Nov 12, 2011 09:48:00

Japanese 'toilet bike' that was misunderstood in South Sudan

Hello, this is

Takuya Suto @ Chariderman, who goes around the world of bicycles. In July 2011, South Sudan , the newest nation in the world, was born. This is the result of a referendum on the pros and cons of independence from Sudan, which was held in January of the same year. I got this South Sudanese newspaper in the neighboring country of Uganda, kampala. Words of interest such as ' Abyei ' and ' East African Community ' are lined up. And the ' toilet bike ' that was making noise in Japan was crowded with paper. Moreover, it seems to be misunderstood.

Click here for South Sudan, the newest nation in the world.

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As I walked through the center of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, I was surprised. One of the newspapers sold by street vendors had the South Sudanese character.

The name of the newspaper is 'ACTIVE NATION', and the cover is decorated by Libyan Colonel Kadafi.

The notation of South Sudan called SOUTH SUDAN NEWS is eye-catching.

I wondered 'Why South Sudan to Kampala?', But there was an advertisement in the newspaper for a bus company connecting Kampala and

Juba , the capital of South Sudan. The distance from Kampala to South Sudan is about 500km in a straight line, so it was the center of the road to South Sudan.

I was interested, so I bought one for 1500 Ugandan shillings (about 50 yen). Newspapers are written in English, the official language of South Sudan, so you can understand simple contents.

Let me introduce you to the headlines of what is covered in the South Sudanese newspaper.

'Gaddafi Dead; Who Pulled the Trigger'. Captain Kadafi, who died using the three sides of the cover, is featured extensively.

'Give them deadline' South Sudan urge IC over Sudan's withdraw from Abyei (South Sudan insists that Sudan draw from Abyei through the international community). Even if South Sudan becomes independent from Sudan, it is still undecided which region will belong to the area called Abyei.

'USA, Russia vow to support South Sudan in Military Defense'. There are tactics over the initiative with the United States and Russia over the export of arms to South Sudan.

'South Sudan readies to join East African

Community '. South Sudan seems to be considering joining the East African Community (EAC), which consists of five countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. This EAC aims for EU-style regional integration in Europe.

The AFRICAN NEWS item, which deals with news in Africa, is indispensable.

'Kenya troops advance into somalia near Afmadow Al-Shabaab threatens Kenya revenge attacks (Kenyan troops have advanced into near Afmadow in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab warns of retaliatory terrorism in Kenya) '. Somali armed organization al-Shabaab invaded Kenya and repeatedly attacked terrorism and kidnapped foreigners. Under these circumstances, the Kenyan army advances the army to the southern part of Somalia controlled by al-Shabaab. During my stay in Kenya, I inevitably heard the news of the invasion of Somalia.

'Liberia vote: Prince Johnson backs President Sirleaf'. In the presidential elections in Liberia, West Africa, no candidate accounted for the majority in the first vote, and the top two candidates were brought to the final vote. Candidate Prince Johnson, who had the third highest vote in the first vote, expresses his support for the incumbent President Sir Reefoo, who is advancing to the decisive vote.

SPORTS occupies one side of the back cover. European football such as Arsenal (England) and Barcelona (Spain) is also popular in Africa.

There was also SUDOKU PUZZELS (Sudoku).

Let's also pay attention to advertisements.

SOUTH SUDAN HOTEL, airport transfer, 24-hour electricity supply with generator, laundry service, safety box, Wi-Fi service and excellent hotel.

JIT SUPERMARKET, a supermarket that is occupied by imported products that are common in Africa and whose products are more expensive than Japan. It seems that everything is available.

News outside of Africa is also introduced. There was the word Japan there.

'Obama Look Alike Famous in Indonesia'. Obama T-shirts, Obama Salons, Obama Motels, Obama Keychains and Obama's popularity in Africa never stops. So, I think Obamaneta wants to use it in newspapers as well. Is Mr. Obama from Indonesia about him?

When I searched with Google image search, a lot of images came out.

The result of Google image search 'Ilham Anas bares' is this

And then ... 'Bike That Runs on Feces Unveiled in Japan.'

This seems to have made a lot of noise in Japan as well.

Introducing toilet bowls and toilet bikes for seats TOTO promotes water-saving type

I translated a part of the article.

Recently it was announced that a scientist had created a way to turn human feces into edible 'meat.'
Just the other day, scientists have announced how to make good use of human poop.

big thing, Japanese toilet maker 'TOTO' has created the Toilet Bilke Neo, a bike that runs human waste.
Toilet bike Neo made by Japanese toilet maker 'TOTO' runs on human poop.

Whatever method it requires, the fecal matter is converted into biogas which powers the bike.
Whatever it is, the poop needs to be converted to biogas to be the energy of the bike.

Is clearly misunderstood.

Click here for the full text

At TOTO, there is a note on the homepage that 'Toilet Bike Neo cannot run on the rider's poop.'

TOILET BIKE NEO

' Toilet bike' was misunderstood and responded ... Introduced to the US site 'Human feces are fuel' ... 'Toilet bike' that made a noise in the world, and the misunderstanding spread to South Sudan.

This South Sudanese newspaper, ACTIVE NATION, also had a homepage.

ACTIVE NATION

I don't think I'm in Japan, but it's interesting to look at foreign newspapers like this. It would be even more so if it were the newest nation in the world.

( Sentence / Photo: Takuya Suto @ Chariderman
Bicycle around the world coverage http://shuutak.com )