Interview: In the 'age of the environment,' Japanese culture should promote itself to the world through its special focus on the five senses
video
Interview: In the 'age of the environment,' Japanese culture should promote itself to the world through its special focus on the five senses
'Japanese culture is a kind of environmental technology' (Kengo Kuma).

In this interview, renowned architect Kengo Kuma discusses the unique Japanese cultural sensibility and Japan's opportune position in the 'age of the environment.' （Read）




What is J-STORIES?
A conversation between our editorial chiefs

diversity

Purging PC footprint
diversity / sustainability
Purging PC footprint
Company recycles computers, employs refugees in quest to reduce environmental and human impact

A Japanese startup is looking to mitigate the high environmental and human impact of PC production by recycling old computers and employing refugees to help out. (Read More)

A leisurely approach to ordering food
diversity
A leisurely approach to ordering food
Cafes staffed by people with speech disfluency pop up in Japan, use novel ways to relay communication issues
Taking action for peace
diversity
Taking action for peace
Japan-U.S. singer Ai gives voice to SDGs movers, taps power of music to promote global understanding
‘Smart' panties put periods first
diversity
‘Smart' panties put periods first
Wearable device helps detect women's health issues at that cyclical and critical time of the month
Bringing school, and friends, to the hospital
diversity
Bringing school, and friends, to the hospital
‘Avatar robots’ allow hospitalized children to keep up with studies and classmates remotely

science・it

AI writes new chapter in the bookstore business
science・it
AI writes new chapter in the bookstore business
New bookstore's chatbot 'staffer' leads way in revamping operations, recommending titles and managing logistics

A new Tokyo bookstore is utilizing AI to not only help customers find titles, but to also serve as a reference point for other businesses interested in the potential of generative AI. (Read More)

Diamond semiconductors set to sparkle
science・it
Diamond semiconductors set to sparkle
Japanese research team uses world’s hardest material to produce semiconductors with far-reaching applications
AI system detects ‘out of place’ behavior
science・it
AI system detects ‘out of place’ behavior
AI security system aims to prevent accidents, crimes as Japan hosts G7 summit in Hiroshima
Japanese space startup seconds away from historical moon landing
science・it
Japanese space startup seconds away from historical moon landing
Fate of lunar lander unknown after developer loses contact just before touchdown, prompting predictions of hard landing
Cool idea combats warming
science・it
Cool idea combats warming
Japanese company's material takes heat out of energy-sapping outdoor equipment and buildings

well-being

Allergy product not to be sneezed at
well-being
Allergy product not to be sneezed at
Acupressure band offers less intrusive alternative to relieving hayfever symptoms

A Japanese company has developed a band that taps into Oriental medicine, manipulating pressure points to alleviate one of the globe's most common allergies. (Read More)

From hot springs to cancer therapy
well-being
From hot springs to cancer therapy
Yamagata treatment facility leads way in Japan's bid to grow medical tourism, revitalize local economies
Perfect e-fit
well-being
Perfect e-fit
"Smart" clothes stay in tune with the times, monitoring health, saving energy
Digitally testing sense of smell
well-being
Digitally testing sense of smell
Quick and simple olfactory checks via PC tablets could sniff out early symptoms of serious diseases
Envisioning Japan's "green metropolis" around Mount Fuji
well-being
Envisioning Japan's "green metropolis" around Mount Fuji
Project aims to turn Fuji Five Lakes area into an incubation hub for creators while conserving the natural environment

sustainability

Making use of old emergency food supplies
sustainability
Making use of old emergency food supplies
Japanese startup aims to reduce loss caused by disposal of out-of-date disaster provisions

J-STORIES - A Japanese company is looking at ways to avoid the mountains of waste that result when the shelf-life of emergency food supplies expires. (Read More)

Recycling disused fishing nets
sustainability
Recycling disused fishing nets
Japanese companies collaborate to turn abandoned fisheries landing gear into useful products
Fishing for fashion: Fish leather becomes the latest sensation in the fashion world
sustainability
Fishing for fashion: Fish leather becomes the latest sensation in the fashion world
The fashion industry is using fish skin as Japanese companies turn this into a strong and durable fish leather material
Green tea for green ideas
sustainability
Green tea for green ideas
Japanese drinks maker brews up eco-friendly way to recycle discarded tea leaves
Purging PC footprint
diversity / sustainability
Purging PC footprint
Company recycles computers, employs refugees in quest to reduce environmental and human impact

environment

Fighting climate change
environment
Fighting climate change
Japanese startup's material made from tiny crystals has huge potential in global warming battle

Venture business develops materials with the powerful ability to adsorb, separate, and store various gases such as CO2, meaning they have huge potential in the fight against global warming. (Read More)

Greening the desert with trash
environment
Greening the desert with trash
Japan research helps green Niger desert, improving the environment and reducing conflict
Have hydrogen cartridge, will travel
environment
Have hydrogen cartridge, will travel
Japanese startup develops lightweight, compact cassettes to make refueling hydrogen cars far easier
Strengthening plants with a common condiment
environment
Strengthening plants with a common condiment
Japan researchers look to vinegar to help plants resist harmful effects of climate change
Recycling weeds just the tonic
environment
Recycling weeds just the tonic
Japanese company turns invasive plant into biofuel and craft gin

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