Archive for November, 2009

Hands-free megaphone in Japan

Tired of holding a megaphone in your hands every time you want to be very very loud? Then get yourself a TOA hands-free megaphone:

Although similar products already exist, this TV show presented as a new invention. Expect to see street salespeople in Japan making use of this device very soon (if they aren’t using them already).

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• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)

Sakasa Master Japan

A demonstration of the Sakasa Master Japan, a new toy that records your voice and plays it backwards:

If you write out the romanization of a Japanese word and then read it backwards, you can replay what you said and get something that sounds very much like that word. The official homepage of the toy offers the example of “OTAMOT” as a way of recording “Tomato.”

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• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)

Obama helps Bon Jovi sell albums in Japan

A Japanese commercial for Bon Jovi’s new album uses images of President Barack Obama:

Bon Jovi performed at Obama campaign events in 2008 and has dined at the White House, so I guess it makes sense…

Update: I think the Obama footage could be a part of their music video for “We weren’t born to follow” (with some extra editing to add some flair and the phrase “leave it to me” in Japanese).

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• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)

Examining Tatsuya Ichihashi’s new face

Two clips of Japanese news shows discussing suspected murderer Tatsuya Ichihashi’s post-plastic surgery face photo:

Clip #1: Analysis of Ichihashi’s plastic surgery

A plastic surgeon examines the photo of Ichihashi’s new face and concludes that the criminal was getting surgery to make his face look more nondescript. Usually people who get work done on their faces want sharper features, but Ichihashi was actively trying to blend away his most distinct facial features.

The changes could have been done as a series of one-day operations, none of which would have required an overnight stay at the hospital. The operations cost at least 500,000 yen.

Clip #2: Simulated “after” shots of Ichihashi’s plastic surgery

This clip aired the day the news broke about Ichihashi having had some cosmetic surgery. As the police had not yet seen fit to release photos of his new appearance, FTV used photoshop to make a wild guess.

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A few details from ITN:

Detectives say Tatsuya Ichihashi, who has been on the run for almost three years, may now have a thicker jaw, lower eyebrows and a protruding bottom lip.

He is accused of killing 22-year-old English teacher before leaving her body in a bathtub full of sand at his flat in Tokyo.

It is thought Ichihashi, 30, paid for cheek implants and lip-thinning treatment in an operation a fortnight ago.

Ichihashi paid the hospital fees in cash. It is being reported that he told somebody at the hospital in Nagoya that he was living at a rented room in a love hotel. There are also reports that he may have been sleeping at internet cafes.

Since the story of Ichihashi’s surgery made the news, police have received many new reports of sightings.

If you think you’ve seen Ichihashi, please contact:

Chiba Prefectural Police, Gyoutoku
047-397-0110
gyoutoku@police.pref.chiba.jp

If you don’t trust police, you can alternatively use this contact info.

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• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)

Traditional Art School Kyoto (TASK)

An ATV report about a university in Kyoto that trains students in traditional Japanese arts and artisanship:

It used to be that one would have to spend years as an apprentice to a particular artisan to learn the secrets of their trade. This school has decided that modern style classrooms are better, and has recruited 60 teachers to teach some 400 students.

Among the students is a 44-year-old German man learning traditional wood carving techniques. He says that his Japanese wife introduced him to traditional Japanese ukiyo-e. He really likes the works of Hiroshige, and wants to create something similar.

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• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)

Backpacker’s Guide to Narita Airport

You can save around 1500 yen when you purchase the JR’s Narita Express & a Suica card combo if your purchase it at the airport.  It’s a special deal only for those who can present a foreign passport at the time of purchase. 

Watch this video for details on where and how you can get it:

It’s a great deal and is highly recommended. Just keep in mind you might be getting off the train at one of the busiest stations in the world.

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Contributor Bio – I was born and raised in Tokyo. I have spent over 15 years in Japan. Schooled in NYC. Used to be a dual citizen, US and Canada. My Grandpa’s military and he married a Japanese women. Today I hold only the Canadian passport. I have three YouTube channels where I post videos frequently.

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• Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
• dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)