Members of a USS crew filed suit against TEPCO

8 members of a USS Ronald Reagan crew who joined "Operation Tomodachi", the assistance operation to support Japan in disaster relief following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami file a suit against TEPCO(Tokyo Electric Power Company) for being exposed to radiation.
The plaintiffs are arguing that they had to work in the stricken area while misunderstanding radiation risk not having being provided accurate information. They claim 220 million dollars, 10 million for the each in damages and the rest for establishing a fund for medical expenses in the future.


トモダチ作戦参加の米兵が東電訴える　―NHKニュース
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20121228/k10014491471000.html

Free BIG Mac. McDonald's 60 seconds rule

McDonald's Japan will implement the sales campaign named "ENJOY!"60 Seconds Service" from January 4th till 31st giving customers a free sandwich coupon for any purchase if it takes more than 60 seconds to serve. The coupon can be exchanged for popular hamburgers including BIG Mac.
Furthermore on January 14th next year, Coming of Age Day(Adult's Day) it will serve free BIG Macs for new adults who become 20 between April 1st in 2012 and March 31st in 2013.


マック　６０秒で渡せなければ無料券…来月４日から　―YOMIURI ONLINE
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/gourmet/news/business/20121221-OYT8T00253.htm?from=navlk

TSUTAYA yearly game sales rankings [PS3/PS Vita/PSP/Wii/3DS/DS]

Pokemon Black and White

TSUTAYA, CD, DVD and game software rental and seller chain in its "TSUTAYA Yearly Ranking" announced game software sales rankings.
The time period for tallying the results is January 1st through December 2nd this year.

Comic Market 83 Catalog is released

Comic Market 83 Catalog

Comic Market 83 DVD-ROM Catalog

Comic Market 83 Catalog was released both in booklet(2,000 yen/$23.84) and DVD-ROM(2,400 yen/$28.61) version. This winter, 34,932 groups will join the world's largest subculture event throughout the three days from December 29th to 31st.


コミケットカタログ取扱店の御案内
http://www.comiket.co.jp/info-a/CatalogShop.html

Educational expenses of Japanese family is 1.91M yen

Educational expenses of Japanese families which have a elementary school child or older this year averages 1.912 million yen($2.286 million) increased by 3,000 yen from last year. This accounts for 38.6 percent of annual income.
The research was conducted by Japan Finance Corporation to 5,083 households which used educational loans in February and March.


教育費　年収の３８・６％　負担割合が最高　―MSN産経ニュース
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/news/121214/trd12121408160000-n1.htm

Dowango Mobile 2012 Anime song download ranking

Anime "Sword Art Online"

Dowango Mobile on November 30th revealed "Animelo 2012 Yearly Ranking" totalizing the number of music downloads on its mobile service, AnimeloMix and Cho!Animelo. Animelo has high shares in anime song therefore the ranking reflects the trend in anime songs.

"K-ON! x Glico" hijacked Akihabara Station

The ads of "Anime K-ON! X Glico Aisu no Mi(Ice Nuts)" collaboration sales campaign appeared in Akihabara Station. There are 10 voice actresses-autographed posters, the each of the five main characters of the anime have two versions of posters.

Feminising! the world's dictators

"Feminise! World's Dictators"

Ikaros Publishing on November 29th released the book called "Feminise! World's Dictators", feminising dictators who took the reins of a government in the world in the Twentieth Century. Character designs are based on their episodes, personalities and policies.
It is 1,950 yen($23.65) and includes following people.

Car of the Year 2012-2013 won by CX-5

Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5 was chosen for the "CAR OF THE YEAR JAPAN 2012-2013". The five-door crossover admired for its SKYACTIV technology, the new clean diesel engine.

Google.co.jp Yearly Search Word Ranking 2012

Google on its Japanese website revealed "Google Yearly Search Word Ranking 2012".

ORICON 2012 Book Sales Ranking [Light Novels]

Light Novel Book Ranking

1 :Sword Art Online 1 Aincrad
    by Reki Kawahara
Anime: http://www.swordart-online.net/

ORICON 2012 Book Sales Ranking [Comics]

Comic Book Sales Ranking

1 :ONE PIECE 65
Manga: http://www.j-onepiece.com/
Anime: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/onep/

ANA deleted 100,000 seats reservations

All Nippon Airways(ANA) by November 28th have accidentally deleted the reservations for 100,000 seats of its domestic lines in February 2013. The reservations for flights are still valid but all the reserved seats were cancelled. ANA explained that the cause was system fault.


全日空、不具合で座席指定消滅　13年２月の10万席　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG2805C_Y2A121C1CR8000/

N Korean ship drifted ashore with 5 dead bodies inside

A fisherman in Sado, Niigata at 7 am on November 28th found a wooden ship on the shoe. prefectural police admitted bones of five adult males inside the 13 metres ship which has hangul, Korean characters on the body. They seem to be North Korean fishermen being dead at least a month ago.


漂着船に５遺体　佐渡、北朝鮮の漁民か　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG2805S_Y2A121C1CC1000/

"HMV BEST OF 2012" Anime DVD/BD sales rankings

HMV on November 24th announced "HMV ON LINE YEARLY RANKINGS BEST OF 2012" accumulated the number of orders received on its online store from January 1st and November 11th.
Here are the section of anime DVDs/Blu-ray Discs.

U.S. Navy Japan prohibits alcohol after 10 PM

U.S. Force Japan Sasebo Base

U.S. Naval Force Japan ordered the prohibition of alcohol between 10 pm to 8 am to all the bases in Japan. It earlier prohibited the officers from going out between 11 pm and 5 am after two officers were arrested for assaulting an Okinawan female.


日本の全基地に夜間禁酒令　米海軍　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNZO48860040X21C12A1CC1000/

Apple's "Siri" will make CD debut

Apple's Siri personificated

The music CD named "Teach us Ms. Siri" featuring Siri, the personal assistant and navigation application for Apple's iOS will be released on December 8th. It included "Hello, Siri-tan" uploaded on video-sharing websites earlier this year and 5 new songs.
*This is not an official project by Apple Inc.


りんご電話のパーソナルアシスタント『しり』がしゃべり、歌う(!!)、りんご愛爆発のキャラクターCDが登場!!　―IOSYS
http://www.iosysos.com/cd/ringo/

Yahoo! Japan Search Word Ranking 2012

Yahoo! Japan on November 26th announced "2012 Search Word Ranking" listing the most searched words in this year between January 1st and October 31st.

"Mazinger Z" 40th anniversary figure

Mazinger Z figure

Bandai in December will release the figure of the robot "Mazinger Z" celebrating 40th anniversary of the birth of the anime. It will be 36,750 yen($446.11).


「マジンガーZ」3万6750円　生誕40周年記念フィギュア　―J-CASTモノウォッチ
http://www.j-cast.com/mono/2012/11/26135702.html

"Stand up Joe!" Figure of Joe Yabuki unveiled at a commercial street

Figure of Joe Yabuki

The figure of Joe Yabuki, a boxer in anime and manga "Ashita no Joe" also known as "Tomorrow's Joe" was built at the entrance of Iroha-kai Commercial Street, Taito-ku, Tokyo and unveiled on November 24th. The 1.9 metres figure is made from FRP(fibre-reinforced plastic).


立つんだ！ジョー！！　漫画の舞台　台東活性化へ　―TOKYO Web
http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/national/news/CK2012112502000117.html

Rice of anime "Hyouka" will be released

"Eru Chitanda Rice"

Takayama Rice Cooperative Union will release "Eru Chitanda Rice" on December 1st. It has Eru Chitanda, a heroin of anime "Hyouka" printed on the package.
A 2 kilograms bag will be 1,575 yen($19.11) for regular, and 3,150 yen($38.23) for premium.


飛騨産米:袋に人気アニメ「氷菓」　角川とタイアップ　―毎日jp
http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20121122mog00m040022000c.html

U.S. Forces officer became naked and urinated inside an internet cafe

USS George Washington at Yokosuka, Kanagawa

A crew of the USS George Washington, Petty Officer 3rd Class Oscar Hayes Wiygul(23) on November 23rd was arrested for being naked and urinating inside a manga and internet cafe in Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama.
He was drunk when he came to the cafe with his colleague(21).
U.S. Forces Japan is prohibiting all the officers from going out between 11PM and 5AM.


米兵が漫画喫茶で全裸、公然わいせつ容疑で逮捕、外出禁止時間に／神奈川　―カナロコ 神奈川新聞社
http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1211230036/

Mercedes's anime "NEXT A-Class" on YouTube

Mercedes-Benz Japan on YouTube uploaded "NEXT A-Class", a 6 minutes promotion anime created in cooperation with Production I.G and Hakuhodo, informing the new 2013 A-Class.
In the video, the new A-Class driven by characters chases legendary ramen noodle truck in futuristic city of Tokyo.

NEXT A-Class with English Subtitles



メルセデス・ベンツのアニメが超絶クオリティ　貞本キャラ×Production I.G　―ねとらぼ
http://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1211/19/news067.html

A man with knife took 4 hostages at a Toyokawa Shinkin Bank

A branch of Toyokawa Shinkin Bank

A 32 years old man named Koji Nagakubo with a knife confined himself taking 4 hostages including a 41 years old vice-manager Kengo Kato at Toyokawa Shinkin Bank in Kurako Toyokawa, Aichi for more than 13 hours till 3:08 am on November 23rd.
Police entered the bank to arrest him when he had a snooze. Among the hostages 19 years old Moe Takeyama was slightly injured on her arm. Nagakubo demanded the resign of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.


無職男を監禁容疑で現行犯逮捕　人質全員を保護　―MSN産経ニュース
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/affairs/news/121123/crm12112307270003-n1.htm

2013: Whose calenders are popular? Idols, actors, animes

Anime "AKB0048"

Recochoku on November 21st announced "2013 Calender Popularity Index" resulted from the numbers pre-ordered and sold on Recochoku shopping, the e-commerce website.

Nuisance emailing is not prohibited in 33 prefectures

Recent report of Yomiuri newspaper exposed that nuisance emailing by stalkers is not prohibited by anti-nuisance ordinance in 33 of 47 prefectures in Japan including Tokyo and Kanagawa.
Most of these prefectures' anti-nuisance ordinance prohibit harassments only by telephone calling and faxing.


３３都道県でメール禁じず…ストーカー対策　―YOMIURI ONLINE
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20121118-OYT1T00312.htm

TV use of Japanese. How long do they watch TV in a day?

MyNavi News conducted a research to 500(256 males / 244 females) of its website membership users about their use of TV.

Finally, the first snow fall in Sapporo and Asahikawa

Penguins at Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa

In Sapporo and Asahikawa, Hokkaido on November 18th, the first snow fall of the season was observed. It was the latest first snow in an year in Asahikawa since the city started taking statistics in 1888, and the second latest in Sapporo since it started taking statistics in 1876.


旭川の初雪、昨年より４６日遅れ　―YOMIURI ONLINE
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20121119-OYT1T01112.htm

Family arrested for hiding a machine gun and grenades in their house

The submachine gun seized

Tokushima Prefectural Police on November 17th arrested Takayuki Mino a 39 years old company officer and his parents living in Takamatsu City for concealing a submachine gun, 201 bullets and 3 grenades in　 an attic of their house.
The authorities investigate means and purpose of acquisition.


屋根裏に自動小銃・手榴弾　親子３人逮捕　―MSN産経west
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/west/west_affairs/news/121118/waf12111808570003-n1.htm

Where in Japan do you want to live? - SeikatsuGuide.com

Shinjuku, Tokyo

SeikatsuGuide.com a website managed by SBI Life Living revealed the rankings of ideal place in Japan to live chosen by the membership users.
Clicking on the city names directs you to Google Maps.

Best light novel rankings by "This Light Novel is Amazing! 2013"

Light novel "Sword Art Online"

An annual light novel guide book "Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!(This Light Novel is Amazing!)" revealed "This Light Novel is Amazing! 2013".
All light novels were ranked by the total points earned from each screeners group listed below.

Cooperators
Novelists, critics, writers, event staffs, college clubs, and the internet writers.
Questionnaires on the web site
Conducted on Takarajima web site
Monitors
Conducted by Macromill to light novel readers who read more than 50 in an year.

"EVANGELION" and companies, collaboration goods and services

More than 20 firms so far have implemented sales promotions tied up with film "Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo" coming to theatres on November 17th. Here are some examples.

"ONE PIECE" Sanji's pirates recipes

"ONE PIECE PIRATE RECIPES" from Shueisha
Shueisha on November 28th will release a cook book named "ONE PIECE PIRATE RECIPES 海の一流料理人 サンジの満腹ごはん(ONE PIECE PIRATE RECIPES the first-class cook on the sea, Sanji's full stomach meals)" introducing recipes of dishes that Sanji made in the anime. The book is 1,470 yen($18.11).


『ONE PIECE』サンジのレシピ本が登場 - あの骨付き肉の調理法も公開!?　―マイナビニュース
http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2012/11/13/193/

Design for the New National Stadium Japan building chosen

The New National Stadium Japan

JAPAN SPORT COUNCIL announced that the conceptual building design by Zaha Hadid Architects in Britain was chosen for the New National Stadium Japan in Shinjuku, Tokyo. There were eleven finalists on the web site chosen among the applicants from all over the world.
The stadium costs 130 billion yen($1.6B) in total for construction and will possibly be used for Tokyo 2020 Olympics.


新国立競技場デザインはザハ・ハディド氏の作品に決定　―jp.WSJ.com
http://jp.wsj.com/japanrealtime/blog/archives/15446/

Waseda University's plan for 150th anniversary educates global leaders

Waseda University in Tokyo

Waseda University announced "Waseda Vision 150", the medium- and long-term plans till 2032 when it will celebrate 150th anniversary.


Waseda Vision 150
・Decreases the number of undergraduate students by 20% to 35,000
・Introduces quarter system
・Teaches 50% of the classes in foreign languages
・Let all students study abroad or volunteer in a foreign country
・Doubles the number of foreign students to 10,000, 20% of the whole
・Triples the number of foreign instructors to 400
・Increases the number of full-time instructors by 20% to 2,000
・75% of the classes will focus on debates and exercises


早大、学部生を２割減　今後20年の長期ビジョン公表　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG1503F_V11C12A1000000/

"Do you like Japan?" People in Asia answered

AUN CONSULTING, Inc. on November 6th revealed the results of survey measured people's degrees of Japanophile(how much they like Japan) in ten Asian nations. The survey was held on the internet collecting 1,000 valid responses(100 for each country) from people over 18.

LOVE - LIKE - DO NOT LIKE - HATE
From the top: Korean / Chinese / Taiwanese / Hong Konger / Thai / Malaysian / Singaporean / Indonesian / Vietnamese / Philipino

Which Japanese products or services do you like?
(average percentages of the 10 countries)

41-74% - Anime/Manga
25-71% - Food


意外? 中国では55%が日本を「大好き」「好き」と回答--アジア10カ国親日度　―マイナビニュース
http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2012/11/07/089/index.html

AKB48 overpowers on Single CD Sales Rankings 2012 - Oricon

The Oricon's single CD sales rankings of 2012 at the point of November 13th shows that the top twenty are occupied by AKB48 groups and Johnny & Associates groups.


Oricon Single CD Sales Rankings 2012
(number of copies sold)

1 : 1.820M - AKB48 "Manatsu no Sounds Good!"
2 : 1.437M - AKB48 "GIVE ME FIVE!"
3 : 1.292M - AKB48 "Gingham Check"
4 : 1.129M - AKB48 "UZA"
5 : 0.649M - Arashi "Wild at Heart"
6 : 0.620M - Arashi "Face Down"
7 : 0.593M - SKE48 "Kataomoi Finally"
8 : 0.582M - SKE48 "Ai Shite Love Ru!"
9 : 0.578M - SKE48 "Kiss datte Hidarikiki"
10: 0.559M - Arashi "Your Eyes"
11: 0.449M - NMB48 "Nagiichi"
12: 0.385M - NMB48 "Virginity"
13: 0.376M - NMB48 "Junjō U-19"
14: 0.375M - Eightranger "ER"
15: 0.352M - Kis-My-Ft2 "WANNA BEEEE!!!/Shake It Up"
16: 0.320M - Kanjani Eight "Ai Deshita"
17: 0.319M - Kis-My-Ft2 "We never give up!"
18: 0.317M - NMB48 "Kitagawa Kenji"
19: 0.304M - NEWS "Chankapāna"
20: 0.291M - Hey!Say!JUMP "SUPER DELICATE"

Pink - AKB48 and the derivative groups
Green - Johnny & Associates groups


2012年オリコン年間シングルランキングトップ20、ついにAKB48グループとジャニーズで埋まる！　―The Natsu Style
http://www.tnsori.com/archives/51936293.html


AKB48 "Manatsu no Sounds Good!"

"From Japan with Love (And Dashi)": 3 min video tour of Japan

Daniel Klein, a film maker and a chef living in Minneapolis, Minnesota United States shot a beautiful video during his two weeks stay in Japan.

Film "Madoka Magica" soars 1B yen at box-office

"Puella Magi Madoka Magica" the movie

Two films of anime "Puella Magi Madoka Magica", "Beginnings" and "Eternal" on November 11th reached box office revenue of 1 billion yen($12.57M). The record was made only a month after the release of "Eternal" though it was played in only 43 theatres throughout Japan.
They summarize an entire serial drama showed on TV.


Breakdown so far

"Beginnings"
Release: Oct. 6 2012
Audience numbers: 357,000
Box-office revenue: 520M yen($6.5M)

"Eternal"
Release: Oct. 13 2012
Audience numbers: 336,000
Box-office revenue: 480M yen($6.0M)


［まどか☆マギカ］劇場版の興収が前後編で早くも10億円突破　―マイナビニュース
http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2012/11/12/134/


"Puella Magi Madoka Magica" the movie promotional video 90 seconds


"Puella Magi Madoka Magica" the movie 15 seconds TV spots No.1, 2

One out of three males in their 20s, "Maybe I can't get married."

One out of three Japanese males of their twenties think they would like to get married but might not be able to. LIFENET INSURANCE COMPANY revealed the result of internet survey acquired responses from 450 single males in their twenties.


Japanese Males in their 20s
27.8% - "I want to get married and think I can."

35.3% - "I don't want to get married."

36.9% - "I want to get married but may not be able to."
   Why can not?
       60.8% - "economic stability"
       48.2% - "I am not liked by females."


３人に１人、「結婚できないかも」＝経済力に不安、２０代男性－生保調査　―時事ドットコム
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=soc_30&k=2012110800097

[Akihabara] Kanda Fire Station hires animated girl

Yokumi Kanda

Kanda Fire Station in Akihabara, Tokyo hired an animated girl character named Yokumi Kanda.
Designed by an artist Tsukasa Nagano, she will promote the fire department.


可愛すぎる！　神田消防署に萌えキャラ「神田よくみ」がデビュー！　―ASCII.jp
http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/742/742298/

"DRAGON QUEST X" reached 400,000 paid players - SQUARE ENIX

Square Enix on November 6th announced that the number of paying members of its Nintendo Wii based online game "DRAGON QUEST X" reached 400,000 3 months after the release. It has already shipped more than 700,000 packages.
"FINAL FANTASY XI", Square Enix's another online game for PS2, Xbox360 and PC launched in 2002 on the other hand, acquired only 100,000 paid memberships in the first 3 months.


ドラゴンクエスト10:有料会員40万人突破　―毎日jp
http://mainichi.jp/mantan/news/20121106dyo00m200015000c.html


DRAGON QUEST X Promotion Video


FINAL FANTASY XI

Flies outbroke in Hokkaido

Aphid, sometimes called "snow flies"

The huge outbreak of a kind of flying aphid in Otaru City, Hokkaido is distressing local residents with extremely low visibility.
It will continue for about a week according to the authorities though its cause is still unknown.


前見えない…“アブラムシ”大発生　北海道　―日テレNEWS24　―Yahoo!ニュース
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/videonews/nnn?a=20121106-00000033-nnn-soci

Hot Products Rankings 2012 - Nikkei Trendy

Monthly magazine Nikkei Trendy revealed "Hot Products Rankings 2012".

1 : Tokyo Sky Tree(東京スカイツリー)
A 634 metres(2,080 ft) broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo completed February 29th 2012.

2 : LINE(LINE)
An instant messaging application for smartphones and PCs also enables users to send images, video, audio media messages and make VoIP calls.

3 : LCC domestic lines(国内線LCC)
Low-cost carriers or low-cost airlines. Peach Aviation, AirAsia Japan, Jetstar Japan

4 : Maruchan Seimen(マルちゃん正麺)
Instant ramen noodle brand of Maruchan in flavours of soy sauce, salt, miso, and pork bone broth.

5 : fitcut CURVE(フィットカット カーブ)
Scissors with extremely low rebound resilience grips and curved blades.


6 : JINS PC(JINS PC)
Glasses for PC users cutting blue light from PC and smartphone screens by 50 percents.


7 : Touch Detective(おさわり探偵 なめこ栽培キット)
An adventure game app for iPhone and Android.


8 : KIRIN Metz COLA(キリン メッツ コーラ)
A kind of cola soda from Kirin accredited with the Food for Specified Health Uses(FOSHU) by Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency which restrains fat in food to be absorbed in the body.


9 : Machikon(街コン)
A type of large-scale konpa situated in a whole town gathering about 100 to 3,000 people who seek a partner for marriage.


10: Black beers(黒ビール系飲料)
ASAHI SUPERDRY BLACK / KIRIN STOUT / SAPPORO Barley and Hops


2012年ヒット商品ランキング発表！ 1位は「東京スカイツリー」　―日経トレンディネット
http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/pickup/20121031/1045016/