General

In a bid to attract more visitors, the newly opened LaLaport shopping complex in Toyosu, Tokyo, has opted for a decidedly unorthodox approach — the display of an obscenely large organ.

Yet perhaps surprisingly (or not as the case may be), this novel idea would appear to be a hit, with passing office worker Kaori Gotou gasping, “I’ve never seen one anywhere near as big as that before!” The 24-year-old further adding, “I’d love to take it home with me and attempt get to grips with it, but to be honest, I think I’d struggle to fit it in.”

Similarly impressed was part-time dental assistant Mayumi Watanabe, who cheekily chirped, “I’d be happy to wake up to a whopper like that every morning.”

Comments that are sure to please the complex’s owner, especially after all the trouble and expense of importing the 19th Century pipe organ in question all the way from England.

As the construction of colossal calculators is something of a niche pastime, the 12-metre-long abacus recently built by Japanese craftsmen and children in Shimane Prefecture will almost certainly be recognised as the world’s biggest — especially as it is rumoured to top the previous record by an impressive 2 metres.

However with abacuses being complicated contraptions at the best of times, this behemothic beast will no doubt prove problematic for even the most experienced of users, with one of the craftsmen involved apparently taking almost an hour to work out that 15 plus 22 equals 189.

This week saw five people honoured at the Praemium Imperiale in Tokyo — an art prize awarded by the Japanese Imperial House — with honorary patron Prince Hitachi giving gold medals to artist Yayoi Kusama and composer Steve Reich amongst others.

However the Emperor’s younger brother caused something of a stir at this year’s event with his rather unconventional attire and decidedly bold bouffant.

For any maid or anime loving Akihabara addict, the Sexy Leg Lamp could well be the ideal purchase, helping brighten the most crepuscular and character-clogged room.

The novelty item perhaps even also allowing the user to, ahem, finally see the light.

A trip to Akihabara or Nakano Broadway gives the impression that there are dolls and figures available for every anime and game series known to man — plus a few more just for good measure.

The soon to be released giant Gundam toy however stands out from the crowd somewhat, as it measures a whopping 1.5 metres.

A size eclipsed only by the price tag, which is a bank account busting 350,000 yen (1,570 pound). The cost ever so slightly justified by the fact that the figure boasts 14 movable body parts — allegedly 2 more than the pint-sized promotional lady also pictured.

“For those who want to divorce or who are just mulling over the possibility of separating from their husbands, there is no reason to take action prior to April 2007. That’s the iron rule of divorce for many wives now.”

An (understandably) unnamed homemaker commenting on the upcoming new law that will allow housewives to obtain up to half their husbands’ pensions in a divorce settlement — a change that not surprisingly has resulted in many ‘experts’ predicting an increased number of divorces from next year.

Romance, respect and riding out the rough times it would appear now come rather cynically combined with an expiry date or sorts. However for those whose husbands have worked long and hard over the past 40 years or so, the likes of foreign tours, day trips with friends and leisurely luncheons look set to merrily continue for many years to come.