Alchemista - Katz Ueno's Filmmaking, Marketing, Web 2.0 Blog

Fumiko's Propose - A Japanese students' animation work

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:13:22 PST

OK. When I saw this, I was stunned.

This 2 min animation was produced by the group of Japanese anime students in Kyoto.

For your convenience, there is some storyline.

Fumiko is a middle school student (?). She proposes Takashi to be her boyfriend.

But Takashi refuses her offer since he wants to devote his time for baseball at this moment....

Fumiko gets shocked and shocked... and shocked...... anyway... here is the anime.

Without a further due, here you go....

Those of whom got confused... it looks like Fumiko traveled around the world, and came back to where Takashi is.

And she tried one more time... "I will cook your miso soup every morning!"

But Takashi refused again, IMMEDIATELY.... poor girl.....

Anyway, I was impressed by thier work... here are the credit.

Cast

Fumiko - Hina
Takashi - So Raika (????)

Directed/Drawing/Background/3D CG/Edited/Sound Effects by
Yasuhiro Ishida

Background/3D Texture by
Yuuko Iwase (???)

3D Texture/Background by
Kazuhiro Murakami

Drawing by
Tatsuro Kawano

3D CG Modeling by
Yusaku Nagata

The director, Yasuhiro Ishida, is currently a animation student who is looking for a job.

He's 21 years old who goes to Kyoto Seika University, Manga Major - Animation Course.

Somebody, give him a job~!

I'm looking forward to seeing his future.

Here is Ishida's personal blog with pictures of drawing.

====================

Fumiko's Propose - Detail Info and screenshots (in Japanese)

http://d.hatena.ne.jp/Tete/20091108

====================

In addition, browse the rest of his blog... you can check out his "homework" projects, and the photo of his apartment where he made his animation?

http://d.hatena.ne.jp/Tete/

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Kyoto World Heritage Wedding for 600,000 yen

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:01:22 PDT

Nijo Castle, the one of World Heritage Site in Japan, is now accepting the reservation of the traditional wedding for the 2010 season until the end of this month (Oct 31, 2009).

www.nijojo-wedding.jp

Nijo Castle was built during the Tokugawa era (completed in 1603) as the residents of Tokugawa Family in Kyoto.

In 1994, Nijo Castle was registered as the part of Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Wikipedia).

According to the report from NHK program, the City of Kyoto appointed Kyoto Kokusai Hotel to provide the wedding service at Nijo Castle.

By opening the door to grooms and brides, the City of Kyoto hopes everyone to be familiar with the tradition of Kyoto, and preserve its craftmanship.

For 2010, they are accepting 65 couples to hold the wedding at Nijo Castle.

60 couples for daytime wedding between April-June, Sep-Dec, 2010, and March 2011
5 couples for nighttime wedding between April 23 and May 30 2010

If more than 65 couples aqpply for the wedding, they will hold the lottery to select the couples.

* Perhaps, you should visit Nijo Castle on one of those weekends. You may be able to witness the wedding.

Daytime Wedding Schedule

This is the translation from

http://www.nijojo-wedding.jp/schedule.html

The plan includes:

1. Traditional Rikisha (Jinrikisha) Parade into the Nijo Castle

Carried by the Rikisha (Japanese wooden cart) specially hand-made by 30 traditional craftmen in Kyoto.

Gloom and Bride get into the Rikisha at Kyoto Kokusai Hotel, and they will go through the gate into the Garden

2. Zen-so (Introduction)

Groom and bride entrer to Seiryu Garden (清流園)

*the place is usually closed to the public.

*Music is accompanied by Gagaku (Japanese traditional music) from here

3. Kongi (Ceremony) - Vow, and exchange ring

4. Mizuawase-no-gi (水合せの儀), Konka &Kissa-no-gi (婚菓・喫茶の儀)

The group now moves to Kaun-Tei (香雲亭), the tea house.

For, Konka & Kissa-no-gi, the couple will be required to hand-make a bamboo chopsticks prior to the wedding.

And groom and bride will serve the Japanese snacks to the wedding guests by using the bambo chopsticks

5. Ko-so (Postlude)

Closing the ceremony.

Groom and bride will throw Origami cranes to the guests in the garden from the eave of Kaun-tei

6. Picture

7. Departure

Leave the Nijo castle by Rikisha.

*and you will be seen by a lot of tourist, of course.

Location

I think you just need to see the picture here...

http://www.nijojo-wedding.jp/ceremony.html

Basic Plan Detail

The basic daytime plan is 600,000 yen for 30 guests.

The nighttime wedding will cost 700,000 yen.

(I mean the price include the wardrobe rental~!!?? This is very cheap.)

Wardrobe rental for groom

Choose one from

Wardrobe rental for bride

Choose one from (Including hair and make-up fee)

Juni-hitoe (十二単) !!!!
White Japanese kimono
White Western dress

Ceremony (including master of ceremony, marriage certificate, location fee)
Music peformers (Gagaku)
Kaizoe (The special assistant to Bride for wardrobe and ceremony)
Origami crane, and flowers
Picture (1 set only)

** Most materials used at the ceremony are made in or around Kyoto (includes kimono and marriage certificate paper!)

Options:

Dance by Maiko (Geisha)
Music with flute and Japanese koto
Adiditional photo
Video production (DVD service)
Wardrobe rental for the guests

Reservation

Call them by October 31, 2009 in Japanese.

Nijo Wedding (Kyoto Kokusai Hotel)

TEL 075-222-1111 (call them in Japanese)

Well... I'm sure this will be very competitive... But if you feel like doing Japanese wedding.... go for this VERY tradisional Japanese wedding.

I seriously started thinking about having the wedding at Nijo Castle (although I don't have the right person to get married yet :-p)

---

Japanese online audience are similar to TV audience

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:32:46 PDT

In the response to

CHART OF THE DAY: Lunchtime Is The New Primetime

http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-lunchtime-is-the-new-primetime-2009-10

A Japanese blogger posted this reply

The US's new Primetime is Lunchtime, how about Japan?

http://adinnovator.typepad.com/ad_innovator/2009/10/国内アメリカのゴールデンタイムはランチタイム日本では.html

Japanese online prime time for online video is very similar to TV.

Between 9am-10am, and 7pm-11pm.

The Japanese work environment is very strict, and they are very careful about using somebody else's computer and typing credit card information.

Therefore, there is virtually nobody who spent their lunchtime using the work computer watching online videos, or shopping.

So what do they do during the lunchtime?

They use their cell phone~!

Japanesen cell phone can watch TV, buy stuff online and play games.

So the online video viewweship tends to have the similarily to the traditional TV viewership.

They only spend online time at home....

Very interesting,.

----

16,000 yen for New York and 21,000 yen for LA from Japan!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:09:28 PDT

UPDATE (9/16 6pm JST): The ticket has sold out... the links below are no longer valid.

I've been researching an air ticket for my travel from Japan to USA.

And I found a craaaaazy travel agency.

Their name is Skygate.

It's Japanese online travel agency....

And I started subscribing their newsletter.

Just now, I received their newsletter....

16,000 !!!!!! yen Round Trip Ticket from Narita - New York

http://www.skygate.co.jp/airserv/PriceViewServlet?SkygGdsId=171599D&S1=priceViewByGoods

21,000 !!!!!! yen Round Trip Ticket from Narita - Los Angeles!

http://www.skygate.co.jp/airserv/PriceViewServlet?SkygGdsId=171602D&S1=priceViewByGoods

Well, the cheap ticket always has the restriction.

New York ticket: (Product ID 171599D)

CANNOT select which airline
MUST leave between Sep 23-30.
MUST be 5-10 days trip.
CANNOT change the return date.
No refund, no cancellation
Tax is NOT included (of course)
MUST call for availability and buying ticket

Los Angeles ticket: (Product ID 171602D)

CANNOT select which airline
MUST leave either on Sep 26 or 27
MUST be 5-10 days trip
CANNOT change the return date
No refund, no cancellation
Tax is NOT included (of course)
MUST call for availability and buying ticket

How to Order

They only take phone order, and their phone line will close 8pm today and starts 10am tomorrow (JST)

Skygate

http://www.skygate.co.jp/

03-5909-1150 (THEY ONLY SPEAK JAPANESE)

Good luck everyone.

The final deadline is by Sep 18 6pm (JST), but I'm sure they run out quickly.

If you are seeing this blog after 9/14 MON (JST), you may not be able to get the ticket.

My Only Worry About Japanese Politics

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:48:16 PDT

Last weekend, I went to vote the Japanese general election. This was my 1st time that I was able to vote the Lower House (The House of Representatives).

Since I spent the most of my 20s in Los Angeles. I didn't really get chance to vote. We had to go through a very complicated paperwork in order to vote overseas. And you had to go to Japanese Embassy or Consulate by yourself to register? Downtown LA? Too much traffic and expensive parking... And you were only able to vote the parties, not the candidiate themselves.

However, from this time's general election, we could register and vote the local candidiate according to the local district. So I assume more Japanese people who live overseas had a chance to get involved the General Election.

Anyway, I'm not going to talk about the policy of Democratic Party of Japan this time, but I do have one concern..... which is the timing of hand over.

Too quick? The 20-days hand over process

15 years ago, Liberal Democratic Party once lost its ruling party position, but it didn't last long. LDP was able to gain back the power within a year. Also, since it was just a coalition of opposite parties, they had a hard time organizing everybody together.

But due to the overwhelming victory of DPJ, I think it will last this time.

But only 20 days to call the Parliament, and elect the new Prime Minister?

And under such a hard circumstances?

Hmmmm....

If you think about it, although Japan is a small country, the government is still big.

According to the number from Japanese Government Statics Bureau web site, the number of Japanese government official is over 300,000 in 2007.

http://www.stat.go.jp/data/nihon/g5324.htm

It's still a huge organization.

And they only switch the boss within 20 days, whereas Obama spent almost 3 months to organize until the presidential inauguration, and he had 100 days thereafter.

In last 60 years since the World War II, the Japan have had only one ruling party, LDP, except the short period of coalitions parties era.

Japanese people are not accustomed to the switch of their ruling parties. And they won't understand how much work it may take for DPJ to learn the entire system of Japanese government.

And I'm kinda sure that Japanese government officials themselves don't understand how hard it would be either since it's been 15 years since last time.... many Japanese government officials have never experienced the switch of the ruling party.

And DPJ have overwhelming number of newly elected house members. DPJ themselves has to educate these rookies as well.

Yesterday, the upcoming Prime Minsiter, Hatoyama announced that he wants to review all the government spending of 2010 fiscal year from the scratch by the end of the year.....

Yeah... if you want to re-review the budget of 300,000 government within 3 month without understanding the entire system of the government?

DPJ may have to spend 3 month to get used to, and 100 days to really start executing its Manifest... at least

In my opinion, as the US Government usually take 3 month to switch the office..., DPJ would have to spend at least 2 month to learn the system and get organized everything.... (since it's a smaller country)

However, they already have to start working right away.... probably.... they will end up spending 3 months to get organized. And finally their actual "100 days" begins.

In my personal opinion, you will probably see the actual change in 300 days....

But I have to see how well DPJ can explain how long it will take to learn the government system, and calm the impatient Japanese people down next 4 years under such acute economy.

But it's very uncommon, and abnormal that one party rules the country over 50 years except the dictatorship.

So Japanese and Japanese government will have to pay its price that they didn't change the ruling party in the last 60 years. But I think this is necessary sacrifice to spend with the fact that we will lose the 2nd position of GDP in the world this year.

So be patient, guys. The change will come... slow but for sure...

---

Forcing Propose Kit (For girls whose boyfriend are slow)

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:26:19 PDT

For the girls who has slow boyfriends

The Japanese bridal ring retail chain "Virgin Diamond" has released 「強制プロポーズセット」 which means... Forcing Propose Set for 8,892 yen on Aug 7, 2009. (Trademark pending)

When I saw the news, I was cracking up.

This set was made for the girls whose boyfriends are a little slow. So Virgin Diamond started selling these set to the frustrating girlfriends.

The set-ups

Once you (girlfriend) purchased the set, they will deliver the kit to your boyfriend's house.

Once he open the box, your boyfriend will see the following greeting card.

Congraturations, Ms. XXXX (Girlfriend's name) applied the our campaign
"Suprise Present Campaign ~ Support your love"

You are the one of lucky 80 winners~!

1st Prize - Vacation Trip to Pacific Islands 3 nights 4 days
2nd Prize - DVD Player plus ten (10) Romantic movies
3rd Prize - Overnight Train partitioned room ticket
4th Prize - For your up-and-coming day, Propose Set
5th Prize - One night Two day Zen Buddhist Tour with Love Lecture from a monk
6th Prize - Aphrodisiac Wine and Pair Glasses kit
7th Prize - Love card game - Game Candy, Special Box

And you have won the 4th prize. Congraturations!

And it follows by the instruction manual

For your girlfriend whom you think you want to be together forever.

From the web site, girlfriends should be prepared...:

If your boyfriend tells you that if he has received something, you must pretend that you don't know anything.

And if he tells you that he received Propose Set, you should laugh a little... but don't forget to add... "I hope it's true."

And boyfriends will see the following package.

Fake Engagement Ring and Box

From the web site,

" Many girls are suffering from their boyfriends are not able to buy her an engagement ring due to financial difficulty. And many girls are ended up not getting engagement ring.

Therefore, this fake engagement ring will bring a little happiness to the girls by your boyfriend giving it to you.

The ring was made of cubic zirconia which looks like diamond + platinam ring."

Okaaay. And then next.

Piggy Bank

*** This is not the actual piggy bank that they sell

From the web site

"Your boyfriend can start saving money for your real marriage. It can contain 100 of 500 yen coins, the total 50,000 yen.

If he saved up 50,000 yen, he can buy a real engagement ring from our store. Or he could try to save more and buy more expensive ring.

If your boyfriend think that he does not have anough money to buy you a ring, you could give him this piggy bank."

Okaaaay... here comes next

Engagement Contract (Promise Paper)

From web site

"This works best with piggy bank. This is the contract that states "I will buy you a real engagement ring".

It may be best if you kept it where the piggy bank is.

Also when you find your boyfriend spending a little much money, you can show this to him.

Moreover, this contract become discount coupon. If you bring this paper to our store, we will give you the discount of the same amount of this set, 8892 yen, when you purchase the real engagement ring.

So maybe you can spend the 8,892 yen to go out for fancy dinner together after you save the money from us."

Oh my god.... contract plus coupon... and you get full money back when you purchase the ring!

Moreover, they are doing this campaign.

Full Money Back Gurantee If Your Boyfriend Did Not Propose You by Sep 30

Ok girlfriends, you have nothing to lose.

Buy this Kyosei Propose Set for your boyfriend, so that you guys can finally get married~!

PS.

They set the price 8892 yen because

8 = ha, 8 =ya 9 =ku, 2 =ni.

8892 = Hayakuni = Hurry Up.

You can purchase this set at their online store. I don't think they ship it oversees... but...

Kyosei Propose Set - Online Store (Japanese only)

http://www.b-surprise.com/kyosei/

About Full Money Back Campaign by Sep 30, 2009 (Japanese only)

http://www.b-surprise.com/campaign/

Check out the current issue of Rolling Stone (Aug 6)

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:35:29 PDT

Check out the current issue (Aug 6) of Rolling Stones magazine (US edittion).

And turn to page 72 - "Isolated - Surfing a New Reality"

It talks about the surfing move that I was a cinematographer for~!

It was a fun memory in Papua, Indonesia last year.

"Etienne" World Premiere in Vegas on Friday June 12, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:50:43 PDT

"Etienne!"

A Story about the little things in Life

World Premiere at CineVegas on June 12, 2009

Please join us for the world premiere of our film. I worked as a various role (mainly post-production) for this film.

Trailer

About "Etienne!"

Synopsis copied from CineVegas BoxOffice

ETIENNE! is a timeless tale of friendship between two kindred spirits on a journey through life. The catch that makes this tale unique? One of the friends is a hamster.

Richard is a shy and boyish college dropout who has just started a new job at a hotel. His best and only friend is his dwarf hamster, Etienne, whom he cares for very well. When he finds out his pocket pet has terminal cancer, he decides to take Etienne on a bicycle road trip along the California coast so that the hamster can see the world before it dies. Along the way, the two meet various colorful characters that teach them about life, friendship, and happiness.

Evoking the spirits of films from yesteryear and enriched with a phenomenal soundtrack, ETIENNE! is a triumph of pure, innocent storytelling. Its remarkably controlled aesthetic transplants the audience to a nostalgic time free from pessimism. Richard Vallejos embodies the lovable man-child of the same name and infuses him with undeniable charm. Writer/director Jeff Mizushima's passion for cinema comes out in every frame. He has crafted a rare gem in this day and age...a G-rated art film for everyone.

The release of concrete5.3.0 Japanese, and the launch of its web site

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:36:28 PDT

Usagi Project is pleased to announce the released of concrete 5.3.0 Japanese version, and the launch of our web site on April, 17, 2009 (JST).

http://concrete5-japan.org

Due to the language barrier between Japanese and English, Usagi Project made a decision to distribute the package separately from concrete5's SourceForge account but through our SourceForge.jp account.

If you are interested in using concrete5 Japanese, please visit our web site.

We, Usagi Project, will closely keep in touch with the concrete5 core team to make sure that Japanese users continue to benefit from this wonderful CMS.

We hope that we can make the world the better place together with the concrete5 core team!

We, Usagi Project, are also an Open Source group, and keep looking for new members. If you can read both English and Japanese, and have extra time to help us, please visit our web site and submit your membership request.

http://concrete5-japan.org/usagiproject/

Kuniharu Tsujioka & Katz Ueno
Usagi Project

Usagi Project がオープンソース CMS ソフト「concrete5.3.0 日本語版」をリリース。初心者に本当に優しい無料ホームページ運用システム

Usagi Project は 4月17日、オープンソース CMS ソフトウェア「 concrete5 」の最新安定版である「concrete5.3.0 日本語版」をリリース、同時に日本語公式サイトを開設致しました。

■ concrete5 日本語公式サイト
http://concret5-japan.org

■ concrete5 動画デモ
concrete5 を紹介するために動画ビデオのデモを作成致しました。
http://concrete5-japan.org/about/screencast

■ concrete5 とは
concrete5 は、アメリカで開発されているオープンソース CMS ソフトウエアです。元は商用ソフトとして、130万円で販売されていましたが、昨年、オープンソース化、無料となりました。

concrete5 はアメリカの公共広告機構である AdCouncil が制作した「ルイス＝クラーク探検隊200周年記念祭」のサイトのために生まれ、秒間1万ヒットにも耐えうる設計となっています。

Usagi Project では、アメリカの開発元、 Concrete CMS, inc. の協力の元、日本語版の翻訳と普及活動を担当することになりました。

concrete5 は、 HP 作成ツールを必要とせず WEB サイトへアクセスするだけでページ編集・追加・削除ができ初心者でも直感的に HP がつくれる画期的な CMS ソフトです。管理画面での操作も最小限に押さえ利便性が向上してます。

また、グループ管理機能も充実。企業やお店のホームページのみならず、学校のサークル、社内サイトなどに最適のシステムです。

前述の「ルイス＝クラーク探検隊200周年記念祭」のサイトは、サイト更新者が90名にのぼりましたが、3ヶ月で完成する事が出来ました。

特徴
・管理画面を介さずに、直接ページを編集
・コンクリートブロックを積み上げるようにサイトを構築
・自由自在にレイアウトを変えられる
・ユーザーごとに編集や公開権限の設定が可能

主な機能
・画像を直接編集(picnik.com のサービスを利用)
・グループ編集・権限機能
・ファイル履歴管理機能
・簡単スライドショー作成機能
・YouTube ビデオ
・アンケート機能
・RSS 表示

ターゲット
・情報サイト
・政府・地方自治体
・企業
・NPOなどのグループ
・クラブ、趣味サークル
・キャンペーンサイト
・学校、大学
・社外・社内サイト
・その他「ホームページ」と呼ばれるもの全て

■ concrete5 使用条件
・Web サーバー (Apache 等)
・PHP バージョン5
・MySQL4.1 以上

■ Usagi Project について
Usagi Project は、オープンソース SNS ソフトウェアを開発するために生まれたプロジェクトです。日本全国にいる沢山の開発者や開発協力者が、利用ユーザたちの満足度向上や新しい付加価値を求めて日々開発を行っております。また2009年2月からは、concrete5の日本語サポートを行うことになりました。

Usagi Project はボランティアグループです。メンバーを随時募集しております。

■ concrete5 資料リンク

concrete5 の紹介
http://concrete5-japan.org/about/readmefirst

concrete5 の歴史（開発秘話）
http://concrete5-japan.org/about/readmefirst/history-of-concrete5

Usagi Project と concrete5 、 MyNETS の紹介
http://concrete5-japan.org/usagiproject/about-usagi-project

Usagi Project メンバー一覧
http://concrete5-japan.org/usagiproject/members

Usagi Project メンバー募集要項
http://concrete5-japan.org/usagiproject/wanted

concrete5 Member of the Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:39:55 PDT

Yay~!

I was selected as the member of the month of concrete5 Community in April, 2009.

http://www.concrete5.org/community/

Thanks, concrete5 team and Franz (CEO of concrete5)~!

-----

Teigaku Kyufukin Letter has arrived

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:38:17 PDT

Today, my family received the letter from Yokkaichi City regarding Teigaku Kyufukin.

The letter consists three materials

Return envelop
English and Chinese instruction
The Form which accept or deny your Kyufukin per household member, and where to fill out you bank account

English instruction letter followed by Chinese

The actual form where you check your household member and fill out your bank account.

For more information about Teigaku Kyufukin （定額給付金）, read my related posts.

"FREE" 12000 YEN to ALL Registered Foreigners in Japan

http://katz515.blogspot.com/2008/12/registered-foreigner-will-receive-12000.html

How to Claim your 12,000 yen and Highway Holiday Discount

http://katz515.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-claim-your-12000-yen-and-highway.html

Softbank: iPhone Discount for Existing Users

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:12:00 PDT

Since February, Softbank began their huge discount of iPhone 3G. Now you can buy iPhone 3G 8GB model for almost free (with 2 years contract) called "iPhone for Everybody Campaign"

iPhone for Everybody - Softbank

http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/iphone_en/everybody/

"iPhone for Everybody" for Existing iPhone Users in Japan

But this is also a good news for existing Softbank's iPhone users in Japan. I called Softbank customer support to confirm, and I did renew my contract to reduce my monthly data plan today.

Effective on April 1st through May 30, 2009, the existing Softbank iPhone heavy data users will be able to benefit from this campaign.

If you are

Bought iPhone 3G from Softbank in Japan
You subscribe Softbank's White Plan
You spend more than 5,000 yen per month for data charge
You think you will be using iPhone in Japan for another year.

And then, you should definitely consider to renewing your contract.

If you are NOT existing iPhone users who spend more than 5,000 yen for data plan, just don't waste your time reading this post. It'll just add some more headache :-p

Detail of The Data Plan Discount

This campaign is not really advertised much.

But if you renew your contract now, Softbank will reduce the maximum data fee from 5,985 yen to 4,410 yen.

You need to know:

You renew your contract (for another 2 years)
Your data plan max charge will be reduced to 4.410 yen (1,500 yen/mo discount)
You need to pay 9,975 yen cancellation fee if you decided to terminate your account within 2 years.

But 1,500 yen discount per month will add up to 18,000 yen per year.

As I am heavy iPhone App users, I've always maxed out the data fee to 5,985 yen every month. It's a no brainer. I went to Softbank today, and made the switch.

How to Join "iPhone for Everybody Campaign"

Bring your iPhone, your valid Japanese ID (like Alien Regist. Card).
Go to your local Softbank Service center
Just tell them that you want to join "iPhone for Everybody Campaign"
Fill out the form, your Softbank's cell phone number, name, Date of Birth, and show them your ID (Driver's License or Alien Registration Card which shows your address in Japan)
They will renew your contract.

WARNING: This contract will renew your status after two years AUTOMATICALLY, so if you want to quit Softbank in two years, you have to show up BEFORE your contract expires and tell them to cancel when the contract ends.

Canceling This Contract Without Termination Fee

[UPDATED on 4/7/09]

So if you are ready to pay 9975 yen, you don't have to read this section.

But shibuya246 from JapanSoc,com asked me a question about Softbank's two-year contract. So I called Softbank customer center to find out.

http://www.japansoc.com/Technology/softbank-iphone-discount-for-existing-users/

According to their explanation, this "iPhone for Everybody" contract is AUTO-RENEW at every two years.

If you don't make any action on 25th month, you will be stuck for this contract for another two years. And you will have to pay 9975 yen termination fee if you want to cancel between 26th~48th month of your contract.

OK. So this adds to more headache... so let's take my case as an example.

I signed up for this "iPhone for Everybody" contract on 4/6/2009, and my billing cycle starts on every 11th day of the month.

If I want to cancel my contract without paying the termination fee (9975 yen), I will have to call Sofbank on 25th month which is between 4/11~5/10/2011....

But since I'm already saving 18,000 yen for a year.. I am ready to pay 9975 yen. So I won't care about the termination fee at all.

Japanese for Dummies

For those of who cannot really speak Japanese, I am just leaving this text for you. You are welcome to print this out and bring it to Softbank store to show it to them.

*DISCLAIMER: You understand that I, Katz, will not be responsible for any of loss by using this examples.

(Although I am 100% sure that you can use my Japanese, I still need to protect myself :-))

既存のiPhoneユーザーですが、iPhone for Everybodyキャンペーンの定額データプラン割引に加入したいと思って来ました。
I am an existing iPhone user, and I would like to renew my contract to reduce my maximum charge of the data plan

私は、再び、今日から2年間の契約を締結する事を了承しています。
I understand that I am making another two-years contract starting today.

今日から2年以内に回線を解約する場合、9975円の契約違約金が発生する事も理解しています
I understand that I will pay 9,975 yen penalty fee when I terminate the contract within two years.

----------

Save your money~.

BANDAI is planning to hire more foreigners for its worldwide expansion

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:26:09 PDT

From today's (Monday April 6) news of TV Tokyo, "E Morning".

BANDAI, the one of the major toy and TV game company, is looking to hire more foreigners.

According to TV Tokyo, BANDAI is seeking to expand their toy and TV game business towards international market more, and they think that hiring more foreign people is one of their plan.

The news did not say any details such as what department, what nationalities, or which regions.

They might have wanted to announce their plan only.

But this could lead to a good news for those of who love Japanese toys and games under this recession economy.

BANDAI - Corporate Page Explaining their Worldwide Expansion plan (Japanese only)

http://www.bandai.co.jp/corporate/world.html

DISCLAIMER: No other online news sources reported this, but only TV Tokyo, as on 4/6/2009 12pm (JST)

US Embassy Japan warned Roppongi partying

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:34:15 PDT

On March 17th, 2009, US Embassy warned the US citizens who hang out clubs and bars in Roppongi for the drink-spiking incidents.

Warden Message – Roppongi Security Notice
http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-warden20090317-01.html

I've been witnessing in the last 10 years that Japanese students in LA were intoxicated and deported. And an American friend had cardiac arrest and passed away in Roppongi.

Self-controlling could be one of the big issue for the people who lives in a foreign country, especially the city where there are a lot of fun stuff to do.

Now, some bad-mind people had spotted these people and US Embassy noticed the potential danger.

Although Tokyo is cool place, and Roppongi is the cool place.... just be careful.

Japan Highway Holiday Discount Partially Delays

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:58:37 PDT

Today (March 11, 2009), NEXCO (Nippon Expressway Company Limited) Group announced that they will not be able to complete the system upgrade fully.

Therefore, they will start discount on March 28th. This delay mainly affect the driver who will go through Tokyo, Osaka area, Honshu-Shikoku Bridges and/or Tokyo Aqua Line.

Overview of Japanese Highway Holiday Discount Program

As the part of Japanese government economic stimulus program, they passed the law to approve the budget in order to execute the discount of Japanese regional expressway.

The weekends and holiday discount includes

1,000 yen all-you-can-drive in regional area (Partially starting on Mar 28)
1,000 yen discount rate of Shikoku-Honshu Toll Bridges and Tokyo Aqua Line Tunnel (starting on Mar 20)
20-30% discount for Tokyo and Osaka metropolitan highways

*If you drive short distance, and the the price will be less than 1,000 yen.

This discount program is only effective if you:

Drive regular passenger cars, or motorcycle
Install Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) device in your car or motorcycle
You must make at least two payments a year

Very Complicated Charging System

I got confused at the beginning about this pricing system.

So let me explain to you.

If you drive from Aomori to Kagoshima and avoid Tokyo area, you will have to pass Osaka metropolitan area where they only have 20-30% discount.

So the pricing will be....

Regional Area [Aomori- Subarban Osaka + Subarban Osaka-Kagoshima] = 1,000 yen
Metropolitan Osaka Area = 1,500 yen
The Total 2,500 yen

So as long as you don't exit the highway, the charge of regional area will be fixed to 1,000 yen. And if you drive through Tokyo, Osaka, Bridges and Tokyo Aqua Line Tunnels, you will be charged additional discounted rate.

What's Late

However, due to the delay of the system upgrade...... the temporary pricing will be like this

Regional Area [Aomori-Suburban Osaka] = 1,000 yen
Metropolitan Osaka Area = 1,500 yen
Regional Area [Suburban Osaka-Kagoshima]= 1,000 yen
The Total 3,500 yen

So currently, whenever you passed Tokyo, Osaka, Bridges or Tokyo Aqua Line, the charge will be reset to zero. And it will start calculating again.

They said they will try to finish upgrading the system by Golden Week season in May.

How to Claim your 12,000 yen and Highway Holiday Discount

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:57:42 PDT

Yesterday, the controversial budget finally finally passed the Japanese Parliament yesterday. The major bills were controversial Teigaku-kyufukin (定額給付金), and holiday discount of highway.

12,000 yen Teigaku-Kyufukin

So it is now official that the everybody who legally resided in Japan on Feb 1, 2009 are eligible for 12,000 yen (the 18 and younger, and the 65 and older will receive 20,000 yen).

To check your eligibility, look at my older post.
http://katz515.blogspot.com/2008/12/registered-foreigner-will-receive-12000.html

The majority of Japanese people are already tired of this topic.

It's been over half year since the government started talking about it.

The Japanese people are sick and tired of these already non-sense-and-super-late policy after seeing Taiwan and China executed the similar plans within a month.

Anyhow, the bill has passed.

So it's now final that ALL people who lived in Japan on Feb 1, 2009 including the registered foreigners, are now eligible to receive the 12,000 yen.

BUT YOU NEED TO CLAIM IT. BUT THE PROCESS MAY VARY DEPENDS ON THE CITIES YOU LIVE.

The Japanese government passed this task to the local government to give out the money.

The problem is... now it's Tax season.

Most of the city official are overwhelmed with tax stuff. So it may be some delay.

Only about 5 towns and villages which don't have much population, are giving out the money this week.

However the most of the local agencies just don't have enough man power to execute the distribution quickly enough.

According to the survey of TV-Tokyo "World Business Satelite" on March 4, the majority of cities and towns are planning to distribute the money in April.

Here is the article from Mainichi Shimbun
http://mainichi.jp/enta/photo/news/20090305k0000m040089000c.html

One of the worst cities is Nagoya.

Nagoya doesn't have time until June~!

So I'm sorry to the people who live in Nagoya.

But the city officials are overwhelmed already. It's just too many people lived in Nagoya. And the city officials are already busy with tax, and bad economy.

And if you are planning to move out from Nagoya.... The letter will be sent to the address you lived on Feb 1, 2009..... The city never mentioned how to take care of movers.... If you are lucky to have a roommate or family, and then it may be ok. But if you don't..... you may have to give up 12,000 yen.

How to Claim Your 12,000 Yen

Anyway, here is how you can claim the money.

The small towns may give out the money at the local city hall with valid ID.

But if you live in a large city, the process may be like this.

* They will usually distribute the money per household basis.

1. You will receive the letter from the local government
2. You will confirm how many people are in your household, and accept or refuse this Teigaku-Kyufukin
3. You reply the mail to the local government with the bank account info
4. You will receive the confirmation mail to notify when the money being deposited to your bank account
5. And you finally receive money.

[CAUTION!!!!] BUUUUT, the Japanese government completely let the local government to decide how to distribute the money, so you will have to consult with the local city hall to confirm....

Ahh.. it's pain in an a**.

Toll-way Holiday Discount is Coming

So another bill that passed yesterday was weekend and holiday discount for toll-ways. They are planning to start this discount program on March 28th for two years.

(March 11, 2009) They announced that their pricing system will not be able to finish updating fully. Therefore, they will start partial discount on March 28, and plan to engage full discount at the end of April.

If you drive more than 100km on the Japanese highway on a weekend... the fee will be only 1,000 yen~!

Well, this is not that easy. Here are the catch.

1. Your car must have ETC device (electronic toll collection (system))
2. If you passed any metropolitan area and toll gate, the charge will be reset.

So you cannot go from Hokkaido to Kyushu with 1,000 yen.

For example, according to Mainichi Shimbun's article
http://mainichi.jp/enta/photo/news/20090305k0000m040089000c.html

From Aomori to Kagoshima, you need to avoid Tokyo area, and since you may have to go through Osaka metropolitan area.

1000 yen (Aomori to Kagoshima except Osaka area) + 1500 yen (Osaka Metropolitan Tollway) = the total 2,500 yen.

With the regular pricing, it will cost 39,250 yen. So it's still a huge discount (and then, of course, you need to pay your gas)

They will have the online fee calculator soon on their web site... but they are only Japanese.

Nexco East
http://www.e-nexco.co.jp/
Nexco Central
http://www.c-nexco.co.jp/
Nexco West
http://www.w-nexco.co.jp/

So unless you are an ALT who have the contract not to drive in Japan, it may be a good time to travel around Japan on the weekend with your friend... But I still recommend to get JR rail pass though.

---------
Since I know that there are soo many foreigners living in Japan who do not know about this... I will release this blog post to anyone under Creative Commons License.

If you can add the hyperlink and credit to my blog, that would be great... but not required... I just want to help as many people as possible for this.

How to Claim your 12,000 yen and Highway Holiday Discount by Katz Ueno

http://katz515.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-claim-your-12000-yen-and-highway.html is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.1 Japan License.
----------

Open Source SNS made in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:24:13 PST

I am currently working on translating a Japanese Open Source Social Networking engine called MyNETS.

This system was developed by volunteer group called Usagi Project.

And I am one of the developer team as well.

And I have done translating most of the mainframe except mobile mode.

Now I open the door to the public to test drive.

Please help me test the system, and see if I have any errors and/or Japanese left-over.

=================================================
About MyNETS
=================================================

MyNETS is a Japanese open source Social Networking engine run on Apache, PHP and MySQL environment.

If you know Mixi, which is the Japan's largest social networking site, MyNETS is the clone program of Mixi.

This is very simple and easy to use system.

And you can run this system on your own web hosting server which meets certain requirement.

If you can set up other CMS system like WordPress, you can probably install this.

Currently, we have some issues of internationalization, so this version is not available to the public at this moment..

------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Functions
------------------------------------------------------------

> Blogging
> Messaging
> Community Discussion (called Topic)
> Event Listing
> Calendar
> Product Reviews using Amazon

------------------------------------------------------------
Features
------------------------------------------------------------

> Embed Google Map to create a social map
> Twitter-like short messaging
> Supports Japanese mobile's picture icons
> Supports PC and mobile access (Japanese mobile only)
> Easy to embed YouTube video by copy and past the URL. (not those object tags)

------------------------------------------------------------
Ideal Users
------------------------------------------------------------

> People who shares the same common (like a hobby)
> Companies which want to use SNS as an inner-communication tool

=================================================
MyNETS Requirements
=================================================
Required
1. Apache 1.3 or 2.0
2. PHP 4.3, 5.0, 5.1 (SAPI is recommended)
3. MySQL 4.0, 4.1 or 5.0 or newer

PHP Extensions
a. GD Library and etc...

Optional
1. Cron Jobs (php) - to send daily updates and etc.
2. Catch-All email - for Japanese mobile's email posting

============================================
History of MyNETS
============================================

MyNETS was first released on April 2007 as the derivation of another Japanese Open Source SNS system called OpenPNE.

And it is developed by a volunteer group in Japan, and we called ourself "Usagi Project" (Project Rabbit)

------------------------------
Usagi Project web site - Japanese Only
--> http://usagi-project.org
------------------------------
Currently, the version is designed for Japanese internet users. And it needs a lot of database customization in order to use each country.

------------------------------
This English version was translated by deerstudio.
--> http://deerstudio.com
------------------------------

We are currently working on version 2.0 with CodeIgniter.

And we are planning 2.0 to be more internationally friendly version.

If you have any questions, please contact deerstudio.

------------------------------
Contact deerstudio
--> http://deerstudio.com/inc/contact-us.html
------------------------------

I want to see how many people are actually interested in this system.

============================================
The Progress of MyNETS Internationalization
============================================

Currently, I have only translated mainframe of the system.

There is an installer for this system, but we are not planning to translate them into English due to the following reasons.

>> Right now, localization is very complicated
>> We are currently working on ver 2.0 which will be released soon
>> Version 2.0 will be written in CodeIgniter which is very easy to compile internationalversion

We, deerstudio, needed to launch the English SNS site ASAP, and could not wait for the MyNETS 2.0 which is scheduled to be released in Feb 2009. All of our staff can read Japanese. And the system will be used in Japan.

So we didn't have to create the English installer, and the region setting is still fixed the use in Japan only (e.g., the address has no country code.)

Please try the test drive and let us know how many people are interested in using this system.

============================================
For More Information
============================================

If you would like to test drive this system, please contact me.

I have not yet translated mobile site version yet... so I don't want to publish...

"FREE" 12000 YEN to ALL Registered Foreigners in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:42:29 PST

-----------------------------
UPDATE (March 5, 2009)
How to Claim your 12,000 yen and Highway Holiday Discount
http://katz515.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-claim-your-12000-yen-and-highway.html
-----------------------------

From today's Mainichi Daily News and NHK 7pm News

ALL Registered Foreigners in Japan WILL be eligible to receive Teigaku-Kyufu-Kin（定額給付金） based on their status on Feb 1, 2009.

This is Japanese version of Economic Stimulus Rebate (in the US).

It sounds good to be true, but yes, the following people will receive 12,000 yen with no question as the part of Japanese government's economic stimulus plans.

The people who are eligible of receiving 12,000 yen are

All Japanese citizen who have registered address in Japan
All Permanent Residents who live in Japan
All Foreigners who hold valid Alien Registeration Card (外国人登録証)

So the people who are staying illegally or short-term are NOT eligible.

Also the following eligible people will receive additional 8,000 yen

The people who are 65 years old and older
The people who are 18 years and younger

The government is still debating how to distribute money. So they haven't made the decision how and when to distribute money yet. So I'll try to post the latest update once I find out. It's a usual slow Japanese government, but they are trying to move fast.

But this is what they decide.

----------
They will decide the eligibility
on Feb, 1, 2009
----------

The money will be sent to the address on the record on Feb 1, 2009
The person's age will be determined on Feb 1, 2009

For exmaple,

If you are 64 years old on Feb, 1, 2009, you won't receive additional 8,000 yen
If your birthday is Feb 1, 1990, you WILL NOT receive additional 8,000 yen
The babies who will be born on Feb 1, 2009 WILL BE eligible for 20,000 yen
The babies who will be born AFTER Feb 1, 2009 receive NO MONEY AT ALL.

So my understanding...

In order for the foreign aliens in Japan to receive 12,000 yen (or 20,000 yen)

You must have valid Alien Registration Card on Feb 1, 2009
The money will be sent to the address on the record on Feb 1, 2009

So if you don't really care about 12,000 yen, and then you don't really care..

Mainichi Daily News (Japanese)
http://mainichi.jp/select/seiji/news/20081221k0000m010020000c.html

---

CHRISTMAS SONG - JAMES TORMÉ (HD)

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:58:14 PST

I just finished editing this video.

HAPPY HOLIDAY TO EVERYONE

Watch this video in HD or Share it

James Tormé at Tangier, Los Angeles on Dec 17, 2007, James Tormé (Vo), Brandon Coleman (Keys), Gene Coye (Drums), and Carter Wallace (Bass)

Visit our YouTube Channel
http://youtube.com/tormeentertainment

Or visit http://jamestorme.com

JAMES TORME ::: New Year's Eve Show @ Harvelle's

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:22:51 PST

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE

This New Year's Eve, join James Tormé
and his award-winning Trio
for a night of jazz, blues and r&b
at the legendary Harvelle's in Santa Monica

Dance the night away to a scorching mix of jazz, blues and R&B!

Tickets are selling fast. Go to harvelles.com to puchase tickets now and guarantee your attendance to the coolest New Year's Party in Los Angeles.

Who: James Tormé (vox), Ryan Cross (bass), Brandon Coleman (keys), Gene Coye (drums) and special guests

What: Jazz, Blues, R&B New Year's Eve Bash

When: 9:30 pm, December 31st, 2008

Cost: $30 per ticket (includes champagne toast at midnight, party favors); $50 at the door if tickets remain

How: purchase tickets here at harvelles.com. To reserve a table email nye2009@harvelles.com

Where: Harvelle's, 1432 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-395-1676

* * * * *
www.jamestorme.com
www.myspace.com/jamestorme
# # # # #

Japanese Samurai Underwear "Kacchu Panstu"

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:10:35 PST

A Japanese Apparel, Rogin, announced Samurai-style underwear.

Rogin - English Blog

http://rogin.exblog.jp

Rogin - Company site in Japanese

http://www.rogin.co.jp/

Photo - Tokugawa Ieyasu Model - CNet Japan

http://japan.cnet.com/news/tech/story/0,2000056025,20383177-3,00.htm

Photo - Date Masamune Model - CNet Japan

http://japan.cnet.com/news/tech/story/0,2000056025,20383177-5,00.htm

Photo - The Armor that is based on Date Masamune Underwear

http://japan.cnet.com/news/tech/story/0,2000056025,20383177-6,00.htm

TV Tokyo's Business News program E Morning (*) had an interview of Shiro Nogi, the CEO of Rogin, Inc.

*Earlier post, I wrote "World Business Satellite" but I was wrong. I apologize for the mistake.

According to Mr. Nogi, he released this underwear for the men who are going to have some "fights" ahead, such as job interview or company presentation.... not really for the men who wants to get girls' heart.

The pricing of these underwear pants are ranging around 8,800 yen (approx US$80).

*Rogin, Inc. emailed me that they reduced the price to 8,800 yen

These underwear are made of medical bandage. So it will fit nice and smooth to your skin.

Each model has the armorial insignia (house symbol) of famous samurai families such as Tokugawa, Date, or Nobunaga families.

The designer Yuri Otomo went to a several museums to research the characteristics of each family's armor design, and took them into the texture of each design.

This may be expensive for the daily uses. But if this is for the "fight" to win some company bids or sales calls, maybe it's worth it?

This is a scam?

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:10:38 PST

These are some of emails that my clients received.

THESE ARE 100% SCAMS(Confirmed with other posts on 12/8/2008)

Scam / Spam emails from foreign registrars: YOUR DOMAIN NAME’S CURRENT SITUATION

They are kinda legit since they will register your domain name and trademark for you in China.

But I don't think they received the "application" and there is no laws that they have to ask for the approval to wait for the registration.

More likely, some user searched the domain name using their domain search engine, and the employee picked and choose those names and find out your company.

So this is kinda scam.... but I saw some of my clients' potential domains were already bought and became "for sale," so you actually have a risk that your domain name would be sold to somebody else....

So I think it's not really a 100% scam... I think.... what do you think?

But some of my clients could register ".com.cn" and ".cn" domains by themselves using their own registrant.

If you are planning to expand your business to China and received these emails, try to register your ".cn" domain by yourself using your own domain registrant. Most of the major US domain registrant services does offer the registration services for ".cn" domains ranging from US$25-35/year.

And if you are not able to register these .cn domain and .com.cn domains.... your desired domain name might have become one of those "for-sale" domains.

I actually had a courage to contact them for fun. Their pricing was about US$35-40 per year which is pretty much legit price as of winter 2008.

But when I searched on the web, I found that some people were asked to pay $160-200/year.

And if you ever contact them back, and those company may likely to purchase the domains right away, and you only have a choice to buy the domain from them... so be careful.

Well, let me know if you ever tried.

I think this is scam, but in a way, everybody does this anyway regardless you are Chinese or not....

So it's not 100% scam in a way... I think...

Here are the sample emails that my clients received.

------------------------
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 8:45 PM
To: info
Subject: Company registration notice

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are Hong Kong Network service Company Limited, a domain name registration center in Asia.

Yesterday we received an application from another company for the domain names “**********” , but later we found your company is their original owner and this may involve your company name or trademark and this may cause confusion between your products and others’ , and bring about negative effect on your company.Therefore we decided to inform you of this and check out your attitude toward this matter. We would appreciate if you can spare some precious time to settle this issue.

Thank you for your cooperation and looking forwards to your early reply.

Best Regards,
***** *****

Hong Kong Network Service Company Limited
Address: 19/F., First Block, New World Bldg.,
No.18 Quen Middle Road,
Zhonghuan,
Hong Kong
Tel: +852-31757931 (ext****)
Fax: +852- 31757932
Email: ****@hk-nsc.org
website: www.hknsc.hk

----------------

August 11, 2008
************* Domain name & Internet keyword

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are Hong Kong Network Service Company Limited which is the domain name register center in Asia. We received a formal application from a company who is applying to register “**********” as their domain name and Internet keyword on August 4, 2008.Since after our investigation we found that this word has been in use by your company, and this may involve your company name or trade mark, so we inform you in no time. If you consider these domain names and internet keyword are important to you and it is necessary to protect them by registering them first, contact us soon. Thanks for your co-operation and support.
Kind Regards,

****** *****

Tel: +852-31757930-8026
Fax: +852-31757932
Email: *****@domain-register.hk
Hong Kong Network Service Company Limited
website: www.hknsc.hk

----
Subject: About your domain name and trademark and internet brand
From: *****@cn-domains.org.cn
Date: August 10, 2008 11:57:28 PM PDT

Dear manager:

We are Century Net Group Stocks Limited in China, which is a domain registration agent authorised by Chinese Industrial and Commercial Department.We professionally engage in chinese and international domain names registration as well as trademark registration service.We also offer English and Chinese web design.

we received an application from a chinese company asking to register "*********" as their internet keyword and domain name and trademark.However,We find that it will conflict with your trademark via our confirmation.It is our duty to inform you of this issue according to the regulations of CNNIC.

You are the owner of this trademark,so you have the preferential right to register and protect it by yourself.Of course,if you do not have any disagreement on this issue or you intend to give up the registration,any individual has the right to register those domains and internet keyword,which is legal.Then we will take the formal registration for that applicant.If you oppose other company to register your trademark and domains and internet keyword,even you want to protect your trademark completely,please contact us asap.We will protect your domains firstly.

Looking forward to your reply.
sincerely yours,

*****
Registration Dept
Century Net Group Stock Limited
E-mail:*****@cn-domains.org.cn
Website:www.cn-domains.org.cn
Tel:+(0086) 755 28581848、28243058
Fax:+(0086) 755 28243958

Another Funny Sign in Japan - Nob Beauty Clinic

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:00:09 PST

You know... Internet is very popular in Japan.

Almost all Japanese people are accessing to Internet via their cell phones over 10 years.

I went to Osaka earlier this month to attend Open Source Forum.

On the way to the forum, waiting for subway, I spotted this sign.

Pay close attention to their contact information.

I had to google about 10 minutes trying to find the actual web site of this clinic.

I'm not going to disclose the actual URL of this web site. Try finding one!

Airbag made for human

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:34:50 PDT

From TV Tokoy's World Business Satellite News, a Japanese safety and medical company developed a airbag for human.

(The images were taken from company's web site - 画像は会社ホームページより)

Safety Life Jacket "Itsumo (Always)" (product page in Japanese)
http://www.prop-g.co.jp/product_itsumo.html

The device was co-developed by Prop, Chiba University and Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology, and sold by Prop, KK.

They designed this device for the elderly or the people who works on high places.

The device is equipped with acceleration sensor and angular velocity sensor which is similar to iPhone. If those sensor detects the fall, the it ignites the airbag on your back, and absorb the shock

Only the downside is... it doesn't look good. And it's expensive.

It costs 138,000 yen (approx. US$1300) to buy, and it'll cost 40,000 yen (approx US$380) to exchange the airbag if used.

Yeah, it's very expensive.... but good idea though.

The company plans to sell this device in the US market.

----

Wasabi Silent Fire Alarm developed by a Japanese Venture

noreply@blogger.com (Katz Ueno) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:33:25 PDT

BBC, Nikkei Business Daily and "Gaiya no Yoake" (TV Tokyo's Business TV Program) reported the invention of a wasabi fire alarm for deaf people.

This device is developed by Seems, Inc., a Japanese venture.

Seems, Inc
http://www.seems-inc.com/en/index.html

The CEO, Naoki Urushibata, began this scent business because of his older sister's unfortunate death of cancer.

He realized that his sister's body odor started changing as her disease progressed.

So he started his company, Seems, Inc., hoping that the technology could discover the cancer in the early stage by diagnosing the "cancer smell" of a patient.

Now, Seems, Inc. developed the new technology, a Wasabi Fire alarm.

The device blast out the strong smell of Wasabi to waken the deaf people in case of fire.

TV Tokyo's "Gaiya no yoake" (Sunrise of Gaia) broadcasted the interview of a deaf person who was refused to book a hotel. The hotel was afraid of failing to notify the deaf quickly in case of fire.

According to the one test, the deaf person was able to wake up within 20 seconds after the wasabi scent blasting out from the device.

Seems, Inc. is hoping to sell this devices to hotels, other commercial building and eventually to houses.

Wasabi Silent Fire Alarm Alerts the Deaf with the Power of Scent - InvestorSpot
http://inventorspot.com/articles/wasabi_silent_fire_alarm_alerts__11514
The video from BBC coverage is available from the link above