Newsweek International 10/29/2021

1994 “When it came to flying the shuttle—the most complicated vehicle ever built, with more than 800 control switches, 2,600 cargo items, 83 scientific experiments and a satellite on board—the old man had a lot to learn,” Newsweek reported as 77-year-old John Glenn trained at the Johnson Space Center for his final mission to space as the subject of experiments regarding age. The record for oldest person ever to travel to space was broken in July on a Blue origin flight by 82-year-old female aviator Wally Funk and then again in mid-October by 90-year-old William Shatner of Star Trek fame. 1966 “Johnson’s Asian trip marks far more than a ceremonious personal triumph,” Newsweek said of Lyndon Johnson’s first trip abroad as President. Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris toured Southeast Asia…

For many people these days, most of the words we read or write are formed by pixels on a digital screen, as digital technologies have quickly replaced the books, newspapers, magazines, pens and pencils that were the predominant media for centuries. The printed and written word are undeniably in decline, but they will remain essential forms of communication, and indeed inspiration, for many years to come. In a country renowned for seamlessly blending tradition and innovation in manufacturing, Japanese companies involved in the print and stationery industries continue to ensure the survival of traditional media forms. Adopting the Japanese monozukuri craftsmanship philosophy, these companies strive to deliver high-quality products constantly adapted to the ever-changing demands of the modern world. “Japanese writing instrument manufacturers are all prioritizing R&D and investing a…

Since its establishment in 1925, Shachihata has manufactured products that can be used for long periods of time, thus supporting the protection of the environment, and eco-action will remain a guiding principle of Shachihata’s operations going forward. With its LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), Shachihata performs systematic analysis of the potential environmental impact of products during their entire life cycle, including production, distribution, use and end-of-life phases. For example, the company has reduced the life-cycle CO2 emissions of its K-177N Dry-Safe Marker by 15% by re-considering the material. Since 2012, Shachihata has incorporated renewable energy in manufacturing and aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by around 100 tons per year by using solar energy. More than 1,000 solar panels have been installed at its main factory in Inazawa, Japan, which generated…

“There is an emotional element involved with writing, in development we consider the value of holding a pen in your hand and using it as a unique means of self-expression.”Shigehiko Suhara, President, Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd. For over a century, Mitsubishi Pencil – the manufacturer behind the world famous Uni-ball brand – has been a global leader in providing writing and art instruments that provide functionality and affordability, and inspire creativity and connection. In today’s modern world, where traditional hand-scribed communication, art, and design has been all but replaced by digital tools, challenging times exist for the humble pencil. Emphasizing the scale of this challenge, Cambridge University, one of the world’s foremost academic institutions and a totem of the education sector which represents one of Uni-ball’s key global markets –…

TACCIA is a luxury writing instrument brand born in California, whose award-winning fountain pens are loved by avid writers across the globe. In 2018, Japanese company Nakabayashi, which manufactures and sells paper products and office equipment, took over TACCIA’s overseas sales business. And in just three years, the company has sold numerous high-end lacquer fountain pens around the world. TACCIA’s Miyabi Maki-e Winter Breath has been selected as the Reader’s Choice Pen of the Year and Best Urushi Arts winner for 2021 by PEN WORLD, North America’s leading luxury fountain pen magazine. The Miyabi Maki-e Winter Breath fountain pen is made of abalone and eggshells, which are fitted onto the body of the pen to create the “frozen” effect, depicting the beauty of winter. The limited edition series of 88…

“We are a one-stop shop that provides automated, user-friendly solutions for every step in the print finishing process.”Eijiro Hori, Chairman, Horizon International Inc. The printing press is seen as one of the most important innovations in history, and Horizon Group is maintaining the rich tradition of bookmakers with its industry-leading selection of printing finishing equipment for every client’s needs. Since its founding over 70 years ago, the company has used its foundations of quality, price, and delivery to grow, both figuratively and literally, with Horizon now operating out of the world’s largest facility for manufacturing products for the five major print finishing operations: folding, collating, binding, stitching, and cutting. Horizon Group Chairman Eijiro Hori explains that this integrated system allows the company to not only make the highest-quality products, but…