Man's Worst Nightmare

(from http://www.engrish.com/)

and yes...English is taught in Japan from grade school....

Good Work is Hard to Find These Days

Yes please.

(from Engrish.com)

Good Stuff

Tantakatan. It's a Japanese shochu drink that has a shiso flavor to it. Everyone should try it if they can find it.

Japanese Binocular Soccer

80's Japanese television; a comedic renaissance. Bring back the real estate bubble!

Forget Jishuku (自粛)! Just Get Drunk!..and look at some flowers while you're at it.

The earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown trifecta has devastated northeastern Japan, but more damage could be done to Japan's future due to the Japanese being too damn respectful. The Japanese psychology tones down to bereavement mode after such disasterous events where many perish.  It's called Jishuku.  The word itself is difficult to define in English since it's a very Japanese thing.  Basically, the Japanese do not want to be out galavanting and enjoying themselves when there is so much pain and suffering.  It's out of respect.  However, walking around in doom and gloom mode could kill off small businesses and hurt the Japanese economy.



A group of sake (not sa~ki~) brewers from Iwate created a series of Youtube videos to plea with the Japanese public to get on with and enjoy life.  Japan is in sakura (cherry blossom) season when, usually, hordes of party seekers get together under the sakura trees to eat, drink and sing karaoke (regrettably).  But the sour mood caused by jishuku has caused the Japanese to refrain from these gatherings.  This is killing the sake business in this most difficult time.

Come on people, find the nearest cherry blossom tree, park your arse right under it and start drinking sake!!! Okay Okay, you can sing too if you have to.

BTW - the video features the brewer of Nambu Bijin, a particularly delicious sake.  They sell this stuff in the States too, so pick some up and drink to Japans health!

Hooters Tokyo...mm hm...

Tokyo now has a Hooters....as if the typical Japanese salaryman needed another distraction.



Where did they find all the girls from Caucasia? Hope they're all still there to cheer on the Japanese work force; there's rebuilding to do!

The Cows Came Home!

Yomiuri Shimbun reported a story about some cows that came home....AFTER being swept away by the massive tsunami that devasted northeastern Japan.

(from Yomiuri Shimbun)

After hearing the evacuation calls, Yuto Atsumi, a dairy operator, rushed his apprentices to higher ground but returned in an attempt to save his 34 cows.  Not having enough time to take them all to the evacuation zone, he removed their neck chains and released them in order to give them a fighting chance.  He prayed for their survival as he witnessed the tsunami sweep them away.

Miraculously, some of the cows started showing up at the evacuation zone within a couple of days. Some were washed 5 kilometers away, where neighbors provided feed and water to the injured cows.  14 of the 34 cows survived the harrowing ordeal. The cows licked Mr. Atsumi's face as he hugged each of them.

I think I'll have the chicken, instead of beef, tonight.

Jackie Chan Donates.....His Net Worth!

(from Sankei Shimbun)

Sankei Shimbun reported that the Hong Kong Kung Fu movie star, Jackie Chan, was donating his entire net worth (estimated at approx. $300 million) to relief efforts in Japan.  Jackie also stated that he will not leave an inheritance to his son, Jaycee Chan (ouch).

Jackie's Japanese fans, throughout the 80's and 90's, were responsible for catapulting him into stardom.  Stars all over the world talk about giving back without really doing anything significant (selfish publicity stunt)...but this is one hell of a give back.

Shuwa-chan

The following is one of my favorites from the past.  I love how Japanese marketers can talk Hollywood stars into doing stupid things.



Maybe the Governator thought no one outside of Japan would see this.  Youtube rules.

If Can, Kan. No Can, No Kan.



The leadership of Prime Minister Kan during this nuclear crisis has come into question.  Aside from what many view as his inability to handle the situation, he seems to be missing in action; Instead, delegating the important work of speaking directly to the Japanese people.


from fencer-x.livejournal.com

 It seems that many in the western world mistakely think that the government spokesman, Yukio Edano, is the prime minister.  This guy has been on TV constantly, day and night, informing the public of the ongoing developments in the nuclear crisis in a cool and collected manner.  He's been on TV so much, there have been calls by the Japanese public asking Edano to go get some sleep.  A new lexicon, "Edano-ru",which means "doing the Edano", has emerged among the Japanese to describe staying up all night working or not getting any sleep.  Someone, give this guy pint of Guinness and a pillow!










Phrase(s) of the Day - How much is this?

English

How much is this?


Japanese

これ、いくらですか？: Pronounced "kore, ikura desuka?". Ikura means "how much", and sounds similar to ikutsu, which means "how many" or "how old".

TEPCO's Hiring!! Anyone? Anyone? C'Mo~n

Below is a recent job posting on Japans Hellowork employment system......

(from Hellowork website) 

For those that can't read Japanese, the following is a summarized English translation:

Job Category:     
Worker (Fukushima 1 and 2 Nuclear Facilities)
Job Description:  
Work involving inspections, machinery, electric, welding, scaffolding.
Compensation:      
Daily 9,000 to 11,000 Yen (approx. $100 to $130)
a. Average monthly compensation is approximately 189,000 to 231,000 Yen
(approx. $2,300 to $2,800)
b. Other compensation

a + b = 189,000 Yen to 231,000 Yen

c.  Misc. (Vacation, overtime, etc) 8,000 Yen (approx. $95)

Two grand!!! Maybe we should give the CEO of TEPCO a couple water buckets and send him over to Fukushima so he can go earn his pay. The radiation may help him grow some bullocks. What do you think?                                      

Originally found this on http://blog.livedoor.jp/sronomoto/archives/51284010.html

Japanese Comedy King

Ken Shimura was/is a famous comedian in Japan.  Some of his funniest stuff originally aired in the 80's and 90's.  This is classic...

Rats leaving ship

From Kyodo News

Chinese man turns himself in seeking deportation over nuclear fears

NAGASAKI, March 27, Kyodo
Police on Saturday arrested a 48-year-old Chinese man, who turned himself in to Nagasaki prefectural police seeking deportation due to his fears about the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power station, for illegally staying in Japan, police officials said.
Lin Jian Ming is suspected of remaining in Japan beyond the allowed period of 90 days after arriving on June 8, 2000, the officials said.The man came to the Nagasaki prefectural police headquarters on Saturday afternoon, telling them that he lived in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, but had fled to Nagasaki to escape the nuclear power plant crisis and wanted to return to China, the officials said.
Lin has told police he arrived in Nagasaki a week ago.
 An investigative source said the man may have thought that he would be safe from radioactive contamination from the plant in northeastern Japan if he came all the way to Nagasaki in southwestern Japan. Chiba Prefecture in eastern Japan is located about 200 kilometers south of the Fukushima plant.
The devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11 crippled Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Buy your own damn ticket.

Phrase(s) of the Day - What time is it (now)?

English

What time is it (now)?
Japanese

今,何時ですか？: Pronounced "ima nanji desuka?". Nanji means "what time?".