Archive for May, 2009

Arima Onsen suffering due to swine flu

Arima Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture’s most famous hot springs resort, has taken a huge economic hit because of the H1N1 flu outbreak in Kansai. To convince tourists to stop canceling reservations and visit their town, locals gathered to clean-up the area and bring attention to the fact that Arima Onsen is safe:

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• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
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Learning Japanese business etiquette from a Chimpanzee

On last night’s episode of “Shimura Zoo,” genius chimpanzee Pan-kun was made a company president so that NTV’s newest announcers could practice their business etiquette.

First, the announcers introduce themselves to Pan-kun and present business cards:

Next, they must show off their news announcing skills about observing Pan-kun’s actions and giving live commentary:

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Paul Krugman visits Japan, evaluates government policies

Earlier this morning, FTV news aired a segment in which they followed around Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman as he visited Tokyo:

As you might be able to tell from the background music, Krugman was given the treatment of a economic genius who might be able to save Japan with his magical Nobel Jedi powers. Unfortunately, he was a mere human, and didn’t have any simple advice that could make the economic depression go away in the blink of an eye.

He did, however, give an evaluation of some of the economic stimulus policies the Japanese government has tried:

• Lowering expressway tolls to a fixed fee of 1,000 yen – 40/100 points. This might only increase sales of gasoline, and will cause traffic jams.
• 12,000 yen in free money to every resident – 0/100 points. Krugman notes that similar policies have been tried in America and have achieved nothing.
• Giving “eco points” to consumers who buy environmentally friendly appliances – Still under evaluation. As there are few details available about the final form this plan will take, Krugman cannot give it a score. (But he does find the idea interesting.)

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• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
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Squat exercise dog

A dog in Japan that exercises alongside its owner:

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Chicken rides bicycle

A video clip of a pet chicken in Nagasaki Prefecture that enjoys riding on the handlebars of its master’s bicycle:

Pi-chan the chicken was purchased as a chick at a festival in Nagasaki, and has been a good friend to his master ever since. When they ride to the park, Pi-chan patiently waits on the bicycle while his master plays with friends.

[from ナニコレ珍百景]

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• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
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Bamboo shoot growing out of crack in concrete wall

Residents of Yamagata city have been surprised to discover a bamboo shoot sticking out of a crack in a concrete wall:

They plan to protect it and observe how it grows in the future.
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• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
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