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Japanese designer durability

With Japan greying at a rapid rate, reaching a ripe old age is really nothing special anymore, and it’s certainly not very newsworthy. In fact, the number of centenarians in Japan has now topped 30,000 for the first time ever, although that said, a pair of twins reaching 100 seemingly still merits some mild media attention.

Born in Fukushima Prefecture, Saki Takamiya and Tsuki Takashima celebrated their 100th birthday on Sunday accompanied by scores of family members. And, in time honoured tradition, they divulged the secret of their longevity – revelations that are sure to strike a chord with Japan’s fashion and brand-obsessed youth. As rather than a dreary diet or abstinence from alcohol, the pair put their long lives down to the magic of materialism, and in particular, the merits of bonnets and Burberry blankets.

Japanese old people

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Hello Kitty control?

Through Japanese eyes at least, the cuteness of Hello Kitty is utterly unquestionable, with practically every product known to man boasting a ‘special edition’ bearing the feline’s almost featureless face. A money-making phenomenon presumably matched only by a certain mouse and his minions as far as merchandising is concerned.

Yet frivolity it seems can quickly turn to fear, as the initially fun for all the family fan pictured below is, on closer inspection, a bulging, big-headed and overbearing Big Brother-like beast that undoubtedly bullies little children into buying more Kitty goods.

hello kitty Tokyo

Either that or I need to get out more often or at the very least have a little lie down.

(click image for full-sized feline forcefulness)

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Japanese jubilation

Yesterday saw the Japanese royal family and the people as a whole celebrate the first birthday of Prince Hisahito, a little fella who delighted countless traditionalists by being the first new male member of the Imperial family in 41 years; the youngster’s timely arrival averting the supposedly disastrous consequences of a female becoming Japan’s utterly powerless and purely symbolic head of state.

Japanese royal family

However somewhat unexpectedly, the day’s festivities were further added to when it was also announced that the family had won this year’s hugely prestigious and hotly contested, ‘Most Unsettling Royal Household Of The Year’ award. A prize that, according to the judges, they won due to their decidedly disquieting mix of maniacal smiles and morbid stares.

Japanese royal family