The coolest part of the technology?

No actual elevator cars are needed! The secret: putting all Japanese on a high-iron diet.

maglev technology -- capable of suspending Japanese citizens in mid-air through the combination of magnetic attraction and repulsion

The Japanese are nothing if not innovative.

Since they won't move as fast and probably won't be as safe, what's the freakin' point? This is like designing an atomic-powered Water Pik.

Which, now that I think about it, is something I'd expect from the Japanese.

Im pretty sure some poor bastard is gonna have his fillings ripped through the roof of his head and shot somewhere between Ladies Lingerie and Hardware.

ps. Is that a nipple showing on that chick in the pink Reagan shirt? very nice.

Revitation Rift Rikery Rethal

I'd hate to be the first guy with a Pacemaker to try riding one of these.

I hear you Brown Line. What about everyone's laptops, PDAa, cellphone and other tech devices? Massive data wipe waiting to happen, isn't it?

Sarc tag.
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As luddite earth firsters, let's all fear the scary and magical new technology. Because , of course, the engineers are smart enough to design mag lev trains and roller coasters used by hundreds of thousands but not smart enough to add Otis brakes to the elevator.

I also remember that when I rode the mag lev coaster at great Adventure; watches, necklaces, coins and dentures were ripped from unsuspecting victims. There were severed wrists and necks and split jaws. It was pandemonium, I tell you, but everybody had a good time.
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End Sarc tag.

Why Mag lev, cheaper in the long run without cables motors and pulleys all the way through a 2,000 feet high rise someday.

Cool. Turbolifts.

(walks in) "Engineering."

(whoosh)

How long before they come out with a turbo lift?

Since I won't remember this news item tomorrow morning, much less in 2008, I hereby proclaim this guy Japan's first maglev-related death.