“Mandan” comic Ayanokoji Kimimaro (52) has admitted stealing some of his best gags. Several jokes were taken directly from a compilation of contributions from real office workers put together by Dai-ichi Seimei insurance company. Kimimaro has re-released last year’s best-selling CD and book with the “second hand” material edited out. He has been entertaining middle-aged fans for years on the comedy circuit but grabbed headlines last year when a live album sold a whopping 750,000 copies. His style of comedy is rarely seen on Japanese TV but is much closer to western stand-up than the popular “manzai.”