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In what technological or scientific fields is Japan still ahead of the rest of the world?

35 Comments

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Toilets

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Camera lenses, tofu and natto. Can't think of anything else.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I would say cell phone contents (and use of cell phone as e-money), robotics, cameras and some biotech areas.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Underplaying the affects of nuclear disasters and causing said nuclear disasters in the first place. Not to mention they are world leaders in the self pity stakes.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

miniature devices

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Endoscope technology (Olympus medical). And perhaps nanotechnology?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Cameras, watches, toilets and pans, steel, die making, high speed trains, earthquake sensing technology, many medical devices and expertise, carbon fibre tecnology, agriculture, electric motors, LED lightbulbs, vending machines including parking ticket and money changing machines, hybrid refrigerators, efficient and quiet washing machines, nuclear contamination equipment as proven by Toshiba technology, transport system, various vitamin supplements, plastic moulding expertise and coatings, and the list goes on.

I expect some comments as a lot of people don't like to admit the expertise of Japan. One of the most common things said, is that Japan only copies everything which is far from true. Japanese hold many world patents. Japanese companies produce many high tech items and parts for other manufacturers around the world.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Maybe vending machines?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

yes, yes, yes toilets. forgot about them.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

cosplay

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Kampo

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Low orbit cargo delivery.

Understanding the stomach contents of freshly killed whales

And, as yokomoc said, toilets.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

agree with yokomoc - Clever toilet seats :)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Seismology, vulcanology, hydraulic engineering, robotics, aseimic engineering, certain construction technologies

1 ( +2 / -1 )

the mamachari

1 ( +1 / -0 )

They seem to be doing well in areas of stem cell research. Definitely not robotics, unless you mean robot as toys. Most Japanese robots are remote controlled anyway.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I wish I could say video games, but they've been underwhelming as of late. I would say gourmet dining, as Tokyo has the most Michelin stars of any city in the world. Modern city, for sure, as no city in the world has as much modern advancements as Tokyo. Toilets, already been said. And lastly, transportation/subway systems. Surprised no one else said that.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I think the Shinkansen is still one of the best trains in the world. It has the lowest rate of severe accidents of all high speed trains per year. So Japanese people can build safe things (as long as it's no nuclear power plant).

Hybrid cars is also a Japanese forte. The other companies world-wide are jumping on the business, but it will still take them years to catch up with Toyota's routine and experience with hybrids.

With respect to nuclear power, some groups in Japan are doing a lot of research in terms of decontamination. They might well be ahead of all others in that area soon...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Bicycle gears; Shimano still make the most reliable racing gears on the planet, and the recent addition of Dura Ace and Ultegra i2 systems have stepped up the game once again.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nanotechnology, ergonomics, environmental engineering, etc.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The most basic in metallurgy and material physics. I believe Japan still holds the most patents in this field.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Knives from Seki - nobody can beat the quality of a Mcusta Damascus knife

1 ( +2 / -1 )

female humanoid robot that can sing and dance and god knows what else behind closed door....................

1 ( +1 / -0 )

the tamagochi

seriously: this country ranks very high, among the top 5 at least, in science in technology. this is the mecca for techno-fetishists. there is so much depression now with the earthquake-tsunami-radiation now that it is the only thing people think of.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Pachinko cacophonies!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hidden cameras

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cameras in toilets.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

public transport

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Hard to say, but it can't be much if anything. I'd say that while other countries are now equal to if not surpassing Japan in tech, that Japan is still superior in terms of safety standards, but with all the scandals of late and all that's going on now I'm not sure that's actually the case. Hmmm... maybe whale 'research'? And obviously they are ahead in the game in trying to make earthquake prediction (scientists, not electric companies, who are obviously well behind).

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I think many horophiles would say the Japanese do very impressive things with watches.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I expect some comments as a lot of people don't like to admit the expertise of Japan. One of the most common things said, is that Japan only copies everything which is far from true. Japanese hold many world patents. Japanese companies produce many high tech items and parts for other manufacturers around the world.

Some people can't admit because they just DON'T KNOW.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Cameras and imaging technologies...Sony,Sharp (CCDs) and Olympus, Canon, Nikon etc (cameras)...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

the answer is.......... NONE?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

it's not cars and it's not electronics......

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

NONE at the moment.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

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