ArigatoMan.com » Society

Toilet Hotspot!

ArigatoMan.com — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 07:56:54 +0000

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 change the 5K image that a majority of the public holds. This past October, a warm water cleansing, air-conditioned restroom is in service on the east side of Akihabara. For a 100 yen, you can use this public restroom’s Internet access, read a local information pamphlet, and if you desire have a cigarette in one of their smoking corners. It’s free to use for the disabled, and elementary school kids and younger. Since it’s opening, Oasis@Akiba has gradually become more and more popular and now welcomes about 200 people a day. Because of the 5K image, only 3% of women surveyed, use public restrooms. With these new public restrooms, Urban Oasis is betting this percentage will increase, thus becoming even more of a success.

Also to note, Kyoto has three Oasis public restrooms that provide a slightly different service - floors are automatically cleaned after each use?

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

ShareThis

Tobacco Age Verifying Card

ArigatoMan.com — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:07:10 +0000

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 of age or older to apply for the ‘Taspo’ card and the application process is free. The card will not only verify your age but also act as a prepaid card.

Click here for more information…..

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

ShareThis

Suburban Tokyo @ Night

ArigatoMan.com — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:37:54 +0000

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, or purchase his book at Amazon Japan.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

ShareThis

“friend of a friend”

ArigatoMan.com — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:17:24 +0000

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 Japan several times with a fake passport. This “friend of a friend” also was involved in the Bali bomb attack and the Justice Minister’s friend warned him to stay away from the center of Bali. However, later Kunio backtracked on his story…..

This new procedure has been modified from the last proposal in 2000 where long-term residents of Korean and Chinese descent who were forced to live in Japan during Imperial Japan’s WWII occupation, are excluded.

What’s ironic is that the Japanese government needs more foreigners to address their demographic crunch as it’s population ages and work force shrinks. Many believe by implementing such a strict immigration policy when the need for skilled foreign workers is vital to the future of Japan’s economy, is irresponsible. It appears Japan’s solution to their real life problem of a shrinking workforce is to build robots? Some people ask, “why is it easier to give a visa to a Phillipino woman who wants to work as a hostess in Japan, than a highly skilled nurse from the same country?” On top of their demographic problem, Japan is still searching for ways to address it’s tourist decline at a time when travelers have a widening array of Asian destinations. Their new immigration policy obviously doesn’t solve any of their current demographic and tourist issues, and in fact just fuels it even further.

However, with the threat of Japan’s Foreign Minister’s so called “friend of a friend” sneaking into Japan, the government felt it was necessary to implement the policy even though all previous terrorist attacks were carried out by Japanese nationals.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

ShareThis

Zo no Senaka

ArigatoMan.com — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 06:07:05 +0000

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 on a novel written by Yasushi Akimoto. Below is the trailer and the song is sung by Chemistry…..

This video is a beautifully drawn animated version titled “The Day of Depature.”

Translated Lyrics:

One morning, when I woke up, God came to me.
He whispers, ‘my life will end.’
Why do I have to leave here?
I cry but the destiny hears nothing.
My lover, you’re always beside me.
Are you happy? That’s all it matters.
When I leave here, you may cry only tonight.
And say good-bye by remembering the days we spent together.

I’m happy to see you.
Look up into the morning sky and smile.
I will be your sunshine and watch you.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

ShareThis