NEARCHUS: Japan,bamboo wheelchairs at airports [ 1934 ]

The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.

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This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Japan,bamboo wheelchairs at airports [ 1934 ]

JAL to introduce bamboo wheelchairs at airports for easier use through metal detectors

Former baseball player Norihiro Akahoshi tries a bamboo wheelchair at Haneda Airport on Dec. 21, 2010. (Mainichi)

Former baseball player Norihiro Akahoshi tries
a bamboo wheelchair at Haneda Airport\,

(Mainichi Dec 21,2010)

(Mainichi Japan) December 21, 2010

Japan Airlines is set to introduce bamboo wheelchairs at two domestic airports next year, making it easier for wheelchair passengers to pass through metal detectors, the company has announced.

The new bamboo wheelchair has been developed jointly by the air carrier, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and custom-made furniture maker Sun-so-ing based in the Oita Prefectural town of Hiji.

While a conventional wheelchair sets off metal detectors, requiring wheelchair users to go through a lengthy security screening, the bamboo wheelchair is completely metal-free, with its wheels, axle, brakes and all other parts being made of non-metal materials.

Furthermore, the hand rims are also made of bamboo, while the material's flexibility has been used to enhance the strength of the wheelchair's footrest and overall framework.

It took nearly four years for the developers to complete the metal-free wheelchair.

As it usually takes a month to make each bamboo wheelchair by hand, producing large volumes of the device is difficult.

Each wheelchair costs as much as 600,000 yen and former Hanshin Tigers player Norihiro Akahoshi and his charity organization have volunteered to support the project.

JAL will introduce one bamboo wheelchair at Oita Airport in January next year and two others at Tokyo's Haneda Airport the following month on a trial basis.

Click here for the original Japanese story

(Mainichi Japan) December 21, 2010

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