Japan: Pioneering Technological Marvels
Japan, often referred to as “The Land of the Rising Sun,” stands as a testament to innovation and technological prowess. With a relentless dedication to progress, Japan is a realm where the march of technology knows no rest. Japanese inventors continuously push the boundaries, crafting ingenious solutions that elevate their quality of life to seemingly futuristic levels. Some of these creations, while unconventional in appearance, bear the hallmark of brilliance that sparks envy in many corners of the world.
From tackling first-world predicaments to addressing the minutiae of daily inconveniences, here are 12 remarkable Japanese inventions that could very well find their way to global adoption:
1. White Goat Paper Recycler: A workplace machine that turns used office paper into toilet paper.
Every year, Americans use more than 90 million short tons of paper and paperboard. That’s an average of 700 pounds of paper products per person each year. If we do the math, that adds up to 187 billion pounds (85 billion kg) per year for the entire population. The average office worker generates about 2 lbs worth of mixed paper products every day and uses about 10,000 sheets of paper each year. Companies even hire other companies to shred their paper products and dispose of them properly.
However, a Japanese company has come up with the perfect solution to recycle paper and put it to good use. The White Goat Paper Recycler is a machine that uses office papers, shreds them, mixes it with water, thus converting it to a pulp and them turns it into toilet paper. According to its inventor, the machine could save up to 40 cedar trees a year, and a lot of money for individual companies.
2. Jacket straps that help you carry your coat when it’s too warm.
During the Winter season, jackets or coats are a must but at the same time when we are shopping, it can get a bit too hot. In such cases, a Japanese company has come up with the perfect solution. Instead of holding it in your hands or placing it in a dirty cart, you can use Jacket Straps. The strap hooks onto a jacket from the inside and if you want to take your jacket off while shopping, all you have to do is get your hands out of the sleeves and your jacket will turn into an unusual backpack; thus eliminating the need for you to carry it in your hands.
3. Public transport stops shield travelers from the road.
Japan has a population of 126.8 million and in Tokyo alone, it is estimated that more than 8.9 million people rely on public transportation every day. Most Japanese residents do not own cars or bikes since public transportation is a safer and cheaper alternative. So, in order to further ensure safety of passengers from traveling motorists, the government has installed public transport shields throughout the country. These shields not only protect the residents from passing motorists, but is also embedded with screens that allows them to see both the road and the bus schedule.
4. Japanese butter stick allows users to apply butter smoothly and evenly onto toast.
The butter stick is possibly one of the most well-known Japanese inventions. Instead of wasting time trying to evenly spread butter on your toast and making silverware dirty, a Japanese inventor came up with the perfect solution. The butter stick is similar to a glue stick but is to be used on a toast or bread, allowing users to quickly and evenly spread butter. 5. Knitted socks for chair legs to prevent scratch marks on the floor.
Knitted chair socks protect floors from scratches and prevent unpleasant squeaky sounds in Japan. The tiny socks are also used in homes and offices with wooden floors, since it is considered important to keep them in good condition as part of the Japanese culture. 6. Drink cans have braille on top of them to help assist blind shoppers.
In order to assist visually impaired shoppers, the Japanese go to extraordinary lengths. Most shopping items including drink cans have braille embedded on top of them. These little scribbles indicate whether the drink is caffeinated or non-caffeinated, allowing them to find their desired drink without the need of assistance. 7. Taxis have automatic back doors that open by themselves at the end of the ride.
Most Japanese taxis have automatic doors installed. These doors open at the end of the ride and are especially helpful to both the driver as well as the traveler. When a trip ends, the doors open, eliminating the need for the driver to leave his vehicle, and also assists the traveler who is carrying heavy bags. The technology was installed in 1964, right before the summer Olympic games in Japan to show their hospitality to visiting athletes. 8. Umbrellas have special cases that absorb moisture and dry them within minutes.
Carrying a wet umbrella inside a home or other premises is considered rude in Japan. In order to eliminate this, the Japanese have designed a special case that dries the umbrellas within minutes. The fibers within the case are great moisture absorbents and can help eliminate the need to carry a wet umbrella with you at all times. 9. Hotel room vending machines that help customers check in and out without the need for a receptionist.
Hotels in Japan are equipped with these fancy vending machines that spit out keys instead of food and drinks. These vending machines were initially used in dating hotels but today, they can be seen almost everywhere. The main advantage of using the machine is that it eliminates the need for a receptionist since visitors can check in and out of their rooms whenever they please. 10. Most toilet cisterns come with sinks on the top that help save water.
This is another Japanese invention that actually makes sense. The toilet-sink combination cistern has actually been around for over half a century and it’s surprising that it’s not common around the rest of the world. The idea is very simple. Any wastewater from the sink drains into the toilet’s cistern ready to be used when you flush the toilet itself. This is an absolutely brilliant and simple device that helps save water. 11. Robot chefs and servers that can replace humans in preparing and serving food.
Humans are, unfortunately, not perfect. We trip over things, we forget, and the very nature of our existence works against us. The Japanese have found a way to avoid these pitfalls by outsourcing jobs to robots. With sensors and internal memory, these machines are capable of repeating the steps meticulously without deviation every time, ensuring that every dish ordered is cooked to the diner’s satisfaction. 12. A fan that will cool noodles for you.
Noodles can be extremely hot after they are cooked. Most of us have to either wait until they cool down or slurp. A clever Japanese inventor has come up with a brilliant solution to cool noodles at every bite. An electric fan which runs off a single battery is attached to the chopsticks. The Noodle Cooler cools your noodles before they get close to scalding your mouth.