Hasta La Gadget!

While NTT DOCOMO might be Japan’s largest carrier, if there’s one thing that they do not have that their competitors do, is Apple’s iPhone, and because of that there have been reports that they are losing subscribers to the competition. Last we heard despite the carrier bleeding subscribers, they weren’t too eager to get the iPhone on their network due to the string of conditions that comes with it, but now it looks like the carrier might have a change of heart. Shares of the carrier have been on the rise following a rumor that NTT DOCOMO is set to get the iPhone on their network later this year.

According to the article at Sankei, “A new iPhone from Apple is expected in September.  The Japanese market are paying close attention to whether NTT docomo will be selling the new model or not.  Having sold two other models as their main phones in the past summer season, the company is ready, as the vice-president Kazuto Tsubouchi has commented “the only problem is WHEN we are going to sell it.” Assuming that this is true, Apple could be closing deals with some pretty large carriers, as last we heard Apple was in talks with China Mobile about selling the iPhone as well.

NTT DOCOMO Reported To Officially Sell The iPhone On Their Network This Year original content from Ubergizmo.

Hmmm, what should we have for dinner tonight honey? Pizza? Cheeseburgers? Why not both?!?!

The MEGABURGERPIZZA is a mashup of burger and ‘zza made by placing 14 ounces of hamburger patties between a couple of 11″ pizza pies. Inside, you’ll also find fixin’s like ketchup, onions, pickles, mustard and cheese. Just try and jam this whole thing in your mouth.

Japan’s Pizza Little Party will be offering this monstrosity from September 1 through November 22, 2013 for ¥2,580 (~$26 USD). And if you don’t live in Japan, just stop by your local McDonalds and Pizza Hut on the way home and assemble your own.

[via RocketNews24]

Does your face look saggy and sallow? Do your facial muscles feel strained, even when you make the simplest of facial expressions? It probably lacks exercise and one way you could get it is with the Facewaver Exercise Mask.

It looks like a ski mask, only it doesn’t cover your entire head. Its product page claims that it “gently stretches the skin and muscles in several directions, improving and increasing blood circulation to the surface of your face.” All you have to do is put it on and make different faces for five minutes a day.

This is another strange facial-exercise-related contraption available for import from Japan Trend Shop, who previously brought us the Hana Tsun Nose Straightener, the Eye Slack Haruka, the Rhythm Slim Chin Exerciser, and the Face Slimmer Mouthpiece.

No guarantees if the facial mask will work, but I guarantee you will scare a child or two when you’re making faces with this pink mask on your face. It sells for $60 (USD). That may sound expensive, but the expressions on the faces of others who see you wearing this will be priceless.

[via Laughing Squid]

Japan has a complex history of engaging (or not) with the outside world—starting in the 1600s, when the shogunate put a strict ban on foreign trading, religion, and language. Much has changed then, but Japanese designers still have an interesting relationship with Western culture. For example: The fact that the badge of every Japanese car—even the ones not destined for exporting—is written in English.

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A water tank at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan apparently sprung a leak recently. The latest reports from the northern prefecture say that puddles have collected all around the plant, and the implication is clear. Fukushima has a whole new radioactive water problem.

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