Photographs from a small group of islands
With only the countless re-issues of the completed Star Wars series to occupy him these days, George Lucas has taken the decidedly unorthodox step of opening a chain of Japanese barber shops.
Each outlet is said to offer a specialist ‘star style’, with this particular one tempting bearded businessman with the ‘Lucas look’.
(click image for enhanced edition)
*Huge thanks to Richard for the photo.
With summer almost upon us, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases has warned that this year could see the worst outbreak in a decade of ‘pool fever’, a virus that generally strikes young children who swim in public pools. Early reports claim that the number affected could be 10 times greater than in 2004, resulting in officials urging people to wash their hands, gargle and not share towels.
Yet despite such suggestions, the authorities remain unclear as to why Japan is so susceptible to this particular virus,
although research is still ongoing.
With robots and their close relatives set to eventually provide help in such diverse areas as nursing, security and cleaning, the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry has announced that strict guidelines will be required to minimise the potential risk; an example being the use of sensors to stop any man-made mates unexpectedly bumping into someone, and the use of soft materials should they still somehow manage to do so. The sensor strewn and spongy RI-MAN pictured below being a prime example, although the addition of a malleable mohawk is presumably optional.
Yet despite planning to complete its set of guidelines by the end of the year, METI has remained silent on what — if any — restrictions will be placed on more pleasure related pals, an omission that may lead to risky rendezvous for synthetic sex seekers. The short clip below of a sex doll showroom giving away none of the potential pitfalls awaiting would-be wooers.
However judging by this other video, the plastic playmates soft and supple ‘bumpers’ do at least undergo rigorous and repeated testing.
Clips that despite being safety standards based are probably not best viewed at the work place.
Whilst it may make a change from the busy trains, it’s perhaps not surprising that Tokyo’s ‘canal tours’ haven’t gone down too well with tourists.
(click image for darker and dingier duct)
With its latest creation, snack manufacturer Lotte appears to be making a bid to become king of the not-quite-summer-so-still-not-all-that-hot drinks market, a notoriously tricky time of year with conditions favouring neither hot or cold beverages.
Moderately cold being the ideal temperature for consumption apparently.