electronics
Testing the highest-quality earphones from Daiso and the rest of Japan’s lowest-priced stores.
Can 300 yen (US$2.26) headphones actually have enough difference in sound quality to be distinguished?
Japanese company’s gadget for summoning life force for your devices is awesome…but maybe too awesome to be real.
It’s amazing how much technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Companies continually strive to outdo one another by bringing us the latest modern conveniences and seeking to create new and unique gizmos that we won’t want to live without. That said, there are times when we seem to rely on technology more than we need to, and when it feels like companies release new devices without much of a goal in mind besides trying to be different..
A trait of good business leaders is that however high they rise in the company, they never overlook the organization’s frontline operations. It’s important, even for presidents and CEOs, to understand how low-level employees go about their tasks and the manner in which products are purchased and used.
According to accusations from Korean electronics maker Samsung, though, a senior executive from rival LG Electronics got a little too zealous in his point-of-sale activities when he stopped by a retailer and broke one of Samsung’s display models.
Amazon Japan decided to hold its own Cyber Monday sale a few weeks after the North American counterpart. Through the campaign and sales data, they have announced the 20 most wanted Christmas presents in Japan. Clinching the top spot was none other than Sony’s PlayStation 4 which while not the dazzling success that it has been outside Japan has seen strong sales numbers since launch.
But what else do the people of Japan really want this Christmas? Check out the rest of the list below!
For some people, earphones are as much about carving out a little privacy as they are listening to music. Pop in a pair, and only the pushiest of individuals will try to engage you in a conversation, meaning you’re largely left alone in a bubble of just you and your favorite tunes.
But no matter how unappealing you may find the prospect of another human being encroaching on your psychological personal space, we think just about anyone would make an exception and be happy to have these cute little cat-shaped earphone clips in close proximity.
The Olympics gives the world’s most talented athletes a chance to show their abilities to people all over the globe. It also gives the world’s most wealthy marketers a chance to show their products to that same audience.
Among the Games’ biggest sponsors is Samsung, whose Galaxy Note 3 was granted the title of official phone of the Sochi Olympics in thanks of its manufacturer’s generosity. Some reports are claiming that the Korean electronics maker isn’t showing a respect for healthy competition, though, by asking athletes with iPhones to make sure they cover the Apple logo when on-camera.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2014 is currently underway over in Las Vegas, giving the industry’s big players a chance to flaunt their wares and drum up publicity for the coming year. With so much shiny new tech on show, it will be difficult to pick an overall winner, but Samsung’s presentation earlier today with special guest world-famous director Michael Bay will no doubt go down as most memorable, though not as the South Korean company might have hoped.
There to discuss Samsung’s gorgeous new 150-inch curved TV set, the Transformers director fluffed his lines and promptly marched off stage, leaving executive vice president Joe Stinziano with little left to do but ask the audience to thank Mr. Bay for coming, prompting one of the most awkward rounds of applause in CES history.
No matter how shiny and slim your new smartphone is, no matter how high-definition a display it has, it’s still very much a slab of plastic and metal with a screen sitting in the middle. But what if your phone’s screen could wrap around the sides? Imagine if the edges of your tablet computer could also be used as a touch screen, removing the need for physical buttons entirely. Or how about a wrist watch whose strap could also function as a display?
Imagine no more: Japan’s SEL is already producing that very technology, and it’s positively droolworthy.
Samsung is known the world over for its stylish, high-quality products, but we doubt that anyone could have predicted the latest creation from Korea’s premier electronics maker. Let us introduce you to a brand new range of eco-friendly printers that are all inspired by none other than the art of origami.
Thanko, Japan’s self-proclaimed “rare things shop,” is now selling a glove that allows users to control a computer or Android device using hand gestures.

















Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
A surprising number of Japanese youth get most of their income from their parents
Young Japanese adults show lowest dating experience level yet in annual survey
The top 70 words that keep showing up in Japanese light novel titles (and yes, isekai is one of them)
How to do an overnight bus trip to Hirosaki from Tokyo – Part 1【Photos】
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Five things that keep Japanese people chained to their jobs
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Young Japanese adults show lowest dating experience level yet in annual survey
The top 70 words that keep showing up in Japanese light novel titles (and yes, isekai is one of them)
How to do an overnight bus trip to Hirosaki from Tokyo – Part 1【Photos】
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Five things that keep Japanese people chained to their jobs
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
We eat green fried chicken that looks like broccoli from a Shibuya chicken shop【Taste test】
This hotel has one of the coolest katana collections in Japan, and admission is totally free【Pics】
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 500 million yen【Vid】
Starbucks Japan releases new latte containing an unusual floral ingredient
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
What makes a good boss in Japan? Workers sound off in survey
A bag of chips could save you from drowning, according to water safety experts