- Coral product designer and planning company Chugai Sangyo of Osaka City and underwear maker Nishin Seni of Ikeda City, Osaka, teamed up to develop a range of underwear woven from a blend of rayon and cotton containing "coral sand" (naturally weathered coral grains from Okinawa said to emit over 300 times as many negative ions as tourmaline) that went on sale in May 2002. Coral sand has a porous structure, and weaving it into material results in products with a smooth, soft feel that breathe well and retain heat and water. It also has cooling and deodorizing effects. The "coral underwear" is priced between \1,500 and \2,000, and is available from outlets such as Ito-Yokado.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has recently developed a screw made from a shape memory polymer that facilitates dismantling of products such as consumer electronics products. Because polymers change shape when heated, the threaded rods of screws disappear when heated to a certain temperature, dramatically reducing the amount of work involved in the dismantling of consumer electronics products. It is currently working with a number of consumer electronics manufacturers to develop products made using these screws, and it expects to have the first commercial products on the market in 2004.
- The market for musenmai, or "non-wash rice" that can be cooked without washing, continues to grow. Output of musenmai in fiscal 2001 was up 56.8% on the previous year to 430,000 tons, and output is expected to grow a further 34.6% in fiscal 2002 to around 580,000 tons. Its popularity can be traced back to cooperatives around the country that are sensitive to environmental problems. Environmentally conscious consumers like the idea of rice that does not result in dirty water that pollutes streams and rivers, and it has enjoyed strong sales despite being between 5~10% more expensive than ordinary rice. As the rice bran is removed in the polishing process, musenmai does not have to be washed when cooked. This is especially convenient in winter, as you do not then need to get your hands cold washing rice.
- BBS Systech of Kita-Kyushu City and the Kitakyushu Assistive Technology Institute (also located in Kita-Kyushu City) have launched a "falling-out-of-bed" detection system. The system is equipped with an optical sensor, and automatically informs the nurse center when patients in institutions such as medical facilities attempt to get out of bed by themselves. The price per set is \76,000. A beam is emitted parallel to the bottom of the side of the bed frame, and if the patient attempts to leave his or her bed, the beam will be disrupted by a limb or clothing, the reflected light detected by the unit, and a signal transmitted to the nurse call system.
- Functional underwear made by sports manufacturers is enjoying strong sales. Underwear of this kind combines a variety of attractive features, including a nice feel, sweat absorbency, and rapid drying properties. It is selling well not only in sports departments, but also in department stores' men's underwear departments. Mizuno projects sales of 290,000 pcs (worth \840 million) of its IceTouch design, equivalent to a 30% increase on the previous season, while Descente, a new entrant this year, expects to sell 100,000 (worth approximately \200 million) of its "Hifu"(skin) design launched this summer.
- A consortium of six companies led by furniture manufacturers from Okawa City in Fukuoka Prefecture, one of the leading areas for furniture production in Japan, have established a joint venture to launch a new brand. The plan is for manufacturers to produce and market whatever furniture they specialize in, whether it be sofas, shelves or furniture for storage, in keeping with a single, unified design concept. The strategy represents a fresh move by companies concentrated in regions of production, and is attracting keen interest in the industry.
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