Giant Robot Store and GR2 News

The obsession of some Japanese folks have been noted by many and this article in the WSJ explains just a few more examples in length. How far does authentic need to go? Does it need to match the roots of the product or project? Does it match a hybrid that’s current? In Japan, it seems to need to find the best time or era of the item, if not, it needs to be as obsessive as possible to satisfy the perfectionist. It ranges from clothing, food, and more. Made in Japan means something to many and that stamp is something that’s sought after. Even the toy companies like Gargamel proudly lives with that stamp on their figures. In the (WSJ- Made Better in Japan) read a bit more about how far people go for that perfect something.  
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  Hiko blogs about Trendy Magazine and lists their 30 hot items in Japan for this year. He offers some analysis as well. Thanks for the transcription. (Hiko – Top 30) Nikkei Trendy Top 30 Hit Products of 2011 in Japan 30. Asahi W Zero Cocktails – alcohol free cocktail soda pop 29. Maru Maru Mori Mori – The ending theme song to a popular drama on Fuji TV, the first time in 34 years a child’s song has sold more than 200,000 CDs 28. JINS Air Spectacle Frames 27. Attonon – a cream you can buy that hides cuts and bruises (?!) 26. Maa-Pika – Toilet disinfectant 25. Nestle Cocoa D’Or – Special edition hot chocolate for adults 24. Microwaveable Fried Chicken – In the never ending and surprisingly high quality range of instant dinners in Japan, a number of makers have come out with high quality microwaveable precooked fried chicken 23. Radiko Radio – Internet based Radio has been a big boom, led by radiko.jp web page and Internet radio apps. 22. CN-SG500 Hand Held Travel Navigation System 21. K-Pop music 20. Tablets (iPad 2 in particular) 19. Sofina Primavista – Long keep base cosmetic UV cream 18. Honcho – Korean health supplement drink aimed at women 17. Tanita Empoyee Cafeteria Low Fat Cookbook – popular with dieters 16. Shot Note – Stationery notepads designed for photographing and storing as memos on smart phones 15. Ponzu Jure – A new line of vinegar based dressing/sauce 14. Sunshine Aquarium – a new popular aquarium in Ikebukuro that got 600,000 visitors in first two months of opening 13. Cardboard Box Fighting Machine Plastic Models (LBX Series) – a popular line of toys 12. Toning shoes – shoes designed to tone your body just walking around in them 11. Linear/Railway Museum – a popular JR railway museum that features Japan’s new upcoming maglev high speed trains 10. Kamen Riders Transformation Belt (DX Orz Driver) – popular children’s toy in power rangers tradition 9. Loxonin – recently available without prescription painkiller/headache medicine 8. PHS Phones With Flat Rate Unlimited Calling to All Carriers 7. Makkori – A cloudy version of the popular Korean drink Jinro 6. Daihatsu Mira E:S and Mazda Demio13 Sky Active – high mileage compact cars 5. Nissin Cup Noodle Company Mixed Rice Meals 4. Sanyo Gopan bread maker 3. “Energy Saving” Fans 2. Facebook – thanks to a lot of help from Dentsu, and also in part to promotion by Nikkei Trendy… 1. Smart Phones
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