Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

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Hello Kitty control?

Through Japanese eyes at least, the cuteness of Hello Kitty is utterly unquestionable, with practically every product known to man boasting a ‘special edition’ bearing the feline’s almost featureless face. A money-making phenomenon presumably matched only by a certain mouse and his minions as far as merchandising is concerned.

Yet frivolity it seems can quickly turn to fear, as the initially fun for all the family fan pictured below is, on closer inspection, a bulging, big-headed and overbearing Big Brother-like beast that undoubtedly bullies little children into buying more Kitty goods.

hello kitty Tokyo

Either that or I need to get out more often or at the very least have a little lie down.

(click image for full-sized feline forcefulness)

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Kumi Koda’s perfect pair

Despite the somewhat surprising resignation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday, talk in busy Japanese bars and offices quickly turned from the demise of the nation’s dour leader to the donning of denim, as the hotly anticipated winner of Japan’s Best Jeanist contest was finally announced.

And as widely expected, sultry songstress Kumi Koda walked away with the title once again, after finally ending the denim-based domination of Ayumi Hamasaki in last year’s event.

Japan

How the judges make their final decision is a well-kept secret, but as pictures amply prove, Ms Koda definitely does suit denim.

Japan

Even if she doesn’t actually wear it in fact, which is a sure sign of a winner in most people’s eyes.

Japan

Some other celebrities also won prizes, including, rather amazingly, a middle-aged man. Should you really wish to see them, you can do so by clicking here.

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Japan’s democratic doldrums?

Japan is supposedly in a state of shock today due to the resignation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. A politician who despite his failure boasts a formidable family, with his father a former cabinet member and his grandfather an ex-PM.

Japan

Abe’s scandal-tainted reign was relatively short lived after taking over from the supremely popular and similarly connected Junichiro Koizumi. The wavy-haired one benefiting from a father who was director general of the Japan Defence Agency, plus a grandfather who rose to the ranks of minister.

Japan

And the man widely tipped to take the top job is Taro Aso, whose grandfather Shigeru Yoshida, was, perhaps not unexpectedly, also a Prime Minister.

Japan

Something of a pattern perhaps?

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Japanese supermarket silliness

For the Japanese shopper wanting to add at least some sense of adventure to tiresome supermarket trips, there’s always the option of Alps to help conjure up images of boldness and breathtaking views as one stocks up on the likes of lager and loo roll.

Japanese supermarket

Alternatively, anyone after nothing more than a bit of fun and frivolity as they forage for fish fingers need look no further than the bizarrely named but unashamedly jolly, Blooming Bloomy.

Japanese supermarket

Although sadly the added option of a BBC card only offers bonuses rather than the benefits of impartial broadcasting from Britain.

Japanese supermarket