Mitsubishi Electric Corp. will start an experiment in mid-August to generate electricity from railway cars when brakes are applied, to power lighting and air conditioners.

The electronics maker said Tuesday that the experiment, lasting around two months at Nishi-Funabashi Station on Tokyo Metro's Tozai Line, should help save around 16 percent of the electricity used at the station in the city of Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture.

Regenerative power from brakes is used to power railway cars during rush hours but has not been used for other purposes, the company said.

Power-stingy toilet seats

OSAKA Kyodo

Panasonic Corp. will launch on Sept. 26 four toilet seats with a warm-water shower feature that consumes almost no electricity when in standby mode.

Panasonic is eager to cash in on replacement demand among households keen on power-saving devices by introducing the new Beauty Toilette models.

The products are expected to retail for ¥60,000 to ¥100,000, the maker said Tuesday.