Green Options » Japan http://greenoptions.com/tag/japan Posts tagged 'Japan' Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:50:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Asia Light Years Ahead of the US in Clean Tech Investment — Financial and Economic Consequences http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/20/asia-light-years-ahead-of-the-us-in-clean-tech-investment-financial-and-economic-consequences/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/20/asia-light-years-ahead-of-the-us-in-clean-tech-investment-financial-and-economic-consequences/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:50:06 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/20/asia-light-years-ahead-of-the-us-in-clean-tech-investment-financial-and-economic-consequences/
Asia is investing hundreds of billions of dollars more than the US in clean technology, according to a new report by two research institutions. In the future, the US may be importing trillions of dollars of needed clean technology (and losing countless jobs to Asia) as a result.

In total, the report showed that China, Japan, and South Korea will invest about $509 billion in clean tech over the next 5 years, whereas the US (with our greenest President in decades, maybe ever) is only expected to invest $172 billion (about 3 times less) — this is assuming the climate and energy legislation in Congress passes.

If the US were to invest the same percentage of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as South Korea, it would invest almost $140 billion per year ($700 billion over this five year period)! Compared to China, the anticipated per-GDP investment ratio is 1:4 (US to China).

In 2008, Japan almost matched US R&D spending on energy and achieved almost the same number of international clean energy patents despite having dramatically lower GDP.

The financial investment is not the only thing giving these countries a major advantage in this field, though.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/20/asia-light-years-ahead-of-the-us-in-clean-tech-investment-financial-and-economic-consequences/feed/ Nissan CEO Says Their Electric Car Strategy is “Unique” in Industry http://gas2.org/2009/11/13/nissan-ceo-says-their-electric-car-strategy-is-unique-in-industry/ http://gas2.org/2009/11/13/nissan-ceo-says-their-electric-car-strategy-is-unique-in-industry/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:20:54 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/11/13/nissan-ceo-says-their-electric-car-strategy-is-unique-in-industry/

In Los Angeles this morning, at the United States unveiling of the Nissan LEAF electric car—set to hit showrooms in late 2010—Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was enthusiastic and clearly proud of the position the Nissan-Renault Alliance has taken as a leader in the development of electric cars and charging infrastructure.

“The LEAF is a new paradigm of the car,” said Ghosn. “LEAF represents a totally new transformational technology that will change the way people drive, use, and power their vehicles. And the time is right for this breakthrough.”

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/11/13/nissan-ceo-says-their-electric-car-strategy-is-unique-in-industry/feed/ Thin-Film Solar Panels to Double their Share of the Market by 2013? http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/12/thin-film-solar-panels-to-double-their-share-of-the-market-by-2013/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/12/thin-film-solar-panels-to-double-their-share-of-the-market-by-2013/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:12:39 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/12/thin-film-solar-panels-to-double-their-share-of-the-market-by-2013/
A new report by iSuppli Corp. predicts that by 2013, 31% of the solar panel market will be accounted for by thin-film solar panels. These thin-film panels are rapidly replacing traditional crystalline photovoltaic panels.

Thin-film solar is being used in a variety of new applications, from solar roof shingles to solar tiles (like clay tiles) to solar panels glued right onto the roof. Its flexibility in use is one major benefit of this technology.

Lower cost is the number one factor responsible for its anticipated growth, but there are trade-offs as well.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/12/thin-film-solar-panels-to-double-their-share-of-the-market-by-2013/feed/ New Japanese Prime Minister Offering Indonesia $400 Million in Climate Change Funding http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/27/new-japanese-prime-minister-offering-indonesia-400-million-in-climate-change-funding/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/27/new-japanese-prime-minister-offering-indonesia-400-million-in-climate-change-funding/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:50:15 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/27/new-japanese-prime-minister-offering-indonesia-400-million-in-climate-change-funding/
In an effort to help a major developing country (the 4th largest country in the world) deal with climate change appropriately, the new Prime Minister of Japan reportedly agreed to give Indonesia a $400 million loan for this last weekend.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/27/new-japanese-prime-minister-offering-indonesia-400-million-in-climate-change-funding/feed/ Nissan Skipping Hybrid-Only Cars Like the Prius, Wants to Dominate EVs http://gas2.org/2009/10/23/nissan-skipping-hybrid-only-cars-like-the-prius-wants-to-dominate-evs/ http://gas2.org/2009/10/23/nissan-skipping-hybrid-only-cars-like-the-prius-wants-to-dominate-evs/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:14:56 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/10/23/nissan-skipping-hybrid-only-cars-like-the-prius-wants-to-dominate-evs/

According to CEO Carlos Ghosn, unlike its other Japanese rivals, Nissan has made a strategic decision to cede the standalone hybrid wars to them and will not make hybrid-only models such as Toyota’s Prius or Honda’s Insight.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/23/nissan-skipping-hybrid-only-cars-like-the-prius-wants-to-dominate-evs/feed/ Japan Slaughters 59 Whales, Just One Short Of Maximum Allowed http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/19/japan-slaughters-59-whales-just-one-short-of-maximum-allowed/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/19/japan-slaughters-59-whales-just-one-short-of-maximum-allowed/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:39 +0000 Rhishja Larson http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/19/japan-slaughters-59-whales-just-one-short-of-maximum-allowed/ Whale meat for sale in Japan as a result of commercial whaling operations

Japan’s annual whaling expedition off the port city of Kushiro has resulted in the killing of 59 minke whales - just one whale short of the 60 allowed by international guidelines.

Under the cover of its so-called research program, Japan has slaughtered 59 minke whales - almost the maximum of 60 authorized by the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/10/19/japan-slaughters-59-whales-just-one-short-of-maximum-allowed/feed/ New Nickel-Lithium Battery Has “Ultrahigh” Energy Storage Capacity http://gas2.org/2009/10/06/new-nickel-lithium-battery-has-ultrahigh-energy-storage-capacity/ http://gas2.org/2009/10/06/new-nickel-lithium-battery-has-ultrahigh-energy-storage-capacity/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:38:23 +0000 Nick Chambers http://gas2.org/2009/10/06/new-nickel-lithium-battery-has-ultrahigh-energy-storage-capacity/ Researchers have found a way to create a battery out of Nickel and Lithium that can store more than 3.5 times the energy of lithium-ion batteries and are much safer to boot.

Lithium-ion batteries are great and all—having heralded in a new age of portable electronics and allowed for the possibility of mass-market electric cars—but they have a few major drawbacks. For instance, they have a propensity to catch fire and explode and, although they have a much better energy storage capacity than say lead-acid or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, they still weigh too much to pack more than a couple hundred miles of range into a passenger car.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/06/new-nickel-lithium-battery-has-ultrahigh-energy-storage-capacity/feed/ Asians Want Strong Climate Deal & Obama to Lead http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/21/asians-want-strong-climate-deal-obama-to-lead/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/21/asians-want-strong-climate-deal-obama-to-lead/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:23:51 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/21/asians-want-strong-climate-deal-obama-to-lead/

A new survey of Asians finds that they want a strong international climate agreement, and they want a few key world leaders to step up to the plate to make it happen.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/21/asians-want-strong-climate-deal-obama-to-lead/feed/ Safest & Least Safe Countries to Live in http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/15/who-leads-the-world-in-climate-change-risks/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/15/who-leads-the-world-in-climate-change-risks/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:28:50 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/15/who-leads-the-world-in-climate-change-risks/

A new report by Maplecroft, a world leader in global risk assesment, lists the countries at the greatest and the least risk of climate change problems.

The new study examined 166 countries in total. With climate change, it is hard to guess who will be hit the worst, but here is one scientific attempt at ranking the countries’ vulnerability to climate change.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/15/who-leads-the-world-in-climate-change-risks/feed/ Japanese Dolphin Slaughter to Continue Despite Current Suspension http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/08/japanese-dolphin-slaughter-to-continue-despite-current-suspension/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/08/japanese-dolphin-slaughter-to-continue-despite-current-suspension/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:25:46 +0000 Daniel Hohler http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/08/japanese-dolphin-slaughter-to-continue-despite-current-suspension/

Last Tuesday, EcoWorldly Staff Writer Bryan Nelson wrote an article on the suspension of dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. The suspension came off of Japanese local media swarming on Taiji, after the award winning documentary film “The Cove” put the spotlight on the small Japanese village that slaughters thousands of dolphins every year.

Ric O’Barry, the dolphin trainer and activist who brought the location to the attention of filmmakers, returned to the site of the slaughter this week, just as the annual “hunt” would normally begin. However, this time with all of the media attention, no dolphins were killed in the first 2 days of the season.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/08/japanese-dolphin-slaughter-to-continue-despite-current-suspension/feed/ $21 Billion Solar Power Station in Space — Planned by Japan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/02/21-billion-solar-power-station-in-space-planned-by-japan/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/02/21-billion-solar-power-station-in-space-planned-by-japan/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:02:23 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/02/21-billion-solar-power-station-in-space-planned-by-japan/
Japan is planning to build a solar power station in space within the next 30 years. It is expected to cost $21 billion. How will they do it?

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/09/02/21-billion-solar-power-station-in-space-planned-by-japan/feed/ #1: Clean Energy Patents Hit Record High in the US http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/27/clean-energy-patents-hit-record-high-in-the-us/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/27/clean-energy-patents-hit-record-high-in-the-us/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:14:00 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/27/clean-energy-patents-hit-record-high-in-the-us/
The economy is down, but here is another sign that green technology may be the way out of our economic dilemma. US clean energy patents hit a record high last quarter.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/27/clean-energy-patents-hit-record-high-in-the-us/feed/ McDonald’s Going Green? http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/19/mcdonalds-going-green/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/19/mcdonalds-going-green/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:13:06 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/19/mcdonalds-going-green/

In recent posts on Planetsave and EcoWorldy about moratoria on soya and cattle products related to Amazon destruction, it was mentioned that McDonald’s is helping to save the Amazon. With the company also delving into green building, progressive energy saving software, and charging stations for electric vehicles, is McDonald’s a green company?

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/19/mcdonalds-going-green/feed/ Documentary Movie The Cove – Shallow Water. Deep Secret. http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/10/documentary-movie-the-cove-%e2%80%93-shallow-water-deep-secret/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/10/documentary-movie-the-cove-%e2%80%93-shallow-water-deep-secret/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:28:15 +0000 Keith Rockmael http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/10/documentary-movie-the-cove-%e2%80%93-shallow-water-deep-secret/

[UPDATE: Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji's 'Cove' Suspended]

A seemingly paranoid, ex-dolphin trainer slowly drives through a foreign land while being pursued by police and other locals may appear to be the start of a riveting spy thriller and in some cases that’s exactly what this film is but instead of drawing from the mind of Robert Ludlum, this situation comes from a real life deep dark cover up. Four years in the making, The Cove, surrounds the slaughter of thousands of dolphins in Taiji, Japan instantly thrusts viewers into a sort of Flipper espionage that not only rivets the audience but sends them on an emotional and educational rollercoaster.

The Cove refers to a sea inlet of the coast of Taiji where on the surface the town seems to embrace dolphins but in reality some of the local politicos as well as a handful of fisherman keep the dolphin slaughter a secret to not only most locals but the rest of Japan as well.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/08/10/documentary-movie-the-cove-%e2%80%93-shallow-water-deep-secret/feed/ Green your Red-Hot Summer with Japan’s Number One Organic Green Tea Matcha http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/green-your-red-hot-summer-with-japans-number-one-organic-green-tea-matcha/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/green-your-red-hot-summer-with-japans-number-one-organic-green-tea-matcha/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:36:37 +0000 Gina Munsey http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/green-your-red-hot-summer-with-japans-number-one-organic-green-tea-matcha/ Organic Green Tea Matcha

It’s nearing May in the heart of Japan’s Nishio area, and beneath the cover of carefully arranged netting, row after row of brilliant jade tencha tea plants are gradually hidden from the sun.  As the sunlight fades and the plants retreat into the shade, growth of the plants’ leaves slows, allowing the chlorophyll and antioxidant content to increase.

And under this shaded refuge, Japan’s number one organic matcha is tenderly nurtured. Only the newest small leaves are harvested.  After undergoing a gentle steaming process, the tiny leaves are kiln-dried and stone-ground into the AOI (Ah-oh-ee) Tea Company’s prized green matcha powder.

Matcha, which can be enjoyed a variety of different ways, offers a wealth of fantastic health benefits, including antibacterial and antiviral properties.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/green-your-red-hot-summer-with-japans-number-one-organic-green-tea-matcha/feed/ Giant Jellyfish Prepare to Invade Japan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/30/giant-jellyfish-prepare-to-invade-japan/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/30/giant-jellyfish-prepare-to-invade-japan/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:20:55 +0000 Bryan Nelson http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/30/giant-jellyfish-prepare-to-invade-japan/ Giant Jellyfish

Giant poisonous jellyfish are poised to assault Japanese waters, experts warn.

Reports of massive bloomings indicate that this season’s Nomura’s jellyfish spawn should be a big one. The good news is that there may not be a nation on Earth more psychologically prepared for the invasion of giant monsters.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/30/giant-jellyfish-prepare-to-invade-japan/feed/ US Congress To Pass Ban on “Finning” to Protect Sharks http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/us-congress-to-pass-ban-on-finning-to-protect-sharks/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/us-congress-to-pass-ban-on-finning-to-protect-sharks/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:44:37 +0000 Michael Ricciardi http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/us-congress-to-pass-ban-on-finning-to-protect-sharks/ surfacing great white shark

According to the most recent data estimates, roughly 70 million sharks are caught (and killed) each year, most of this is for food, some for sport, and sadly, some just out of fear.

But most of the commercially fished sharks are in fact killed for their fins only–their mutilated carcasses are simply tossed overboard. This is known as “finning”. The fins make their way into a dish known as shark fin soup–a prized delicacy in Japan but also in some Scandinavian countries and in Germany. And as its popularity increases, so do catches–and almost any shark will do (100 out of 400 species are presently exploited for food, according to the Shark Foundation). According to the IUCN (which tracks endangered species with its annual “red list“) and governmental and NGO conservation groups, one third or more of all shark species are endangered.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/29/us-congress-to-pass-ban-on-finning-to-protect-sharks/feed/ New Lithium-Air Battery Has Huge Storage Capacity http://gas2.org/2009/07/28/new-lithium-air-battery-has-huge-storage-capacity/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/28/new-lithium-air-battery-has-huge-storage-capacity/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:56:21 +0000 Andrew Williams http://gas2.org/2009/07/28/new-lithium-air-battery-has-huge-storage-capacity/

A team of Japanese scientists have developed a new type of lithium-air battery cell with an ultra-large capacity, and say that it holds great potential for the next-generation of electric cars.

Researchers at the country’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) predict that at a filling station, the driver of a vehicle equipped with the new battery could make use of a revolutionary new cassette refill system, and then continue driving without waiting for batteries to be recharged.

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]]> http://gas2.org/2009/07/28/new-lithium-air-battery-has-huge-storage-capacity/feed/ Ice Cap to Ice Cap, Which Countries Lead the World in Global Warming Emissions? http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/26/ice-cap-to-ice-cap-which-countries-lead-the-world-in-global-warming-emissions/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/26/ice-cap-to-ice-cap-which-countries-lead-the-world-in-global-warming-emissions/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:30:21 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/26/ice-cap-to-ice-cap-which-countries-lead-the-world-in-global-warming-emissions/ Ever wonder who leads the world in global warming emissions? And by how much? A report released this month by the New Zealand government gives us this information.

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/07/26/ice-cap-to-ice-cap-which-countries-lead-the-world-in-global-warming-emissions/feed/ Nissan Plans Wireless Charging on Electric Cars http://gas2.org/2009/07/21/nissan-plans-wireless-charging-on-electric-cars/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/21/nissan-plans-wireless-charging-on-electric-cars/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:03:41 +0000 Andrew Williams http://gas2.org/2009/07/21/nissan-plans-wireless-charging-on-electric-cars/

It seems we just can’t move these days for news of Nissan’s EV strategy. Well, today’s no exception, with news of Nissan’s plan to develop wireless charging technology to make charging electric cars easier and faster.

The system, based on the principle of inductive charging, employs the same electromagnetic field technology used to charge an electric toothbrush.

Nissan has already adapted the system for use in its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) electric car, which can charge wirelessly in a suitable parking bay, but the latest report suggests that the major Japanese outfit has more expansive plans for its system. The Guardian reports that Nissan hopes to lay a series of plates into the surface of designated electric vehicle lanes on highways, enabling drivers to charge as they travel.

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