These Boots're Made For Fallin'

In Japan, the latest fashion trend has women going around with their feet way off the ground. The new high style is dangerous, CBS News Correspondent Barry Petersen reports.

Japanese women are walking tall. Heels on Japanese women's shoes have never been so high -- say, six to eight inches.

There is a down side to these shoes, a falling down side. These boots are not well-made for walking.

"I've had many accidents, says Mai Katagowa, "and lots of scars."

She's not alone. Twisted ankles, scraped knees and scars are common. Now this high-stepping fad has turned fatal. A woman died of a skull fracture after she fell over. Another driving a car missed the brakes because of her high heels and in the resulting accident, a passenger was killed. Police are still investigating the accident, and say the woman lost control on a gentle curve.

The accidents have scared off some potential wears of the style. "I'll stop wearing them," says Mamiko Hirano.

But most are still buying their tenth or fifteenth pair--at $100 a pop. There is a warning notice with each sale.

Why isn't the fad slowing down? "They make me look tall and skinny," says 21-year-old Yuki. "No way am I going to stop wearing them."

Given a choice between sensible shoes or the height of the fashion, it seems fashion wins -- in a walk.