A traditional symbol that resembles a swastika which is used to indicate Buddhist temples on maps for foreign tourists in Japan will be replaced. The Japanese map symbol is called "manji" and originates from an ancient Sanskrit symbol that has been associated with Japanese Buddhism for centuries. The manji symbol looks very similar to the
Buddhist temples in Japan that have run out of graveyard space for tombs are turning to high-tech storage solutions for ashes of the deceased. In Japan, cremation is the norm and remains of the dead are kept in urns stored in a stone tomb on a family plot in a graveyard. The outdoor tombs have
A new law in Japan prohibits pet shops from displaying cats and dogs after 8 p.m. The Environment Ministry Law for Animal Welfare and Management ordinance also bans pet shops from selling any animal after 8 p.m. Prior to the June 1 implementation of the law, many pet shops stayed open after midnight. Some pet
Shoppers in Tokyo, March 25, 2011 We’ve been having some troubles here in Japan. Maybe you’ve heard. I’ve written some articles about the earthquake and the coverage of the tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear reactors. You can read my reports here: March 25, 2011 Op-Ed: Tokyo OK, foreign media’s sensational coverage shameful March 16,
January Canon Japan employees leave early to make babies Canon lets workers leave early twice a week to encourage them to have more babies. The 5:30 p.m. lights-out program at Canon addresses the declining birthrate problem while also reducing employee overtime costs. February ‘Doorplate mania’ man arrested. A 42-year-old Tokyo man is arrested for stealing
People who have lost their jobs and do not have money for food seem to be responsible for an increase in convenience store robberies in Tokyo. The Metropolitan Police Department said food is being targeted instead of cash. In September, a man armed with a knife stole onigiri (rice balls) and flavored carbonated alcoholic beverages
Train stations on a major route in Tokyo are the most recent in the country to have blue lighting installed on platforms. The blue LED ceiling lights at the ends of platforms are intended to prevent people from jumping into oncoming trains. The blue lights will operate with the existing standard fluorescent lights. "Blue lighting was selected
Monkey celebrates year of freedom Where is the monkey? That is the question Tokyo residents are asking today on the one year anniversary of the appearance of the lone roamer monkey of Shibuya station. On August 20, 2008, a macaque monkey dashed into Shibuya train station in Tokyo. Morning rush hour commuters watched as dozens
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
Sexy police squad makes singer squeal (April 24, 2009) – A Japanese pop singer who was arrested for public indecency after being found drunk and naked in a Tokyo park has apologised for his "shameful" conduct. "I drank a lot and did not know what I was doing," Tsuyoshi Kusanagi said on Friday after being
An IC card security system that tracks kids is being offered by Tokyu Land Corp. Homeowners who purchase a Tokyo Security home security service plan have the option to enable the Tokyu Kids Security system. Tokyu has partnered with PASMO Co. which issues rechargeable contactless PASMO IC smartcards for rail and bus systems in Japan.
Lady Guard Holds It In Women can delay the need to use a toilet by using Lady Guard, a new non-prescription medication from Kowa Company Ltd. Lady Guard is the first over-the-counter medicine in Japan for alleviating frequent urination. The drug contains Flavoxate, which has been available by physician prescription in Japan since 1978. Kowa
People are producing electricity by walking across a special panel on the plaza outside Shibuya train station in Tokyo. The Shibuya Ward government installed the 90-square-centimeter 2.5-centimeter thick piezoelectric mat near the Hachiko dog statue at Shibuya station. Electricity is created when people step on the mat. The people-power runs an electronic Light Emitting Diode display board
The little monkey that has caused so much trouble in Tokyo since August has now been running loose for 101 days. The last reported sighting of the Japanese macaque was on Nov. 6 in Itabashi, Tokyo. The adventuresome wild monkey first appeared in Tokyo’s Shibuya train station the morning of Aug. 20. The lone simian
Doctor busy extracting Prime Minister Aso’s foot from Aso’s mouth …..2:1 Doctor napping on emergency room bed….4:1 Victim’s screams of pain in ambulance below official decibel reading for hospital admittance….5:1 Ineligible emergency according to Japan government’s My Big Book of Officially Approved Emergencies….6:1 Paramedic not the tenth caller. Hang up and try again……..8:1Doctors busy watching
