My latest Tokyo post is up on MoCo Loco, covering Fumie Shibata’s ZUTTO kitchen appliances for Zojirushi, news that Plus Minus Zero has launched an international site, and the dates for the Good Design Expo 2008.

Dezeen posts a few images of what is being described as a proposed new flagship store for Louis Vuitton in Japan by Dutch architects UNStudio. It’s unclear whether this is an actual project that has been approved, and if so, where it would be located (best guesses: Omotesando or Ginza).

After 21 years in print, publisher Shogakukan’s Young Sunday comics magazine is calling it quits. Anime News Network has details on what will happen to all of its manga titles — most of them are heading to Big Comic Spirits.

Some good news for fans of the works of Junko Mizuno. Publisher Last Gasp and Patrick Macias’ jaPRESS are translating the Fancy Gigolo Pelu manga. It should be out in spring of next year.

While I was out of town, I kept up with my weekly Tokyo posts over at MoCo Loco, but didn’t link to them. Here then is what you may have missed.

First, I covered Plus Minus Zero’s Electric Kettle, Cina’s 4GB USB flash drive, and Naoto Fukasawa’s Noto ballpoint pen.

Second week: the Awagami +1 stationery collection, John Di Cesare’s Parashell umbrellas, D-BROS‘ “Hotel Butterfly” cups and saucers.

Third week: Naoko Kanehira’s works exposed in London, &design’s Frame Hanger, and Mother Tool’s Awasefu pass case.

Last week: Plus Minus Zero’s Mesh Tarp Tote Bag, the latest Nosigner exhibition, and Shiro Kuramata’s exhibition at Limart.

I’m a bit late on this, but this month’s edition of my “On Design” appeared last week in The Japan Times, and can be read online here. In it, I covered Takumi’s BeansQtap extension cord, John Di Cesare’s Parashell umbrellas, Kazuhiko Tomita’s Kabon tray, Nihon-Sweden’s Envelope bags and cases, and the 100% Lamp/Lamp Table Base.

I’m not quite sure how I missed this — let’s blame it on me being out of the country for the month — but Chin Music Press has a new release, in the form of Minoru Morita’s Curing Japan’s America Addiction.

This is the first book from CMP to be released as a paperback, and is available now from its website for $15.

It’s summer, it’s hot, and you need new t-shirts. Good thing Tokyo Art Beat has just launched its fourth Tokyo t-shirt collection then! They’re doing things a bit different this time out, releasing two new tees every two months.

The first two designs, pictured above, are by Ko-Zou and Tada Reiko (Kiiiiiii), and can be purchased directly from the TAB shop (international orders are very much welcomed). As always, all proceeds go to help support the site, itself a non-profit organization.

Can’t say that I’m really in the market for a pneumatic elevator, but if I was, I’d want the one pictured above, from NuVa. Photo via Max — here’s a link to a few more.

Just a quick note to say I just got back to Tokyo, and so you can expect regular transmissions on this site to pick up again.

Pictured above, me enjoying some great local ale at a pub back in Canada (and contemplating what to drink next). Thanks for the photo, Bones!

How should you be celebrating the release of Dense Music, Digiki’s new album on the Tokyo Fun Party label? By going to the instore live this Sunday (July 27, 16:00-19:00) at Styles Daikanyama of course. Entrance is free, and you also get SoccerBoy, who will surely be sporting the nicest eighties rock tee this side of the Pacific.

Although I usually get pretty excited when a new Hayao Miyazaki film comes along, I can’t say I’ve been particularly pumped for Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. I didn’t much enjoy the teases I’d seen for the film: the deformed and simply drawn main character pointed to a loose style of animation that I didn’t really like. Well, the extended trailer above reveals an entire different film than what I was expecting, and I’m now quite looking forward to seeing it once I get back to Tokyo. Looks like it’s turning into a huge box office hit as well (it opened this past weekend).

The always delightful — and fellow PauseTalker — Bianca Beuttel returns to PingMag with a new package design piece, this time with a focus on sustainable or eco-friendly packaging in Japan

No, that’s not an idol video, or at least it’s not sold that way. The video is from a DVD series by record label Avex called Miteru Dake (Just Looking). As you can see, it features girls — pumped-up breasts and all — just, well, looking. The idea is that it’s for shy men, to practice looking girls in the eyes. Via Japan Probe, but read more at Clast.

The “Totoro Forest Project” needs your help! From artist Enrico Casarosa:

Do go have a look, as the gallery is already quite impressive. Pictured above is a piece by Enrico.