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Import company brings bizarre Japanese products to US
September 27, 2004
Isesaki - Stumped about what to give that special someone? How about some
plum-flavored seaweed?
If that doesn't work, how about a videogame where the object is to convince
three married women to leave their husbands?
Those are some of the kooky gift ideas available to Japanese consumers that are
now available in America thanks to Jlist.com, an import company specializing in
bizarre toys, food products and DVDs.
Jlist founder Peter Payne started the business to export Japanese pop music but
soon discovered U.S. consumers were even more interested in adult-themed comic
books and strange products such as "minty eyedrops" or chewing gum that doubles
as a toothbrush.
Japanese porn is a big seller but the product that gets the biggest rise out of
Americans is "Black Caffeine Gum," which is popular with computer programmers
working long hours.
Other products may rub Americans the wrong way, such as the comic books
featuring hermaphrodites and a game show where females play a variation of
bingo revolving around oral sex.
Sure, it's bizarre but Payne says it's important not to judge Japan -- or any
country -- based on its consumer goods. As he puts it, "One of my friends
learned English watching soap operas so her view of America was very twisted."
Visit J-List at www.jlist.com
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