Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Technology Stuff

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Toasty Tokyo

Like PC processors, USB slippers it seems provide plenty of power in the single variety, keeping toes nice and toasty whilst worn at work.

usb slippers

For heavy-duty users however, the new and improved dual option offers much greater versatility for the wearer, with infinitely better performances when multi-tasking.

usb slippers

A simple upgrade allowing any frosty-footed female the same level of performance whether at the office, working from home, or even when relaxing on the sofa.

usb slippers

Previous issues in connection with over-heating have also been addressed, with any problems regarding prolonged usage easily rectified.

usb slippers

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Decomposable duds

Textile pioneer Unitika Ltd unveiled its latest clothing line in Tokyo on Monday — the new range of raiment made of a corn-based eco-friendly fabric, allowing it to naturally decompose.

eco clothing

The likes of swimsuits and skimpy skirts however do open the product to comments along the lines of “it looks good enough to eat”; however readers can rest assured that such corn-related crassness has no place on these pages.

Such a worthy and worthwhile invention demands nothing but the utmost respect, and one can only marvel over how long it would take for the garments featured in Unitika’s upcoming November calendar to completely disappear.

unitika calendar

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Robot related rubbish

With the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies (CEATEC) exhibition currently in full swing at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, Kyoto based Murata Manufacturing may well have hoped to wow visitors with its cycling sensation, Murata Boy.

murata boy

However despite some interest in the biking biped, much of the crowd’s attention was perhaps surprisingly drawn to Tetsuo Noguchi and his amazing neck stretching apparatus. The ingenious inventor partly pictured below (far left), his body — according to eyewitnesses — a good 2 metres further out of shot.

murata boy

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Synthetic safety

With robots and their close relatives set to eventually provide help in such diverse areas as nursing, security and cleaning, the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry has announced that strict guidelines will be required to minimise the potential risk; an example being the use of sensors to stop any man-made mates unexpectedly bumping into someone, and the use of soft materials should they still somehow manage to do so. The sensor strewn and spongy RI-MAN pictured below being a prime example, although the addition of a malleable mohawk is presumably optional.

japanese robot

Yet despite planning to complete its set of guidelines by the end of the year, METI has remained silent on what — if any — restrictions will be placed on more pleasure related pals, an omission that may lead to risky rendezvous for synthetic sex seekers. The short clip below of a sex doll showroom giving away none of the potential pitfalls awaiting would-be wooers.

sex dolls

However judging by this other video, the plastic playmates soft and supple ‘bumpers’ do at least undergo rigorous and repeated testing.

sex doll

Clips that despite being safety standards based are probably not best viewed at the work place.

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Bear blaster

Confetti throwing may still be popular, but for Japanese brides, the bouquet toss appears to be old hat, with many couples now opting to inexplicably throw a teddy bear instead; a trend that paint company Sunamiya is hoping to exploit, the Ehime Prefecture based firm coming up with a bear blaster of sorts.

bear shooter

The gun-shaped device ingeniously allows blushing brides to effortlessly launch terrified teddy bears high into the air, and so as not to injure unsuspecting guests, the bears are equipped with parachutes, allowing them to gently descend to the presumably awestruck throng below. Such technological advancements making the company confident of success, a spokesperson proclaiming, “We’re hoping to capture the hearts of couples.”

For less romantic newlyweds however, Sunamiya’s criminal catching paintball marker could be more appropriate, a few well aimed shots at interfering relatives or lecherous uncles potentially providing far more entertainment.

paintball