tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501Tue, 27 May 2008 13:42:20 +0000http://animeworld.com/news/noreply@blogger.com (Marc)Blogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-7396326442778748816Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:58:00 +00002007-09-11T00:20:55.822-07:00weird productstechnologySony has just started a buzz-generating campaign for a product that appears to be the mutant spawn of a Walkman and an Aibo (Sony's now-discontinued robot dog). The palm-sized, pill-shaped Rolly is a portable music device that will "dance" to the tunes it's playing by flapping little round "arms" on its ends, rolling to and fro, and flashing various colored lights. The device measures 6.5cm (http://animeworld.com/news/2007/09/sonys-dancing-music-player-rolly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Marc)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-2955751510345247240Sat, 25 Aug 2007 07:37:00 +00002007-08-25T00:46:36.529-07:00technologySony just announced an interesting development: An advanced form of the classic potato-powered battery. These "bio-battery" cells can essentially convert sugars into useable electricity. It's still a long way from recharging your iPod by adding some soda, but Sony did demonstrate running a fan from a splash of sports drink, and one of their portable music players from cells filled with grape http://animeworld.com/news/2007/08/sonys-sweet-new-battery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-4024920249492274376Sat, 25 Aug 2007 06:01:00 +00002007-08-24T23:42:44.796-07:00rescuesA fashionably-dressed woman who climbed a 150,000 volt electrical tower then proceeded to nearly rescue herself from her predicament is being dubbed by some less-sensitive news outlets as "Japan's Spiderwoman." The 28-year-old woman climbed up the 55m (180 ft) power tower sometime on the evening of the 22nd in what was apparently a suicide attempt--she has since told authorities that she had a http://animeworld.com/news/2007/08/japans-unintentional-spiderwoman-makes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-5278293170765999861Thu, 23 Aug 2007 07:02:00 +00002007-08-23T00:44:30.638-07:00weird productsmore money than senseanimeA promotional photo of the Platinum Gundam. An outrageously expensive solid-platinum Gundam model that was in the news a few months back has hit TBS News (J) again. It's begun a tour of Ginza Tanaka jewelry stores around Japan--not the sort of place you'd usually expect to see such a classic symbol of Geekdom, the scale Gundam model. For those who missed it, Bandai decided to have what is http://animeworld.com/news/2007/08/platinum-gundam-making-rounds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-9156485933637611625Sat, 18 Aug 2007 07:42:00 +00002007-08-18T01:03:20.080-07:00cuteupdateanimalsA few months back there was a news story on a motherless baby Bengal Tiger who was "adopted" by a French Bulldog (our past mention, and video). How have things been going for this unlikely pairing? FNN supplies an update. The lively little tiger and its surrogate parent are, in fact, doing just fine. The now four-month-old tiger has certainly grown, measuring 70 cm (28 inches) long and http://animeworld.com/news/2007/08/dog-raised-tiger-has-outgrown-mom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-368025543012343957Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:15:00 +00002007-08-02T22:11:24.809-07:00carsblood typesDoes your blood type determine your likelihood at getting in an accident when you're behind the wheel? Maybe so, according to a couple of driving class instructors in Fukuoka. In Japan, when you renew your driver's license, you're required to attend a "safe driving" lecture. These lectures come in half-hour, hour, two hour, and three hour varieties, depending on the age and record of the http://animeworld.com/news/2007/08/blame-your-blood-type-for-bad-driving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-4748886516409923060Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:34:00 +00002007-08-02T00:28:22.477-07:00fadsmusicanimeThe Bottom Biting Bug may have a rather unappealing name, but his mission is to improve society, and according to a Sankei Shimbun article (J) it seems to be working. NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, first aired the unassuming anime character on "Minna no Uta" ("Song for Everybody"), a long-running 5-minute program showcasing a variety of songs. The show's general audience is children, though http://animeworld.com/news/2007/08/bottom-biting-bug-mania.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-8892670633954917925Sun, 29 Jul 2007 03:55:00 +00002007-07-28T22:42:12.291-07:00environmentfoodSome of the "pocket" chopstickscarried by Nihon-bo. This has popped up in blogs and commentary before, but Sankei Shimbun is reporting on the increasing popularity of "My Hashi" in Japan, spurred by environmental concerns as well as worry about the safety of Chinese-made products. The term "My Hashi" is a linguistic mix of terms like "My Shoes" or "My Ball" that refer to your own personal http://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/my-chopsticks-movement-sweeps-japan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-125652419555641407Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:48:00 +00002007-07-26T21:57:52.541-07:00technologyrobotsfestivalsDrumming 'bots, as seen on Robot Watch. Asashi.com (J) and TBS News (J) are reporting on a historic festival that for the first time included a group of robots, and Robot Watch (J) has the pictures. Kitakyuushuu City, located on the southernmost of Japan's four main islands in Fukuoka prefecture, has for the past 400 years celebrated the Kokura Gion Daiko festival. For the past 60 years this http://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/robotic-taiko-drum-team-competes-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-9061795892102352160Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:19:00 +00002007-07-19T12:21:10.735-07:00cuteanimalsHeart-kun, the puppy with the heart-shaped patch on his side, has become internationally famous, recently showing up on a Reuters story (check out the video if you like cute animals). But now he's got some competition: Chachamaru, a kitten with a heart-shaped mark on the other side. FNN is reporting on Masako Nakaya, a resident of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture and her unusual cat, http://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/heart-dog-has-feline-competition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-4667100124842624154Wed, 11 Jul 2007 06:48:00 +00002007-07-11T02:17:32.066-07:00kidsmusicFNN and Asahi.com (J) are running stories on a world-champion child whistler from the Kansai area who recently gave a concert. For 10-year-old Chihaya Kosugiyama, whistling is an art. Inspired, she told FNN, by her grandfather at the age of two (asking "How do you talk like that?"), she stuck with it even after stopping for a while after classmates told her it was uncouth or would attract http://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/10-year-old-world-whistling-champ-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-8633444893366950796Thu, 05 Jul 2007 07:22:00 +00002007-07-05T00:22:57.819-07:00offbeatFNN is reporting (J) on a dramatic rice field in Aomori prefecture. Hokusai Katsushika's image of waves and Mt. Fuji is recognized worldwide, but the village of Inakadate produced what may well be the largest tribute ever: A rice-field sized version of it. Every year for the past 15, the town has planted a field with many different varieties of rice that produce a massive work of art as the http://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/rice-field-becomes-giant-artwork.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-8787319689445139655Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:49:00 +00002007-07-19T12:23:23.175-07:00weatherImages of the sunset from TBS. TBS News has a short video of an unusual sunset viewed from the cape of Notoro on the northern island of Hokkaido. Atmospheric effects above the surface of the sea caused the setting sun to go from its usual circular shape to a mushroom shape, then a sort of bowl shape, and finally a striking trapezoid. The extreme temperature difference that causes this sort of http://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/unusual-sunset-in-hokkaido.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-5673736756309305927Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:49:00 +00002007-07-02T22:16:21.102-07:00celebritiesgaijinNot to be outdone by the Pirates of the Caribbean stars' Japan appearance, the latest Harry Potter film's premier was celebrated in Tokyo's posh Roppongi Hills district. Order of the Phoenix's Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, appeared along with one of the film's producers for a brief public appearance, including some reasonably well-pronounced Japanese from the young star. The http://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/harry-potter-does-japan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-5790394519394825729Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:05:00 +00002007-07-02T21:47:49.320-07:00cutecars The pretty plates, as seen on Matsuyama City's website. In a bit of a turnabout on those boxy watermelons, Matsuyama City (J), in Ehime Prefecture, made national news by producing the first-ever license plate in Japan with curved edges. The cute little cloud-shaped plates, intended for use on scooters and small motorcycles, became available on July 2nd. The cloud shape is a tribute to Ryotarohttp://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/cloud-shaped-license-plates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-7847422116051681043Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:24:00 +00002007-07-19T00:17:54.567-07:00cuteanimalsA photo from the pet shop's website A pet shop in the northern prefecture of Akita lucked out when a chihuahua there gave birth to a puppy with a heart-shaped spot on its side. The puppy, named "Heart," has already made the news and had a series of professional photographs made (link updated), and there's more planned. There's already talk of using Heart as the "spokesdog" for a dog health http://animeworld.com/news/2007/07/heart-dog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-1503972201198385951Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:08:00 +00002007-06-28T18:43:09.765-07:00weird productsfoodFNN is reporting that Zentsuuji City, located in Kagawa prefecture, has just begun shipping its world-famous signature agricultural product, the square watermelon. This spring was unusually dry, which lead to a one-week delay in the melons reaching marketable size. Zentsuuji City is the only place in the country (possibly the world) that produces the boxy produce. On the morning of the 25th, http://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/cubic-watermelons-ship-after-drought.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-4148662229353313489Sat, 23 Jun 2007 07:37:00 +00002007-06-23T01:59:43.094-07:00historygovernmentAsahi.com is reporting (J) that Iwo Jima, the site of a fierce battle during WWII, will soon have its official name within Japan changed back to what it was before the war. Prior to WWII, Iwo Jima (actually more properly romanized as Iou-jima) was usually called Iou-tou. Shima and Tou are two different ways to read the same character (which means island), so both are written the same way and http://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/iwo-jima-soon-wont-be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-7703122953485951185Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:56:00 +00002007-06-20T20:10:27.794-07:00educationrandom videoThose who follow internet trends no doubt saw these videos when they were the it thing on YouTube for a day or two, but for those who might have missed them, the Algorithm March. The march was originally shown on an NHK (Japan's public broadcasting network) educational show as a group exercise for children that also helps teach the Pythagorean Theorem. This first video compiles a few variationshttp://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/random-video-algorithm-march.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-4067266077682809326Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:02:00 +00002007-06-19T23:37:54.976-07:00wacky TVfoodJapan is well known for the prowess of its professional eaters, and one NNN variety show (streaming WMV, no subtitles) takes a look at a couple of restaurants offering unique challenges. One eatery specializes in parfaits. They will stick nearly anything in a fancy glass--including one topped with an entire slice of cake. But their piece de resistance is the monstrous Bucket Parfait. Served http://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/random-video-of-day-bucket-sized.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-8736294408624947226Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:03:00 +00002007-06-19T13:29:48.471-07:00natureweather JNN, ANN, and other national news outlets are reporting on an unusual cloud formation recorded off the coast of the northern island of Hokkaido. The unnaturally straight lines of cloud formed over the northern Ohoutsuku sea, about 40km off the coast. The clouds were filmed on the afternoon of June 18th by a Japanese Coast Guard patrol plane, as seen in this video clip. The Coast Guard has http://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/unusual-clouds-off-hokkaido-coast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-5631831998074193144Wed, 13 Jun 2007 06:06:00 +00002007-06-13T00:03:01.145-07:00weird productsfoodIce Cucumber Pepsias seen on Pepsi's site There's a new product hitting the shelves of Japan for a limited run this summer: Ice Cucumber Pepsi. The gimmick product is being produced by the sole Japanese distributor of Pepsi products, Suntory Limited, a company best known for whisky and beer (you may remember their product from Lost in Translation). Apparently Suntory and Pepsico sat down to http://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/ice-cucumber-pepsi-hits-japan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-825691682200163358Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:49:00 +00002007-06-13T00:42:58.205-07:00Where are they nowFor those wondering what the revolutionary candidate for Governor of Tokyo is up to these days, he just landed himself in jail for what you might call a tiny act of revolution. FNN is reporting (J) that Toyama was arrested for failing to pay a pair of traffic fines to the city of Kagoshima. It seems that back in January of 2006, Toyama got a ticket for riding his minibike the wrong way down a http://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/toyama-kouichi-follow-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-641134333885223542Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:17:00 +00002007-06-09T22:13:29.864-07:00societycrimeThe Mainichi News is one of several news outlets running a report (J) on a recent crackdown on vegetable thefts in Kouchi City, Kouchi Prefecture. Small farms across Japan have a sort of do-it-yourself farmers' market system--an unmanned stand beside the road with their produce and a box to deposit money. Although the potential for carrying off veggies without paying is obvious, it is not a http://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/rash-of-thefts-plagues-unmanned.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8706175535106460501.post-5653471480135174953Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:15:00 +00002007-06-08T22:25:31.841-07:00cuteanimalsKinako, a Labrador Retriever in training to become a police dog, has become so popular for her less-than-stellar public performances and cheerful demeanor that she is now on tour promoting her own photobook to fans. Born in May of 2003, Kinako belongs to a police dog training school in Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture. Kinako, in training to become a police tracking dog, comes from a good http://animeworld.com/news/2007/06/goofy-police-dog-kinako-gets-own.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Akemi)