As you probably know, business cards are still a pretty big deal in Japan — you’ll feel pretty naked if you don’t have some in any business situation — and here’s a big piece from the Japan Times that tells the full story on where this all originated.
Sure, this may be an elaborate commercial for sweets, but at the same it’s a really fun “sort of” music video that reveals the power Japanese women have over men — or rather, how easy Japanese men are manipulated. Via this tweet.
I’ve always enjoyed seeing this an action, as for me it was a sign of taking pride and care in what you’re doing, but I’m pleasantly surprised that it in fact represents more.
It’s become a tradition that at the start of every year, PechaKucha HQ sends out a massive newsletter looking back at the previous year and highlighting 20 achievements — I used to put these together along with the rest of the team. This year’s edition — which you can read online here — is a fantastic list of 20 things that PechaKucha was involved in, that helped make the world a better place. Very proud of my old PechaKucha family on this one.
What does it take to start a business in Japan as a foreigner? Elizabeth Mueller did the research, and put together this incredibly clear and detailed guide to all of the steps you’ll need to cross in order to make it happen. It also features interviews with my buddies Mark McFarlane (Tacchi) and Chris Palmieri (AQ), as well as lovely illustrations throughout by Adrian Hogan.
Really great ad by Nissan revealing the matter-of-fact care and professionalism you tend to see in everyday work life in Japan. I showed this to my wife, and to her, she didn’t really see what was so special about the ad, which I think supports the premise of the ad. The ad is part of the following campaign.
I was really upset that I had to miss last week’s Néojaponisme joint at the SO+BA gallery — it was to be my first DJ stint, dammit — but I am glad to hear that it turned out to be a great NJ lovefest. And now time to point you to the site today for a new podcast, as “Tobias Harris of Observing Japan and [Marxy] hit Showa Era-themed izakaya Hanbey for some Hoppy and discussion on Japan’s status as a liberal democracy.”
During his recent visit to Tokyo, Patrick Macias sat down with Marxy at a discount tonkatsu shop, and they then proceeded to record for Neojaponisme a talk on, among other things, the state of the Japanese recession and current yankii culture. I give you, The Tonkatsu Tapes.
Could Ikebukuro be getting its very own Chinatown?
A plan by some Chinese store and restaurant owners to create a community named “Tokyo Chinatown Ikebukuro” to promote interaction with their local Japanese neighbors is getting a negative reaction.
What’s the problem?
There has been trouble between Japanese and Chinese businesspeople over problems such as garbage disposal due to differences in lifestyle and language. Since the establishment of the preparatory committee, Chinese managers voluntarily collected waste material on several occasions around Ikebukuro railway station.
Oh, and this:
The possibility of criminal groups including the Chinese mafia coming to Ikebukuro is a source of concern for some Japanese.
I’m of course interested because I live in Ikebukuro. Read the rest of the piece here.
No, that’s not an idol video, or at least it’s not sold that way. The video is from a DVD series by record label Avex called Miteru Dake (Just Looking). As you can see, it features girls — pumped-up breasts and all — just, well, looking. The idea is that it’s for shy men, to practice looking girls in the eyes. Via Japan Probe, but read more at Clast.