The rancid nature of racism certainly doesn’t need reiterating on these pages, although despite its nefarious nature, it can be combated.
That said, some methods are distinctly more desirable
than others.
Tokyo retaliation
Fashion
Japanese jamboree
Conversations in Tokyo this weekend may well touch on the birth of a male heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne, along with the upcoming selection of a new Prime Minister; however for most people, riding high at the top of their ‘to talk about list’ will undoubtedly be the results of this year’s hugely prestigious and much coveted Best Jeanist and Nicest Hair awards.
In a decision that sent shockwaves through the nation’s schools and offices, top denim wearer of the last three years, Ayumi Hamasaki, was finally ousted, with Olympic gold medal winning figure skater Shizuka Arakawa gracefully walking away with the Best Jeanist award. A result that many are already claiming trumps her Torino triumph by a considerable margin.
Also on the podium were singers Kumi Koda and Kazuya Kamenashi, the former pictured below, having inexplicably lost her jeans for that all-important promotional shot.
Similarly compelling was the contest for hair honours, with actress Chiaki Kuriyama bagging her first Beauty Week award. The Kill Bill Vol. 1 star emotionally confessing, “There used to be a lot of times when I just wanted to lop it all off, but I’m really glad I’ve kept my long hair.” The image below clearly confirming Kuriyama’s comment, with her long and lovely locks on prominent display.
Fellow actress Masami Nagasawa was also presented with an award for her handsome hair, prompting the 19-year-old to prove the incredible importance of such events by pithily proclaiming, “This has really made me pleased that I’m a girl.”
Britney’s bottom ban
The seemingly perpetually pregnant Britney Spears has caused something of a kerfuffle in Japan, a promotional campaign featuring her bare body being censored by Tokyo Metro Co., the capital’s subway operator.
Whilst Britney’s ballooning breasts and bulging belly were deemed acceptable, her thunderous thighs were not, resulting in the ad campaign designed for Omotesando Subway Station looking like this.
HB Japan Inc., the publisher of the magazine being advertised, failed to understand the decision, saying, “The photo expresses her happiness at being pregnant. Covering part of the photo has made its concept unclear.” Tokyo Metro however remained unrepentant, claiming the image of the singer violated advertisement guidelines, which state that they must be appropriate in view of the protection of youths.
However the hypocrisy of the decision will not be lost on HB Japan, especially considering that as of writing, this ‘protection of youths’ hasn’t stretched to removing Ms Spears’ songs from the nation’s airwaves, with the likes of “Oops!…I Did It Again†and “Baby One More Time†still allowed to pervade the minds of impressionable youngsters.
Leg-wear lapse
Long socks aren’t exactly hard on the eyes when sported by a nubile young lady.
However on aged ramblers, they somehow don’t have quite the same appeal.
Unless it’s the jacket.
Cool biz blunder
Despite Japan’s cool biz energy saving campaign being in its second year, many a bungling bureaucrat and stick-in-the-mud salary man still can’t quite get to grips with the concept of shedding the standard jacket and tie for something a little more casual — or cool even.
Veteran politician Hiroyuki Hosada almost got it right with this brightly coloured Okinawan top, but then blew it at the last moment by inexplicably putting it on over his stuffy shirt and tie.
Still, Hosada-san’s brave effort wasn’t necessarily a bad one when compared to the unusual attire of this cool biz baffled businessman.
