Photographs from a small group of islands
Japan it would seem is in a state of shock today as Taro Aso, an ageing, conservative and particularly privileged politician has been chosen to become the nation’s next Prime Minister.
A decision so unforeseen and forward thinking that some are now giddily suggesting that night may even follow day.
Just like their counterparts in other countries, Japanese supermarkets offer a dizzying variety of vegetables of both domestic and more distant derivation. Yet although foreign foodstuff is often far cheaper, my personal preference is the stuff picked in Iwate Prefecture, as I like mine both gullible and green.
Hailing from a land where the fart is fantastically funny, whether it be one that’s forced out at full throttle or cheekily chirped between the cheeks, it’s decidedly disappointing to find that the Japanese don’t seem to share such a fondness for flatulence, as, more often than not, it is sadly seen as simply wind rather than a work of wonder. And, although there are a few fart-related fetishes along with even a poll concerning a partner’s pumping, the laughter is largely lacking.
That said, the reverse is arguably true for other rear end releases, with rib-tickling turds turning up as summery snacks and well-polished pendants. A frankness about faeces that also means it is perfectly acceptable to almost playfully enquire if a passer-by poos prodigiously?
Or even extol the pleasures of never having pooed so much.
The animated fervour of the folks nearby suggesting that they may well be regular customers and were therefore feeling a little frisky having just evacuated a veritable vat full.
Or not as the case may be.
As Japan now officially reigns supreme as far as internet connections are concerned, it possibly (at a push) eases the pain of seeing so many cables conspicuously strung hither and thither. A seemingly obligatory city sight that, while obviously essential, is far from fetching.
And yet at the same time is unfathomably rather fascinating.
In a bid to maintain its position as the premier purveyor of featureless feline fashion, Hello Kitty manufacturer, Sanrio, appears to have set itself the goal of emblazoning everything known to man with its all-conquering cat.
A practice that admittedly has worked wonders up to now, although there have been some far from reassuring rumbles of late, with the likes of the product pictured below causing some to suggest that the company has begun to poke its fingers into provinces that are patently inappropriate.
This previously unmentionable matter resulting in the once untouchable Japanese giant suffering some merciless muckraking, and even becoming the butt of some business-related jokes.
Plus, due to the currently far from stable financial climate, some analysts have gone so far as to suggest that the corporation could conceivably go bottoms up, although privately this has been poo-pooed by many.