Nikon’s new D200 has been described as “a precision-crafted digital SLR blending 10.2 effective megapixel performance with impressively fast handling and improved usability for outstanding images.” Translation: this alluring camera captures images with sharp detail and faithful color, but at the same time, the images have such extraordinary resolution you could blow them up to poster size or have a lot of fun trying your hand at creative cropping.

Handsome, fast and very versatile: the Nikon D200

  Handling response is exceptional. In fact, with power-up in a mere 0.15 seconds, a remarkable shutter time lag of only 50 milliseconds and a shortened viewfinder blackout time of just 105 milliseconds, the D200 excels in the capture of fleeting or unexpected moments.
  Complementing its excellent handling, the D200 has been created to offer much of the same flexibility of professional Nikon digital SLRs, such as a wide choice of metering and operating modes and compatibility with over 50 outstanding AF Nikkor lenses.
  We tried to summarize all of the strengths and new technology of the D200, but ran out of space with about six more pages of features still not mentioned. Instead of reading the details here, you will have to go online to see for yourself at http://nikonimaging.com/global/news/2005/1101_01.htm.

The world's tallest elevator testing tower

A trend toward taller buildings in countries around the world is driving strong demand for high-speed elevators that can deliver high quality, reliability and safety. As super-tall buildings are premium properties, builders and owners also demand enhanced passenger comfort through advanced technology for low noise and vibration. This is why Mitsubishi Electric is erecting the world's tallest elevator testing tower (173 meters) on the grounds of its Inazawa Works.
  As the mother factory for Mitsubishi Electric's elevator business and eleven overseas production centers in eight countries, the works is responsible for the development and manufacture of highly competitive, state-of-the-art products.
  A 65 m tower it built in 1965 has been used to successfully develop elevators that were the world's fastest at the time of installation, such as the 750 m/min elevator in the Yokohama Landmark Tower, Yokohama's signature building. Construction of the new tower began at the end of 2005 for completion in May 2007. In addition to development of ultra high-speed elevators in the 1,200 m/min class and high-capacity elevators, the tower will make possible research and development leading to further breakthroughs in passenger comfort and safety. The tower is also intended for use in the development of leading-edge technologies to underpin future elevator concepts.

18,000 year-old woolly mammoth keeps its cool in Tokyo

Mitsubishi company Toyo Engineering Works installed a cooling system for The Yukagir Mammoth Museum in the Odaiba waterfront redevelopment area in Tokyo. This museum is not particularly large, but it does exhibit a thousands-of-years-old woolly mammoth. The exhibition of the “Yukagir Mammoth” remains was the hit of Expo 2005 AICHI JAPAN. Toyo’s cooling system at the Expo contributed to keeping the remains totally intact for a safe return to the Republic of Sakha. On the strength of Toyo's performance during the Expo, it won the order for preserving the remains at a new exhibit in Tokyo.
  The woolly mammoth was discovered in 2002 in Yukagir, a village in the Republic of Sakha (northeastern Russia). The layer of permafrost on the coast of the Arctic Ocean completely preserved the mammoth, which roamed the region about 18,000 years ago. The mammoth's bones, skin, head and sinew are all completely intact, and other parts of its body were unearthed, such as two retaining tusks and a left front leg.
  The special display was open for a limited time, from Dec. 10, 2005 to Feb. 28, 2006. It was a rare opportunity to see the frozen mammoth and unlock its secrets, in Japan, along with many new research findings.

Popular comedian introduces the hottest Hollywood movies

Recently, Space Communications Corporation developed Hit Download, a download service for DVD and high-definition video content for use by providers of FTTH or cable Internet services. Hit Download has made it possible for service providers to offer subscribers on-demand services providing high-quality video content. Along with the high-quality video content, the company provides a package comprising content management, billing and settlement application services and Web operation. The use of Microsoft's latest copy-prevention standard for digital content (DRM) makes it possible for content providers to offer video content confident that illegal use will be reliably thwarted.
  For customers, the stunning picture quality of high-definition or DVD-quality programs will be readily accessible by using high-speed broadband circuits to download video content to personal computers. Furthermore, by connecting their computers to commercially available network media players that support the UPnP home network standard and DRM, customers will be able to view their high-quality shows on large-screen TVs.
  The company plans to obtain high-definition versions of high-quality documentaries from News Broadcasting Japan, provider of the National Geographic Channel, a world-class documentary channel and to further enhance its line-up of content in the future.

Supplying a critical product to growing Asian markets

Asia is growing, and with it the need for basic raw materials for manufacturing. Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) is the main raw material for polyester products. Based on the policy of seeking business expansion through active presence in growing markets, Mitsubishi Chemical has promoted its business at four sites: Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and India.
  Demand for PTA in India reached 2,300,000 tons at the end of 2004. It is expected that demand will continue to expand due to future increases in population and developments in the economy and industry. In response to the dynamic growth potential of the PTA market, Mitsubishi Chemical has decided to increase production capacity for PTA, with a 800 kt/y increase through a new production facility at MCC PTA India Corp. Private Limited (MCPI), by building a new plant adjacent to MCPI's existing production facility at Haldia in West Bengal. The new plant, to be completed around June 2008, will have the largest single-line production capacity in the world.
  With the expansion of the production facility, MCC plans to consolidate its position in the PTA business in India, and also contribute to economic development in India.

Blending past and future to better serve the public

Mitsubishi Estate has taken the highest honors in the most prestigious award in the field of real estate development for its flagship redevelopment of the historic Marunouchi Building in central Tokyo. The recent ceremony marked the first time for the Urban Land Institute to expand the award to cover the entire globe. The Marunouchi Building and two other projects (Hangzhou Waterfront in Hangzhou, China and the Millennium Park in Chicago, U.S.A.) were recognized out of 175 international entries. Winners must demonstrate not only excellence in architecture and design, but also encompasses “leadership, contribution to the community, innovation, public-private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs and financial success.”
  The Marunouchi Building was Japan's first modern office building, constructed in 1923. The redevelopment successfully balanced preservation of the neighborhood's historic atmosphere and the addition of new features in consideration of the future. As a multipurpose building, incorporating attractive retail and dining destinations along with office space, it has increased the appeal and value of central Tokyo, drawing people by providing nightlife and weekend events.