Archive for January, 2009

Biofuel-powered jet engine

JAL successfully tested a biofuel-powered jet engine yesterday:

One of the jumbo jet’s four Pratt & Whitney engines was run on a half-and-half mixture of biofuel and conventional jet fuel.

Boeing Co. developed the biofuel to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in flights. It derives mainly from camelina, a plant in the mustard family.

Camelina is inedible, making it less likely that its application to jet fuel will affect the world food market.

—

• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
• Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)

Christian Science Monitor: Does Japan really need an emperor?

Yesterday’s Christian Science Monitor features an article by Rena Singer with the headline “Japanese dare to ask: Do we really need an emperor?”

While still revered, the imperial family – whose head was considered divine until 1945 – is increasingly pitied as its members struggle with their tightly constrained lives. And with Emperor Akihito’s reign in its twilight, many Japanese are daring to ask what has been unspeakable for centuries: Does the country really need an emperor?

Quite a headline and quite a claim. When a reporter makes a claim that “many” people are daring to question the need for a royal family, one might expect some evidence to back up that claim. Did Singer include some quotes from Japanese people who don’t think the country needs an emperor? Nope.

The best she can do is a statement from an expert who says Japanese attitudes towards the royal family might change in 30 years, and a quote from a Japanese woman who thinks the crown prince needs to “change things to make the family more relevant.”

—

• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
• Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)

The World’s Smallest Grand Piano

It’s in Japan:

—

• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
• Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)

Jero eats fugu & quotes Obama

On the latest episode of Utaban, African American enka singer Jero was given his first taste of fugu:

—

• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
• Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)

Your local police box is not an ATM

A scene from an NTV Real Time News segment about a police box in Kyushu:

In the clip, officers have to deal with a man who wanders into the police box and demands that they allow him to take cash out of his bank account. The man says something about wanting to go home, but since he has no cash he wants the police officers to help him. The cops tell him they cannot give him cash and they cannot force banks to re-open. He then demands that the police give him a ride home. They refuse, and he gets into a minor scuffle with some officers as he leaves the police box.

At that point, the man thinks up a clever scheme. He makes an emergency 1-1-9 call and says that he is hurt and needs an ambulance. The officers take his phone and tell emergency operators that the man is lying. Eventually the man, who apparently has no cash, hails a cab and leaves.

—

• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
• Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)

Brad Pitt asks for Japan sightseeing advice

Brad Pitt was in Japan this week to promote the theatrical release of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Here’s a short clip of him asking questions to reporters:

He wants to know four things:

• something for the kids
• something for the adults
• something for Mom & Dad
• the best restaurant

How would you answer, Probe readers?

—

• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
• Kirainet.com – A geek in Japan (Subscribe)