Middle aged men fuel revival of plastic models
Fifty years have passed since Japanese companies started selling plastic model kits, and FTV has reported on how middle aged men looking to relive their childhood hobby have caused a small boom in the industry:
The report begins with Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba describing his love for plastic models. Ishiba started making plastic models when he was in elementary school, and he has continued his hobby without shame for 45 years of his life. He claims that his hobby allows him to memorize the weapons systems used by many countries, knowledge that is apparently very important for individuals in charge of national defense. Plastic models can be found in his office, and a few unfinished models sit in boxes on his shelf. (Unfortunately, he’ll have to complete them somewhere else, since he lost his position in yesterday’s cabinet reshuffling.)
The next part of clip is about the Tamiya PlaModel Factory, a special shop that recently opened in Yokohama. The shop caters to middle aged men who seek a special work space in which to create plastic models without angering their wives. The PlaModel Factory provides tools, airbrushes, and a special photography area.
The report interviews Kunihiko Hisa, a cartoonist and plastic model hobbyist. Hisa’s house is littered with plastic models, and another building he owns is completely filled with them. His wife has pretty much given up on stopping his hobby.
Actor Takuzo Kadono is also featured in the report as a plastic model hobbyist. In an interview, Kadono says that he began making plastic models again after traveling to a toy store with his son and discovering that the hobby of his youth was still around.
