How do you say "Yes, we have no bananas" in Japanese?
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Due to the popularity of a fad diet known as the Morning Banana Diet, Japan is experiencing a banana shortage.
According to a Time story, the diet involves a breakfast of unlimited bananas and room temperature water, followed by whatever you like for lunch and dinner. You can have a 3 p.m. snack but no desserts, and you must have dinner before 8 and be in bed before midnight.
Morning Banana Diet books published since March have sold more 730,000 copies. A singer appeared on TV saying she'd lost 15 pounds in six weeks on the diet, and the next day... banana shortage. Stores can't keep them on the shelves.
The crisis is sure to pass soon, as people move on to the next thing. Fads are frequent in Japan. (Who could forget the '80s obsession with frilled lizards?)
In the meantime, I feel your pain, Japan. I would miss bananas if they disappeared.
P.S. Hai, banana ga arimasen.
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