This year, Jero will be one of the featured performers on the annual Red and White Song Battle which is televised on NHK every New Year’s Eve. The show is considered a Japanese tradition (although ratings have been dropping in past years). Jero is an American guy with a Japanese grandmother who grew up loving […]
Foreigners on the Red and White Song Battle Read More »
Have you ever watched Japanese tv and wondered, “How much does THAT guy make?” Well, here’s one example of a guy: This is Yoshio Kojima, one of the big strange character type comedians going around. I think he’ll have more staying power than the others because he’s a smart guy (Waseda University grad) and there’s
Kojima Yoshio’s Bank Statement Read More »
The craziest comedy show of the year (and a lot of the runners-up) are on during winter holidays when a lot of people around the archipeligo are at grandma’s house watching tv on an old tv set. It’s the season for singing contests, impersonation battles, manzai comedy shows, and the king of all wackiness, “Downtown
The Consummate Crazy Japanese Comedy Show Read More »
This is an interesting video that’s been going around. It was aired about three years ago on the popular tv show “Kin Suma” or “Kinyobi SMAP” which is hosted by Masahiro Nakai, leader of the uber-popular and ubiquitous SMAP. The show generally targets women and covers topics such as women with interesting jobs and some
Ai Iijima’s Death was Predicted Read More »
The trial for the Junichi Yamamoto (formerly Tokitsukaze), head of the Sumo stable that ordered the “discipline” that resulted in the death of sixteen year old Sumo wrestler Takashi Saito is yet to be held. The three senior member of the stable that carried out the beatings that caused the death have been sentenced to
Sumo Murder Three Avoid Prison Time Read More »
If you want to read books online, you have several options. Google recently announced a new deal with several authors and publishers to increase the available digital library. Although it remains to be seen how this will affect users from outside of the United States (international publishing rights will still be a speed bump for
Free Audiobooks Online Read More »
I’ve been in Japan close to 15 years now, so when I read a recent article in The Telegraph about JR (Japan Railways) starting a campaign to improve people’s manners on trains, the following paragraph: Five years ago, it would have been unthinkable for passengers on Japan’s crowded trains to witness a female office worker
Are Train Manners Really Worsening? Read More »
Called the “Calbee Potato Maru” (maru designates a ship), the Calbee company best known for making potato chips has a ship designed entirely for shipping potatoes. This picture above can be found at this ship lover’s home page here.
The Calbee Potato Maru Ship Read More »
Here’s a video for the ages… The real Beyonce (with little sister Solange) met her Japanese doppleganger… sort of. Well, a girl that impersonates her… sort of. Anyway the American Beyonce finally met the Japanese Beyonce whose real name is Naomi Watanabe. Check out the video for yourself. The only thing that’s hard to decide
Beyonce on Japan TV Show “Waratte Iitomo” Read More »
Note the poll on your right asking when you think Aso is going to announce that he’s stepping down and having elections. You can read a good insider story right here, “Prime Minister Aso on the Brink in Japan” at the Big in Japan blog for some background information on some of Aso’s recent gaffs.
Poll: When Do You Think Aso is Going to Step Down Read More »
The show is held every once in a while, your favorite tv personalities, comedians, and even singers (wtf!) compete in a singing contest. It’s one of those classic Japanese tv show type shows with the famous people watching from the stands, singing along, acting amazed at how well the singers sing. Although I don’t really
Konishiki performs Jero’s Umiyuki. Read More »
This is an awesome video. Basically it’s a rap video about the top news stories of 2008. You can consider it a little pop quiz of your Japanese news, pop culture, and current events knowledge. How many of the images or stories in this do you remember? Enjoy this trip in the time machine courtesy
Japan’s Top News Stories of 2008 in a Rap Video Read More »