Mosquito bites are perhaps the one thing that are worse than the heat in Japan during the summer. Not only do they itch the entire day, these pesky little blood-suckers annoy the general population with their loud buzzing and constant flying in circles. Sea’s Garden, a smart phone gaming and utility app maker, offers a solution to the terror that mosquitoes bring to man, without harming the environment.
The Mosquito Buster is an Android app (soon to be released for the iPhone as well) that acts as a mosquito coil, but instead of burning off insect killing smoke, it releases a high-frequency sound from your smart phone speakers which these insects detest.
The app is extremely simple to operate: users choose between 3 modes, each with corresponding frequencies. The first is obviously to avoid mosquitos, and the second, rodents. The third was what caught our attention and seemed particularly amusing. The third mode is titled “Avoid Children”, as it releases a frequency only detectable to children, as adult ears cannot hear the high pitched sound. It would be useful for parents who need a little bit of peace and quiet from their screaming, energetic toddlers. It’s nice to see useful utility apps like these that offer clever ways of solving consumer problems in an eco-friendly manner. Looks like I’m going to finally get a good nights sleep tonight without having to worry about pesky insects (or children for that matter) that bring a world of itchiness to my feet .
Summer might be the time for designer fireworks, but it’s pretty darn humid around here.
To battle the intense heat, Japanese companies have an interesting new product up their sleeves: ice cold cooling foam sprays, which are advertised as to provide instant temperature cool downs for users. Japanese male cosmetic brands such as Gatsby and Uno are well appreciated for their cooling body and facial sheets that not only provide the user with a sensational frosty feeling, but remove facial oil as well. Products such as these are not new, but we have seen a boom in demand for them this summer with the idea of “setsuden” (energy saving) becoming more imminent in Japanese people’s everyday lives. Taking it one step further from traditional cooling sprays, this fascinating innovation actually releases a chilling foam that hardens and can be wrapped around the user’s wrist.
Products such as “Hokkyoku Monogatari” (directly translated: Tales of the North Pole) offer a whole new method of cooling down in an interesting way. Not only are they convenient, they can be transformed into anything, ranging from a icy wristwatch to graffiti sprayed onto one’s body. The blue foam feels like a giant ball of confetti and as they squeeze it, the air bubbles expand and then “pop,” releasing a refreshing breeze of cool air.
Ice Spark is also another cool product that offers a similar solution to the heat in Japan: it sprays a freezing -9 degrees Celsius gel that fizzes on the user’s skin, creating a satisfying bubbly sensation. The crackling sound is particularly pleasing to the ear and the gel dries up after a couple seconds, without leaving a sticky feeling on the skin. The spray can be used for different purposes, such as a citrus smelling deodorant.
In line with the “setsuden goods,” a term coined for products that save electricity, we can see a handful of Japanese companies developing new products to counter the intense heat in Japan. Tokyo Hands, a Japanese department store focused on hobby, home improvement, and lifestyle products, has a whole floor dedicated to cooling products.
Numerous ideas for cooling sprays are being placed on shelves, such as the Savanna 50 Blizzard, which instantly sprays -15 degrees Celsius mist onto towels and handkerchiefs, as well as clothes and the insides of shoes.
Sprays are not the only type of lineup that Tokyo Hands has to offer; Ice Masks, Zero Degrees Pillows/Neck-rests, bandannas, scarves, and many other interesting innovations that add a chilly touch to a normal consumer product.
Ice gels and ice bars are also available for those who aren’t afraid to get wet or experience a frosty touch on their skin.
Gatsby “Ice-Type” facial and body sheets are also extremely popular among the Japanese, as they not only act as a cooling deodorant but wipe away facial grease as well.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Japan without cute looking cases for ice coolers such as the ones below.
Although sprays such as Hokkyoku Monogatari and Ice Spark may not exactly be eco-friendly, they definitely do provide a way to endure the intense heat that saves energy in contrast to air conditioners and electric fans.
Japan has a remarkable way of taking everyday products from pet food to coffee, applying an extra layer of thought and attention to detail, and creating extraordinary experiences in product design. We recently stumbled upon a beautiful line of fireworks that are so colorful and well-made that, frankly, it’s a damn shame to light them on fire.
The Japanese approach to fireworks (or hanabi) in general is rather different from what I grew up with. For me, fireworks (purchased in Indiana for maximum TNT), were always about power expressed in screeches and booms. Modern Japanese consumer fireworks, likely due to regulations, are primarily sparklers and fountains, making the focus on beauty over explosions. Unlike most of the U.S., small fireworks are available just about anywhere in Japan. Now, thanks to a new collaboration, they’re now for sale in design-oriented shops as well.
Produced by Tokyo’s classic fireworks maker Yamagata, these sparklers and assorted small fireworks are top quality and certainly invoke nostalgia, but it’s the additional coloring and concept by design firm Method that makes them truly unique.
The logo, packaging, POP, and art direction was done by EDING:POST, the firm behind the aforementioned Omotesando Koffee.
Of course, fireworks with this amount of work put into them don’t come cheap. Sparklers range from around $7 for five large ones, and the traditional Japanese senko hanabi (shown in the last image) are over $30 for a full, beautifully made package.
Each stick is perfectly colored in pastel combinations, and brought together in a simple, minimalist paper package. None of the loud design and plastic that accompanies fireworks from convenience stores. These are fireworks, according to the shop staff, that are “for adults”. Let the kids stay inside with their fireworks projector.
We found these at the Roppongi Hills Art & Design Store, which graciously tolerated our photography, a rare luxury in these types of shops most of the time.
The products and their homepage is brand new and not quite finished, but you can find them online at enjoyfireworks.com.
It’s this attention to detail for everyday items, not manga or other “cool Japan” icons, that separates Japan in a globalized world. Applied across all industries, design that creates experiences for people, even in small ways, is where we should all be striving. Even if we blow it up in the end.
It is estimated that around 90,000 people are still living in temporary shelters in Japan as a result of the disasters that occurred on March 11th. In response to this Japanese design company Atelier Opa have turned their skills towards what they can do to help out those affected, and produced a simple but fantastic temporary shelter design open for anyone to replicate.
The cardboard shelters look something similar to a child’s playhouse and are designed to offer a little privacy and comfort to those still living in the cramped conditions in the communal shelters at present. The cardboard can be assembled easily by anyone and even decorated by those with children, which could provide a nice creative outlet in a situation where many have been adversely affected by the tsunami and its aftermath.
With the majority of shelters located in school gymnasiums or public halls, the facilities really offer very little in terms of privacy or seclusion where evacuees can escape to try and relax in as best a way as is possible. Atelier Opa’s designs have been created not just to provide spaces for people to sleep in but partitions to create study areas and even clothes hanging areas. With many still unsure as to when they can move out of the communal areas right now and into relief housing, providing at least a semblance of having a personal space and designated spaces for specific functions is particularly important.
What is really impressive about the project is that the company also made all the plans for the designs available publicly under Creative Commons license so that any group of volunteers or charity organizations can replicate them. Recently a large number of volunteers from Kogakuin University in Tokyo went up to the affected areas, provided and erected the shelters in a number of different areas. The same designs could now as easily be implemented for homeless or other displaced people throughout the world.
Starting today Japan’s iconic Hello Kitty character has been decked out in crystal and put on display in its own “House of Hello Kitty” in the upmarket Tokyo district of Omotesando. Having collaborated before the “Swarovski Hello Kitty Collection” event features everything from crystal encrusted Hello Kitty accessories to the pride of place center piece, an exclusive, limited edition figure adorned with 20,000 crystals and costing a cool ¥1.2 million ($14,800).
Hello Kitty fans can wander around the pink palace that is the House of Hello Kitty taking in the vast array of accessories on display from ear rings to bracelets and keychains and even a limited edition $100,000 clutch bag an Elle x Swarovski x Hello Kitty collaboration. Arranged in their own unique, plush miniature rooms the displays drew cooing and exclamations of “kawaii” a plenty.
Not to miss a trick there is also a full Hello Kitty chandelier hanging over the collections of rooms that each house a different Hello Kitty surprise, and guarded by Phantom Of The Opera inspired costumed men and iconic red bow adorned girls, designed by Japanese costume artist Hibino Kozue.
Visitors can also play with some of the digital interactive displays that are dotted around the exhibition. Just inside the entrance is a particularly cool 3D holographic display that allows users to manipulate a floating Hello Kitty and various accessories found in the main area. Visitors use a sweeping motion to switch between different holograms, as well as enlarging it and raining crystals down on it through different hand gestures.
There was also a neat digital AR photo area which lets users virtually adorn themselves with red ribbons, ear rings and a whole host of other cute Hello Kitty merchandise. Users are then displayed a QR code which they can scan to download the end photo direct to their mobile phones. CScout Japan’s intern Ron was particularly pleased with the end result which now sits pride of place on his phone as his wallpaper!
It wouldn’t be Japan without a UFO catcher display also where visitors were queuing up to have the chance to grab a limited edition Hello Kitty doll featuring a special necklace.
Tying in digital publicity with the exhibition the homepage for the Swarovski X Hello Kitty collaboration also allows users to create their personal Hello Kitty collection avatar icon. By giving the app permission to access their Facebook, their profile picture is given a unique Hello Kitty frame designed specifically for this event. Users are then allowed to replace their current profile picture with the customized one made by the app.
The organizers of the event have also incorporated an fun RFID tag “treasure hunt” style event around the streets of the area the exhibition is being held, utilizing the ubiquitous Japanese mobile phone technology. At the entrance of the building housing the exhibits, sit two life size Hello Kitty art objects. Pictured below, the left piece was designed by Rikako Nagashima, a popular art director in Japan, and the right by Azuma Makoto, a well respected Japanese flower artist.
There are a total of 9 of the Hello Kitty art pieces (each created by one of the nine artists working in collaboration with this event, including Japanese supermodel Tominaga Ai) scattered around the heart of Omotesando. Embeded in the description tag of each object was a Felica chip, in which users could gather information about the piece as well as its creator, by scanning it with their mobile phones. Public who visit all 9 of the displays and scan all of the Felica IDs are in turn rewarded special prizes for their efforts.
This campaign lasts until the 10th, after which these art objects would be auctioned off by Yahoo! Charity Auction, with all of the money being donated to the Japanese Red Cross in aid of the 3/11 earthquake.
The exhibition will certainly appeal to the millions of Hello Kitty fans in Japan, including this particular one who although nothing to do with the exhibit itself arrived in her own customized Hello Kitty decked out car!
Swarovski Hello Kitty Collection is on display in Omotesando Hills from 6/30 through to 7/10.
Japan is well known for its online match making services, most of which take advantage of the male libido and end up causing them to spend hundreds of dollars on “points,” which are purchased to send and receive mails, as well as exchanging photos and phone numbers with the opposing party. However, out of the many fraudulent websites, there exist a handful of legitimate ones. Tying this into the “konkatsu” (marriage hunting) boom that has been apparent in Japan during recent years, Nugget, a Japanese web design company, has created “Aerura,” an online “konkatsu” service that is specifically targeted at the otaku (the endearing term for geek) market. There have been many dating websites created for a particular target segment such as doctors and lawyers, but Aerura is the first of its kind aimed at this specific market.
The vast world of otaku is much more complicated than it seems on the surface, it is not just about loving anime, collecting premium toys, and sipping “special coffee” at the notorious maid cafes. Numerous classifications of obsession exist, and Aerura seeks to furnish each type by offering these as search categories, such as figures, trains/railroads, voice actors, etc. Determined to helping members find the perfect match, the service heavily focuses on these “hobbies,” and even arranges “omiai”(arranged blind dates) parties that are restricted to a certain genre. These specific theme-based events cost around 50 to 100 dollars each, but to those who spend more than 300 dollars on a life sized pillow with an anime character imprinted on it, it may be a cheap price to pay to meet someone of the opposite sex that shares the same interest. On top of all this, Aerura also offers free relationship and marriage counseling to all members.
The website itself has a very “clean” appearance, increasing its credibility as a legitimate dating service. It uses Nico Nico Douga, the growing Youtube equivalent for the Japanese geek segment, to advertise its presence; a marketing strategy aimed at at their direct audience. Amusingly, there are actually certain qualifications that these marriage seeking otakus must possess in order to find their one true “ani-mate.” Although any sort of women are allowed to join (as long as they are over 25), men must be single, over 25, have an income paying job, and have Japanese residency. On an online forum discussing the website, many reviewers have said that Aerura’s intentions are directed at a more “high end” otaku community base (defined as the geeks who have jobs and have intentions of eventually having a family of their own), which is interesting to see how the geek world also has hierarchy.
Otakus have been part of Japanese culture for decades, and quite frankly, I’m a little surprised that this genre of online dating websites have not taken its appearance until now. It will definitely be worth seeing whether this movement will cause a revolution in the lifestyle of otakus and if they will be able to find mates who do not seem to mind (or in fact even share) their significant other’s obsession with CG Idols such as AKB48’s Eguchi Aimi.
Earlier this year, Pioneer, known for its wide array of electronics ranging from car navigation systems to home theaters, opened a showcase plaza in a fascinating looking building located in the heart of Ginza, one of the more upscale, luxurious shopping districts in Japan. We took a trip to Ginza to find out the latest technology that Pioneer has to offer to the public. The shop’s tagline, “Wanna See The Future?” clearly demonstrates Pioneer’s aim at establishing the newest hi-tech product innovations aimed at enhancing consumers’ lifestyles. Rather than merely showcasing their newest technology, visitors are encouraged to fully experience and interact with the digital products on display.
The Pioneer Plaza is spread out over three floors, each dedicated to a specific theme. As we walked into the first floor, out of the vast lineup of home electronics, the first thing that immediately grasped our attention was the Sound Cocoon. With beautiful alternating color lighting and an extremely cozy sofa, this intimate egg-shaped sound enhancement space was designed to provide ultimate comfort and relaxation for its users. It uses Pioneer’s Acco built-in amp system that can play music from any portable audio device, as well as online radio. With three speakers placed in strategic locations inside the cocoon, the intention was for a “peaceful environment in which the music blended in with the air and embraced the user.”
Our eyes then led us to the Floating Vision, which is an AR hologram monitor that allows users to encounter a 3D experience with their naked eye. What was particularly cool about this product was that it used an infrared sensor that allowed users to interact with the various characters displayed on the screen, introducing a new type of user interface programming. The screen is surrounded by a sensor-embedded frame that extends out about 10cm. It’s possible to virtually touch and manipulate objects, draw pictures, and interact with characters inside the screen just by making the actions in the field of the sensors.
The Floating Vision was made for personal home entertainment allowing users to connect a computer to the unit through a USB cable which then turns the product into a second display, offering a variety of applications. With a downloadable software program called FV_Tool, users can easily create their own hologram display by using visual files of their choice. Going one step further from digital photo frames, the technology makes it possible to upload any personal photos which can then be displayed in holographic 3D and interacted with, such as poking the hologram would “frighten it” and cause it to duck.
Pioneer also integrated the use of Felica with this technology to provide visitors with information about the store and their newest products. Deviating from the existing Felica information providers that merely generate a sound when applied, this particular device offers users with a variety of 3D visuals, adding a little “extra touch.”
Although still in production and not yet for commercial use, the Cycling Computer, attachable to bicycles and other motor vehicles such as mopeds, uses its built-in GPS system to collaborate with Pioneer’s audio and navigation technology. Shaped like a smaller version of an iPhone, the Cycling Computer was not only intended for navigation purposes but for entertainment as well. With a unique sensor that calculates the speed and amount of revolution of the wheel, the user is notified of the distance that they have traveled, their heart rate, and how many calories have been burnt off. Music and animations are played accordingly to different speeds and cycling style. Pioneer is planning to release applications for this device as soon as it hits the market, which would enhance the users’ experience, such as a navigating app that displays the most scenic routes to their destination.
The rest of the 1st floor was decorated with a number of other products that demonstrated product innovations aimed at space conservation, such as an ultra thin speaker, and a new type of thin LED lighting device that further reduces the use of electricity and has features such as its ability to bend, making it easily adjustable to any sort of placement.
As we reached the second floor, we were greeted with a beautiful arrangement of earphones and headsets which visitors could plug into their own portable audio player and try on, each with a unique concept and feature.
The rest of the floor was dedicated to Pioneer’s Carrozzeria car navigation series, which fully utilizes AR as well as the idea of using smartphones as navigators. Its AR Scouter Mode uses a built in camera to display front and rear view images that provides drivers with route and road information onto the actual navigation screen. Landmarks like gasoline stations and convenient stores, distance between cars, directions, and other information are displayed in real time above the front view image, providing drivers with a much easily visible guidance. With the newest UI (user interface) technology it acts as an iPod and DVD player, television, and built-in bluetooth system. This touch-panel navigator has other cool features such as a voice command search system and an added “Eco Navigator” that takes displays a route in which the driver would use the least amount of gas, calculating the weight and size of the car.
With similar brand spaces such as Shiseido’s Total Beauty Facility, there seems to be a general move towards a more effective utilization of store space, deviating from the traditional shop-and-go stores seen throughout Japan. Brands are leaning towards a more interactive orientation by providing customers with product demonstrations and allowing them to fully experience their products and services themselves.
The Best Surprise, a Japan based “proposal support” company, has come up with their own product aimed at twisting the arm of a reluctant boyfriend into marriage. The “Proposal Pressure Kit” inverts the traditional idea of men proposing to women and is taking a new turn as women in Japan are becoming impatient of simply waiting and decide to take the initiative themselves. Marriages are perhaps one of the most exciting moments in a person’s life, as well being the most difficult and time consuming, but for some men, it’s on the bottom of their priority list. We have recently talked about the emergence of “soushoku-kei danshi” (herbivore males), who are more passive in their approach to women, and with that, the term “nikushoku-kei jyoshi” (carnivorous females) was derived. These type of girls are more likely to be more active on their “konkatsu” (hunting for marriage) and are much more aggressive than their male counterparts.
The kit combines a clever range of marriage support goods including a temporary engagement ring, a marriage promise form, and a cute piggy bank that stores up to a hundred 500 yen coins (equivalent to US $5), symbolizing the patience that the girlfriend has gone through and the money being saved for their wedding. Aimed on making the reluctant boyfriend more aware of the idea of marriage and bringing the proposal to the front of his conscience, this set is delivered to his house and is disguised as a special gift that he has “won” through a random prize selection system.
There are obviously a number of flaws with this concept, such as what would happen when the boyfriend finds out that he’s just been slyly maneuvered by his girlfriend to propose to her, or that the engagement ring has already been bought by her. (I can imagine a horrible scenario where he seizes this opportunity and uses the ring to propose to a different woman) Nonetheless, this idea of women almost “forcing” their boyfriends to pop the question is quite fascinating and definitely a new concept in Japan, where tradition plays a huge role in the culture.
Given its fair amount of recognition and success, The Best Surprise has recently released a second product, the “Forced Engagement Kit,” intended for those who have reached their peak of patience and feel the need to “put a ring on it” as soon as they can. This second version includes all the features of the previous product, but adds an actual legal marriage registration form, signet stamp (the recognizable form of signing official documents in Japan), and even a count down clock, signifying that “this relationship is running out of time.”
These products illustrate the pressure to get married that Japanese women are experiencing in this age of gender equality. Typically females in Japan receive an increasing amount of pressure to get married and start a family as they approach their 30s. Although the tradition of men proposing is not necessarily broken, it is definitely being bent and creative ways of putting pressure on passive boyfriends are being thought up.
The Best Surprise, a Japan based “proposal support” company, has come up with their own product aimed at twisting the arm of a reluctant boyfriend into marriage. The “Proposal Pressure Kit” inverts the traditional idea of men proposing to women and is taking a new turn as women in Japan are becoming impatient of simply waiting and decide to take the initiative themselves. Marriages are perhaps one of the most exciting moments in a person’s life, as well being the most difficult and time consuming, but for some men, it’s on the bottom of their priority list. We have recently talked about the emergence of “soushoku-kei danshi” (herbivore males), who are more passive in their approach to women, and with that, the term “nikushoku-kei jyoshi” (carnivorous females) was derived. These type of girls are more likely to be more active on their “konkatsu” (hunting for marriage) and are much more aggressive than their male counterparts.
The kit combines a clever range of marriage support goods including a temporary engagement ring, a marriage promise form, and a cute piggy bank that stores up to a hundred 500 yen coins (equivalent to US $5), symbolizing the patience that the girlfriend has gone through and the money being saved for their wedding. Aimed on making the reluctant boyfriend more aware of the idea of marriage and bringing the proposal to the front of his conscience, this set is delivered to his house and is disguised as a special gift that he has “won” through a random prize selection system.
There are obviously a number of flaws with this concept, such as what would happen when the boyfriend finds out that he’s just been slyly maneuvered by his girlfriend to propose to her, or that the engagement ring has already been bought by her. (I can imagine a horrible scenario where he seizes this opportunity and uses the ring to propose to a different woman) Nonetheless, this idea of women almost “forcing” their boyfriends to pop the question is quite fascinating and definitely a new concept in Japan, where tradition plays a huge role in the culture.
Given its fair amount of recognition and success, The Best Surprise has recently released a second product, the “Forced Engagement Kit,” intended for those who have reached their peak of patience and feel the need to “put a ring on it” as soon as they can. This second version includes all the features of the previous product, but adds an actual legal marriage registration form, signet stamp (the recognizable form of signing official documents in Japan), and even a count down clock, signifying that “this relationship is running out of time.”
These products illustrate the pressure to get married that Japanese women are experiencing in this age of gender equality. Typically females in Japan receive an increasing amount of pressure to get married and start a family as they approach their 30s. Although the tradition of men proposing is not necessarily broken, it is definitely being bent and creative ways of putting pressure on passive boyfriends are being thought up.
With the recent eco and “setsuden” (energy saving) activities set in place in Japan since the disasters, Sharp has just announced a new concept, energy efficient, Eco House. Reported to have “zero CO2 emissions”, the new building combines the most recent green technology and Sharp’s newest energy-saving home appliances. The wooden two-story home is located in Osaka, well known for its heavy production of solar and LCD panels which are implemented throughout. Four researchers have resided in this trial house since May, measuring its effectiveness and comfort of living; Sharp’s ultimate goal is to minimize power consumption whilst providing a comfortable living environment.
Sharp proposes to save energy with this new concept in several interesting ways,including implementing throughout the house a number of key energy efficient home appliances which they have developed over the years. In descending order, air conditioners, lighting equipment, refrigerators, and televisions use the most energy, amounting to roughly two-thirds of the total power used in an average home. Installing the newest eco-friendly and energy saving devices, it is estimated that 30% of the average electricity bill could be cut.
Another technique they plan on using is allowing residents to “see” how much electricity is actually being saved/used. By using devices such as AQUOS LCD TVs and LCD tablets networked into the HEMs (Home Energy Management Systems), or the “brains” of the eco home, the amount of energy each individual appliance is consuming is displayed to the residents. With more aware consumers, it is said that this could save up to 15% of electricity due to a more eco-conscious attitude.
LED and photovoltaic (solar powered) panel-generated electricity will also be the primary sources of lighting in Sharp’s eco house. These will be evaluated for their energy saving performance and are also able to adjust the brightness and color of the lighting to provide a comfortable and relaxing living environment. There will be sensors located around the house to detect people’s movement and activate sufficient lighting accordingly, minimizing the waste of unnecessary usage. DC (direct current) appliances will be powered by solar energy, which are collected by panels and preserved in storage batteries so that they may event operate in blackouts. In addition, Sharp has created the concept of using the storage battery of electronic vehicles to power appliances through its new Intelligent Power Conditioner.
The gradual movement towards eco houses is prevalent in Japan and has been taken place even before the disasters in March, examples seen in Pasona’s green offices, and the Tokyo Green Building Program introduced in 2005. It will be interesting to see how the new energy concerns that have risen out of “setsuden” will spur on innovation in industries and areas across the board.
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