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/