February 2008

Environmental Trailblazers

Environmental Trailblazers

With its strict domestic legislation and innovative technologies, Japan is lighting the way for a cleaner, cooler world. The Japan Journal reports.

Meeting Standards

Arakawa Ryu spotlights the importance of Japan's relevant legislation to the success of three successful environmental businesses: Roppongi Hills, FP Corporation, and Ichihara Ecocement Corporation.

In Praise of TiO2

Professor Kazuhito Hashimoto introduces two "natural" technologies that draw on the properties of the titanium oxide photocatalyst to conserve energy and reduce nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere.

Teaching from Experience

The main theme of this year's G8 Summit, to be held in Toyako, Hokkaido in July, is the environment and global warming. What are Japan's roles in the field today? We asked Kyoji Komachi, Japan's Ambassador for Global Environmental Affairs.

G8 Summit I: Japan as a Bridge

The G8 summit was first held in 1975, since which time its function and agenda have undergone numerous adjustments in line with the changing times. University of Tokyo Professor Shinichi Kitaoka tracks the nature of those changes over the last thirty years, and examines the crucial "bridging" role that Japan will have to play at this year's summit.

G8 Summit II: Parallel Lines

The issue of environmental destruction is set to dominate this summer's G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. Columnist Hisayoshi Ina reflects on the shifting focus of G7/G8 meetings since 1975, finding parallels between the long-term issues that world leaders face today and those faced by their predecessors.

The Kyushu-Asia Axis

Industrial activity in Kyushu, the most southerly of Japan's four main islands, has been increasing rapidly in recent years as manufacturers seek to exploit the region's distinct local advantages. Kyushu-based journalist Daisuke Yasuda reports.

The Population Onus: Ways to Cope

Japan's changing population structure is set to have a huge impact on the nation's economy and society. Hosei University Professor Takao Komine outlines the expected changes and describes what will be required to reduce the adverse impact of the "population onus."

Strategic Visions

15 million fuel cell cars in Japan by 2025! The CMOS integrated circuit to adopt biotechnology in 2020! The Japan Journal reads some of the academic roadmaps recently released by leading scientific and technological societies in Japan.

Home Sweet Danchi

In its heyday in the 1960s, the Kirigaoka public housing project in Tokyo housed over 5,000 families in ferroconcrete, all-mod-con equipped apartments. What sort of shape is the danchi in today? Tony McNicol investigates.

A Journey in Japanese Architecture

Fujimori Terunobu charts the development of pre-modern Japanese architecture and tells the remarkable tale of the Sukiya-zukuri architectural style: its emergence in Japan, its adoption in the United States and Germany in the early twentieth century, and its return to Japan some fifty years later.

No New Economy without Business Reform

Despite heavy investment in information technology, Japan has yet to see the advent of the New Economy. Professor Akihiko Shinozaki explains the need for Japanese businesses to conduct structural reforms in order to bring about further improvements in productivity.