Dave Fossett wrote:

> Apparently there is a small convenience store/drugstore at Hakata station
> called Colon Booth. I suppose it is pointless asking why someone thought
> this would be a good name...

Japanese companies are happily oblivious to the correct spelling of
their products. In their eyes, it doesn't matter; Japanese people will
see it and know this shop sells *cologne*, just as whoever thought up
the name "Shaldan" thought it was cool to name an air freshener after
the French word for garden (jardin).

Once these words get put into kana the correct spelling is lost, and
then when they have the chic idea of putting them back into the Roman
alphabet the genius who spoke French has long left the company, so they
just use whatever letters they think look cute.

John
http://rarebooksinjapan.com