Archive for October, 2009

Aki Yashiro turns into a dark-skinned foreigner

A Japanese TV shows uses make-up artists to turn enka singer Aki Yashiro into a Black American woman named Kia Shiroya (a re-arrangement of the syllables that form Yashiro’s name). It is all part of an elaborate prank they will play on fellow enka singer Shin Koda, who will be judging an amateur karaoke contest together with the “foreign” judge.

Clip #1

The first clip starts with her transformation. To test the effectiveness of the disguise, they have her go to Harajuku and walk down Takeshita-dori. Nobody recognizes her, and apparently some of the Africans loitering around in the street think she is beautiful and try to pick her up.

At the venue for the karaoke contest, she introduces herself to Shin Koda. He doesn’t seem to know it’s her.

Clip #2

After judging a few fake contest entries, Kia offers to sing some Aki Yashiro songs. Koda is expecting her to sing in English, so he is stunned to hear her sing in Japanese exactly like Aki Yashiro. Some of the audience members seem like they know it’s really her, but Koda still thinks she is a foreigner. She sings a second song, after which he is further amazed at her singing ability. After the song, she starts speaking Japanese and the Koda finally realizes he’s been fooled.

[hat tip to stears]

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Side note: If her voice sounds familiar, it might because you heard it in a Boss Coffee commercial w/ Tommy Lee Jones:

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Bizarre Japanese barber

“Nanikore Chin Hakkei” discovers a barber in Nagano Prefecture who offers some very strange premium cuts:

His knife cut costs 7,875 yen and he apparently has two or three customers a month who choose that option. He also offers a “UFO” vacuum cut for the same price and a fencing cut for 10,500 yen.

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Dogs jump rope, ride bicycles

A couple fun/cute commercials for DoggyMan dog snacks:

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Lost in Translation?

A short clip from a TBS News report about crack dealers in the United States shows that Japanese subtitles sometimes fail to capture the beauty of certain English phrases:

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Father weighs in on the quality of medical care for disabled children in Japan

Craig Morrey, the American father featured in the recent CNN story, has left a comment on Japan Probe providing details that were not included in Kyung Lah’s report. Here is what he has to say about the quality of medical care available for his disabled son:

I appreciate the attention and passion this one line has created, but perhaps you should try to walk a mile in my shoes- so to speak. Kyung Lah’s comment about the care was directly related to what I told her. It has nothing to do with being foreign. I don’t think it was even intended as a slight.

I readily admit some aspects of the Japanese system are better (ex all car companies have separate line of handicapped cars – for the elderly), but on the whole the conditions could be much, much better.

Yes, we get a subsidy to offset some costs, but money can’t buy something that is not available.

Consider a few facts:

National insurance covers 3 home nurse visits per week (1.5 hrs)- if there are sufficient providers available- there are not. Most will not allow the parent to leave the house for shopping, etc.

One of the few handicapped school/ hospital/ care facilities in Aichi has exactly 1 pediatrician on staff for 2000+ patients. The average caseload for a PT is 200+ . There are virtually no private therapists for children as it is not economically viable compared to the elderly.

There is no “day care” available for medically fragile children, ie. requiring a nurse’s care. Other prefectures might have more, but most places require the parent accompany the child at all time. The legal definition is also an obstacle.

The closest facility for a short stay (another Prefecture) has 4 beds being used by 70+ parents. Reservations must be made 3-4 months in advance. There is 1 other facility in Nagoya which is in danger of being closed or downsized for financial reasons.

Most prefectures don’t even have a dedicated children’s hospital. Should a spot in a long-term facility be available (personally not an option), it could be anywhere in Japan.

There are few support/advocacy/ NPO groups. Organizations like United Cerebral Palsy do not exist

There are less than 10 specialists in swallowing therapy for children in all of Japan. Virtually all lodging facilities have one.

We were never once approached by a counselor, nor was it even suggested by another doctor.

The list goes on. It is the same for Japanese people.

Unfortunately, the news media needs to streamline stories and stay on message. Investigative journalism has gone the way of the dinosaurs- especially TV.

Yes, there are some minor mistakes, but nothing egregious. Our case is so complex I get confused.
I would have preferred not to be linked to the Savoie situation because it is completely different. As sad as it seems, our story would probably not have been considered newsworthy without it though.

It shouldn’t detract from the failings of the system for Japanese and foreigners and the need for an international standard (not necessarily the Hague). Forest for the trees.

I am grateful to Kyung Lah as she was trying to help.

P.S. I will be trying to get the “whole” story out on our website http://www.ForeverYourFather.com. Please pass it along. Spencer’s Dad

Morrey is taking online donations through his website, so please give money if you want to support his cause.

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Flying Panties Make for Hypnotic Anime

It’s beautiful, and you can’t deny that.

This surreal sequence brought to you by the anime Sora no Otoshimono (That Which Fell from the Heavens).
[via Kirainet]
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Contributor Bio: Claytonian blogs and vlogs about Japan, language, and news at The Hopeless Romantic.
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