Japanese Asstronaut Wears Same Underwear for 4 1/2 Months

Koichi Wakata, the Japanese astronaut who just returned from 4 1/2 months on the international space station, grossed-out his fellow aviators by disclosing to them that he had not changed his underwear the entire time. Apparently he was testing out a new type of industrial grade undie designed by the Japanese company J-Wear to be odor free and fire-retardant. Though it is not entirely clear why any company would want to make underwear designed to be worn for months at a time, there is speculation that the president of J-Wear is an 8 year-old boy prone to stinky skivvies and playing with matches.

On the Edge in Tokyo

Hottest day of the year in Tokyo? Only one thing to do: Climb a mountain! Just 30 minutes from our apartment on the outskirts of Tokyo is Mt. Takao. Most people forget that most of Japan is inhospitable- covered in rugged mountains and dense forests. Notice how clearly you can see where the city abruptly ends and the nature begins. The newest Michelin Guide gave Mt. Takao 3 stars, which is the maximum putting it on par with Mt. Fuji. This distinction has also brought with it hoards of European tourists dressed in short-shorts and dress socks.

The pay off at the top: A tease of Mt. Fuji in the distance covered in clouds.

Another indication that European tourists have invaded: Coke is SOLD OUT

Visual Host Fashion Biting Gal Style

A new TV program on NHK called Kawaii TV promises to feature all things "cute" for the discriminating fashionista. But "Gal's" aren't the only ones being targeted, Metrosexuals are also being encouraged to tune in. Today's show featured the growing trend of men wearing "silhouette enhancing" women's clothing, such as skinny jeans, blouses and healed boots- they are even applying light make-up. Taking things even further is the Visual Host style combining heavy metal costuming and make-up with host club coolness. Host clubs are places women go to be fawned over by handsome professional hosts- and the women pay for the service, often racking up liqueur bills in the thousands of dollars, "why don't you treat us all to a bottle of Dom Perignon?" (At least they can be sure the guys are actually listening to them.) However, as was featured on Kawaii TV, this style is seeping out of the host clubs and into the streets. The stylists took a normal looking guy and gave him the full treatment. Afterwards they invited his girlfriend on to comment. Surprisingly she was really into it and couldn't wait to show him off to her friends.

15 Minutes of Shame

Adding to the already bad news of Japan's incredible shrinking population are the new statistics showing that 30,000 people a year commit suicide here. This equates to one suicide every 15 minutes. Most suicides are committed by men in their 50's, and it is believed that they do so in order to provide insurance money to their families (yes, life insurance in Japan covers suicides- do you see a possible relationship between this and the number of suicides? Apparently nobody else does.)

The skyrocketing unemployment rate of 4.4% is also believed to be behind the high rate of suicides.

People hoping to "off" themselves have plenty of options in Japan: jumping in front of the Chuo Line, walking naked into remote mountain areas to die of exposure, or joining one of the many web support groups cropping-up designed to share ideas on quick-and-easy suicide techniques. You can also use these sites to hook up with a "buddy" so you won't have to face the deed alone.