Apple Store in Tokyo’s Ginza is now a pioneering wood builder
The Apple Store in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza District will be moving this month to Japan’s first 12-story structure made of fire-resistant wood and metal.
The Apple Store, which was relocated, will open on Aug. 30, as the anchor tenant in the high-rise designed and built by Hulic, one the largest real estate companies in Japan.
The commercial property that currently houses Apple’s Ginza store will be rebuilt. Commercial realty watchers had been looking for the new location that Apple would choose.
This wood-heavy building is a prime example of how Japanese developers are exploring designs that reduce carbon dioxide emissions over the life of a property.
More than half the load-bearing elements of the building are made from wood. Steel and reinforced concrete are added for strength. Around 300 cubic meters are made of wood.
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Nearly 370 mil disposable cups were used by Japanese coffee chains in 2020
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A recent survey by an environmental conservation organization found that Japan’s nine major coffee chains used 369.65 Million disposable cups to serve drinks. This shows the limitations of efforts to promote reusable cups and reduce waste.

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BestInTESLA Aug 13
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A Japanese company has developed an autonomous, unmanned aerial drone that it hopes could be used to monitor the infrastructure, find missing swimmers or vessels, as well as to spot schools and schools of fish.
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