Unless it’s absolutely necessary, some or most people try to avoid using public restrooms because of the infamous “5K” slogan; Kurai (dark), Kusai (stinks), Kitanai (dirty), Kowai (scary), and Kowareteiru (it’s broken). However, a company named “Urban Oasis,” and Chiyoda district have teamed up to create “Oasis@Akiba,” a public restroom that will attempt to […]

In March 2008, in order to curb underage smoking, vending machines throughout Japan will be gradually replaced with ‘age verifying vending machines.’
Applications for the Taspo service will be available this month for residents of Kanagawa, Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures. Other prefectures will be able to apply in February of ‘08.
You must be 20 years […]

Tomoyuki Sakaguchi’s night photos of middle class suburban Tokyo appear to be images of a “model” neighborhood when in fact were taken in actual neighborhoods using the artificial glow of a street lamp to create the illusion. Below are some examples of his photos. To see more go to Sakuguchi’s photo gallery page, […]

This Tuesday Japan will begin fingerprinting and photographing non-Japan travelers through immigration. They say it’s necessary to prevent terrorist from striking in Japan. A perfect example of this possible danger is when Japan’s Justice Minister, Kunio Hatoyama, told reporters that a “friend of friend” is a member of al-Qaida and sneaked into […]

The movie “Zo no Senaka” or The Elephant’s Back” is
basically about a middle-aged man who discovers that he has terminal cancer and is only given a half a year to live. He decides to make the best of it by refusing life-enhancement treatment and to just enjoy life. The movie is based […]