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Satoshi Toi
For Satoshi Toi's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 23, 2015
Artificial intelligence apps guiding users' clothing choices, culinary tastes
Software that helps people decide what to wear or even what to eat are among the latest examples of artificial intelligence infiltrating everyday life.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Feb 19, 2015
Farmers see growth potential for 'functional' vegetables
Health-conscious consumers are driving demand for strains of vegetables with enhanced nutritional qualities, and growers are eager to comply.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2015
Custom shoe shops put customers in charge of footwear design
Great news for "affishoenados." Picky shoe shoppers can now design their own dream footwear using services that let them choose colors and materials.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 2, 2015
Companies using cafeterias to boost performance, camaraderie
From offering free lunches as performance incentives to promoting exchanges across hierarchical lines, companies are starting to see their cafeterias as more than just a place where employees can grab a meal.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 28, 2014
Automobile wraps put new spin on paint jobs
Car owners are looking to color wrapping to breathe new excitement into their rides.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 31, 2014
Food industry hungrier to recycle its waste
Food companies are increasingly adopting programs to recycle waste leftover from the production process.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 6, 2014
Golf turns to kids, other sports to lure younger players
Japan's golf industry, which is still largely dependent on seniors and corporate outings, is changing in the face of the aging population and stiffer competition from other leisure activities.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 13, 2014
When kids see red over eating greens
How do you get children to eat more vegetables? The Japan Vegetable Sommelier Association organized courses in Tokyo recently for youngsters aged 5 to 9 in which trained chefs tried to help them overcome their yuck instinct.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2014
LED bulbs develop color customizing options
Light-emitting-diode bulbs are becoming a new tool for customizing home or office lighting environments.
JAPAN
Mar 19, 2014
LED-lit mausoleum offers Tokyo a high-tech alternative to regular graves
At the Ruriden mausoleum in Tokyo, families can visit their deceased loved ones in a dreamlike atmosphere created by light-emitting diodes and advanced technologies.
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2014
Me time: Services for solo customers flourishing
Table for one? Then how about trying out karaoke for one? Or even golf or soccer? In the face of the declining population coupled with an increasing number of people who remain single, companies are beginning to target a new clientele — the solo customer.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 21, 2014
Low-priced 'generic' household appliances gaining popularity
So-called generic home appliances are growing increasingly popular with consumers who place priority on low prices and practicality over multiple functions and brand recognition.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 2, 2014
Kids get better sense of balance with no-pedal bikes
A bicycle called the Strider that has no brakes or pedals is proving popular with parents of young children learning to ride, as its intrinsic instability helps improve sense of balance and eliminates the need for training wheels.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 21, 2013
Gene test kits help determine disease risk
Discovering whether you are at risk of developing specific diseases once required going to a hospital for various kinds of time-consuming examinations. Now it can be done with a simple test conducted at home or at a drugstore.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 12, 2013
Online fashion service for men
While professional stylists might be considered the preserve of movie stars and other celebrities, ordinary men seeking direction with their fashion choices can find help in a new online service.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 5, 2013
With top-class chefs and good food, university cafes becoming popular
Many university cafeterias that used to focus on volume have turned into popular restaurants, attracting people other than students or academic staff working or studying there.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 31, 2013
Shabondama Soap finds success naturally
The sailing hasn't always been smooth, but Shabondama Soap Co. has produced soaps for nearly four decades that don't contain additives such as perfumes and artificial colors.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 24, 2013
Study app business brisk, prepping youths from all walks for college
The smartphone application business targeting students preparing for college entrance exams is buoyant amid a steady increase in smartphone users among high school students.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 7, 2013
As crowds shrink, movie theaters turn to showing live concerts, ballet
Theater operators are looking for new ways to use their facilities as they struggle to survive the decline in cinemagoers.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 26, 2013
Herbs the latest fad for pampered canines
What's good for humans sometimes proves the same for their canine friends, and dog lovers have started experimenting with herbal treatments to improve their pets' well-being.

Longform

Hideo Takayama (front) and Nama Yoshimura head down a narrow alley where a small stream used to run.
Tracing Tokyo’s hidden rivers