Crime, Boobs, and Ramen on the rise in 2006

Noodles down, crime up, and butts beat boobs in 2006:

Ultra-cheap noodles, exposed buttocks, sacked bosses, African criminals and cutesy Japanese dogs are going to be the country's biggest trendsetters in 2006, according to predictions made in Asahi Geino (1/12).

Bountiful breasts were big (in more ways than one) in 2005, but this year it seems pin-up girls are going to butt the buxom out.

"Boobs dominated pin-ups last year, with trends like false nipples and bras that enhanced cleavage. This year, though, we're going to see a boom in flashing the fanny," says Toshihito Sugita, editor in chief of The Best Magazine, a rag that focuses on cheesecake shots.

"Rather than directly emphasizing the bust, it's going to be a year where women are going to enhance the depth of their derriere."

Ramen is going to get restaurateurs going off their noodle this year, with an expected escalation in a price battle that began in 2005 after an Osaka chain began offering fare at 180 yen a dish, well less than the few hundred yen normally charged.

"I've seen a photo of an Osaka-based chain that will offer ramen for 30 to 50 yen a bowl," Kenzo Kosugi, managing editor of Mengyokai -- a monthly tracking trends in the ramen industry -- tells Asahi Geino. "It's due to start operating in April and will make waves for sure."

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