Latest news with #Fujii
Asahi Shimbun
15 hours ago
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Hoyu develops disappearing tattoos, opening doors to body art
A design from Hoyu Co.'s Lucena temporary tattoo series representing the lunar cycle (Provided by Hoyu Co.) 'Tattoo is not taboo,' insist two hair dye company employees, and they've developed the product to prove it—vanishing tattoos made with special inks that disappear in a week. While tattoos are widely accepted as an art form and fashion statement in many countries, in Japan the stigma against them remains fierce. However, the creators of Lucena tattoos are out to challenge these negative assumptions, and hope to contribute to Japanese culture by opening a doorway to body art. Hoyu Co., the Nagoya-based leading manufacturer and distributor of hair coloring products, started selling these made-to-fade tattoos on a trial basis last summer. The Lucena tattoos are characterized by a rich variety of colors and designs. Users can choose their favorite designs from about 70 tattoo sticker sheets. After the stickers are placed on the skin and the inks are applied over the top, the designs will stay visible for about a week. Users can mix inks to create their favorite colors, according to Hoyu. The tattoo series is the brainchild of Jun Fujii, 38, a member of the company's corporate planning division, who has spent extensive time abroad. Fujii initially came up with the idea while studying in the United States. He had noticed a special tattoo showing a blood type on an American friend's arm. His friend explained that this was a medical tattoo designed to prevent transfusions of the wrong blood type in a medical emergency. Fujii began to realize that tattoos might have the potential to be more than just fashion statements. This thought continued to grow after Fujii joined Hoyu and worked in Vietnam, Myanmar and other countries where he was exposed to different cultures that embrace tattoos. About six years ago, Fujii pitched the idea of temporary tattoos to his supervisors, but was shot down. Still, he didn't give up and pitched the idea again in 2023 when an in-house program was launched to create new businesses. Fujii has teamed with a former researcher, Shingo Yamaguchi, also 38, to continue developing the Lucena tattoos, and the company is now ready to commercialize the tattoo series. In Japan, tattoos are still viewed as incredibly taboo. Recently, a tattooed woman employed at a long-established restaurant became a target for defamatory and slanderous comments on social media. One post said, 'I will never go a restaurant where inked employees work.' The vanishing Lucena tattoos are aimed at lessening this stigma and ensuring that people can safely enjoy trying out body art. In recent years, 'fake tattoos' using stickers and body paint have become increasingly popular fashion statements. However, according to the Consumer Affairs Agency, no clear standards have been set for the quality and safety of temporary tattoos in Japan. Incidents of skin irritation and other issues have been reported, the agency cautioned in 2019. Hoyu, which has been developing hair dyes for many years, has conducted extensive research on skin allergens to ensure product safety. Fujii and Yamaguchi used the accumulated research in their development process, and the company manufactures and sells the temporary tattoos as 'cosmetics,' which have established safety standards and need to be reported to local governments. 'Because we are doing everything with just the two of us, there is a limit to the amount we can produce and the places we can visit to promote them,' Yamaguchi said. Still, he said he can see the growing demand for the product, as many young people visit their booths at events and concert venues, eager to experience tattoos that disappear. Fujii added, 'As people get more autonomy over their hair color (at work), there are more opportunities for self-expression. I hope the culture of coloring skin will also spread in Japan.' The brand's Instagram account posts photos showing how to apply Lucena tattoos, and products are being sold on its official website. A set that includes one tattoo sheet and two ink tubes is available for 3,980 yen ($28), including tax.
The Mainichi
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Device seller demands Amazon Japan step up after 'outrageous' delisting of genuine item
TOKYO -- A medical device sales company whose product was removed from the Amazon Japan website demanded the e-commerce giant to "take responsibility precisely because of its significant influence on the market," following an April 25 ruling by the Tokyo District Court ordering the latter to pay damages. In August 2021, Takahiro Fujii, 56, then president of the Kobe-based Excel Plan Co., had a gut feeling that an item he saw on Amazon "must be fake." Excel Plan held exclusive rights to sell pulse oximeters manufactured by a firm in Kobe. The device, which measures blood oxygen saturation, was used to monitor the health of coronavirus patients. While Excel Plan's genuine product was priced at 25,740 yen (about $180), a nearly identical counterfeit version was being sold for only 2,200 yen (around $15). There were many complaints from consumers who received these fake items, saying "the products were made in China." Despite contacting Tokyo-based Amazon Japan G.K. to request the removal of the counterfeit listing, the situation remained unchanged. Instead, Excel Plan's own product was delisted and disappeared from the site without any explanation. Sales through Amazon, which had been around 100 million yen (roughly $695,000), plummeted to approximately 610,000 yen (some $4,200) just two months later. "This is outrageous!" Fujii recalled thinking. Refusing to accept the situation, he sought relief through the courts. The April 25 ruling criticized Amazon for failing to conduct a proper investigation, stating that there was "intent or at least gross negligence," and called on platforms to implement measures against counterfeit goods. At the April 25 press conference, Fujii stated, "There are many sellers like us who are struggling because counterfeit goods aren't being removed. If fake products stop circulating, it would benefit consumers as well. We hope the company takes this seriously and makes a change." Takaaki Someya, the attorney representing the plaintiff company, said of the court's decision, "Sellers are compelled to use platforms that many consumers use. The demand for proper operation is highly commendable."
CNN
28-03-2025
- CNN
Japan issues guidelines telling public what to do if Mount Fuji erupts
Japanese authorities have issued guidance on how the public should respond if the famous Mount Fuji volcano, near Tokyo, were to erupt. Experts recommend sheltering at home and maintaining a two-week supply of essentials, according to guidelines published last week. While there is no suggestion that an eruption is imminent, Fuji is an active volcano. It last erupted 318 years ago, in what is known as the Hoei eruption. 'We have been discussing countermeasures in light of the possibility that a large-scale, explosive eruption, similar to the Hoei eruption about 300 years ago, could cause widespread volcanic ashfall across a broad area, including the capital region, resulting in severe impacts,' said Toshitsugu Fujii, a professor at the University of Tokyo, at a press conference on March 21. A large-scale eruption would produce an estimated 1.7 billion cubic meters (60 billion cubic feet) of volcanic ash, the government said, of which around 490 million cubic meters is expected to accumulate on roads, buildings, and other land areas, requiring disposal. The sky would be covered in black volcanic ash, and urban areas would be plunged into darkness, even during the day, the government added. 'As a response to widespread ashfall, the basic guidance is for residents to continue their daily lives at home or in other shelters. Therefore, it is important to maintain sufficient stockpiles on a regular basis,' said Fujii. 'However, if more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) of volcanic ash accumulates, wooden houses with low load-bearing capacity may collapse under the weight, making evacuation necessary,' he added. The economic loss from a Mount Fuji eruption is estimated to be up to 2.5 trillion yen ($16.6 billion). Even a small amount of accumulated volcanic ash could stop trains from running, and if it rains, ash that accumulates to a depth of more than 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) could make roads impassable for vehicles. Logistics would be disrupted, making it difficult to obtain essential goods, and power lines could be cut by the weight of the ash, leading to power outages.
CNN
28-03-2025
- CNN
Japan issues guidelines telling public what to do if Mount Fuji erupts
Japanese authorities have issued guidance on how the public should respond if the famous Mount Fuji volcano, near Tokyo, were to erupt. Experts recommend sheltering at home and maintaining a two-week supply of essentials, according to guidelines published last week. While there is no suggestion that an eruption is imminent, Fuji is an active volcano. It last erupted 318 years ago, in what is known as the Hoei eruption. 'We have been discussing countermeasures in light of the possibility that a large-scale, explosive eruption, similar to the Hoei eruption about 300 years ago, could cause widespread volcanic ashfall across a broad area, including the capital region, resulting in severe impacts,' said Toshitsugu Fujii, a professor at the University of Tokyo, at a press conference on March 21. A large-scale eruption would produce an estimated 1.7 billion cubic meters (60 billion cubic feet) of volcanic ash, the government said, of which around 490 million cubic meters is expected to accumulate on roads, buildings, and other land areas, requiring disposal. The sky would be covered in black volcanic ash, and urban areas would be plunged into darkness, even during the day, the government added. 'As a response to widespread ashfall, the basic guidance is for residents to continue their daily lives at home or in other shelters. Therefore, it is important to maintain sufficient stockpiles on a regular basis,' said Fujii. 'However, if more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) of volcanic ash accumulates, wooden houses with low load-bearing capacity may collapse under the weight, making evacuation necessary,' he added. The economic loss from a Mount Fuji eruption is estimated to be up to 2.5 trillion yen ($16.6 billion). Even a small amount of accumulated volcanic ash could stop trains from running, and if it rains, ash that accumulates to a depth of more than 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) could make roads impassable for vehicles. Logistics would be disrupted, making it difficult to obtain essential goods, and power lines could be cut by the weight of the ash, leading to power outages.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Japan issues guidelines telling public what to do if Mount Fuji erupts
Japanese authorities have issued guidance on how the public should respond if the famous Mount Fuji volcano, near Tokyo, were to erupt. Experts recommend sheltering at home and maintaining a two-week supply of essentials, according to guidelines published last week. While there is no suggestion that an eruption is imminent, Fuji is an active volcano. It last erupted 318 years ago, in what is known as the Hoei eruption. 'We have been discussing countermeasures in light of the possibility that a large-scale, explosive eruption, similar to the Hoei eruption about 300 years ago, could cause widespread volcanic ashfall across a broad area, including the capital region, resulting in severe impacts,' said Toshitsugu Fujii, a professor at the University of Tokyo, at a press conference on March 21. A large-scale eruption would produce an estimated 1.7 billion cubic meters (60 billion cubic feet) of volcanic ash, the government said, of which around 490 million cubic meters is expected to accumulate on roads, buildings, and other land areas, requiring disposal. The sky would be covered in black volcanic ash, and urban areas would be plunged into darkness, even during the day, the government added. 'As a response to widespread ashfall, the basic guidance is for residents to continue their daily lives at home or in other shelters. Therefore, it is important to maintain sufficient stockpiles on a regular basis,' said Fujii. 'However, if more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) of volcanic ash accumulates, wooden houses with low load-bearing capacity may collapse under the weight, making evacuation necessary,' he added. The economic loss from a Mount Fuji eruption is estimated to be up to 2.5 trillion yen ($16.6 billion). Even a small amount of accumulated volcanic ash could stop trains from running, and if it rains, ash that accumulates to a depth of more than 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) could make roads impassable for vehicles. Logistics would be disrupted, making it difficult to obtain essential goods, and power lines could be cut by the weight of the ash, leading to power outages.
