Weird Items Sell Briskly in Japan

Along with high-tech goods such as cellular telephones, Japan’s hottest products this year include panty hose that block out harmful sun rays and a hangover remedy called “Go for It, Mr. Liver!”

The potion, one of a number of fast-sellers aimed at Japan’s heavy-drinking businessmen, more than doubled expected sales projections, according to an annual survey published by Japan’s largest advertising agency.

Another top-selling item, a liquor-based cocktail called “Green Banana Fizz,” probably caused some of the hangovers. Millions of bottles were imbibed this year, Dentsu Inc. said.

High-tech goods such as cellular telephones and personal facsimile machines also headed the list, the agency said.

Still, Japanese consumers were mainly driven by a love of nature, health awareness and individualism in their buying choices, Dentsu said.

“A consumerist bubble economy has burst and questions of value and an increased awareness in the environment are taking its place,” Dentsu explained in a statement released with its sixth annual list this week.