ‘creator space’ in Tokyo, its first in Asia
YouTube is giving video producers in Japan a chance to get their hands on some high-tech production equipment with the opening of a new 'creator space' in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills. YouTube already has simliar facilities in London and Los Angeles, with this latest one the first to open in Asia.
Scientists have built a robot that makes rats depressed. Yay, science?
A team at Waseda University has designed a robot rat to make the lives of real-life rats miserable, just to see how depressed they get as a result.
BlackBerry: No plans to release new BB10 phones in Japan
BlackBerry has said it has "no plans" to release its new BlackBerry 10 devices in Japan because, with only a 0.3 percent market share in the nation, it's "not a major market" for the company.
Japan planning world’s first 4K/Ultra HD live broadcast for the 2014 World Cup
You'll need an uber-expensive 4K/Ultra HD to take advantage, but come 2014, the World Cup will be broadcast in stunning ultra high def.
LG announces the big screen, Full HD Optimus G Pro, but so far only for Japan
LG has announced the Optimus G Pro, a new smartphone with a 5-inch, 1080p resolution screen which will launch in Japan this April. Could an international release follow at Mobile World Congress?
Sony announces super slim, quad-core Xperia Tablet Z
Sony has announced the Xperia Tablet Z, a very slim 10.1-inch tablet with a quad-core processor, which is currently headed only for Japan. However, this could change when Mobile World Congress begins next month.
Paint it pink: New Toyota Crown color causes a stir in Japan
Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda took his company's most conservative model and painted it bright pink. It's either a bold move or a sign that the fabric of reality is coming undone.
Apple to launch iBookstore in Japan this month, reports say
Apple will reportedly launch its electronic bookstore in Japan this month.
Nissan introduces cheaper 2013 Leaf trim level in Japan
The 2013 Nissan Leaf S is $5,000 cheaper than a regular Leaf, but will that be enough to reverse the EV hatchback's sales declines?
The robotic wheelchair that can take on steps
Researchers in Japan have designed a robotic wheelchair that can walk up steps and turn a perfect circle.
Honda CR-Z Mugen RZ: Is this sporty hybrid’s identity crisis over?
The Honda CR-Z Mugen RZ emphasizes sporty driving instead of fuel economy, choosing one half of the CR-Z's split personality over the other.
Hands-free video phone prototype demoed, makes you look a bit like an android
Japanese mobile network NTT Docomo has demonstrated a protoype hands-free video call device, which uses a combination of real and CG images.
So a mood controlled kitten tail for people is now a thing
Jealous of your cat's wagging tail? Thanks to the people behind the necomimi ears, soon you may be able to own one just as functional.
Samsung win: Patent violation case brought by Apple in Japan dismissed by judge
Apple had been hoping to score another win over Samsung in its ongoing global patent infringement battle with the Korean tech firm. However, its latest claim, heard in a Tokyo court on Friday, was dismissed by the judge.
Tokyo Jungle finally gets an American release date
Tokyo Jungle is coming to America, and it's only a month away.
Battle Royale may hit US shores as a CW teen drama
Battle Royale may be coming to the US, but probably not in a form you'll enjoy.
Japan restarts first nuclear reactor since Fukushima disaster
Amid lingering fears of another nuclear catastrophe, a reactor at Japan's Ōi Nuclear Power Plant has resumed service.
Cool summer idea: Brewer serves up frozen froth to keep beer icy cold
Beer drinkers listen up. A Japanese brewer has come up with a novel way to keep cool this summer by designing a machine which adds a frozen froth to your beer.
Ten digits not enough? Hair-washing robot with 24 ‘fingers’ now undergoing trials
Fancy having your hair washed by a robot? Panasonic's robotic hair washer, which has been in development for a while now, has just started two months of tests in a hair salon in Japan, bringing the possibility of commercialization another step closer.
Suzumo sushi robot can roll 3,600 pieces an hour
The SushiBot was unveiled at World Food and Beverage Great Expo in Tokyo, Japan last week. This countertop-sized contraption reportedly has the power to manufacture 1,000 rolls per hour, which can then be sliced into 3,600 pieces.
Self-repairing protective film will fix scratches on your gadgets in 10 seconds or less
Toray Advanced Film is releasing a self-healing protective film to help make gadgets immune to physical damages.
Olympus and former executives charged over accounting scandal
Following their arrest last month, three former senior executives of Olympus were charged Wednesday in connection with a huge accounting scandal that has engulfed the Japanese company.
Japanese drinks company launches vending machine with free Wi-Fi (as well as drinks)
Japanese drinks giant Asahi has decided to put its thousands of vending machines to better use by turning them into Wi-Fi hotspots, a move which should prove popular in a country where such hotspots are few and far between.
Nintendo 3DS news roundup: early 2012 lineup revealed, DLC coming, sales exceed 4 million in Japan
Good news for fans of the Nintendo 3DS. The system has sold more than 4 million units in Japan, Nintendo has revealed its early 2012 game lineup, and Fire Emblem will be the first game with DLC.
Toyota officially announce the Aqua hybrid, also known as the Prius C
Toyota officially unveils the Aqua hybrid car in Japan. It's set for its US debut at the Detroit International Motor Show in January, when it'll be named the Prius C.
Car security: Japanese engineers develop seat that knows who’s sitting on it
Japanese engineers in Tokyo have come up with a new piece of technology to help improve car security: a high-tech car seat that recognizes the vehicle's rightful owner.
Early adopters of the Nintendo 3DS will get these free GBA games
Nintendo has revealed the last 10 games that early adopters ("Ambassadors") will get to download free, and they include Zelda: The Minish Cap, Metroid Fusion, Yoshi's Island, F-Zero, Fire Emblem, WarioWare, and Kirby.
New Street View images of Japan tsunami disaster show full extent of damage
Google has now added to its Street View website images of the areas affected by the tsunami which struck Japan in March. The company said it hoped the new data would ensure "the memories of the disaster remain relevant and tangible for future generations.”
Supercar pile-up in Japan dubbed world’s most expensive car crash
It's a highly unusual sight - a fleet of luxury cars lying mangled and wrecked along a highway. The 14-vehicle supercar pile-up happened in Japan on Sunday when a driver of one of the eight Ferraris in the smash lost control of his vehicle. With so many upmarket cars involved, the accident is thought to be the most expensive car crash ever.
Japanese robotic bear could help prevent snoring
Loud snoring can prevent entire households from getting a good night's sleep. With this in mind, Japanese engineers have come up with a robotic bear designed to stop people engaging in this anti-social act.
Honda demonstrates new version of its ASIMO humanoid robot
A few years ago, Japanese robot ASIMO messed up when, during a demonstration, it fell down some stairs. On Tuesday, its maker, Honda, unveiled a new version of ASIMO and put it through its paces in front of the world's press. A staircase, however, was not involved in Tuesday's demo.
Twitter launches new Stories product to highlight positive power of the tweet
Twitter Stories gets launched to highlight the positive power of the tweet.
Nearly two thirds of PS3 owners plan on purchasing the Vita
While North American consumers have to wait for the PlayStation Vita until early 2012, Sony is predicting that a large portion of PlayStation 3 owners will snap up the device quickly.
Indiana Jones plays Uncharted 3
In the video below, Harrison Ford goes meta and plays Uncharted 3: Drake’s Decision for a Japanese commercial.