General

Mar 23 2004 2 Comments

Kahn can, so he does

Advertising in Japan is big money for foreign stars, so western celebrities pop up here there and everywhere selling all manner of products. And a while ago on this site I mentioned David Beckham and his chocolate promoting activities.

Now whilst acutely envious of the huge wads of cash that these stars get for such work, I can’t blame them for doing it. There’s no question at all that I’d say whatever was needed about chocolate covered almonds if I were being given a hefty pay cheque for my troubles.

But that doesn’t mean to say that I’d promote any product or company. And in these lean economic times for many Japanese, a loan company is one that I wouldn’t touch. Not so German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

Come on Oliver, do you really need the money so badly? Unfortunately others do, and your famous face may just sway them.

Mar 22 2004 3 Comments

Smoking manner #3

I’ve already mentioned on this site Japan’s rather novel approach to smoking. And a couple of days ago I posted some photos of Japan Tobacco’s latest smoking manner campaign.

Since then I’ve come across a few more. So without further ado here they are.

This last one is my personal favourite.

There’s no way I can top that, so I’m not even going to attempt a witty comment.

Mar 17 2004 3 Comments

Smoking manner #2

I’ve written before on this site about the novel approach to smoking in Japan. Unlike many other countries, the focus is not on getting people to quit. Rather, its main emphasis is on observing smoking manners.

In continuing this theme, Japan Tobacco has introduced its latest smoking manner campaign.

This first one is pretty easy to grasp, and I have to concede makes a fairly decent point. Even if the format is a little odd.

The next one on the other hand doesn’t strike me as all that persuasive. Are we to assume that rats aren’t overly fond of cigarette stubs?

click to enlarge

Mar 17 2004 4 Comments

Graduation Day

Yesterday we had the graduation ceremony at the junior high school I work at.

A joyous day one would imagine, but in any formal situation the Japanese are fond of long-winded speeches. Yet any speech encountered during the year pales in comparison to those at the borefest that is graduation day.

It feels like every man and his dog are required to speak. With each and every one of them going on, and on, and…

At one point I was half expecting Fidel Castro to make an appearance, and round the proceedings off with a 6-hour finale. Sadly he wouldn’t have been out of place, although his military attire and bushy beard might have caused something of a stir.

Those poor kids.