One of the most bizarre contests you’ll ever encounter: Babies cry while being held by college student sumo wrestlers during the Naki Sumo or “Crying Baby Contest” at Sensoji temple in Tokyo. The annual traditional ritual is performed as a prayer for healthy growth. For more photos from the contest, go here
The rise of “infidelity phones” in Japan
Fujitsu’s “privacy mode” is a layer of nearly invisible security that hides missed calls, emails and text messages from contacts designated as private. If one of those acquaintances gets in touch, the only signal of that communication is a subtle change in the color or shape of how the battery sign or antenna bars are displayed. If ignored, the call doesn’t appear in the phone log. The changes are so subtle that it would be impossible to spot for an untrained eye. When the privacy mode is turned off through a secret combination of keys, the concealed calls and messages appear, and voice mail becomes accessible.— Japan’s Philanderers Stay Faithful to Their ‘Infidelity Phones’
Ford Island is seen in this aerial view during the Japanese attack on Pearl harbor December 7, 1941 in Hawaii. The photo was taken from a Japanese plane.
Japan faced another difficult day Wednesday, as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant—the site of multiple explosions since last week’s 8.9-magnitude earthquake—caught on fire once again. Fifty employees are reportedly risking their lives to try to get the plant under control, but information about what exactly is going on with the plant’s nuclear reactors is scarce and sometimes contradictory.
How to Give to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Victims
Give to vetted organizations. The organization Charity Navigator has posted a list of charities, including Action Against Hunger and Doctors Without Borders, that are currently contributing to relief efforts. Charity Navigator, which rates charities for donors, recommends giving to groups with proven track records instead of start-ups and to donate directly through organizations’ websites. If you get solicited by a telemarketer, the organization suggests hanging up, because it’s impossible to verify the identity of the caller.
