Search Results for: japan

BY JULIAN RYALL, in Tokyo

IT may be in its infancy, but European scientists have high hopes for new research into more effective ways to store hydrogen, and particularly in how it can be applied to next-generation fuel cell systems for vehicles, research that could have global implications.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE WORLD Trade Organisation (WTO) has exempted from its standard free trade rules for a further six years countries involved in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme combating ‘blood diamond’ sales.

Its current waiver was to expire December 31 and protects trade restrictions undertaken by participating countries preventing rough diamonds being exported to non-signatory states.…

BY JULIAN RYALL, in Tokyo

JAPAN’S key fish farming sector is being promised improved efficiency in sales and distribution, with work beginning in February on a state-of-the-art wholesale fishmarket, scheduled for operation on reclaimed land alongside Tokyo Bay by 2012.

The new Koto Ward market, yet to be named, will take over the functions of Tsukiji, the world’s largest market for fish, including farmed species.…

BY MARK ROWE

CONFECTIONARY production is a never-ending battle to balance the ‘feel-good’ factor of products such as a chocolate and cakes with increasing consumer demands for healthy living and enhanced nutrition, according to a leading food scientist.

Dr Johan Ubbink, a senior research scientist and department group leader at the Nestlé Research Centre for Food and Life Sciences in Lausanne, Switzerland, acknowledged that, while chocolate cake would never be the healthiest thing you could eat, research was embracing new technologies that could mitigate the negative effects of confectionary.…

BY JULIAN RYALL, in Tokyo

ON October 9, North Korea carried out its notorious nuclear test in a mine shaft some 240 miles to the north of Pyongyang. The North Korean government proclaimed the test to be successful and an "historic event."…

BY ALAN OSBORN

It looks as though you’re going to have to pay even more to run a big car in Europe soon if the motor industry there doesn’t smarten up its act to cut CO2 emissions. This follows a new report from the European Commission in Brussels on the progress made since 1998/9 when auto manufacturers from Europe, Japan and Korea pledged to voluntarily reduce carbon dioxide emissions in new cars sold in the 25-nation European bloc to 140g/km by 2008/09.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE EUROPEAN Commission has proposed creating a ‘European Joint Undertaking for ITER & the Development of Fusion Energy’, tasked with ensuring Europe fulfils its contribution to the international nuclear research project. It would directly control European Union (EU) ITER spending and also cooperate with European industry and research organisations to supply more money, materials and expertise.…

by Alan Osborn

A string of trade deficits by European food and drink producers was reversed in 2005 thanks to a rise of 5.2% in exports – the best performance since 2000, says the EU Confederation of Food and Drink Industries (CIAA).…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE EUROPEAN Court of Justice (ECJ) has rejected RJ Reynolds and Japan Tobacco’s request it declare the European Commission acted beyond its powers when launching a 2000 racketeering case at a US New York district court. This legal action was subsequently lost, but the tobacco companies have failed in challenging the Commission’s right to launch the case.…

BY PAUL COCHRANE

The Iranian tobacco market has been partly opened up to international players in the past five years and growth is expected to rise strongly, but development of the sector is beset by extraordinarily high rates of smuggling and governmental regulations.…