Tokyo Times

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Football fanaticism

When it comes to big sporting events involving Japanese teams, there is generally a distinct lack of passion — at least of the genuinely felt and involuntary variety. Too often, anything approaching real fervor appears heavily orchestrated, and is only apparent on the day of the game itself. Or at the most a day or two before.

japanese soccer fans

Thankfully though there are exceptions, and 28-year-old Satoshi Ochiai is a prime — if not exactly ideal — example. The football (soccer) fanatic recently boasting, “I broke up with my girlfriend to save on expenses as most of my savings and salary go on traveling abroad to watch Japan play.”

Yet the spurning of a young lady is only one incident among many that prove the company employee’s dedication to the sport. For Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against bitter rival North Korea, Ochiai-san is traveling to Bangkok to see the game. A trip that admittedly doesn’t sound especially extreme, but it is when you consider that the match is being played at a neutral venue and behind closed doors; a move prompted by crowd trouble amongst North Korean fans at a previous game.

The fact that no supporters are allowed into the stadium however is only a minor hindrance to the original Ochiai. The resourceful chap has booked a hotel room near the stadium; allowing him to watch the game through a telescope from the balcony.

Real passion for sure. With, it has to be said, the addition of a fair bit of fanaticism.

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Loincloth lovers

There are classic cars, classic films, and even classic video games. Now, perhaps rather surprisingly, we can tentatively add underwear to the list; as after going out of fashion decades ago — and only kept alive by old men — the humble loincloth (fundoshi) is set to make a bottom baring comeback.

This most traditional of undergarments is now being sold in decidedly untraditional tartan and paisley patterns. Plus it’s also available in a wide range of colours and materials. Including silk for the more adventurous and extravagant fundoshi fan.

fundoshi loincloth

The expensive Mitsukoshi department store coined the term classic pants around 10 years ago, but it’s only recently that sales have started to take off. Pensioners may still be regular customers, but now young ladies are also joining them. Men’s clothing section manager Yoshimi Shuma claiming, “Women seem to be buying them for their boyfriends.” Yet salary men are also jumping on the fundoshi bandwagon, with many purchases made when good results are needed at work. The lowly loincloth being upgraded to power underwear. I kid you not.

fundoshi loincloth

Loincloth expert and author of “Tales of Fundoshi”, Masatoki Minami, claims that the garment’s connection to militarism hastened its fall from grace. Yet western prudishness may also have played a part. Many foreign dignitaries that arrived in Japan during the Meiji Era (1868-1912) were appalled by the numerous labourers dressed only in their underwear. Complaining that the sight of barely concealed buttocks was far from appropriate.

All that’s in the past though, and it goes without saying that Minami-san is ecstatic about the revival of his favourite underwear; proudly claiming that, “some people consider the fundoshi to be cool.” The loincloth lover excitedly adding, “Japanese culture remains alive in that metre of cloth.”

Which, if true, means that it’s only a matter of time before Hello Kitty loincloths hit the stores.

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Sharapova shuffle

Similar to most places around the world, tennis ace Maria Sharapova is a huge celebrity in Japan, although arguably the Russian star is more popular for her panties than she is for her powerful serve. Yes, whenever the teen sensation plays in Japan, her every move is closely followed (and photographed) by hordes of camera wielding panty perverts.

Such unsavoury behaviour has led one local company to try and take the focus away from her undergarments. Instead moving the attention on to her, erm, breasts. The Sharanpowan taking sporting spin-offs to new and previously uncharted depths.

sharapova breasts

Plus for more delicate forehand play, the sports top (which comes in three different colours) can be easily removed.

sharapova breasts

Ideal for cleaning too, should any, ahem, shots go astray.

[Via Japundit]

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Mildly amusing English usage #13

The piece of paper below was handed to me by a colleague to explain an unusually large bandage; protecting what turned out to be an intricately injured digit.

Japanese english engrish

Or more accurately, an intricate and gloriously injured digit.

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Koizumi Cool

Wednesday saw the start of the government’s summer saving campaign, with bureaucrats and politicians being encouraged to dress casually in a bid reduce energy consumption. The relaxed dress code has rather optimistically been dubbed Cool Biz, and to mark the occasion, the nation’s wavy-haired Prime Minister ditched his jacket and tie for a relatively tasteful Okinawan shirt. Although the lack of neckwear must have been slightly distressing for Mr. Koizumi, as he appears to have made up for its absence with a rather large and gaudy rosette.

koizumi

Despite the Prime Minister leading the way, not everyone was ready to ditch the tried and trusted shirt and tie. One bureaucrat from the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry showed a distinct lack of initiative by saying, “We haven’t received any specific orders from our bosses. Today is the day when we are supposed to change to summer wear, so I want to decide later (whether to go without a jacket and tie) while looking at what my colleagues do.” With another man from the same department grumbling, “It cost more to buy clothes that look nice without a tie.”

However such dull and unimaginative approaches to the new campaign appeared to have been shattered earlier in the day, when Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said, “I’m surprised that my clothes have created such a stir.” Conjuring up images of the 61-year-old politician cutting a dash in a stylish Versace outfit. Or perhaps wowing young officials with a daring Vivienne Westwood design.

Yet sadly (and rather predictably) this wasn’t the case. Quite the opposite in fact. Machimura-san it turns out wore a lackluster blue business suit and a checkered shirt. A look — and the reaction to it — that says a great deal about the state of Japanese politics and the pedestrian approach to policy making.