Tough-as-nails bullied Japanese schoolgirl stays home from school, but not because she was sad

https://ift.tt/2ICkIjP Casey Baseel

After standing up for classmate and becoming bully’s target herself, elementary schooler decided to send a message that took years to be heard.

Back when she was in elementary school, the daughter of Japanese Twitter user Maccchan (@J9qu6kEmNuGCV3r) refused to go to school for a week. This is generally a cause for concern in studious, rule-abiding Japan, but the reason, as is often the case, was bullying.

However, the situation wasn’t as straightforward as Macchan’s daughter being picked on because of a perceived difference or weakness. As a matter of fact, in the beginning she wasn’t the one who was being teased at all. Instead, it was one of her classmates who was being bullied, and Macchan’s daughter decided to stand up against the tormentor.

Unfortunately, this now put her in the bully’s sights, and Macchan’s daughter herself became the new target for emotional aggression. It was at this point that she decided she didn’t want to go to school. Macchan had no intention of forcing her to go, but asked her daughter to talk more about her reason for staying home, to which her daughter replied:

“I’m not staying home from school because I was bullied. I’m staying home from school because I think doing this will make the teachers take bullying in the school a little more seriously and do something about it.”

イジメをされてる子を守って、逆にターゲットにされた娘が先生に助けを求めたけど助けてもらなかった。娘は学校を1週間休んだ。心配する私に娘はこう言い放った 「私はイジメを受けてるから休むんじゃない。休めばもう少し真剣に取り合ってくれると思ったから」と つえーな！おい！

—
まっちゃん (@J9qu6kEmNuGCV3r) June 26, 2018

Instead of staying home out of sadness, Macchan’s daughter was doing so out of protest. The elementary schooler had become fed up with her teachers’ inaction, even after she’d brought the bullying to their attention, and thought that through her missing class the school would come to recognize the severity of the problem.

Unfortunately, according to Macchan, the bully in question was the child of a prominent family in their rural community, and her daughter’s one-week absence did nothing to change the school’s policies or atmosphere. However, once reaching junior high school, Macchan’s daughter had to write an essay for an assignment, and she chose to write about the experience, focusing on how bullying can cause long-lasting psychological damage to victims, calling out those who willfully ignore the problem, especially apathetic teachers.

The daughter’s essay was read out loud at school, where the bully from grade school, who’d gone on to the same middle school as Macchan’s daughter, was among those who had to listen to it. The essay went on to be given an award and read at an event organized by the city government, which was attended by members of the local board of education, and Macchan hopes that this will finally lead to improved anti-bullying policies.

The proud mother goes on to express her deep respect for her daughter’s ability to judge right and wrong, and also to take a stand for what she believes in. As for the daughter herself, in her essay she says “I want people, or even just one more person, to be brave enough to fight against bullying when they see it happening,” because in a world where bullying victims can often go unnoticed or ignored, some victims really need to know that someone is on their side.

Source: Twitter/@J9qu6kEmNuGCV3r (1, 2, 3, 4) via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert images: Pakutaso

Survey shows one in 20 otaku only takes a bath once a week, prompting disgust and redo

https://ift.tt/2yQrC5d Casey Baseel

Initial results suggest hardcore anime fans are dirty, but maybe they’re just precise?

For some otaku, the strength of their love of anime doesn’t show itself just through the depth of their passion, but the narrowness of their interests. The absolute hardest of hardcore fans sometimes seem to have little motivation to do anything that doesn’t directly relate to acquiring and consuming more animated content, which in extreme cases pushes bathing out of their regular routine.

As a metaphorically scratch-and-sniff illustration of this phenomenon, Japanese Twitter user @Lambda39 recently shared the results of a poll that asked otaku how often they took a bath, with the worrisome results being:
● Every day, obviously: 81 percent
● Roughly every other day (because it’s a hassle): 10 percent
● Two or three times a week (but I don’t smell bad): 4 percent
● Once a week or less: 5 percent

【悲報】オタク、20人に1人は週一でしか風呂に入らない；； そりゃコミケも臭いわ；； https://t.co/O3l9sfpXmJ

—
λ(ラムダ) (@Lambda39) June 25, 2018

▼ Anime has the power to broaden minds, connect nations, and offend noses.

“One in 20 otaku only takes a bath once a week,” tweeted @Lambda39 with the numerical results, setting off a chain of revolted responses from other Twitter users.

“Once a week isn’t nearly enough to remove seven days’ worth of stank.”
“So they’re on the same cycle as Weekly Shonen Jump.”
“Are they worried they’ll change sex with hot water?”
“No wonder places where otaku gather have always smelled like pig farms.”
“So there’s probably a portion of them who don’t change their underwear every day either.”
“Maybe they just go commando.”

However, those looking for a ray of light shining through the odorous miasma latched onto two things. First, the results @Lambda39 posted came from only 477 respondents, which limits how representative they can be of otakudom in its entirety. Second, though, the Japanese phrase used in the survey’s question, ofuro ni hairu, literally means “take a bath,” so it can be interpreted either as referring to bathing in general or strictly as bathing while sitting in a bathtub, i.e. excluding showering while standing up. Because of that, @Lambda39 decided to run the survey again, this time specifying that the question was about bathing in general, with baths and showers both to be treated as positive responses. This time 75,449 votes were collected, and the breakdown was:

● Every day: 90 percent
● Roughly every other day: 6 percent
● Two or three times a week: 2 percent
● Once a week or less: 2 percent

シャワーだけの人が勘違いしているという説があったのでもう一度 風呂(シャワーだけでも可)に入る頻度は

—
λ(ラムダ) (@Lambda39) June 26, 2018

Those numbers are a lot more encouraging, though they still work out to one in 50 otaku bathing, at the very most, one time a week (with, terrifyingly, no specified bottom-end infrequency). Two percent is a lot better than five percent, though, and hopefully new advances in body odor-detecting technology will help get that number even lower, perhaps one day leading us to a future free of the Comiket Cloud.

Source: Twitter/@Lambda39 via Jin
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso

Prank on sleeping beauty in car passenger seat goes viral 【Video】

https://ift.tt/2tDsZ2a Oona McGee

The driver realises there’s hell to pay after pulling a stunt on this snoozing passenger.

One of the great things about social media is that it opens us up to all the corners of the world, giving us a firsthand insight into the way people live, the cute pets they own, and the pranks they pull on each other simply for fun.

In Taiwan, a Twitter user recently shared one of these prank videos online and it’s since gone viral, with close to 9 million views and plenty of responses from people around the world who say they can’t stop laughing at the unexpected turn of events.

▼ Take a look at the video below:

https://t.co/4qsBuTLgw9

—
トンちゃん (@10ntyan_) June 13, 2018

The clip plays out like a cheeky training video for how not to sit in the passenger seat of a car. One minute, you might be snoozing peacefully, enjoying the ride while lost in a dream world…

But the next minute you might find yourself jammed under the dashboard with your legs in the air and your arms flailing like an overturned beetle.

Regardless of whether the stunt was real or staged, people are getting a kick out of the video, leaving comments like:

“I would be tempted to do that too if someone was sitting like that while I was driving.”
“I’ve been watching this on repeat and it makes me laugh every time!”
“This is so funny I’m crying with laughter.”
“At first I thought this was going to be some sort of sexy video. Boy, was I wrong!”
“She shouldn’t be so surprised and angry – it’s her own fault for not wearing a seatbelt!”

Violating road and safety laws is no joke, kids. So don’t forget to belt up and sit properly whenever you’re in a moving vehicle – after all, you never know what might happen when you’re out on the roads.

Source: Hachima Kiko
Featured image: Twitter/@10ntyan_

Turn a glass of beer into an exquisite Mt. Fuji scene with this Awakumo glass!

https://ift.tt/2MvU7r3 Kay

This unique Awakumo glass will let you recreate your very own view of Mt. Fuji in miniature while enjoying a frothy glass of beer! 

That’s right, metal accessory manufacturer Nagae’s interior product brand Ginga-do has just released a delightful beer glass with a Mt. Fuji theme that will not only let you enjoy a nice drink (or two, or three) but is sure to entertain you visually as well!

The aptly named Awakumo (literally, “bubble cloud“) glass is ingeniously designed with a small Mt. Fuji protruding from the rim, so that when you pour beer into it, the beer froth makes it look like you’re getting a view of Mt. Fuji peaking above a sea of clouds. The glass holds 180 milliliters so you should be able to enjoy two or three views of Mt. Fuji rising from the clouds while pouring a regular 350 milliliter (12 ounce) can of beer.

▼ A beautiful sight, and you can create it just by pouring  a glass of beer!

The Awakumo is described as a beer glass, but you can also pour a clear drink like sake into it to enjoy a “reverse Mt Fuji” reflection in the drink as well!

▼ You get two beautiful views with one glass! How’s that for a great deal?

What makes this glass even more attractive is the fact it’s made of tin, using traditional techniques local to the city of Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, an area with a history of excellence in metal crafts, and also where the manufacturer Nagae is based.

There are apparently several advantages to creating a glass from tin. The metal is highly resistant to rust and corrosion, and it also has excellent thermal conductivity, which means that if you cool the glass in the refrigerator, you’ll be able to enjoy a cold drink instantly. Tin is also thought to make the drink taste more smooth and mellow due to the effect of its high negative ion content.

In addition, the Asakumo glass is made with a technique that creates very small bumps on the surface, so that plenty of froth is produced when the beer is poured.

▼ The glass seems to be a size that fits nicely in your hand.

The Awakumo glass is priced at 5,500 yen (US$50) and is available for overseas shipping from Ginga-do’s Global Rakuten site, so do check it out if you think it might be fun to enjoy a nice view of Mt. Fuji and a tasty drink at the same time. Who knows, the image of Mt. Fuji, Japan’s lucky mountain, might bring you some good fortune!

Source, images: @Press 

Osaka reminds everyone not to go jump off a bridge during World Cup, don’t jump on it either

https://ift.tt/2MxYv8L Master Blaster

Yes, even during the World Cup.

This certainly is shaping up to be an exciting World Cup for Japan. Going into the international tournament in a state of relative disarray and low expectations, the national team has performed rather well so far, beating Colombia and getting a draw against Senegal.

With the Samurai Blue chances to advance to the next round improving, municipal officials in Osaka are becoming increasingly concerned that more people will jump off the Ebisu Bridge in the heart of the city.

You see, jumping off the Ebisu Bridge is a long-standing sports tradition in Osaka. Mainly linked to the performance of not-so-local-but-local baseball team the Hanshin Tigers, impromptu parties are often held on the bridge to celebrate sporting achievements.

▼ A 2014 bridge party celebrating the Tigers reaching the Japan series for the first time in nine years

Since the bridge isn’t so high above the Dotonbori River, which runs through downtown Osaka and across its famous Glico sign, people aren’t seriously injured…usually. But there have been deaths and it’s not unheard of for someone to pick up some nasty germs such as E. coli in the urban waterway.

Still, its hard to break with tradition so victories continue to brings fans out to the bridge, and the World Cup has been no exception. In the early hours of June 25 about 500 soccer fans descended on the Dotonbori to express their joy over a tie with Senegal.

During this party, about 20 people jumped into the Dotonbori river. No one was seriously hurt, but a few people needed assistance making it back to land as life preservers were tossed into the murky river to recover them.

In response, the city of Osaka issued a warning against jumping off the bridge, along with a cute graphic of a little referee holding up a red card.

▼ “The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has been underway from June 14, but jumping into rivers is extremely dangerous. Let’s stop it altogether!”

Image: Osaka City Website

Surely all those young folks regularly check their municipal government’s website, so that should be the end of all that nasty business. But before we go wiping our hands together out of satisfaction of a job well done, there’s another problem.

After the Senegal match, the hundreds of party-goers could be seen jumping in unison and shouting, “NIPPON!” While this is a lovely display of national pride, it has also caused the Ebisu Bridge to begin wavering.

Since this bridge is mainly intended for pedestrians, it isn’t designed to withstand such a heavy pounding. One person drowning in the river is certainly a tragedy, but scores dying in a bridge collapse is a whole other level. So, Osaka’s Mayor Yoshimura personally tweeted a warning for all to stop.

▼ “The bridge isn’t designed with the assumption that 500 people will jump on it. It is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Please stop.”

Ｗ杯で日本が素晴らしい試合をしています。僕も応援しています。しかし、28日のポーランド戦で決勝に進出しても、絶対に戎橋の上で飛び跳ねないで下さい。500人が飛び跳ねることを前提とした設計をしていません。「極めて危険」です。やめて下… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

—
吉村洋文（大阪市長） (@hiroyoshimura) June 25, 2018

Of course, Osaka isn’t just relying on the Internet to spread their message of responsible partying. Signs are also put up around the bridge that are bright yellow so they are visible at night and printed in four languages with the simple message: “Please do not jump.”

That humble request might not convey the urgency of the situation, but therein lies the dilemma.

今日の道頓堀えびすばし https://t.co/VKpLpwJCmR

—
志摩@7/16金沢東方祭B21,22 (@smsm_meguri) June 28, 2018

A warning along the lines of, “Hey, there’s E. coli in that river!” would probably be more dissuasive. However, this stretch of the Dotonbori is also a major tourist area, so such a sign would also be tantamount to “Hey, look at our big poison river!”

Somehow, the city will have to thread that tricky needle of getting through to rowdy revelers while also maintaining the dignity of the face of the city. And they better think of something quick, because tonight’s match against Poland is looking like a foregone conclusion.

It might not be too late to convince people to go back to tossing statues of Colonel Sanders into the river instead. Ronald McDonald too? Sure what the heck, the World Cup only comes along once every four years.

Source: Daily Sports, Hachima Kiko
Top image: Wikipedia/Tokumeigakarinoaoshima

Elleanor in Harajuku w/ Kinji Denim Jacket, Lace Camisole, WC Plaid Skirt & Heels

https://ift.tt/2N5vFha

While out on the streets of Harajuku, we spotted Elleanor, a Japanese punk rocker, style icon, and model who we often feature in our street snaps.

Today, Elleanor – sporting blue-and-purple ombre hair – is decked out in a denim jacket from the Harajuku vintage shop Kinji, worn over layers of white butterfly print t-shirt and a pink lacy camisole, both of which are from WC Harajuku. She styled her layered tops with a plaid skirt – also from WC – black socks, and black leather heeled loafers. A silver pendant necklace, safety pin earrings and a silver see-through glitter bag with a chain sling rounded out her look.

Elleanor likes the music of the Japanese punk band Questions and Answers. She is active on Instagram.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Tokyo Street Style

Godzilla? Japanese news broadcast reports “giant creature” in Tokyo Harbor

https://ift.tt/2yUnXUm Master Blaster

Coincidence? Or was someone at Nippon TV having a little fun?

It’s not uncommon for people to have the TV on at a low volume while doing other things around the house such as cooking or cleaning. So, people who happened to have been watching Nippon Television news last Monday may have received a shock when a disturbingly vague summary appeared at the bottom of the screen.

▼ “I took a screenshot because that telop (text superimposed on a screen) makes it look like Godzilla appeared.”

ゴジラが出てきそうなテロップだったのでスクショした https://t.co/vsL9eToWJQ

—
💣GOTYO💣 (@ProjectNO39) June 25, 2018

The caption in the chyron reads: “Tokyo Harbor, Giant Creature, Several Reported Sightings”. The use of the term “kyodai seibutsu” for “giant creature” is especially important, as we will soon see.

Often when you hear “giant creature” and “Tokyo Harbor” your mind can’t help but go to one thing.

@ProjectNO39 https://t.co/vtjEAifg0J

—
-椛- (@kirisame_mariku) June 25, 2018

In fact, the style of the caption is strikingly similar to what you might find in the recent Shin Godzilla (Godzilla Resurgence) movie. In some of the simulated news segments of the movie, graphics frequently use the term “giant unknown creature” in reference to Godzilla.

▼ Fake news!

▼ ”kyodai fumei seibutsu” or “giant unknown creature”

The following mock newspaper from Universal Studios Japan uses a very similar headline as well: “Osaka Harbor, Giant Unknown Creature”

@ProjectNO39 ゴジラ、ゴジラ、ゴジラがやってきた https://t.co/QNJD5xABaN

—
しーちゃん (@Maicute_setuna) June 25, 2018

Nippon TV were right to remove the “unknown” part seeing as the creature in question was really nothing more than a whale that had wandered in unusually close to the nation’s capital. The sightings were more straightforwardly reported by TV Asahi News.

東京湾でクジラ“目撃”　海上保安庁が注意呼びかけ 5.tvasahi.jp/000130269?a=ne…

—
テレ朝news (@tv_asahi_news) June 24, 2018

This leaves one question, which most commenters think they have figured out already.

“That was totally intentional. Lol”
“Without a doubt they did that on purpose. Who was it? The director?”
“Oh no! Japan is finished!”
“They recreated the movie rather well.”
“Maybe they were just trying to trick the government into resigning.”
“Maybe Godzilla’s fourth evolution was just turning into a normal whale.”
“Damn you Prime Minister Abe, for dragging your heels on the Mechagodzilla initiative.”
“I think I heard that the name Godzilla (Gojira) came from combining ‘gorilla’ (gorira) and ‘whale’ (kujira)…so, yeah.”

Playing devil’s advocate, there is a chance that two producers were bickering behind the scenes with each convinced it was either a northern minke whale or a false killer whale, which is actually a part of the dolphin family. With neither willing to compromise and only a few minutes to air, they just decided to call the whole thing off and name it a “giant creature.”

Then again, the people behind superimposing text onto Japanese television programming do have something of a reputation for their freewheeling ways. So, it’s probably a safe bet that this was an intentional throwback to Japan’s biggest movie monster.

Source: Twitter/@ProjectNO39 via My Game News Flash
Featured image: Twitter/@ProjectNO39