Defying local skepticism and 'Tokyo first' mentality, Science Park thrives in rural Yamagata
When Keio University professor Masaru Tomita accepted an offer in 2000 to head a new science lab in the city of Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, his fellow researchers — shocked at what they evidently considered his relegation to the countryside — warned him that his ...
Japan biotech venture to sell jacket made with synthetic protein textile
Biotech venture Spiber Inc. and sports apparel-maker Goldwin Inc. on Thursday announced the December launch of what they claim is the world's first outerwear jacket made with protein material produced via microbial fermentation. The Moon Parka jacket will go on sale in a limited volume ...
Yamagata biotech firm synthesizes spider silk to spin web of innovative products
After more than a decade developing what it considers the world's first synthetic spider thread, Japanese biomaterial company Spiber Inc. is close to going to market with its first product — a gold-colored outer jacket woven from the material. But the launch, planned for 2016, ...
