Technology - Japan's Gift to the World

Once, it was Germany that came to mind when technology was mentioned. With names like Porche, Benz, Braun, Diesel, Bosch, and Siemens, to name a few, German technology ruled unrivaled for quite a long time. If one wanted innovative, good quality “anything,” he’d look for a German brand.

It’s a fact that people tend to take after people they admire. And perhaps the popularity of German technology has inspired other nations. Japan is a leading example of a country that has, in time, moved up the technology ladder. Japanese technology has since conquered the world – from cars to industrial equipment to home appliances to personal gadgets.

Stéphanie Thomson writes at www.weforum. org, that “few places have done more than Japan to define today’s technological landscape.” She cites Toshiba as the first to produce laptop computers for mass market. She adds that the emojis people use in their emails are also a Japanese invention.

While many people would instead think of Silicon Valley or Tel Aviv for cuttingedge technological innovations, Japan’s creative prowess in the field cannot be underestimated. In fact, according to a Forbes analysis, Japan is home to almost 10 percent of the world’s most innovative companies. Thomson pints out that Japan has given the world far more than karaoke, Pokémon and instant ramen noodles.

Filipinos have long recognized Japan’s capability for technological breakthroughs. And Thomson gives five of significant Japanese innovations: