Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Television

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Hard Gay honoured

Maybe it’s because of his pioneering promotion of PVC hot pants, or alternatively his tireless campaign against long-standing stereotypes; but either way, television celebrity Hard Gay has at last got some public recognition after being chosen as this year’s “Most Topical Figure”.

Not one to openly court publicity, the introverted and reserved star was nevertheless pictured as he was introduced to both the audience and Environment Minister Yuriko Koike prior to receiving the award.

hard gay

Update: Whilst nominees and the voting procedure are heavily guarded secrets, it has been rumoured that ‘the construction worker’ from 1970’s beat combo The Village People amassed the same number of votes as Hard Gay. The TV personality allegedly only getting the nod after a flurry of backroom activity and clandestine deal making.

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Cat caper

In a rare break from food related programming — whether it be eating, making or simply fawning over the stuff — the images below show snapshots of a TV show promoting a spot of tape related feline fun.

The quality of the pictures is unfortunately not the best, but by clicking on either of them, you can see the unsuspecting cat in question do its own unique version of Monty Python’s Ministry of Silly Walks. A feat prompted by the application of tape on to various parts of the animal’s anatomy.

duct tape cat

Really, who would have that applying a bit of sticky material to one’s pussy — or anybody else’s for that matter — could be so much fun?

taped up cat japan

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Hard Gay humour

Variety shows on Japanese television don’t shy away from over the top stereotypes. Far from it in fact. Comedy and entertainment (although I use the terms loosely) come before any sense of responsibility – or indeed sensibility.

The introduction of the character Hard Gay however arguably takes this approach to a whole new level.

hard gay

The young chap it would appear struts the streets of Tokyo; performing acts of ‘social improvement’and shouting “Wooooo!” or “Hard Gay!” a lot. All interspersed with liberal doses of hip thrusting — his trademark movement.

hard gay

Although some thrusts it has to be said are more extreme than others.

hard gay

For any fans interested in copying their favourite comedy character, internet shopping site Rakuten is currently offering a Hard Gay costume set. The pack consisting of a hat, vest, hot pants and wristband. All for the very reasonable price of just under 6,000 yen (30 pound).

hard gay

However for those not willing to take the plunge but still looking for a Hard Gay fix, by clicking here you can see a video of him in hip thrusting action.

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Literary Livedoor

During a recent financial battle between brash new internet start-up Livedoor, and frumpy old Fuji Television, the IT company’s public relations official Ayako Otobe became something of a celebrity. Resulting in the perky professional being labeled ‘beautiful face’.

Not wanting to be known as just a pretty face though, Otobe-san has just released a book of essays on her job and business policies. A body of work that contains 40 hints on positive work techniques, including insider knowledge on such pressing concerns as fashion and make-up.

ayako otobe book

However in an effort not to put-off potential readers with such a highbrow offering, Otobe has kindly written the book using simple language. Urging book buyers, “If you believe in yourself as you proceed, your dreams will certainly be fulfilled. I want lots of people to read this and feel happy,”

To spread interest in the product even further — but in no way a cheap ploy to significantly boost sales by cashing in on the ‘beauty factor’ — the book also includes some photographs. So many in fact that they take up the first 16 pages of the book. And in keeping with the business theme and the idea of getting on in life, one photo is of Otobe-san in her, erm, bathrobe.

Sales, needless to say, are expected to be brisk. Yet bathrobe aside, is she really so ‘beautiful face’?

ayako otobe

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Calorie commercial

Jack Bauer’s skill at catching criminals in the TV series ’24’ often verges on the superhuman. Yet even these talents pale into insignificance when compared to the CTU hero’s ability to go without nourishment, and at the same time resist the need to empty his bladder and bowels.

Jack’s food and faeces related feats however can now be explained — sort of. Secretive nibbles of the Japanese dieting product Calorie Mate appear to be what maintain his energy levels; and the snack’s meagre size presumably negates the need for a toilet trip – regardless of how long a day it is.

Clicking on the image below will take you to the truly awful Calorie Mate commercial currently being shown in Japan. Exposing Jack’s furtive feasting, and something he will presumably not want ‘patching through’.

24 japanese commercial

So that’s the eating and excrement puzzle solved. However urination — or more accurately the lack of it — remains a mystery. An issue made even more intriguing by the fact that Jack is also advertising the Calorie Mate jelly drink. Doing so by inexplicably running through a packed train which he appears to have mistakenly entered via the women-only carriage, as all the commuters are young and attractive schoolgirls.

24 in japan

Simply click the image for the comical commercial.