Japan Now: Technology for the Business Traveller

LONDON, England (CNN) -- On this special edition, CNN's Richard Quest travels to Japan to look at how the country is leading the way when it comes to technology. From robotics to mobile phones to hotel services, Richard will spend his time in the "tech mecca" Tokyo road-testing new gadgets and devices designed to make our lives easier.

Richard starts by exploring what's new in the world of travel. He pays a visit to the ANA headquarters, meets with the CEO and then heads out to Haneda airport to discover ANA's new mobile phone check-in and boarding system.

After that, it's time for a spot of light shopping, visiting the geek's paradise of Akihabara in search of the latest PDAs, computers and even a new mobile phone that can translate Japanese characters into English.

He also meets with Naoki Sakai, one of Japan's foremost designers, who in the past, was responsible for Nissan's Be-1, the SW-1 motorbike for Suzuki and the model for Toyota's Will concept car. Now he's designing some of the most modern, cutting-edge phones for KDDI. Sakai talks to Richard about how he comes up with phones for both regular consumers and business travellers.

Then Richard's off to a business meeting at NEC's state-of-the-art broadband, paperless office. While he's there he meets Papero, NEC's most-advanced robot.

Back to his hi-tech hotel, and then for the show's regular segment, Sunrise to Sunset. Richard will use his leisure time to check out one of Tokyo's new tourist attractions - an earthquake simulator.

Then it's time for lunch at some of the city's digital vending machine noodle bars, and finally a night-time cruise onboard the futuristic water bus, Himko, designed by the Japanese cartoonist Leiji Matsumoto. E-mail to a friend