In Times of Need

Japanese businesses are doing what they can to help the hundreds of thousands left homeless in the northern region. Yoshinoya sped three food trucks to the area and cooked up over 5,000 piping-hot bowls of beef. Nissin Foods donated one million cups of their signature ramen. And for a limited time, 7-Eleven reduced the price of pre-packaged rice balls.

And just like a good business should, some sites have revved up promotions for things people want in times of need. Rakuten, for example, has a page highlighting items like wind-up flashlights, foldable buckets and mini electric cooking pots. One of the site’s top-selling items is a 15-pack supply of Yoshinoya beef (free delivery!):

Of course, it’s the basics that are most in need: water, medicine, diapers, heaters; all the things we take for granted.

Unfortunately, delivery trucks are still having a hard time reaching many of the worst-hit areas. So it may take a few extra days for packages to arrive even if you pay for faster service. In the meantime, someone should call up the U.S. military for same-day delivery!

Himawari

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7-Eleven Loves Domo-Kun

7-Eleven has gotten so much cooler in my book. For a limited time, they’re offering a product line of cups, straws, comic books, plushies and T-shirts for a funny-looking Japanese monster called Domo-kun.

Most Japanese people would agree that seeing Domo-kun in the U.S. is really strange cause he’s a mascot character of NHK, the PBS of TV stations in Japan (keywords: conservative, wholesome, family-fun time). First appearing in station-identification spots in 1998, Domo-kun went on to star in his own animated show for children. He’s fairly popular among people in diapers, but hardly the hipster sensation he’s become in the U.S. If you wore a Domo-kun beanie in Japan, people would question your affection for children. Wearing Domo-kun would be like a Japanese guy wearing a purple Barney beanie.

Thanks to You Tube and other viral sites, a groundswell of enthusiasm has developed in the U.S. for the alien creature hatched from an egg, and enough to rise above the radar. Last Halloween, Domo-kun merchandise surfaced at Target stores. Not sure how it did, but considering he’s not back on shelves this year, maybe not well.

Now this year, Big Tent Entertainment, Domo’s licensing company has struck a deal with 7-Eleven for a six-week campaign. My favorite merchandise is their cups, one which has the cuddly monster getting a brain-freeze cause he just had a big Slurpee. The original goods are pretty well thought out; much nicer than what was selling at Target.

A friend came to visit this week from Japan, so I took her to 7-Eleven to check out the stuff. She left with an armful of cups and spoon-straws to give to friends back home. Who knows, maybe this will start a reverse trend?

Himawari

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“Kombini”: The King of Convenience

Question: If you were to be locked inside a store for an entire night, which store would it to be?

My answer? 7-Eleven, of course! I head straight to the nearest one whenever I’m in Japan. It’s a one-stop shop for everything from table salt to concert tickets. Concert tickets?! What the heck? Well, imagine one of those mini-ATM machines dispensing more than just money. Japan has a far more sophisticated system which not only sells tickets but video games, DVDs, toys, and more.

It’s basically like online shopping—and you might need to wait a few days to have it shipped to the store—but think of the convenience of having a secure location to receive your stuff. Personally, I hate having packages sent to my apartment in Los Angeles worried someone will steal it or disappointed when all I’m left with is a yellow “not at home” slip. Oh and yes, Japanese people do feel safe having a store worker hold on to their packages. What a different world.

Japanese convenience stores (a.k.a., kombini) also have the best selection of meals. There’s a bevy of bento box lunches—packed with a bed of rice, grilled meat and vegetables—and rows of rice balls stuffed with oddities like salted plum (ume), dried fish flakes (katsuo) or marinated kelp (konbu). If you prefer your food hot, the sales clerk will microwave it in a jiffy. As he hands it back, he bows respectfully, thanking you for your patronage.

With a vending machine on nearly every corner in Japan, the kombini stays ahead by offering a wide selection of tasty beverages. For the winter season there’s hot Gogo no Kocha milk tea, and to quench your thirst in the summer there’s Aquarius (a mineral sports drink) and C.C. Lemon (a citrus soda). Showcased in a separate section are the pick-me-up elixirs, filled with enough caffeine to keep even the weariest businessman on his toes.

During my yearly trip to Japan, I look forward to checking out the newest stock of candy at the kombini. Designed with bright colors and bold lettering, the packaging alone is enough to make me grab everything on the shelf. Never mind I’m on a strict, low-calorie diet. Most candy I get from the kombini goes in my display case, open for consumption on an emergency-only basis. (^_<)

Himawari

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