Got Crocs? Japan Trouble Too

Escalators in Japan also like to eat Crocs sandals. So Crocs in Japan was advised by the Japanese government to change the sandals’ design. As Croc-cidents occur around the globe, the company has a plan now to attach how-to-use-an-escalator-when-wearing-our-sandals advisory tags to it’s shoes. READ MORE

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Tattoos

Tattoo Not For You At Pool

Tattoo bans at pools and water parks are forcing people to be sneaky about their body art, or cover up and perspire poolside. In Japan, tattoos (irezumi) have long been associated with organized crime. Tattoo prohibitions are usually in effect at water slide attractions, spas, hot springs and recreation center pools. Tatttoed American military personnel who would like to enjoy a day at the pool are frustrated. Health clubs and gyms may require tattoos to be covered even when working out.

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Clown Down Other Mascots Watchful

A mechanical clown mascot beat its drum one last time then retired as a restaurant's tourist attraction. But Big Boy, Colonel Sanders, Pekko-chan and many more still pose for pictures in front of their respective outlets.

Taro stood in front of Cui-daore  Japanese-food restaurant in Osaka since 1950. Now retired, the clown will promote tourism to the area.

Meanwhile, other mascots, including a celebrity pickled vegetable man - who could be the Colonel's younger brother - get their share of daily attention around Japan.



See more photos and read the full story here: Fondness For Full Size Figures

Japan Olympic Athletes Train For Table

Athletes at the Japan National Training Center are facing food and dining challenges as they prepare for the Beijing Summer Olympics.



On Wednesdays, athletes do not have access to chopsticks, Japanese rice, or soy sauce. Miso soup is not available either. Plastic forks and knives are set on the tables in the dining hall.


The NTC's food flight is an effort to get the athletes used to the food that will be served at the Olympic Village in Beijing. The once-a-week special dining day offers spring rolls and dumplings, and rice from India and Thailand. MORE PHOTOS

Gas Hits 6.20 Per Gallon!

That's the June 28 average price in Japan, converted from yen-per-liter to it's dollar-gallon equivalent.  Japan has a gasoline surplus, so some gas may be exported to the US. In May, a meeting involving the U.S. Department of Energy, Japan's trade ministry Exxon Mobil Corp and Nippon Oil, was held in San Francisco to discuss gasoline exports to the US from Japan. Although both countries agreed that the US would stand to gain by getting Japanese gasoline, no detailed arrangements were made.



The price of unleaded gasoline sold on US military installations in Japan has gone up to USD 4.004 per gallon. A price of $3.47 per gallon for unleaded is available only at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. That price has been unchanged since December.

FULL STORY
How To Fill Up illustrations

Not No Suit No Tie Guy

What goes on when the weather gets hot in Japan? More people wearing yukata are seen. Pocket-size towels and stylish handkerchiefs for the humidity. And clothes come off, for the annual Cool Biz campaign. Of course, the Prime Minister sets an example for the government-led effort. Or does he?



The Cool Biz campaign began in 2005. By wearing less in the office, company air conditioners can be set at a higher temperature. Previous Prime Ministers have been a little more enthusiastic about giving up the necktie than  current Prime Minister 71-year-old Yasuo Fukuda.  READ MORE

Sheer Truth About Clear Swimsuits

See-through swimsuit? Depends on how you look at it in Japan.
Concerns about the transparency of swimsuits worn by the Japanese swim team in the 2004 Summer Olympics appear again ahead of the Beijing 2008 games.

See this humorous look at how to use Photoshop image manipulation to render swimsuits "invisible".

Full story: Olympic Swimsuits Still See-Through

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