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April 19, 2024
 

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Jess Mantell

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Jess Mantell
Jess Mantell is a writer interested in the intersection of technology, cities, and food. Hailing from Toronto, she first arrived in Tokyo in 2005 and has been writing about gadgets and toys for The Japan Times since early 2012.
For Jess Mantell's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Feb 13, 2013
Three gadgets from CES that you can take on the road.
Among the many products released at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas each year there are often some that stand out for being particularly innovative, and this year's CES was no disappointment.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Dec 12, 2012
Bright, clean and airborne gift ideas
The holidays are just around the corner, so for those who subscribe to a little late-December consumerism, here are a few ideas for your gift list.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Nov 14, 2012
The return of Furby; Minnie sleeps over
Takara-Tomy has a habit of producing or distributing weird and wacky toys that incorporate interesting uses of technology, and two of its most recent releases are no exception.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Oct 10, 2012
Three new toys look back to the analog days
Remember when all the cool tech was lightning-fast and fit-in-your-pocket small? These days, our gadgets have become so impressive that the novelty of power and size has somehow lost its shine. Which is perhaps why the appeal of clunky, single-purpose retro gadgets is growing. So this month, forget quick and convenient, instead we're looking at the large, awkward and slow — and in one case, not necessarily even assembled.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Sep 12, 2012
Smart notes, perfect rice and panoramic snaps
With the most brutal of summer's heat now behind us, you may be due for a little revitalization. Here are some neat tools to help get your thoughts in order, your body nourished, and to provide you with a little fun. Enjoy!
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Aug 8, 2012
3-D movies, games and silence on the go with your phone
There is an ever-expanding array of peripherals for smartphones — particularly for iPhone, not just because it is the most popular brand but also because it has one standard body shape, unlike the multitude of Android phones, making it easier to build attachments for. Here are a few new add-ons to make your handset that much more fun to play with.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Jul 11, 2012
Gadgets for fat fingers, rich kids and video thrills
Whether you are big, small, active or lazy, here is your monthly round-up with a little something for everyone.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Jun 13, 2012
Gadgets and games to keep you dry in the washroom
It's not the classiest of topics, but here I go touching on the taboo — toilets. We all visit the bathroom several times a day, and what a relief that we do! The experience can conjure a curious mix of emotions: pleasure, pain, anxiety, boredom, impatience, pride. Japan famously produces toilets with booty heating, cleaning, and drying functions, as well as noise-disguising features and different flushing options. The toilet-going experience really has been elevated, both literally and figuratively from the days when the humble squatter ruled. Here is a look at gadgets that amuse and come in handy when nature calls.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
May 9, 2012
This summer, take your gadgets camping, too
With the balmy weather and a relaxing pause from hectic day-to-day life during Golden Week, I'm sure many people have been inspired to start planning some kind of getaway to the countryside when things really heat up.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Apr 11, 2012
Capture your ideas any which way with these USB peripherals
Over the last five years or so, the USB drive has eliminated the need to cart around expensive disks of varying sizes that don't hold much data, or burn endless CDRs, making life a lot more convenient for computer users everywhere. Recently, the storage and connection format has seen some impressive innovations. I'm not just talking about increased storage size or the multitudes of designer casings that allow you to coordinate your drive with your outfit, but serious improvements to the technology that may be life-changing.
No link to Nankai Trough quake seen after temblor in Shikoku
Satoshi Harada from the Meteorological Agency explains about the magnitude 6.6 earthquake during a news conference early Thursday.
Thousands evacuated as Indonesia volcano erupts
Indonesia's Mount Ruang spews hot lava and smoke as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on Wednesday.
Why hasn't Japan moved to prop up the weak yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Snake on a train: Discovery of serpent delays Tokyo-Nagoya shinkansen
A Tokaido shinkansen. It is unclear whether the snake was venomous or how it ended up on the train, and there was no injury or panic among passengers.
In a first, Japan doctors sue Google over negative reviews on firm's map app
One of the lawyers representing a group of doctors suing Google told a news conference that the main purpose of the lawsuit is not to seek compensation but instead to raise awareness over various problems with the Google Maps system.
'House of the Owl' brings Hollywood values to Japanese TV
In the new Disney+ series “House of the Owl,” Min Tanaka (left) plays a powerful political fixer, or “kuromaku,” who has a troubled relationship with his adult children, particularly his idealistic son, played by Mackenyu.
Benefits and risks: AUKUS looks to take gamble on Japan
U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and British leader Rishi Sunak deliver remarks on the AUKUS partnership, after a trilateral meeting, at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego in March last year.
Kyoto’s demon night parade lives to haunt another day
In a Kyoto long past, the "hyakki yagyō" (100 demon night parade) haunted a sleepy corner of Kyoto. Now, one enterprising monster enthusiast has won a small batttle to keep the march alive.
U.S. deploys midrange missile system in Indo-Pacific for first time
A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher arrives as part of the capability’s first deployment into theater on Northern Luzon, Philippines, April 8.
Unpacking the chaotic by-election in a scandal-hit Tokyo district
People listen to a campaign speech in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Tuesday.

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on
By Lance Henderstein

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