Our pals at W+K Tokyo have teamed up with Ben & Jerry's in Japan on a new initiative to encourage more of the nation's youth to vote in the upcoming election on 21st July. And they're adding a very sweet incentive to the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with making a worthwhile contribution to society: ice cream. Think of it as the cherry on top, if you will. Or should that be the Cherry Garcia?

Friends in Japan, here's how it works: if you're a registered voter in Japan, stop by a Ben & Jerry's scoop shop in Tokyo before 4th August and prove you voted. You'll be rewarded with a FREE cone (Peach Party seems like an especially appropriate flavour, we think).

More details here for Japanese speakers.

It's always inspiring to see the things our infinitely creative Wieden + Kennedy bunch make in their spare time, especially when those things involve using the powers of techology for good and making the world a little bit better.

That's exactly what Luke Tipping (our Senior Interactive Creative and resident polymath) has done by creating See Your Folks. And he did it all in under 24 hours, admittedly with the help of a few equally industrious friends.

The site communicates one simple message to users: how many more chances will you have to see your parents before they are expected to die?

Based on the World Health Organisation's data for life expectancy (which varies significantly depending on a person's geographic location and their sex), See Your Folks estimates the remaining number of opportunities for spending time together. Luke isn't on a mission to make everyone cry, we promise – the site is just a subtle reminder of our mortality, viewing the awareness of death's inevitability from an emotionally empowering and beneficial perspective. 

Luke says: “Sometimes we’re so busy growing up we forget that our parents are growing old. See Your Folks is a gentle reminder to make the most of our parents because they won’t be here forever. Increasing awareness of death can help us to make the most of our lives. The right kind of reminders can help us to focus on what matters, and perhaps make us better people.”

Have a go and then go see your folks, folks. 

www.seeyourfolks.com