Street Computing
Supposedly there is a small community of Japanese computer enthusiasts who like to carry around their notebook computers so they can get some “street computing” done while walking (or even riding bicycles!):
Some people say they are programming, while others are blogging. Two guys say that Twitter is responsible for turning them on to street computing.
If you think this sounds too ridiculous to be true, you’re not alone. A lot of the comments left by Japanese netizens on this YouTube video are calling this out as staged (yarase) news reporting.
[via Watashi to Tokyo]
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Categories: Technology
Golf Bra in Japan
The Japanese branch of German lingerie maker Triumph International has created a new gimmick bra meant to attract media attention to their brand.
The green corset-style garment can be removed and unrolled to create a 1.5m-long putting mat.
When the user sinks a putt into one of the cups, a built-in speaker pumps out a congratulatory “Nice shot!”.
The bra also features pockets for extra golf balls and tees, and a detachable flag pin that serves as a score pencil.
The bra set comes with a skirt with the words “Be Quiet” printed on the rear, which doubles up as a flag for use on the course.
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- dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
Categories: Odd / Strange
7-11 + Gundam
If you go into a 7-11 convenience store in Japan and hear Gundam music playing, do not be surprised. There is a Gundam-themed promotional event going on right now:
If you spend over 700 yen, you get a chance at a prize drawing. Most prizes include food available at 7-11, but there are also some bigger Gundam-themed prizes that can be won.
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Categories: Otaku & Anime
Komeito intro music
The Komeito is using some hip bom chicka wah wah guitar music in the intro of its YouTube videos:
[hat tip to Adamu]
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Categories: Odd / Strange
Japanese Google Suggestions are Suggestive
Japanese blogs are abuzz with the funny search suggestions Google gives if you type in the character for husband or wife and press space. The what was different, and what was the same made for humor, but I hope these results aren’t a sign of serous problems in Japanese homes. Let’s break them down (the English glosses are mine, and I took liberties with the subjects and tone):
For husbands (夫):
夫 死んで欲しい I wish my husband would die
夫 嫌い I hate my husband
夫 小遣い 平均 How much spending money should I let him have
夫 言葉の暴力 Hubby’s verbally abusive
夫 小遣い Husband’s allowance
夫 呼び方 What to call husbands
夫 死亡 手続き The process for a husband’s death
夫 うつ Husband is depressed
夫 失業 Hubby’s got no job
夫死亡く年金 Husband’s death pension
On the other hand, searches for wife (妻) brought up:
妻 誕生日プレゼント birthday presents for the missus
妻 誕生日プレゼント ランキング ranking of birthday presents for the missus
妻 プレゼント presents for the missus
妻 ヒステリー My wife be all hysterical
妻 呼び方 What to call wives
妻 うつ wife is depressed
妻 プレゼント ランキングranking of presents for the missus
妻 謙譲語 Humble language for wives
妻 未届 Failure to report wife [related to de facto marriages, I think]
妻 焼酎 wife shouchuu [a brand of alcoholic drink]
[Matrimonial bliss via Getnews.jp]
[edit: changed and added some stuff at the suggestions of some cool commenters]
Contributor Bio: Claytonian blogs and vlogs about Japan, language, and news at The Hopeless Romantic and constantly glances over his shoulder for a sneak attack from his wife.
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Categories: General Japan
No voting rights for North Korean citizens in Japan? Good.
The DPJ is going through with its plan to prepare a bill that would grant voting rights to non-citizens who have permanent residency. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, a firm supporter of the bill, hopes that it will be submitted to the Diet as early as next year. However, it is possible that opposition from within the DPJ may cause delays.
Today’s Dong-A-Ilbo has an English article with the headline “Japan Unlikely to Give Suffrage to Ethnic Koreans.” It claims that the bill will not grant voting rights to the “many ethnic Koreans in Japan hail from North Korea”:
The Asahi Shimbun said the ruling Democratic Party of Japan has set up the framework of a bill on suffrage for expats in Japan, including ethnic Koreans, but this will only affect nationals from countries having formal ties or the equivalent with Tokyo.
Many ethnic Koreans in Japan hail from North Korea, which has no official ties with Japan, so they will be ineligible to vote under the bill.
The ruling party has apparently excluded ethnic Koreans from North Korea to appease negative publicity over North Korea’s previous kidnappings of Japanese citizens and appeal to conservative lawmakers who oppose the bill.
The headline and the content of the article are highly misleading. Ethnic Koreans in Japan who hold North Korean citizenship do so by their own choice. If they want to be considered South Korean citizens, all they need to do is apply: they will be accepted. Their citizenship status has nothing to do with what area of Korea they “hail from.”
That having been said, I would like to repeat my position on this issue. I do not support a bill thank grants voting rights to special permanent residents. If Japanese-born Zainichi Koreans want to live in Japan with all the benefits of citizenship, they should naturalize and become Japanese citizens.
Under the current system, it is very easy for special residency permit holders to naturalize, and thousands of Koreans become Japanese citizens every year. Many who choose not to naturalize do so because they feel it is a denial of their cultural identity. The government should be encouraging special permanent residents to become Japanese citizens and fully participate in Japanese politics. Rewarding them for their refusal to naturalize is not the right answer to this problem.
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Categories: Foreigners in Japan, Politics