Two Japanese win Ig Nobel Prize for tableware that change taste

Sep 15 (Japan Times) - Japanese researchers Homei Miyashita and Hiromi Nakamura received this year's Ig Nobel Prize for nutrition on Thursday for research that led to the development of tableware that employ electric stimulation to allow users to sense salty taste strongly.

Heavy Rain Hits Akita, Bridge Collapses

Japan's northern Akita Prefecture experienced a torrential deluge Friday, causing major flooding and the collapse of a bridge in Kamikoani Village.

Air Con Thefts 'Not Cool'

Theft of air conditioner outdoor units has surged as Japan's heatwave continues, leaving some businesses unable to run critical cooling systems.

Second Death of Hyogo Prefectural Employee Uncovered

As power harassment allegations against the governor of Hyogo Prefecture continue to swirl, it has been revealed that another prefectural employee has passed away, with the prefecture delaying a formal announcement of the death by 3 months.

Osaka Tops Japan's Urban Power Rankings

Osaka has topped the 'Japan Urban Power Rankings' for the fourth consecutive year. Conducted by Mori Building's think tank, the ranking evaluates 136 cities across Japan in six categories, including economy, culture, and environment.

Japan's Population Shrinks by 530,000

Japan's total population stood at 124.88 million as of January 1 this year, a decrease of over 530,000 from the previous year, further accelerating the trend of a declining birthrate and aging population.

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MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

New Dinosaur Species Discovered in Hyogo

A dinosaur fossil found in a stratum dating back approximately 110 million years (Early Cretaceous) in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, has been identified as a new genus and species of the small carnivorous dinosaur family Troodontidae, which is closely related to birds.

Revolutionary Space Tech from JAXA

Japan's space business, predicted to grow into a 200 trillion yen industry, is on the cusp of innovation as global competition intensifies.

Japan scientists make smiling robot with 'living skin’

Japanese scientists have attached living skin to robot faces to make them “smile”. The University of Tokyo published its findings in late June 2024, along with a video of the material being stretched into an unsettling grin. (South China Morning Post)

Salmon's Incredible Journey: Overcoming Hokkaido Waterfalls to Spawn

In Kiyosato, Hokkaido, cherry salmon are making their way back from the Sea of Okhotsk to rivers to spawn as the breeding season approaches. These fish are showcasing their powerful jumps, attempting to scale a waterfall approximately 2.5 meters high.

11th Wave of COVID-19? New Variant KP.3 Highly Contagious

A new variant, KP.3, different from those before, has emerged, and some say we are now in the 11th wave. The new variant is highly contagious, with symptoms primarily including throat pain and fever.

Sakurajima Eruption Captured on Camera

An eruption of Sakurajima on July 14th that sent plumes of smoke as high as 4,500 meters has been captured on camera.

Deadly Blue-Ringed Octopus Spotted Near Tokyo

With rising sea temperatures, the habitats of marine life are changing, and some of these changes involve dangerous creatures that require caution. One such creature is the venomous Blue-Ringed Octopus, which has poison hundreds of times more potent than cyanide.

Is Japan's Tap Water Safe? The Unavoidable Challenges of PFAS

The Japanese government has requested all water utility companies to report the results of water quality tests by the end of September regarding the organic fluorine compound "PFAS." But what exactly is PFAS, and is Japan's tap water safe? Based on interviews with Koji Harada, an associate professor at Kyoto University, we delve into the topic.

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