Are tanuki cute? たぬきはかわいいですか？

The Prime Minister sends his New Year's greetings on YouTube.
Do you find him cute? Polls indicate that he resembles a tanuki, a creature often called a 'raccoon-dog.'

あけましておめでと〜！

In 2008, expect to see more chocolate, and more cute.
After all, Japan is famous for cute, and the choco's good too.

According to this advert, drinking Lipton tea outdoors is also cute.
Who knew?

anyway....Happy New Year!

Gender stuff! 男女のいろいろ

This morning's Asahi news flash is that 40% of married couples polled speak to each other 30 minutes or less a day. Hmmmm....anyone see a connection here to the ongoing decrease in childbearing rates? Taken in light of the ongoing depopulation of Japan and its projected effects as well as the problems involved in getting children of international marriages recognized as legal family members, one wonders what the future may hold.

This article seems to suggest that for younger Japanese couples, bodily aesthetics are changing. Girls are getting more muscular and guys are going for "cute." Comments?

Are those Dars upon thars? More chocolate!

WEll, I've bitten my tongue all week regarding the ever more depressing news, so here's a more cheerful issue I've had in mind that's gotten picked up on another site! In short, Dars chocolate melts at 22˚C (that's 71.6˚F, as you probably knew already) and the temperature sensing dot and comparative graph ensure that those fine folks at Morinaga can do their best to help you get the ultimate chocolate experience.
By the way, the name ダース 'Dars' is the Japanese word for "dozen." Yep, a dozen pieces of choco in every box for about ¥100.

new wine gets even newer? Beaujolais Rosé

Yep, it's the third Thursday in November, which means Beaujolais Nouveau is on sale. The Japanese are the first to uncork it, which suits the urge to eat the first of whatever's in season (shun o taberu 旬を食べる). The latest wrinkle in this grape is the rosé variety. Note also in the photo that the crafty negotiant Georges DuBoeuf has also released a white Macon Villages Nouveau.....when will it end?

Earthrise in HDTV

The Japanese public broadcasting service, NHK, has got high definition footage of the earth apparently rising over the moon thanks to the Kaguya lunar explorer launched last month. Pictures are here.

The three-day monk?? 三日坊主??

Whenever one resolves to do something
(*´▽｀*)
and then quits soon after,
＿|￣|○
they earn the name 三日坊主 mikka boozu 'three-day monk'
as if one entered the monastery
(*°∀°)=3
and then couldn't endure it. That's not why I haven't posted the last few days
m(__)m
it was just a 'three-day weekend' that went on a bit
(^^;)
Check here or here for more
（　´∀｀）