We’ve just received word that famed JAPUNDIT contributor Marie Mockett has accepted an offer from Graywolf Press to publish her first novel, Picking Bones from Ash, which is scheduled to start hitting bookstores in 2009.
Marie tells us:
I’m so excited to have a home with Graywolf. They are considered a “small big press” and a […]

The Hikone, Shiga town mascot ひこにゃん received 43 chocolate gifts from female fans nationwide.
On Valentine’s Day in Japan, only women are supposed to give chocolate to men. But how do the ladies know “Hikonyan” is male? And where does all that chocolate go? Does the mascot keep it?

[SOURCE] [SOURCE] (Japanese)

A quick Japundit check on […]

Speaking of Marie. . . I just heard from her that she is getting married this weekend.
I trust that I speak for everyone when I say congratulations to the happy couple, and wish them a lifetime of happiness and love.

Politics watchers all over Japan have been shocked by the first week of the new Fukuda administration, which has been completely unmarked by any form of controversy whatsoever.
Even the revolving door at the Ministry of Agriculture appears to have stopped spinning. When asked how the new Agriculture Minister had managed to hold on to […]

There are many theories out there concerning the origins of mankind, some more plausible than others. And I don’t know which one you were taught, but I bet it wasn’t this one.
“The Black Mountain Grape Homonids”

Just before 8 o’clock this evening, it is reported, the Mayor of Nagasaki, Iccho Ito was shot twice in the back by a man who was subdued and arrested at the scene. Mr Ito suffered heart failure and is in a critical condition in hospital.
Kyodo is reporting
The alleged shooter, Tetsuya Shiroo, 59, was arrested […]

ANA’s North American HQ in Los Angeles reportedly raided by the FBI. No reason yet given, but BBC ponders a link to price fixing probe.

That’s according to this story in the Asahi.
The tabled deal was that Yoshihide Suga, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, wanted NHK to accept a 20% reduction in its fees “in exchange for legislation requiring viewers to pay”. NHK President Genichi Hashimoto, however, rejected the proposal. The article states -
…the main reason the plan […]

Here is the article from The Japan Times:
Scoop. In that single, unattractive syllable is encapsulated all the romance and glamour remaining in the tattered, down-at-heels trade known as journalism. Most journalism is glorified stenography. You spend your time transcribing other people’s words, chronicling other people’s deeds, more or less as dictated by these other people […]

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko received New Year’s greetings Monday from other imperial family members and state dignitaries.
“I am very pleased to celebrate New Year together,” the emperor said at the ceremony at the Imperial Palace. “At the beginning of the year, I pray for the nation’s development and the happiness of the people.”
The emperor […]

As we have already heard here, Krispy Kreme has opened in Tokyo.
Now thanks to alert Japundit reader Mr. Pink(who says he was just walking past and would not admit he was there for a doughnut), here is a look at the people lined up waiting to get into Krispy Kreme’s brand new Tokyo shop.

Let’s wait […]

A reliable source tells me that 17-year-old Japanese figure skater Miki Ando is slated to be hired by Japan car giant Toyota.

You heard it here first, on JAPUNDIT!