Zojirushi Rizo rice cooker plans western invasion

The electric rice cooker is an essential appliance in any Japanese home and if maker Zojirushi has anything to do with it, will soon be a fixture in western homes as well. In response to the growing overseas interest in rice as a staple food, and Asian cuisine in general, Zojirushi has created a model, the Rizo, whose design has the western kitchen in mind.

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Whether or not we agree that the pot is particularly western, we do agree that designer Toshinobu Kita, a product designer with extensive European and American experience under his belt, has made a very sleek item.

And it has a special function for making risotto! Though at ¥18,900 for a three-cup capacity it isn’t cheap.

In a somewhat different vein, Zujirushi has also developed a system for using common household appliances, like the electric rice cooker or electric kettle, to keep an eye on grandma.

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The service will send an email twice daily to a designated mobile phone detailing which appliances have been in use since the last update, allowing busy urban housewives to feel reassured that their country bound elderly parents are up and about, making tea.

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