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It's been a while since the last issue but I'm determined to get
a second issue out this month. I've had problems with the Japan
Forum section of the web site and so decided it was as good a
time as any to upgrade. I think you'll find the new program a
lot better.
The campaign against the government's new privacy laws and the
so-called "juki net" system has been gathering steam. Teikyo University
has been caught doing what Japanese business seems to do best.
And we had some serious typhoons through here.
In sports, Japanese golfers have been reaching new heights and
several soccer players have reaped the benefits of a good World
Cup. Yokohama Marinos are still dominating the J-league and Brazilian
Zico is the new national team manager. And it looks like we might
have to put up with yet another season of bragging by Yomiuri
Giants fans.
Meanwhile the stars have been busy getting married, getting divorced,
getting sick and, sadly, committing suicide.
Mark McBennett
Webmaster, Japan Zone
Contents
1. Japan Zone Updates
2. What's going on in Japan
3. Sports news
4. Gei-noh news
5. Links we like
6. Unsubscribe
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1. Japan Zone Updates
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Our new Japan Forum system is leaner and meaner than the old BBS.
You can create your own profile with photo or avatar, and there
is a ranking system depending on how many messages you post. The
Forum also has its own internal email system, and you can leave
instant messages for other members. Anyway, it's all pretty cool
so check it out:
https://www.japan-zone.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi
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2. What's going on in Japan
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NOTE: Due to time and work constraints, from the next issue on
I won't be covering news anymore. If you want to keep up to date
with what's going on, try one of these sites:
Japan Today: http://www.japantoday.com
News On Japan: http://www.newsonjapan.com
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General
The country was ravaged by two major typhoons in the space of
a week in mid-month. The typhoons caused several deaths and flood
damage in various regions, particularly in Gifu Prefecture, though
here in Tokyo we were spared the worst of it.
Employees of Mitsui & Co have admitted their involvement in the
bid-rigging of projects connected with arrested lawmaker Suzuki
Muneo. Suzuki has been indicted for cooking his books, and his
aides have admitted taking bribes in the millions of yen from
a timber company for lobbying on their behalf.
Amid the current economic and dot-com slump, Yahoo! Japan are
planning to double their workforce over the next couple of years.
With profits almost doubled this year, the company feels the need
to expand.
68-year old yachtsman Horie Kenichi completed his second solo
trans-Pacific journey, 40 years after becoming the first Japanese
to accomplish the feat. Horie sailed from Hyogo Prefecture to
San Fransisco in 68 days.
Chinese diet supplements have been in the news recently since
it was found that several women died and other became seriously
ill after using them. A health ministry report said that more
than 520 women who used the pills have been reported ill.
The Emperor and Empress went on a two-week tour of Europe that
took them to the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Hungary.
The royal couple were warmly received in each country.
A report has shown that there was a 16-fold increase in child
abuse cases between 1990 and 2000. Police dealt with 1,574 cases
last year, again up more than 17% from 2000.
Triumph, a women's underwear manufacturer has launched a scheme
to pay the family of some 400 employees 30,000 yen if they promise
to give up smoking. Fellow workers who catch them smoking and
report them can cash in on a 10,000 yen reward.
A recent survey showed that about 45% of Japanese high school
girls have had sex. The number for junior high school girls is
just over 9%.
Yet again, a diminutive Japanese has beaten local giants in the
annual 4th of July hot-dog eating contest in Coney Island. Kobayashi
Takeru downed 50.5 franks in just 12 minutes to beat his own record,
putting on more than 7 kilos in the process.
Open less than a year, the Tokyo DisneySea resort has already
welcomed its 10 millionth vistor.
Government
The goverment's plan to assign each citizen an 11-digit ID number
is set to go into effect on August 5th. But a recent survey showed
that over half the population don't know about the plan and three-quarters
of those who do think it's a bad idea. Leading the campaign against
the plan is former newsreader Sakurai Yoshiko, who says there
is no grass-roots support for the idea and it is simply another
example of bureaucrats abusing their power. The system is known
as "juki net" (resident registry network) and is also referred
to as "sebango", meaning the number worn on the shirts of sports
players. In this case, the number will be added to each citizen's
koseki (family register) and kept in a central database. Though
fears of invasion of privacy have been voiced, the real problem
is that the existing koseki system is itself already open to such
abuse.
The Foreign Ministry punished 13 officials, though some say too
leniently, over the asylum-seeker incident in China in May. Minister
Kawaguchi Yoriko has also appointed eight of the ten outsiders
she promised to put in ministry posts, in an attempt to root out
corrupt career bureaucrats.
A cash for favors scandal involving admissions to Teikyo University
led to the dismissal of a Senior Vice Minister at the Health,
Labour and Welfare Ministry. The university had also been accepting
huge sums from parents before deciding admissions to its medical
school. As a result, government grants have been cut and the university
has been fined 8 billion yen.
Writer turned Nagano Governor Tanaka Yasuo (46) decided to resign
and run for re-election after a vote of no confidence had forced
him into a corner. He still enjoys popular support in the prefecture
but has angered many vested interests with his decisions to cancel
dam construction projects. Even supporters have been frustrated
with his failure to come up with alternative proposals.
Tanaka Makiko, already suspended from the ruling LDP for two years,
spoke before the House of Representatives ethics council. It was
the first time such a meeting had been televised live. Tanaka
denied that she had misused salaries paid to her aides, but admitted
that there had been some accounting mistakes.
A set of four bills dealing with the creation of a public postal
corporation and private mail delivery services was passed in the
House of Councillors. A set of medical reform bills was also passed
by the upper house, including one that means that salaried workers
will have to cover 30% - up from 20% - of their medical costs
from next April. The latter decision sparked a mini riot of lawmakers,
with former pro wrestler Onita Atsushi stepping in as "bodyguard"
for besieged commitee chairman Abe Masatoshi.
There was controversy over plans for a new 10-billion yen embassy
in Moscow. The plans included a heated swimming pool and a tennis
court, the latter being dropped after complaints by opposition
parties.
A Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper poll revealed that 82% of Japanese
people don't trust politics or politicians.
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3. Sports news
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Baseball
Ichiro may have had the most votes for the All Star game, but
he was much less impressive than in last year's game, failing
to get a hit (he is still batting around the .360 mark for the
season). Seattle teammate Sasaki Kazuhiro was also guilty of giving
up a lead in the seventh inning. The game was eventually called
a tie in the 12th, bringing a shower of abuse on commissioner
Bud Selig. The Japan All Star Series was also tied, but at one
game apiece and with both games producing a lot of excitement.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/suzuki_ichiro.shtml
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/sasaki_kazuhiro.shtml
The Yomiuri Giants are doing a good job of taking the fun out
of this season. They currently lead the Central League by 9.5
games, with perennial rivals the Hanshin Tigers in second. The
Tigers would probably be happy to finish in that position after
four years in the cellar. But after such a bright start to the
season, their fans still hope for something special. The Seibu
Lions lead the Pacific League by a healthy seven-game margin.
Soccer
J-League Chairman Kawabuchi Saburo was promoted to the top spot,
succeeding outgoing President Okano Shunichiro. And taking over
the helm of the national team is former Brazilian star Zico (Artur
Antunes Coimbra). The 1982 World Cup hero has been involved with
the J-League since its inception in 1993. Kawabuchi has long been
a fan of Zico, until recently a technical director of the Kashima
Antlers club.
Yokohama F Marinos still top the J-1 table, despite losing star
midfielder Nakamura Shunsuke to Reggina of Italy. The club remain
unbeaten in the first stage and are two points clear of second
place Jubilo Iwata. The surprise team at the moment are Kyoto
Purple Sanga, currently fourth.
Joining fellow countrymen already playing in Europe, Suzuki Takayuki
has left Kashima Antlers to join Belgian champions Genk. Suzuki
scored the first goal against Belgium in the World Cup.
Other Sports
Up and coming sumo star Asashoryu (21) became the first Mongolian
to reach the rank of Ozeki (Champion), though he didn't manage
to win the summer basho (tournament). That honor went to Ozeki
Chiyotaikai. The "Wolf Cub", protoge of the great "Wolf" Chiyonofuji,
had his first yusho in three and a half years. Meanwhile Yokozuna
(Grand Champion) Takanohana has been issued a "fight or retire"
ultimatum by the Sumo Council after sitting out his seventh basho
in a row with a leg injury.
Golfer Maruyama Shigeki was happy with his share of fifth place
at The Open in Scotland, despite having the sole lead at one point
on the final day. He feels he is getting closer to his aim of
winning a major. Veteran Sugai Noboru became the first Japanese
to win the Senior Open a week later.
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4. Gei-noh news
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Endo Shouzo (31) and TV personality Chiaki (30) have married.
Chiaki is one of the more irritating people on TV, with a high-pitched
voice and fashion sense that make her seem like she should be
in elementary school.
Actress Togawa Kyoko (37) was found hanged in her apartment. A
member of her agency found her after she had failed to turn up
for work. The reason for the suicide remains unknown and no note
was found.
Pop singer Amuro Namie (24), who ruled the J-Pop world in the
mid-90s, has divorced her husband of five years. Amuro and Sam
(40), a dancer with the group TRF, who are on the same Avex label,
have a son. It is rumored that Amuro showed no interest in the
upbringing of her son, preferring to concentrate on her career.
The Iranian entertainer commonly known as the "Aspara Man" was
arrested for overstaying his tourist visa. Khalili Far Ebrahim
(35) has been in Japan on a 90-day visa since 1991. He is well
known from his appearances as the moustachioed muscleman in the
Aspara drink TV commercials. He started his TV career after finishing
third in a national body-building contest.
Due to an illness, rock group Mister Children have cancelled all
concert tours and other projects for the rest of the year. Vocalist
Sakurai Kazutoshi (32) was admitted to hospital with suspected
brain infarction. Fans of the band were looking forward to their
tenth-anniversary tour.
Hokkaido rock group GLAY, who had been a bit quiet recently, announced
that they will play to 60,000 fans in Beijing in October, making
it the biggest rock concert ever in China. The band have also
been appearing in a JAL TV commercial for flights to China. In
the Japanese entertainment world, everything is connected.
More Bits and Bobs
Pop duo Puffy, on tour in the US, were not very warmly received
by local press, who said they sounded like Beatles rip-offs and
their lyrics couldn't be understood.
The Shibuya area of Tokyo was taken over by SMAP for the launch
of their new album "Drink! SMAP!".
Actress Toyota Mayo (35) and movie director Aoyama Shinji (38)
have tied the knot after a romance of just over a year.
Also married were former idol singer Asaka Yui (32) and her boyfriend
of 14 years drummer Nishikawa Takahiro (39).
Former sumo wife Fujita Noriko has sued scandal mag Friday for
1.65 million yen for publishing damaging photos.
Acid-tongued TV personality Dewi Sukarno (62) is said to have
evaded taxes on some 130 million yen in income.
Watanabe An (15), the daughter of actor Watanabe Ken (42), is
to be the poster girl for this summer's high school baseball championship.
Actress Imai Miki (39) and her husband, guitarist Hotei Tomoyasu
(40) have had a baby girl.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/hotei_tomoyasu.shtml
Marc Panther (31) of the pop group globe has also become the father
of a baby daughter. It was announced at the same time that he
had married in early May.
Recently divorced, by mutual consent, was TV presenter Tsunoda
Kumiko (32), who appears on the "Zoom In! Sunday" show.
Nippon TV's music show "THE Yoru Mo Hippare" is to finish in September
due to low ratings.
Four Leaves, one of the first idol groups and the first major
success from the Johnny's Jimusho talent agency, have made their
first recording in 25 years. The group was formed in the early
1960s and broke up in 1978. The four members range in age from
49 to 53.
Actress Tanaka Misako (41) is five months pregnant. She is married
to Fukasawa Kuniyuki (34) of the comedy duo Take 2. Also in the
family way, for the second time, is Kudo Shizuka (31), wife of
SMAP heart throb Kimura Takuya (29).
Popular actress Kikukawa Rei (24) was given the dubious honor
of being named this year's "Natto Queen".
Tashiro Masashi, the comedian and singer recently indicted on
both drug and indecency charges, has - surprise, surprise - published
a book, appropriately titled "Jibaku" (Suicide Bomb).
Fukada Kyoko (19) is to star in "Dolls", the first romantic movie
to be made by Kitano Takeshi.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/kitano_takeshi.shtml
Singer Noguchi Goro (46) is suffering from "shiawase butori",
putting on weight due to a happy married life. So much so that
he can't wear his wedding ring anymore. A likely excuse!
Illusionist Hikita Tenko, often rumored to be engaged to Jean
Claude Van Damme, is to build a magic-related theme park in Yamanashi
Prefecture in 2005.
The Miyazaki Hayao animated movie "Sen to Chihiro..." has become
a big hit in South Korea, seen by 560,000 people in the first
ten days.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/miyazaki_hayao.shtml
Popular model/actress Igawa Haruka (26) is to appear nude in her
stage debut, "Hakana".
Domoto Tsuyoshi (23) of the duo Kinki Kids and Yamaguchi Sayaka
(22) are said to have broken up. Also going their separate ways
are former idol Higashiyama Noriyuki (35) and TV Asahi presenter
Takeuchi Emi (25).
In the Heat of Passion
Rumors of a romance between young actor Kubotsuka Yosuke (23)
and "gorgeous" Kano Kyoko (39) has the media in a frenzy. Then
again, the glamorous Kano sisters do know how to stir up publicity
and Kyoko does have yet another photo book coming out, so...
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/kano_shimai.shtml
Downtown's Matsumoto Hitoshi (38) and busty TV celebrity Yuka
(22) make an interesting couple. She's been seen leaving his apartment
while the pair have been spotted at the Tokyo DisneySea resort.
She has denied the relationship.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/downtown.shtml
The romance between kabuki actor Onoue Kikunosuke (24) and actress
Esumi Makiko (35) may be getting closer to marriage as she has
hinted at retirement from the gei-noh world. Actress Miyazawa
Rie (29) and soccer star Nakata Hidetoshi (25) have been spotted
at a hotel together.
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/miyazawa_rie.shtml
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/nakata_hidetoshi.shtml
Kusano Mitsuyo (35) a presenter on the "Chikushi Tetsuya News23"
show is said to be having an affair with writer Koyama Kundo.
Yoshioka Hidetaka (32), who made a name for himself as a child
actor in the Tora-san movie series, is romantically involved with
actress Uchida Yuki (26).
Oricon Daily Single Chart (July 28th)
1. Hamasaki Ayumi - Independent/July 1st/Hanabi (Triple A-side)
2. Morning Musume - Do It Now
3. Mister Children - Any
4. GLAY - Mata Koko De Aimashou (Let's Meet Here Again)
5. Shaka Labbits 175R - Stand By You!!
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/hamasaki_ayumi.shtml
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/morning_musume.shtml
https://www.japan-zone.com/modern/glay.shtml
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5. Links we like
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Tokyo Food Page
The Tokyo Food Page restaurant guide is the only bilingual source
for unbiased, expert advice on where to eat and drink in Tokyo.
http://www.bento.com/tokyofood.html
Wine Shijo
If you're in Japan but just can't seem to find good wine, try
this online source. I'm not much of a wine drinker myself, but
this seems pretty comprehensive. Oh, and they sell cigars, too.
http://forume.wineshijo.com/
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6. Unsubscribe
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