For spring, stripes are out. . .

"We hope to stabilize the mental states of inmates by giving them warmer and brighter colors," Shigemi Tanimoto, a [Japanese] Justice Ministry official, said in making the announcement Wednesday. "Color experts told us the colors currently in use were too cold and aggressive."

Did you know green and orange are aggressive?  You have it from the experts.  In what the Japan Times calls the "Martha Stewart effect" (the potential puns here are endless), Japanese officials are planning on losing the old gray uniforms, the black-and-white striped pajamas, and the green-and-orange striped futons in favor of "warmer" colors, such as light blue and "mint" green.  It's going to be fascinating to see how the Japanese prison population, er, stabilizes, over the coming months.  Actually, I'm really glad I heard about this now.  The walls of my room are a blend of orange and green paints, and this probably accounts for my cold and aggressive nature.  I see that a redecoration is in order.