Sunday, October 31, 2010

Asia's best male stars in one commercial.



Rain, (the late) Park Yong Ha, JYJ(TVXQ), BIG BANG, Ji Seong, Kang Ji Hwan, Song Seung Heon.


THE MAKING SERIES:

"Rain"


"JYJ (TVXQ)"


"Big Bang"


"Ji Sung"


"Park Yong Ha"

Green tea found having little breast cancer prevention effect

Heavy intake of green tea was found to have little effect in reducing the risk of contracting breast cancer, contrary to common belief, according to a report released Thursday by the National Cancer Center.

As there was little difference in terms of the degree of risk between those who drink little green tea and those who drink more than 10 cups a day, "we cannot expect breast cancer prevention effect from the intake of green tea," said Motoki Iwasaki, section head of the Epidemiology and Prevention Division at the center.

Although animal tests have shown that catechin and other polyphenols contained in green tea are possibly effective in preventing breast cancer, epidemiology studies on human beings have produced varying results, according to the center.

The center had conducted tracking research since 1990 and 1993 over an average span of 14 years targeting some 54,000 women aged 40 to 69 in nine prefectures. Among them, 581 women developed breast cancer during the period.

In comparing the survey results, the center divided the women into six groups in terms of how often they drank green tea -- from less than one cup a week to more than five cups a day.

The findings showed no clear correlation between the frequency of drinking green tea and breast cancer development, the report said.

Of the 54,000 women, the center performed detailed analysis on about 44,000 over a period of some 10 years by subdividing frequent drinkers.

Even among those who habitually take green tea, including those who drink seven-nine cups or more than 10 cups a day, there was no correlation, the report showed.

The difference in the quality of the leaf, such as medium-grade and coarse-grade, did not affect the risk of developing cancer either, according to the report.

source: japan_now

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Sony Walkman Declared Dead in Japan


After 31 years and over 200 million units sold, Sony is officially putting the cassette model Walkman out to pasture. Introduced in 1979, the portable tape player defined the following 10-plus years of mobile music playback. It was even a leader in the era of optical media, with its Walkman line of portable CD players eventually known as Discman. But in the era of the iPod, the brand name has diminished in value. Radios and digital media players still go by the name Walkman, but the moniker has always referred to the tape-playing model in the collective mind. And as Sony announced that it shipped its last batch of tape-playing Walkmen back in April, we couldn't help shed a tear for the ubiquitous '80s gadget.

You'll still be able to find cassette-playing Walkmen if you happen to live in Asia or the Middle-East. Sony has licensed the name to a number of Chinese manufacturers who will continue to produce the portable tape players. But if you're hoping to get your hands on an authentic Sony Walkman manufactured in Japan, you'll have to settle for an MP3 player.

source: SWITCHED; japan_now

Sony Walkman Declared Dead in Japan


After 31 years and over 200 million units sold, Sony is officially putting the cassette model Walkman out to pasture. Introduced in 1979, the portable tape player defined the following 10-plus years of mobile music playback. It was even a leader in the era of optical media, with its Walkman line of portable CD players eventually known as Discman. But in the era of the iPod, the brand name has diminished in value. Radios and digital media players still go by the name Walkman, but the moniker has always referred to the tape-playing model in the collective mind. And as Sony announced that it shipped its last batch of tape-playing Walkmen back in April, we couldn't help shed a tear for the ubiquitous '80s gadget.

You'll still be able to find cassette-playing Walkmen if you happen to live in Asia or the Middle-East. Sony has licensed the name to a number of Chinese manufacturers who will continue to produce the portable tape players. But if you're hoping to get your hands on an authentic Sony Walkman manufactured in Japan, you'll have to settle for an MP3 player.

source: SWITCHED; japan_now

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Hayao Miyazaki Art Adorns Tokyo Bike License Plates


Mitaka City uses Poki mascot drawn by Ghibli founder on minibike plates this month
Mitaka, a city in western Tokyo, began accepting applications this month for minibike license plates decorated with Poki — the city's mascot character which happens to be drawn by Studio Ghibli co-founder and award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. The plates mark the 60th anniversary of the city that is the home of the Ghibli Museum.

The license plates are available for minibikes and motorized bicycles with engine displacement of 50cc or less. Applicants do not have to live in Mitaka, as long as they use the parking areas in the city.

Miyazaki unveiled the falcon baby character in October of 2001 to mark the opening of the Ghibli Museum. A four-year-old child named the character in a contest.

The public broadcaster NHK posted a video report about the plates. Another Tokyo-area city, Chofu, is already using Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitarō character for its plates.

Miyazaki's newest work, an anime short called "Pan-dane to Tamago-hime" (Yeast and Princess Egg), will begin playing at the Ghibli Museum's Saturn Theater on November 20.

source: ANIME NEWS NETWORK

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Korea Tourism Organization thinking out of the box!

Indonesia Tourism Board/Dept., please check it out! See how other countries understand how to leverage various national assets? What used to work in the past may not be the right solution for today. The world, the country, the people..all have changed, therefore, the way to communicate, the medium we use, the focus, even the strategic alliances must change along with it too. Work together with partners, professionals that can provide the right solutions not the ones that gives the right kick backs! The budget allocated may be small, but if we maximize every single penny and be creative in the way we spend it, the result will definitely be positive.


Please visit the website: http://www.haru2010.com/