ICHIYA’s POP Eye – Toy

　 From Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Moshi Moshi Nippon’s “ICHIYA’s POP EYE”.
  Today’s topic is Toy!
  Do you know Tamagotchi? 
  I believe many people have experiences playing with Tamagotchi. You can feed a character that appears on the screen so that it will grow up.  Tamagotchi’s mood stays good as long as you keep communicating with it, and finally it will transform into a character of various kinds. It is a typical example of Cool Japan. It is a combination of cute character design and high technology. Tamagotchi are not only toys for children, also adults can play with them.
  Many toys in Japan are designed in order to offer adults a combination of technology and the "cuteness". Japanese toys are manufactured thoroughly with both sophisticated design and high technology, trying to attract both children and adults. In toy stores in Japan, you can find many adults buying toys for themselves. Some plastic models require you to acquire skills, like the Mini Four Wheel Drive.Cooking toys are scientific toys that parents and children can enjoy together. Pet robots are also toys for adults for the family communication .
  Several professors at MIT once asked me to introduce toy companies in Japan, because they wanted to understand the mechanisms of Gundam and Beast Wars dolls. The US technology authorities were very surprised to see how toy makers in small companies in Japan were making those toys.It was impressive.
  There are many maniac toys, for example, plastic models. In addition to airplanes and cars, there are also castles and gardens as well. Some kinds of toy genres are holding nationwide competitions and championships, such as spinning top and Kendama. They are considered as a "road “ in terms of a spiritual experience, comparable to Judo and Karate. It is not only a competition in technique. Spiritual things and courtesy are also important. Rather than just a play, a kind of culture is being produced.
  Every year, I participate in the Tokyo Toy Show which is held in June. 148 companies exhibited a total of 35.000 products last time.  I was surprised to see many companies showing toys for smart phones and tablets. Kids can enjoy music and take photos, they can have fun with games and fortune-telling with the digital tools. They can also study and communicate with each other. Children's toys are changing into the information society type. Toys may introduce new technologies and evolve rapidly.
  Well, you may find Japanese toys around you. I hope you like them.