Dawn Logo Dawn

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

Home Latest Budget 2026-27 Violations Tracker Pakistan Opinion Business Images Prism World Sport Breathe Magazines Tech Videos Popular Archive Flood Donations

Japan firm unveils radiation-gauging smartphone

AFP Published May 29, 2012
comments
Join our Whatsapp Channel
Add Dawn as a trusted source
Google Preferred Source

TOKYO: Mobile phone operator Softbank on Tuesday unveiled a smartphone that can measure radiation as consumers in Japan clamour for reassurance following last year's Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The latest model in the firm's Pantone series comes complete with a sensor that enables users to see at the touch of a button how much radiation they are being exposed to.

The phone, which the company is putting on general sale from July, can also keep a record of exposure in every location the phone has been to, Softbank said in a statement, adding that it can detect gamma rays in a range of 0.05-9.99 microsieverts per hour.

Japan's top operator NTT DoCoMo at a tech fair last year showcased a smartphone with a changeable “jacket” that measures radiation levels. DoCoMo at that time said they were undecided on the product's commercial launch.

Many people in Japan remain concerned about radiation since the 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami of March 2011 sparked the world's worst nuclear crisis in a generation at the Fukushima atomic plant.

Worries over the health implications of the radioactive leak have sent demand for radiation-measuring devices soaring in Japan.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at
feedback@dawn.com.
Latest News

Budget FY26-27: How much tax will you pay? Use the Dawn Income Tax Calculator to find out Next Story