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 Japanese Diet and Cold Noodles in the Summer
Noodles are a major part of the Japanese diet, hot and cold. Ramen, soba, and udon are probably the three most popular types of noodles served hot with a broth, or cold without one. Wikipedia tells us that most ramen is made from wheat flour, salt, water and kansui. Kansui is an alkaline mineral water […]
Japanese and Australian Sister City Relationship Suspended Due to Dolphin Hunting
Interesting article from September 2009 The Japan Times recently covered the suspended sister city relationship between the coastal towns of Broome in Western Australia and Taiji, in Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Their ties date back at least 100 years to the pearling industry in Broome. At that time, Broome was the biggest pearling center in the […]
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 […]