- Teijin has developed and launched sale of soft, elastic pants that cover the left and right femoral necks and protect the wearer from bone fractures. Designed to be light and comfortable to wear, there is at present only a women's model available, though a men's model is also scheduled to be released in the not so distant future.
- Tropical mango fruit processed foods are streaming onto the Japanese market. Mango pudding? a standard feature on menus at Chinese restaurants?has begun to appear on the menus of other restaurants taking advantage of the recent popularity of Asian cuisine, and the trend has spread to processed foods since the beginning of the year. "Fruit Mammy Mango" lactic acid drink and milk-based "Mango and Banana Milk" and "Orange Mango Juice" are just a few of the new products now available.
- Casio has launched a combined upper arm and watch-type tonometer set convenient for use when out and about. Blood pressure at rest is measured by an upper arm tonometer utilizing a manchette wrapped around the arm. Data can then be transferred to a watch-type tonometer via an infrared port to enable the user to measure his or her blood pressure when away from home or in the office. It is targeted at middle-aged and older businessmen.
- A prototype electric wheelchair for people without the use of their limbs operated by tongue using a wireless tongue-pressure sensor system has been developed. When the pressure sensor is pressed with the tip of the tongue, the device detects the pressure and location, and the signal is processed to control the wheelchair. There are four pressure sensors corresponding to forward, reverse and left and right rotation. The speed of the wheelchair is controlled by varying the amount of pressure applied by the tongue. This system can also be used instead of a mouse as an input device for a personal computer.
- Cloth and products made of polyester materials incorporating charcoal have been developed and are now hitting the market. High-quality charcoal is finely powdered, mixed with polyester chips and spun into thread, which is cut into short filaments and spun into products. It is used for socks, polo shirts and the like in order to make clothing with extra features, such as thermal or antistatic clothing and clothing that absorbs smells.
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