Android female "Valerie"  Speech - multi-language synthesize,  Color binocular vision  

High degree of intelligence:  Learning methods: Rote memory Monkey see - monkey do (visual imitation) Logical inferenceNeural networks

Japan the big Jump from Traditional to Virtual World

Very far from the Japan traditions ( see my former note  here ) I would like to talk an other aspect of the Japaneese society.

In reaction to the very rigid rules and social pressure , a new type of young men, the Otaku, has appeared at the opposite of the typical japaneese "salarymen".

The Otaku are obsessed with Mangas, Love Dolls,  figurines ,Electronics and Animes.

Originally decribed as social misfits , Okatus are now firmly rooted in Japaneese culture. Several movies like " Densha Okoto (the train Man) or TV programs display their life and made them popular.


The Otakus refuse to become adults, they reject the hard reality of Japaneese Life  and escape  into the virtual world .


Most of this young generation , also decribed as parasite singles (hikikomori) , live by their parents up to 35 . They use to stay locked into their rooms for years. 

They are now running the streets searching to satisfy their fantasy addiction.

They are 15 millions individuals.Because of fear of being rejected or disliked, people turn to anime characters or idols that pose no personal conflict

In Tokyo , the famous Akihabara quarter, also called Akiba , is the temple of electronics and the Okatu s territory.

Otaku rarely have  Girlfriends ,
 but they are buying Dolls in Spare parts in dedicated shops, dress them and live with them.

Those nerds spend  3 Billions Euros for dolls and electronics every year. 

A huge business is blooming around those crazy shoppers.

Recently , numbers of bars and cafés for Otakus have opened with waitresses dressed as Lolita  Maids on every blocks.

What next are they going for ?

The Android female of course.

Japan is leading the research or artificial intelligence , Actroid Der the female receptionist is showing up in exhibitions.

Prototype of intelligents robots are under developments by numerous Japaneese firms.

 by Emmanuel Facovi
 

Just Amazing, the ultimate design for kids is in .....Beijing China. A coulourfull , funny bookstore is offering chineese kids the ultimate playground and fantasy experience.

Named "Kids Republic" , it has big screens and displays with Movies around book ,and many  play areas. Everything to syimulate kids imagination is there , something our western kids would love for sure.

Designer is  Keiichiro Sako fromJapan

Going to Beijing twice a year the last  years , it is a every time an estonishing discovery for me.

The preparation for the 2008 Olympic games is driving the city to  be the most modern and fashionable capital in the world.

 Emmanuel Facovi

The most expensive places in the world 

When selecting  the place to  live ,work, make business , grow your family , and  access to a real life quality you may have a look at how much it will deplete your revenues.

The Mercer consulting firm releases the reference ranking on the World's most expensive cities...  The screened criteria are 200 product and services (food, lodging, transport, leisure, clothing ….).  

Japan is once again on top of the list with Tokyo and Osaka as close follower. Neighbours Honk Kong and Beijing are challenging . In Tokyo , it will cost you more than 4000 Euros/month for a 2 bedroom appartment.

In Europe , 29 cities are among the 50 most expensive ones. London and Moscow (respectively 3^rd and 4^th)    , Paris is 12^th after being 17^th in 2004... East Europe is getting more cities in the list since joining the European Union. .New York ranks 14^th close to the Irish Dublin.

so check your wallet and make up your mind...