Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

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Hamasaki hustler

As a brief bit of background information, this is a picture of Ayumi Hamasaki (or Ayu as she is commonly known).

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Not only is she pretty, but it’s probably fair to say that she’s Japan’s most popular female singer, having produced a steady string of hits over the last few years.

But sadly, like many pop stars, some of Hamasaki’s fans can be a little obsessive. Although perhaps non more so than 35 year old Masashi Tsueda. A man who was arrested this week for a series of robberies he committed to feed his love of attending concerts and buying Ayu merchandise.

Since July 2001, Tsueda is alleged to have committed around 170 robberies. Although before you immediately condemn him, he was a criminal with a conscience, as he made a rule of never stealing more than 200,000 Yen (about 1,000 pounds) in a single day! But even after heroically restricting himself in this way, the besotted fan managed to acquire over 22 million Yen (112,000 pounds) in his crime spree.

You’ve got to wonder what he was buying though. 22 million Yen! I don’t care how many concerts you go to, or posters you buy, getting through that kind of money would be quite a challenge. But by the sounds of it, one that Masashi Tsueda was obviously up to.

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Honour system

Crime in Japan is sadly on the rise, but compared to many other countries, it is still incredibly safe. Not only that, but thankfully there’s still a good deal of honesty about too. If you happen to leave your bag or wallet somewhere, there’s a very good chance you’ll get it back. Money and valuables still intact.

Along the same lines, it’s not uncommon to see shops such as this.

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Customers are expected to just leave the money for whatever they buy. The amazing this is, they do. And nobody steals the money either!

Except gaijin of course.

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Doraemon don

Despite his age, Doraemon is still incredibly popular in Japan. And whilst not really a fan, I do know that the blue and white robotic cat has a magic pocket. And it’s magic because despite being small in appearance, it is capable of holding a vast number of gadgets. 1,963 to be exact. Well, according to Professor Yasuyuki Yokoyama that is.

Mr. Yokoyama (who obviously has a pretty cushy number at his university) has took the time and trouble of counting the gadgets from all the Doraemon comics ever published. A whopping 1,344 in all.

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Mr. Yokoyama at work yesterday

Some of the gadgets include a wherever door, a transportation device, and a personal copter. But despite the obvious expense of such devices, they do apparently break down every now and again. And according to the Professor, “This is the very message of the cartoonist. The gadgets give children big dreams and tell them that you cannot get a life by just using gadgets.”

Maybe Mr. Yokoyama should listen to his own advice from time to time. Especially the words get and a life.

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Bodily functions

Coming from the UK, I find bodily functions an endless source of amusement. In fact, many a British comedian has based his/her career around good old-fashioned toilet humour. And as far as I’m concerned, long may they continue to do so.

For the Japanese however, our daily functions are just that. Simply natural and necessary actions. And definitely not something deemed worthy of laughter.

Now whilst many would commend such an adult approach, it can lead to a certain directness. And at times an unnecessary attention to detail. As an example, take a look at this sign spotted in a park near my home. I’m sure the message in regards to dogs and their business would be just as clear without the added steam.

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It did make me laugh though.

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Shirking responsibility

“My firm isn’t to blame for the outbreak. The virus is. We didn’t infect the birds. Why should I be charged with negligence?”

Hideaki Asada, president of Kyoto poultry company Asada Nosan, shortly before his arrest for not reporting the deaths of large numbers of chickens

It would appear that Mr. Asada missed an important day at school when he was a child, as the words taking, responsibility, and for one’s own actions appear to be sadly lacking from his vocabulary.