Sephora Cosmetics Launches U.S. Hello Kitty Line

In an e-mail newsletter, cosmetics retail chain Sephora announced that it is launching an exclusive Hello Kitty line of products this month. The line includes cosmetics in branded Hello Kitty-shaped cases, perfume in a Hello Kitty bottles, and various accessories, including a scented necklace. Prices range from US$5 for nail art stickers to US$55 for the Hello Kitty fragrance. Sephora website customers can also receive a free sample of the fragrance in a corresponding Hello Kitty bottle if they have earned 100 reward points (by spending US$100 or more at the site).

The Hello Kitty character is famous for being attached to all manner of products. Last year, a Hello Kitty Italian motor oil was announced, as well as a joint birthday event with Space Battleship Yamato; the two were created in the same year (1974). In 2009, a Yoshiki-branded Hello Kitty named "Yoshikitty" was announced. In 2007 the BBC reported that police officers who had committed small infractions in Thailand could be made to wear a Hello Kitty armband as punishment.

source: ANIME NEWS NETWORK

Japan x Twitter = A Bear that Tweets Out Loud

Last year marked a breakthrough for Twitter in Japan. The microblogging service rapidly expanded from near obscurity to near ubiquity, creating a phenomenon that fascinated local media and critics.

Last summer during soccer’s World Cup, for example, the Japanese set a global record at the time of 3,283 tweets per second for the most-ever chirps per second; and Japan broke its own record just after midnight on New Year’s Eve with all the “happy new year” tweets.

Now that the Japanese have embraced Twitter, it’s time for the Twitter culture to start adding more of the local flavor in the home of Hello Kitty and Pokemon. And so it was that, addressing Japan’s well-known obsession with cute characters, Tokyo-based toy maker WiZ Co. late last year released a new product: A four-inch tall bear that reads out aloud every tweet that comes into your Twitter account.

The “Charatter,” as it’s known, is Japan’s first tweet-reading character toy. It received an unusually large number of pre-orders online, and has been enjoying brisk sales since its Nov. 30 launch, says a WiZ spokeswoman, though the company doesn’t disclose sales numbers.

How does it work? Users first download a special Charatter application either via iPhone or PC. This free software developed by WiZ translates the tweets into sound and sends it to a speaker inside the bear toy, which then reproduces the message out loud in a robotic voice. Not cute enough? How about this — its little lips actually move in sync with the sound.

Officially, WiZ says that the bear is designed to read out tweets in Japanese, but in its own rigorous newsroom tests, Japan Real Time tried the toy out and found that it actually reads tweets in English too. Though it does sometimes miss some words and pronounces English with an unmistakably Japanese accent – which perhaps even enhances the “cute” factor.

One word of caution: There’s no button on the bear itself to change the volume of its voice (though users can do so via the iPhone or PC), so be careful if the friends you follow frequently tweet about embarrassing subjects.

WiZ says the idea for some kind of talking toy came about after the number of Twitter users began to increase sharply in Japan last spring. Several ideas came and went during the development stage, including a tweet-reading bird, an obvious association from the Twitter logo. “In terms of cuteness, everyone agreed that the bear was the best,” said the WiZ spokeswoman.

And as you might have already guessed, the tweet-reading bear has its own Twitter account. The account picks up many comments from Charatter fans: “It’s so cute I don’t know what to do with it,” reads a tweet by one of the fans. Some fans tweet photos of their pet cats sitting side by side with the toy bear.

And now to the cold, hard cash part of the equation: The suggested retail price for the Charatter is 2,200 yen (about $27), but it can sometimes be found at lower prices at consumer electronics retailers and other stores in Japan. WiZ currently has no concrete plans to sell it outside Japan, although the company would be interested in opportunities to take it overseas, the spokeswoman says.

follow the bear thing on twitter: http://twitter.com/charatter_PR


source: wall street journal, youtube

"Virtual fishing to get reel in Japan"

Good news for busy, urban anglers: Japanese toymaker Tomy will release an augmented reality fishing rod allowing users to feel a bite and reel in a heavy fish regardless of their location.

"Virtual Masters Real" -- a palm-sized rod with an antenna-like tip equipped with a reeling handle and small screen -- will go on sale in Japan in July for 6,279 yen ($76), Tomy said on Tuesday.

The rod's camera uses special technology to augment any location shown on the screen with "fishing opportunities", potentially giving offices, streets and shopping malls the refined air of a relaxing day by the lakeside.

Or, depending on the size of the fish, users could find themselves haunted by a virtual obsession to rival Captain Ahab's pursuit of Moby Dick.

A whirring sound accompanies the simulated casting of the line, as well as a satisfying "plunk" when the sinker hits the water, the company said.

The harder the user casts out, the further the line flies on the screen. A bite on the line is conveyed by a vibrating reel with the "weight" on the line changing in accordance with the size of the fish, it said.

If the fish is successfully hooked, the reel will shake as users work to reel in the virtual beast. The line will go limp if the fish is allowed to escape.

Tomy has set a sales target of 300,000 units for the first year of sales as it looks to cash in on the rising popularity of outdoor leisure activities, including fishing, in Japan, the company said.

source: Google; japan_now

Kim Junsu for Naver Happy Bean

Singer and musical actor Kim Junsu, who is currently participating in the musical “Tears of Heaven” where he would be embroiled in a love fate relationship with a girl, has recently partaken in a charity drive event for the African children.

Kim Junsu has been active as a member (Xiah Junsu) of the group TVXQ that is under the company SM Entertainment and is currently involved in another group JYJ.

According to a staff on the 19th of January 2011, Kim Junsu has helped Jirani Choir from Kenya, Africa.

Jirani Choir was set up for the children from the only music school (Jirani Arts School) in Goreugochyo village that is located in Kenya, Africa. Goreugochyo village has been labeled as a ‘garbage village’ where a daily meal cannot even be guaranteed for the villagers.

Kim Junsu expressed his thoughts, “I gained energy from songs and music”, ” ‘Jirani Choir’ is the only place where the African children can learn about music in such a tough situation. The children in there will be able to seek hope and gain happiness, thus I would want to help them even if it’s insignificant amount.” He also shown his concerns, “I hoped they will become someone who is able to bring happiness and hope to everyone through music in the future.”



Anyone can join Kim Junsu in helping the Jirani Choir by donating your own Happybean though Kim Junsu’s link (http://happybean.nav...yEnergyView.nhn) Each donation of a Happybean equates to 100 won, which will then be given to Jirani Choir.

The staff from the musical will be giving out “Tears of Heaven” tickets through a lucky draw to the netizens who donated their Happybean. Netizens who joined the donation drive will also be receiving the most anticipated special chance of 2011.

Not only actor Kim Junsu, the production team of “Tears of Heaven” also participated in this donation drive event.

The production team has been revealing through a blog about the production process of the musical and behind-the-scenes stories. Production staff said, “This is for netizens who has never seen a musical before, to have a chance to get in touch with a musical and to also provide a chance for those who would like to work in the musical field.”
Additionally it will be holding an audition for those who has the ambition to become a musical actor.

The donation that will be collected through the musical will be used to build classrooms for children in Vietnam.

“Tears of Heaven” is a musical that shows the benevolent love of a man who overcame his destiny and is a work consisting of top participants from both Korea and overseas.

This touching stage will be created by world renowned composer Frank Wildhorn (whose works include “Jerkyll n Hyde”) as the music producer and includes the performers Kim Junsu, Brad Little (who acted as Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera”), Yoon Gong Ju, Jung Sang Yoon, Lee Haeri and others.

Musical “Tears of Heaven” will premiere on the 1st of February 2011 at the National Theatre.

McDonald's Japan: Big America 2 campaign

In slender Japan, chain dishes out burgers piled high with tortilla chips, hash browns.

Even as its U.S. parent bows to consumer demand for healthier products, McDonald's in Japan is ladling on the calories -- an unusual strategy in a country known for its healthy diet and longevity.

Japan's top restaurant chain by number of stores, McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) Ltd. rolled out its Big America 2 campaign last week, featuring four burgers named after U.S. locales. The Idaho burger, which will make its debut by the end of this month, features a quarter-pound beef patty, melted cheese, a deep-fried hash brown, strips of bacon, onions and pepper-and-mustard sauce. The calorie count: 713.

The Texas 2 Burger -- with chili, three buns, cheese and bacon -- comes in at 645 calories. The 557-calorie Miami burger has tortilla chips -- not as a side dish, but nestled on top of the beef patty. By contrast, McDonald's Japan's Quarter Pounder and Big Mac mainstays come in at 556 calories each.

McDonald's Japan expects to report a 41% drop in net income to 7.6 billion yen ($91.4 million) for last year, largely because of the cost of closing 433 smaller and underperforming stores during the year. But the outlook is less severe than the 55% drop the company had forecast earlier and accompanies an improved outlook for operating income and sales. McDonald's Japan's stock rose 14% last year, while Japan's Nikkei Stock Average fell 3%.

Yasutsuru Mori, a svelte 74 year-old patron, wolfed down a Texas 2 Burger this weekend. "I love hamburgers. I eat every new hamburger that comes out in Japan, but I especially love McDonald's burgers," he said. "McDonald's keeps to the fundamental American hamburger profile: ketchup, mustard and beef."

The strategy in Japan seems diametrically opposed to McDonald's U.S. strategy: a continued focus on healthier eating options. Though McDonald's in the U.S. still offers hefty items, such as a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese listed at 740 calories, nine meal-size salads and a fruit-and-walnut salad for snacking are on the menu as well. The U.S. website features a steaming bowl of oatmeal, studded with fruit. In Japan, there's only one salad offering -- a puny side salad -- and no oatmeal.

McDonald's Corp.(NYSE: MCD - News) in the U.S. says it doesn't have plans to add bigger burgers but that the Angus Third Pounder already on its menu is successful. A spokeswoman called the Japanese campaign "just one creative example of how McDonald's markets strive to cater to local customer tastes."

McDonald's Japan says its strategy here isn't different from that of its parent, which owns 50% of the Japanese company. A McDonald's Japan spokesman said it regularly is in touch with its U.S. parent to discuss strategy and products. "I believe we are not going in a completely different direction to the U.S.," a McDonald's Japan spokesman said. "Consumers in Japan see beef as what McDonald's can offer, and it tastes good. It's our core competency."

The big burger blitz comes as the Japanese, famed for their fish-and-rice diet and general slenderness, have been plumping up over the years. The proportion of Japanese adults considered overweight increased nearly four percentage points to 23.2% in 2004 from five years earlier, according to the World Health Organization.

While Japan is still several waist sizes away from the U.S. -- the WHO said 66.9% of U.S. adults were overweight in 2004 -- health concerns have prompted Tokyo to implement measures to help trim expanding waistlines. In 2008, the federal government passed a law that makes waistline measurements a compulsory part of annual check-ups for adults between 40 and 74 years old.

Unlike its U.S. parent, McDonald's Japan hasn't been vilified for the nation's expanding girth. A spokesman said men around 18-30 years old typically make up the bulk of its "big sandwich" consumers, though other age groups consume them as well.

Part of the success in Japan is because of its marketing strategy. The company has homed in on a crucial element of the Japanese consumer psyche: a predilection for offerings that are available only during a short time span. For example , the Texas 2 Burger, introduced last Friday, will be replaced by the Idaho burger later this month. The company also has used Twitter and bloggers to spread the word.

"Japanese people have a weakness for products that are available for a limited time period," 34-year-old Kazuyo Aoshima said outside a McDonald's outlet in Tokyo's posh Ginza district last Friday. The Tokyo resident said she plans to try all four burgers.

McDonald's outlets in Japan also don't evoke the image of a typical fast food joint. Workers greet customers with the type of enthusiastic attitude characteristic of Japan's service industry and the restaurants are lit with a warm glow.

"There are more service people and they come around [to clean] pretty frequently. The garbage cans are never full at McDonald's," Mr. Mori said. "The management is far better here than other places," he said.

source: YAHOO; japan_now

Samsung Share a Book Everyday Campaign

[Trans] 110107 JYJ Participates In A Book Campaign – Jaejoong Recommends A Japanese Author

Popular Korean group 「JYJ」 will be participating in 「Samsung Share a Book Everyday Campaign」. This was confirmed by Samsung Campaign’s press relations company, Prain on the 7th.

Prain explained, “In this campaign, JYJ will participate through Samsung’s blog, and recommend “a book of hope” which holds a special meaning to themselves.” The books that 「JYJ」 recommend, along with books chosen for the campaign will be gathered and donated to a choir for the disabled.

Jaejoong recommended author Suzuki Hideko’s「辛いときはただ泣きなさい」(Just Cry During Tough Times), Junsu recommended poet Jung Ho Seung’s「내 인생에 힘이 되어준 한마디」(A Word That Gave Me Strength In My Life) and Yoochun recommended photographer Jo Seon Hui’s「힐링포토」(Healing Photo).

Jaejoong, who recommended Suzuki Hideko’s「辛いときはただ泣きなさい」, expressed this thoughts on the book, saying that “the line ‘Be grateful for everything on Earth’ hit home “and “after reading this book, you feel that if you look at everything positively, your life can be beautiful”.

On the other hand, Yoochun revealed, “I have all of his books in my study, but I keep 「힐링포토」in my room.” He also added “Some years ago, when I felt very beaten down, I received the book as a farewell present from the one who gave me strength.” Junsu said, “Feeling the importance of “A Word” and understanding the need to be alert when I talk”, and recommended 「내 인생에 힘이 되어준 한마디」.

Through sites like Twitter, net users can participate and the members also sent this message, “Even in tough times, we want the members of the choir, who continued with music (despite everything), to read the recommended books and feel happiness and hope.”

In this same campaign, net users can choose “a book of hope” along with stars, and donate books to low-income earners, childcare centres and people who have a lesser chance at contact with books.

Source: [Wow!Korea]

Japan Today Interview: Coca-Cola in Japan.

Coca-Cola has been operating in Japan since 1957. It operates a franchise system with 12 bottling partners. The company sells more than 30 brands and more than 850 products a year through some 1.15 million retail outlets and nearly 1 million vending machines. Brands include Coca-Cola, Fanta, Minute Maid, Georgia canned coffee, Sokenbicha blended tea, Aquarius sports drink, I LOHAS mineral water, Goonew yogurt drink, Glaceau vitamin water and many, many more.

Japan Today editor Chris Betros visits Sayre(Coca-Cola Japan President) to hear more about Coca-Cola in Japan.

How come every time a flavor I like comes on the market, it’s gone after a few months?
Retailers and convenience stores expect new products. The competition for shelf space is fierce. We have more competitors here for tea, coffee, sports drinks and water than in any other market. However, drinks tend to stay a bit longer in vending machines.

Your business seems to thrive on new products.
We are always testing products and packaging innovations. It’s one of the ways in which we differentiate ourselves. Our brand managers are relentless. They never stop changing flavors. Sometimes, we’ll release a new product every week; other products will be seasonal. For example, for winter we have a new Fanta snow squash strawberry drink in a ball-shaped bottle, and we have just introduced some soups for vending machines.


How much autonomy do you get from head office in terms of product introduction?
About 70-80% of time, we get a lot of autonomy, which is more so than a lot of other multinational companies. But the other 20-30%, particularly on Coca-Cola, there are very firm parameters. Most of the flexibility we get is on flavors and bottle shapes because there is a strong mandate for us to be locally relevant.

What are your best-selling drinks?
There are six drinks, which each sell more than 100 billion yen a year. They are Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Fanta, Georgia canned coffee, Sokenbicha (blended tea) and Aquarius. Japan is one of the top five markets in the world for us.


How come some flavors differ slightly from country to country? For example, Fanta orange in Japan is not quite as orange as in other countries.
First, let me say that Coke is Coke, wherever you go. But some flavors like Fanta do differ. In Germany and Latin America, for example, the color is much more orange. We tested that here and it came across as too artificial. The Fanta orange in Japan has no preservatives, no artificial colors, and that is why it is a softer color.


Speaking of Coke Zero, why isn’t Diet Coke more popular in Japan?
Our bottlers said that Diet Coke would not be a big seller. We have to respond to consumers and Japanese consumers have embraced Coke Zero instead. For example, McDonald’s – which is one of our single largest customers – was our first customer to convert all of their outlets to Coke Zero last year.


What are some unique characteristics of the Japanese market?
The frequency with which we launch new products is much higher in Japan. It can be every week. What we have got better at is managing the life cycle of products in terms of right level of demand and production. One of the challenges is that some of our competitors—and ourselves—in the past have had a tendency to get to a number with a convenience store or supermarket operator and then flood the market with it. Well, after a drink peaks, what do you do?


What frustrates you about doing business in Japan?
In Japan, there is still a strong need for consensus and I would suggest that consensus does not necessarily focus on the consumer. The consumer here is relentless, they know value, what they want and are extremely intent on getting more value. Some of the key business leaders haven’t woken up to that. I still think that in some regards, Japan is still too producer-focused on what is right for the business. Japan is undergoing a huge transformation on the consumer side and the government is slow to react while the consumer moves on.

read more questions @ source!!

source: JAPANTODAY; japan_now

A quote I found..

To be a good human being is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond your own control, that can lead you to be shattered in very extreme circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something very important about the condition of the ethical life: that it is based on a trust in the uncertain and on a willingness to be exposed; it’s based on being more like a plant than like a jewel, something rather fragile, but whose very particular beauty is inseparable from that fragility.

- Martha Nussbaum -

Hillarious!!!! WTF!!

Clap Yer Hair Gatsby TV Ad

tears of heaven - i really love this song..