Just when you thought the Japanese could do anything weirder. I invited AIG to not waste money on a spa retreat on the backside of Japan and for what it’s worth AIG blog relations responded. Well, my bet is that if AIG know what they are going to miss out on, they might just reconsider. The Japanese now have a hot spring made of soy milk. And that, just when you thought there weren’t any more uses for the almighty soy bean. There is a hot spring in Hakone Kowakien that provides the soy milk... Read Full Story

Neel Kashkari! Are you reading this? I have found the solution to the problems that the U.S. economy is having, and by extension, a solution the bad effect that the U.S. economy is having on the world. The solution was no farther away than Japan. And it doesn’t cost $700 billion either. The answer was found outside a Mitsukoshi department store. Answer - Cheerleaders. Yup, cheerleaders were found hanging outside in Halloween colors celebrating the Yomiuri Giants’ winning of the Central... Read Full Story

Phiten titanium necklaces, worn by some Boston Red Sox players are an ‘alternative medicine.’ Sorta The origin and purpose can be traced to a Japanese dude, Yoshihiro Hirata, who founded Phiten, the company that makes the necklaces in 1982. The necklaces are titanium-infused and are supposed to stablize the electric flow that the nerves use throughout the body. “All of the messages in your body travel through electricity, so if you’re tired or just pitched nine innings, the electricity isn’t... Read Full Story

In a previous post - 12 Things I Know About ‘All-American Girl’ Mary Kay Letourneau - I pondered why I liked raising my children in Asia. It’s more likely that the girl next door might be the girl you want to live next door to your children. Growing up, Marcia Brady/Maureen McCormick, was my favorite on the Brady Bunch. She and I are just two years apart in age, if that is of any relevance. Still, I am learning now why the girl next door is not really the girl I thought she was. And, why... Read Full Story

5 Things we know about Nutrition 53. 1. Nutrition 53 is a supplement that is backed by former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski. 2. Romanowski says he teamed with doctors and sports nutritionists to create the stuff. 3. Nutrition 53 has three supplements: a. Neuro 1 for mental performance b. Sleep 1 for sleep and recovery performance c. Lean 1 for meal replacement 4. Lean delivers 30g or protein, herbal extracts for hunger control, and healthy Omega-3 + 14 organic veggie extracts. 5. Romanowski... Read Full Story

Britney Spears has reported losing 25 lbs using Nutrition 53. Whoopty do! Nutrition 53 is a supplement backed by former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski. Romanowski proports to team up with doctors (diploma mill-type?) and sports nutritionists (high school jocks that work at GNC maybe?). Nutrition 53 has three supplements: Neuro 1 for mental performance Sleep 1 for sleep and recovery performance Lean 1 for meal replacement Lean delivers 30g or protein, herbal extracts for hunger control, and... Read Full Story

Mary Kay Letourneau is in the news again. What a sad state of affairs. Here are 12 things I have learned about Mary Kay Letourneau. 1. Her father was a ‘conservative’ U.S. Congressman from Orange County, CA. 2. Her mother was an anti-feminist activist. 3. Mary Kay was one of seven children born to the Roman Catholic family. 4. She has two half-siblings born to her father and his mistress. 5. The two first met when he was eight years old and she was 29-years old. 6. Their sexual relationship... Read Full Story

It’s always been my take that Chinese are able to do these kinds of campaigns in a more tasteful manner than their western counterparts. In any event, I’m all for there being less cancer in the world, no matter (well, almost no matter) how the prevention is promoted. Indeed, champions Olympic and otherwise are big draws to campaigns and business promotions. It’s good to know the Chinese (some) have a heart to for good, too, eh? Or is it just a PR thing? Chinese Olympic Champions, Guo Jingjing... Read Full Story

Dice-K, Daisuke Matsuzaka is a Japanese import to the Boston Red Sox. Thanks Hideo Nomo for opening the door to pitchers too. There’s a lot to know about Matsuzka…here are a few more. 1. Daisuke Matsuzaka can go 3-0 on every batter and not allow a hit. 2. He can walk the bases loaded and not allow a run. 3. He can test the patience of teammates as well as opponents. 4. When Matsuzaka pitches, the Red Sox expect a three-and-a-half hour game. 5. When Matsuzaka ptiches they also  expect a win. 6... Read Full Story

So, what happens when American companies can’t carry the ball anymore, fold, close down, go belly up? They get pared up and bought, that’s what. Nomura Holdings is hoping to pony up several billions of yen to buy Lehman Brothers’ back-office operations in India. There’s a staff of about 3,000 that wil get a new boss if the deal goes through. Nomura has already agreed to buy Lehman’s Asian, European and Middle Eastern operations. How do you like those apples, Lehman? What’s it feel like to be... Read Full Story