Photographs from a small group of islands
Revelling in their democratic right, the citizens of Tokyo vote today on whether to opt for a party of out of touch old men complicit in cronyism, or a party of out of touch old men possibly not quite as complicit in cronyism.
While I — opting to accompany the missus in order to feel at least a part of such a splendid political process — could only get this far before being told in no uncertain terms that I wasn’t allowed in with her.
Which wasn’t what I went for, and wasn’t very welcome.
With marijuana-related cases rapidly rising in Japan and the authorities terrified of people having too much fun or dabbling with other drugs, it could be argued that despite such concerns, some campaigns are still sending out decidedly mixed messages.
Maybe.
Presumably due to Japan’s zero tolerance approach in its dealings with drugs, booze has long been the accepted choice for both recreation and relaxation.
Of late, however, marijuana has started to make some well publicised appearances, with movie stars, students and more sensationally sumo wrestlers getting picked up for possession.
Events that have resulted in a mass of media coverage and concerns about cannabis being a ‘gateway’ drug. A worry that, whether warranted or not, may actually be way too late anyway, as it would appear that the gateway has long been breached, and far stronger substances are now openly promoting participation.
Perhaps.
Japanese giants such as Toyota and Sony have been making all the wrong headlines of late with low demands for their products and the inevitable layoffs that partner such patterns. A situation that, along with all the smaller companies that will sadly succumb to the slowdown,
is surely set to send the number of homeless soaring.
A sorry band of souls that already get little in the way of sympathy,
or indeed assistance.
And with some citizens now intent on stopping them getting free sustenance,
their plight would appear even more perilous.
If indeed that’s possible.
Crime in Japan is undoubtedly on the rise, although when considering the situations in a copious amount of other countries, Japan is still comparatively safe — incredibly so on most counts. However, while many feel that the media is exaggerating the figures in a bid to increase suspicion, or some say even sales, the recent doubling of the misdemeanours perpetrated by pensioners is a fact. And, with Japan’s ever-growing number of elderly, it’s not unfeasible to think that the country could soon be festoon with not so fast on their feet, but at the same time still fearsome, felons.
A situation that the cops and, erm, Coca Cola have quickly tried to correct with this fairly recent camera and phone equipped contraption; providing those in danger with both a drink and a direct line to a detective.
A device that may well be ideal in certain circumstances, along with giving parents a false sense of security,
but in a land where furtive fiddles and fetishes are far from infrequent, teenagers in tartan are also being trained in the ancient art of axe wielding.
Apparently.
(image via the FG Forums)
With Japan’s Nikkei index experiencing the same roller-coaster ride as the rest of the world’s markets, the country is rapidly heading towards recession, if indeed it hasn’t now pottered over the edge of that particular precipice. A situation that — along with countless other issues — could, according to some analysts, send Japan’s already shockingly high suicide rate into the stratosphere; particularly as it has happened repeatedly in the past.
This then could be why, when it comes to unemployment, some of the language in use is couched in almost comforting and carefree locution. Even the unforeseen shock of a salary man with suddenly no salary is countered somewhat by a visit to the local happy-go-lucky and hardly something to get upset about sounding, Hello Work (ãƒãƒãƒ¼ãƒ¯ãƒ¼ã‚¯) headquarters.
Plus, after the initial introduction, unemployment is still a decidedly dirty word, and certainly not one to be banded about unnecessarily. In fact, even ‘between jobs’ is arguably deemed a bit depressing, with those working on wangling a new workplace through job ads simply having something of a siesta.
Of sorts.