Sumitomo Chemical Co. has been cranking up production of mosquito nets in response to soaring demand in Africa, where Japan's traditional sleeping screens with a modern twist have gained recognition as an effective weapon against malaria.
The secret, according to Sumitomo Chemical, is how the nets are treated with insecticide.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 300 million people are infected with the mosquito-transmitted disease, resulting in at least 1 million deaths annually.