Parents the world over would surely prefer their children not to throw things about. It's just plain bad manners, among other things. But Atsushi Kikuchi, a serious-looking father of two boys, positively encourages it. And, he evenmaintains, his sons' ballistic behavior has produced considerable benefits for life at his family's home.

"My family environment is the most harmonious it's ever been," boasts the 49-year-old post-office manager.

So what is it that Kikuchi allows his sons to throw about with such wild and reckless abandon?