A traditional symbol that resembles a swastika which is used to indicate Buddhist temples on maps for foreign tourists in Japan will be replaced. The Japanese map symbol is called "manji" and originates from an ancient Sanskrit symbol that has been associated with Japanese Buddhism for centuries. The manji symbol looks very similar to the Nazi swastika symbol that was used by Adolf Hitler to represent the Nazis in Germany from 1920, through WWII and the early 1940s.

In order to avoid confusion about the meaning of the map swastikas, the symbols will be replaced with a three-storied pagoda icon on maps for tourists. The manji icon on Japanese maps will not be changed.

Results of an international study by Japan’s Geospatial Information Authority prompted the agency to revise some symbols on tourist maps in Japan.

news source: Examiner (pdf) photos: Iwate; Koenji; Yokohama; Miyagi

Japan Geospatial Information Authority (Japanese)  (English translation)

A provocative poster promoting a local shopping incentive campaign by the Minokamo City Tourist Association has been recalled due to public outcry.

The poster features a manga illustration of a woman with an exaggerated bust size. The character is from a popular anime TV program which is being used in a tie-in with the city’s "stamp rally" point card campaign. A stamp rally is a promotional effort in which users receive a blank booklet and have the booklet stamped when they make a purchase at participating retailers. When the booklet is full of stamps, the customer receives a free gift or a discount on goods from a specific retailer, a group of participating merchants, or the organization sponsoring the campaign. Stamp rallies are also used for short term offers such as during local festivals or local events.

The Minokamo City poster features a buxom female character from "Nourin", an anime TV series based on a 2014 novel for young adults about an agricultural high school. The story focuses on a fictitious school that is based on an unnamed actual school in Minokamo. Several female characters from the animated program are used in the stamp rally.

The controversial poster was distributed in late November to 21 Minokamo City shops and the local train station. On November 29, the poster at the station was removed due to complaints.

Minokamo is located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.

Other stamp rally posters for communities and tourism campaigns in Japan

 Railway police in a Tokyo suburb are handing out free stickers that use red ink to identify molesters caught on trains.

The "Molester Deterence Seal" (in Japanese "Chikan Seal") is a 2-ply peel-off sticker intended to be put on smartphones. The 1.5 centimeter diameter sticker is applied to the back of a smartphone. The outer image layer warns perverts "Don’t Touch Me." Police suggest that the warning be flashed first at molesters. If the molester continues, the victim can flip the phone over, peel off the top layer of the sticker with a fingernail to reveal a red-inked "X", and stamp the pervert’s hand, leaving an indelible red X on the top of the hand of the suspected perp.

According to police, many girls and women who have been touched inappropriately on trains refrain from shouting or otherwise identifying the culprit.

The free anti-molester mobile phone sticker-stampers can be obtained upon request at Saitama Prefecture police offices in train stations. Distribution began in January. Saitama Prefecture police also distribute the sticker and other anti-molester educational materials in junior high schools.

Police say the red X on a suspect’s hand, along with security camera footage and witnesses can help identify molesters.

Similar "unofficial" chikan-stop-groper stickers are also being sold online. One 3-piece "Molester Repel Seal "sticker pack" has the words "Don’t touch me" in English and Japanese printed around a manga-style female face. Another unofficial anti-pervert sticker set features a cute cat and a "no symbol" over a molester’s hand.

photos: osaka police; Aichi police; Hyogo police; Miyagi police; Kanagawa police; Chiba police; Tokyo police; Tokyo police; Tokyo police; Tokushima police; Fukuoka police

Ikasumi squid ink colors lots of foods long time in Japan

A McDonald’s double cheeseburger that has black buns, and is topped with fried onions, yellow chipotle sauce and yellow cheddar cheese will go on sale at all McDonald’s Japan stores October 8. The special "Ikasumi Burger", colored black with squid ink, is available now at 3 McDonald’s outlets in Tokyo. The contrasting yellow ingredients on a black bun is intended to be a Halloween color scheme.

McDonald’s is also offering its Chicken Fileo on a white bun topped with Camembert sauce.

Mcdonald’s advertising suggests the white burger is a ghost and the black burger represents a black cat or a witch. Both items sell for JPY 370.

Burger King in Japan began selling an all-black "Kuro burger" in early September. The Kuro Diamond Whopper sells for JPY 690, and the Kuro Pearl for JPY 480.

A variety of ika sumi foods can be found at some stores, restaurants and bakeries in Japan. Many recipes for ink-inspired foods are available online.

Ika sumi boom in 2004

During the 2004 ika sumi fad, foods dyed with squid ink included ramen, rice, pasta, yaki soba noodles, sausage, gyoza chinese dumplings, octopus balls, jumbo garlic bread, donuts, gelato, bagels, curry bread, salsa, steamed Chinese buns, cheese, soup, cake, cookies, ice cream, potato chips, salt and pretzels.

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