Japan’s NHK and other broadcasters have proposed a new tower in Sumida, Tokyo… which if completed, would be the world’s tallest free-standing tower (611m) and the tallest man-made structure in Japan.
The new tower is officially named Tokyo Sky Tree (東京スカイツリー, Tōkyō Sukai Tsurii) following a public voting by Tokyo residents. The tower is currently scheduled for completion in 2011.
Artist’s impression of Tokyo Sky Tree (Image from Tobu Railway Co & Tobu Sky Tree Co)
The current tallest man-made structure in Japan is the original Tokyo Tower, a popular tourist attraction, which stands at 333m tall.
A total of 1202 bikini-clad ladies have broken the world record for the highest number of women attending a swimsuit photo shoot.
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Shigeo Obara, a Japanese farmer found a clover with 21 leafs last week in his garden. It’s a new Guinness record, beating his own previous record that was set in 2002 when he found a 18-leaf clover.
The 21-leaf clover (Image from
Yomiuri)
In Europe a 4-leaf clovers symbolize lucky but in Japan they symbolise happiness, 5-leaf clovers symbolise wealth and 6-leaf clovers are fame. [Hector]
I wonder what a 21-leaf clover would symbolise… lots of wealth, fame and happiness?
A black jumbo watermelon auctioned in northern Japan fetched a record 650,000 yen (US$6,100) Friday, making it the most expensive watermelon ever sold in the country… and possibly the world.
The 8-kilogram premium Densuke watermelon, grown only on the northern island of Hokkaido, was purchased by a marine products dealer who said he wanted to support local agriculture, according to Kyodo News agency.
In a country where melons are a luxury item commonly given as gifts, the watermelon’s hefty price tag follows another jaw-dropping auction last month, where a pair of Yubari cantaloupe melons sold for a record 2.5 million yen (US$23,500).
“It’s a watermelon, but it’s not the same,” said Kazuyoshi Ohira, a spokesman for the Tohma Agricultural Cooperative in Hokkaido. “It has a different level of sweetness.” [Mainichi]
Japanese celebrity blogger Yusuke Kamiji’s weblog is certified by Guinness World Records as the “most unique users on a personal blog in 24 hours”, or in human language the most popular blogger in the world.
The certified record is 230,755 unique visitors in one day, with daily pageviews of 5-6 million. The highest unofficial record is 13,171,039 PV on April 12th, and 56,061 comments on April 17th. [Asiajin, via Japanprobe]
That’s some crazy stats… my blog’s popularity is literally nuts compared to his lol.
A Chinese man has pierced his head with 2008 needles to commemorate the forthcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.
Dr Wei piercing his head
In a bizarre publicity stunt, Dr Wei Shengchu pierced the decorative needles in his head, face, hands and chest in the five colours of the Olympic rings.
The picture of Dr Wei’s was taken in Nanning, Southern China, and demonstrates the patriotic fervour among the Chinese people in the build up to September’s Games.
Dr Wei’s latest stunt was not the first time he had gained notoriety for sticking pins in his body…
In 2004 he secured a Guinness World Record after piercing 1790 needles into his head. [Telegraph, via Asianoffbeat]
What a freakish way to celebrate the Olympic Games.
Usain Bolt of Jamaica set a world record in the men’s 100m, clocking 9.72 seconds at the Reebok Grand Prix meeting at Icahn Stadium in New York on Saturday (May 31).
Bolt bettered the mark of 9.74s set by countryman Asafa Powell last September.
Usain Bolt with his proud record (Image from
Xinhuanet)
I could still remember the days when people said that breaking the 9.80s barrier was impossible without drugs… but now it seems like 9.6x secs is something achievable.
Congrats Bolt, good job, and a fitting name.
It has been a busy week for Mount Everest.
Last Thursday (May 22) a record 86 mountaineers reached the 8,848m (29,029ft) summit of the world’s highest mountain. Among them is 47-year-old Appa Sherpa, who broke his own record for the most ascents after climbing the mountain for the 18th time. [BBC]
Bahadur Sherchan, a 76-year-old Nepalese man, has become the oldest person to conquer the mountain. He broke the record on Sunday (May 25) previously held by Japanese Katsusuke Yanagisawa, who climbed the mountain at age of 71 in May 2007.
The youngest Everest conqueror is Ming Kipa Sherpa who made it to the top in May 2003 when she was 15. Yes, a SHE. [Guardian]
Today (May 29) is the 55th anniversary of the first successful ascent to Everest summit. New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first to reach the peak in 1953.
