- Top Japanese candle-maker Kameyama announced that it will soon launch a new range of candles made of 100% pure vegetable wax containing no impurities that are both kind on the environment and to people. The candles produce hardly any soot, and are made by a unique production process that prevents them from bending or oozing oil in the summer. Needing 1.5 times more processing than conventional candles, they are to be priced at \400 each.
- One vanity press publisher has set up a "last will and testament bank" to make it easy for people to leave messages for their families to see after their death. Messages such as words of gratitude, sad farewells, and testimonies and certificates marking their achievements are stored as electronic data for future generations, and disclosed at the request of the bereaved. A special account can be set up for \10,000, and a message later sent whenever one wants for inputting and storage in electronic format. Photographs and copies of diaries, commendations, certificates and so on are stored as images. A fee of \5 per character is charged for inputting the data, and \2000 is charged per photo. When the account is opened, the applicant is given the necessary number of cards to give to loved ones and the like before their death. Telegrams of condolence, wreaths and incense can also be arranged for virtual funeral services on the Internet, and mourners can also visit the deceased's grave online.
- One pharmacy chain has recently begun offering a home delivery service for the elderly and people with prescriptions. The company takes orders by telephone, fax or in person at stores in the morning, and these are delivered between around 5 and 8 o'clock in the very evening. Initially launched as a free service at just a few stores, the company is now considering introducing the service, for a fee, at all its stores. Customers require a doctor's prescription, which is filled and sent directly from dispensing centers. Using a mobile phone with a screen, which is carried by the delivery worker, a pharmacist at the nearest store can give advice on matters such as how to take the medicine. As well as medicines, the company also takes orders for and delivers cosmetics and miscellaneous daily necessities. Growing competition in the drugstore business has made it crucial for firms to shore up their earnings from existing stores. This service was therefore introduced to use home delivery services to tap into demand for prescriptions and from the elderly to create a firm, good quality customer base.
- Cool parasols that cut out ultraviolet light and are impregnated with negative ionizing charcoal have hit the market. Protection from ultraviolet light has until now been provided by adding this functionality by means of a form of after-treatment. By interweaving a new material from Toray called "Cool Ceramic" into the fabric of the parasol, however, ultraviolet light can be cut out more effectively than in the past. Use of this material has the effect of increasing reflectivity of visible wavelengths, and lowering the temperature. The negative ionizing effect of the charcoal is achieved by creating a ceramic from minerals containing naturally reflective elements, onto which is printed a mixture consisting of a dye blended with a powder containing charcoal that generates negative ions and far-infrared rays. The resulting material has negative ionizing and far-infrared ray absorbing properties.
- The market for Korean foods in Japan is growing. In addition to traditional favorites such as yakiniku sauce and kimchi, new products for making traditional Korean dishes at home, such as bibimba and bulgogi, are also appearing. Particularly popular is kimchi stew.
|
