January 15, 2008 | Funny Bits

Chest hair too racy in Japan?

A poster for a millenium old tradition in Japan has been banned by the East Japan Railway for fear it could offend women.

"As sexual harassment becomes more of a problem, the standards for displaying posters in public spaces are becoming stricter," a representative for the Railway offered. "It wasn't just that it was out of line because there was nakedness; the pictures showed things that were particularly unpleasant for women, such as chest hair, and it was decided that showing them things they didn't want to see was sexual harassment."

The poster advertises the Somin Festival, an annual event in the city of Oshu where half-naked men dance about for hours in hopes of securing good luck for the coming year. The festivities draw a large number of voyeurs, um, tourists to the area.

Don't worry; the festival will continue as planned, but asian bears will be asked to cover up. They have to think of the women, after all.