Tokyo Times

Feb 08 2007 4 Comments

Fan flam

â€œMy friends and fans in Japan have been so supportive of me and my family for many, many years. My fans in Japan helped me achieve historic milestones in the music industry.â€ â€¨

Michael Jackson thanking his Japanese fans and reiterating how much he’s looking forward to his planned ‘fan appreciation day‘ in Tokyo next month.

In fact, so grateful is the ghoulish gloved one, that the event he’ll attend on March 8th will cost an almost criminally cut-price 400,000 yen (1,680 pound) per person. And whilst those in attendance will only get to hear Jackson’s music on CD, they will be listening with the singer himself; plus there’ll also be a chance to meet him face to face for between 30 seconds and a minute — possibly even longer for those under 14.

A meeting that in many ways may not match the man’s musical milestones, but as far as mercenary money grabbing goes, it certainly takes some beating.

Feb 07 2007 Leave a Comment

Snow woe

Whilst Japan’s unusually mild winter has been a godsend to Tokyo’s golfers and gardeners, the relatively warm weather has been something of a worry for organisers of the famed Sapporo Snow Festival, especially as the event’s impressive snow sculptures attract around 2 million visitors a year to the northern city.

Yet whilst the higher than normal temperatures and the resultant shortage of snow have forced artists to work considerably harder than usual, for seasoned veterans it has ultimately not affected the finished product — this fantastic recreation of Hikone Castle amply proving the point.

However for those new to the game it has been a different story altogether, with Taro Suzuki’s team in particular having a torrid old time — their somewhat ambitious ‘Statue of Liberty’ effort sadly falling foul of the unfavourable conditions.

Feb 06 2007 1 Comment

Millionaire mercenaries

Penguins with preposterously paid personalities would appear to suggest that the Japanese bubble may once again be about to become airborne.

A trend no doubt being tracked by a particular U.S. politician after his now well publicised appearances of the past.

(click image for double-sized Diaz)

Feb 05 2007 10 Comments

Bawling babies

Saturday saw Saikyoji Temple in Nagasaki Prefecture hold its annual baby crying competition, an event that pits the region’s yelling youngsters against one another in a sumo-style setting — the first toddler to cry after being tormented and terrified by the priest declared the winner.

Should both babies start sobbing at the same time however, the more booming bawler is awarded the victory. A ruling that certainly wasn’t required in the bout pictured below, with the little chap on the left comfortably securing the win.

The overall champion is rumoured to secure a selection of sedatives and five free visits to a child therapist.

Feb 02 2007 3 Comments

Perky PCs

For up-to-date PC users wanting to complement their new Vista purchase with a veritable feast of busty and big-eyed Japanese schoolgirls in salaciously short skirts and bulging bikinis, custom computer maker DECORE would appear to the perfect one-stop shop; the japanese company’s eye-catching designs guaranteed to wow even the most ardent of anime fans.