Tokyo Times

Jul 05 2004 1 Comment

Romantic requisite

Matchmaking parties (gokon) have long been popular in Japan, but having suffered something of a slump over the last few years, they are now apparently very much in vogue again. Especially with so called OL’s (office ladies).

But whereas in the past any old salary man would do, it seems today’s young ladies are much more picky. As according to a recently published book, many OL’s are not only looking for men with good jobs, but good jobs with good companies.

A survey of 4,434 young women found that advertising giant Dentsu came out on top when gauging a prospective partner. Closely followed by Sony in second, and Toyota in third. The main reasons for choosing men from these companies included job security, good salaries, and reasonable holiday allowances.

And some people say that romance is dead…

Jul 03 2004 2 Comments

Cool Squares

As the temperature steadily rises, and we head full steam into the summer, watermelons have become increasingly prominent in supermarket promotional displays.

But let me ask you a question. Do you ever have problems fitting an awkwardly big and round watermelon in your refrigerator? No, me neither. And even if such a problem did arise, it wouldn’t make me unduly upset.

Yet it would appear that refrigerator unfriendly watermelons are an issue of growing concern amongst many Japanese. As can there be any other explanation for these just-the-right-shape-to-fit-in-the-refrigerator watermelons?

Jul 02 2004 3 Comments

Sharp shooter

This little beauty goes on sale today.

It’s the Vodafone V602SH from Sharp, and the cool looking gadget boasts the world’s first mobile embedded camera with an optical zoom function. And if that’s not enough for you, this feature is combined with a 2.02 megapixel autofocus CCD camera. Supposedly giving owners the ease-of-use associated with regular digital cameras. Needles to say, upskirt photo devotees have greeted this new model with considerable enthusiasm.

For users with more innocent desires, the V602SH also features Keitai Karaoke V-Kara, which allows customers to enjoy (if that’s the right word) a spot of karaoke by merely connecting the phone to the TV.

Oh, and apparently it’s capable of telephone calls too.

Jun 30 2004 5 Comments

Light saber similarities

I took this picture fairly recently during a kendo tournament at the school I work in.

Now correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s fairly easy to see where a certain Mr. George Lucas got a hefty chunk of inspiration from. If you take away the crappy gymnasium interior and the judges. Oh, and the school kids watching. Plus I suppose the outfits. And it’s right there before your eyes. A scene that would slot straight into any of the Star Wars movies.

No?

Jun 30 2004 5 Comments

Mario millinery

Personally I’m not convinced that Nintendo’s (alleged) new game-based headwear is going to be the big hit the company is obviously hoping for.

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