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No ice, no problem -- Japanese skaters can now lace up at petrochemical panel rinks that go anywhere under any season or weather and it's also easy on the pursestrings. Originally manufactured by Spanish company XtraIce, the two by one metre, resin-based panels allow figure eights and hockey hat tricks without an ice-laying Zamboni. Soon, this eco and cost-friendly iceless rink may become an alternative to the ever-shrinking skating rinks in Japan. "There aren't enough rinks in Japan, so this is definitely a plus. It may be difficult to practice everything on this rink surface, but it's good for partial moves like spins and steps," 19-year-old amateur skater Risa Mochizuki told Reuters at a demonstration booth in Yokohama, Japan on Wednesday (May 14) after trying her skating routines on the plastic rink. The popularity of skating has soared in Japan with the success of professional skaters like Mao Asada and other stars, while numerous rinks across the country are closing down mainly due to financial difficulties. "With the rise of Japanese top skaters in world competition, more young Japanese are trying to find a spot for ice skating lessons. But there aren't enough rinks and lessons, so kids tend to leave for another sport while waiting," said Hideo Iwano, General Manager of a unit at Mitsubishi Plastics, which distributes the special panel in Japan. "We hope to provide more skating opportunities for those young skaters, raising the overall number of skaters in...