It is well recognised that Japan are heads and shoulders above the rest of the world in mobile phone technology: handsets that can pick up TV channels have been standard for years and in many shops payments can be made by swiping a phone over a sensor. 

However, if you have ever sat on public transport whilst a fellow passenger has been playing a noise resembling ‘something-like’ music for the duration of your journey; then, like me, you may struggle with the latest mobile craze to come out of Japan. 

Across the “Land of the Rising Sun” the arrival of spring is bringing out the cherry blossom but it is also causing problems for hay fever sufferers.  As we are heading into British Summertime, pay attention!  A company called the Japan Ringing Tone Laboratory claims that it has discovered a cure for sufferers.  

For relief from the symptons of hay fever, sufferers need only wait for a call on their mobile phone. If you hold your handset up to your nose as it rings, the sound is supposed to dislodge pollen. A seperate therapeutic ring tone is for those trying to lose weight. So watch this space!