Since 1935, when it was first installed by the confectionery company Ezaki Glico in Dotonbori, Osaka, the “Glico 300 Meter Running Man” neon billboard sign is one of the well-known landmarks of Osaka.

Although it was changed several times, the Glico Man maintained its vintage look and feel. Recently, the 79 years old sign was upgraded again, and the today’s version, the sixth, was made with LED instead of neon. The LED allows for a dynamic background, but it is also a symbol for the new, high-efficiency and low-consumption illumination installed now in Japan, and a reference to the 3 Japanese scientists recently awarded with the Nobel Prize for inventing the blue LED…

Glico Man, Dotonbori, Osaka

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Takao Momiji Manhole Cover