tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91382382024-03-07T14:58:37.302-08:00Bushido & other Musings of a JapanophileAll about Japan (日本) - the land of the Rising Sun - Culture, Society, Arts and Entertainment, Technology, Politics, Economy, Business, History, Language and more...Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-68085027209945107192009-03-14T13:35:00.000-07:002009-03-14T13:35:20.863-07:00Electric DeLorean back for the future<a href="http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200903140052.html">asahi.com(朝日新聞社):Electric DeLorean back for the future - English</a><br /><span><img src="http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/images/TKY200903140051.jpg" alt="photo" /></span><br /><br />Trust the Japanese to take a great idea and make it better. DeLorean - one of the most iconic cars of the 80s gets a new lease of life from university teachers and students in Hiroshima. There may be a commercial proposition here - how about an electric conversion kit to breathe life into all the old cars. Instead of junking old cars and recycling only a portion of metal, you could recycle 100%. Think of all the landfills, the energy used for recycling metal, the pollution and the terrible waste that could be avoided. This whole concept of having a new car every 3-5 years is so out of line with the current focus on environment - I wish someone would take up these real recycling ideas in right earnest.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-35029818801496557312008-12-28T21:29:00.000-08:002008-12-31T00:30:21.178-08:00Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"> あけまして おめでとう ございます。</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Very Happy New Year to all my friends in Japan.</b></span><br />
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I just picked up this description from Wikipedia of the characteristics of people born in the year of the Ox, <i style="color: red;">"The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.</i><br />
<div style="color: red;"><i>Ox people need peace and quiet to work through their ideas, and when they have set their mind on something it is hard for them to be convinced otherwise. An Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, even without imagination. These people speak little but are extremely intelligent. When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent."</i></div><br />
Sounded like a description of Obama - so I looked up his year of birth and lo and behold, he was born in the year of Ox - quite uncanny! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwIYwYrJCedwIEUMrdFqcTUYmdYN2ploW1_oibqyPc7hmMss-aDXETYDCoP1LNAoI0iEdc6nyeNvmPgGNgytnoT-cwBDHMWCj6IOlwu2-uNdS0jvJOL3uDTOIGI7q_UMSNVNO/s1600-h/Kinga+Shinnen+2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="16" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwIYwYrJCedwIEUMrdFqcTUYmdYN2ploW1_oibqyPc7hmMss-aDXETYDCoP1LNAoI0iEdc6nyeNvmPgGNgytnoT-cwBDHMWCj6IOlwu2-uNdS0jvJOL3uDTOIGI7q_UMSNVNO/s320/Kinga+Shinnen+2009.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.japantoday.com/images/size/655x/2008/12/20081226_from-mouse-to-cow.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="17" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.japantoday.com/images/size/655x/2008/12/20081226_from-mouse-to-cow.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The year of the Rat gives way to the year of the Ox.</div>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-78433641436776204482008-12-28T11:00:00.000-08:002008-12-28T11:00:00.725-08:00Kinkakuji temple looking beautiful in season's first snow<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><h1><a href='http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20081227dy01.htm' target='_blank'>Ice-cold gold</a></h1> <p class='byline'>The Yomiuri Shimbun</p> <div class='align-c'> <div class='w400'> <img width='400' height='466' border='0' class='photo-ph' alt='' src='http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/photo/DY20081227112248024L0.jpg'/><br class='cl'/> </div> </div> <p>The season's first snow covers Kinkakuji temple, known for its Golden Pavilion, in Kita Ward, Kyoto, on Friday morning as the temperature dipped to 0.8 C, below the 2.2 C average for this time of year. In western Japan, the cities of Osaka and Okayama also were dusted with the season's first snow, and the mercury dropped to 3.4 C in Osaka and 0.8 C in Nara.</p>Technorati Tags: <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/japan' class='performancingtags'>japan</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/kyoto' class='performancingtags'>kyoto</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/golden%20pavilion' class='performancingtags'>golden pavilion</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/Kinkakuji%20temple' class='performancingtags'>Kinkakuji temple</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/2008' class='performancingtags'>2008</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/first%20snow' class='performancingtags'>first snow</a></div>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-53885727521590807582008-12-28T10:44:00.000-08:002008-12-28T10:46:10.326-08:00Copying machine graveyard<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This can't be good news for the document technology industry here in USA either. With so much of unused, off-lease equipment in the market, sales of new equipment is likely to take a bigger hit. This apart from the fact that new copiers are not high on business' investment plans right now and increasing reliance on electronic communications is finally making a dent on the print volumes.<br /><br />From Asahi Shimbun<br /><h1><a href="http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200812240048.html"><small><small><small>Recession leads to copy machine graveyard</small></small></small></a></h1><div class="ThmbSet256"><div class="ThmbCol"><p><span><img alt="photo" src="http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/images/TKY200812240039.jpg" /></span>Recession leads to copy machine graveyard (TAKU HOSOKAWA/ THE ASAHI SHIMBUN)</p></div><div class="BodyTxt"><p><br />With barely space to move in this warehouse packed with used copy<br />machines in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, OA Land, an office<br />equipment leasing company, recently placed a cap on buying used office<br />equipment. The company acquired as much as 70 percent more used items<br />in recent months than usual as the number of companies going bankrupt<br />or cutting back has risen amid the current global financial crisis.<br />(IHT/Asahi: December 24,2008)<br /></p><br /><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /></div>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-26097237606856716562008-12-13T09:49:00.000-08:002008-12-13T09:53:16.470-08:00Japan Subway Posters - "Please do it at home"A very interesting series of posters teaching manners and etiquettes to Japanese commuters - we may soon need something like this here as ridership on public transit increased in US cities.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://inventorspot.com/files/images/manner200804_pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://inventorspot.com/files/images/manner200804_pic.gif" width="141" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://inventorspot.com/files/images/manner200805_pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://inventorspot.com/files/images/manner200805_pic.gif" width="141" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://inventorspot.com/files/images/manner200806_pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://inventorspot.com/files/images/manner200806_pic.gif" width="141" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://inventorspot.com/files/images/manner200807_pic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://inventorspot.com/files/images/manner200807_pic.gif" width="141" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-91881499684282320772008-10-14T23:19:00.000-07:002008-10-14T23:24:29.264-07:00Latest Fad From Japan - Morning Banana DietYes indeed it is as simple as it sounds. Just have bananas and room temperature water for breakfast every day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://morningbanana.com/wp-content/uploads/royal-banana-ku-stuffed-toy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://morningbanana.com/wp-content/uploads/royal-banana-ku-stuffed-toy.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Click <a href="http://morningbanana.com/">here </a>for more details.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-51920366144072959682008-08-09T08:30:00.001-07:002008-08-09T22:41:44.186-07:00Mobile Web - Japan vs. USA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tokyomango.com/tokyo_mango/images/diy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.tokyomango.com/tokyo_mango/images/diy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/08/09/japan%E2%80%99s-super-advanced-mobile-web-too-unique-to-serve-as-a-global-blueprint/" target="_blank">http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/08/09/japan%E2%80%99s-super-advanced-mobile-web-too-unique-to-serve-as-a-global-blueprint/</a><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><br />An interesting discussion of the way mobile web has advanced in Japan over the last several years leaving the rest of the world way behind. I think all the observations here are right on mark and provide a good understanding of why mobile web has taken off much more strongly in Japan.<br /><br />However, I feel that probably the most important reason is ignored here - and that is the daily routine of an average Japanese. You see, the Japanese are more mobile than any other people in the world - they walk or cycle or take a bus to the train station in the morning, get on the subway or train, get down and walk out, take a bus or walk to their office, walk to the cafetaria and repeat the whole routine on the way back home late in the evening. In between, they may walk to shopping, to the pub, for dinner, etc. While in USA, mobility means four wheels, in Japan it is your own two legs.<br /><br />That's why in USA we have our radio, satellite radio, DVD/CD player in the car, even iPOD docked to the car stereo. We lug our laptops to Starbucks and connect on wi-fi. In Japan, when you are on your feet, the only device you can carry is the cellphone - so Japanese do everything we do on their cellphone, while standing on their own two feet - while walking, while standing in the subway, while eating lunch standing up in the cafetaria, etc.<br /><br />Technorati Tags: <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/japan" class="performancingtags">japan</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/mobile%20web" class="performancingtags">mobile web</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/technology" class="performancingtags">technology</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/cellphone" class="performancingtags">cellphone</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/cell%20phone" class="performancingtags">cell phone</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/akihabara" class="performancingtags">akihabara</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/gadget" class="performancingtags">gadget</a></div>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-15913752049320281172008-02-25T19:07:00.001-08:002008-02-25T19:08:47.426-08:00The Hemline Economy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/10/285x214/34787_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/10/285x214/34787_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks Vikram for the rejoinder - the hemline theory of economic ups and downs. This one probably goes back to just before the great depression of the 1920s - maybe even earlier.<br /><br />It is interesting - how fashion corelates to economic conditions of the times. I'd love to have more comments on any other corelations that you might have come across.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.express.co.uk/features/view/34787/The-H"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.express.co.uk/features/view/34787/The-H" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks Vikram for the rejoinder - the hemline theory of economic ups and downs. This one probably goes back to just before the great depression of the 1920s - maybe even earlier.<br /><br />It is interesting - how fashion corelates to economic conditions of the times. I'd love to have more comments on any other corelations that you might have come across.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-82382433336082323932008-02-23T16:40:00.000-08:002008-02-25T18:55:00.718-08:00Japanese women hairstyles track economy ups and downs<img src="http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20080218&t=2&i=3195718&w=&r=2008-02-18T111318Z_01_T331737_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE0" /><h1>Japanese women hairstyles track economy ups and downs</h1> <div class="timestampHeader">Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:13am EST</div><span id="midArticle_start"></span><p>TOKYO (Reuters Life!) - Economic forecasters beware: Japanese women are cutting their hair again.<span id="midArticle_byline"></span></p><span id="midArticle_0"></span> <p>Women tend to wear their hair long when Japan's economy is doing well and short when there is a slump, the Nikkei business daily reported, citing a survey conducted by Japanese cosmetics company Kao Corp.</p><span id="midArticle_1"></span> <p>As for Japan's future economic performance, the Nikkei pointed to expectations for a trend towards shorter hairstyles.</p><span id="midArticle_2"></span> <p>This mirrors the view among some analysts that Japan's longest growth cycle since the Second World War may have ended and the economy is at risk of falling into a recession.</p><span id="midArticle_3"></span> <p>Kao, Japan's second-largest cosmetics firm, has conducted regular surveys of 1,000 women on the streets of Tokyo and Osaka over the past two decades, the Nikkei said.</p><span id="midArticle_4"></span> <p>Until the early 1990s, when Japan's economic bubble burst, 60 percent of women in their twenties kept their hair long, the Nikkei said, citing the survey.</p><span id="midArticle_5"></span> <p>During the 1990s economic slump, short hair -- defined as above the collarbone -- became the dominant hairstyle for Japanese women. But since 2002, long hair has regained some popularity -- just as the economy started to expand, the Nikkei said.</p><span id="midArticle_6"></span> <p>The Nikkei also identified a new factor that could affect the validity of hair length as an economic indicator: the rising popularity of the chignon.</p><span id="midArticle_7"></span> <p>(Reporting by Sophie Hardach; Editing by Eric Burroughs)</p>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-32950246777595478362008-02-11T22:37:00.000-08:002008-02-11T22:39:25.230-08:00It happens only in Japan - Portable Subway Straps<h2><a href="http://www.pinktentacle.com/2008/01/portable-subway-strap-shows-youre-no-groper/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Portable subway strap shows you’re no groper">Portable subway strap shows you’re no groper</a></h2> <div class="postdate"><small>15 Jan 2008</small></div> <p align="center"><img src="http://www.pinktentacle.com/images/commuter_strap.jpg" alt="Portable commuter strap -- " /></p> <p>A portable subway strap that sells for 525 yen (about $5) is featured on the cover of the fall/winter issue of Tsuhan Seikatsu, a mail order catalog with a readership of 400,000. The primary purpose of this male-targeted commuter strap is not to provide support when the train lurches, but to show other passengers — particularly female passengers — that your hands are occupied, thus reducing your chances of being falsely accused of groping. According to a report on the <a href="http://www.cyzo.com/2008/01/post_226.html">Cyzo</a> website, Tsuhan Seikatsu quickly sold out of the portable subway strap, an indication that false groping accusations are a real fear for many men who brave the crush of Tokyo’s crowded morning trains.</p>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-45068424482684373402008-01-12T21:11:00.000-08:002008-01-12T21:14:12.367-08:00Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! あけましておめでとうございます。<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTazFc6DcVsaB3eDZe_eWlKHWJw8Hynjgg2Ddr9w1UBf_Gg6npTIBpXGHlAv5-FQg5xW4ppR83oMsvvGFy0SQyEBhxBwlEXtgaJXC341ro53VRmSTiEaE1UFZGzD85L6bmRkUq/s1600-h/2008+year+of+the+rat+-+iStock_000004338565XSmall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTazFc6DcVsaB3eDZe_eWlKHWJw8Hynjgg2Ddr9w1UBf_Gg6npTIBpXGHlAv5-FQg5xW4ppR83oMsvvGFy0SQyEBhxBwlEXtgaJXC341ro53VRmSTiEaE1UFZGzD85L6bmRkUq/s320/2008+year+of+the+rat+-+iStock_000004338565XSmall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154824820326391634" border="0" /></a>According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2008 is a Year of the Rat (Earth), which begins on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009. First in the cycle of 12 Animal signs, Rat Year begins the sequence and recurs every twelfth year. It is a time of renewal in so many ways. From New Year to Valentine's Day, to the arrival of spring, may all the blessings and delights of the New Year be yours.<br /><br />A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH1k-Mvw-FOBiABb82nEzuVnNZbNZy37Yd4wowrLqYFT5bCCGOKGMDsmeZmz-yZ1zJQGDUran7QQB-WYGLodnCQko60khmW4iaZmS42a61k_k5gRbRjwuaQkHv63JHUr_ajc8/s1600-h/2008+year+of+the+rat+-+iStock_000004338565XSmall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH1k-Mvw-FOBiABb82nEzuVnNZbNZy37Yd4wowrLqYFT5bCCGOKGMDsmeZmz-yZ1zJQGDUran7QQB-WYGLodnCQko60khmW4iaZmS42a61k_k5gRbRjwuaQkHv63JHUr_ajc8/s1600-h/2008+year+of+the+rat+-+iStock_000004338565XSmall.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-36045157846302489972008-01-12T21:09:00.001-08:002008-01-12T21:11:18.557-08:00It happens only in Japan - Amphibious taxi in Osaka<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080109/capt.785dc581a64844cda4018778952c113e.japan_amphibious_taxi_tok801.jpg?x=254&y=345&sig=GVUFSrXN_nIVIipRgz_ZEA--"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080109/capt.785dc581a64844cda4018778952c113e.japan_amphibious_taxi_tok801.jpg?x=254&y=345&sig=GVUFSrXN_nIVIipRgz_ZEA--" alt="" border="0" /></a>An amphibious sightseeing taxi drives through the Dotonbori River nearby streets in Osaka, western Japan, during its demonstration run Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. The amphibious sightseeing taxi, which is capable of carrying up to three passengers, made a debut in the country. <cite id="captionCite"> (AP Photo/Kyodo News)</cite>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-89292767135220611442007-12-20T21:50:00.001-08:002007-12-20T21:50:42.597-08:00Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!Wishing all our friends all the very best this holiday season and in the new year! Click <a href="http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1439782358">here </a>for an animated greeting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1439782358"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFxyhOnMjydwbCqxYLaRGNdOE8TQlraSXsICdksC9LjcRRQMo5e9EJ44yWZuuhyphenhyphennNY94jGWfJ8up7TlUIEGnJIEefgyV2nPwchIyKv93UvZTAGpZ3tnjcDQnfluPj42xcZcHAyw/s400/xmas+card.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146297545012272834" border="0" /></a>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-5020196934959260412007-12-16T18:42:00.000-08:002007-12-16T18:47:40.890-08:00Eel Powered Christmas Tree<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Video/071213/n_eels_071212.300w.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Video/071213/n_eels_071212.300w.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This is another one of my posts classified under "This happens only in Japan". While this unique way of harnessing the electrical power seen in some underwater organisms is a good demonstration of innovative thinking - I would doubt that this is ever going to be feasible. Yet, something like this would be difficult to do in the Western world - I can just imagine the protests over animal cruelty.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-21620121862407164212007-11-28T21:49:00.000-08:002007-11-28T22:03:06.615-08:00Top Japanese buzzwords of 2007An intriguing compilation of buzzwords. They are gonna decide on the top 10 soon - are there any here that particularly tickled you. I was fascinated by the fact that "Compliance" has made it to mainstream vocabulary in Japan. "Temp" is another one - a newer phenomenon in Japan than in USA.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-56427132608083593282007-10-20T21:15:00.000-07:002007-10-20T21:58:17.596-07:00What's wrong with this picture?<a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/10/20/world/20japan.xlarge1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/10/20/world/20japan.xlarge1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's a street corner full of vending machines - pretty typical for a Japanese tow. But can you spot the odd one out?<br /><br />Yes, you are not imagining things - one of the vending machines has feet! In another one of "It happens only in Japan" series, here's a brand new personal safety idea - wearing vending machine disguise.<br /><br />If this is not the first time you've come across an odd invention from Japan, you're not the only one. In Japan they even have a name for these - "<strong><em>chindogu</em></strong>", or “queer tools.”<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/world/asia/20japan.html?_r=4&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin">here </a>for the article from NYTimes.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-31476313320130845052007-10-07T23:08:00.000-07:002007-10-07T23:20:41.071-07:00Spirit of Japantown festival in San Jose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2007/1007/20071007__JTOWN07%7E2_Gallery.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2007/1007/20071007__JTOWN07%7E2_Gallery.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>There's a lot of Japanese action right now in Bay Area - I missed going to this one though. I've been to Japantown a few times - it's really quiet most weekends. There's a couple of nice art shops selling Japanese handicrafts. The ACE hardware store was probably the first one in Bay Area selling Japanese style electronic toilet seats. Check it out if you get a chance. To see it on the map click <a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&address=565+N.+6th+Street&city=San+Jose&state=CA&zipcode=95112&homesubmit.x=0&homesubmit.y=0">here</a>.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-84980504360760508122007-10-07T14:21:00.000-07:002007-10-07T14:29:22.966-07:00San Francisco's Hotel Tomo Jacks Into Japanese Culture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wired.com/images/slideshow/2007/09/gallery_hotel_tomo/HotelTomo001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.wired.com/images/slideshow/2007/09/gallery_hotel_tomo/HotelTomo001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />WIRED has this coverage of the newly renovated Best Western Hotel Tomo in San Francisco - a haven for Japanese culture fanatics and videogame lovers. Miyazaki's movies playing in the lobby, PlayStation3 in the deluxe suites, murals with Japanese street scenes - seems like a great place to stay. More <a href="http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/multimedia/2007/09/gallery_hoteltomo?slide=1&slideView=4">here</a>.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-62827727100761827392007-09-22T14:03:00.000-07:002007-09-22T14:07:55.834-07:00Fall Festival brings 17,000 cranes to San Francisco's Japantown<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/09/08/ba_cranes08_021_mac.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/09/08/ba_cranes08_021_mac.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span id="bodytext" class="georgia md"><p>Paper cranes with messages calling for peace and prosperity fluttered in the wind over San Francisco's Japantown on Friday, which made Richard Hashimoto rejoice. So, too, Carol Murata. </p> <p>For the past eight months, Murata and Hashimoto have overseen the behind-the-scenes doings of a project that culminates today with a daylong festival to celebrate the start of fall and San Francisco's official 50-year connection to Osaka, Japan.</p> <p>The sister-city relationship was born out of the aftermath of World War II, when President Dwight Eisenhower asked San Francisco Mayor George Christopher to pick a place in Japan to reconcile the differences between the former enemies.</p> <p>Like San Francisco, Osaka is a port city with an identity that goes far beyond its country's borders. Today's festival features dancers, drummers, speeches, a religious blessing and a hanging of cranes on the 100-foot-tall Peace Pagoda that anchors Japantown. The flying cranes are part of a centuries-old Japanese tradition that has been adopted for today's festival.</p> <p>"This is the first time we've had anything hanging from the pagoda," said Hashimoto, a native of Japan who is president of the Japantown Merchants Association. "It's of great significance." </p> <p>For the past three months, visitors to Japantown have written their most treasured wishes onto thousands of pieces of origami paper. Volunteers then folded those papers into the shape of cranes, which were put into streamers that Friday were attached to the pagoda in Japantown's Peace Plaza. </p> <p>About 17,000 cranes were completed. People wished "for health, prosperity, 'hope my mother gets well,' peace - a lot of peace," said Murata, a Japantown merchant who helped organize the crane project. </p> <p>One young wisher, she said, asked for "my brother (to) stop pulling my hair." </p> <p>Osaka Mayor Junichi Seki, who is visiting San Francisco, was ecstatic to see the flying cranes. Among the activities today is the renaming of Japantown's Buchanan Mall to Osaka Way. In February, Seki hosted San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on a trip he took to Osaka. </p> <p>"Fifty years is quite a milestone," Seki said. "I believe (the relationship) is quite an asset to both cities." </p> <p>Today's festival is called the Aki Matsuri, which means "Fall Festival" in Japanese. The tradition of folding cranes is a symbol of long life and happiness. Along with the streamers, scores of banners with cranes flew on Friday from Japantown's pagoda. </p> <p>Murata says she made a wish that was folded into a crane now fluttering from the pagoda.</p> <p>She said she wrote, "I hope this event turns out OK."</p> <div class="infobox"><h3 style="">If you go </h3><p>The Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival) happens today in San Francisco's Japantown, at Post and Buchanan streets, from noon to 8:30 p.m. For more information, go to <em>sfjapantown.org. </em></p> <p><em></em></p> </div> <p><i>E-mail Jonathan Curiel at <a href="https://mail.google.com/mail?view=cm&tf=0&to=jcuriel@sfchronicle.com">jcuriel@sfchronicle.com</a>.</i> </p></span> <!--/articlecontent --> <p id="pageno">This article appeared on page <strong>B - 1</strong> of the San Francisco Chronicle</p>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-28780818026920233622007-08-20T22:34:00.001-07:002007-08-20T22:41:05.003-07:00For India and Japan, a freedom fighter's legacy endures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20070820/capt.sge.mfq25.200807071141.photo00.photo.default-344x512.jpg?x=231&y=345&sig=DWBsOPYxESqrFE1gKKgZQg--"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20070820/capt.sge.mfq25.200807071141.photo00.photo.default-344x512.jpg?x=231&y=345&sig=DWBsOPYxESqrFE1gKKgZQg--" alt="" border="0" /></a>Things are really changing at Japan under Abe-san - seems to be a revival of sorts of nationalistic pride. Although bothersome to its close neighbors, many a Japanophiles believe that it's all part of Japan retaking its rightful position in the world. Nationalism need not equate to militarism and I think that this current trend is quite benign.<br /><br />It surely is a great gesture by Abe-san to visit Kolkata and meet with Netaji Subhash Chander Bose's grandchildren. Once forgotten under the Nehru-Gandhi scheme of things, Netaji's legend has continued to grow in the recent years and many would argue that he was perhaps the most daring of the Indian nationalists who really upset British to the point of abandoning their imperial ambitions in India.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-67973425567751626662007-08-19T10:07:00.000-07:002007-08-19T10:22:23.129-07:00Not All Is Well In JapanThe Japanese industrial juggernaut seems to have done much better in the recent years than the Americans. But things are not going too well for some of the earlier success stories. Sony is the one name that just can't seem to regain its lost glory. On peak of consumer electronics industry worldwide in the 90s, it lost the gaming market first to Microsoft XBox in the high end, to Nintendo DS in the handheld and now to Nintendo Wii in the mass market consoles. Its Walkman franchise is all but dead in face of the onslaught from Apple iPod.<br /><br />It comes as no surprise then that Nintendo's market capitalization exceeded Sony's for the first time. What comes as a surprise though is that Sony seems to be in deep slumber - all this is yet to awaken it. Here's an <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2007/08/01/sony-games-innovation-lead-cz_cc_0802christensen.html?partner=email">article from Forbes </a>that talks about Sony's options and how it seems to be taking the path of least resistance.<br /><br />In the automobile industry, while Toyota seems to have fulfilled its promise of being the global number one, the 90s success story of Nissan with its Gaijin leader seems to be getting derailed. Profits have taken a hit for the first time under Ghosn. See this <a href="http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/07/29/afx3964224.html">article from Forbes</a>.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-36191154561715347662007-05-23T00:59:00.000-07:002007-05-23T01:09:56.914-07:00The mystery of the Golden Turd of Tokyo<img src="http://news.3yen.com/wp-content/images/Asahi_Beer_Hall_Turd.jpg" /> Finally I have figured out what that huge piece of turd is actually supposed to be - well, it is the golden beer foam - the building it's on is Asahi's beer hall. Quite appropriate I would say, but you do need a wild imagination t<span style="text-decoration: underline;">o </span>think of that abomination as beer foam.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://news.3yen.com/2007-05-19/the-great-golden-turd-of-tokyo/">here </a>for this article from 3Yen.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-40242470917488573472007-03-04T20:32:00.000-08:002007-03-04T20:37:09.541-08:00An interesting travelogue on TokyoChris Steele-Perkins' lens gives you a view of Tokyo that's intriguing, mysterious, multi-faceted, complex, dichotomous.Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-34689668239505842002007-01-13T08:36:00.000-08:002007-01-13T08:36:58.935-08:00Mount Fuji Webcams from Around the Five Lakes Area<a href="http://www.fujigoko.tv/english/">Mt.Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes(fujigoko.tv)</a>Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138238.post-91000174116276883052007-01-13T08:26:00.000-08:002007-01-13T08:29:46.965-08:00When Dr Singh met Japan's King<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/15sld1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/15sld1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Sorry for the long break from blogging about Japan. Things are starting on a great note for 2007 though. The Indian Prime Minister was in Japan in Dec. and 2007 may be a record year for Japanese investments in India. Abe-san seems to have a preference for India too - though Japanese companies would continue to invest heavily in China, India might catch up in the coming years.<br /><br />Here's wishing the very best to Indians and Japanese all over the world in this year of the Wild Boar!Sanjay Kalrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17129861644875384790noreply@blogger.com0