Onegai! Muscat (2008, TV Tokyo) おねがい マスカット started as a late night TV variety & game show with pretty Japanese av and gravure  idols doing silly games and dance skits.  The show then changed its...

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Here are some great Japanese TV commercials from Daiichi Pachinko パチンコ promoting their new updated Matrix game called Enter the Martix. The TVCM’s show some funny Japanese Matrix type scenes...

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From Tokyo MX news comes a feature about the new Japan Airlines 日本航空 JAL  Doraemon ドラえもん plane.  Despite being in all sorts of financial difficulties, JAL has a tied up with anime character Doraemon...

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Japanese salarymen have it tough. They may be expected to be at work at 8.30am and with many facing a crowded 1.5-2 hour commute by train, this means getting up early even if they had a late night of...

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According to Monocle magazine Tokyo is ranked as the third most livable city in the world.  The magazine ranked the “World’s Most Livable Cities (Quality Of Life)” using the following...

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Most of us long-time Japan hands probably catch a few zeds on any train ride over about ten minutes, but what about that age-old problem of knowing where to get off? Solo iPhone programmer (by night,...

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Photo taken at a Japanese train station. A restroom sign using bad Engrish.

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The different drawing styles of sexy anime character Lum from Urusei Yatsura うる星やつら

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How long can your paper plane fly for?  In competitive paper airplane throwing, a 20-second flight is exceptional, 25 or better is world class and over 30 is the ultimate.  Japanese paper plane...

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From a dubious Japanese magazine: The science guide of looking up skirts. Sign warning of upskirt photo takers. Or you can just look at your new upskirt iphone app or watch crazy Japanese TV (from...

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The theme song for the new 2010 Doraemon movie “Nobita’s Great Battle of the Mermaid King” Doraemon Nobita no Ningyo Daikaisen” 映画ドラえもん のび太の人魚大海戦 is a beautiful song by 23 year old...

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It’s an all too common site in the morning, Japanese workers dashing  to catch the train to get to work on time.  Don’t be late for work tomorrow (Monday morning).

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Asuka Kirara 明日花キララ is a gorgeous of 22 year old Japanese AV idol who has gained such popularity she has been called the new Maria Ozawa.   The Tokyo born beauty with measurements 90 – 58 – 83 cm was...

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Emi Ito (Emi Itoh) 伊藤えみ is a pretty 27 year old Japanese gravure idol from Mie prefecture.  Emi has an interest in music, sports and the art of Japanese flower arranging – Ikebana.   Emi is...

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The following videos found on youtube are Star Trek  宇宙大作戦 in Japanese. The original series was dubbed by Japanese voice actors. Captain Kirk and Spock Dr. McCoy

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From May  last year, photos showing an exclusive limited edition Hello Kitty pins and apparel at the Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo Japan. Some items still available. Source:...

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With it’s elderly population growing, adult diapers are big sellers in Japan.  Here’s a typical TV commercial for adult diapers

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Kanagawa beauty Hanako Takigawa 多岐川華子 is one sexy and talented gravure idol and actress.  The 22 year old whose father and mother are former actors debuted in showbiz in 2004. ...

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Pretty Japanese bikini gravure idol and actress Rina Akiyama is the cover girl for this month’s Asahi Geinou Entame magazine.  They feature a beautiful photo spread of Rina in various bikini...

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When it comes to carting stuff around the capital, a car is obviously convenient, but with parking spaces at a premium, both in regards availability and their apparent value, a bike, with a few added bits and bobs and a fair bit of balance, can at least be used to transport the likes of brushes, bottles and other less easily identifiable doodads.

People enjoying their coffees in the middle of the street and big brands everywhere.

It may not be the most useful phrase but if you get in a bind and need to tell someone that; My hovercraft is full of eels, then you will know how to do it. Moreover I have spend the morning thinking of new ways to use this phrase in conversations. My new word would be Hovercraft or hobākurafuto. Enjoy!

The official website for K-On! has been updated with the announcement that the new season of K-On! will be titled K-On!! (with an extra exclamation mark), and the series is scheduled to air on TBS on 06 April 2010!

Previously, I had written about my best experience when in Japan. Now, it's time for my worst experience. This is a continuation from No English (Part 1), with some information leading up to this situation.

Fans of Japanese cinema, and in particular assassin-for-hire Nakamura Mondo, were saddened to hear today of the death of actor Fujita Makoto. Even if you never saw the "Hissatsu" series, you can't have missed the catchy music and cool images used recently in pachinko ads.

Sorry about reposting this, the link got broken the first time I submitted it. The first 11 chapters of the bible found preserved in kanji ~ Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, Noah's ark, and the Tower of Babel

Very interesting to learn about Seiji Ozawa's Christian roots in a CNN interview. Lets keep him in prayer as he is currently going through Cancer treatment.

Artist Stasia Burrington brings us "Secret Yakuza" - the first in a series of illustrations about quiet, unassuming bad-asses.

The prevailing idea is that Japanese public baths don't welcome people with tattoos, but is that really true? Not necessarily.

Half-naked men running around a temple during winter....just another day in Japan, or one of Japan's largest fire festival?

Since that trainer was killed by a killer whale at Sea World in the US yesterday, here is some insight into the Japanese aquarium world. Trainers in Japan seem to be chosen by how they look in the outfit, not their qualifications.

Japanese culture emphasizes "hansei" -- a word difficult to translate that means something along the lines of "reflection" or "atonement." Many Japanese complain that their American colleagues don't "hansei" sufficiently -- what's really expected?

From the article - A recent survey from iShare into Windows and Mac usage revealed that Mac users were more interested in new computers and the design of domestic appliances. All Male Female Windows only (to SQ2) 83.9% 89.5% 77.3% Both Windows and Mac 13.1% 9.8% 17.1% Mac only (to SQ4) 2.8% 0.4% 5.6%

I've been collecting Youtube videos that are either in Japanese or about Japan in some way. As it turns out, I've reached the limit; a total of 660 videos. Watch them all on my Youtube Channel.

A list of ten tasty traditional-style Japanese cuisine that are a must try when travelling in Japan.

This is my final post of my No English series (*dramatic* for now!). I look back on parts 1 and 2, and try to think of the reasons why I was running in to situations like this. Were there patterns, should I make an effort to consciously pick and choose my interactions as to prevent the terrible experience I spoke of in part 2?

"Some of my friends tell me, Loco, you are really f%&king Loco! It’s dangerous to open yourself up to people like that. And, as cynical as you are, they say, you ought to know better. Well, they’re right, of course. It is dangerous!"

The Happy Hour Japan guys (Kevin & Aaron) just launched a new site to help you learn Japanese. It's home-grown from the ground-up and is free to join. Help us spread the word!

Big day for Toyota as they are under fire at the congressional hearing. Akio Toyoda first came in and apologized to any harm that Toyota has caused to any of its customers.

Engineers tasked with building an airport are faced with countless challenges: The ideal location needs ample space, endless flat ground, favorable winds and great visibility. But spots in the real world are rarely ideal, and engineers are forced to work with what they have, making sure that the end product is the safest possible structure for pilots. A survey of airports around the world turns up a mixed bag, ranging from dangerous and rugged landing strips to mega-size facilities that operate like small cities. Here, PM explores the world's most remarkable airports and why they stand out.

The Yokohama District Court on Feb. 4 ruled that five now-deceased men, three of them journalists, were falsely charged in a case known as the Yokohama Incident, which is regarded as the worst example of wartime free-speech suppression, and ordered the government to pay compensation to six relatives of the five men.
In the past, courts had mostly focused on legal technicality and dismissed the retrials of the five, avoiding judgment on whether they were guilty or innocent.

What sort of defense capability is now needed and how much can be afforded?
The British government has postponed a necessary strategic defense review until after this year's general election. A discussion paper has set out some of the options and has highlighted the differing demands of the three services. All three services want to maintain their ability to fight a modern war with the latest sophisticated equipment, but the costs of modern high-tech ships, aircraft, guns, tanks and communication equipment are increasing all the time. And with new technology being developed, much equipment becomes quickly out of date.

Former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui told Japanese officials last May that she had met Megumi Yokota, who was abducted to North Korea in 1977, according to Hiroshi Nakai, state minister in charge of the abduction issue.
Nakai was also quoted as saying Wednesday during a meeting of lawmakers handling the abduction issue that he will try to invite Kim to Japan because Yokota's parents want to meet her.

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) Japan replaced China at the end of December as the largest holder of U.S. Treasury securities, recapturing the top slot for the first time in 16 months, the U.S. Treasury Department reported.
The amount of Treasury securities held by Japan came to $768.8 billion as of the end of the year, up $11.5 billion from a month earlier, while China's holdings of Treasury debt stood at $755.4 billion, down $34.2 billion, according to the department's monthly survey on international capital data.

Sumito Ishii, the new president of General Motors Asia Pacific (Japan) Ltd., said Wednesday he sees the recent spate of massive recalls plaguing Toyota Motor Corp. as a cue for his company to do better.
"Taking this case as a reference, we also need to brace ourselves up," Ishii, who was appointed in January as chief of the Japanese unit of General Motors Co., said at a news conference.

All Nippon Airways Co. will begin providing regular flights between Haneda airport in Tokyo and the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture starting in 2012, sources said Wednesday.
Japan's second-largest airline will operate four round trips daily in line with an agreement between Japan and the United States for joint military and civilian use of the Iwakuni base, bringing commercial flights back to Iwakuni for the first time in nearly half a century.

MINNEAPOLIS — The four biggest U.S. airlines and a small Hawaiian carrier applied Tuesday for coveted slots at Tokyo's Haneda airport, two months after a landmark pact was reached between the U.S. and Japan to relax restrictions on flights between the two countries.
U.S. carriers are seeking to increase their presence in Asia because they can charge a premium price for those flights. International business travelers tend to spend more than leisure fliers because they fly more, and often at the last minute.

"Manga" comic books and "anime" films are building up interest around the world in learning Japanese.
But students of the language are having a tough time understanding the colloquial expressions that abound in manga and anime, for instance when a samurai character ends a sentence with "gozaru" or a man from Osaka says "desse," because dictionaries and language textbooks say sentences end with the polite forms "desu" or "masu."

Science fiction translator Hisashi Asakura died Sunday of heart failure at a hospital in Yokohama, his family said. He was 79.
Asakura, whose real name was Zenji Otani, translated numerous science fiction works into Japanese, including "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick.

The number of jobs medical facilities are offering to Indonesian trainee nurses in fiscal 2010 will be 141 at most, a 60 percent drop from 362 in the previous year, a recruitment organization said Wednesday.
The Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services, which oversees international recruitment under the 2007 Japan-Indonesia economic partnership agreement, said the significant drop can be attributed to the financial burden on the facilities during the recession and an increase in the number of domestic workers applying for jobs.

BANGKOK — A former Japanese trading company employee producing a traditional Thai alcoholic drink from rice has been getting a favorable response from customers, mostly Japanese expatriates.
Daisaku Nakago, 48, sells his sake under the brand name Nanban Koshu (literally, southern barbarian aged sake). It has become quite popular since he started marketing it in 2004.

Demand for services slipped at its fastest pace in nine months in December as consumers' paychecks continued to shrink.
The tertiary index, which covers 63 percent of the economy, fell 0.9 percent from November, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Wednesday.

Willcom Inc., an ailing provider of personal handy-phone system services, is set to ask the Tokyo District Court for protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law this week, sources said Wednesday.
The state-backed Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp. of Japan is expected to decide by Feb. 25 to sponsor Willcom's rehabilitation along with cell phone service provider Softbank Corp., the sources said.

YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) Yoshinoya Holdings Co. has formed a joint company with farmers in Yokohama to produce onions for "gyudon" beef bowls.
Yoshinoya is the first gyudon restaurant chain to launch vegetable production, President Kojiro Idei said Tuesday at a news conference.

A private laboratory in Yokohama plans to offer a service next month that can help detect fraudulent labeling of branded food products, lab officials said Wednesday.
This will be the first commercial isotope analysis service to identify the origins of beef and rice. The company will begin accepting orders in March.

SEOUL (Kyodo) South Korea hopes Japan will join its push to introduce daylight saving time this summer in a move aimed at saving energy, Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday.
"It is true that Japan's stance is one of various factors in deciding whether South Korea will adopt the system," an unidentified official at the presidential office reportedly said.

The U.S. bases in Okinawa are strategically necessary and marines are prepared to die to protect Japan, the commander of the U.S. Marine Corps of the Pacific said Wednesday in Tokyo.
During a speech hosted by the Tokyo American Center in Minato Ward, Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder said the U.S. understands that the alliance is not symmetrical, as Japan bears no responsibility to protect the United States, but it does shoulder the obligation of providing bases to U.S. forces.

Masahiro Okafuji, named this week to be president of trading company Itochu Corp., plans to start language training for all new staff modeled on a program that helped boost its textile business in China.
"I plan to implement that kind of program for the whole company, where for a full year new employees are focused solely on language and other areas of study," Okafuji, 60, said at a news briefing Monday, after the company announced he would take over from April. He replaces Eizo Kobayashi, 61, who becomes chairman.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, during his first one-on-one debate against opposition party leaders, was forced Wednesday to fend off criticism over the money scandals dogging his administration.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki grilled Hatoyama over his receipt of huge sums from his mother, the heiress to the Bridgestone tire empire, and allegations that Democratic Party of Japan kingpin Ichiro Ozawa's fund body violated the Political Funds Control Law.

SYDNEY (Kyodo) A Japanese television commercial featuring pop diva Namie Amuro and a group of men performing an indigenous Maori dance has drawn criticism in New Zealand, the Australian Associated Press has reported.
The ad for Coke Zero involves a dance between Amuro and a group of actors dressed in rugby jerseys apparently doing the ceremonial Ka Mate Haka dance.

Shibuya Station, 3 minutes, 69sqm, 2LDK, Flexible Terms. JPY295,000. Available May. Office or Apartment. Negotiate direct with Owner.

100% leather, hand made Spanish shoes. Please send your inquiries to get the size. Purchased $23.000. Price: Y10.000

UK made Dr. Martins shoes. VINTAGE green color. (never used) Price: Y8,000 (fisrt come first get)

¥1,000. (Original price was ¥4,700.) Height: 30 cm. Keeps your beverage warm for hours. For details and photos, see link below: http://tokyoclearout.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/selling-stainless-steel-thermal-flask/

¥500. Includes CR-Rom (not opened). Book has some markings but is in very good condition. For photos and details, see link below: http://tokyoclearout.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/selling-start-run-a-gift-basket-business-mardi-foster-walker/

Mitsubishi most ROBUST wash machine (very strong engine). Can hold +6Kg. Is both, automatic and manual. Has a very high quality stain-less drum. Liquid and pouder soaps seperated, and very convenient. Has a very effective spin-drying process. Very quick and effective. Cold/hot water selectable. Price: Y20,000 (first come first get)

Robust helmet, for all sorts of bickes. Can be used by both males and/or females (including children). Looks very fashinable, and well manufactured. Price: Y3,500

LANCOM Paris artificial diamind watch, for fashionable ladies. This is a VINTAGE limited product, with a snake pink belt. This design was used to launch a newly designed perfume, 10 years ago. It has been stocked in a perfect condition, oxygen-free. Can be used as a gift. Very attractive and made in a sophisticated fashion! Unique price: Y20,000 (only one)

100% CANVAS Made. Washable and fashinable. Use it during your shopping sessions. Very fashionable look, and easy to customise. Has a frontal pocket, and a locker button. 15 new available bags. Price1: Y6,800 / canvas bag Price2: Y5,000 / bag (for whom buys all)

1. Jacket 2. Coats 3. Pants 4. Hairband (BRAND NEW!) 5. Socks (BRAND NEW!) Also giving away a pink foldable umbrella. For photos and details, see link below: http://tokyoclearout.wordpress.com/category/womens/

Washing Machine, folding Table, chairs, Book shelves, futon, kakefuton,　Couch and Chest of drawers and more ! Pick up before the 23rd of February 2010.

Unique PONCHOS, designed, manufactured by JACQUARD (the king of wool garments). These are 100% machine washable, dry and iron. 3 colors: red, purple and beige Price: Y10.000 / Poncho (original retail is Y58.000) Very convenient for pregnants. Can be used like a wool cover, at home, in the office and elsewhere. Can cover babies and children. You can use as a carpet and wall cover as well, etc... No limitations to how far your creativity can go!

1. Winnie the Pooh toy with bracelet 2. Walking popper 3. Cassettes with German nursery rhymes 4. Sesame Street Cds Giving away a bundle of girls stuff also. For photos and details, please see link below: http://tokyoclearout.wordpress.com/category/kids-stuff/

Big winter quilt, new. Original price 10000 yen, I sell it for 4000 yen!

1. Curtains 2. Table cloth 3. Framed Buddha replica 4. Buddha candle holder 5. Italian apron (BRAND NEW!) 6. Mobile phone holder Free with purchase or giveaways: 1. Two cushion covers 2. Fizzler frying pan (26cm) 3. Foldable umbrella For photos and details, see link below: http://tokyoclearout.wordpress.com/category/household/

72 old movies (VCD PAL System). Most of them from the year 2000-2004. No plastic casings. We threw them away when we moved a few years ago. For details, please see link below: http://tokyoclearout.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/giveaway-vcds/ PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT NUMBER!!! PICK UP FROM HOME ONLY ON WEEKENDS IN THE MORNING BETWEEN 10AM TO 12PM.

The only UMBRELLAS of its kind. There are 8 designs, a re-production of the "Farming Art" art works, of a famous German painter. They were produced in a very limited number, and sell like VINTAGE. These are mobile umbrtellas (compactable), very robust and wind resistant. Very unique design, for unique people. Price: Y9,800 / umbrella

¥300 for 12 cassettes. A whole lot of classic nursery rhymes in this bundle. For details see link below: http://tokyoclearout.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/selling-cassettes-german-nursery-rhymes/

The peak of the snow season, huge ski resorts and an even bigger party! The Snow Splash Hakuba weekend is going to be massive! FULL DETAILS: http://www.tokyosnowclub.com/feb27-2010-hakuba-snowsplash.html Snow Splash is an unmissable annual live music and performance event / party held every year in both Minakami and Hakuba and featuring the best Japanese and International roots, reggae, surf rock, dub, ska, percussion bands and more. Previous Snow Splash events have also included belly dancers, tribal drumming, fire twirlers, skateboard exhibitions, live painting, mechanical bulls and a whole variety of other performance acts that make the event so much more more than just a live music party Hakuba's Happone is a huge resort, famous for hosting the 1998 winter olympics and the quality of the snow and variety of runs at the resort are second to none. There are runs that will make both skiiers and snowboarders grin ear to ear especially at this time of year when large dumps of snow are the norm. The resort caters for all levels with lots of runs suitable for beginners/intermediates as well as many more challenging runs. For the more adventurous there is also some great powder stashes to be found both on and off piste. The Snow Splash weekends are the biggest and best snow parties of the year, hope you can join us! FULL DETAILS: http://www.tokyosnowclub.com/feb27-2010-hakuba-snowsplash.html

One of the best, ever manufactured state of the art OVEN/MICROWAVE. Up to 300C tempreture. Makes unique pizzas and French breads, and more! Has it all, including but not limited to bread full program making, ferment and cook. Manufactured like a benz, very robust. Unique price: Y20.000 Come and take it from Mita, Minato-Ku.