Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

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Honour system

Crime in Japan is sadly on the rise, but compared to many other countries, it is still incredibly safe. Not only that, but thankfully there’s still a good deal of honesty about too. If you happen to leave your bag or wallet somewhere, there’s a very good chance you’ll get it back. Money and valuables still intact.

Along the same lines, it’s not uncommon to see shops such as this.

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Customers are expected to just leave the money for whatever they buy. The amazing this is, they do. And nobody steals the money either!

Except gaijin of course.

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Doraemon don

Despite his age, Doraemon is still incredibly popular in Japan. And whilst not really a fan, I do know that the blue and white robotic cat has a magic pocket. And it’s magic because despite being small in appearance, it is capable of holding a vast number of gadgets. 1,963 to be exact. Well, according to Professor Yasuyuki Yokoyama that is.

Mr. Yokoyama (who obviously has a pretty cushy number at his university) has took the time and trouble of counting the gadgets from all the Doraemon comics ever published. A whopping 1,344 in all.

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Mr. Yokoyama at work yesterday

Some of the gadgets include a wherever door, a transportation device, and a personal copter. But despite the obvious expense of such devices, they do apparently break down every now and again. And according to the Professor, “This is the very message of the cartoonist. The gadgets give children big dreams and tell them that you cannot get a life by just using gadgets.”

Maybe Mr. Yokoyama should listen to his own advice from time to time. Especially the words get and a life.

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Phallic fun

Yesterday, the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine in Kawasaki held its annual fertility festival.

Sexually transmitted diseases helped spur the popularity of phallic symbols at such festivals, and going back a few hundred years, prostitutes used to pray for protection and good business.

Things have changed a little bit these days, and apparently large numbers of prostitutes are nowhere to be seen. But many young women still attend for good luck and fertility blessings. The potential danger of sexually transmitted diseases is still a major part of the festival though, and whilst the diseases have changed somewhat, the threat hasn’t. So now part of the event is to ask for protection against AIDS, and to raise money for research.

The main aim of the festival however would appear to be fun. And with activities such as carving penises out of vegetables, it’s a great day out for all the family. Although it perhaps would be better to leave Grandma at home.

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Paying respect to the mighty member

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I’ll let you make your own caption for this picture!

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Bodily functions

Coming from the UK, I find bodily functions an endless source of amusement. In fact, many a British comedian has based his/her career around good old-fashioned toilet humour. And as far as I’m concerned, long may they continue to do so.

For the Japanese however, our daily functions are just that. Simply natural and necessary actions. And definitely not something deemed worthy of laughter.

Now whilst many would commend such an adult approach, it can lead to a certain directness. And at times an unnecessary attention to detail. As an example, take a look at this sign spotted in a park near my home. I’m sure the message in regards to dogs and their business would be just as clear without the added steam.

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It did make me laugh though.

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Shirking responsibility

“My firm isn’t to blame for the outbreak. The virus is. We didn’t infect the birds. Why should I be charged with negligence?”

Hideaki Asada, president of Kyoto poultry company Asada Nosan, shortly before his arrest for not reporting the deaths of large numbers of chickens

It would appear that Mr. Asada missed an important day at school when he was a child, as the words taking, responsibility, and for one’s own actions appear to be sadly lacking from his vocabulary.