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Tech fun
from Japan

Every once in a while, it is important to diverge from esoteric discussions of technology in Japan in order to focus on a few really important developments on the technical front. Consider, for example, this wonderful gadget I found on my last trip to Japan: a refrigerator with a TV built onto the door.

Not satisfied with the stuff on TV? Don't worry: this unit also features a built-in DVD player.

Now this is high-tech pushed to the limit. You get a 12.1 inch LCD monitor, a DVD player, and 10-liter fridge all built into the same handy unit. Find yourself too engrossed in a movie to walk to the fridge in the kitchen? You don't have to! Just open the monitor-equipped door and right there is the refrigerator. Once again, technology solves the important problems facing mankind.

Don't rush out to Sears to pick up this bad boy just yet. It is only being made available by the Asahi Beer Co. in Japan as part of a special campaign to launch the company's new alcoholic beverage "Shin Nama." Collect 36 proof-of-purchase stickers by drinking Asahi products purchased in Japan, send them in, and you could be one of 5,000 people to win this "World's First" DVD-TV-fridge. For more information on the contest which lasts until June 30, visit Asahi's home page at: www.asahibeer.co.jp/hon-nama/terezocp .

Another example of high-tech pushed to the limit is this great showpiece: the button of the future! Manufactured by KRD Corp., this button has an IC tag built into it. IC tags contain a chip and antenna and use radio frequency identification (RFID) to exchange information with a reader. IC tags are frequently used in badges and security identification tags.

Why carry around a cumbersome security ID tag when you could build all of that technology into a button? The inventor envisions using them in industries -- such as the hotel industry -- where the staff wears a uniform. Sales efforts will focus on rental uniform companies in Japan. The IC buttons will make it easy to track who goes where and does what without conspicuous security ID tags. Fortunately, the IC-equipped buttons are washable and can even be tossed in the dryer.

Finally, check out this must-have for the person who has everything: the i-Duck Wasurenbo. The i-Duck Wasurenbo is a plastic duck with a light built in. You plug the duck into the USB port on your computer and it lights up. "The i-Duck Wasurenbo has no memory function," intones the web site of the manufacturer. Its only function is to glow in the dark. For about $9 you can choose one of three colors: pink, blue and yellow. Get the i-Duck Wasurenbo from the manufacturer Solid Alliance at www.sa-store.com.

Looking for more absurd high-tech from Japan? Dynamism imports a variety of high-tech products from Japan for sale on their English Web site. Designed for execs who want the latest and greatest gadgets from Japan, the site features notebooks, PDAs and other gadgets. Check out www.dynamism.com for more imported technology.