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Japanese Researchers Perform World’s 1st iPS Cell Cornea Transplant
A research team from Japan’s Osaka University led by Koji Nishida conducted the world’s first transplant of corneal tissues using induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells last month. The female patient in her 40s, who suffered from corneal epithelial stem cell deficiency, was discharged from the hospital last week. So far there are no…
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Japans first commercial model of maglev train put on an outdoor test track
Japan’s first commercial model of a magnetically levitated train has been placed. Officials at Central Japan Railway unveiled the L0 model on Monday at its test track in Yamanashi Prefecture, central Japan. The track is being extended to 43 kilometers to enable full-fledged test runs. The 5-car train, towed by a locomotive, ran on the…
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Pop idol Japanese robot converses with customers at Takashimaya Osaka store
A Japanese robot modeled after a female pop idol and equipped with the ability to recognize words and converse returned Wednesday to a department store in the city of Osaka where it debuted. The robot named Minami after a popular Osaka neighborhood will be on display until May 12 at the same Takashimaya department store…
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Panasonic to Open New Showroom in Osaka filled with hints for tomorrow’s lifestyles
Panasonic today announced plans to open a new showroom in Osaka that will act as a global communications hub for linking Panasonic and its customers. The company’s two existing showrooms in the city, Panasonic Center Osaka and Panasonic Living Showroom Osaka, will be merged, and the brand new Panasonic Center Osaka will launch next spring…
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Nissan LEAF Adds to Power Grid-lock Solutions
Nissan today announced it will help ease anticipated electricity supply constraints this summer through measures to be taken jointly with the City of Osaka and Osaka Prefecture under the power saving actions with Nissan LEAF initiative. Nissan’s contribution to the power saving measures will include the provision of the LEAF to Home power supply system.…
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Panasonic to slash 50% of the 7,000 employees at its Osaka headquarters
Panasonic is considering cutting 3,000 to 4,000 of the 7,000 employees at its headquarters, possibly within the current financial year, through internal transfers and early retirement, to reduce costs and streamline the organization. Panasonic’s first drastic workforce downsizing at its Osaka headquarters will be discussed by the labor union and the company’s management as early…
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Panasonic plans to shift battery production to China
Panasonic is planning to close its Kaizuka plant in Osaka Prefecture within fiscal 2012 and shift its lithium ion battery production to Suzhou, China. The move is aimed at gaining access to low-cost labor in China and cutting production costs to compete with South Korean manufacturers who have been increasing their presence on the back…
