SoraNews24 -Japan News-

So, you think you know your quirky Asia news, huh? Visit our site every single day, do ya? (Thank you!) Well let’s see how closely you’ve been paying attention! Starting this week, we’ll be running a multiple choice quiz each weekend, based on 10 of our writers’ favourite articles from the week, asking you one question about each of them.

Do you know your Japanese cultural traditions? Have you been paying close attention to the adventures of our beloved Mr. Sato? How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if he had the required paperwork for the job? Take our quiz and find out!

We know how annoying it can be to have to scroll up and down to check your answers, so we’ve hidden them below each question. To see the answers, highlight the space between the square brackets [Hello!] after the word “Answer:” or click the “More info” link for the full story.

Let’s get right into it, shall we?

• Question 1.

Some dudes in Kentucky, US are allegedly planning to open what this spring?

A: A strip bar where all the girls begin dressed as anime characters.
B: A ninja throwing star practice range and sake bar.
C: A deep-fried sushi restaurant.
D: A flower garden made to look like Hayao Miyazaki’s face when viewed from above.

Answer: [ B ] More info

• Question 2.

Why are chopsticks with both ends tapered used during New Year meals in Japan?

A: Because everyone gets drunk and it makes eating easier.
B: One end is reserved for the gods present at the feast.
C: They symbolise a healthy life, and with it a good appetite, at both ends of one’s life.
D: Traditionally, chopsticks are recycled from the previous year and the unused end shaped to eat with, but modern-day chopsticks are bought with both ends tapered.

Answer: [ B ] More info

• Question 3. 

Why does this little pup look so dejected?

A: He thought he was going for a walk but was tricked into going to the vet.
B: He’s not actually sad–he’s trained to show “emotions” for TV work in Japan.
C: He was found outside Shibuya Station and taken into custody.
D: He drank half a litre of beer the day before and is paying the price.

Answer: [ A ] More info

• Question 4.

Japan’s top-trending search item in 2013 was what? (Answers translated into English)

A. “typhoon”
B. “iPhone 5s”
C: “shizbiscuits”
D: “Sailor Moon porn”

Answer: [ A ] More info

• Question 5.

What was so special about one group of female cashiers working at a McDonald’s restaurant in Taiwan last week?

A: They were actually incredibly beautiful men that passed for women.
B: They served their customers entirely through song.
C: They wore uber-cute sailor suit-style school uniforms and cat ears.
D: They weren’t wearing anything besides their underwear as part of a protest over sexism in the workplace.

Answer: [ C ] More info

• Question 6. 

Our reporter Mr. Sato spent just over US$300 on a fukubukuro lucky bag at the Apple Store on January 2. But what was the total value of the items he found inside it?

A. Over $1,500 and he’s thrilled.
B.  $450 but it’s all junk.
C. The exact same amount he spent.
D: $287 precisely and he’s decidedly unimpressed.

Answer: [ A ] More info

• Question 7. 

The Chinese may not be celebrating new year quite yet, but in Japan it’s already the year of the:

A: dog
B. muppet
C: snake
D: horse

Answer: [D. And Chinese New Year is on January 31 this year, in case you were wondering.]

• Question 8.

What is this object used for?

A: It’s a love seat for couples.
B: It’s a massage couch for cats.
C: It’s for men to kneel on when peeing.
D: It’s for kneeling on when offering gifts at the family alter during the new year.

Answer:  [ C  ]  More info

• Question 9. 

One online retailer in Japan just started selling Disney princess-themed underwear. But which princess’ panties didn’t make an appearance?

A. Bell
B. Rapunzel
C. Cinderella
D: Jasmine

Answer: [ D  ]  More info

• Question 10.

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

A: 42
B: Tom Cruise
C: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A.
D: Impossible to say: as we all know, the last woodchucks were wiped out during the clone wars of 2013.

Answer: [  As anyone who has read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will tell you, the answer is always “42”, so in this case “A”. ]

So how’d you do, Rocketeer?

0-1 correct: I’m not even going to mock you. Just shut up and get in the cupboard of shame.
2-4 correct: Here’s your “Not Entirely Useless” plaque. Hang it on the wall.
5-7 correct: Middlin’. Like a tree falling in the forest when no one is around, does anyone really care?
8-9 correct: Bravo to you. You clearly don’t get out much. I like that in a human.
10 correct: You’re either unsafe to walk the streets or my soul mate. Do you also happen to enjoy windy walks?

Have a great weekend, everyone!