Video: Comedian Joe Hanson visits Japan

Also, James, welcome back, you have been missed….

What’s with the dog meat reference? Was it meant to be ironic and a joke at Americans who cannot tell their “Asians” apart?

I think the whole thing of looking like a shocked albino wears thin quickly and where his porn star stuff is quite funny because the balance of power is different, his Japanese stuff looks like he is taking cheap swipes at a weaker victims.

On one hand I am amazed that any “official” tourism agency would go with it; but then on the other the JTA is notoriously bad at selling Japan. What comes across overall is the usual lack of originality … “Bizarre Japan” = sumo, ninja, tea ceremony and maid cafes (jeez, I’ve forgot what else he covered already it was that immemorable).

Who exactly are they trying to appeal to … and have they ever done any demographic studies of the kind of people who come to Japan and actually spend money here?

If they’re looking for a new byline, how about:

• Japan: it’s like Asia but where the prostitutes won’t have sex with you
• Japan: they hunt whales and dolphins but at least the beer’s cheaper than Norway, or

• Japan: where people are so polite and respectful you’ll never guess they all hate you, and not expect tips either!