"Osaka Expo mascot needs name; organizers ask for suggestions"

Image and story from Japan Today, 5/2/22.

The organizers of the 2025 Osaka World Expo have decided to once more enlist the help of the public, this time to help them come up with a new name for their mascot.

You may remember the mascot was making waves online when it was first announced, as unlike normal character mascots, it looked like something straight out of a horror movie.

As one of the mottos of the event is designing a future society of shining lives, the monstrosity of a mascot has already been given an unofficial name by netizens — Inochi no Kagayaki-kun (Shining Life-kun). However, organizers have recently commented: “We aren’t considering that as the official name at this point.”

...

Instead, the organizers have decided to ask the public for suggestions for a name. Seeing as the mascot will be used for promotional activities and official merchandise, this is a great opportunity to really be a lasting part of the 2025 World Expo.

Before you go rushing to suggest the mascot be named Sleep Paralysis Demon, be aware that the person who suggests the winning name will net themselves a cool 300,000 yen. The entry form also requires you to write your reasons for coming up with your suggested name, so “I’m suggesting ‘AGGGGGH-kun because just look at it,” probably won’t do you any favors.

Although you definitely won’t be alone in suggesting horror-based names, if comments by Japanese netizens are anything to go by. Those who had recovered from the shock of learning it was not in fact called Inochi no Kagayaki-kun were quick to come up with some gruesome suggestions of their own.

“I’m gonna suggest Death Bringer.”

“I think Curse from the Abyss would be a good choice.”

“What about End of the World-kun?”

“I’ve seen a lot of suggestions for Kill Me-kun, haha.”

Anyone can submit a name for consideration, and two suggestions are allowed per person. The name must be written in either hiragana or katakana, and names that are gender based will not be considered, as the mascot is genderless. Unfortunately, only Japanese nationals or people with Japanese residency are eligible to enter, but anyone who meets those requirements can send their suggestions here. Entries will be open until May 16.

Be sure to check out the reader comments as well...

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/national/Osaka-Expo-mascot-needs-name-organizers-ask-for-suggestions

"Face saver: Surgical masks worn at speed dating sessions"

From Japan Today, 10/18/16.

Looks aren’t everything. At least, that’s what one Japanese dating service is trying to prove - by requiring participants in speed dating sessions to wear white surgical masks.

“In order to achieve marriage, it is important to provide chances to know a partner’s personality and values in the early stages,” said Kei Matsumura, head of Tokyo dating service Def Anniversary. “We chose surgical masks as an essential tool for that.”

White surgical masks covering most of the face are common sights in Japan, where people don them to avoid catching diseases, keep out pollen and, sometimes, just to keep their faces warm. Some women also opt for a mask on days when they haven’t worn makeup.

“Since I wasn’t judged by my appearance, I think I was able to be more outgoing with women,” said 28-year-old Yasumasu Kishi at a weekend speed dating event for 19 men and 18 women.

Dating services are booming in Japan as young people shy from tying the knot. The marriage rate has plunged by 50% over the last 40 years, from 10.1 per thousand in 1975 to 5.1 per thousand in 2014, according to a Health Ministry survey.

Young people brought up in the digital era find face-to-face encounters daunting in ultra-polite Japan, while long work hours add still another hurdle. These make konkatsu - active “marriage seeking activity” - often the only option.

“I think I was able to find out more about their inner selves and not just judge them by their looks,” said Chiharu Tsukahara, a 28-year-old office worker.

“In this event, personality matters. I quite liked that,” she added as she prepared to leave with Kishi and two friends for another date. This time, masks were optional.

Source: https://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/face-saver-surgical-masks-worn-at-speed-dating-sessions

YouTube video of the event:

Funny/Weird Japan-related Videos

"Can you spot what’s odd about this Japanese classroom?"

From Japan Today, October 23, 2015

So what about this commercial? It looks so normal at first; it’s just a bunch of high school girls hanging out in a classroom, playing a guitar, reading, whatever. But then, right in the middle, something happens. Watch it for yourself and see if you can figure it out before the reveal.

...

In the end this was a SHISEIDO makeup commercial, and they finish with the tagline “anyone can be cute.” Hear that guys? There’s nothing wrong with a little exfoliation/moisturization in your life.



Source: http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/can-you-spot-whats-odd-about-this-japanese-classroom

"Oita lures travelers with wonderful montage of synchronized hot spring bathing"

From Japan Today, October 24, 2015

For prefectures to separate themselves from the rest and showcase what makes them special, they have to do something grand. In Oita Prefecture, this means presenting their world-famous hot springs with a synchronized swimming team in what can only be known as “synchronized bathing”.

Oita is one of the nine prefectures that make up the island of Kyushu and is most famous in Japan for its diversified selection of natural hot springs, or onsen. People around the country travel to Oita and soak in water that is heated by volcanic activity. To show off a number of their its best onsen, Oita recruited the help of a professional synchronized swim team. You’ve definitely never seen hot springs enjoyed quite like this.

The women travel all over the prefecture, stopping at all styles and kinds of hot springs. This includes a visit to Oita’s famous sand baths and mud baths in Beppu.



Source: http://www.japantoday.com/category/travel/view/oita-lures-travelers-with-wonderful-montage-of-synchronized-hot-spring-bathing

Cool Japan Fashion?

Images borrowed from s0ciety6.

VAOJ Disclaimer: This is not a product endorsement or fashion advice of any kind - only a sampling of what is out there...

More info: http://society6.com/product/the-great-wave-of-pug_leggings?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=1119&utm_content=42268#56=415

And of course you need the shoes to match...

Image borrowed from Japan Today, 5/13/15.

More info: https://www.japantoday.com/smartphone/view/new-products/combine-your-love-of-godzilla-ukiyo-e-and-fashion-with-shoes

"7 Wonderfully Weird Things to Do in Tokyo"

Photos and text borrowed from from MSN Travel.

Visit a Maid Cafe

Eat at Robot Restaurant

Spot Freaky Fashions in Harajuku and Akihibara

Rock out to Dancehall Reggae Music at Garam

Auction for Tuna at the Tsukiji Fish Market

Experience Shibuya Crossing

Stay in a Capsule Hotel

Source (and more details): http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/7-wonderfully-weird-things-to-do-in-tokyo/ss-BB9FEGm?ocid=mailsignout#image=1

Perhaps good advice if you are looking for a wonderfully stereotyped/staged vacation in Tokyo... But I wonder what is so weird about Tsukiji...?

My best advice is to avoid Tokyo altogether and make efforts to see and interact with the real Japan. You just might find it wonderful and weird in a good way...

"Digital eyes show your emotions for you"

Photo and text from Japan Today, 4/22/14.

Can’t be bothered to show anyone what you’re thinking? Then a Japanese scientist has the answer—a pair of digital eyes that can express delight and anger, or even feign boredom.

Building on a long line of slightly wacky and not-very-practical inventions for which Japan is famous, Hirotaka Osawa has unveiled the “AgencyGlass”.

“I wanted to build a system that is capable of carrying out social behaviors for humans,” he told AFP.

Just as robots can reduce the need for physical labor, the AgencyGlass—which looks like two small TV screens set in spectacle frames—aims to cut down its user’s emotional demands by carrying out their eye movements for them.

The two organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens, which are connected to motion sensors and an external camera, show a pair of eyeballs that can appear to be making eye contact while the wearer is looking somewhere else entirely.

The wearer has to choose their emotion in advance—if they want to appear “attentive”, for example, they must switch it to this mode before putting the glasses on.

Osawa, of the prestigious Tsukuba University, said possible applications include for flight attendants dealing with irritating passengers, or teachers who want to project an image of kindness towards shy students.

“As the service sector grows and becomes more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly important that we behave by showing understanding to others,” he said. “That requires us to behave differently from our true feelings.”

Such “emotional labor” has caused some people to become deeply conflicted and develop emotional illnesses, Osawa said, adding that his technology could eventually help them.

The glasses weigh around 100 grams with the battery lasting roughly an hour, Osawa said, adding that the prototype cost just over 30,000 yen to make. They are currently not in production.

Source: http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/digital-eyes-show-your-emotions-for-you-2

"The World in Two Minutes: Japan"

Here's another attempt to to represent Japan in a short video. It comes from a group (?) called WOKI TOKI. Here is their own explanation of their project (text accompanying their YouTube video):

We took the greatest videos from all over the world and made a mash-up from every country. The World In 2 Minutes describes different cultures, and how eccentric they are. 

Sigh... more tired stereotypes perpetuated once again, I'm afraid. But to be fair (?), they made videos for other countries (and their stereotypes), including Mexico, Russia, Chile, Brazil, India and the United States. (click on the country name to see the corresponding video).

I found this information on a web page called Rocket News 24, which promises "Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today." More "weird Japan" focused material, similar to Tokyo Mango. Not so academic but (sometimes) entertaining...

"Honda unveils 'smarter' Asimo humanoid robot"

Story from today's Japan Today:

Honda’s human-shaped robot can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces, hop on one foot and pour a drink. Some of its technology may even be used to help out with clean-up operations at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant.

Honda’s demonstration of the revamped Asimo on Tuesday at its Tokyo suburban research facility was not only to prove that the bubble-headed childlike machine was more limber and a bit smarter.

...

Asimo was also able to distinguish the voices of three people spoken at once, using face recognition and analyzing sound, to figure out that one woman wanted hot coffee, another orange juice, and still another milk tea.

The new Asimo got improved hands as well, allowing individual movement of each finger, so it could do sign language.

“My name is Asimo,” it said, making the signs of its words with stubby fingers.

It also opened a thermos bottle and gracefully poured juice into a paper cup.

Read the whole story: http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/honda-unveils-smarter-asimo-humanoid-robot

New Japanese Technology in the News...

Tokyo tech fair opens with clapping robot

Story and photo above from Japan Today, 10/21/11.

From robotic hand-clapping arms to a device that could show tsunami alerts in the sky, Japanese technology researchers showcased their latest inventions in Tokyo Thursday.

Two pairs of artificial arms welcomed visitors as the Digital Content Expo opened for a three-day run, producing a realistic clapping sound due to the soft palms of the hands.

The arms, named Ondz, are made of white skin-like urethan “flesh” and aluminum “bone.” They create what the developer calls the “organic” sound of human hand clapping by the patting of soft palms.

“I want the the audience to enjoy the creepy and surreal feelings this product gives as entertainment,” said Masato Takahashi, researcher at the graduate school of media design at Keio University, who molded the design on his own body.

Ondz could be used in musical performances, to enhance the sound of real clapping. Or viewers watching a programme online could click a button to make hands at the broadcast site clap, Takahashi told AFP.

He also said he would like to produce a “spanking machine” to hit comedians, as well as stomping feet to complement the hand-clapping arms.

Read the whole story:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/tokyo-tech-fair-opens-with-clapping-robot


'Subtitle glasses' to debut at Tokyo film festival

Story from The Daily Yomiuri Online, 10/22/11.

Olympus Corp. and a nonprofit organization have jointly developed special eyeglasses that project subtitles on the lenses so the hearing impaired can enjoy Japanese movies.

A type of head-mounted display (HMD), the glasses will be unveiled at the Tokyo International Film Festival that runs through Oct. 30.

The device was developed by the Tokyo-based precision equipment maker and the non-profit Media Access Support Center (MASC), based in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture.

MASC has been working to provide better access to information for people with hearing difficulties by promoting captions for films and DVDs, and is providing captions from its Web site through the iPhone to the device.

According to MASC, subtitles for the hearing impaired need to include not only dialogue but also information on who is going to speak before actors deliver their lines. It also needs to explain to viewers about footsteps, honking horns and other sound effects.

As it costs at least 1 million yen per film to print these subtitles, few films provide them. Only 51 of 408 new releases in 2010 had the special subtitles.

Theaters showing these films are also limited, especially in rural areas. Since the subtitles may annoy non-impaired viewers, the films are generally shown only for about two days even in metropolitan areas.

Mitsuhiko Ogawa, 49, vice director of Tokyoto Chuto Shiccho Nanchosha Kyokai, an association for people with hearing disabilities, said films give people with hearing problems an important opportunity to relate to other people and society. "It would be great if we were able to go see a movie with anybody, anytime, anywhere," Ogawa said.

Even if the HMD comes into wide use, however, scripts for subtitles still have to be made for each film. MASC director Koji Kawano, 48, said making HMD subtitles costs less than one-fifth of usual subtitles as the HMD subtitles do not have to be printed on film. "The problem is who bears the cost," he said.

Kawano stressed films with HMD subtitles will also be good for seniors with hearing difficulties. He said demand could be increased by expanding the HMD's functions to allow the use of foreign-language subtitles.

Read the whole story:
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T111021004892.htm

"Japan to go fishing ... for space debris"

Image borrowed from MSNBC.

Recently my students have remarked how clean Japan seems to be (as a first impression) yet also expressed confusion/frustration about the lack of trash cans in public. Here's some more garbage news about Japan from MSNBC:

Japan's space agency is reportedly teaming up with a fishing net manufacturer to catch and remove debris from Earth orbit, where it poses a threat to spacecraft, astronauts and satellites.

The space fishing net would span several kilometers and be made of thin metal wires. As it scoops up space debris, it will be charged with electricity, allowing Earth's magnetic field to reel in the haul and eventually burn it up in Earth's atmosphere...

See the whole story: http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/08/6012105-japan-to-go-fishing-for-space-debris?GT1=43001

"Kobe eyes tattoo ban at Suma beach after marijuana case"

From today's Japan Today: Totally ridiculous on so many (visual and other) levels...

The Kobe municipal government is considering banning people with tattoos from a beach in Suma Ward following the recent arrests of college students for alleged marijuana possession during a music event at the beach, city officials said.

The city office intends to come up with a concrete plan during this year, including establishing the rule by ordinance, but banning tattooed people from a public beach is a rare case in Japan as most tattoo bans are for commercial facilities such as saunas. The envisaged ban may prompt controversy over its possible violation of the freedom of expression as tattoos are becoming increasingly fashionable with young people, critics say.

"It is our duty to make a safer environment for the citizens," said a city official as senior officials of the city and Hyogo prefectural police are set to form a special team to work out details such as ways to restrict entrance to the beach.

Suma beach saw the lowest number of visitors in 25 years this summer, with about 620,000 people in 46 days. Some citizens have told the city office that they "hesitate to go near the beach" amid an increase in young people with tattoos, the officials said.

The city enforced an ordinance with a penalty in 2008 that forbids loud noise on the beach during nighttime, yet about 70 music events were held this summer.

Read the story and reader comments:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/kobe-eyes-tattoo-ban-at-suma-beach-after-marijuana-case

"Casio to launch digital camera for girls"

From today's Japan Today:

Casio Computer Co. said Tuesday it will release a digital camera aimed at young female users on Sept. 10, featuring modes especially designed for taking shots of nail art and accessories.

The EX-Z800, a new version of its Exilim series, is equipped with a special sensor that enables users to take shots of their own faces automatically, as young women often take pictures with their friends and boyfriends.

Users can also make the focus mark on the camera’s liquid crystal display panel heart-shaped. The camera, priced around 25,000 yen, comes in five colors, including pink and yellow.

See the story and reader comments:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/casio-to-launch-digital-camera-for-girls

"Paul the 'psychic' octopus tips Spain to beat Germany"

Photo and text borrowed from The Local, 7/6/10.

I saw a picture of this octopus before and my friend Bastian was kind enough to explain the connection between an octopus and the World Cup. I would have thought that such a method of prediction would come from Japan (and maybe Osaka, home of tako yaki, specifically) rather than Germany. Anyway, I hope Paul is wrong this time...

Cries of despair were likely heard across Germany on Tuesday after a "psychic" octopus called Paul tipped Spain to beat Germany in the football World Cup semi-final.

The eight-legged oracle, who has successfully predicted the outcomes of all five of Germany's games in South Africa, carefully weighed up the two teams before plumping for Spain, prompting anguished groans from the assembled media scrum.

Carried live on national television, two plastic boxes, one with a German flag and one with a Spanish, were lowered into Paul's tank at an aquarium in western Germany, each with a tasty morsel of food inside. The box which Paul opens first is adjudged to be his predicted winner.

If Paul's performance is replicated on the pitch, it promises to be an end-to-end thriller. He teased the crowd by initially lingering at the German flag before heading for the Spanish box.

The mollusc medium has shot to fame by defying the odds with a perfect record of picking winners.

Proving he is not just attracted to the colours in the German flag, he rightly foretold Die Mannschaft's shock defeat to Serbia in the group stages.

He then predicted Germany's triumphant drubbing of England in the last-16, provoking accusations of treachery. Paul should by rights be an England fan, having been born in Weymouth on the south English coast.

Confirming his reputation as a prognosticator par-excellence, he kept up his astonishing run of form by tipping Germany to beat highly fancied Argentina in the quarter-finals.

But all is not lost for coach Joachim Löw and his boys as Paul has been wrong before.

In the European Championships in 2008, he had an 80 percent record, getting only one match wrong.

Which one? The final that Germany lost. Against Spain.

Read the story and readers comments:
http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100706-28321.html

Weird Globalization?

So there I was, at a Mexican restaurant in Cologne, Germany, eating Mexican food and drinking a southern-USA cocktail, brought to me by a waiter from Egypt while watching Argentina and Nigeria play in the world cup being telecast live from South Africa (with the loud vuvuzela in the background). Later I met a German architect who recently came back from China and we watched the USA vs. England match. Photo taken with my Japanese cell phone.

Really I am thinking such things as this are not so weird or uncommon anymore. And is globalization really the correct term to be using here? What isn't weird and/or globalization these days?

Lost in Translation? Or Just Ethnocentric?

Today as I was signing out from my hotmail account I saw how Bing was highlighting some "humorous" and "difficult" cross-cultural "challenges." Currently having challenges myself in Germany I clicked to see what they had to say. There were two Japanese examples (their own text appears in italics):

(Image borrowed from Bing)

1. Lost in Translation: Subway Insanity

Subways are confusing enough without adding language difficulties. If you used this subway ticket machine in Osaka, Japan, would you know which route to take and how much to pay? And if you managed to figure that out, would you know where to get off? See you in Osaka. Maybe.

(Image borrowed from Bing)

2. Lost in Translation: High-Tech Toilet

Once upon a time, a commode required nothing more than a flush. Which of the 11 buttons on this high-tech toilet in Tokyo allows you to complete that simple maneuver? When it comes to the other 10 buttons, the mind boggles. Does a wonderful symphony begin drowning out all the other noises in the bathroom? Does one of the buttons allow you to request more toilet paper? We confess; we are flushed with confusion.

Personally two of the things I am missing the most about Japan are the relatively easier train systems and the toilets. German toilets are just fine, but one gets used to heated seats and other amenities. One gets used to using the buttons as well. Are 11 buttons (with icons) so difficult to figure out? Push them them and see what happens... And for me, the Japanese trains and subways are much easier to use. The maps make more sense and there is English on the maps and station signs. And the kanji characters of the trains stations names are shorter and easier to figure out than the long German names... While there are probably more English speaking people on the German trains, overall I think the Japanese system is more user friendly.

Whoever wrote the piece for Bing has obviously not traveled very much. And much greater challenges exist in cross-cultural experiences than taking a train and flushing the toilet. More weird Japan stuff... more ethnocentrism... more ignorance...

See all of their cross-cultural difficulties:
http://www.bing.com/travel/content/search?q=Lost+in+Translation%3a+Male+Man&cid=msn1148698&form=TRVCON&gt1=41000

Weird Japan? How about Weird Germany?

Image borrowed from The Local, 14 June 2010.

OK, this story is so out there, I couldn't resist posting it on the blog. We always hear so much about the weird things Japanese people are doing. Well, there are some weird Germans as well...

Man moons and throws puppy at Hells Angels bikers

A young man in Bavaria who reportedly forgot to take his medication taunted a group of Hell's Angels at their clubhouse over the weekend by dropping his pants, throwing a puppy at the bikers, and then making his getaway in a stolen front loader.

Read the whole story at The Local - Germany's News in English:
http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100614-27841.html

Grow your own...

Picture and caption from Japan Today's Picture of the Day, 12 May 2010.

"A model wears Triumph International’s “Grow-Your-Own-Rice bra” in Tokyo on Wednesday. The bra, which transforms into a rice growing kit, allows the wearer to cultivate rice anytime, anywhere. It was created in hopes that more people will become familiar with farming and develop awareness of the importance of agriculture, the lingerie maker said."

Trippy Cat Food Commerical (or, what do they put in Friskies?)

I think cat owners understand... For those of you that don't, check out the article at Slate:

Psychedelic Cat Food
Why is the new Friskies ad so trippy?
By Seth Stevenson
http://www.slate.com/id/2249121/

For an even more psychedelic version of the commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En4tpKt_x7g

Mugi-chan says yoroshiku...

Be careful what you film...

Here are two interesting stories from The Daily Yomiuri dealing with filming in Japan.

"Speeding driver nabbed based on online video"

A man has been arrested on suspicion of speeding after posting a video clip online that showed him riding his motorcycle at speeds of up to 188 kph in a 50 kph zone, police said.

Hiroaki Iwahashi, 42, a company employee of Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, was arrested Thursday after police analyzed footage that had been posted on YouTube and other video Web sites.

This is the first case in Japan of someone being arrested for speeding based on police analysis of a video posted online.

According to the police, Iwahashi rode his 1,300cc motorcycle at dangerous speeds on the Koya-Ryujin Skyline, or National Highway Route 371, for 10 kilometers between Katsuragicho and Aridagawacho in Wakayama Prefecture on Aug. 16. The speed limit on the route is 50 kph.

I have heard of people getting busted by security cameras for not paying at toll booths, but this appears to be a first for being busted for a traffic violation as posted on YouTube. Glad to see that the Japanese police are acquainted with internet technology...

"Care worker filmed elderly woman on toilet"

A 19-year-old nursing care worker has been suspended after allegedly filming a 94-year-old resident of a facility for the elderly while she sat on a toilet.

Two video clips showing the woman sitting on the toilet and having her nose pinched were posted on a Web site, prompting the police to start investigating the incident as a case of defamation.

The care worker reportedly told the police that she filmed the woman with her cell phone "as a sign of affection." However, she denied posting the videos online, and suggested that a storage device containing the videos in the phone could have been removed while she had left it on a desk.

The president of Shotokukai, the medical corporation that operates the Katoera home for the elderly in Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture, said Friday that the care worker took the footage during a night shift in January.

What happened to respect for the elderly? Defamation should be only the beginning of charges against the so-called care giver... Such actions make the work of photographers, filmmakers and visual anthropologists all the more difficult.

Selling back-to-school clothes to kids

School starts in April in Japan, so now all the major stores are beginning their back to school sales. But why use these mannequins? With their pale faces, odd expressions and postures, they are plain scary. Especially this one:


I have posted/pondered about the use of foreigner-looking mannequins in the past, but again, what is up with these pale faces?

And why foreigner-looking mannequins? I have heard one advertiser say that foreign models are used so that the Japanese customers can look at the clothes s/he is wearing more objectively. The advertiser states that there are a limited number of Japanese facial and body types, thus Japanese models might remind one of a friend or neighbor, which would distract for the clothes/products themselves.

Or maybe we can blame Colonel Sanders' presence in Japan? He certainly gets dressed up in a number of fashion styles. I think he is much more preferable to the pale faces above.