E-Paper Technology Has New Possibilities in Japan

On January 23, 2009 e-paper testing was started in Japan around Toshima Ward Office, which is just east of JR Ikebukuro Station. A wireless network was set up at the Toshima Life and Industry Plaza and served as the emergency hub for disseminating disaster information. The test was to see how effective an e-paper display system would be in case of a local disaster.

The Toppan Printing Company offered the e-paper displays to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Communications Kanto Bureau of Telecommunications. Field testing was performed by having them displayed inside the Toshima Post Office and Higashi-Ikebukuro bus stop.

The electronic paper installed inside the Toshima Post Office measured approximately 3.28 feet by 10.5 feet. The e-paper display featured 240 x 768 pixels with a pixel pitch of 4mm. This pixel arrangement was made by arranging 48 x 96-pixel electronic papers in eight horizontal rows and five vertical rows.

At the Higashi-Ikebukuro bus stop a smaller display was used measuring approximately 2 feet by 1.3 feet. The e-paper display featured 144 x 96 pixels with a pixel pitch of 4mm. This display was created by arranging pieces of 48 x 96-pixel electronic paper in three vertical rows.

The e-paper display in Toshima Post Office will be remaining on display until Jan 29, 2009. The testing is also serving as a promotion for the Toppan Printing Company in using electronic paper for digital signage.