The service that lets you do this is called TVU networks.  They explain themselves much better than I can, so let’s let them do it.

TVU uses a new broadcast technology called Real-Time Packet Replication.  With this technology, all the viewers who are watching a channel at the same time are cooperating to give everyone the best possible signal.  TVU’s application does not create any new files on your hard disk because you’re watching live TV. [source]

So, that’s how it’s done, but I bet you want to know how to get it up and running, like now. Who wouldn’t? Ridiculous Japanese commercials await!

How to Watch Japanese Television for Free, from Anywhere:

First, you have to download TVU’s player. It’s a bit glitchy, and not the prettiest application in the world, but like Lang-8, it’s functional, and does a great job doing what it does best.

Download TVU’s media player

From there, it’s really easy. Open up the program and switch the language over to Japanese. It’s up on the top left.

After you do that, all of the Japanese channels that are available will show up. I frequent the first three the most, but there’s a lot of stuff there, including music videos for all you music buffs. Right now, as I write this, I’m watching a show about a boxer who seduces a nun. Only in a Japanese drama, right? Only now, it’s live!

Japanese TV isn’t all you can see, though. Of course, there’s television from all over the world, and you can watch it for free as well. I’ve looked at a few American channels, since I don’t have cable TV at my home (why would I, when I’ve got internet to replace it for less money?).

So, I hope you enjoy this! Try to take breaks and go outside once in a while, yeah?

Once again, thank you rjhoolan for finding this and sharing! You are my new favorite person for the day :)

UPDATE 8-25: Since this is a p2p television thing, your connection, as well as the channels available at any given time, are dependent on who’s using TVU at the time. The people sharing are hooking into their tv, and if nobody is watching a channel at the time you want to watch it, you won’t be able to see it to. So, basically what I’m getting at, is you won’t always get all the channels, and it depends on when you are watching, sadly. Still, I’ve had good luck with it, and it hasn’t caused me any problems.

UPDATE 10-12-2008: Here is a better program for watching Japanese television, and everyone (Windows, Mac, Linux) can use it. It’s also a lot prettier and stable, as well. It’s called Livestation, and you can find it here. Thanks Reed!

As much as I want to be outrageously snarky in this post, I don’t think I can bring myself to do it. After all, social anxiety disorder is pretty serious stuff, especially in Japan, the birthplace of the hikikomori (引き籠もり or “pulling away”) phenomenon. In an attempt to help out those who are uncomfortable in social situations, Avex has introduced a DVD titled Miterudake (ミテルだけ) or “Just Looking”. The DVD is labeled as “interactive”, but there are really only two activities that users are expected to perform:

1. Choose one of fifty relatively-diverse women

2. Endure them staring at you for about a minute (eyes up, boys)

Click here to view the embedded video.

3. Repeat (does this count as an activity?)

So basically, the only purpose of the DVD is, as its creator states, 「人と目を合わすこと」, or to help people “adapt to others”. As weird and pointless as it may seem, I can’t deny that there are people out there who do have a major fear that they’re constantly being judged by others. Still, I think it might be more cost effective to just realize that most people aren’t actually staring at you in real life (especially not in Japan, where a lot of “normal” people still find sustained direct eye contact to be rude) than to go and buy a $25 DVD. Or you could just find a picture of the Mona Lisa.

But hey, whatever floats your boat. I’m certainly not one to tell other people how to manage their neuroses. One thing I can say for sure about this DVD, though, is that it’s bound to act as inspiration for many x-rated spin-offs. You just wait and see–in the next few months, scores of new AV DVDs will hit shelves of sketchy Akihabara porn shops with similar premises and similar titles (“Just ____ing”). Come on, it’s Japan. You know it’s true.

Anyway, sorry this article was a bit boring. To make up for the lack of entertaining sarcasm, here are some links to more Miterudake clips and spoofs on the Youtube and NicoNico Douga. You can also find more clips on the Miterudake website (as well as links to the personal blogs of some of the women, which is kind of creepy).

EDIT: It turns out Miterudake could be a lot weirder than I first thought.

EDIT 2: Here’s a video from Koichi. Thanks, Ko.

The signs read 「偶然だぞ」 or gūzen da zo, which translates into It’s Accidental. Probably not the most appropriate sentiment when your favorite baseball player steals a home run.

So what caused this blunder? Online translators, of course. As illustrated below, when entered into Google tranlsate, the Cubs’ slogan becomes the inadvertantly commical phrase that ended up on the placards (much to the delight of the Japanese blogging community, I might add). Had the fans tried the more gramatically correct “It’s going to happen”, they would have gotten 「それが起こるだろう」, which would have been a vast improvement. Just some food for thought :D

Source: as-is.net

*I’m joking, you guys. You’re all entitled to your own opinions.

Last night, Steve Carell participated in one of the funniest SNL Digital Shorts I have seen in a long time. Now, it’s kind of a stretch, as far as Tofugu’s “Japanese Culture and Language” theme goes, but I feel that it’s interesting enough to warrant a post. Here’s the video, after the break:

Also available here.

If you could understand everything the actors were saying, congratulations. Which is not to say that they’re speaking in tremendously advanced Japanese; it’s just that their accents are so thick (Steve Carell’s especially) that at times I had to strain towards my speakers in an attempt to make out the actual words. Anyway, I hope you found this little video amusing. My favorite part was definitely the bit where they do rajio taiso (ラジオ体操 or “radio exercises”), which many Japanese companies actually do encourage their workers to preform.

If you take a look at the sunny days, and you happen to be able to read katakana, you’ll notice that they spell out the word エロ (ero), which, if you do read katakana, you’ll know notice means “erotic.” Considering they were showing eight different locations, as well as the weather for each of them between 6am - 9pm, the chances for this coming up is nil to none. Unbelievably, something similar happened at a different time on the Wii Weather Channel:

According to Japanmanship, the Japanese Wii Weather Channel shows an island in the Pacific, South of Port Villa, called “Erromango.” It’s in the south of province Vanuatu (who knows where the hell that is); that’s somewhere near Australia / New Zealand. See the picture below:

It’s slightly to the South of the green arrow. Let’s zoom in a little bit and switch to satellite

Here’s where you can find it on google maps

The great thing about this obscure little island, though, is that somehow Japan decided to translate this as “Ero-Manga” (i.e. Erotic Manga / Comics). It’s a tough little island to find, though, so expect to spend too much of your day searching. If you do happen to find it (in English or Japanese), please let us know. I don’t think anyone will find it though.

Ero-Weather Source: Japan Probe

There are way too many people out there with utopian views of the Japanese nation, and we aren’t here to perpetuate anyone’s fantasy. Although Japan is pretty freakin’ sweet (I think we all pretty much agree), it’s still a country full of problems, just like anywhere else. And now, without further adieu…

This is my first article written for this blog, and it’s both depressing and late. But nevertheless, here it is. I’m a friend of Koichi from his college, but as you probably have haven’t noticed by now, I obscured my face; there’s a kind of virtue in being Anonymous, in that you can speak with confidence, yet never be too conceited about your work. Or it could be that I’m just shy and I don’t like showing my face on the net, but think up your own explanation. Maybe I’m ugly, on a Lovecraftian scale, and am trying to protect your sanity in a blessed act of mercy. Enough with the introductions, let’s start the article.

Recently there have been a number of anime series of the thriller/horror genre, and perhaps even in romance, which feature characters from middle-school to high-school participating in blood-drenched murders, suicides, that kind of fascinating stuff. At least from my perspective, in its animated form, the Japanese audience did not seem to object to violence on great levels, with some allowance for the time-slot where such shows are aired in on TV. That is, until this happened.

What occurred was not likely a copycat murder. But actually, not only the first murder perpetrated by Ax Girl, (her namelessness, in my opinion, helping to contribute to her notoriety as it had with Girl A/“Nevada-tan” some time ago.) but a second, similar but unsuccessful attempt at murder, took place.

What is notable about these two murders is this reaction: The Japanese anime series “School Days,” based on a PC visual novel (Read: Hentai game.), featured several extremely gory bad ends, with one romantic interest killing another, or killing the protagonist, or killing herself. Apparently the last episode was so violent that the TV stations airing it decided to, in light of the murders, cancel it and fill the unoccupied timeslot with serene scenery of European rivers and mountains, and a very “Nice Boat.”

Are Japanese audiences changing their attitude towards the material suitable for on-air television? This has certainly challenged my previous impressions of the audience and perception of media over there. It is interesting, to me, at least, to see Japanese audiences being concerned over the affects of media, for once, when previously my attitude had been “lol, Japanese anime have morals?” There will be more entries on this later, as it’s likely to continue to be relevant.

How could anyone have thought that this was a good idea? Couldn’t they have made a regular-looking doorway instead of a flap that needs to be held open by two people? I’m really not trying to be crude, here, but I’m just so mind-boggled by this decision. What do you guys think?

Source: おはようwwwお前らwww

**10/27: Edited out some of the questions that where more or less redundant**

Paradise TV, beloved Japanese satellite smut-provider, will be hosting its annual 24 hour charity event this weekend: ２４時面テレビエロは地球を救う or “24 Hour Telethon Porn Can Save the World”.

Stop! Aids will be the day’s motto (the punctuation seems a bit wonky but it’s a lovely sentiment, all the same); all proceeds earned during the 24-hour span will go to the Japan Foundation for AIDS Prevention (JFAP). The basic idea of this event is simple: AV (adult video) enthusiasts contribute to Paradise TV’s collective endowment in return for the enlargement of their collective endowment.

As you can imagine, this won’t be your average pledge drive. With Paradise Studios set up to resemble a kind of lewd, televised matsuri (festival), it’s sure to be the scene of many a questionably-charitable act (pictures generously provided at the bottom of the page).

For example, after donating the minimum 3,000 円 (approximately $26 US) to JFAP and slipping on a condom, guests at the event can enter the Tekoki Jinja (手コキ神社 or Hand-Job Shrine) where one helping hand deserves another. Inside, men will have three minutes of stroke time with one of Paradise’s leading AV ladies (who arms herself beforehand with tissues, paper towels, and disinfectant).

When interviewed, Kenichiro Suzuki, Manager of International Sales, said, “Most guys think that the time period is too short…but [the actresses] are professional” (source). In fact, last year’s “customer satisfaction” rate was 80%. Not too shabby for three minutes. And, while not everyone can…er… make that final contribution, shall we say?—those people are allowed to line back up.

Another notable feature of the telethon is the Oppai Bokin (おっぱい募金 or Breast Fund). Here, yet another big chested hearted actress will lift her shirt for any openhanded man who has donated a mere 1,000 円 (approximately $8.75 US), allowing him five double-handed squeezes (tallied by a nearby assistant). My research indicates that the grope-limit was imposed after an unfortunate incident a few years back when over-fondling resulted in painful swelling for one AID-fighting AV idol.

Last but not least, there is the Oshikko Bia Gaaden (おしっこビアガーデン or Pee Beer Garden). Well, sure, there’s other stuff, like the Wet-Undies Auction, Strip Mahjong Room, or Ball Rubbing Station, but come on, this is urophagia (one of the more hardcore urine fetishes) we’re talking about here. This takes priority, being higher up on the Japanese Scale of Weird Sexual Acts.

Basically, in the makeshift bar on the Studios’ rooftop (of all places), still more topless women will be waiting to act as both barmaid and tap. Men with a penchant for pee have to donate at least 300 円 (about $2.60 US) to sample the stuff (straight from the source, if so desired D: ). There will also be food dishes to be had, all seasoned, of course, by the actresses before service. Lovely.

Personally, I’m on the fence about this one. While many of the things done to raise money this weekend seem humiliating for the AV actresses and actors, as well as possibly illegal (after talking to my Japanese friends about this kind of “prostitution”, in it seems that PTV may have found a loophole), I can’t deny that they’re doing it for a worthy cause. Though my particular moral stance inclines me toward tamer forms of charity (washing cars, selling cookies, etc), I’m sure that Paradise’s campaign will earn a heck of a lot more money their way, don’t you think?

Source: Random Japanese Blog

I don’t remember how I originally stumbled upon him (though I think it was through maxdesu’s subscription page), but I remember being immediately fascinated by his videos. This is why I subscribed:

1. He’s a very fast, crisp, and fluent Japanese speaker. I watch his videos and practice my Japanese listening. You can’t do this with every video you come across. Moonkey’s Japanese is good Japanese, not like the stuff you find in anime or yakuza films.
2. He’s a really nice guy. If you write him a comment, he’ll write you something meaningful back…though, I’m not sure how this works in English. From what I can tell his English is poor at best. Why not try commenting to him in Japanese?
3. He’s got that special something. All his shots are well planned out, no matter how simple they are. He’s good at setting up scenes and framing things up. A little planning goes a long way. It makes everything more enjoyable to watch.

Here are a couple of my favorites. Just remember, there are so many more videos out there. If you like his videos, you should subscribe to him and watch more:

Click here to view the embedded video.

…and…

Click here to view the embedded video.

I hope you enjoy Moonkey4U as much as I have (so far). He comes out with videos fairly regularly - so you’re never kept waiting too long. If you like him, please be sure to comment on his page and tell him! I’m sure he enjoys hearing from all sorts of people, he seems like that kind of guy.

So, you are planning that trip to Japan, but you have no clue what to do short of gawking at school girls or skimpily dressed women. Fear not, I have a suggestion for you. If you’re in the Tokyo vicinity, then I suggest visiting the Mori Tower at Roppongi Hills. There you get to see the giant spider, make the poor Japanese teens working at Cold Stone Creamery sing in Engrish (without tipping!) and meet people who aren’t Japanese!

Sounds very exciting, huh? But wait… there is more!

At the Mori building there is a service offered called the Tokyo City View. For a mere ~2000 yen (or 1000 yen if you are a student) the nice Mori staff people will toss you in a elevator and send you up to the 52nd floor. On the 52nd floor is the observation deck, where you get a very nice view of the city landscape. Of course, if you are afraid of heights there are nice chairs where you can position yourself in the fetal position, like a certain someone I know. The Japanese sure are thoughtful!

I highly recommend doing the city viewing during the late evening. All the nice colors from the surrounding buildings, cars and street lights really makes it an awesome sight to see. That and I didn’t get to see it during the daytime, so I can’t comment on it. :p If you want proof of the awesomeness Tokyo City landscape during the evening check out the QTVR site linked on the image above. [Note: You might need Apple Quicktime installed to view the media]. The site also lists 360 degree views of other landmarks around the world, but who cares about them, right? This is a Japanese oriented site.

* OK I lied by linking you to a evening cityscape view of Yokohama from the Landmark Tower. Total intentional badness on my part. However, beggars can’t be choosers, although the view is just as equally awesome.

Update: I found a neat site that has some VR of various places in Tokyo. Check out Tokyo VR.