Exhibition of Japan accomplishments opens in Yokohama.

11/11 Tass 169

YOKOHAMA, November 11 (Itar-Tass) -- The organisers of the coming
summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum due on
November 13 - 14, suggest that its participants see the best
accomplishments of Japan in the sphere of science and technology. They are
displayed at the exhibition, entitled "Japan's experience," which is held
in an enormous press centre of the Pacifico Yokohama national convention
complex.
The exhibits include the latest models of ecologically safe
electromobiles and "hybrids," produced by Japanese automobile-making
concerns, as well as the armoured sapper bulldozer Hitachi, which is
intended for mine defusing. There are transparent water basins in the
hall, which are fitted with the most up-to-date water-purification
systems, based on nano technologies. The exhibition features energy-saving
devices as well. A large section of the exhibition deals with robot
building, including a multilingual robot, with which one can talk; the
electronic Hospi male nurse, which demonstrates its ability to promptly
respond to requests of the aged people, whose number is growing in Japan,
and to comply with them. The Paro robot, made in the form of a seal pup,
greets the visitors. It is intended for the rehabilitation of patients
with mental diseases.
The exhibition features specimens of space vehicles as well, including
the Hayabusa probe, which has been to the Itokawa asteroid and returned to
the Earth after a seven-years-long space mission, and the unmanned HTV
cargo spaceship, which docked to the International Space Station. A booth
with the model of the Maglev super-express, capable of moving at a speed
of 500 kilometres per hour, shows the accomplishments of the Japanese
railway transport.
The visitors of the compact exhibition, which is expected to be
visited, among other guests, by the wives of the leaders of the 21 APEC
member countries, including Russia, will be able to see the sections of
culture and tourism. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said at the opening
ceremony, that its exhibits were selected in accordance with the key
issues to be discussed at the current APEC summit. They are to show not
only the scientific and technological potential of Japan, but also the
merger of technology and culture, in line with the Japanese traditions."
"The Japanese economy and the economies of the Asia-Pacific Region are
also growing and developing in full harmony," said Prime Minister Naoto
Kan, who is going to chair the regional meeting later this week.
-0-rom/kud