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J A P A N O R A M A

Ahh, Japan... land of the rising sun, rising sin, and rice with nearly every meal. In Japan everything is possible and possibly everything is available - often with a unique and unexpected twist. Vending machines dispensing whisky, frozen meat, live rhinoceros beetles or schoolgirl panties? Where else but in Japan, where urban legends live and die on streets that have no names.

As the Japanese Innovations Writer for InventorSpot.com and an unabashed Japanophile, I take great joy in channeling the relentless tsunami of on-the-edge Japanese ideas and products, each wondrous one revisiting and reinventing 1950s Japanese Transistor Radio Syndrome for the post-atomic age!


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Maid Cafe Code of Conduct Chastises Creepy Clients


Ten Commandments for Maid Cafe Customers

Maid Cafe's rule... or in this case, Maid Cafe Rules. Since these chic centers of Japanese otaku (geek) culture began popping up around Tokyo's nerd nirvana of Akihabara, some customers have taken the "maid" concept a little too seriously. These "Ten Commandments" spell out just what Thou Shalt Not do!

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Halloween in Japan - Eight Crazy Frights


Halloween in Japan - Eight Crazy Frights

Halloween has only recently been embraced by people in Japan but celebrate it they do, wholeheartedly. What's more, fun-loving Japanese have taken the pumpkin and are running with it. Here are eight eerie examples.

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Eye Say, False Eyelashes or Feather Dusters?


Apt Pupils - Ultra Long Lashes Flip the Lid on Fashion

Eye, matey! In the olden days, "40 lashes!" was a punishment. Now it's a fashion, but don't blink or you'll miss it. Or more likely, hurt yourself.

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Mighty Wallet™ - Put Your Money Where Your Art Is


Mighty Wallet™ - Put Your Money Where Your Art Is

Tough economic times are hitting consumers where it hurts - in their wallets. MOMAstore Japan and artist Terrence Kelleman have the cure for your fiscal pain: the Art Lover Wallet.

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Japan's Robotic Unicyclist... Yes, Wheelie


Robot Schoolgirl Rides A Unicycle

Japan is widely heralded as being in the forefront of robotic technology, and this new, self-balancing schoolgirl robot is just the latest example. "Seiko-chan" was designed to ride a unicycle because, well, we're not quite sure but we do know it's cool!

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'Tamagotchi Plus Color' Updates the Original Digital Pocket Pet


'Tamagotchi Plus Color' Updates the Original Digital Pocket Pet

Tamagotchi, the digital pet that became a Nineties icon, is making a colorful comeback! Hoping to repeat the phenomenal success of its digital pet, Bandai has added an LCD color screen and upped the digital content to match.

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Virtual Breasts, Coming to Your iPhone


Virtual Breasts, Coming to Your iPhone

Geeks everywhere are celebrating - salivating, even - with the thought of playing with virtual breasts on their iPhone touchscreens.

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Mama Bear in Menopause Animates The Change


Mama Bear in Menopause Animates The Change

Menopause - a delicate issue for many, especially in Japan. In an effort to "humanize" women and The Change, doctor and manga writer Emi Chida has produced a curious comic featuring a menopausal mama mama bear.

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Blood Drip Phone Strap Charm Displays Your Scarlet Letter


Blood Drip Phone Strap Charm Displays Your Scarlet Letter

Wear your heart on your sleeve, or just clip a Blood Drip Phone Strap to your cellphone and shout to the world "I'm your type!"

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Hello Kitty Roomba Robot Sucks Up Dirt, Money


Robot Roomba Vacuum Now in Hello Kitty Motif

Japan's relentless drive to merge terminal cuteness with ultimate technology has taken a turn for the worse, as illustrated (emphasis on "ill") by the Hello Kitty branded Roomba robot vacuum.

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