Tokyo Times

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Television

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Distinguished darts

Mentioned on this site a while ago, the growing popularity in Japan of that giant of the sports world, darts, has given the noble activity something of a face-lift. As despite its natural home in smoky bars and the perspiring and portly nature of its protagonists, the game now boasts a lively and almost lascivious side, with feisty females rather than fat fellas its new cover stars.

sexy darts japan

A transformation that may now be complete, with jewellery giant the MIKI Corporation incorporating darts into its new campaign for the company’s exclusive Camellia Diamond brand.

darts and diamonds

Clicking on the image below and watching the Camellia commercial provides a glimpse of the modern game in all its gracious glory; a sport destined to finally take its rightful place at the sporting top table, without a beer or a bulging belly in sight.

distinguished darts

A shift that must surely make Olympic inclusion a mere formality.

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Kamen chameleon

Toymaker Bandai has set the world of men in their 30s and 40s alight with news of the imminent release of a Kamen Rider belt, the fashion item practically identical to the one sported by the 1970s superhero; a device that whilst not only easy on the eyes, also doubles as a transforming mechanism — changing our man into an all-conquering defender of justice.

kamen rider

Hoping to cash in on a nostalgia boom of sorts, Bandai is shamelessly targeting men who were children when the programme first aired, a price tag of a whopping 31,500 yen (150 pound) amply proving this.

kamen rider belt

Yet whilst seemingly a bit on the pricey side, the belt does have a windmill-like contraption built into the front, which when pushed whizzes around quite quickly. And as if this wasn’t enough, it also changes colour too, dazzling onlookers with its red, blue and white lights. Or at least pale blue and orange anyway.

kamen rider belt

Bandai initially plans to produce around 10,000 of the belts, with hopes for more should sales warrant it. Plus with the product accommodating those from a relatively svelte waist of 85 cm, to a gut-busting-and-geek-accommodating 110 cm, sales are expected to be swift.

kamen rider geek

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Gays galore

As Japanese fads go, the Hard Gay phenomenon has long outlived its shelf life. But as long as Razor Ramon’s character continues to be popular, every Tom, Dick and Harry it seems will attempt to cash-in with literally masses of merchandise.

Perhaps only for Hard Gay’s biggest and boldest fans, this ‘outfit’ will certainly turn a few heads.

hard gay costume

However for those not necessarily wanting to go all the way — but still prepared to experiment a bit — there are plenty of other options available.

hard gay

Yet even if you have no interest at all, there is simply no escape.

hard gay

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Hard Gay hoo-ha

Japanese TV ‘characters’ come and go at an alarming rate, but comedian Razor Ramon’s alter-ego, Hard Gay, has taken the nation by storm. The hip thrusting ‘homosexual’ showing both determination and staying power.

razor ramon hard gay

Yet Hard Gay’s immense popularity may well be his downfall, as a sexual minority network has complained to entertainment giant Tomy for producing a game based on Razor Ramon’s creation. In fact, so incensed is the Kyoto-based group, it has demanded that the company immediately cease production of its unique version of the popular kurohi-gei Kiki Ippatsu game.

hard gay toy

As the toy involves putting a person in a barrel and then gleefully prodding them with swords, the group claims that such behaviour will become associated with homosexuals; the combination of gays and random poking become inexorably linked. Giving rise to fears that children may think that discrimination against sexual minorities is fine.

Tomy has failed to say whether or not it will halt production of the game, but a spokesperson for the company said. “We have taken the matter seriously, and want to respond. The concept of the game is not to stab people with swords, but rather it is to have the character jump out from the barrel. We want to explain that there has been confusion.”

Alleged complaints from the Tokyo-based Pirates Against Persecution about yet another version of the sword and barrel based toy have yet to be confirmed.

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Nail related nonsense

Whilst the annual ‘Nail Queen Awards’ may not be the most prestigious prize ceremony in the world, it nevertheless didn’t stop this year’s winners from waxing lyrically about their fingernail fashion.

nail queen japan

Becky, pictured above and winner of the television personality category, gushed, “Being chosen as a nail queen was my goal this year. I’m so happy that dream has come true.” Yet just when you thought she had her tongue firmly embedded in her cheek, the 21-year-old showed off her treasure chest themed nails and exclaimed, “I like showy and sparkly things.”

Other winners of the event, sponsored by the Japan Nailist Association, included Aya Ueto. The popular actress giving a more practical reason for her love of coloured nails. “Up until two years ago I had a habit of biting my fingernails, but I overcame that habit after starting nail art.” The picture below amply proving this, her perfectly shaped nails looking especially attractive.

sexy aya ueto

Rather surprisingly, the event also boasted the inclusion of a men’s section, with TM Revolution’s Takanori Nishikawa scooping the top prize.

T M Revolution

The Bashful singer admitting that, “I can’t tell my parents” when questioned about being proclaimed ‘a queen’.

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Hard Gay honoured

Maybe it’s because of his pioneering promotion of PVC hot pants, or alternatively his tireless campaign against long-standing stereotypes; but either way, television celebrity Hard Gay has at last got some public recognition after being chosen as this year’s “Most Topical Figure”.

Not one to openly court publicity, the introverted and reserved star was nevertheless pictured as he was introduced to both the audience and Environment Minister Yuriko Koike prior to receiving the award.

hard gay

Update: Whilst nominees and the voting procedure are heavily guarded secrets, it has been rumoured that ‘the construction worker’ from 1970’s beat combo The Village People amassed the same number of votes as Hard Gay. The TV personality allegedly only getting the nod after a flurry of backroom activity and clandestine deal making.