Literary Livedoor

During a recent financial battle between brash new internet start-up Livedoor, and frumpy old Fuji Television, the IT company’s public relations official Ayako Otobe became something of a celebrity. Resulting in the perky professional being labeled ‘beautiful face’.

Not wanting to be known as just a pretty face though, Otobe-san has just released a book of essays on her job and business policies. A body of work that contains 40 hints on positive work techniques, including insider knowledge on such pressing concerns as fashion and make-up.

However in an effort not to put-off potential readers with such a highbrow offering, Otobe has kindly written the book using simple language. Urging book buyers, “If you believe in yourself as you proceed, your dreams will certainly be fulfilled. I want lots of people to read this and feel happy,”

To spread interest in the product even further — but in no way a cheap ploy to significantly boost sales by cashing in on the ‘beauty factor’ — the book also includes some photographs. So many in fact that they take up the first 16 pages of the book. And in keeping with the business theme and the idea of getting on in life, one photo is of Otobe-san in her, erm, bathrobe.

Sales, needless to say, are expected to be brisk. Yet bathrobe aside, is she really so ‘beautiful face’?