Sometimes I think, that in Japan only builds and tinkers, to build and tinker. Thus, in the area of my company. Since last year was the road sawed at every nook and corner. This of course makes one hell of a noise. Here is a rectangle, as a rectangle. This went on for weeks. Then the bodies were torn. Then came other men, put cameras in the rusted pipes and looked, because what is going on in the pipes. Everything was closed provisionally again. Then again, everything was sawed in spring. And now, in the fall or winter again. The streets now look really colorful: Black asphalt patch here, Patches because – bare chaos, and everything looks only provisionally. And not somewhere in the border area, Although in a quiet but, but very central area, which is famous for its fine boutiques and stores very well known (Ebisu / Daikan 'yama).
Somehow somewhere current flows through ...
During the construction, I could not help but naturally, A glance to throw out, because what the ground so rumliegt. And the pipes do not look very trustworthy. But they still look better than standing around the open transformer poles. The fascinate me after all these years still. How can a country, etc permanently from the typhoons and earthquakes. is haunted, all the wiring can easily around a makeshift stand so? It's simple: Japan, the country with the high-tech image, is in fact a low-tech country, if you look around once in life. This need not necessarily bad, but the Tunnel accident on Monday im Sasago-Tunnel Tokyo mit bei 9 Deaths can certainly be regarded as a warning sign. In detail-obsessed Japan is also a very profane tunnel collapse possible (it was not the first) – and do so without earthquakes, and only a short time after a general inspection of the tunnel. Which means, Japan there are plenty of trouble, its infrastructure to keep in excess, but a lot is in a bad, and there is currently no better straight but rather worse, because as soon, was such as built during the boom in the 1980s, is stretched to about 30 Years with the Maintenance are hard behind.
This Contribution Blogger Umij colleague reminded me yesterday because, I once wanted to write a short article about noise in Japan, and before I forget again, I'd better start at the same.
My first impression, I landed in Japan – that was in April 1996 – was as follows: My God, here is every. Even the doors. This happened in a small shuttle train, that runs between the terminals at Narita Airport. A sweet voice whispered something, I still absolutely not then understood, and the door shut with a satisfied smacking. Well, the last one was stolen by Douglas Adams.
In Japan, one works, it seems, very happy with acoustic effects. And with voices of band, the sonicate always and everywhere the area. S talk. Lights talk (sometimes). Escalators talk. Platforms and trains anyway. Doors. Vending machines. All chatters to himself. Parks are sonicated. Interest in Japan is, how much importance it attaches to the acoustic effects.
Sample Station: Very many railway stations in Japan have a signature tune. This melody is unique to each station – and stamps itself naturally, when you get out there and often passes. This of course has a huge advantage: While we often hear station announcements, the melody rather bored already to mind and gives the dozing passenger ode piffling: Here is your station, get out. At larger stations, there are often also depending on line and / or platform varying melodies. For example, at Ebisu station (Tokyo, Yamanote-Ringlinie):
Recognized? Exactly, this is the soundtrack from the “The Third Man”. And since it eponymous one, and quite drinkable beer in Japan is (which was actually made earlier in Ebisu), same music is also used in beer advertising. But only at the margins.
The tradition of 発車 メロディ hassha merodii – “Departure melody” began 1971 at a private railway line (Keihan Line), because the runs between Kyoto and Osaka. When new rail lines makes you look a lot of effort and can compose some new songs – at each station, we hear a small piece of the overall work.
Sticking to the railway station. Yes trains have usually an alarm signal, which are used primarily in Japanese cities often must, If the platforms are packed. Vor ca. 3, 4 Years ago I fell on especially a train – an express train, the good with 100 km / h directly thunders on the platform of my station. With the usual train whistles? Honk? (like the really hot?) I have wondered many times, if they sometimes cause more harm – They are so loud and shrill, that scares usually, and it would not surprise me, if anyone ever fell in terror on the tracks. When that train is different: The horn is very subtle, a rather faint howl, in which less frightened, but immediately gets the feeling, that imminent danger and something very, rapidly approaching. I'm not expert enough, to analyze the truly can, But I have a feeling, this horn mimics the Doppler effect (In this recording, there are several examples to hear – I mean the siren in the first 10 Seconds):
The recording was made at departure – on occasion I'll take the time to, when a train rushes past really.
About main stations: Some rail lines are used, for example, different speakers for announcements from the band: The following example hear two announcements at the same time: The female voice is the one direction (von Tokyo weg) used, the male voice on the other hand for all trains to Tokyo. This is very clever, because even if both announcements are running simultaneously, can be understood fairly easily (this would explain why Japanese…), what's happening. And – so you get used to it, simply ignored the female voice (in my case, may also be useful in everyday life :-), since one morning always goes to Tokyo:
And finally, in my opinion, still a very good example of sound design: The earthquake early warning. That we have 2011 to satisfy one. Very easy, but very distinct. With side effect: Numerous Japanese 2011 developed a real allergy to this noise – with acute stress outbreak, when they hear the sound. Since the reproduction is prohibited, here only as a link: Official, developed by the state radio earthquake early warning.
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For the case, that one or the other reader in Japan and has not heard anything about it: An exceptionally kräfiger typhoon, No.. 17, currently draws across Japan. Currently, the typhoon is about to Okinawa – on Sunday, he will draw the day with relatively high probability of the Kansai region, and in the night between Sunday and Monday on the Tokyo area. With 925 hPa in the center, he is one of the major, and reserves in the course of, Sunday will run transport links into central Japan, not much. To date can be here learn.
Sharp mobile phone with Geiger counters. Those: Softbank website
Comes with one and a half years late there, but still it will not be too late: Softbank, one of the three mobile operators in Japan, throws a new smartphone on the market – PANTONE ® das 5 107Sharp SH. The highlight of the device: It may also include violinist. A push of the button, and off you go. According to the manufacturer, it can measure γ-rays and used cesium 137 (137Cs) as a guide. The span between 0.05 and 9.99 Microsievert (see description at Softbank). Since the mobile phone of course also has GPS, You can use it to perform great field measurements. However, it takes approximately 2 Minutes, until you receive a useful result. Splash-proof, it is also, According to unconfirmed rumors, and you can even make calls to.
The main events at the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in 1 are now more than 17 Months back. In the area around Tokyo, the radioactivity appears to have fallen near the bottom, but it is of course still there and will accumulate mainly along rivers, to finally arrive in the Bay of Tokyo. For the inhabitants of the eastern part of Fukushima prefecture this phone is still propagated useful and will certainly well received. The price does the rest – the phone only costs 23.520 yen, so good 200 Euro.
Mediator being, you can even the way in Tsutaya, the largest video rental chain in Japan, free (for a day) Geiger Counter Select. Certainly not in any branch, but still.
Yesterday, at the 22. More 2012, was the 634 Meter high Tokyo Sky Tree was officially inaugurated – Unfortunately, under very unfavorable conditions, because it was raining all day. This means, the lucky ones, The months in advance tickets for the viewing platforms on 350 and m 451 m did not catch, pretty much did nothing. After the opening of the Tokyo Gate Bridgethus, a second new landmark of Tokyo inaugurated within three months of well-. The baptism of fire emblem already had both the most severe earthquake 11. March 2011 were. Although both buildings were not finished yet, but if known, the constructions put away the earthquake problem.
Tokyo Sky Tree – this is not just the tower itself, but also a great, connected building complex called 東京スカイツリータウン Tokyo Sky Tree Town with a total of 230 000 m² of building space. There are housed a shopping center, a planetarium, and the Sumida-Aquarium すみだ 水族館. The latter is in a giant aquarium, underwater world of the Ogasawara(also: Bonin called)Islands to and should probably be quite impressive - a taste of the news section below provides. In addition to the complex is also still the same to another, new shopping center, called 東京ソラマチ Tokyo Solamachi.
From Tokyo Sky Tree promises to be an invigorating effect on the economy of the surrounding area, and that might arrive too, because numerous Japanese love the tower already. Of course, the tower also brought a few problems with it, but it can be heard – this is typical for Japan – little:
The tower construction site September 2009
- the environment is an old, traditional neighborhood (a typical Old town – shitamachi – Undercity, and the tower is roughly the area from the sleeping tear. That's right. Sure, the land prices to skyrocket (or. this will be done already) and displace many long term residents.
- Snow clumps, falling from the tower (600 m as provide for a proper speed) are a problem for the environment, especially strong winds often prevail here
- The tower is currently disturbs the still of the old Tokyo Tower outgoing radio waves, what are some areas in the north of Tokyo is already noticeable
Here are some trivia on Tokyo Sky Tree. Note especially the speed: From initial concept to full completion were not needed 10 Years, what a project this size is more than remarkable.
The idea for the tower was built 2003
The site was 10 Months later, and chosen more 5 Months later decided
In March 2008 was clear plan of, In June, the MSRP (Environmental Impact Assessment) completed
Construction began in December 2008
The tower is lower triangular and round above
The upper viewing platform on 451.2 m is the second highest in the world (more) – according to the World Financial Center in Shanghai
Japanese people can remember easily, the amount, because 634 man kann Mu-sa-shi (Musashi) read (The old name of the area around Tokyo)
The entrance to the lower platform 350 m costs 2,500 Yen (about 20 Euro)
The entrance to the upper platform 450 m It is available again 1,000 Yen (8 Euro)
For now, it comes up with pre-. By the end of July, the tower is already fully booked
An enterprising Chinese has the name “Tokyo Sky Tree” copyright protection in China can, what was the problem for the shareholders: They subsequently had the Chinese name “東京天空樹”Tokyo Sky Treeimmelsturm) in “Tokyo tower clear skyabout (etwa: Tokyo descend clearance Heaven-Turm) modify - the same goes for the station name
At the 5. April Gab Casio bekannt, that it will throw a new camera on the market: A futuristic digital camera with the euphonious name “EXILIM EX-TR150″, which is to stand out by following: With a stylus, you can edit later on the screen of the camera photos. With editing is not only vile cut, or anything else meant to focus: You can add all sorts of cute elements (for Japan-experts: Im purikura-style) and, Now it is, People can attach the photo later on make-up. No joke! What is meant is no war paint, but subtle (?) Just make-up.
Briefly, the camera is advertised on TV. Only briefly. At the 20. April should start selling, and a good piece to the 30,000 yen cost – So less than 300 Euro. Unfortunately, the Casio market or. Japanese women grossly underestimated. Today, also am 13. April, Casio announced, that there are far more pre-orders can produce as Casio. So stop the sale announced – before the camera ever gets into any business.
Thus legends are born. A beautiful story. And true to Japanese (although this is true also in some other safe countries), at nothing to fear because Japanese women more, as ~Tsu Pin element (Suppin – unvarnished) to be photographed. Since this camera has of course.
This year is the year of the great buildings in Tokyo: Firstly, the 東京ゲートブリッジ Tokyo Gate Bridge at the 12. Opened in February, the other was on 29. February the 634 Meters high 東京スカイツリー Tokyo Sky Tree completed (however the opening is only at the 22. More).
Of course, I once again spared no effort, tell something about the Tokyo Gate Bridge here to. Well, actually it was rather a good excuse, once again to take a tour by bike. The bridge is located near the railway station 新木場 Shin-Kiba to the east of Tokyo and opened a new route between East Kanto or. Chiba and Haneda airport or. Kawasaki und Yokohama.
Obviously it is not far from the airport
Somewhere I had read, that the bridge is also accessible to pedestrians. Who knows, then perhaps also by bike? I thought me so optimistically. So it went through three other bridges and around 10 km to the beginning of the monster, where I had to find it first, that although there are two lanes in each direction for cars, but otherwise there is no room for other vehicles. There are half way up but then a tower with stairs and elevator: With which you can then 8 Stories high drive to the bridge – and go from there. Nix Provided by Fahrrad. And since the new bridge is, there was next to me, of course, many other curious.
The current garbage island in the city of Tokyo
For me, the bridge is particularly interesting, because they have the last two major islands of Tokyo leads or new territory. a good insight into selbige: Both islands were or. are actually still closed to people. A proper name has also not yet be, and so the islands temporarily 中央防波堤外側埋立地 Chūō Bōhatei Sotogawa Umetatechi and 中央 防波堤 内侧 埋 立地 Chūō Bōhatei Uchigawa Umetatechicalled (approximately: Territory outside / inside the main breakwater dam). It can be assumed, that the islands receive proper name, they are ready. The 115 or. 76 Acre islands are partly as a garbage dump and partly used as a cargo port - the larger of the two islands will serve as this year as a container port. On both islands, it looks for the most part quite out of waste. And: Both islands were among my research subjects, I researched during my studies on the coastal edge of Sustainable Development in Planning.
Bridge attendant at work
The plan today was actually, to get to the other side (and then run back, since it is not from the other side for pedestrians continues. The process will take a while, because the bridge is at least 2'618 meters long (and the range between the two middle pillars least 440 Meter). But nothing there: The elevator tower on the other hand, was already within reach, as
the bridge waiting to meet me in a yellow windbreaker and all zurückscheuchte: The towers make 17 Clock to, and since it is not on the other side continues, will be returned?.
Interestingly, it was still, one has from up there but a beautiful view over the city. The visibility was not ideal, but only one has a better view in winter. In the summer, probably a view to the bridge, as a rule hardly worth; unless, to get to the bridge immediately after a typhoon.
Panorama von Tokyo - ganz rechts der Tokyo Sky Tree
And finally, even a photo – this time from below. Since the airport is very close, the planes of the nearly 90 Meter-high bridge also fairly close.
Today, there are times a potpourri for a change: A piece of video, a piece of audio and a piece of photo. Not, that we are still too much text here. Let's start with the photo of - filmed with a hidden camera and nice, so as not to show.
"Veggie" in Japanese
The other day I was again in company X at a meeting. On the ground floor of the skyscraper, there is a café – a “Tully’s” – The Japanese equivalent of Starbucks. Since I had to eat a little time and so far no opportunity for lunch, I let myself down there and looked, what is it edible. Now, there were “Veggie Pizza”. Now this does indeed “Veggie” actually “vegetarian” (sometimes “vegetable”). Since the word is new, It is of course nowhere defined set, but under “Veggie” VegetVeggiemeans nunmal. Not in Japan: I could choose the veggie pizza between tomato or chicken ham gratin. Now I'm not a vegetarian, But vegetarians should be warned: While there are many vegetarian dishes in Japan, but you take full vegetarians here certainly do not.
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An audio: Tja, So since you live in a huge metropolis with an estimated 30 Million inhabitants. A huge city. But that's the cat's care. This shot at night, I spoke to 3 Clock made. Reference: Ab ca. Half of it is really loud. And who listens well, heard in the second half also cursing, annoyed residents. Ach ja: In front of us lives a fishmonger. No wonder, that thWellwill feel as well.
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Last but not least a video – taken this morning on the Shinkansenbahnsteig in Tokyo, before I made my way to Sendai. With this new type of vending machine I had here written before, But today I was watching random, as the machine is equipped. Looks a bit like Star Trek. I removed the original audio, because it was simply too loud. The background music was a proposal from YouTube and does not match my taste, So just ignore.
As is known, Japan has indeed been the Triple disaster of 11. March 2011 some energy to worry about: Before the event we covered a good third of the electricity from nuclear energy and an even larger share of fossil fuels. But there are now 51 the total 54 The reactor still, and the original plan, the share of nuclear energy to increase even further, you will not be able to perform without further (hope at least many). A balance is sought to Fukushima to create this, old gas-, Öl- and to reactivate coal-fired power plants or. all, which was held in reserve, to operate continuously. Thailand, Japan borrowed even a complete power plant at the time, order to assist the energy supply.
Japan has, of course, the problem, generate all its energy for the time being even having to. Time just to put a line from South Korea or Taiwan, of course, is not, and one can not even conduct electricity from western Japan to eastern Japan more. This makes Japan the moment of course highly dependent on fossil fuels, and one looks at the situation in and around Iran, one can only harm schwanen, because 10% of imported oil comes from there.
Geothermal Energy in Japan: So far, only complicated by inclined holes can (Those: Daily Yomiuri / Yahoo Japan)
Since probably only helps the development of renewable forms of energy - Greenpeace had already in September 2011 a 43%stake to 2020 proposed. It has always been there, especially Geothermal one in the true sense of the word hot candidate, because this one has enough truth in Japan, and Iceland before making before, how to live it (now well, which have only 1/400 Residents of Japan).
The simplest thermal power plants in the vicinity of active volcanoes to build – Finally there the magma chambers are closer to the earth's surface than elsewhere. Stupid is just, that most volcanoes in Japan are surrounded by national parks. And there must be no known power plant to be built. So far, at least not. The Ministry of Environment announced yesterday, that it would overturn this rule - and approve the construction of geothermal power plants in national parks and quasi-national parks from now on. Of course, only after an environmental impact received a positive decision.
It will be interesting, whether the impact will have. Currently, only to 540 Megawatts of geothermal energy in Japan, produced by. Most power plants are located here on Kyushu and Tohoku (Nordost-Honshū). Stefansson estimated in his report 2005 (World Geothermal Assessment – unfortunately seems to Stanford University. the PDF taken from the server to have, But I had already read the report then), that in Japan permanently around 20 GW could produce. In Japan, one a little more cautious and estimates, that about 5,200 megawatts, are economically viable (Estimate according to the report of the Environment Ministry to renewable energies 2011, see here). A comparison is sobering: The overall performance of the seven nuclear reactors in Kashiwazaki (Kashiwazaki, Präfektur Niigata) is 8,200 MW. Geothermal energy in Japan is therefore of no permanent replacement – but certainly an extensible form of energy in certain areas of the country: Some municipalities would be able to produce their own electricity, without having to transmit electricity over long distances have to.
Each Japanese visitor an instantly falls in Japan: The enormous density of machines, where one so buy pretty much everything. Most often you will find vending machines: There were, according to the JVMA (Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association) 2009 in Japan 2,1 Millions of vending machines for soft drinks. Will hot, on 60 Japanese is such a machine. The sales of these machines was in the same year at just under 1,9 Yen Billionen. Beverages (except alcohol) cost of these machines usually between 100 to 150 Yen. So we get out once the calculator and go from an average price per can / bottle of 120 Yen aus: Machines arYen average per day 20 Beverages purchased. The average Japanese buys accordingly 130 non-alcoholic drinks in vending machines – or. at least one every three days. Side Note: Other machines (Cigarettes, Kings, Ice, Tickets, Newspapers, Batteries, Socks, etc.) included in the calculation there are about 4 Millions of vending machines in Japan (See raw data here).
Logically, I know, and also use these machines relatively regularly. And I'm quite accustomed to service: Automaten, the hot and cold drinks offer. Automaten, ground where the coffee is brewed fresh and. Automaten, a chat up, when one passes (with “Good morning” in the morning, etc.). Automaten, to an appeal in theMachinesalect (Sun e.g.. im Tsugaru-Dialekt in Hirosaki) usw.
Recently, I noticed, however, especially the latest generation of machines: Huge machines with a huge 47-inch-wide touch-screen – without any buttons. Just choose your favorite drink and you seem to angrabschen information.
But that's not all: According to the manufacturer detects a camera in the machine age and sex (and I know what else) of the operator and priced accordingly Beverages. In my case, a can of coffee with the name “Boss”. It could be worse… Also, according to the data provider for the beverage choice deleted immediately. It is therefore not the last step: A machine in Shinagawa not know, what I've chosen days earlier in Maihama. Otherwise, the machines are already networked – I guess, to remotely control it is to be applied in relation to which particular product and what needs to be filled in where the speed must. My etc with iPad. familiar 4-year-old daughter found the machine of course, large class – it is difficult, They lure them back.
I find it remarkable at this point yet again, how safe is Japan: Even on the darkest corners there are vending machines – and I have never scratched discs, angekokelte buttons, sprayed walls and similar machines seen.
Who is more interested in these machines – here there is a PDF for download (Japanese only) with lots of additional information.
The Word of the Day: Next Generation jisedai – “next(r/s) Generation”. New generation.
My congratulations to the Swiss in the Durschlag Gotthard Base Tunnel today – a tunnel of this magnitude needs to plan and realize we have to get, and even with no protests on the part of the whole population! The 57 km link is thus the title of the “longest tunnel in the earth” for the first time in over two decades to bring Europe.
Still holds the 青函 トンネル Seikan-Tunnel Japan in the World Rekord: The “was” stands for the first character in the city name 青森 Aomori and the “can” for the first character of the city 函馆 Hakodate. That is, after nearly 54 km lang; including good 23 Kilometers under the sea.
The new Gotthard tunnel, it will be two emergency stops on Railways – Also in the Seikan Tunnel, there are two railway stations: Tappi seabed (Caps-Meeresgrund) and 吉岡海底 Yoshioka-Meeresgrund. They were actually used to think as emergency, But now even trains stop there and you can walk through some catacombs (In the case of Tappi you can even go up to the top – no, it does not come out on the ocean floor).
A drive through the tunnel on the train so long I can recommend to anyone with insomnia – I am now three times through the Seikan Tunnel run, always in broad daylight, and every time I had made up my mind, to stay awake, to see at least one of the stations: In vain. But it's even YouTube:
Each Japanese visitor an instantly falls in Japan: The enormous density of machines, where one so buy pretty much everything. Most often you will find vending machines: There were, according to the JVMA (Japan Vending Machine Manufacturers Association) 2009 in Japan 2,1 Millions of vending machines for soft drinks. Will hot, on 60 Japanese is such a machine. The sales of these machines was in the same year at just under 1,9 Yen Billionen. Beverages (except alcohol) cost of these machines usually between 100 to 150 Yen. So we get out once the calculator and go from an average price per can / bottle of 120 Yen aus: Machines arYen average per day 20 Beverages purchased. The average Japanese buys accordingly 130 non-alcoholic drinks in vending machines – or. at least one every three days. Side Note: Other machines (Cigarettes, Kings, Ice, Tickets, Newspapers, Batteries, Socks, etc.) included in the calculation there are about 4 Millions of vending machines in Japan (See raw data 
