A provocative poster promoting a local shopping incentive campaign by the Minokamo City Tourist Association has been recalled due to public outcry. The poster features a manga illustration of a woman with an exaggerated bust size. The character is from a popular anime TV program which is being used in a tie-in with the city’s
The top ten booms in Japan now. (10) Forest girl boom. Fashion inspired by Anne of Green Gables. For your fashion life in the forest. (9) Tokai region local government mascot character boom. More than 30 municipalities in Tokai have mascot characters. (8) Calligraphy boom Influenced by "Tomehane Suzuri High School Calligraphy Club" TV show
Stylish Masks Cool, Steam, and Fit Lips and Noses news item – Slowly but surely, swine flu continued to spread Friday, including to the ranks of the United States military, and across the globe the number of confirmed cases rose from 257 to 331, the World Health Organization in Geneva reported.(New York Times, May 1, 2009
Mascot detained hours after replacing disgraced SMAP singer The character that replaced SMAP singer Tsuyoshi Kusanagi in a government-related ad campaign has been arrested after being found prancing naked, drunk, and eating grass in a Tokyo park. The deer mascot "Chi-Dejika" is the official spokes-character for Japan’s National Association of Commercial Broadcasters PR campaign
Most Attractive Gifts Announced Found a beautiful gift in Japan? How does it compare to winners of the second “Attractive Souvenir” contest held by The Visit Japan Campaign (Yokoso Japan)? Some winners: Food Category, using regionally produced ingredients Gold Prize – Nambu Hand-baked Senbei Rice Cracker Set Bronze Prize – Kameya Grated Wasabi Mustard Crafts
Anime Voice of Toilet Information Stations on the Yurikamome Line in Tokyo each use a different anime voice actor for all the electronic information kiosks in a given station. Map, fare adjustment, and toilet locator audio guides are provided. The 16 voice actors and the stations they represent are profiled here.
Is Former 1960’s TV Cartoon Character Sento-kun? Alien and former TV star The Great Gazoo seems to have been the inspiration for Nara city’s new mascot Sento-kun. Gazoo appeared as himself in a minor role on the popular American TV cartoon The Flintstones final season in 1965. Except for the occasional cameo in recent years,
