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Real 'Akira' Motorcycle
News for nerds writes "At Tokyo Motorcycle Show in Japan (2/3/4 Apr.), the official licensed model of the motorcycle in the anime movie Akira (poster) is displayed. This Kaneda bike is not a mere replica, but a full working model (more pics at ITmedia) with twin-steering system and 249-998cc water-cooled 4-cycle engine, and on its cockpit is DVD-navi-system + trackball & ten-key + custom computer-controlled LED meters - all licenced by the author and the publisher of Akira. Though at the show only miniature figures are sold and real price or release date is unclear, you can check out the manufacturer's website for later info."
The Japanese have built up quite a military, mainly to defend themselves against the potential threats of North Korea and China. Their military (especially their navy and air force) is quite high-tech and well-funded. Because of their large military strength, the international community (especially the U.S.) wants them to help out with expensive international peacekeeping missions such as those sanctioned by the U.N. Unfortunately Japan's constitution (which the U.S. helped draft in something like 7 days after WWII) prohibits them from participating in any non-defensive foreign military action. There is quite a lot of discussion in Japan about changing the constitution and there was also quite a lot of commotion (both excitement and protest) at Japan sending a handful of troops to help out in Iraq after the war was declared over.
My other first post is car post.
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