In September 2008, a 1-year-old Japanese boy choked to death on devil’s tongue jelly. Glucomannan, the Latin name for devil’s tongue, is also called konjac, konjac mannan, konjaku, voodoo lily, snake palm, and elephant yam. The Japanese word is konnyaku. This was the 17th death from devil’s tongue since 1995, starting the frequently seen pattern […]
The Yakuza and the Use of Fear
Fear is a natural human response. It is as natural as breathing air or eating food to live. In fact, fear is a part of survival instinct. But in some parts of the world, fear is simply not acceptable. Anxiety and fear are seen as a weaknesses that cannot be allowed. In some cultures, ruthlessness […]
Child Fatalities And Gambling In Japan
On a business trip to Kobe, Fred and I went out for a drink. I wondered aloud if there were any statistics on pachinko fatalities. I was talking about the small children who suffered and died because of their parents’ gambling problems, not the gamblers who played pachinko. Immediately understanding exactly what I was talking […]