Random Japan

RUMBLINGS

• Officials at the meteorological agency say that Japan was hit by 9,577 “noticeable aftershocks” in the two years following the 3/11 quake.
• A study by geologists in Tokyo found that 68 square kilometers of the city’s surface may undergo liquefaction during a major quake. That’s more than 10 percent of the area of the capital’s 23 wards, folks.
• The National Police Agency says that the number of suicides “attributed to economic or financial problems” plunged 18.5 percent last year.
• On the other hand, the NPA said the number of stalking (19,920) and domestic violence cases (43,950) reached all-time highs.

stats

• 60,421Number of gas stations in Japan as of March 1994
• 37,743Number of gas stations in March 2011
• 8Consecutive months the number of people receiving welfare benefits has hit a record high, according to the welfare ministry

Japan lashes out at comfort woman statue
bikyanews.com 

Japan's ambassador to South Korea has said that a statue of a young woman put up in front of the embassy in the capital, Seoul, to honor those women forced to work as sex slaves for the Japanese military in World War II was "not helping to solve problems in Japanese-South Korean relations."

Activists here in Tokyo, disagree, saying that the Japanese government must take responsibility for the thousands of women forced to work as sexual servants to the Japanese military during the war."We have been pushing forward on efforts to get the government to take responsibility, and apologize for this sort of thing and are going to continue until we, as a Japanese society, make others know how sorry we are," university student Eko Yomomi told Bikyanews.com.

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Not To Meet Women

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To Screw Workers

The 5 most popular snacks in Japan

By Oona McGee

Number 5

Happy Turn (ハッピーターン) rice crackers by Kameda Seika Confectionery (158 yen) 43 votes (6.9%)

“The taste of the happy powder is superb.” (34-year-old male)

“I’m totally addicted to the magic powder.” (31-year-old male)

“They’re individually wrapped so they’re easy to eat and I like that they’re both sweet and salty.” (24-year-old male)

Happy Turn rice crackers with magic happy powder? We couldn’t wait to try these out! It’s true, the sweet and salty taste of the powder really is something; a bit similar to a light barbecue flavored chip. Only different. Deliciously addictive, their bite size means it’s almost impossible to stop at just one. We did feel happy afterwards, but that was probably because we hadn’t had anything since lunch…

Number 4

Jagarico (じゃがりこ) potato chips by Calbee (98 yen) 49 votes (7.9%)

“They’re different to potato chips. They have a texture like fried potato chips which I love.” (31-year-old male)

“I can’t get enough of the crunchy texture.” (26-year-old male)

“They’re delicious and I always eat them; I think their big selling point is that the flavour isn’t overpowering.” (26-year-old female)

It seems it’s the texture and flavor that keeps people reaching out for more of this snack. The reason Jagarico gets our vote though, is because there’s a whole other secret way to enjoy these chips: by turning them into mashed potato. How? Simply pour boiling water on the chips in the container and let it sit for a minute or two. Then mash it all together with a fork and… instant mashed potato! In as many flavors as they offer. That somehow makes it more like a healthy meal and not a snack, right?

Number 3

Kappa Ebisen (かっぱえびせん) prawn chips by Calbee (42 yen)  54 votes (8.7%)

“The salty seasoning and the taste make these superb.” (37-year-old male)

“They have just the right amount of seasoning and I love the prawn smell.” (32-year-old female)

“The size is perfect for your mouth.” (44-year-old female)

There’s a Pringles-style catchphrase for these chips: “Yamerarenai Tomaranai” (sometimes shortened to “Yame Toma”), which means: “You can’t stop, you won’t stop”. It’s a really well-known commercial jingle in Japan, and such is the power of the catchphrase that many people find themselves unable to stop until they get to the very last prawny chip! These had such a strong prawn smell when we opened the packet but the prawn taste was perfect, just subtle enough and not overpowering at all.

Number 2

Chocolate with 110 votes (17.7%)

“It’s sweet and its goodness spreads its way through my brain. Plus, it goes well with coffee.” (22-year-old female)

“Once I’ve finished a piece, the sweetness disappears from my tongue, so I end up throwing them into my mouth one after the other.” (26-year-old male)

“When I’m stressed I want something sweet.” (23-year-old female)

“When I eat chocolate it puts me in a happy mood.” (25-year-old female)

There were many responses singing the praises of chocolate’s mood-lifting effects, and a lot of people seem to be seeking out the sweet satisfaction of chocolate. Japanese chocolate is definitely not as sweet as its Western counterpart. Which only makes it easier to eat a whole (albeit thin) bar in a single sitting…

Number 1

Potato Chips with 169 votes (27.3%)

“Because salt and potatoes are a perfect match.” (26-year-old female)

“The light salt flavor is something I keep going back for so once I open a bag I can’t stop.” (39-year-old male)

“Chips go well with a drink and there are so many different flavors to enjoy.” (36-year-old male)

“A chip is very thin so it doesn’t fill me up too much. But also they’re really tasty so I end up eating them really quickly without realizing it.” (31-year-old female)

The irresistibility of plain-old potato chips seems to be in that salty seasoning. And the feeling that they don’t fill you up. Potato chips in Japan come in all sorts of unusual flavors, like fish roe, soybean, roast mushroom, and cherry blossom. You can’t get bored with potato chips in Japan!