General

Aug 04 2004 7 Comments

H for Hide with Spread Beaver

Yes, Hide with Spread Beaver. How’s that for a pop group’s name?

The first time I saw somebody wearing one of the band’s t-shirts, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Ok, some of the fashion industry’s English can be a bit dodgy, but still, Spread Beaver!?

Hide was the guitarist of the relatively well known X Japan, and his collaboration with, ahem, Spread Beaver was one of his side projects. Unfortunately Hide died at a wastefully young age in 1998, and in true rock ‘n roll style, his death is shrouded in mystery. Some people claim it was suicide, whilst others insist it was an accident.

But either way it wasn’t good for Spread Beaver, who/it hasn’t been heard of or seen since. A pity, as I’m sure I could have got plenty of mileage out of it.

Aug 03 2004 5 Comments

G for groping

It would seem that whist some people list sport, reading, or music as a hobby, a certain section of Japanese society could quite legitimately list groping as theirs. Or if not as a hobby, at least as a pastime.

Reports of gropers abound, with the majority of perpetrators preferring the nation’s packed trains to practice their art form. But whilst most gropers see it as a purely solitary pastime, others have actually gone as far as creating a club in order to share their stories and learn new techniques.

Thankfully women are beginning to fight back, but certain train companies have resorted to having ‘women only carriages’ in a desperate bid to reduce the problem. But with a steady stream of groping stories appearing in the newspaper, the battle is far from over.

Groping heaven?

Aug 02 2004 12 Comments

F for Fujiwara

Norika Fujiwara that is.

When I first arrived here, Ms Fujiwara’s face was everywhere. On the rare occasions she wasn’t on TV, she could easily be spotted advertising mobile phones, cameras, airlines, and drinks. And as she’s especially pleasing on the eyes, there were no complaints from me.

But a rumoured affair with K1 fighter Andy Hug (who died at the obscenely young age of 35 from leukemia), and a change of hairstyle and manager, sadly meant that Fujiwara-san began to disappear from our TV screens and advertising hoardings. Also, in age conscious Japan, Fujiwara is getting a bit old. She’s now 33, which for a Japanese model means she’s way past her best. And I mean way past it!

But I’m glad to say that of late Ms Fujiwara has somehow bucked this trend, and is once again a force to be reckoned with. She’s thankfully sorted out her hairstyle, possibly lied about her age, and the advertisers are once again flocking around her.

But she’s not just a pretty face, as the ever-young model has taken up the cause of helping Afghanistan’s poverty stricken children. Traveling over there, talking pictures for an exhibition, and generally alerting people to their plight.

Of course it’s this aspect of her personality that has always fascinated me, and why she’s remained my favourite Japanese celebrity. Although as a side note, it has been rumoured that Fujiwara-san will be releasing a nude photo album some time this year. Which I’m sure will be, ahem, very tasteful and artistic. And providing proceeds go towards her humanitarian fund, I’ll be sure to pick up a copy.

Jul 30 2004 1 Comment

E for employment

As the Japanese economy continues to struggle, finding oneself suddenly out of work is a distinct possibility. And should this unfortunate situation arise, you’ll find yourself down at the Hello Work office.

Yes, as serious a situation as unemployment is, the place dealing with benefits and charged with helping you back into gainful employment has the comedy name hello work.

How on earth did they come up with this name?

Jul 29 2004 6 Comments

D for dogs

Even coming from Britain – which is supposed to be a nation of dog lovers – the current fad for all things dog related in Japan has taken me completely by surprise.

It has to be said that doggie clothes of all descriptions and prices have been available for a long time. As have restaurants offering dog menus – compete with mineral water and special dishes. Plus for the truly demented dog lover, wedding services are an extravagant option. I’m not joking either. The dog wedding I witnessed on TV had the full works. Including dog guests, an aisle (of sorts), and a foreign ‘religious man’ to oversee the proceedings.

The latest craze however is renting a dog. For a rather steep 1,575 yen (7.5 pound), you can take your dog of choice (so long as it’s a cute Chihuahua, toy poodle, or miniature dachshund) for an hour’s walk. Puppy the World in Odaiba – one of the shops that offer this service – supplies customers with a leash, some tissues, and a plastic bag should the dog need to do a spot of business along the way.

Now personally, if I was paying that much just to take a dog for a walk, I wouldn’t expect to be cleaning up its excrement too. However the shop’s happy customers don’t seem to mind this one bit. On the contrary in fact, as it all seems like an enjoyable part of the experience. A 25-year-old woman called Akaike saying, “I want to raise a dog in the future, so this is like practicing.”

And for those who want to do some serious practicing, for a hefty 10,500 yen (50 pound), customers can take a dog home for a ‘sleep over’. With the kind people at Puppy the World supplying a day’s pet food, a water dish, and a cage for the animal to sleep in.

If this is all too sickly and sweet for you, I should add that despite shops such as Puppy the World, dog rearing in Japan does have a darker side. Dog fighting is still legal here, and whilst it’s not as popular as it used to be, fights are still held annually. For a bit more information, click on the picture of the cuddly little Tosa below.

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