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This 1/8 scale figure of Mikuru by Alter just came out and you can get the reviews at FooBarBaz and ( more » )
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Wonfes Hatsune Miku
Mikatan has more pics of the Hatsune Miku that will be on sale at the Wonfes next month. Love the triangle minamike-sty... ( more » )
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日本語/Japanese  Tue 04/22 18:55 JST
I've mentioned before that one of the things I dislike about Japan is the lack of non-smoking areas in a restaurant - I have ashtma and unfortunately have difficulty breathing around smoke.
But it the lack of non-smoking areas in Japan could start to become a thing of the past...

The prefecture of Kanagawa is home to 8.9 million people - the second largest prefecture by population after Tokyo and is where Yokohama is located.
Looks likely that Kanagawa is going to ban smoking in public facilities such as restaurants, pachinko parlors, schools, hospitals, department stores and hotels.
And just in case you was wondering about hospitals - many of them have a smoking room - not sure about schools.

Offenders who smoke or who allow smoking on these facilities will be fined. Places that people will be allowed to smoke at are ones house, rest areas and warehouses (why warehouses?!)

The proposed ban has been put forward by Matsuzawa Shigefumi who is the governor of Kanagawa so the likely hood of this ban being put in place is high. Matsuzawa says that the proposal has been put forward as a measure to prevent lung cancer by protecting the health of non-smokers who end up passive smoking.
If this ban is implemented then it will be the first of its kind in Japan. Source via Yahoo News and Mainichi.

This is personally good news and I hope that this ban extends to Tokyo too. One of the things I particularly enjoyed about living in Seattle for a while was the smoking-free restaurants.

Having said that, I have a lot of friends who do smoke and will be asking them how they feel about the ban the next time I see them.
What do you think about the regional banning of smoking in public facilities? Would be interesting to hear views of smokers and non-smokers alike.

As for the photo - its my driving license. Japan tried to introduce an ID card called Taspo. The idea was that all smokers would carry it as ID when purchasing cigarettes from vending machines as a measure to prevent kids from smoking.
The problem with Taspo is that one was required to give personal ID just to get a card which has lead to a lot of people not bothering with Taspo.
The ministry of finance has acknowledged this issue and has announced that folks will be able to use their driving license instead of Taspo.

At the moment 83% of cigarette vending machines are fitted with Taspo card readers but will soon be fitted with driving license readers too. News and image of card reader at Tokyo NP.

Nearly forgot to mention - I asked whether there were non smoking seats at a cafe and was lead to the round table that you see at the bottom of the photo. I discovered that the smoking section was where the man in the suit was sitting...
And if you are wondering about the figure - its Mizuki takase-chan.
Categories
Polls
Akiba-Kid in California, USA
Online Shop
Registered on 2008/01/17 11:35
This is nice, I hope Tokyo area restaurants can do something similar where they ban smoking inside the restaurants.  I don't know it's just me, but it seems like Japanese people are really inconsiderate about second-hand smoking for some reason :/
(ID #173843) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:03
GTR in Minnesota, United States
Registered on 2008/02/29 17:04
I think it's a good idea. Unless smokers don't care about the health of us non-smokers, O_o .
(ID #173847) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:14
killswitch in Wiesbaden, Germany
Lasersword operator
Registered on 2008/03/22 08:03
hey^^
i take care of it^^
(ID #173970) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:25
Emperor's Hand in Ohio, USA
Operations Manager, Jartrans
Registered on 2007/12/25 00:51
A similar ban was put into effect in the US in the state in live in.(Ohio) It was passed about a year or 2 ago. It bans smoking in all public locations. This even includes bars and clubs i believe. I must say i disagree with the ban carrying over into bars. I understand places like restaurants and stores, but people who drink often smoke.I am sure it hurts the bar owners.

  I'm a smoker myself, and it only bothered me that i couldn't smoke in the Hero House anymore.(a great lil eatery in Wooster with the best subs around!)


  Overall i believe it was for the best.
(ID #173850) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:27
bobo in NYC
Student
Registered on 2007/06/06 18:47
It's the same here in NY.  I don't like the bar ban but agree with the restaurant ban.  It sucks more when it's snowing and stuff.
(ID #174113) Posted on 2008/04/23 06:55
Kurashi in New York, USA
Cult Leader
Registered on 2007/12/19 10:02
I love the smoking ban in NY. All my smoker friends have already gotten used to it, and the thick fog of smoke that used to be so common in NYC bars are now gone. 

I feel that a non-smoker cannot harm a smoker, as the smoker can just go outside to have a puff. However, a smoker can harm a non-smoker, where is the non-smoker supposed to go (if all of the non-smoker's friends are smokers)? 
(ID #185700) Posted on 2008/05/12 01:49
kakit in Toronto, Canada
Student
Registered on 2007/04/24 07:45
It's a very good idea and luckily Toronto enforced those laws couple years back. I too have asthma and have difficulty breathing, but aside from that I've lost family due to just by chance that in the olden days they didn't have these laws and in the places they worked, people smoked. 
(ID #173851) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:28
FatBastard in over his head
Meat Puppet
Registered on 2007/11/04 18:16
Where I'm at they already ban smoking in most public establishments. Even clubs and bars. Most people seem to like the idea, and as a non-smoker myself I can't disagree.
(ID #173852) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:28
Last{[0]}Raven in ☆DANNYCHOO Site ☆
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
Registered on 2008/01/02 12:55
i remember my time in shibuya. when my friends and i were hungry and there was mcdonalds. the burger was indeed good but on the second floor, it was totally smoking like oh my god @_@ i just hope i dont go to a restraunt or fast food area like that 
(ID #173853) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:29
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
Whoa - your profile thing says you are 'in' Danny Choo...! 

o.O
(ID #174099) Posted on 2008/04/23 05:34
Last{[0]}Raven in ☆DANNYCHOO Site ☆
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
Registered on 2008/01/02 12:55
lol sorry i will be changing that. i just put it there because i am in the DANNYCHOO site ^^;; if i was in japan i would have put XboxLive in the location as well because i am out of gold membership cards T-T. i cant order them because i have no credit card and i cant buy them because they dont sell prepaid cards in the area i live T-T
(ID #174341) Posted on 2008/04/23 17:28
gregory_gdp in Boise, ID
Photographer
Registered on 2007/07/16 21:56
That's good that they are trying that smoking ban.  Here there is some opposition to it and so while the majority of public places are smoke free bars and more adult oriented places are allowed to choose whether or not they will be smoke free.  That's the last hold out though.  I think what annoys smokers the most are the entirely smoke free hotels.  I get so many complaints from smokers that there isn't any where aside from a couple run down dive hotels where they are still allowed to smoke in their rooms.   
(ID #173854) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:29
kaeze in Melbourne, Australia, Earth
Illustrator & Designer
Registered on 2007/04/09 18:37
I totally agree with banning smoking in public areas such as restaurants, bars, parks, and shopping centres, etc.  Here in Australia, it's pretty much all in place.  They've even been hinting at banning people from smoking in their own cars!  I don't know how one could govern/police that though.
(ID #173855) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:30
Adun in Sydney, Australia
ColdFusion Developer
Registered on 2007/01/01 14:12
Smoking has been banned in restaurants just before the Sydney Olympics, which was a pretty good move and it has been enforced ever since. It has definitely done wonders but I'm not all that fussed about smokers in general, but I do love to eat when there is no smoke in the air to ruin my food.
(ID #173856) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:30
Benjamin Takeyo in Lieu de la batille decisive
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
Registered on 2007/12/04 23:16
Not a smoker so naturally, this is also good news for me.

(ID #173864) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:48
kadosho in Tacoma. WA USA
Unemployed and searching
Registered on 2008/03/04 14:47
Congrats to your area their in a bustling city. Kinda glad, that they made a smart decision to change rules over there. I understand how tough it is with asthma, I'm also a sufferer.

But hey it could lead to a better living area. So its definitely a positive, even though in a busy place 24/7.
(ID #173865) Posted on 2008/04/22 19:49
Hachiroku in Finland
New media student
Registered on 2007/12/27 18:30
All the restaurants, bars, etc. are smoking-free areas here. And the situation is getting better all the time. And of course you can't smoke in a hospital. Hospital workers can't smoke during their workdays at all. 
(ID #173871) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:06
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
Nice Avatar ^^;
Oppai.
(ID #173968) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:21
cedrico in Australia
Bus Operator, Part time Zaku Pilot
Registered on 2007/03/18 07:09
Danny, I bet you'll Love Australia if you come for a visit, because lots of places here now are no smoking. You can't smoke in the rest, pub, cinema, almost everywhere except outside I guess.
(ID #173872) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:15
Len-Vesper in Quebec City, Canada
Medical Research and Design
Registered on 2008/02/17 03:54
In Canada it's universally non smoking in all commercial and public places with the exception of general city streets, so teracces and restaurants are totally smoke free here.

Much to my liking as well.  I'm just about the same as you in that department, cigarette smoke aggravates my lungs pretty bad.
(ID #173874) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:25
lu-k in Bayonne, France
Software Developer
Registered on 2007/01/07 21:55
Good news ^^ Smoking has been banned in every public place in France since january 1st 2008, and its much more pleasant to go to restaurant for example. There were already non-smoking areas though.
The "funny" thing now, is when who go to night clubs, it no more smells smoke, but it stinks sweat (which was before hidden by smoke) :s
Hard to tell which is the "best"... haha
(ID #173876) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:30
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
LOL at sweat smell ^^;
(ID #173965) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:20
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
True, true. Id rather have sweaty smells though. 

With smoke, your eyes sting, you have trouble breathing, its horrible on a crapmed dancefloor and your clothes reek of cigarettes for days afterwards.
(ID #174102) Posted on 2008/04/23 05:36
Timotei in Sweden
NEET
Registered on 2008/02/17 09:28
It's already forbidden to smoke in resturants and some bars here in Sweden, which is a good thing. 

Let's hope that they do this smoking ban in Tokyo too, everyone will feel better and be happy. ^^-b
(ID #173878) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:33
laughingman in Canada
McMaster Engineering Student Fall 08
Registered on 2007/11/18 11:58
Hahaha speaking of a smoker, I have a friend who's really into heavy smoking. On a daily basis, he smokes about 25 smokes. Funny guy though, I hung out with him on the weekend at a BBQ. He also drank 14 beers that day. What a guy :D

But ya, I'm one for banning smoking. I mean, for one, I don't want to get cancer indirectly. But more importantly, if it helps cut back on the number of smokes the average person takes, then its all the better. The world would be a better place without the smoking industry.
(ID #173879) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:34
Registered on 2008/04/22 20:02
I don't smoke so I think it's a great idea, already seen smokers using a little room outside yokohama station but it looks silly having one or two of those with the loads of people walking around.

About Taspo, sure it was getting personal info but what about the vending machines, a little too paranoid to think that they would read and store all your info instead of just be checking your age?

Wouldn't surprise me if most of the vending machine users were minors so now they have it easier to get ciggies.
(ID #173880) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:34
maikeru in Oregon
Replenisher
Registered on 2007/12/06 23:29
Here in Oregon, you can't smoke in any public places.  Even at my work, they are having to move the smoking section 20 yards from the nearest entrance of the building.  I'm not a smoker, but have friends who are, and they're not to happy about all the bans.  Guess they should just quit.
(ID #173886) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:39
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
Im all for this, as i dont smoke. Smoking in pubs doesnt particularly bother me, but smoking in resturants and clubs does!

Then again, im guessing loads more people smoke in japan than the UK, so its gonna piss a lot of people off...
(ID #173890) Posted on 2008/04/22 20:45
mavadotar in Peterborough/Ottawa, Canada
Game Development Student
Registered on 2007/12/11 19:26
My city has been smoke free in public places for quite some time. The bar owners were worried it would effect business, but statistics have shown business has generally improved slightly, probably because there aren't smokers smoking and driving away the no smokers, who are way more numerous here.
(ID #173906) Posted on 2008/04/22 21:26
shippoyasha in NYC
NEET
Registered on 2007/06/10 15:34
I HATE smoking. Hate the smell, hate the taste from second hand smoking, hate the headaches I get, hate the nosebleed from my body reacting to it, hate the posers who smoke it to look cool or fooling themselves into thinking it actually can calm you down physically.

HATE smoking.
(ID #173907) Posted on 2008/04/22 21:32
cease in UK
Student/Artist/Film-maker
Registered on 2007/06/04 03:57
I nearly quit early 2008 after smoking for 6 years, then had a few too many drinks one night with some friends. :( An got back on it). Its such a horrible habbit an i stink, i will quit as i know i can!
(ID #173911) Posted on 2008/04/22 21:38
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
you can do it! think of all the figures you can buy instead. How much are cigs in the UK anyway? They are dead cheap here...
I hear Japanese friends complaining about the price of cigs when they go to the UK.
(ID #173964) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:19
cease in UK
Student/Artist/Film-maker
Registered on 2007/06/04 03:57
Cigs in the UK are too much. Your totally right Danny. Im thinking of all the money i could have saved an its crazy, i could have been to Japan about twice already! Time to try again i think! 
(ID #173986) Posted on 2008/04/23 00:07
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
Use the force.
(ID #174171) Posted on 2008/04/23 10:09
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Never too late.
(ID #174183) Posted on 2008/04/23 10:28
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
To stop, look, listen to your heart hear what its sayin..
(ID #174347) Posted on 2008/04/23 17:56
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Countless people miss that nowadays (including myself, even if I try hard to see beauty in little things) and modern societies really don't help in that sense.
(ID #174402) Posted on 2008/04/23 20:10
necrophadian in a van down by the river
Stigmata Martyr
Registered on 2007/04/22 12:13
its all about willpower my friend...quitting is easy if you set your mind to it. The withdrawal will be like hell but trust me, its worth it, this is coming from a former smoker of 8 years.
(ID #174226) Posted on 2008/04/23 11:56
Burnsy-Zero in Sheffield, UK
Class B Worker drone
Registered on 2008/05/07 23:15
I've been a smoker for about 20 years, until about one month ago. Finally stopped and I'll say a similar public smoking ban in the UK has played a huge part in that. Still tempted now and then, but I think I'm winning ^.^
@cease, good luck mate you can do it!
(ID #173917) Posted on 2008/04/22 22:03
cease in UK
Student/Artist/Film-maker
Registered on 2007/06/04 03:57
@Burnsy-Zero thanks for the support!
(ID #173989) Posted on 2008/04/23 00:10
student learning to be an accountant
Registered on 2008/02/26 15:45
i dont like smoking and what i hate about smokers is that they just throw smoke at other people which is disgusting.and as you know from Darker than Black Anime how harmful is Second hand smoke :D
here where i live there are non smoking places in almost every restaurant some don't even allow smoking at all :) best of luck to you danny hopefully the law will implement.
(ID #173919) Posted on 2008/04/22 22:09
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57
[off topic]
danny u look so round on that card. ^^ 
[/off topic] 
(ID #173922) Posted on 2008/04/22 22:15
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
LOL
(ID #173963) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:18
McKlain in Spain
Web Designer
Registered on 2007/05/11 17:10
If the ban extents to the whole country I predict riots all across Japan.
(ID #173923) Posted on 2008/04/22 22:15
necrophadian in a van down by the river
Stigmata Martyr
Registered on 2007/04/22 12:13
wholeheartedly agreed. I wonder how the yankis and the Yakuza will handle this
(ID #174227) Posted on 2008/04/23 11:57
brakko in Italy
"student"
Registered on 2008/03/27 06:19
the only good thing that they did here in Italy was a law that says you cannot smoke in premises' (or you have to pay a fine around 250 euro (40.000yen))

(ID #173926) Posted on 2008/04/22 22:29
Evil King in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands, Earth
Student and full-time otaku
Registered on 2007/12/19 00:24
Very good, smoking is an unnecessary and unhealthy habit anyway imo. Many public areas already have smoking bans here, and I believe this summer this will be extended to bars and restaurants too.
(ID #173938) Posted on 2008/04/22 22:41
robnubis in Dublin, Ireland
Student
Registered on 2008/01/27 06:01
The smoking ban in Ireland worked out really well, people cant smoke anywhere where people work, so no restaurant smoking, no smoking in bars or offices, people can basically only smoke outside.
(ID #173948) Posted on 2008/04/22 22:50
nya-chama in London, United Kingdom
Student/Freelance Programmer
Registered on 2007/10/31 09:18
There's a downside though, I was walking down Chinatown last week and the streets were filled with people smoking outside each corresponding restaurant they were dinning at...

I mean seriously, it's like that everywhere! Every pub will have its half a dozen smokers outside filling up the pavements, very annoying.
(ID #173950) Posted on 2008/04/22 22:53
Mooks in Melbourne, Australia
NEET
Registered on 2008/04/21 17:04
the ban's good, people need to be more considerate to the people around them since second hand smoking is more harmful than first hand smoking.
(ID #173958) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:02
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
Save Earth, stop smoking! LOL 
(ID #173959) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:05
Arekusu in The Lost Woods
Dai Gurren Dan member
[f] 
Registered on 2006/12/31 18:24
That reminds me of when my brother and I went to Kyoto, and in the evening, we went to a really nice restaurant in the station, and it had a smoking, and non-smoking area. Now both of us hate smoke, but there was a long queue to get into the non-smoking area, so we figured, the smoking area can't be that bad, so we opted to go into there. Little did we realise, on going int, they close to door behind you, so its like your in a death box...Needless to say, we moved back into the non-smoking area ^_^
(ID #173962) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:15
macrossfan in Minnesota, USA
Sports guy
Registered on 2008/01/03 08:22
That's spectacular.  I can't wait to go back to a smoke free Japan.  I've lived in 2 states in the U.S. with smoking bans and it is so nice to be able to to eat or go out to a bar without having to shower off the smoke stink when I return home.

Bravo Kanagawa!
(ID #173969) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:23
x33b in Chicago, USA
Network Admin
Registered on 2007/11/24 04:49
Here in Illinois the smoking ban in public places just took effect this January. It's weird to go to bars and restaurants now and not come out smelling like an ash tray. I like it though, as I do not smoke.
(ID #173972) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:30
Kirakun in Ipoh, Malaysia
Auditor
[f] 
Registered on 2007/06/02 22:35
Warehouse... I wonder with the lack of place to smoke, will they smoke in a warehouse that is stored with flammable items... That would be classic.

I once experience once sickening moment. I was doing stock take in an oil refinery. Everything was except that the person who is guiding us is smoking on top of the oil tank.

On his left hand is the measurement tape, on the right is his cigarette. I was at the railing... too afraid to move. He was like why are you so far, you can't see the measurement. I was like omg, oh well, if the dude's cigarette mistakenly drop into the taken, I will also be a gonna since I am on top of the tank anyway.

Stock was accurate however I reported his negligent lol. You don't smoke on top of the oil tank while conducting stock take!!!! 
(ID #173977) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:45
Kirakun in Ipoh, Malaysia
Auditor
[f] 
Registered on 2007/06/02 22:35
goner not gonna...

It was a frightening experience!
(ID #173978) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:46
Henry in Makati, Philippines
anime/cosplay events organizer
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:17
we have similar smoking ban here but not as wide spread as that (afaik)
(ID #173980) Posted on 2008/04/22 23:49