J-CAST Business News

Lady Dancers Try Costume Play in Photo Collection, DVD

2010-02-09T07:48:00Z

Eighteen popular dancers show up at a photo book.

Media Factory, a company publishing comics and entertainment-related books, is to release a photo book of 18 lady dancers, who are popular at a movie site named Niko Niko Video, on Feb. 19 2010. Its title is, "I tried I had my picture taken."

]]> The girls, gathered from around the country, enjoyed costume play, wearing the costume to become what they want to be, such as a vocaloid, maid, school girl, or anime character. They also introduce her a-little-Otaku-like profile, telling what video they like at Niko Niko Video.

The photo book is to be sold with DVD, which includes their interviews and some extras. It is priced at 1,995 yen.

Photo Book Shows Worldwide Otaku Rooms

2010-01-20T07:23:40Z

Rooms are cool and stylish.

Kotobukiya, a toy maker as well as a book publisher in Tokyo has released a photo book, OTACOOL WORLDWIDE OTAKU ROOMS since the late October 2009.

]]> Otaku, which usually refers to geek or nerd, took the picture of their own room and posted for this book. It is a collection of 100 Otaku room pictures while more than 150 pictures from 30 countries were sent. Some Otaku appear in a photo to proudly explain their rooms.

The book is priced at 1,575 yen.

Kyoto Geisha to Entertain Even First-Timer

2010-01-06T08:23:17Z

Geiko/maiko from Kyoto is to perform at a traditional Japanese-style facility in Tokyo.

Meguro Gajoen, a Tokyo-based multipurpose facility of hotel, wedding banquet hall, and restaurant in a traditional Japanese style, is to conduct a dinner event with geisha performances on Feb. 5.

]]> Performers are from Kyoto, where the name "geiko" and "maiko" are common to use instead of geisha. In the event, geiko and maiko from Ponto-cho, one of Kyoto's major traditional entertainment areas, are to showcase dances and songs at a banquet hall, and come to tables to greet during a dinner. Usually, the first-time customer is declined to enter the place to see geiko/maiko performance in Kyoto. This event is an opportunity to feel and experience geiko/maiko entertainment.

Audience is able to enjoy 5 different programs at the event, which is scheduled twice a day, starting at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Admission is 25,000 yen, including tax and service charge. Reservation is needed at Meguro Gajoen or travel agency JTB.

Look-Alike Robot on Sale, Pricing over 20 Million Yen

2009-12-28T07:07:48Z

Actroid to be designed as it looks like you.

Department store chain Sogo & Seibu, corporatized by Seven & i Holdings, will sell a human-alike robot, Actroid on January 2 2010. It is priced at 20.1 million yen.

]]> It is the first time that Actroid, developed by Sanrio's subsidiary Kokoro, is to sell for individuals. A robot will be made as it looks very much like a purchaser, and is capable of moving each facial parts, as well as a head and elbows.

Purchase application will be accepted until January 3 at the 28 stores of Sogo or Seibu. Only 2 applicants are chosen if it is in high demand.

DENTSU to Found Joint Venture with Area Targeting Technology

2009-12-24T05:37:23Z

Japan's top advertising agency DENTSU announced today to launch a new company named AD AREA on January 5 2010, aiming to develop a new Internet advertising market in Japan. This is a joint venture with J-CAST, an online news service based in Tokyo.

]]> The firm is to use its core technology, area targeting, which automatically distinguishes the spot where a user accesses a website, and displays a suitable ad on that website according to the user's access point. J-CAST owns a patent of the technology. AD AREA is to provide a system to deliver advertisement on a regional basis with area targeting technology, which will be licensed to those who need it on their website or ad networks.

AD AREA is also going to cooperate with website businesses, regional advertising agencies and advertisers to promote the diffusion of a system in which regionally-targeted advertising is efficiently exposed. In addition, it will provide consulting and technical services, and product information release.

Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT with Black Package to Go on Sale

2009-12-22T09:16:37Z

Black version is sold only by Tower Records in Japan.

Tower Records Japan is to release a limited edition of Michael Jackson's film THIS IS IT on DVD, coming to the market on January 27 2010.

]]> Tower Records is solely allowed to sell this Deluxe Collector's Edition with black package design in the Japanese market. This edition, which is the first pressing only, includes an extra 16-minute special film and a photo gallery additionally. It is priced at 3,990 yen, available at Tower Records shops and its website.

Adorable "Moe" Girls in Book Attract Military Fans

2009-12-14T09:28:00Z

Combination of moe girl with military elements attracts readers' attention.

Ikaros Publications of Tokyo specializes in military books and magazines, as well as aviation, railroad and nautical publications. Recently, the company has been trying to introduce cute anime characters into its military books.

]]> Ikaros published a book titled Moeyo! Tank School in July 2005. Moe (pronounced "mo-e") is a Japanese term that literally means "budding," but usually indicates a feeling of attraction to adorable girl characters in anime or video games. While the book explains tank mechanisms and battle strategies in straightforward technical terms, cute female characters appear on some pages. It seems that Ikaros is counting on the recent fad of the moe phenomenon, but the book was a top seller at Amazon.co.jp, and the first printing sold out in the first 3 days.

"Many young would-be military fans are also fond of anime and games. We thought they would pay attention to the book if we used illustrations of adorable anime characters," said Daisuke Asai of Ikaros, explaining how the tank book was planned and published. In fact, the book is read as a primer by those who are interested in the military.

A sequel to the book features many more moe anime characters, some of whom are portrayed in a sexy manner at the request of readers. Although it may be a little different from a book describing the military, Ikaros has also released a book featuring miniskirted moe girls to explain the weapons, tactics and battle history of the Imperial Japanese Army. In addition, a quarterly military magazine titled MC Akushizu was launched in 2006.

Asai said publication sales jump 3 to 5 times if moe elements, such as anime girl illustrations, are added.

(Original text by Kensuke Hori)

Manabu Oshio Rearrested, Suspicion of Giving Woman Illegal MDMA

2009-12-09T10:37:13Z

Actor Manabu Oshio, 31, was arrested again by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on December 7, 2009 as he allegedly gave illegal synthetic drug MDMA to a woman who died at a room of Roppongi Hills in August. MPD also arrested Oshio's acquaintance who was suspected to provide him MDMA, and his former manager on suspicion of destruction of evidence as he allegedly threw away a cell phone which the woman possessed.

]]> Oshio Testified the Woman brought MDMA

On August 3, Oshio was arrested on suspicion of using illegal drug, violating Narcotic Control Act. After being indicted, he was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with suspension for 5 years in November.

During his first hearing at Tokyo District Court on October 23, Oshio claimed he did not give the woman MDMA. According to Sankei Shimbun online which released Oshio's testimony at the trial, while an attorney asked him whether he brought MDMA, he denied. Answering the question about who brought it, he said, "A woman with me did."

The e-mail which Oshio sent to the woman was also discussed. He wrote to her, "When you come, do you want it immediately?" and a prosecutor asked him the meaning of "it." He answered, "I meant that I asked her if she wanted me, not an illegal drug."

Police to Figure Out Why the Woman Died

Lawyer Takayuki Osawa said on the TV program named Evening Wide, "Oshio's case is investigated by the First Criminal Investigation Division of MPD, which deals exclusively with serious crimes, such as homicide or robbery. In other words, the division investigates the cases which someone dies, or the similar. It is necessary for MPD to reveal a reason why the woman died, and if MDMA caused her death, who brought the drug and what had happened."

Osawa said that the case of illegal stimulant is usually investigated by another division. "Oshio has been found guilty of using MDMA in November. If he gave the woman his MDMA intentionally, and then she became in serious condition, he may be accused of inflicting bodily harm resulting in death. This will give him heavier penalty than negligence as guardians," he added.

After Oshio was arrested, the woman's mother said that she wishes police to clarify the truth of her daughter's death.

Peach John CEO Comments 4 Months after Manabu Oshio’s Arrest

2009-12-07T03:28:34Z

Mika Noguchi, CEO of lingerie mail-order firm Peach John, updated her blog on December 1 2009, the first time in 4 months. She is an owner of the room in Roppongi Hills where Manabu Oshio, an actor who found guilty of using illegal synthetic drug MDMA, stayed with the lady who found dead.

]]> "I have been losing my words in sorrow and anger for the past 4 months due to such a stunning event," said Noguchi in her blog. She continued, "I apologized for the anxiety I have caused." Although she did not specify Oshio's name, she mentioned the incident caused by him, saying, "It is too shocking for me to give any comments easily because I have let him use a room with my utmost support, but that room became the place of a stupid affair."

"There are bad rumors about me appearing on the Internet, but all are not true," Noguchi insisted.

Painter Ikuo Hirayama Dies of Stroke

2009-12-04T09:02:40Z

Traditional-style Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama died of a stroke at a hospital in Tokyo on December 2, 2009. He was at 79 years old. He was widely known for his works themed in the Silk Road.

]]> Born in Hiroshima, Hirayama graduated from Tokyo Fine Arts School, which is today's Tokyo University of the Arts. In addition to the Silk Road-themed works, he is known as works of Buddhism and other cultural heritages. He received the Order of Culture in 1998. He served as the president of Tokyo University of the Arts, and the chairperson of the board of Japan Art Institute,

Arrested Man Suspected Linkage to College Woman Murder

2009-12-01T03:34:39Z

A man arrested by Chiba Prefectural Police on suspicion of robbery reportedly told the police that he withdrew cash from the bank account of Yukari Ogino, a 21-year-old Chiba University student who was found dead at her burned-down room in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. Major newspapers reported it on November 30, 2009.

]]> The man in the surveillance photo tried to withdraw money from ATM near JR Matsudo station. This photo has been disclosed publicly. He is being investigated as he has allegedly been involved with several other robbery cases while his DNA was collected from the things left behind.

Anime “True Tears” Selected for Blu-ray Release

2009-11-27T08:42:34Z

More than 2,000 reservations are necessary for Blu-ray release.（c）2008 true tears 製作委員会

Toymaker Bandai Visual will release a Blu-ray Box of the anime "True Tears" for reservation only. "True Tears" was chosen as the most-wanted anime to come out on Blu-ray disc in a poll among users. The vote was held in summer 2009.

]]> BV launched a special website for reservation requests, available from November 10 to December 16. Discs will be produced only if more than 2,000 boxes are booked and paid for between December 21 and January 8, 2010. Shipping is scheduled from March 26.

The anime "True Tears" was televised from January to March 2008, with 13 episodes. A high school boy, Shinichiro, who dreams of being a picture-book writer, and a girl named Noe, who is not able to cry, are the main characters of the story, which depicts a bittersweet love between teenagers.

The Blu-ray Box is priced at 24,990 yen. A 69-page booklet is included with the box. Also, special features, including the director's cut of episode 13 with an unaired new movie, and a guide to shooting location, are recorded as an extra.

Toyota to Leave F1, High-Cost Business Structure Behind

2009-11-20T04:28:07Z

Toyota Motor Corp. announced on November 4 2009 that it plans to withdraw from Formula One racing at the end of the 2009 season Toyota once stated clearly it would continue to stay in F1 until 2012 while its rival Honda gave it up. Suzuki and Subaru also quit the World Rally Championship as a consequence of the global financial crisis that began in the Fall of 2008.

]]> Toyota made this tough decision because its business recovery is in a slow pace. Thanks to the tax reduction for those who purchase an eco-friendly car, its hybrid car brand Prius and its compact vehicle Vits are generating good sales. However, the auto company expects to post an operating loss in fiscal 2009, marking 2 years straight in the red.

F1 costs Toyota tens of billions of yens annually. Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota said at a press conference, "We made a difficult decision based on the current business environment as well as the medium-long term aspects." Japanese F1 drivers, Kazuki Nakajima and Kamui Kobayashi, both of whom Toyota has trained, have difficulty foreseeing the next season due to Toyota's withdrawal. Toyota F1 team Principal Tadashi Yamashina showed up at the press conference with president Toyoda and said, "I would prefer Nakajima and Kobayashi to find a driver's spot at a different team." Yamashina then found himself without words and wept. This scene was repeatedly broadcasted on TV news programs.

Renault Reportedly in Discussion about Possible Withdrawal

Bridgestone is another Japanese company who is exiting F1. The company has announced it will stop tire supply after the next season ends. Bridgestone's competitors, Goodyear in the U.S.A. and Michelin in France have already been out of F1, and Bridgestone is the sole tire supplier today. It is reported that Korean tire maker Kumho may step forward to auto racing after Bridgestone.

After Toyota's pullout, the major automakers remaining in F1 are Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes-Benz. Even Renault is reportedly considering its withdrawal. If it becomes true, F1 may face a survival crisis.

Although Toyota leaves F1, the company stated it will "contribute to further development of motor sports by supporting grassroots races and planning events."

Michelin Guide Awards 3-Star to 11 Tokyo Restaurants

2009-11-20T04:26:11Z

Michelin Guide Tokyo edition 2010 goes on sale on November 20. Tokyo's 11 restaurants are given the highest rating of 3-star, making Tokyo the top in the world major cities followed by Paris with 10 restaurants.

]]> There are 42 restaurants with 2-star, and 144 restaurants with 1-star rating. Such restaurants as vegetarian food, Japanese-style pub, and yakitori are newly added at this time.

Plug-In Scooter Charged at Home

2009-11-13T12:31:46Z

Zero-emission Miletto is brought to market in spring 2010.

Prostaff, an auto parts manufacturer in Aichi Prefecture, will release electric scooter Miletto in spring 2010.

]]> Miletto runs mainly with battery power, and also uses the human pedal power to assist motor. Thanks to the hybrid of zero-emission electric and human power, Miletto is able to run steep slope smoothly. The manpower helps when battery is running out.

As a battery is removable, driver is able to bring it to a room and plug it in a household wall plug with 100 voltages. Fuel efficiency is another feature of Miletto, which runs 3 kilometers per yen.

There are 12 colors available. It is priced at 156,900 yen, including a recharger.