Photographs from a small group of islands
The controversy surrounding Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine is well documented. The enshrinement of Class A war criminals coupled with Prime Minister Koizumi’s yearly visits make it an issue of extreme tension (to say the least) between Japan and its neighbours.
Meaning Yasukuni is a magnet for right-wing fanatics and revisionists alike. And needles to say the chaps below weren’t singing the latest Hamasaki Ayumi single, or knocking out a rousing rendition of ‘Give Peace A Chance’.
Amid all the controversy surrounding Japan’s whale hunting programme — which of course is for research purposes only — restaurant chain Lucky Pierrot last week made the mammoth mammal part of its regular menu. A company official stating that the eatery was merely utilizing stock obtained for study purposes.
The hunting of whales is usually defended in Japan by claims that it is traditional, and Lucky Pierrot spokesperson Miku Oh followed a well worn path by saying, “People in other countries may think eating whale is strange, but it is our culture.†However part of the culture or not, the divisive delicacy is presumably not the most scrumptious and sweet smelling of foodstuffs, as Oh-san was quick to point out that it is cooked in such a way that, “it tastes like beef and tuna, and since it is deep fried, it has no odour.â€
The latter point especially could lead many opponents of whaling to suggest that simply eating beef or tuna instead would be a whole lot easier — and far less trouble. Yet such a proposition would presumably fall foul of the aforementioned ‘it’s traditional’ argument.
A point clearly emphasised by Lucky Pierrot and its decision to serve whale in that time-honoured Japanese dish — the burger.
It’s probably fair to say that a Hyogo Gubernatorial Election doesn’t usually garner much attention outside the region, and posters informing people of the event even less so. Until now that is, as due to the use of popular idol Eriko Sato, the date of the upcoming election is very well known; and the promotional posters have become much sought after commodities.
Young Sato-san you see is pictured sporting a shichisan (7-3) hairdo. A style generally favoured by middle-aged men, and one that gets its name from the position of the parting. Meaning that a centre parting could conceivably be labelled a 5-5, and a comb-over a 9-1 — although sadly they aren’t.
However as you can see from the poster, the shichisan is more than just a hairstyle. The numbers relate to the election date of July 3. Clever eh?
Arguably not so clever though, was the choice of Ms Sato. Her popularity has meant that the posters are being stolen at an alarming rate. Large numbers of them turning up on internet auction sites and selling for around 1,000 yen (5 pound) each. A situation that prompted one official with an unidentified haircut to say, “It’s not appropriate for them to be sold.â€
Yet when all is said and done, the 7-3 isn’t the most flattering of hairstyles — regardless of how pretty young Sato is. Especially when you consider what could have been on the posters.
“The Japanese people can be racist when it comes to Koreans living here. But racist against blacks? We have no experience in dealing with black people. Where would we get it from?â€
Psychologist Kazuo Mori saying that most Japanese were surprised to learn that “Little Black Sambo” — back on the best-seller list after being withdrawn in 1988 — had racist overtones.
Hmm…
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.
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.â€
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.
From the beginning of next month, all government officials will be urged to dress casually in a bid to save energy. Cool Biz as it’s been dubbed, aims to save electricity by changing the ministry buildings air conditioning settings from a cool and comfortable 25-degrees, to a slightly more stuffy 28. With the shedding of ties and jackets intended to help bureaucrats and ministers stay comfortable in the warmer climate.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosada is a keen supporter of the summer saving campaign, and told reporters that, “The important thing is to save energy by raising the temperature of air conditioning.” But not everyone is so enthusiastic. Veteran politician Toranosuke Katayama voiced concerns that, “It would be rather hot at 28-degrees.†Also adding, “There could be problems of dignity.â€
And right on cue, Hosada-san stepped out in this casual Okinawan top yesterday. Shirt and tie nestling stylishly underneath.
(Apologies for the low quality picture. I couldn’t find an online image, and had to scan the one posted from a newspaper. Thankfully though Hosada’s acute sense of fashion still shines through.)