Another poll from Sugoren gives us a list of the top 9 things that Japanese women want their boyfriends to learn how to do well. I was somewhat surprised by the order of a few items, but the content was pretty predictable. 9. UFO Catcher AKA Crane Games or Claw Games (so that guys can […]
Top 9 Things Japanese Women Want Their Boyfriends to Learn Read More »
This is a commercial for an energy bar called Ippon Manzoku. “Even though it’s chocolate it’s healthy.” Ippon Manzoku is supposed to fill you up with just one. The commercial stars Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, one of the members of the singing group SMAP, who seems to have fully recovered from a little scandal a year or
Another Overly-happy Japanese Commercial with SMAP’s Tsuyoshi Kusanagi Read More »
Coca cola has released press releases about a new commercial set to be released on February 2nd, 2011. The commercial is set to be part of the Coca-cola Zero “Wild Health” ad campaign. The “Wild Health” campaign also uses other actors and famous people including Amuro Namie. The commercials are made with high production values
New Coca Cola Japan Etsushi Toyokawa Vampire Commercial Coming Soon Read More »
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has released a list of eight cliches they say people interviewing for jobs with Japanese companies should avoid saying. These are the kind of things that teachers in Japan, many of whom have never had jobs other than teaching, advise their students to say. I hope the
8 Expressions That Are Overused in Japanese Company Interviews Read More »
Watching this Japanese McDonald’s commercial for the new Sponge Bob Happy Meals, one has to think there are adults just off screen standing around with still-dripping syringes. Maybe they were shown one of the old school “Pokemon” psychedelic episodes. Although frightened by the commercial, I’m intrigued enough to break out my “ransel (randoseru)” elementary school
McDonald’s Japan Sponge Bob Happy Meal Commercial Way Too Happy Read More »
Through all the scandals, Mona Yamamoto has remained strong and true to herself. Vilified by some after being photographed going to a love hotel with married baseball player, Tomohiro Nioka in 2008. In some media Yamamoto was treated as a femme fatale while Nioka escaped too much consternation. She refused to take all the blame
Beautiful Scandalized Japanese Actress – Mona Yamamoto Gets M.B.A. Read More »
UPDATE (FEB 4, 2011): tenki.jp has reduced it’s annual Japan cherry blossom forecast for 2011, a screenshot of which is below. It looks like Tokyo is on the line for blooming in March, and we are looking at the turn of the month for most of Japan. Fukuoka, Kochi, and warmer climates seem to have
Sakura Cherry Blossom Forecast for 2011 Read More »
UPDATE: Sadly Confessions was not nominated, but I still hope it finds a U.S. distributor. It looks like a really interesting film. The only Japanese movie that made the short list for an Academy Award (Oscar) this year is the film “Confessions”. I haven’t seen it yet so if anyone has, please feel free to
Confessions – The Only Japanese Movie on Oscar Short List Read More »
On January 18th, Suntory Holdings’ announced that blue roses will be available at Suntory Flowers shops starting on the 29th. Some prefectures may experience delays due to the possibility of frost, specifically Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Akita. The flowers were also sold in limited quantities in 2009 and 2010, with 2010 seeing over 50,000 sold.
Blue Roses Go on Sale at Japanese Flower Shops Read More »
In my previous post on the Japan University Entrance Exams, I mentioned that we would be seeing some feel-good news about people making efforts to make sure the high school seniors can make it to their tests on time. Here’s the first one I spotted… probably more to come. Akita JR workers spent hours shoveling
100s of JR Workers Clear Snow for Japanese University Entrance Exam Takers Read More »
This Saturday and Sunday are the days for the “Senta Shiken” or “Center Shiken” or “Center Test”, Japan’s national university entrance exams. Many people talk about exam hell in Japan, but personally I don’t think it’s any different. When I was a wee lad back in the U.S. I put my heart and soul and
University Entrance Exam Time Read More »
As a sort of counterpart to my previous post about what sports impress Japanese women, Gendai Business recently came out with a list of the Japanese athletes who are highest paid for commercials. This list mixes pro and amateur athletes. 1. Ryo Ishikawa – (golf) – 120 million yen 2. Ichiro Suzuki (baseball, Seattle Mariners)
Japanese Athletes that Command the Highest Pay for Commercials Read More »