Japan became a highly information-oriented society with the spread of the internet and use of cellular phones in the mid 90's. On the other hand, the style of life reflecting the original human tempo has become materialized.

Recognition of products good for people and the environment.

Public-nursing-care-insurance started in 2000

Mobile phone use exceeded regular phone use in 2000

Traffic barrier free law approved in 2000

Child abuse law passed in 2000

The promotion of a circular-based society in 2000

Sydney Olympics held in 2000

One in six people are elderly in 2000

BS Broadcast began in 2000

The growth of the Japanese population reached its lowest rate of 1.1% in 2000

The central government re-organized 1 prefecture and 11 ministries in 2001

The theme park, Universal Studio opened in 2001

Enforcement of the public information act, revision of the Juvenile law and the recycling of home appliances in 2001

Theme park, Tokyo Disney Sea opened in 2001

First occurrence of the mad cow disease in 2001

Terrorists attack the US in 2001

Noyori Ryoji won the Novel Prize in Chemistry in 2001

Japan-South Korea held World Cup in 2002

The 50th JIDA established anniversary in 2002

Liquid Crystal color display Digital Hi Vision Stereo TV, LC-28 HD1 (Sharp Corporation) in 2000

Clothes, A-POC Queen (Miyake Design Office) in 2000

Entertainment Computer, Play Station2 SCPH-1000 (Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.) in 2000

Vacuum Cleaner, Dyson DC05 Motorhead (Dyson Limited) in 2000

The robot that can walk on two foot, ASIMO (Honda Motor Co., Ltd) in 2000