Made (Better) in Japan ( Forked, Alan Richman, GQ, March 2008)

Also a Newsweek International Special report, The New Food Capital Of The World.

This article mentions the fascination with food on TV in Japan, and the 2007 edition of the Michelin Guide, which “gave a total of 191 stars to Tokyo, leaving Paris a distant second with 97 and New York third with 54″.

Now I understand why there’s often a line outside the local 6-seat ramen counter. [ 2008 Michelin Guide (Japanese) ]

Will Chisato Kon, from Aomori-shi, be the next worldwide Voice of McDonald’s?

More than 3,600 McDonald’s crew and managers from 53 countries entered the Voice of McDonald’s II singing contest. The deadline was in Sept 2007.

The first prize winner receives a $25,000 prize, but no recording contract.

The finals will be held at McDonald’s Worldwide Convention in Orlando, FL, April 14-17, 2008.

McDonald’s Singing Contest for Restaurant Crew and Managers

Chisato Kon profile

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

Disposable deodorizing high-absorbent polymer “pet toilet sheets”.

A friend’s who’s family is often too busy to walk the dog told me about this time-saving product. Convenience is emphasized in the marketing.The few similar items found online outside Japan are marketed with emphasis as a training aid, to eventually have the dog relieve itself outdoors.



(left, center: training pads U.S., UK; right: Polymer mesh )

• Rakuten Pet sheets
• Rakuten Pet Sheets Details
• Fresh n Clean
• Simple Solution Training Pads

ABC Cooking Studio is offering two desserts created from ABC recipes, at Seven Eleven stores in Japan.

The fresh ?Creme Earl Grey? and ?Grapefruit Yogurt Mousse? packages include QR codes to access the product recipe online using a cell phone. (Once you have the URL, you can also view the web page on your PC.)

Earl Gray; Grapefruit Yogurt

ABC Cooking Studio lessons in English
ABC Cooking Studio (Japanese)

Seven Eleven in Japan has also been offering cook-at-home meals.

Order a fresh meal online, pick it up at a Seven Eleven outlet, and cook the food at your home. Lots of sets to choose from, including two ?original recipe? dishes from ABC Cooking Studio.

If NHK reported your daily life. When a taxi driver is mugged, a person sleeps through a burglary, or a screw falls off an aircraft’s landing gear door, NHK’s charts, graphs, arrows, experts and computer generated images will show you exactly how it happened.?