Photographs from a small group of islands
Hot on the heels of the Hello Kitty empire, the people behind Pokemon appear bent on peddling an absolute plethora of products bearing pictures of Pikachu and his moneymaking pals.
And with the Japanese toy market now absolutely teeming with such stuff, food would appear to be the next target.
Cosmetics and condoms are coming soon.
Apparently.
Whilst Japan may lead the world in the fields of manga and maid cafes, the country’s quest for a sporting superstar has sadly remained illusive. Admittedly Japanese baseball and soccer players have made sizeable splashes in America and Europe respectively, but the nation has yet to produce a global star with the talent of Tiger Woods or the phenomenal fame of footballer David Beckham.
However the desperate search appeared to finally be over, as after six consecutive wins at the much renowned Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi looked set to become one of the greatest athletes to have graced the world stage by bagging an unprecedented seventh title at this year’s event. An achievement that sadly was wasn’t meant to be, as Kobayashi fell at the final hurdle and came a close second to American Joey Chestnut. The six-time winner even suffering the ignominy of a ‘reversal’ towards the end of the competition.
A feat that, if successful, would have surely resulted in the 29-year-old being given a hero’s welcome on his return to Japan. And along with sponsorship offers aplenty, there was also a much-anticipated audience planned at the Imperial Palace, with many people speculating that Kobayashi was to be awarded accordingly with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.
But perhaps predictably the dream would appear to be over, and the search begins all over again…
The mind-boggling effort that some Japanese mothers put into their child’s lunchbox (or bento) is fairly well documented, with the likes of rice and random vegetables used to recreate various creatures and compositions.
An art form that has at last been given the recognition it so rightly deserves, as Tokyo proudly hosted the inaugural Character Bento competition on Friday. The eventual winner being ‘Rainy days are fun too!’, which by all accounts got the nod due to its nutritional balance and seasonal timeliness. It being rainy season and all that.
A closely fought contest that saw fellow finalist Miki Matsuzaka’s meat and melon-based Mona Lisa came a close second.
Apparently.
The traditional Japanese diet of fish, vegetables, tofu and the like has consistently kept Japanese ladies at the top of the world’s longevity league table, but whilst a gradual change to more western style meals may well reduce these lengthy life spans, it would appear to be having the opposite effect on the nation’s burgeoning breast sizes.
A newly coined look called ‘bon-kyu-bon’ (big-small-big) attests to the size of this phenomena, with Japanese manufacturers now producing bras with less padding for those ladies who aren’t exactly lacking; however for women not quite so well-endowed, help would appear to be at hand with these curve-inducing cookies.
A similar product for men, tentatively titled ‘bulging briefs biscuits’, is rumoured to be ready for release early next year, although some commentators are claiming it may come sooner than expected.
(click image for colossal-sized cookies)
With Japan absolutely jam-packed with vending machines, it’s not exactly difficult for those underage to clandestinely purchase their poison of choice. In fact, for Japanese teens, Tokyo is absolutely teeming with treasures; a party involving plenty of booze, packets of cigarettes and a plethora of porn being easily had — all at the simple push of a button. Making it a pubescent form of perfection of sorts.
Yet not content with young adults getting a taste for the odd tipple, Japanese drink manufacturers are also keen on attracting those even younger. This beer-like beverage unashamedly aimed at the under-10s.
A commercial for the drink even helping highlight the immeasurable benefits of inebriation. Or at least a sober simulation of it.
However, the presumably high sugar content of each bottle may well make children who consume too much of it ill or indeed irritable, arguably making it just like the real thing — almost.