90 percents of Japanese men think economically supporting family is husband's role

Annual income of women who have been jobless once after marriage

Japanese women: Approximately 70% are below 1.3M yen($16,500)
American women: Over 40% are below 1.42M yen($18,000)


Men who think economical support for family is husband's role

Japanese men: Approximately 90%
American men: Approximately 50%


Women who do not want husband to take child-care leave

Japanese women: 53%
American women: 29%


Research was conducted by the team of Ochanomizu University to women aged between 20 to 39(917 Japaneses/1,508 Americans) and men who have a child aged below 12(715 Japaneses/1500 Americans).


-FACTS-
It is still popular for Japanese women leaving job for a long time after marriage and having baby. However working as part timer is common among them.


男性の９割「経済的に家族支えるのは夫」　―SankeiBiz
http://www.sankeibiz.jp/econome/news/120826/ecc1208261501006-n1.htm

A new maid cafe inside Yodobashi-Akiba

Yodobashi-Akiba, in Akihabara, Tokyo

A maid cafe named "Candy Fruits" will open inside the second floor of Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba(Yodobashi-Akiba) in Akihabara, Tokyo in September 1st.
The cafe has 42 seats in approximately 50 square metre space.

Blend Coffee - 580 yen
Cheesecake - 500 yen
Mango Yogurt Parfait - 900 yen
Omurice - 1,200 yen
Taking Photo - 600-800 yen
and more


-FACTS-
Yodobashi-Akiba is the largest electronics retail store in Akihabara, Tokyo. Thea building with nine stories above ground and six below is one of the symbolic landscape in Akihabara.


秋葉原・ヨドバシに初のメードカフェ出店へ－観光客などライト層狙う　―アキバ経済新聞
http://akiba.keizai.biz/headline/2849/



"THE IDOLM@STER" occupied Akihabara Station

Criminals of Akihabara Massacre(2008) released a book

Akihabara maids all together sprinkled water on the street

"The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki" drew 2.4M people in a month

"The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki"

"The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki" the animation film directed by Mamoru Hosoda released in July 21st drew 2.4 million audiences in first 30 days in Japan.


-FACTS-
Mamoru Hosoda is the director of "Summer Wars"(2009) and "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time"(2006).


おおかみこどもの雨と雪 ： 公開30日で観客動員数が240万人を突破　―MANTANWEB
http://mantan-web.jp/2012/08/20/20120820dog00m200024000c.html

London Olympic medalists paraded through Ginza

Parade in Ginza

In August 20th, 71 Japanese medalists of 2012 London Olympics on the roof of buses paraded streets of Ginza, Tokyo. Approximately 500,000 spectators crowded around them celebrating their achievements.
The buses proceeded 1km on the street for 20 minutes.


-FACTS-
It was the first time for all Japanese Olympic medalists gathered together to have parade.


五輪メダリスト７１人、銀座をパレード　沿道５０万人　―朝日新聞デジタル
http://www.asahi.com/sports/update/0820/TKY201208200149.html



●2012 London Olympic Game: Japan acquired 38 medals

Two thunderbolts killed ladies at park in Osaka

Tree inside park hit by lightning

Thunderbolts struck Nagai Park in Higashisumiyoshi-ku Osaka twice in the afternoon of August 18th killing two 22-year-old ladies and injured a males and 7 females.
The thunderbolts fell twice on trees in the park first at 2:15PM and secondary at 3:05 PM. On the day, outdoor music concert was planned at the place.


大阪・長居の落雷で意識不明の女性死亡　死者２人に　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG1901L_Z10C12A8CC1000/

Narita Airport: jam of people returning home

Narita Airport

At Narita International Airport, approximately 50,000 people entered Japan in August 18th. The number of the airport users including entrances and departures will be 3.74 million during the summer season(Jul 13th - Sep 12th) increased by 9 percents from the corresponding period of last year.


成田空港、帰国ラッシュ　18日は５万人　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG1800Z_Y2A810C1CC0000/

51 Kei-cars per 100 Japanese households

SUZUKI"Wagon R STINGRAY", a family of Wagon R, long time popular Kei in Japan

Japan Mini Vehicles Association in August 17th announced that the number of Kei-cars(light automobile) in Japan reached the record large of 27,607,891 or 51 Kei-cars per 100 households.

The Number of Kei-cars per 100 Households by Prefectures

1 :Tottori - 99
2 :Saga - 98.7
3 :Shimane - 97.3
-------------------
47:Tokyo - 11.1


-FACTS-
Daihatsu, Suzuki and Honda are the top 3 Kei-car manufacturer. Honda"N BOX" released December 2011 is now the best selling Kei in Japan(Apr-June 2012). In addition, Mira(Daihatsu), Wagon R(Suzuki), TANTO(Daihatsu), MOVE(Daihatsu), ALTO(Suzuki), MOCO(Nissan), PALETTE(Suzuki), ROOX(Nissan), PIXIS(Toyota) are the ten best seller in June 2012.


軽自動車の保有台数、２年連続で２世帯に１台超　―YOMIURI ONLINE
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/atmoney/news/20120817-OYT1T01129.htm

Which coffee chains do Japanese like?

DOUTOR COFFEE

Coffee Shop of the Best Taste

1:STARBUCKS COFFEE
2:DOUTOR COFFEE SHOP
3:TULLY'S COFFEE
4:Komeda Coffee
5:UESHIMA COFFEE SHOP

Research
Term: 7/26/2012-7/30/2012
Respondents: MyNavi News membership users
Male:444 Female:556 Total:1,000
Method: Internet survey requires log on


-FACTS-
EXCELSIOR CAFFE, PRONTO, SEATTLE'S BEST COFFEE, CHAT NOIR, KOHIKAN and CAFE de CRIE are the other cafe chains you might often see in Tokyo.


一番コーヒーがおいしいと思うコーヒーチェーンランキング　―マイナビニュース
http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2012/08/09/003/

Starbucks inside a city library

Starbucks coffee shop inside library *image

Starbucks Coffee Japan will open a cafe inside Takeo City Library, Saga reopened after renewal in April 2013.
The city entrusts the operation of the library to Culture Convenience Club known for DVD and CD rental chain "TSUTAYA". The library with cafe will be giving "T-points" to users for each rental and open all year around. The expenses for commission will be 110 million yen($1.39M) per an year for next five years.


-FACTS-
TSUTAYA and GEO are the two largest DVD/BD and CD rental shop chains in Japan. GEO has comic book rental service also.


武雄市図書館へ「スターバックス」出店　―eBook USER
http://ebook.itmedia.co.jp/ebook/articles/1208/14/news054.html

Countries of the best local food - Hotels.com

Sushi

A Texas based online hotel reservation service, Hotels.com revealed the result of survey about global food conducted to more than 27,000 travelers in the world.


Countries of the Best Local Food(by the world travelers)

1 :Italy - 32%
2 :France - 24%
3 :Japan - 18%
4 :China - 13%
5 :Spain - 11%
6 :United States - 10%
7 :Mexico - 8%
8 :Thailand - 8%
9 :Taiwan - 5%
10:India - 5%

Sushi, tempura, ramen and soba were the world's favorite Japanese foods.


Countries of the Best Local Food(by Japanese travelers)

1 :Italy - 40%
2 :France - 31%
3 :Japan - 19%
4 :China - 15%
5 :Korea - 14%
6 :Taiwan - 10%
7 :Spain - 7%
8 :Germany - 7%
9 :Thailand - 6%
10:United States - 5%


Recommended Japanese Food(by Japanese)
*Choosing three Japanese food for recommendation

1 :Sushi - 74%
2 :Tempura - 57%
3 :Ramen - 33%
4 :Soba - 31%
5 :Okonomiyaki - 27%
6 :Shabu-shabu - 24%
7 :Curry - 14%
8 :Yakiniku - 9%
9 :Natto - 7%
10:Fugu - 6%


～日本食も世界のスタンダード料理の仲間入り！～ Hotels.com、全世界27,000人の旅行者を対象に 「旅先での食事」に関するアンケート調査を実施　―MSN産経ニュース
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/news/120731/prl12073118200092-n1.htm

Comic Market 82 attracted 560,000 visitors in 3 days

Tokyo Big Sight

Comic Market 82(Aug 10-12) gathered 560,000 subculture fans to Tokyo Big Sight. 210,000, the largest number for a day visited during the final day alone.
The number 560,000 equaled the summer of 2009 2010, recovering from the last year's decrease after the greatest earthquake.
15,000 circles joined the final day.
The next Comic Market 83 will be coming to Tokyo Big Sight from December 29th to 31st 2012.


Sexy Cosplayers　―ロケットニュース24
Funny Cosplayers　―ロケットニュース24
Cosplayers Day 1　―ガジェット通信
Cosplayers Day 2　―ガジェット通信
Cosplayers Day 3　―ガジェット通信


コミケ82 ： 最終日は21万人が来場　3日間で過去最多タイの56万人　震災前規模に　―MANTANWEB
http://mantan-web.jp/2012/08/12/20120812dog00m200012000c.html

2012 London Olympic Game: Japan acquired 38 medals

Kohei Uchimura, medal gymnast in all-around(gold), floor(silver) and team(silver)

In the 2012 London Olympic Game, Japan acquired 38 medals in total(Gold:7/Silver:14/Bronze:17), the sixth place in the total number of medals acquired.


国別メダル数ランキング - ロンドンオリンピック Yahoo!スポーツ×スポーツナビ　―Yahoo!Japan
http://london.yahoo.co.jp/medal

The Upper House passed the legislation to double the sales tax

The National Diet

August 10th, the Japanese House of Councilors passed the legislation to double the sales tax rate from 5 percents to 10 percents.
Affirmative was 237 and opposing was 188 out of 237 votes in total.
The sales tax rate in Japan will be 8 percents from April 1st 2014 and 10 percents from October 1st 2015.


消費増税法が成立　14年４月に８％、15年10月10％　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFS1002H_Q2A810C1000000/?dg=1

Which songs are the most popular at karaoke house?("hitokara") -JOYSOUND

"Senbonzakura"(Thousand Cherry Trees)

JOYSOUND "HITOKARA" Song Rankings
Which songs were sang by hitokara users?
*hitokara - coming to karaoke alone

1 :Senbonzakura - WhiteFlame feat.Hatsune Miku
2 :A Cruel Angel's Thesis - Yoko Takahashi
3 :Eiko no kakehashi - Yuzu
4 :Kabutomushi - aiko
5 :HANABI - Mr.Children
6 :Maji Love 1000% - ST☆RISH
7 :Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari - supercell
8 :Lion - May'n/Megumi Nakajima
9 :Connect - ClariS
10:Hanamizuki - Yo Hitoto
11:Chiisana Koi no Uta - MONGOL800
12:Ai wo Komete Hanataba wo - Superfly
13:Heavy Rotation - AKB48
14:Manatsu no Sounds good!- AKB48
15:Cherry - SPITZ
16:Kazoku ni Naroyo - Masaharu Fukuyama
17:Matryoshka - Hachi feat.Hatsune Miku, GUMI
18:Sign - Mr.Children
19:Sakura - Kobukuro
20:Tentai Kansoku - BUMP OF CHICKEN
21:God knows... - Haruhi Suzumiya(C.V. Aya Hirano)
22:Saudade - PORNO GRAFFITTI
23:Story - AI
24:Lovers Again - EXILE
25:Nandodemo - DREAMS COME TRUE
26:Arigatou - Ikimono-gakari
27:You're the Only… - Masatoshi Ono
28:Akai Sweet Pea - Seiko Matsuda
29:Amagi-goe - Sayuri Ishikawa
30:M - PRINCESS PRINCESS

The rankings were calculated by machines at each JOYSOUND karaoke house.
Five of the best ten were anime song.


Senbonzakura



JOYSOUND「ヒトカラ」ランキング　―JOYSOUND.com
http://joysound.com/ex/st/special/feature/hitokara/index.htm?acfm=rls

71,900 cars wrecked by 3.11 earthquake and tsunami were removed

Cars swept away by tsunami

The Ministry of the Environment announced that 71,900 automobiles wrecked by Great East Japan Earthquake or 3.11 last year in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima were removed to temporal depositories.
17,200 wrecks in Iwate, 52,800 in Miyagi and 1900 in Fukushima were removed until July 11th 2011 and 42,500 were already disposed.


東日本大震災の被災自動車７万台、撤去ほぼ終了　―YOMIURI ONLINE
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20120810-OYT1T01122.htm

"Baikamo" flowers under the water are at their best

"Baikamo" or water crowfoots

Flower of water crowfoots(ranunculus aquatilis/"Baikamo" in Japanese) bloomed in the Jizo River of Samegai, Maibara City, Shiga.
Plum-like flowers dancing under the water were lit up every night until August 5th. The blossoms are at their best till the end of September.





ゆらゆらひんやり、水面のバイカモ　滋賀・米原　―朝日新聞デジタル
http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0804/OSK201208040037.html

20,000 fireworks lit the night of Nagaoka Festival

Fireworks at Nagaoka Festival 12

About 20,000 fireworks set off at the second and third nights of Nagaoka Festival(Aug 1st-3rd).
The festival and fireworks are held every year at Shinano River bed commemorating aerial attack to Nagaoka City, Niigata by the U.S. armed forces in August 1st in 1945.
This year 430,000 people visited the second day of the festival and 460,000 did the third day.





長岡まつり協議会
http://nagaokamatsuri.com/index.html

２万発に喝采　長岡まつり大花火大会　新潟　―MSN産経ニュース
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/region/news/120804/ngt12080402110000-n1.htm

Which anime do Japanese internet users like in the 1st half 2012? -GadgetTsushin

"Fate/Zero"

Anime Popularity Rankings the First Half 2012

1 :Fate/Zero 2nd Season
2 :SMILE PRECURE!
3 :Bodacious Space Pirates
4 :Nyarko-san: Another Crawling Chaos
5 :Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
6 :Space Brothers
7 :Folktales from Japan
8 :Hyouka
9 :Mysterious Girlfriend X
10:THERMAE ROMAE

Research was by GadgetTsushin asking 1,000 internet users to choose one anime out of about 70 animes broadcasted on TV between January and June this year.


2012年上半期人気アニメランキング！　堂々の1位はあの作品！　1000人に聞いてみた　―ガジェット通信
http://getnews.jp/archives/240634

"THE IDOLM@STER" occupied Akihabara Station

"THE IDOLM@STER" ads inside Akihabara Station

The social game for smartphones, "THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls" ads occupation of Akihabara Station began at August 6th.
Wall ads are everywhere at each entrance, escalators and in station premises.

Photos 1
Photos 2
Photos 3

アイドルマスターシンデレラガールズ（モバマス） 秋葉原駅ジャック 【写真多め】　―アキバBlog
http://blog.livedoor.jp/geek/archives/51353517.html

Fuji Rock Festival 12 gathered 140,000 people

Fuji Rock Festival

FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '12(Jul 27-29) gathered 119,000 people(Day 1: 39,000/2: 40,000/3: 40,000) to Naeba Ski Resort, and 140,000 people enjoyed the festival including the eve.
It was fine weather for three days, though it rains usually.

Fuji Rock Festival 12 Line ups


今年のフジロック、全日晴天で過去最多の14万人動員　―ナタリー
http://natalie.mu/music/news/74134

"MILD SEVEN" will be "MEVIUS" from Feb. 2013

"MILD SEVEN" families

Japan Tobacco(JT) changes the name of its long-selling brand cigarette "MILD SEVEN" to "MEVIUS" for domestic market from February 2013 and internationally in next one year in order..
Its smell, taste and price will stay the same.
"MILD SEVEN" the world's 5th best selling brand sells 76.5 billion cigarettes in the world, however it doesn't sell in the countries in Europe where the use of the word "mild" is prohibited by regulations. JT expands more of foreign markets with the new brand.
"MILD SEVEN" released in 1977 is the best-seller with 30 percents share in Japan.


ＪＴ、マイルドセブン改称　「メビウス」で海外拡販　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASGF0803W_Y2A800C1EA2000/

Studio Ghibli anime DVD sales made it best 300 continuously for 500 weeks

""Kiki's Delivery Service""

Studio Ghibli's "Kiki's Delivery Service" on 117th and "Castle in the Sky" on 179th together reached the record of being in the best 300 of DVD sales continuously for 500 weeks.

Japan's DVD Sales Continuous Best 300 Rank-ins

1:My Neighbor Totoro 554 weeks
2:Kiki's Delivery Service 500 weeks
  Castle in the Sky
4:Spirited Away 389 weeks

"Kiki's Delivery Service" sold 485,000 DVD copies and "Castle in the Sky" sold 754,000 copies until now.


【オリコン】ジブリ作品続々快挙！ 『トトロ』に続き2作がDVD通算500週ランクイン　―ORICON STYLE
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2015377/full/

Homare Sawa on TIME magazine

Homare Sawa on "TIME" magazine

Japanese female football player, Homare Sawa was on the cover of Asian version of "TIME" magazine July 30th issue.
She is now playing at Japanese Women's Football team in London Olympic game and was chosen for FIFA World Player of the Year at 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time as an Asian player.


米誌「TIME」表紙の澤穂希が「かっこいい」とネット掲示板で絶賛される　―livedoor ニュース
http://news.livedoor.com/olympic/london2012/images/6792781/

Amazon.co.jp best adult PC game rankings 2010-2012

"WHITE ALBUM 2"

Amazon.co.jp Adult PC Game Best of Scenario Rankings
*Hyper links may require warnings.

1 :WHITE ALBUM2 -introductory chapter- / -closing chapter-
2 :Little Busters! Ecstasy
3 :Subarashiki Hibi
   (Wonderful Every Day: Discontinuous Existence)
4 :Fate/Stay night
5 :Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shojo
   (Wheel Country, Sunflower Girl)
6 :Dies irae ~Acta est Fabula~
7 :G Senjo no Mao(The Devil on G-string)
8 :Aiyoku no Eustia(Eustia of the Tarnished Wings)
9 :Grisaia no Kajitsu(Le Fruit De La Grisaia)
10:Saya no Uta(Song of Saya)
11:Parfait ~Chocolat second brew~
12:Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!(Do Love Me Seriously!)
13:Mashiroiro Symphony: Love is pure white
   (Pure White Symphony)
14:Hoshizora no Memoria -Wish upon a shooting star-
   (Memoria of the Stary Sky)
15:Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai(We Don't Have Wings)
16:Tasogare no Sinsemilla(Sinsemilla st Dusk)
17:euphoria
18:Irotoridori no Sekai(Varicolored World)
19:Fate/hollow ataraxia
20:Kud Wafter

This was resulted from customers' votes for adult PC games of top 100 sales on Amazon.co.jp from 2010 to 2012.


アダルトPCゲーム ベストオブシナリオ 結果発表！　―Amazon.co.jp
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=3077651836&plgroup=1

Wall ads of LUMINE designed by Kazuo Umezu appeared in Shinjuku

An ad of LUMINE by Kazuo Umezu saying that
"Ahhh,,,, autumn is coming,,, gotta change clothes,,, coming to LUMINE!!!"

Outdoor advertisements of Lumine designed by Kazuo Umezu, a famous horror cartoonist appeared on the wall of Saikyo Line of Platform 1 in Shinjuku Station Tokyo.
The ads are for notifying the autumn sales at Lumine department store and Peach John women's underclothing seller.


今秋のルミネは楳図かずお　―東京生活.com
http://www.tokyoseikatsu.com/column/pr/post-22.php

Job cuts of foreign banks in Japan in 2011

Roppongi Hills Tokyo where Goldman Sachs and Barclays occupy floors

9 foreign banks in Japan including Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse in a year until March 2011 had cut more than twice as much as jobs than the year before.
The number of employees of foreign banks in Japan such as Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas were 6,796 in total in the end of March 2012 reduced by 573(7.3%) in a year, compared to 7,333 in March 2011 reduced by 239(3.2%) in the year.

Employees Reduced(now)
Goldman Sachs -14% (847)
Credit Suisse -8.6% (540)
Deutsche Bank -7.9% (834)
BNP Paribas -7.4% (462)
Barclays / Citi / Morgan Stanley / Bank of America / J.P. Morgan also reduced.


ゴールドマンなど外資系証券９社、日本で人員削減を急加速　―Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.co.jp/news/123-M83XFD0D9L3601.html

Coffee consumptions in Japan and the world

Coffee Consumption in the World

Yearly Coffee Consumption of a Person

Country - cups (a cup = 10g coffee beans)
1 :Luxembourg - 2,844
2 :Finland - 1,212
3 :Denmark - 946
4 :Norway - 921
5 :Switzerland - 799
6 :Sweden - 789
7 :Germany - 679
8 :Austria - 646
9 :Canada - 635
10:Slovenia - 606
11:Brazil - 582
12:Italy - 577
13:France - 547
14:United Kingdom - 533
15:Cyprus - 504
16:Belgium - 488
17:Netherlands - 485
18:Estonia - 469
19:Spain - 428
20:United States - 411
21:Lithuania - 409
22:Portugal - 407
23:Australia - 382
24:Slovakia - 374
25:Honduras - 362
26:New Zealand - 358
27:Algeria - 342
28:Venezuela - 341
29:Poland - 340
29:Japan - 340


世界のコーヒー消費量　TOP30　―トリップアドバイザー
http://tg.tripadvisor.jp/coffee/

Akihabara maids all together sprinkled water on the street

Maids lined up

About 50 waitresses working at maid cafes in Akihabara, Tokyo and people in costumes all together sprinkled water on the street in the afternoon of August 4th.
The temperature at the ground surface dropped by 7C(44.6F) 15 minutes after the event which was 36.7C(98.1F) before the event.


メイド喫茶店員ら一斉に打ち水　―NHKニュース
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20120804/k10014074811000.html

Criminals of Akihabara Massacre(2008) released a book

The Book "KAI"

The book called "KAI (Psycho Critique)" written by Tomohiro Kato the criminal of Akihabara Massacre occurred in June 8th 2008 was released.
In the memorandum, he wrote about what he thought, how he acted and why he corrupted in three years till the event. He also refers to the movements on the internet BBS and the way the media interrupted the event.
Revenue from the royalties of the book will be given to victims and bereaved families.


秋葉原連続通り魔事件犯人の手記『解』　―エキサイトニュース
http://www.excite.co.jp/News/reviewbook/20120803/E1343926898998.html?_p=1

Radio active caesium detected from 0.1% of children in Fukushima

Children take inspection(*image)

Inspection of internal radiation exposure implemented to 5,931 children aged between 4 to 12 in Fukushima from April to June this year revealed that radio active caesium is identified from 6 or 0.1 percent of children.
Among them, three children are from the same family with the highest rate of 615 Bq, caused by eating wild mushrooms.
Restraining vegetables grown outdoors, government's strict regulations for foods and the nation's low food self-supporting ratio have contributed the result, doctors analyses.
Caesium taken inside child's body reduces by half in 30 to 60 days because of metabolism function.


原発事故:福島の子供　セシウム検出０．１％に　―毎日jp
http://mainichi.jp/select/news/20120803k0000m040147000c.html

Anime "Hyouka" brings economic impact of 2.1B yen

"Hyouka"

Aime "Hyouka" will bring economic impact of 2.1 billion yen per year to Gifu Prefecture where the story is situated, The Juroku Bank announced.
The bank estimated that the anime attracts 150,000 visitors per year to Takayama City creating the economic effect accompanied by such fees as logging, transportations and foods.
"Hyouka" is based on series of mystery novels by Honobu Yonezawa from the city.


アニメ「氷菓」県経済効果２１億円か　舞台の高山にファン　―岐阜新聞
http://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/kennai/20120801/201208010939_17674.shtml

Japanese educational expenses outside schools

Studying at cramming school

Japanese school expenses(tuitions and school meals) for a child from kindergarten to high school is about 2.23 million yen($28,403) for public schools, while private schools cost 11.5 million yen($146,475) in total.

Educational expenses outside schools
Public Elementary School Student
Grades
1st: 83,881 yen($1,068)
2nd: 42,974 yen($547)
3rd: 51,102 yen($651)
4th: 84,005 yen($1,070)
5th: 87,566 yen($1,115)
6th: 161,123 yen($2,052)

Public Junior High School Student
Grades
1st: 162,725 yen($2,073)
2nd: 206,211 yen($2,626)
3rd: 320,740 yen($4,085)


塾にかかるお金　―マイナビニュース
http://news.mynavi.jp/c_career/level1/yoko/2012/07/post_2044.html

2012 Summer Anime Rankings by RecoChoku users

Anime "Sword Art Online"

Summer Anime 2012 Popularity Rankings

1: Sword Art Online
2: Hakuoki Reimei-roku
3: Dog Days'
4: TARI TARI
5: Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere II

Respondents were chosen from RecoChoku website users.


「人気夏アニメランキング」1位になったのは原作も人気のあの作品　―RBB TODAY
http://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2012/08/01/92531.html

Hulu to stream "Pokemon" series

Hulu Japan's "Pokemon" lineups

Hulu Japan streams "Pokemon" series from August 1st.
Currently, "Pokemon(1997)" and "Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes!(2010)" are available on line. In addition, "Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes! Season 2" which is now on TV will be available soon for people who missed the show.


「Hulu」にポケモンが登場　―ITmedia +D LifeStyle
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/1208/01/news136.html

The Open and the results of recent Japanese players

Ryo Ishikawa at the Royal Lytham & St Ann's

In last five years, 7 out of 35 or 20 percent of Japanese golf players who played at The Open Championship advanced to the final round(the fourth day) while 22 out of 68 or 32.3 percent did in last 10 years.
This year, Yoshinori Fujimoto and Toshinori Muto out of 8 Japanese players made it to the final round. However Ryo Ishikawa, the top of all Japanese players, the official world ranking of 68 failed to make the cut two years in a row.


予選突破、わずか２割　全英オープンの高い壁　―日本経済新聞
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZZO44361440R30C12A7000000/

Wonder Festival 2012 Summer gathered character figure fans

"KURATUS", robot revealed at Wonder Festival

Wonder Festival 2012 Summer known as the biggest figure event of anime, manga and game characters was held in July 29th at Makuhari Messe.
Copyright holders allow sellers to use their characters for sales only in the place during the festival day for about 5 percent of perfunctory royalties.

●Figure, EVA-02 PRODUCTION MODEL from "Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance"

●Figure, Ultimate Madoka and magical girls from "Puella Magi Madoka Magica"

●KURATUS, quadruped human type land-battle robot for sale at 106M yen

●Figure, competition at the "Lagrange - The Flower of Rin-ne" special booth

●3D Printing, Miku and Vocaloids

●Food, Accel Worl-don from "Accel World" and Last Night's Leftover-don from "TARI TARI"

●5 metre Space Battleship Yamato from "Space Battleship Yamato 2199"

●Figure, characters from "One Piece"

●Figure, characters from "Precure" series

●Cosplayers


ワンダーフェスティバル 2012[夏]開幕、全記事一覧まとめ
http://gigazine.net/news/20120729-summary-wf2012s/