Agejo

Goodbye yamamba and those Gothic freakish looking Harajuku girls. The word that’s causing a fizzle and sweeping J-land at mo is agejo. One can describe it as a kinda tribe of young women seen as having pale skin, large dewy eyes and loud long Barbie-type hairdos. You’ll see them around Shibuya and Shinjuku at lot. These type of gals existed already since I’ve been here in 2005, just look at the bio of Ayumi Hamazaki and were popularised and dubbed today by model agencies, fashion magazines and nightclubs. Most will immediately label them as hostesses, which men find erotic and pretty and who wouldn’t, right? In fact, you’ll find agejo falls between the professionals and amateurs and some may be a student that goes to a uni who works as a hostess at night to pay her tuition.

Although all these may sound derogatory, the word, believe me, is classified favourable here especially to teens and fashion-minded women.

TMC or otherwise known (worldly) as Toyota

One major industry that Japan is really proud of is its automotive industry. But with the global recession, what does the future hold for トヨタ自動車株式会社, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki-gaisha or in short, TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation)? There’s enough been said about companies and consumers tightening their belts so I won’t dwell on it too much. And it’s true, no one has really benefited from it all but the fact remains, Toyota is still, let say to a certain extent, ichiban, believe it or not? It’s still far better than GM or Chrylser. Admittedly, it’s down in sales, import and especially export-wise, one can only imagine the knock-on effect should Japan’s no. 1 automaker falls. It’ll be insurmountable! My father-in-law for instance will be out of a job.

Those who can remember, Toyota introduced a strong 'work ethic' namely kaizen (improvement) and it has reinforced its financial health since then. They’ve developed eco-friendly hybrid cars and became the leading developers of eco-technology. Amidst to its breakthrough, the US hit rock bottom and the carmaker faces its first major losses in many years. Times are tough (and it’ll get tougher) and recovery will take time and that’s why Toyota’s motto of ‘going back to the fields’ means going back to our roots really means a lot to the J-peeps. That’s one of the reasons why they’ve decided (and with much debate) to make Akio Toyoda, grandson of the carmaker’s founder, next president of TMC.

Although times are changing, Toyota isn't really moving with it and nepotism isn’t dead and buried, and gone to heaven yet. J-peeps embrace it and believe going back where it all began will help them in times of trouble. At least, that's what this automaker believes.

V-day in J-land

Not Victory Day! It means Valentine’s Day. Being in J-land, the J-peeps seem to abbreviate things like there is no tomorrow for instance, the word 'remote control' becomes remocon. It's cute in a way.

V-day is somewhat unique and a huge thing in J-land. Women will stay in queues at department stores for ages just to get some chocolates for their male counterparts or paramours. Let’s face it, marketing plays a big, big part of it. J-women give gifts usually chocolates: honmei choco to their man or other half/partner (someone they are serious about) and giri choco (obligatory chocolate) to their colleagues and superiors. I remember spending a fortune in getting roses, chocolates, V-cards, and some new undies (you never know) and for a candlelit dinner on this day in Richmond, London. But here, the J-men usually don’t have to do anything. And again don’t be fooled and be tempted to indulge yourself with all the sweeties coz it all comes in with a price. When 14th March comes which is notably called White Day = howaitode (a confectionery that sells marshmallow probably gave all the hype and promoted this day) men who received V-chocos from their female friends and coworkers are expected and will then reciprocate with small gifts which is usually double the price of what they got for V-day.

I don't know which is better to get chocos or not on V-day. But one thing is for sure nothing in life is free if we really think about it.