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Fearing Crime, Japanese Wear the Hiding Place (rise of URBAN CAMOUFLAGE)
NYT ^ | 10/20/07 | MARTIN FACKLER

Posted on 10/20/2007 7:55:34 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster


Torin Boyd/Polaris, for The New York Times
Though street crime is relatively low in Japan, quirky camouflage designs like this vending-machine dress are being offered to an increasingly anxious public to hide from would-be assailants.

October 20, 2007

Fearing Crime, Japanese Wear the Hiding Place

By MARTIN FACKLER

TOKYO, Oct. 19 — On a narrow Tokyo street, near a beef bowl restaurant and a pachinko parlor, Aya Tsukioka demonstrated new clothing designs that she hopes will ease Japan’s growing fears of crime.

Deftly, Ms. Tsukioka, a 29-year-old experimental fashion designer, lifted a flap on her skirt to reveal a large sheet of cloth printed in bright red with a soft drink logo partly visible. By holding the sheet open and stepping to the side of the road, she showed how a woman walking alone could elude pursuers — by disguising herself as a vending machine.

The wearer hides behind the sheet, printed with an actual-size photo of a vending machine. Ms. Tsukioka’s clothing is still in development, but she already has several versions, including one that unfolds from a kimono and a deluxe model with four sides for more complete camouflaging.

These elaborate defenses are coming at a time when crime rates are actually declining in Japan. But the Japanese, sensitive to the slightest signs of social fraying, say they feel growing anxiety about safety, fanned by sensationalist news media. Instead of pepper spray, though, they are devising a variety of novel solutions, some high-tech, others quirky, but all reflecting a peculiarly Japanese sensibility.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: camouflage; crime; freepun; japan; tlr
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To: TigerLikesRooster

http://www.wordpress.tokyotimes.org/index.php?p=653
41 posted on 10/20/2007 9:41:24 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric cartman voice* 'I love you guys')
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To: TigerLikesRooster
They even have exercise videos that also teach English language phrases in case the attacker is foreign.


42 posted on 10/20/2007 9:42:04 PM PDT by gondramB (Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.)
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To: gondramB

Here’s the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W1VY4b9IQQ


43 posted on 10/20/2007 9:46:19 PM PDT by gondramB (Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.)
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To: gondramB

You could have sex in that thing....could be a good “disguise” for hookers.


44 posted on 10/20/2007 9:47:28 PM PDT by spokeshave (Hey GOP...NO money till border closed and criminal illegals deported)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

45 posted on 10/20/2007 9:48:42 PM PDT by uglybiker (relaxing in a luxuriant cloud of quality, aromatic, pre-owned tobacco essence)
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To: Kevmo; MeekOneGOP; Conspiracy Guy; DocRock; King Prout; Darksheare; OSHA; martin_fierro; ...
Ooooooo-kay.


46 posted on 10/20/2007 9:49:41 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows ("Be deranged in a consistent manner. Manson was nuts, but at least he was always on message." --dead)
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To: spokeshave

>>You could have sex in that thing....could be a good “disguise” for hookers.<<

We are not the only people to see that possibility - you should see the parodies and response videos.


47 posted on 10/20/2007 9:52:04 PM PDT by gondramB (Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
she showed how a woman walking alone could elude pursuers — by disguising herself as a vending machine.

Unfortunately she was being pursued by Group Captain Lionel Mandrake and Colonel Bat Guano looking for change to call the President.


48 posted on 10/20/2007 9:55:33 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (May the heirs of Charles Martel and Jan Sobieski rise up again to defend Europe.)
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To: MARTIAL MONK

Some days you are the dog. Some days you are the hydrant.


49 posted on 10/20/2007 10:04:48 PM PDT by magslinger (I will not submit.)
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To: SycoDon; Minn
lifted a flap on her skirt to reveal a large...

picture of...

And turns 'em into STONE!!

50 posted on 10/20/2007 10:19:43 PM PDT by uglybiker (relaxing in a luxuriant cloud of quality, aromatic, pre-owned tobacco essence)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

I’m not seeing this, I must be dreaming the dumbest thing ever, or is the NYT trying to fight off the Onion?


51 posted on 10/20/2007 10:28:16 PM PDT by Professional
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To: dglang

don’t laugh


52 posted on 10/20/2007 10:56:36 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler ("A person's a person no matter how small." -Dr. Seuss)
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To: TigerLikesRooster; 75thOVI; Abathar; albee; Alice au Wonderland; Amityschild; andie74; Andy'smom; ..
HOW
NOT
TO
BE
SEEN

No amateurs, please.
Send FReepmail if you want on/off ISHP list
The List of Ping Lists

53 posted on 10/20/2007 11:03:31 PM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Professional
It is Japanese who try to beat the crap out of the Onion.:-)
54 posted on 10/20/2007 11:42:34 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster (kim jong-il, chia head, ppogri, In Grim Reaper we trust)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
He better have a soda to toss out because if I put money in and don’t get my soda it’s going down, Big Time!
55 posted on 10/21/2007 12:22:23 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper (ETERNAL SHAME on the Treasonous and Immoral Democrats!)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
Would this work/fit in my office, I wonder?
56 posted on 10/21/2007 3:46:33 AM PDT by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Won’t the muggers be alerted when the vending machine *walks* down the street?


57 posted on 10/21/2007 3:55:44 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: Minn
"Guess I just have a dirtier mind than you"

Gun porn ping list?

58 posted on 10/21/2007 4:53:53 AM PDT by Truth29
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Maxwell Smart: The old Coke vending machine disguise....Agent 13 hasn’t used that one for a while now :)


59 posted on 10/21/2007 7:48:14 PM PDT by xp38
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To: spokeshave

“What were you doing in the vending machine, Senator?”

“Not what it looked like! I just have a very wide stance.”


60 posted on 10/21/2007 7:52:17 PM PDT by Rastus
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