Archive for February, 2010

Intercepting counterfeit goods

A short clip that shows Japanese customs officials at work checking suspicious packages to see if they contain counterfeit brand goods:

We are shown various fake brand bags, fake viagra, and even a counterfeit Nintendo DS! Many of the products are apparently ordered from overseas through online auction sites.

—

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

Canadian newspaper can’t tell the difference between Japanese figure skaters

Canada’s National Post ran an article about Japanese figure skater Mao Asada, using a photo of Akiko Suzuki:

[via FG]

—

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

Baby polar bear taken for a walk by Japanese zookeepers

I wasn’t aware of the fact that polar bear cubs need to be taken for walks, but the zookeepers at Adventure World in Wakayama prefecture seem to think it is important:

The bear in the video is a female cub that was born in October. That was apparently the first time she was taken on a walk outside of her enclosure.
—
Meanwhile, in other polar bear news, it seems that some polar bears in Hokkaido will be swapped between zoos to encourage breeding:

Maruyama Zoo will be sending a female bear named Satsuki to Asashiyama Zoo to be the “wife” of a male polar bear there. She will be “rented” to the Asahiyama Zoo as part of a polar bear breeding program between four zoos in Hokkaido.

Satsuki will be replaced at Maruyama Zoo by Denari, a male bear who had been breeding with one of the female bears at Kushiro Zoo. It is hoped that he’ll be able to produce offspring with Rara, a female polar bear at Maruyama. It also seems that Maruyama will be sending a pair of male bears to Obihiro Zoo. It is hoped that the next year will see a “rush” of polar bear cub births in Hokkaido.

—

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

Hiroyuki Sanada joins the cast of “Lost”

Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada, who is probably best remembered by international audiences for his role as the badass guy who beat up Tom Cruise in the “Last Samurai,” is now appearing in the American TV drama “Lost”:

You can read an interview with Sanada about his new role over at IGN TV.

—

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

Head of Bulgarian Sumo Federation gloats about Asashoryu’s retirement

An article from Sofia News Agency notes how Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kotooshu has a better chance of winning championships now that Asashoryu is gone:

Kotooshu is reported as behaving totally differently, abiding by all social and professional rules. His wedding, on February 14, will be conducted entirely according to Japanese protocol and tradition.

The entire sumo community will attend the wedding of Kotooshu and his bride Asako and some 250 wrestlers are expected to attend the celebration.

His future best man and head of the Bulgarian Sumo Federation Petar Stoyanov, commented on Kotooshu’s professional prospects, following Asashoryu’s retirement.

“We are not gloating over this, but for Bulgaria it is good. The retirement of Asashoryu gives him a very big chance to attack the top position from second place . Kotooshu needs to be the winner in the next two tournaments, in one to acquire a credit of 14:1 or 15: 0 and, I think, he will immediately be selected for yokozuna,” Stoyanov said.

—
While we’re on the topic of Asashoryu, just thought I’d like to share this interesting account of Asashoryu’s retirement, from a Mongolian blog I found today via Google:

Asashoryu has “volunteered” to quit the Sumo arena to avoid being “kicked out” officially by Japan Sumo Association because of his constant “bad behavour” violating Sumo rules and ethics.

That way he saved his name and stepped down with honor. The last incident happened during recent January Tournament when he punched the face of a Chinese-born “Japanese” who owned the restaurant where the Grand champion was dining. The owner of this restaurant must have said something offensive to Asashoryu , like “What is Mongolia anyway?” and “Mongolia is part of Great China”, etc., which would easily anger any Mongol.

Some say, it was a planned plot to get him into a trouble which would be enough to justify the banning him from Sumo.

The Japanese TV news programs I’ve watched in the last week have not gone into such detail. Perhaps it is based on some Japanese media report, or maybe the Mongolian press interviewed some people involved. It could also be a rumor being spread around in Mongolia by Asashoryu fans who want to put a positive spin on the fact that their hero assaulted someone. It sure would seem grand if the whole incident took place because he was trying to defend Mongolian honor from an arrogant Chinese-Japanese…

—

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

Japan Self-Defense Forces Bento

Yet another visit to the gift shop at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces PR Center, this time introducing some different products:

• SDF survival bento – wiener curry and sukiyaki hamburg
• Russian roulette manju – one in six of the snacks contains ultra spicy pepper
• High tech military socks – great for any salaryman with a stinky feet problem

—

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