- Title: JAPAN: An electric eel powers lights on a Christmas tree in Japan
- Date: 17th December 2007
- Summary: A COUPLE LOOKING INTO THE EEL AND THE TREE AND LAUGHING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) HARUMI YAYOI, A 29-YEAR-OLD COMPANY EMPLOYEE SAYING: "I would love to have an eel like this at home. This is very nature-friendly." KAZUHIKO MINAWA, THE INVENTOR OF THIS SYSTEM STANDING AT THE BACK SIDE OF FISH TANK (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KAZUHIKO MINAWA, SPOKESMAN AT ENOSHIMA AQUARIUM SAYING: "If we could gather all electric eels from all around the world, we would be able to light up an unimaginably giant Christmas tree. So, I would love to see the massive flash on the Earth from somewhere in the universe." ELECTRIC EEL SWIMMING IN A TANK
- Embargoed: 1st January 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Entertainment,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVACVUV7MAMREA4AGZZGEWQ3HUFA
- Story Text: An aquarium in Japan is using an electric eel to light up lights on a Christmas tree.
An aquarium in Japan decided to celebrate Christmas in its very own, unique way - by powering lights on a Christmas tree with an eel.
The tree is set up in the Enoshima Aquarium in Japan's Kanagawa prefecture, next to the eel's tank.
Every time the electric eel moves in the tank, it discharges power of up to 800 watts of electricity that powers the lights.
Two panels made from aluminium are set up inside the fish tank that is filled with fresh water. They work as electrodes to catch the eel's power.
Cables are attached to the panels and they are connected to the Christmas tree to supply the electricity.
On Wednesday (December 12), hundreds of customers flocked to see the tree.
"I am very surprised because this eel is very big," said five-year-old Tsubasa Iguma, who came with his parents and brother.
"I would love to have an eel like this at home. This is very nature-friendly," added 29-year-old Harumi Yayoi, who came with her boyfriend.
Kazuhiko Minawa, the inventor of this system and spokesman of the Enoshima Aquarium, hopes to light an even larger tree in the future.
"If we could gather all electric eels from all around the world, we would be able to light up an unimaginably giant Christmas tree. So, I would love to see the massive flash on the Earth from somewhere in the universe," he said.
He added that it took him more than a month to have the eel light the tree lights.
The Christmas tree illumination will be displayed until Dec. 25. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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