Television

Oct 01 2007 1 Comment

Japanese fitness facsimile

With countless Japanese television appearances under his comfortably fitting belt, along with rave reviews from Tokyo’s more rotund residents, the fame of fitness guru Billy Blanks would appear to be far from fleeting, despite Japan’s fondness for fads. In fact, the unprecedented popularity of Billy’s Boot Camp has propelled the six-pack-sporting star’s DVD to the dizzy heights of third on the list of hit products for the first half of 2007. The mega-selling exercise regime only being edged out by the big business behemoths of flat-screen TVs and game consoles.

Yet regardless of how often they work out, many of those who bought the DVD will never have a body like that of their hulking hero. On the other hand, for substantially less than what they paid for the programme itself, they will be able to look just like him. This fabulously realistic mask and body suit causing many customers — admittedly of an elderly nature and a need for glasses — to believe that the man himself was actually amongst them.

Sep 10 2007 5 Comments

Tokyo tease

Japanese snack maker Meiji has recently released its latest comically named chocolate product, Panky.

Yet despite Mao Inoue appearing in the promotional campaign, there’s hardly even a hint of any ‘hanky’.

A wasted opportunity if ever there was one, with the somewhat bizarre accompanying commercial offering little in the way of compensation.

Aug 31 2007 1 Comment

Japanese food-related fashion

With food-related programmes dominating Japanese television, it’s very easy for the viewer to be left slavering at the sight of the succulent snacks on display or, on occasion, the saucy delights of those sometimes serving up the samples.

The only problem is that all this food-based frivolity can leave the practice of preparing dinner seem all the more mundane, with no fancy dishes or flirty females to fire the imagination. Yet for the cost of only 1,980 yen (17 dollars), any dinnertime disappointments can be easily eradicated — this breast-boasting apron effortlessly putting a morsel of merriment back into meal times.

Perhaps.

Aug 13 2007 3 Comments

Jiggling Japanese jubblies

The interconnected topics of bikini-clad model shoots, mesmerised males and massive melons are generally reserved for websites and semi-salacious weeklies; however in a bold move, Japanese ice cream maker Akagi has cleverly combined all three in a naughty new campaign.

An approach that will no doubt have customers the length and breadth of the country licking their lips and quite possibly salivating at the mere thought of sucking on such succulent cones.

A commercial that as well as selling lickable light snacks, is also something of a breakthrough for model Harumi Nemoto. An obviously talented young Japanese lady who for reasons unknown has unfortunately had to make do with being begged to jump up and down on live TV. The more lofty her leaps the better.

A rather degrading state of affairs it has to be said, although on the strength of this new ad, things may be about to change.

Perhaps.

Jul 01 2007 Leave a Comment

Feisty fragrance

With Japan’s summer humidity steadily rising, precaution against perspiration is a must — especially if one may be aboard a busy train. But with a plethora of products on the market, manufacturers have to pull out all the stops to capture the public’s attention, which is exactly what Japanese cosmetic giant Shiseido has arguably done with its latest commercial for the aromatic Ag+.

Now how ‘good’ the commercial turns out to be as far as sales go remains to be seen, but with its foreign female armpit sniffing action, it should garner at least the odd look.

Jun 29 2007 7 Comments

Jobs in Japan

Whether it’s due to a Japanese nod towards internationalism or a need for novelty, more and more foreigners are popping up on TV shows, in commercials and as part of product advertising campaigns. Not just the fabulously famous variety either, but your regular run-of-the-mill gaijin. A group normally named gaitare, a slightly comical combination of foreigner and talent.

Now whilst a large number of these semi-celebrities do posses more than a fair bit of the latter in both fluency and finesse, others it has to be said come up a bit short in the skills department. But even then, if they are endowed in other areas, there is still work to be had out there.

(click image for full-sized foreigner)

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