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The yen climbed to 83.32 in afternoon trading in Tokyo and rose to 83.79 overnight in New York trade. Last month, the yen tested the 83 range for the first time since June 1995.
It’s not all bad news though, “The yen’s recent spike against the dollar has dealt a heavy blow to exporters, but the trend has provided perfect shopping incentives for women going after imported fashion-brand items.”
Read the rest of the story here.

Just what is UNIQLOCK?
It’s a fusion of dance video routines, time signal music and clock utility.
The video sequence and the clock display intervenes one another every 5 seconds,
while the time signal music seamlessly connects the two.
The infinite video sequence appears randomly and endlessly.
Viewers are eager to see what happens next.
The clock intervals also give the full-screen videos time to re-load.
It’s an artistic expression that serves utility as well as technical necessity.
It’s a 24/7 presentation of UNIQLO clothing.
In summer, dancers dress in DRY POLO SHIRTS.
In fall, they chage …

(YouTube video by: francoiscavelier)
Here is some news you can use:
“Convenience store chain Lawson will soon start an in-store fresh food service across Japan, in an effort to attract a wider range of customers.

Nike’s plan to develop Miyashita park in Shibuya and turn it into a recreational facility has apparently hit a snag. Nike is no stranger to controversy with allegations of abuse, underage workers, low wages and long working hours in its Asian factories.

The Mainichi Daily News reports: “Products from computer and electronics maker Apple Inc., the company behind the hit iPod, iPhone and new iPad devices, were pulled from the Internet shopping sites of Japan’s major electronics retailers as of Tuesday.
The reasons for the move were not made clear, though one employee of electronics chain Kojima Denki revealed that the products were pulled at Apple’s request, while industry insiders say the U.S. company is attempting to protect its image as a premium brand and did not like the discounts being offered on …

WHAT CITY WAS  SELECTED AS 2010’S BEST PLACE FOR MEN TO LIVE?

AskMen reveals its global ranking of the most livable cities for men!
[Via the AskMen Press Release] “Los Angeles, Calif. (April 19, 2010) — AskMen, the world’s No. 1 lifestyle site for men, today unveiled its second annual Top 29 Cities To Live In, with New York topping the global list as 2010’s most livable city for guys.  Based upon a variety of international sources and insider experience from AskMen contributors from around the world, …

Hello Everyone,
The next First Friday’s will include a short seminar from a speaker whose speciality may be of extreme importance to those of you wishing to develop or expand the market for your company’s product or service.
In his talk on “Consumer Trends of the Older Generation” , Dr. Florian Kolhbacher of the Japan Research Institute, will explain why thismarket segment is the most influential, financially powerful, and fastest growing, in all of Japan.
Contrary to popular belief, this segmet is also open to many of the new products in the market, but unfortunately …

Well, the convenience store just became more convenient! I am glad to see this service start. It will save a few trips to the ward office.
[Mainichi Shimbun] “Seven-Eleven Japan Co. started a new service to issue resident and seal registration certificates at its convenience stores on Tuesday, allowing citizens to pick up documents outside regular business hours and away from their local government office.
It is the first time for the nation’s convenience store chain operators to provide administrative services. The certificates are issued using a copy machine with a communication …

Ever had a hangover and wondered how to rid it (while in Japan)? Nicolas Coldicott shares a very interesting post on the various cures used in the Land of the Rising Fun. Garlic shots, watermelon power, Pocari Sweat (my favorite), Umeboshi and others. I choose the Suica no Chikara (Watermelon Power) for the crazy package alone. Coldicott says:
“The Chinese have been using watermelons medicinally for millenniums, but it took a Japanese scientist named Mitsunori Wada to figure out why. In 1930 he isolated citrulline, an antioxidizing amino acid found in …

Event Description
[Henry Seals] This is an announcement just to let you all know that my group, the Tokyo Cigar Club will be holding a seminar and cocktail party tomorrow at the City Club of Tokyo. I know some of you are not smokers and for those of you I apologize. However I post this because the event will also showcase a Wine Exporter (who will be providing free tasting and gifts), as well as the traditional art of Kamakura Bori (see link below), as well as information on the history …