Octopuses hung out to dry

MSN-Mainichi Daily News: Photo Specials

Sumo Wrestling in Manhattan

Sumo wrestlers, dressed in their traditional Mawashia, cross Seventh Avenue in New York, on their way to a 'weigh-in', October 20, 2005. They are participating in the 'World S.U.M.O. Challenge - Battle of the Giants' at New York's Madison Square Garden on October 22, 2005. (Seth Wenig REUTERS/Reuters)
- Sanjay Kalra

Auto Shows & Concept Cars on Yahoo! News Photos

Japanese motorcycle giant Yamaha unveils the concept model of a high-performance hybrid motorcycle, the 'Gen-Ryu,' equipped with a 600cc engine and electric motor hybrid system which can achieve over 1,000cc class machine performance at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in Makuhari.(AFP/Yoshikazu Tsuno)
- Sanjay Kalra
Auto Shows & Concept Cars on Yahoo! News Photos

The sun also rises | Economist.com

The sun also rises | Economist.com

Oct 6th 2005
From The Economist print edition
Japan's chances of prosperity and influence look surprisingly bright

IT HAS taken an extraordinarily long time, but Japan really is now recovering from its debt- and deflation-ridden stagnation of the past 15 years. Proper jobs are being created, wages are rising and economists are raising their forecasts of economic growth—all despite worries about high oil prices and an American slowdown. The prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, grabbed the world's attention last month by calling and winning a snap general election, as a referendum on economic reform. Foreign investors are rushing to Tokyo so as not to miss the fun. There is a spring in the step of Japanese politicians and diplomats, relieved that they no longer have to apologise for Japan's weakness, pleased that they might now be better placed to deal with those bumptious Chinese. They have to pinch themselves to be sure it isn't all a dream...

Chrysler Akino Concept Car to debut at Tokyo Motor Show

This is awesome - an American car designed by a Japanese woman!
AutoWeek - The Auto Enthusiast's Online Resource

Howard Stinger, CEO, Sony

Here's a discussion of Sony's recent woes. Sounds pretty interesting.

Personally, I think Sony should lay off all its people and shut down the company - that will cure all their problems. And it will be good for their people too - they will all be picked up by Samsung, LG and other Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers.

I stil can't fathom as to how a company that literally owned the personal music player space could lose out to an industry outsider like Apple.

As for the legendary Sony quality, these days Samsung quality is a whole lot better than Sony.
Japan Today - Quote Of The Day - We have made promises before but we failed to execute them. We must fight like the Sony warriors that we are. - Japan's Leading International News Network: "We have made promises before but we failed to execute them. We must fight like the Sony warriors that we are.
Sony CEO Howard Stringer, announcing a major restructuring program."

Honda rolls out new hybrid Civic

I like Honda's strategy for Hybrids better than Toyota. Civic looks good - like the regular civic - but gives you great mileage and is eco-friendly like a Hybrid.

If you wanna go arond making an environment-friendly statement, but a Toyota Prius. But if you are the slient, non-exhibitionist type, just do your "Civic" duty :-)
Sanjay Kalra
Japan Today - News - Honda rolls out new hybrid Civic - Japan's Leading International News Network: "hybrid system"

It's Samba time in Tokyo

It's that time of the year again - yes people, its peak summer and the heat makes Tokyo-jins forget for a day that they are still in Tokyo and not in Rio.

Japanese love these Samba ladies - the dresses - what little is there - sure are very exotic. What I noticed though was that the ladies tend to be much more plump than the ones you'd see in Rio or USA. But they pack a lot of Oomph!

WHIT - What's Happening in Tokyo podcast

This sounds interesting - the latest happenings in Tokyo - from a Gaijin's perspective and in English. There's some good music too. Best of all, you can subscribe to the feed with any RSS aggregator or with a podcast player like iTunes or iPodder.

http://www.whitokyo.info/WHIT.htm

Another cultural export from Japan

After making its mark with Anime, Manga, Hello Kitty, Pokemon, etc., Japan is now exporting its unique fashion sense to the West. Already, Gwen Stefani has paid a tribute to Harajuku fashion in her song "Harajuku Girls".

See the article in SF Chronicle "TOKYO A-GO-GO - COOL TEENS IN HARAJUKU MAKE A FASHION ASSAULT FROM THEIR IMAGINATIONS"