Archive for August, 2010

Monkey Spotted in Tokyo (2010)

Back in 2008, there was a series of wild monkey sightings in downtown Tokyo, including a dramatic monkey vs. police struggle inside Shibuya station. Now it seems there is once again a monkey in Tokyo, this time in the Ikebukuro area:

As of Friday (when that report aired), the monkey had evaded capture. City residents have been warned to stay away from any monkeys they may encounter and to not feed the animals.

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

NHK Reports About Korean A-Bomb Victims

An interesting N-H-K World report about the Korean victims of the Hiroshima atomic bombing:

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

iPod Nano Overheating Problems

The Japanese government has ordered Apple to disclose information about iPod Nano overheating problems after over many such cases were reported in Japan, including a handful of incidents in which iPods caught fire. Apple has decided to comply with the request:

The information, which focuses on obtaining and replacing the battery on first-generation iPod Nanos, will be posted in a prominent place on the company’s Japanese website in the next few days, Tom Neumayr, an Apple spokesman, said today by telephone. The posting complies with the Japanese government’s demand for a consumer alert about the fire risk, Neumayr said.

The world’s most-valuable technology company is responding to instructions from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The ministry yesterday advised Apple’s Japanese unit to post the information, including a list of serial numbers of affected products, on the website and to e-mail it to consumers. The government asked Apple to report on its progress by Aug. 13.

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

Sum 41′s Deryck Whibley Attacked & Injured in Japan

Deryck Whibley (ex-husband of Avril Lavigne and member of the group Sum 41) was attacked and injured at a bar in Osaka:

“Deryck Whibley was attacked in a bar last night by three unknown people,” the band wrote on its Twitter site early on Friday. “He is in the hospital now. Japanese police are looking into the matter.”

A second update two hours later indicated he remained in hospital but there were no details as to the extent of his injuries. “He was attacked late last night in Japan,” the band added. “We are waiting for results and we are hoping for the best. Thank you for your support.”

However, a post on the band’s Facebook page late Friday evening said that following an MRI scan, “it appears Deryck has slipped a disc in his back once again.” The Twitter post added that despite “doctor’s instructions, he has decided to play today’s show at Summersonic regardless.” The band will be performing Saturday afternoon local time.

I have not seen any news reports that offer better details on why he was attacked and identity of the attackers.

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

Hiroshima : What Lessons Have We Learnt ?

A France 24 news program discusses the lessons of Hiroshima with military historian Laurent Henninger:

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While we’re on the topic of Hiroshima, here are a few other videos…

Surviving Enola Gay crew member says, “I’d drop atomic bomb on Hiroshima again if needed”

The Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance commemorates the anniversary:

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

Takeru Kobayashi Cleared of Charges

An American court has decided not to pursue charges against Japanese super eater Takeru Kobayashi:

Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi was declared a free man by Brooklyn Criminal Court, provisionally cleared of charges of trespassing and resisting arrest after he stormed the stage at last month’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.

The case, of which its misdemeanors also included charges of obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct, ended with an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (A.C.D.). This means that if Kobayashi, 32, stays out of trouble for six months, his record will be restored. This is good news for the Nagano native’s New York fans, since he moved to Gotham earlier this year after receiving a 0-1A work visa in February for his “extraordinary ability or achievement.” His visa status should remain unaffected by the court’s decision.

Further reading: The New York Times has a short article about what it’s like to eat dinner with Kobayashi and TMZ has a post about an American pro-eater who thinks Kobayashi should have been convicted.

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