Japanese have a canny disguise (Fear of muggers prompts vending machine camouflage)

The Sun (U.K.) ; Various ^ | October 22, 2007

[Rb ver. 2.0]

It works!

[PetroniusMaximus]

I can beat that...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OQWxIrSRDQQ

[DejaJude]

I like the way we do it in Texas. We disguise ourselves as gunmen.

LOL. I wonder if the swan dress that Bjork wore was an Iceland disguise.

[aviator]

Ah, but what would the French do in this situation????

[humblegunner]

Cool ... Aya shows outfit transformation

Yes, hiding from danger is the epitome of cool.

Yep.

[Stoat]

Time to bring a few Samurai back to walk the streets.

Hopefully there are still a few left who have enough love for their fellow human beings that they might consider helping the victim of a violent crime rather than simply trying to hide, like a scared little rabbit.

Sadly, there appears to be no widespread embarrassment that an invention such as this would even be considered.  From the New York Times' version of this story:

But the devices’ creators also argue that Japan’s ideas about crime prevention are a product of deeper cultural differences. While Americans want to protect themselves from criminals, or even strike back, the creators say many Japanese favor camouflage and deception, reflecting a culture that abhors self-assertion, even in self-defense.

Fearing Crime, Japanese Wear the Hiding Place - New York Times

[Stoat]

Cool ... Aya shows outfit transformation

Yes, hiding from danger is the epitome of cool.

Yep.

The Sun's complimentary descriptions of this invention are one of the reasons why I chose the Sun version out of dozens available on this story.....that and that they included a photo sequence of the actual transformation....most other articles just showed the 'garment' in the 'camouflage' configuration. 

It seems that the Sun's writers, or at least some of them, find the notion of sticking their heads in the sand to avoid unpleasantness quite appealing.  Very telling and very sad.

Cool ... Aya shows outfit transformation

Yes, hiding from danger is the epitome of cool.

Yep.

[DejaJude]

Ah, but what would the French do in this situation????

Disguise themselves as a Muslim "youth"?

[KarlInOhio]

Just better hope that no one needs change to call the President.

[Larry Lucido]

So nowadays instead of finding their "kat-ra," they find their "col-a."

BTW, if anyone drops off any empty soda cans, they can bring them to Michigan and get 10 cents back. Maybe offer to drive the overflow mail ship on Mother's Day.

[Larry Lucido]

“Hey, this Mountain Dew tastes like warm piss!”

[Larry Lucido]

I was amazed at the amount of Beer machines on the streets... Yes, you could stop yer car, put in a few Yen and get ya a keg complete with pour spout!

I shoulda read your post before I made my "warm piss" remark. It would have fit better. "Hey, I selected Miller. This tastes like Bud Light!"

[puroresu]

I think you're overreacting to this. The New York Times has had it in for Japan for years because of their refusal to throw their borders open the Third World immigration.

[Cyropaedia]

This little kitten tries to disguise itself as a drink... ;^P

[silentreignofheroes]

Tell me we still live in a sane world,,,please..

[Stoat]

Tell me we still live in a sane world,,,please..

Can't do it, sorry.   :-(

[Cagey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHbYOwkJPpA

[Hyzenthlay]

Oh, those silly Japanese... they’re so weird but still so loveable, or maybe they’re loveable because of the weirdly cute things they do.

[Stoat]

It works!

It even seems to INCREASE the number of muggers and thugs!

GREAT pic, thank you  :-)