No need to be afraid.
Just show a little courage — spunk even. It’s only Seaman.
The second coming.
Seaman safety
Bow W.O.W
Pet transportation it seems is the current big thing in Japan, as just a few days after the introduction of new animal train tickets, Honda Motors has unveiled a concept car that caters specifically for canines.
The W.O.W (or ‘wonderful openhearted wagon’) as it is rather optimistically named, is designed for the country’s growing number of dog owners; a purpose built glove compartment allowing space for a petite pooch. The idea being that the driver can easily interact with his or her pet. Although how this would go down with safety officials wasn’t elaborated on.
In the back of the car, a cage can be popped open, creating a secure place for a slightly bigger beast. And for truly mammoth mutts, a seat belt set into the floor allows them to be safely buckled in.
Considering the type of passengers it’s designed for, the W.O.W comes complete with both removable and easy to clean flooring, plus its wide sliding doors are purpose built to keep cavorting canines happy.
Explaining the design, a spokesperson from Honda said, “We created this vehicle from the point of view of a dog, but it turned out to be a gentler vehicle for the elderly, children and other family members.” Although how grandma and granddad would react to being strapped to the floor on trips to the supermarket remains to be seen.
Used panty procurer
The sale or purchase of used underwear has been banned in Tokyo for quite some time now, but it seems nearby Kanagawa Prefecture has substantially stiffened its laws governing such practices; making even the encouragement of used panty purchasing illegal. This hitherto unknown adjustment in the regulations becoming news after a 24-year-old man was arrested for pestering several schoolgirls to sell him their panties.
The students stated that the as yet unnamed man followed them in his car for about 140 metres, continually offering to buy their underwear. Allegedly entreating the girls with such pleas as, “Your skirt is caught up. I’ll buy your panties for 1,000 yen and your bra for 500 yen. Sell ’em to me.”
As embarrassing as this whole episode is, the young gentleman in question admitted to the allegations, claiming, “I had no idea what I was doing was a crime. They were wearing really short skirts and I got all excited. I didn’t want new panties, I wanted used ones.”
The ‘used’ part of this confession will presumably be the panty perverts downfall, as the Kanagawa Prefectural Government ordinance aimed at providing youth with a wholesome upbringing, clearly states that it is forbidden to sell, or encourage to sell, any used underwear belonging to under18s that contains traces of faeces, urine, saliva or other bodily fluids.
A law that it has to be said contains more than enough information.
Biking bot
Robot makers in Japan are obviously not content with their creations playing musical instruments and reading out the weather forecast, as Murata Manufacturing has now produced an Armstrong-esque automaton.
Little Murata Seisaku-kun (or Murata Boy) is only 50-cm-tall, but with the use of sensors he can remain perfectly balanced — even when stationary. His stability skillfully demonstrated at the CEATEC Japan 2005 exhibition, with the diminutive chap cycling on a 2-cm-wide balance beam. All this whilst rattling along at a heart fluttering 60 cm per second too.
Yet as impressive as this is, if Murata Boy is going to survive in Japan, there’s one more feat of balance and dexterity he’ll need to master — the age-old practice of cycling whilst using an umbrella.
Only then will the young fella have truly earned his stripes.
Canine commuters
The treatment of dogs in Japan is becomingly increasingly bizarre, with canine clothes now practically compulsory — the spoilt little mutts boasting bigger wardrobes than most men. Plus as well as sporting designer goods, they are partial to the odd drop of ‘wine’. A few even getting married.
With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that the Kyushu Railway Company has come under scrutiny for its treatment of animals. Specifically the baggage tickets issued for commuting canines and cats.
In the past, this system of ‘personal baggage’ worked well, however recently these tickets have started to irritate picky pet owners, with the word ‘awful’ (amongst other things) being used to describe them. So in a bid to stop this trifling matter escalating into pet pandemonium, the railway company has stepped in and issued appropriately cute ‘pet cards’ to appease the complainers.
A card that cuddly young Qoo-chan should be absolutely delighted with.
