ISSN 1348-7906
Accessing the Global Community in Japan
6 June 2005 No. 224
Who is is the Trad adi iti tio onal J ap apane anes se Wife adi diti Behind the Godfather?
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HAKONE TOY MUSEUM T. KITAHARA COLLECTI COLLECTION ON
O
ver 3,000 domestic and foreign-made toys produced between the 1890’s and the 1960’s are on display. This impressive selection was collected by Japan’s
most famous toy collector, Mr. KITAHARA Teruhisa. This is a unique museum in which you can see many charming and nostalgia-inducing toys including a collection of Japanese tin toys and a motion display that was once shown in jewelery store windows in U.S.A. around 60 years ago. The museum is situated in the Hakone Garden Museum together with the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Herb Terrace.
Smoking Robot When the switch is on, this robot will walk a short distance with rainbow colors shining from its head, before it stops and blows smoke with its eyes twinkling red. It is unrefined like a robot, but has a human-like expression. 1950’s
Opening hours 9:00 ~ 17:00
9
17
Entrance Fee: Adults 800 yen, Children 400 yen
800
400
(in the Odakyu Hakone Garden Museum) 740 Yumoto Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimogun, Kanagawa 250-0311 5 mins. walk from Hakone Yumoto Station on the Odakyu and Hakone Tozan line. Free buses are available from the station. 250-0311
740
5 Inquiries
To Hakone Begonia Garden or Himeshara Hot springs
Tel: 0460-6-4700 www.toymuseum.co.jp
Odakyu Hakone Garden Museum
T ora To o Gor Gora
Hakone Toy Museum
Hakone Putter Golf
Free Bus stop To Odawara Hakone Tozan Line
National Highway 1
4
Hayakawa (river)
Hakone Yumoto Sta.
1950
Reproduced toys Precisely reproduced tin toys with an old style spring.
Scooter Honeymoon 1950’s Motion Display, U.S.A. The newly married couple go on a happy honeymoon on a dreamy scooter. 1950
Alice in Wonderland Girls’ Toys
2F
Household appliances, toys and celluloid dolls 1940’s~1960’s. Made in Japan.
1950’s Motion Display, U.S.A. When turning the page, the picture changes and Alice and the rabbit shake their heads.
1940
1950
1960
Piggy Cook Shaking pepper in his left hand, he turns over a fried egg in the frying pan with his right hand. 1960’s. 1960 Free Invitation for 10 couples (20 people). See page 32. 5
10
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Topiics & Eve Top E vents nts Kurofune (Black Ship) Festival (Shimoda City, Shizuoka)
May 20 ~ 22 5
20
22
J a pa n’s n’s Rea c tio n to M a jo jo r Inc Inc ident wa s the Fir Firss t Ste p To To wa rds rds J a pa n’s n’s M o derniza tio n
Kanda town, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Kyoto city, Kyoto Shimoda city, Hiroshima
For inquiries: Tourism and Trade section of Shimoda City Hall
May 15
Spectacular Parade Puts Royal Court Co s t u m e s o n D i s p l ay ay
Since 794, Kyoto had flourished as the capital of Japan and a splendid royal court culture was in full bloom. The Aoi Festival has been carried out as a national event since then and has continued to the present day. Over 500 parade participants wearing the same aristocratic costumes of the Heian period proceed gracefully from the Imperial Palace to Kamigamo shrine via Shimogamo shrine.
For inquiries: Kyoto city Tourism Association
Tel: 075-752-0227
Special reserved seats at Kyoto Gyoen and Shimogamo shirine are available. Price: ¥2,000 (a leaflet is provided)
1
6
2,000
5
15
Tel: 0558-22-3913
Aoi Festival (Kyoto City, Kyoto)
Topics &E ve vents nts
In the mid 19th century, a shocking incident occurred in Japan. At that time, the Tokugawa shogunate was governing Japan instead of the Emperor, and had closed the country to the outside world for over 200 years. Without warning, four modern black ships appeared in
the country to the outside world. After this incident, Japan concluded a trade treaty with the U.S.A., which was the first step towards Japan’s modernization. The treaty was concluded at Shimoda, which is why an annual festival is held
Tokyo Bay and the American commander Commodore Perry pressured the shogunate to open Japan’s ports to outside trade. The shogunate was swayed by American pressure and decided to re-open
here. Various events are held to commemorative the event including a parade, a humorous drama of the treaty signing ceremony, a fireworks display over the ocean and other international events.
“The State Festival” of Kanda-Myojin Sh rine wh ere TA TAIR IRA A no Masakado is Enshrined
Kanda Festival (Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) May 14 ~ May 17 5
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17 In Kanda-Myojin, the body of TAIRA no Masakado (903~940), a man known for “helping the weak and battering the strong” in the Kanto area and a hero who fought against the Emperor’s power over Kyoto, is enshrined. It is also known as one of the stages of ZENIGATA Heiji, who often appears in movies, and who exterminates wicked people by throwing coins at them instead of knives. As the festival procession is permitted to enter the premises of Edo castle where the Shogun resided, Kanda Festival has been called “the State Festival.” Visitors are able to see beautiful floats and a large parade.
For inquiries: Kanda-Myojin Tel: 03-3254-0753
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Topics & E ve vents nts
Japan ’s First Open-to p to ur bus — “Sky Bus Tokyo” gu a M ul ti Lan g
g e G
u
i d
a n
c
Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean
e S
y s
e
t
m
Tickets sold: at Ticket counter, Mitsubishi Bldg., 1F Inquiries: Hinomaru Limousine Travel Center 1F
Tel: 03-3215-0008
The popular open-top tour buses which roam New York and London streets are
Japanese or English
now operating in Tokyo. Feeling the air of this huge metropolitan city against your face, you can enjoy the panoramic 360 degree view from the top deck. The multi-language informative commentary system allows passengers to hear information about the sites in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. Hanzomon
Imperial Palace
Sakuradamon Otemon
Tickets: Adults ¥1,200 (over 12 years of age), Children ¥600 (over 4 years) Bus stop
Front of Mitsubishi Bldg., next to Maru Bldg.
Yurakucho Sta.
Tokyo Station
1,200 600
Starting point: Front of the Mitsubishi Building (Tokyo station south exit. Next to the
10:00
Marunouchi building) Operating Frequency: Tours depart every
12 4 18:00
1
hour between 10:00~18:00. Timetable may change in certain seasons. No service during Photos are images only
45
50
bad weather. Tour duration: 45~50 minutes.
www.hiraganatimes.com 8
T opics
All-Time Great E n k a Album wit h Lyr ic ic s n o w T ran ran s lat e d in t o E n glis glis h
Dan c in g T an go Arge n t in o Pe rf r f orm orm an c e
Orquesta Jose COLANGELO
Just like there is chanson in
invites you to experience the
France, canzone in Italy and jazz
fascinating Argentine Tango. Jose is the most important and
in the U.S.A., each country has its own brand of soul music. Japan
famed pianist, composer and
has Enka . The all-time best CD
arranger in the world of
album “ENKA BEST” has
Argentine Tango today.
recently been released through Victor Entertainment Inc. The album contains 14 famous
enka
songs including “Michinoku hitori tabi” (Traveling northern Japan alone) by YAMAMOTO Joji, “Yokohama tasogare” (Yokohama twilights) by ITSUKI Hiroshi, “Kitasakaba” (A bar in the north) by HOSOKAWA Takashi and “Kitaguni no haru” (North spring) by In this performance, he plans to accompany four dancing couples
SEN Masao.
so that the audience can enjoy breathtaking dancing scenes. The glamorous stage and dancing performed by beautiful and handsome dancers is sure to launch a new age of tango. Scheduled programs include La Cumparsita, El Choclo and Adios nonino. Performances are to be held in the Tokyo, Kansai and Chubu areas between June 18 and July 16. Since the lyrics of all 14 songs have been translated into English and explanations of enka included, this CD can be used as an effective teaching resource to aid in learning more about Japanese culture and will be a pleasing souvenir. ¥2,500. For inquiries
Tel: 03-3943-9999
GUAM SAIPAN PALAU POHNPEI SAMOA TONGA FIJI HAWAII
g oo d s B r i n g i n g J ap a n e s e ! Wo rl d ! t h e Wo o th to t
SHIBUYA Head Office
1,300 1
MARU-ARA-WATANABE www.maruara.com
Quality souvenirs & beautiful Kimono Specializing in Geta (wooden clogs), Furoshiki (wrapping cloth), Samue (separate kimono), and Noren (tapestry)
TEL: 03 03-346 -3461-00 1-0064 64
1
Souvenir Shop
A wide variety of Japanese goods, kimono and gift items are available. This is a ‘must-see’ shop for Japanese and foreigners who are planning to travel overseas.
EST. 1925
HIRO-O Branch
TEL/FAX TEL/ FAX:: 03-34 03-3449 49-393 -3931 1
FAX: 03-3461-0084 5-1-29 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, 16-8 Udagawa-cho, Tokyo Tok yo Shibuya-ku,Tokyo Open: 11:00 - 19:00 (Mon. - Fri.), 13:00 - 19:00 (Sat., Sun., Holidays), Closed Tue.
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Topics
TOEIC® Test Trial Software that Ma t c h e s t h e Te Te s t
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The new Japanese-English transla-
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tion software “Roboword 8” offers
software utilizes a “page turning” screen system which
you convenient one-touch translating. Simply place the cursor over a word
enables you to practice for
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section, and the translation will
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appear. For added convenience, users
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can set the location of the translation
sample questions to aid
box and the reading text size.
students. TOEIC® Test
Furthermore, by adding optional dictionaries and software, you can In the “Trial” mode, you can experience the real test in two
enter and translate 14 languages including French, German, Chinese
separate modes — listening and reading, and in the “Parts” mode,
and Korean. Since a voice recognition function is included, the trans-
you are able to study questions, referring to associated explanations.
lation of your spoken voice will appear on the screen. Also image
The system keeps track of your answers and displays your estimated
files such as those from a digital camera can be translated. The
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package also contains an Internet search function.
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T opics
Ma n g a “Inside Darling’s Mind”
What You ng Ame rican s Kno w abou ab ou t H iiss t or y
n o w o n S a llee
What kind of history text book does
This is the latest hilarious book
America, the only remaining superpower
written and illustrated by OGURI Saori
use? This book (published by JapanBook) answers this question. Selected English
and her husband Tony LASZLO about their interesting and sometimes quirky
passages are displayed on the left pages
life. The couple were introduced in the
and their Japanese translations are shown
December 2004 issue of Hiragana
on the right. As the books were originally
Times. Saori is also the person behind
published for elementary school pupils,
the
simple English is used.
Gaikokujin” (“My husband is a foreign-
best
selling
“Darling
wa
er”) series that have sold over a million copies in Japan.
The contents cover topics such as “From discovery to colonies,” “The revolutionary war and the new nation,” “The civil war and reconstruction,” “Westward expansion expansion and the frontier, “World War I
These could be called “language” entertainment books that
to the Great Depression,” “World War II and the Cold war,” and
comically describe some of the many interesting differences between
“Upheaval in the sixties.” The book is very enjoyable and reads just
English and Japanese, and Japanese and foreigners. This book makes
like a documentary novel, describing events such as the death of
it fun to learn about the usual dispute over the usage of “THE” and
Billy the Kid, the notorious western outlaw, and some gripping fight-
the pronunciation of “V.” Furigana is printed beside all kanji charac-
ing scenes in “Pearl Harbor Attack.” ¥1,500.
ters which will make it easier for foreign readers to read. Published by Media Factory Inc. ¥950 (tax not included)
“What Young Americans Knows about History” is being offered as a present for two people. See page 32. 2
32
11
ccording to an OECD survey, the total number of students
It has been predicted that Asian students will make up 70 percent
studying abroad around the world was approximately
of all students studying abroad by 2025 and the competition among
A
1,900,000 in 2002. Looking at it geographically, the coun-
host countries to attract them will be heavy. China is a major supplier
try that accepted by far the greatest number of foreign students was
of students to the foreign education market. According to an OECD
the U.S.A., which took in more than 500,000 students, followed by
survey conducted in 2002, among Chinese students studying abroad,
other Western countries including the UK, Germany, France and
63,211 went to the U.S.A., 41,180 to Japan, 17,483 to the UK, 17,343
Australia. The next on the list was Japan which accepted 100,000
studied in France and 14,070 in Germany. It seems an outstanding
foreign students.
characteristic that Japan was ranked in second place after the U.S.A. among Western-oriented Chinese students.
Others
When looking further at where foreign students entering the U.S.A come from (based
Taiwan
on a survey carried out by the Institute of International Education in 2003), the majority
Korea
(79,736) came from India, followed by China
China
(61,765), Korea (52,484) and Japan (40,835). Since visa granting procedures were tightened after 9/11, the number of Chinese and Japanese students going to
Chinese students playing very influential role
America decreased from the previous year. China and Japan’s relationship is often described as comprising “Cold politics and hot economics.” Although political relations between the countries are not particularly good, their economic relationship is excellent. The total amount of trade (imports and exports) is over 22 trillion yen. This amount is now more than the total value According to a survey of Japan Student Services Organization
of trade between the U.S.A. and Japan which is about 20 trillion yen
2004, the number of foreign students in Japan is 117,000 and looking
and China has now become Japan’s largest trading partner. The
at this by country of origin, the majority (66.3 percent) come from
reason many Chinese students want to study in Japan appears to be
China, followed by Korea (13.2 percent) and Taiwan (3.5 percent). It
due to Japan’s close proximity to China and the fact that because
is an outstanding characteristic that foreign students in Japan are
many Japanese companies are moving into China, Chinese students
actually largely composed of Asians, in particular those from China
believe they have more opportunities to find a job. Another reason is
and Korea.
considered to be that Japanese universities provide attractive scholarships which lightens the financial burden of overseas study.
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38%
I like Japan
"Do you like Japan?"
I like Japan now although 4% I used to dislike d islike it. However, as brutal crimes by Chinese students have been occurring more frequently in Japan, it has become extremely difficult for Chinese students to obtain visas. Recently, in addition to being required to provide proof of their savings, Chinese students are now
15 %
I dislike Japan now although I used to like it.
required to provide a document showing the sources of their income over the last three years. Before entering a university in Japan, foreign students generally attend a Japanese language school, but in some months last year — due to the very difficult examination — less then 20 percent of applicants were granted visas. This had a major affect on the financial position of many Japanese language schools. According to answers obtained from Japanese language students conducted at 32 Japanese language schools in 2003, to the question “Do you like Japan?” 38 percent said “I like Japan,” four percent replied “I like Japan now although I used to dislike it” and 15 percent said “I dislike Japan now although I used to like it.” To the question “Have you experienced discrimination from Japanese?” 35 percent said “yes” and 25 percent said they had on an ongoing basis. Judging Among many foreign students there is deep dissatisfaction against Japan about who can actually study in the country after getting
replies such as these, it seems that the impression of Japan among foreign students in Japan is not good.
through all the bureaucratic red tape. One of their gripes is the guarantor system, which adds to the hardships of many foreign students. To rent a room, a deposit should surely be enough, but an additional payment of reiken or “key money” is required in many cases and furthermore, a Japanese guarantor is generally required. This notorious Japanese custom differs from most, if not all international standards and a law to ban this practice should be enacted as soon as possible.
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Perspectives on Japan A Ce re m on y th at Ill llus us tr trate ate d Wh Wh at J apan’ apan’ss Grou p Or Orie n t e d So c ie t y is All About
Text: Terry O’BRIEN
T
he other day, as part of my duties as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) at a junior high school, I attended my school’s graduation ceremony. Before the ceremony, I gave
no thought as to what I would witness. I mean, a graduation is a graduation. So I thought.
girls struggling to sing while trying to hold back tears. Their faces turned red and looked worn out. Some gave up the struggle and wept into their hand towels. Even some of the troublemakers (male) (male) who I thought were hopeless cases were, by all appearances, moved. To me it seemed unjust, if not cruel, to have the graduating class singing their own swan song.
As I entered the gym to find my seat, the first thing I noticed was that the entire student body was present. I had always thought graduation ceremonies were only for the graduating class and family and that the other grades were not invited. I also noticed — and which seems to be a reoccurring theme of Japanese life — was the separation of boys from girls. Female students were on one side of the aisle, male students on the other.
Time waits for no one
As the last song, sung by everyone, filled the gymnasium, I could feel my own legs shaking and growing weak, my palms breaking out in a sweat, my whole body in a hot flash, my face flushed, my head reeling. I was on the verge, for some reason. Perhaps it was the sight of young teenage girls crying. Or perhaps the music itself had some As the graduating class entered the gym in a slow procession, they did not look upbeat. And the music ... there was no “Pomp and Circumstance” about it. To tell you the truth, it seemed downright mournful. If there was electricity in the air, it was surely not the kind I was used to.
kind of primordial effect like “Amazing Grace” has on some people or a beautiful aria from a Beijing Opera has on me. Or finally perhaps, I, like the graduating class, could sense the inexorable passage of time there in that gym: that Time waits for no one. And that this was really it: this was the end; finality had arrived. No doubt about it. Like it or not, friendships must come an end.
The graduation proceeded with speeches and the conferring of diplomas, and then a succession of songs. The first song, a kind of farewell serenade, was sung by the 1st (in the U.S. 7th) and 2nd grade students. The refrain I heard was natsukashii hibi, or wistful days. Then it was graduating class’s turn to sing a song. I could see some
14
atmosphere was one of celebration. At my commencement we did not dwell on past memories as we were told to “commence” our new lives and to look ahead to the future. Graduation in effect was not the What came to end, I realized, was not just friendship. It had to be
end, but the beginning.
more than that. Then it dawned on me what all those long hours together in classes, clubs, practices, rehearsals, on special days, and even on weekends meant for the students. For the past three years they had spent a good part of their waking hours together. More than I could have imagined. From my outsider’s viewpoint I had always thought that this could only be tiresome, to say the least. But as I watched the students cry, I started to realize that this is what a group
And perhaps because this was beginning, and not the end, we did
oriented society is all about. It all started to come together: this
not feel that friendships had to come to end. We would always be
inside/outside, safety in numbers, group unity thing.
friends. And anyway new friends could be made easily. Friendships were inevitable, easily gained and lost. In short, friendship, for independent young men and women like us, wasn’t a big deal. And so looking ahead to the future, we turned our backs to past memories and to our classmates whom perhaps we did not know so well, and went our separate ways without much remorse, even ecstatic.
After the songs, the graduating class, one homeroom at a time, stood up from their chairs, faced their teachers who were lined up in front, center stage, and wailed to them, “Arigato gozaimasu! (I’m very thankful to you.)” It was sad, beautiful, painful, and joyful to watch. Having never witnessed such a scene in all my life, I was completely spellbound.
As I was sitting there the other day dazed, watching the graduating class sob, maybe I was a bit envious, realizing that they, having been raised in an entirely different culture, had taken “the other road.” That road seemed to offer experiences and emotions that I, raised to be independent and individualistic, could never have. And I couldn’t help but think more about my American childhood — what I had gained, and what I had lost.
Graduation is beginning, and not the end
As I try to recall my own graduation, I can’t say I remember much of anything. There were, I’m sure, plenty of smiles, handshakes, hugs, slaps on the back, and “Congratulations” to go around. The
15
Will another incident occur in Japan’s soccer game against North Korea!?
he preliminary games of the 2006 FIFA World Cup
T
such problems as the abduction
Germany are now being played in each region around the
of Japanese citizens to North
world. Strong competition is being observed in the Asia
Korea and issues related to
Group B which includes the Japanese team. After completing the first stage, Iran holds the top spot, followed by Japan, Bahrain, and North
nuclear weapons. The relationship between the two countries
Korea. Every team still has a chance to go to Germany depending on
is now at its lowest level and it
the results of the second stage.
is likely an incident will occur in the North Korea vs. Japan game. In order to get a ticket to go to Germany, Japan must win this game. Japanese offie w ws p s a a p e e r cials are very concerned about the possible N e rs r e s e p o or r t t e ed t h d he e
i n nc i c i d de n e nt t
In June, the Japanese team plays an away game against North Korea in the communist country, a prospect that is making Japanese soccer officials very nervous. In the game between North Korea and Iran held in Pyongyang in March, North Korean players strongly
reaction against Japanese players and supporters should their team win. Last year, the Japanese team was abnormally booed by Chinese supporters in the Asian Cup held in China. Japan needs to take more care this time to protect its players.
claimed unfair and biased refereeing, ending in one of the North Korean players being ordered to leave the ground. After a near riot on the field, North Korean supporters surrounded the Iranian players bus, which could not move for more than an hour. (photo)
Politics should not interfere with sports, but it seems this principal does not apply to countries where anti-Japan education is taught. North Korea is continuously carrying out anti-Japan education, while many Japanese people are angry about North Korea because of
16
nvironment nmenta al Edge Edge Powering Pow ering Enviro Towel Company Turnaround
Change or die.
This was the daunting challenge faced by Ikeuchi Towel Co., Ltd in the early 1990s as depicted by the company’s Director Planning Manager Mr. TSUBOUCHI Motoi.
Mirroring the plight of many Japanese companies in this recent era of rapid globalization, the Imabari, Shikoku-based towel manufacturer was confronted with a shrinking market at home and increased competition from abroad and needed tough decisions and firm management to stave off closure.
Staying Competitive, Staying Alive
Ever since the towel industry was introduced to Japan from England 150 years
Since then, more than 300 firms have gone to the wall. While the remaining 160 are struggling to survive, many companies are being forced to reengineer production and revamp strategy to not only to stay competitive, but to stay alive in this highly competitive environment.
To paint a picture of just how dramatically the industry has been turned on its head, during the industry’s peak period, 65% of towels used in Japan were manufactured in Imabari. Now, 70% of towels used in Japan are imported and the share of domestically-made towels is down to only 30% of which 20% are manufactured in Imabari.
ago, the city of Imabari, the world’s largest towel manufacturing center, has been the “Towel Capital” of Japan. After president Mr. IKEUCHI Keiji’s father founded the
Ikeuchi Towel factory
business in 1953, Ikeuchi Towel enjoyed a wild ride of postwar industry growth that in Mr. IKEUCHI Keiji, President
the early 1990s encompassed some 500 companies in the region. However, halfway
through that decade, the brakes started going on the industry as increasing numbers of Imabari companies began shifting their manufacturing operations to China in an effort to slash costs.
17
Ikeuchi Towel’s turnaround strategy is clearly unique and the proof is not only hidden in the radical product, but in the way the company has transformed manufacturing and sales operations.
So, what was Ikeuchi Towel’s turnaround plan? Award-winning towels
In 1993, while his competitors were cutting costs to stay competitive, Ikeuchi embarked on a high risk undertaking and invested ¥30
tomers can see they are safe and can feel secure that
million to build one of the world’s most advanced towel factories to
while having nice towels, they are also not harming the
manufacture product of the highest quality.
environment,” he says. “In addition, we ensure the
Mr. TSUBOUCHI Motoi
dyes are the safest available. Even a child can put these towels in their mouths and it will be safe.”
Many of the measures Ikeuchi Towels has taken go beyond the competitions’ efforts and underscore the president’s determination to raise the business to new heights. To slash distribution costs and boost profitability, the 20-person company opened a store in Tokyo’s upmarket Ginza district to enable them to sell directly to customers without having to go through a “White used to be the only choice of color for organic towels,”
middle layer of distribution.
Tsubouchi says. “People have this idea that organic towels should be white and boring, but Ikeuchi thinks they should be fun, colorful and beautiful, so we now offer a range of 24 colors. Not only that, but Ikeuchi Towels have attained world standards of certifications (ISO) and were among the first towel companies in Imabari to do so. “It’s easy to talk about doing environmentally good things and say ‘It’s organic, so it’s good,’ but we go a step further “We make available all the data about the chemicals used so cus-
and release all the data about our towels and obtain certification to prove they are organic,” Tsubouchi says. “So we want to use numbers and use data to sell what we are doing, rather than just impart fuzzy images.”
www.ikeuchitowel.com 18
Going Global “Our image of the American market is that it is a very mature In 2001, Ikeuchi became interested in taking on the global market
market containing many high-end stores serving specialized niches
and began exhibiting at trade shows in the U.S. and in particular, a
and high-end needs and within that market we are happy to have
large trade show called the New York Home Textiles Show in 2002.
found a niche for ourselves in that space,” Tsubouchi says.
“At the show, we thought maybe American’s might not like our towels and that our product may not be well received,” Tsubouchi
The business has been enjoying improving financial results the last
says. “When we visited America, I thought that doing business there
few years thanks in part to greater sales and higher margins. Now, the
would be very difficult. The issues of pricing, money and receiving
future is no doubt far brighter — and now comes in more colors —
checks and other issues of doing business there made it all seem very
than it was a decade ago for the turnaround towel company — thanks
formidable. So we were amazed when we won the Grand Prize Best
in no small part to Ikeuchi’s gutsy entrepreneurial flair and environ-
in Show among all the other products — it was like winning the
mental edge.
lottery! This was the first time a Japanese company has ever won this award.”
Mr. Ikeuchi (right) with a proud store owner (middle)
The publicity paid off and within only 24 months, Ikeuchi towels were on sale in 50 specialty stores in the U.S., 20 in Paris and London, and they even had a mention in the New York Times.
www.bestpartnerusa.com
AOI International/Culture Club Tel: +1-714-730-1666 +1-714-730-1666 Fax Fax:: +1-714-730-1620 +1-714-730-1620 17401 Irvine Blvd SuiteA, Tustin, CA 92780
[email protected]
Text: Jonathon WALSH
19
by Hiragana Times CIA
New Dream Glasses to be Launched on the Market Soon — Wearing Them Will Make Any Woman Look Beautiful!
A Japanese IT company has successfully developed epoch-making glasses that will make any women the wearer looks at appear beautiful and any man look handsome. At present, the glasses are in the final stages of experimentation. As the launch of this product is expected to dramatically change the social structure of society, the company is being extremely careful about how the news will be publicized. Hiragana Times CIA was recently granted an exclusive interview with the Development Manager providing the company name was not revealed.
CIA: Are you sure such technology is really possible? Mgr.: Before I explain, please take a careful look at the naked man-
processing technology are combined in this invention.
nequin over there.
CIA: She is pretty ugly and her bust sags. She has a large stomach and big hips. I would never say she looks beautiful.
Mgr.: Well then, why don’t you wear these glasses and look again?
CIA: These glasses look just like ordinary ones. Let me wear them ... What? Wow! She looks pretty! She doesn’t have a large stomach anymore and the shape of her bust is beautiful. I can’t believe it. How is this possible?
Mgr.: Do you know that human eyes act as lenses and the data viewed through the eyes is processed by the brain? We have installed an ultra-small computer in the glasses frames which reads data about the shape of the object through the lenses. The computer calculates calculates the most beautiful proportions of the object and the ideal balance of measurements of its face, bust, waist, hips and legs. This data is processed by the output devices attached to the edges of the frames and transmitted to the wearer’s brain through the side of their head. The data being transmitted is therefore modified so that any ugly woman will appear beautiful. In short, camera auto-focus technology and computer image
20
CIA: Great! Then all women will look beautiful when I wear these glasses?
Mgr.: That’s right. From now on, when you wear these glasses, you will only see beautiful women and handsome men. What’s more, the ripple effects of this invention will totally change the structure of society.
CIA
Cyni ynica cally lly Insult Insulting ing Age Agency
Mgr.: Unfortunately, they have. Take off the glasses and look at the mannequin again.
CIA: How? Mgr.: First of all, people will become more gentle. You will want to be liked if there are many pretty women around you. People sometimes become gentle or arrogant depending on what they see. Our experiments have proven that all men who wore these glasses acted like a lead actor in a movie. These glasses will produce a great eco-
CIA: How disgusting! I didn’t imagine she was so ugly.
nomic effect. A woman who thinks that handsome men are always looking at her will try to become more beautiful and will therefore
Mgr.: You must be disappointed. The beautiful woman has at once
spend lots of money on clothes and cosmetics. Subsequently, men
and women will likely become like Jekyll and Hyde. They would be
will date more women and spend more money on food and entertain-
gentle when they wear glasses and arrogant without. This will surely
ment. As a result, these people will have more opportunities to make
lead to growing distrust in men and women and it has been predicted
love and naturally there will be more children. These glasses that
that there will be an increase in people with mental disorders.
become ugly. Anyone would be discouraged by the difference. Men
enable wearers to switch back and forth between the real and virtual worlds are an epoch-making invention that will fix the recession and reverse Japan’s plummeting birthrate.
CIA comments after the interview
If your partner wears these glasses when they are with you, they obviously think you are very ugly. We sincerely hope you will be all right when you face this situation. Putting this aside, why can people become gentle to handsome men and pretty women, and arrogant to ugly men and women?
CIA: Wonderful! They are really great! But don’t they have any drawbacks?
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21
SUGIHARA Chiune
S
ixty years ago in May 1945, Japan’s wartime ally Germany accepted an unconditional surrender and Japan did the same in August. Thus World War 2 came to a close. This tragic
There wasn’t a moment to lose, but they had only one escape route
conflict began when Hitler’s Germany invaded Poland in 1939. At
— to depart to a third country by obtaining a transit visa from Japan.
that time there was a Japanese diplomat in Lithuania who granted life
Many Jewish refugees rushed to the Japanese consulate to obtain this
saving visas to many Jewish who were being persecuted by the
visa. At that time, the Japanese government had a neutral policy
Nazis. His name was SUGIHARA Chiune, who is often referred to as
against Jewish people, but Japan, which was allied with Germany,
the ‘Japanese Oscar SCHINDLER.’ Many people now know about
had intentions to shut them out by raising the visa qualification
Oscar Schindler since Director Steven SPIELBERG produced the
conditions impossibly high.
Academy Award winning movie “Schindler’s List.”
At 6:00 a.m. on the morning of July 18, 1940, the Japanese consulate was surrounded by a crowd of 200 Jewish people asking for visas. As most of them did not meet the qualification requireMany Jewish escaped from Nazi-occupied Poland into Lithuania,
ments, Chiune asked the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to
which was regarded as a neutral country like Swizerland. However,
permit him to grant the visas for them. However, his wish was
on July 15, 1940, a pro-Soviet Union regime was born in Lithuania
turned down. He made the request again and again, but the answer
and it was only a matter of time before Lithuania would merge with the Soviet Union. If they merged, Jews would lose their freedom to
was the same. After considering the situation overnight, Chiune decided to issue visas by himself — against the Ministry’s wishes —
travel to foreign countries, so they had to leave Lithuania before that
to desperate Jews including those who couldn’t even provide the
occurred. German already occupied Poland, Denmark, Norway,
required documents to apply for the transit visa to Japan. It was a
Holland, Belgium and France and the diplomats and their staff at
very risky decision. He then worked very hard to issue visas every
foreign embassies and consulates were already leaving before the
day to Jewish people who were rushing to leave.
Soviet Union closed the country’s border.
22
I can’t issue any more ...
of Foreign Affairs. Taking into account their families and those not on the list, the number of Jews Chiune helped is said to be between
On August 3 of that year, Lithuania merged with the Soviet Union. One day before, Chiune received an order from the Ministry to leave
6,000 and 8,000. When you compare this with Schindler who saved 300 Jews, you can understand just how many people he saved.
the consulate, but he ignored it and continued to issue visas. He received another leave order from the Ministry and also from the Soviet Government again and again, but he refused to obey. On August 26, the consulate was finally closed. However, even after that, Chiune continued to issue travel certificates, which could substitute for visas, from his hotel.
After Lithuania merged with the Soviet Union, Chiune worked at Japanese consulates in Germany, Czechoslovakia, East Prussia and Rumania. After World War 2, he was sent to a concentration camp in Bucharest before returning to Japan in 1947. Russian ussian Lithuania S R. ithuania S. S S. R
However, he was forced by the Ministry to retire, supposedly because he disobeyed orders.
Belor Belorussia elorussia ssia Poland
On September 5th, when Chiune’s family
Germany
left for the station to leave for Berlin, many Jewish people still wanting help had gathered on the station platform. Chiune issued more travel certificates, even while on the departing train and apologized to those he could not help by saying, “Forgive me. I can’t issue any more. I pray for your safety.”
In 1985, Chiune was recognized as Righteous Among the Nations’ by the Israeli Government. Even after making the news about his issuance of visas, he humbly commented, “It is not the matter that newspapers and TVs make a fuss about. I did only what I should.”
At present, 2139 names are on Sugihara’s list held by the Ministry
23
The International Couple Scene
Cecil & Maiko
I
nternational parties have been popular for years, but how many people meet up at these events, hook up, and actually get married? The numbers are small but that’s what happened to
Cecil, a first generation U.S. citizen with Caribbean and Panamanian roots, and Maiko when they met at a Hiragana Times party in late 2003. The two met again and began dating a few months later. Cecil’s hopes to create a good first impression didn’t quite go as planned when he humbly handed a souvenir to Maiko’s parents. Since he couldn’t read all the kanji, he didn’t recognize the words ‘Don Quixote’ (the super discount store) written on the bag. “I thought he was pretending it was an expensive cookie and my mother laughed,” Maiko says. “When I first met Maiko’s parents, I had no idea that I was the first guy that she had ever brought home in her life!” Cecil recalls. “Thus, I was not aware of the significance of meeting the parents in Japan and the possible future implications concerning marriage. However, I was respected and could be myself,” he says. Maiko says her parents had never met a foreigner before they met Cecil, so they were very nervous, but quickly came to like him.
“When my father made a joke over dinner using two very similar words, ‘ika (squid) wa, ikaga (how is it?),’ Cecil replied ‘samui, samui, heater o tsukete kudasai’ (‘it is cold so please turn the heater
Text: Jonathon WALSH
24
on,’ or indirectly, ‘your joke is not good, please make it hotter’),” Maiko says. “My father said you are very cleaver.”
“Like the best selling book ‘My Darling is a Foreigner,’ funny and difficult things are happening to us every day,” Maiko says about their relationship. “Cecil has no intention to live in Japan forever and I cannot imagine where we will be in 10 years time. Although adventure is exciting, it is true that I seek stability. It is necessary to enjoy new and unpredictable things in international relationships.”
“The difficult thing for him about living in Japan is establishing his career,” Maiko says. “Sometimes he is not trusted as a foreigner. For example, when he was trying to contact a real estate agency he was refused when they saw his face,” she says.
How are they overcoming the challenges
What general advice can the couple give to readers
they face and building their future? “We must
regarding international relationships? “At the end of the day
be prepared to earn enough money to raise a family not only in Japan but overseas, so we
you are not living with a Japanese person, or a black person — you are just living with a human being. So use that as a
have to work locally but develop our careers
starting point,” Cecil advises. Maiko says, “Before customs
for the global market,” Cecil says. Maiko
and cultures, the most important thing to do is to respect
adds, “The solution to many problems is simply to talk. It is some-
each other as human beings, then you should learn your partner’s
times hard work, but this is a very important process because if we
culture and background and try to make an effort to understand
ignore the problems, the misunderstandings between us will pile up.”
them.”
3
470
– 2 0 12
World Music Station
FM CO
CO
LO
Note
25
INT IN TERNATION RNATIONAL AL GL G LASS-R ASS-RO O O TS
HIR HI RA-TAI FO FO RUM
Fooli oolissh People Peopl e w ho M a k e Small Rocky Islands into a Polit ic icaa l I ssue
In the Sea of Japan that lies between Japan and Korea, there are two small rocky islands which are about one tenth of the size of New York’s Central Park. In Japan, the islands are called “Takeshima,” and both Japan and Korea claim ownership over them. Takeshima has actually
Part of a politician’s role is to create and maintain friendly
been occupied by Korea, but until now, both countries have purposely
relations with foreign countries, but the politicians concerned are
avoided making it into a political issue. I think this was a very smart
destroying the good relationship that has been built up by the people
attitude. Recently, a Korea boom broke out in Japan and Japanese have
of both countries. I was surprised to see the politicians are lacking in
begun feeling more familiarity for Korea than ever before.
an ability to judge these situations. There were no borders in ancient times. Strong and greedy rulers used to selfishly stake out their borders, so this would not mean that a country necessarily owns a territory they claim.
However, in March, Shimane prefecture passed new prefectural regulations and created “Takeshima Day” making it public that the
Territorial issues have been the cause of many wars. What we have
island was a part of Shimane prefecture. Korean president ROH
to raise an issue about is not which country a particular territory
Moo-hyun overreacted to this action and the Japanese history textbook
belongs to, but the existence of politicians who claim the territory.
issue, and the following Japanese history textbook issue, and proceeded to make abnormally severe criticisms against Japan which triggered an increase in negative feelings among Japanese towards Korea.
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I heard it was about 40 years ago that Japanese people began
Japa nese are Silent about t he “ Silen t S Spri pri ng”
becoming allergic to cedar pollen and it was about 10 years ago that the issue began to be widely reported. I remember a book — “Silent Spring” by Rachel CARSON — that placed the blame on environment pollution brought about by chemical substances. “Silent Spring” describes a green country town in America with many farms and orchards where one day, cows and sheep were found sick and dying. This book was written in 1962 when the allergy to cedar pollen in Japan was discovered about this time.
From the beginning of spring, about 20 percent of train passengers wear a mask in Japan. When I saw this for the first time, I was surprised as I thought there were so many Japanese who had caught a cold. To be frank, I felt very uncomfortable when they came too close to me as I thought I would be infected.
It would not be such a big problem if the allergy was caused simply by cedar pollen, but I wonder what would happen if it is being caused by chemical substances? Japanese people tend not to question authority reports, but this matter is very closely related to our lives and wellbeing. I am a little anxious about it. Why don’t you try to
Later on, I learnt these people were wearing a mask not because
find out more about the cause?
they had a cold, but to ward off their allergic reactions caused by all the cedar pollen floating in the air at the beginning of spring. According to a survey 26.2 percent of Japanese are allergic to pollen. The figure is abnormal, and the big masks look grotesque. It is especially strange to see beautiful women covering their mouths with large masks.
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Trave Tr avell llers ers’’ Eyes
There’s no Rubbish bins but it’s the Cleanest Place
Chris PARSONS
ost tourists come to Japan and pay for everything them-
After landing at Narita, the crew took a train to the famous hot
selves, however some lucky visitors like Australian Gold
spring town of Kusatsu and experienced a heavenly soak in an onsen
Coast TV’s Sherwell Studio “Gold Coasting” lifestyle
(hot spring). “It was amazing!” Chris said. “We also went skiing for a
show presenter Chris PARSONS come under very different circum-
couple of days in Kusatsu, took a helicopter ride and checked out an
stances.
active volcano then boarded a train for Tokyo, and have been travel-
M
ing around the city and checking out the sites ever since. Oedo onsen and Gajoen wedding hall were excellent. We also went to the electric town of Akihabara and checked out all the amazing gadgets, and hit the Tsukuji fish markets at 4.30 a.m. in the morning,” he said.
Chris arrived in the country in early February with a mission to create a special Japan travel feature. “I have been intrigued by the country for a number of years, finally got the chance to come and I took it!” Chris said in a recent interview. Kusatsu
What differences has Chris discovered between filming in
28
France, you can see elements of your
Australia and filming in Japan? “The difference is just how
(Western) society in there. You can see the
efficiently things operate in
westernized version even in the architecture,
Japan and how friendly the
but if you come to Japan in all facets, it’s a
Japanese people are,” Chris
complete flip-around; everything is turned on
explains. “I haven’t seen any-
its head and that’s what I like about it —
thing like it anywhere and I have
Japan is just so completely different and not in
traveled quite extensively. It
a negative way.”
really is quite staggering the lengths that Japanese people will Left: Oedo onsen
go just to ensure that everything is running smoothly and that you as a guest are perfectly happy.
Right: The electric town of Akihabara
They are just amazing people,” he says. “So although the whole trip has had so many stops and sights, it has been seamless and there’s no way you would find that in Australia.”
What has been the most unusual thing Chris has seen in Japan? “It’s small time but there’s a complete bit of irony, but there’s no rubbish bins but it’s the cleanest place I’ve ever seen!” Chris says. “But as a consequence you would expect there to be rubbish everywhere, but there isn’t.” What does he like about Tokyo? “Besides the architecture, it’s safe, and aesthetically it’s just a beautiful city. It is worlds apart from Australia or anywhere I have known since I was a kid in just so many ways. Maybe that’s it because if you go to England, America or even Spain, Portugal or Q1: How did you feel about our company's assistance, from your first contact to after moving? Q2: Is there any better point about our company than any other real estate companies? Q3: Please give some comments about us for the readers of HIRAGANA TIMES. Thank you for your cooperation!
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What kind of drinks do Japanese like?
Beer is the most popular alcohol among Japanese. In Japan, local and imported beers are sold, but most supermarkets sell beer from the four major brewers; Kirin, Asahi, Sapporo and Suntory.
These brewers try to highlight that ‘our beer is different,’ but many of their products taste very similar. A prominent feature of Japanese beer would have to be the “sharp taste.” Recently, due in part to the recession to, happoshu (low-malt beer) produced by these breweries have been selling very well. Happoshu tastes like watery beer, but the price is about 40 percent less than regular beer. Sake (Japanese rice wine) comes in many varieties and is wellloved among the elderly, especially when drunk before eating Japanese food. In winter, warmed sake is commonly drunk. Warm “okan.” .” Sake has also recently been gaining a following sake is called “okan among foreigners as a fashionable drink. Shochu (a distilled spirit) is The next most popular alcohol among Japanese is mizuwari (whisky and water). This is easy to drink and is a standard drink in
also still popular. Chu-hi (fruit soda spirits) is also popular among young people.
most bars. In Japan, Suntory and Nikka control the whisky market. Wine is gaining popularity among younger people as a fashionable drink, especially when they eat pasta. Katsunuma wine is famous in Japan and many imported wines are available.
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Public notary since 1981 Former Counselor at the Information Center of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau Office: 2-3-107 Nobori-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
tion e s
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Q
How can I Enable My Wife and Child to Come to Japan? Takeshi MIYAKE
I am Japanese and married a Filipina woman when I was working at a representative office in Manila. We had a wedding ceremony there and registered our marriage in the Manila City Hall. After that we had a daughter, but we did not report it to the Japanese Embassy. Now my daughter is one year old and I am staying alone in Japan. How can I enable my wife and child to come to Japan? Can my daughter obtain Japanese citizenship?
Ans w e
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First of all, it is necessary to register your marriage at your local city. Get a marriage registration form at the city hall (Koinin-todoke) and fill in to submit it. In this case two witnesses and the signature of your wife
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in Philippines. When your marriage becomes recognized in
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the Ministry of Justice at your local city hall.
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A Graduation Ceremony in Japan
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32
“Gion Co C orne ner r” Kyoto Trad adiitiona tionall Mus Musiica call T he heat ate er is Popular Popular Amo Among ng For Foreign Touri Tourists
Gion Corner is a popular nightspot where foreign tourists can experience an overview of Japanese traditional arts and entertainment in a single setting. Tea ceremony, Flower arrangement, Kyogen (Traditional comic play), a digest of Bu Bunr nr ak u (Puppet play), Koto music (Japanese harp), Gagaku (Court music) and Kyomai (Kyoto style dance) can be enjoyed in this fascinating place.
Regular performances are held between March 1 and November 30. Special performances are available between December and February. Two shows a day; 19:00~ and 20:00~. ¥2,800. A tea ceremony experience program is also available along with an adjoining maiko gallery. Kyoto Traditional Musical Art Foundation “Okini Zaidan” Tel: 075-561-1119
Kyoto Kyoto to Shiy Shiyakusho-mae akusho-mae kusho mae Sta.
Higashiyama Sta.
Sanjo-dori
Keihan-Sanjo Sta.
K a w a r a m a c h i d o
Shoren-in Temple Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line
Chion-in Temple
Keihan-Shijo Sta.
i r
Yasaka Shrine
Ka Kawaramachi awarramachi awar machi Sta.
Shijo-dori Gion Corner
Miy Miyagaw iyaga iy aga gawa-cho cho Kab Kaburenjo aburenjo ab urenjo renjo Theater heater Kenninji Temple
Rokuhara-mitsujiTemple Keihan-Gojo Sta.
Kodaiji Temple
Kiyomizudera Temple
Who is the Traditional Jap J apan ane ese Wi Wiffe Behind the Godfather?
TAINAKA Rika, Presi dentt of Tainak Presiden Tainaka a Acupressure and Massage Co. Ltd. L td. New Oriental Medicine style acupressure remedy developed by Mr. & Ms. Tainaka
ainaka Acupressure & Massage Company headquartered in
ally married and had a daughter. Rika was satisfied with her ordinary
Nagaokakyo in Kyoto is growing at a rapid pace. The
and peaceful life with her husband, who runs a real estate agency and
company started from zero three years ago and now have
loves their daughter dearly, but four years ago the peace was
T
approximately 60 clinics around Kyoto and 200 massage staff.
shattered when she received a sudden phone call from the police
Behind this amazing growth there is an unbelievable story.
informing her that her husband had been arrested under suspicion of unfair real estate trading.
Her ordinary life was turned upside-down by a sudden call
Rika met her husband, TAINAKA Keiichi, now the chairman of the company, when they were high school students. She was attracted to him due to his clear thinking and leadership skills, and his ability to find the truth and not be distracted by trivial matters. They eventu-
34
At the police station, Rika received another shock when she was told her husband had once been a boss of a Yakuza (Japanese mafia) group of gangsters accused by the police. “The police were trying to
get information out of me, but I really did not know my husband was
Re-starting from nothing
a yakuza ,” Rika recalls. “He gave me his salary every month and took yakuza,” care of my family very well. He never brought any ‘dangerous’ friends to our home and loved our daughter. He often left home, but I thought it was for business.”
On his release from prison, Keiichi quit the Yakuza underworld. However, it is extremely difficult to leave the organization, and he lost all his property in the process since he had to pay to get out. The couple’s new beginning began at this point. Keiichi regretted his past life and decided to do something useful for society, but it was not so easy to find a business that the couple could start. After much consideration, they reached a decision. Their new business would involve acupressure and massage, a skill in which Rika’s nursing experience could be utilized. They believed it would work since they could start with no money and create many happy customers.
Her husband was prosecuted and sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for three years. What did she feel at the time? “His parents came to apologize to me and advised me to divorce him,” she said. “They were very anxious about me, but I had no intention to leave him at all. My parents also agreed with me saying he was not a bad guy. However, our daughter was shocked and had a nervous breakdown. I consoled her, saying ‘Your father father is all that you know,’ ” Rika explains without emotion. “But those who I thought were good people did not show up to see me. On the contrary, people who had not been very friendly cared for me. I saw the true face of people.”
However, they had no place to start their business. Keiichi visited many hospitals and homes for the elderly, but he was refused every time. His requests were often not understood and he was sometimes refused at receptions. But even though he was rebutted, Keiichi’s strong will to rebuild himself gave him the energy to continue to call on these facilities and when he had visited about 1,000, he received a call from a home for the elderly. The manager said they would provide Keiichi and Rika with some space in return for their services free of charge. Keiichi accepted the offer with pleasure. This was the actual start of Tainaka Acupressure and Massage Company. After that, they received offers from such places as a nearby onsen (hot
35
spring) where the couple and their relatives
painted eyebrows, pierced ears, irezumi (tattoo) showing on his arms
commuted to carry out their work, and over
and a swaggering, open-strided walk, most people will be scared
time, their business gradually expanded.
when they see him for the first time. Part of his office wall is decorated with, among other things, two hanging Japanese swords and a large black lacquered dragon design. His meishi (name card) displays a fearsome dragon against a black background above his name. Even now, Keiichi looks just like the yakuza shown in movies.
After that, Tainaka Acupressure and Massage Company began to
However, once you speak to him, your impression will completely
experience skyrocketing growth. One of their main sales points is the
change. When he speaks about his business dreams, his eyes shine
way they greet their customers. Customers feel good when they
like a boy’s and his stern face softens. To cope with this growth, Mr.
receive a cheerful greeting upon arrival. Even if the skills of the
& Mrs. Tainaka established the Tainaka Healing Academy to train
massage staff are not always perfect, customers are usually very
massagers. After that, they set up an NPO called “New Oriental
happy with their attitude. This simple service that appeals to the
Medicine Association” to promote the social positions of those
human heart is really gaining a reputation and word is spreading from
involved in Oriental medicine and provide work opportunities for the
mouth to mouth and subsequently, they have received many offers of
weak. Keiichi himself knows how difficult it is for those who are
clinic space. A manager at one of Japan’s Don Quijote (discount
“branded” to return to normal society. With this in mind, he positively
store) shops where a Tainaka clinic is located, is thankful for the
accepts people who have been discriminated against such as ex-
couple’s service, saying “Since Tainaka joined, awareness of our
criminals, people with large debts, single mothers, and domestic
shop assistants and tenants has changed and they have all begun
violence victims. Surprisingly considering his background, he is a
cheerfully exchanging greetings which has brought a warm and
man with a chivalrous spirit.
bright atmosphere to the store.” It is things like this, that leads to the next introduction, and the next ...
Furthermore, he is actively working to promote the internationalization of
Very unique husband
Oriental medicine, the global standardization of an NPO qualification, and
What is the secret of their success? It has to be the powerful character of Rika’s husband Keiichi. With his dyed blonde hair,
Talking over the management issues with her husband, Keiichi
36
the improvement of employment opportunities for overseas victims of discrimination discriminati on and underprivileged underprivileged
people. Keiichi is now holding meet-
yakuza member. However, looking at Keiichi closely, you will under-
ings with politicians and people in
stand why Rika is attached to him. On the other hand, it is also under-
the industry in Taiwan and Thailand.
standable why Keiichi loves her. The answer must be Rika’s big heart
His plans for their business are on a
that always keeps her calm. Keiichi openly remarks that his days in
global scale and include expanding
the yakuza were a mix of money and women. “I knew he had some
into China, India, U.S.A. and
lovers,” Rika smiles. “I didn’t care much as I know most
Europe. His strong leadership and
men have an animal aspect about them,” Her
will to have his own way have
magnanimous personality is her charm.
something in common with revolutionary ODA Nobunaga and
Livedoor
CEO
“Horiemon.” On the other hand, he is very frank and good at making jokes. If he wanted, he could be a leading TV personality. He Above: at Tainaka Healing Academy Down: Acupressure lecture
doesn’t hide the fact he was once a yaku yakuza za;; rather, he maintains his yakuza style.
He may be acting as a pierrot for the company’s advertisements. A staff member close to Keiichi says, “I think his style works as a test to see whether people judge others by their appearance or not.”
A representative Tainaka clinic is in the “Nene no yu” (Nene’s Bath), the biggest super sento or public bath in western Japan located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. “Nene” was the official wife of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, who came to dominate Japan from a humble beginning as a poor farmer in the late 16th Century. Nene was well-known as a woman who supported Hideyoshi’s success. At the entrance of the Tainaka clinic, a stern faced poster of Keiichi, who is ambitiously working to become the Godfather of the healing business, is displayed. Interestingly, there are no pictures of the cute Rika displayed anywhere. It seems she is a traditional Japanese woman
Wife with a big heart who ignored husband’s love affairs with a smile
who supports her man behind the scenes. Rika’s attitudes are influencing her staff who welcome customers cheerfully every day.
Rika, who resembles KUROKI Hitomi, Japan’s most favorite actress, is so pretty that she received a special award at a beauty contest in Kyoto. While the “Wives of Yakuza” movie series is popular in Japan, Rika can easily be mistaken by outsiders as a poor woman who was deceived by a
Tainaka A Ac cupressure a an nd M Ma assage Co Co. Lt Ltd. New Oriental Medicine Association
www.tainaka-seitai.com
Tel: 07 075-954-3003
www.new-oriental-medicine.org/
Tel: 075-952-4016
37
y y t a r
erna t t i o o n a l P I n
Tokyo Business Hotel Tokyo Medical School Hosp.
Meiji Dori
Hanazono Shrine
Every Friday at Shinjuku except on National Holidays
Tokyo Denryoku
NTT
Seibu Shinjuku Sta. Yachiyo Bank
7:30 7:30p. p.m. m.
10 10:0 :00p 0p.m .m..
Kousei Nenkin Kaikan
Genkai
Marui
Admission fee
Yasukuni St. Exit
700
At the Tokyo Business Hotel 2F Restaurant, “Noel”
Isetan
ALTA
Wendy's
Shinjuku 3 chome Sta.
Fire Station
Exit 2
JR Shinjuku Sta. Shinjuku St.
Mitsukoshi
No reservation is needed.
East Exit
Odakyu
Approximately 60 participants
O Y K O T
Marui
Shinjuku Gyoen Mae Sta. Exit 1
Koushu Kaido Shinjuku Gyoen
South Exit
Japanese : 60%
Inquiries
Non-Japanese : 40%
TEL: 03-334 03-3341-8989 1-8989 E-mail E-mail:: info@h info@hiragan iraganatimes atimes.com .com
If you lose your way, help is available from 10 mins before the party starts
Party staff
◆Beer
080-5091-8989
and wine are ¥300. Soft drinks are ¥200. Dinner set ¥580~¥850 ¥580~¥850.. (No obligation to order anything.)
At the Hyatt Regency Osaka
A K A S O
[Date and Admission fee May 13, Friday
5
]
13
19:00
Reservation (with one drink) No reservation [Drinks
38
1
21:00
With snack (¥500)
¥500
¥1,000
¥1,000
]
[Inquires
You may use the hotel bus service from the central north exit of JR Osaka sta. Party participants can use the hotel restaurants at 10% discount on the day.
Call after June for details.
beer and wine
]
FAX: 06-6499-2789
¥500
s so oft drinks
E-mail:
[email protected]
JR 10
¥300
AOI
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