Japan

Sony PlayStation Vita at the Tokyo Game Show 2011

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Here in the SCE booth at Tokyo Game Show 2011, we’re offering experiences for even more users. Firstly, there are our three platforms, the PS3, PSP, and now, the PS Vita. We can provide a variety of experiences for people who play each platform. So we’ve set up a space where more people can try more titles.

The main attraction here is PS Vita. There are over 30 titles available on about 80 consoles. We think this is a very strong lineup of titles.

The main feature of PS Vita, which you’ll see as soon as you pick it up, is the 5-inch OLED display. Not only is the screen big, it’s also very clear, thanks to the OLED technology. Another feature is the variety of interfaces. For example, PS Vita has analog pads on the left and right, a six-axis acceleration sensor, and GPS. This diverse combination offers a variety of gaming experiences. Finally, another feature is network access. This is the first game console with an always-on 3G network connection, so users can communicate with each other anytime, anywhere. We think this will lead to new gaming experiences.

Keio University demonstrate Touchable 3D Character

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Keio University demonstrate Touchable 3D Character Projected Into a Real Environment

RePro3D, developed by a research group at Keio University, is a multi-perspective, naked eye 3D display in which viewers can touch a 3D character floating in midair.

The touchable 3D display is a combination of three elements. A mechanically-controlled model environment, a tactile interface and a glasses-free 3D integral imaging display.

“We use retro-reflective projection technology, using materials with special retro-reflective characteristics. This kind of material reflects light that enters back at the same angle it entered. Using this technology enables a display to show images at a different place from the light source.”

The input interface uses an infrared camera to recognize the movements of the user’s hand, and the character on screen reacts to the movements instantly. They are currently developing a system which can replicate the sensation of directly touching the image by having the user wear a tactile feedback device on their finger.

“There are many attractive characters in animations and games, but since those characters only exist within the screen, it feels a little lonely, and so we built this image display because we wanted to bring those characters into our real-world 3D space to play.”

Using past methods to display 3D images, it was hard to perfectly match the positions and images users were touching on the 3D display. But with this technology, it feels like you are touching the exact spot as you see it. In the future, they plan to build a touchable 3D display system that expands the size of the visible image, so that multiple people can be in the same space, and can share the same image.

Nagoya, over 1 million ordered to evacuate

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(CNN) — Two people in Japan have been killed amid heavy rain from a powerful typhoon that is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon, authorities there said.

The center of Typhoon Roke, which had sustained winds of up to 167 kph (103 mph) Wednesday morning, could hit Japan’s Tokai region, which includes Nagoya city — or the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo — in the afternoon, Japan Meteorological Agency chief forecaster Yutaka Kanda said at a news conference.

At of 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, Roke’s center was 280 kilometers southwest of Nagoya, where about 1 million people had been urged to evacuate.

An evacuation order for about 80,000 residents of Nagoya was lifted, according to local media reports.

Heavy rain fell in central and western Japan from the typhoon’s outer bands on Tuesday and Wednesday. Some downpours came at up to 50 millimeters (2 inches) an hour, and some parts received more than 450 millimeters (17 inches) over a day, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

Two people have died in Nagoya, including a 66-year-old man who fell from a roof Tuesday while trying to fix a stuck duct, city authorities said. Two other people — a fourth-grade boy and an 84-year-old man — were missing in Gifu prefecture, authorities said.

People in the Tokai and Kanto regions should be prepared for heavy rain Wednesday, Kanda said, adding that the Kanto region may be most affected Wednesday evening.

No airports were closed Wednesday, but several flights toward the Kyushu and Shikoku areas were canceled, transportation officials said. Several passenger trains were not running Wednesday in central and southern Japan, railway officials said.

 

Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt: action figures

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File:Pantystockinglogo.png

The Anarchy sisters, Panty and Stocking, are angels who were kicked out of Heaven due to their bad behavior. They are sent to Daten City (a pun on the Japanese word datenshi (堕天使, lit. “Fallen Angel”)), a place located on the edge of Heaven and Hell. Strange monsters called “Ghosts” besiege the city, but the Anarchy sisters wield a variety of mysterious powers, most notably their ability to transform their underwear and stockings into weapons.

Under the watchful eye of Reverend Garterbelt, and with their pet zipper-dog Chuck, it’s up to Panty and Stocking to destroy these Ghosts, in order to collect enough Heaven Coins to return to Heaven.

RIO:bone Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt - Panty Complete Figure

I feel fans of Mega Man and the Miss adventures of Tron Bon will really be into this toy ! coming out in late December 2011.

Pre-Order here