Experiment Confirms Transparent Swimsuit Concern

Swimsuits that can be “Photoshopped” see-through may distract Japanese Olympic swimmers at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

The Shukan Post quotes a spokesperson for the Japan Swimming Federation. The spokesperson says that following the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, official swimsuit manufacturers were asked by the JSF to “ensure their products would not become see-through when filmed in infra-red.”

Asics, Descente, and Mizuno are the official suppliers to Japan’s swim team. Speedo’s high tech LZR bodysuit, which the team may be allowed to wear, is also susceptible to digital manipulation.

Descente developer Toshiharu Tsubouchi told The Shukan Post the Descente swimsuit utilizes polyurethane for adhesiveness, and adds “depending on the way light shines on it, the color can brown a bit. That may make it look a little bit transparent.” He points out a tight fit is essential for athletes, thus some body parts will bulge out more than others.
Shukan Post Via Daily Mainichi: Faustian swimsuit gives Japanese swimmers the edge while revealing the points
more:
Japanese denied ‘high-tech doping’ Speedos
Japanese swimmers could do U-turn on bodysuits

Prisons Plan for Geriatric Perpetrators

Age: 80Gender:M Crime: punched, hurled souvenirs and sandwiches at shinkansen conductor

Age: 65Gender:M Crime: attacked son with hammer then accidentally stabbed himself and died

Age: 87Gender:M Crime: strangled 82-year-old bed-ridden wife

Age: 67Gender:F Crime: stabbed her 76-year-old husband in murder attempt

Age: 69Gender:M Crime: murdered, buried 74-year-old woman

LetsJapan has been tracking this trend. Now The Sydney Morning Herald reports on Japan’s “neo-geriatric” crime wave and prison preparations, and offers some theories about why senior citizens are trading their little houses for time in the big house.

related stories:
As Japan Ages, Prisons Adapt to Going Gray (New York Times); Japan’s Ageing Society (BBC) Tokyo Greying (Reuters) Slideshow - Japan’s Aging Prisoners, elderly inside prison in Japan (New York Times)
Illustration from graphic novel “Doing Time” by Kazuichi Hanawa

Bathing Gapers Sneak Peeks

Mixed bathing at a 320-year-old hot spring is being jeopardized by naked male bathers who stare at the nude females in the onsen. The 260-square-meter bath area at the Sukayu Hot Spring Resort does not have a wall to separate the men’s and women’s sections.

Due to recent complaints from female bathers, members of the newly-formed Protect Mixed Bathing Association are encouraging visitors to follow the “no staring” rule.
news source

photos: No Staring; Men’s and Women’s sides ; Mainichi; Sukayu Mixed Bath

More reading: Sukayu Onsen Ryokan ; Onsen guide ; more Sukayu photos; How To Onsen

From stylish Omote Sando in Tokyo, to the far rural areas of Japan, “Watch for Molesters” signs are a common sight.

(above: The chikan sign in Omote Sando: “Chikan attention. Immediately call 110”)

[“Watch for Chikan” gallery ][“Watch for Chikan” homemade][Osaka police “Stop Chikan”]

Aichi Police - How to Avoid or Catch Chikan in 10 Easy Steps

Miyagi Police Catch a Molester poster.

Kanagawa Police

Kanagawa penalties: Molestation: 6 months prison or a fine of up to 500,000 yen; voyeurism, spy photos, 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 1 million yen.

Hidden microphones and cameras are increasingly being used for corporate spying in Japan.

The Daily Yomiuri reports competition has lead to increased snooping.

And many Japanese companies are not sufficiently protected.

So who ya gonna call?

Well information leak control officers at the Tokyo-based, non-profit, Japan Information Leak Control Management (JILCoM) will check for hidden devices.

Bugging devices can be bought for 30,000 yen to 80,000 yen in Akihabara, Tokyo, or Nipponbashi, Osaka.

Other companies that offer bug inspections: NEC Facilities, Ltd. in Tokyo and NTT-Neomeit in Osaka.

Nippon Express Company’s moving services division began offering bug sweeps in January 2008, because many firms have their new offices inspected when they relocate.

Images: Top, Perfect Security ; bottom, Wireless Tsukamoto

Deliveryman Plucks Panties from Packages

Osaka - A Sagawa Express driver admitted to stealing womens underwear from five parcels he delivered. The 30-year-old man has been fired and faces charges. SOURCE

Taxman Takes Pair of Panties

Hamamatsu - A tax collector from the Hamamatsu Municipal Government delivered a tax past-due notice to a woman at her home and stole a pair of her panties while there. The man, 62, admits he took the undies. He faces robbery charges. Police suspect the man may have committed further crimes and are continuing to investigate him. SOURCE

Policeman Pockets Panties

Tachikawa - A 27-year-old sergeant and member of the Tokyo police riot squad was arrested for stealing a young womans panties.

Police say he climbed onto a first-floor apartment veranda, opened a window, and sneaked into the womans apartment. Dozens of women’s undies were found scattered around on the ground outside the apartment. SOURCE

Teacher Nicks Former Student’s Knickers

Osaka - A teacher at a prestigious private school in Osaka was arrested for stealing four pairs of a former students panties from the womans home.The teacher reached into the open window of the 20-year-old’s home and grabbed the lingerie from a hanger. A neighbor chased and caught him, and held the teacher until the police arrived.The teacher, 52, admits he stole the intimates. He said he’d taught the woman when she was younger, and when he found himself in the area of his former pupils home, he suddenly felt a longing for her, which made him take the undergarments. SOURCE

What makes panties so appealing to Japanese men?MODEL