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)
Categories: Technology
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)
Categories: Politics
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)
Categories: Odd / Strange
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)
Categories: Celebrity News, Foreigners in Japan
