Hiroshi Saito and Michel Lebon

Modern Tokyo Times

Tokyo lifestyle is an amazing experience for Tokyoites, tourists and expatriates. The wealth of choices and things to do are boundless in this mega-city. Another amazing feature is that unlike many famous international cities in the world, this ultra-modern capital is extremely safe compared with certain no-go areas in parts of London, Paris, Los Angeles, and so forth, which all have zones of danger. Therefore, the Tokyo “magnet” keeps on drawing people to this fantastic city because of the richness of the lifestyle.

If individuals adore fashion then the choices are endless in this high octane city. The first recommendation is Omotesando because this part of Tokyo shares the same “fashion hub” which belongs to Aoyama, Harajuku and Shibuya. The sheer size of this enormous “fashion hub” is a wonder to behold.

In Aoyama and Omotesando you will find the crème de la crème of fashion companies and of course Harajuku and Shibuya are equally blessed with some of the finest boutiques to be found in the world. The main difference is that while Harajuku and Shibuya have a noticeable youthful angle which endears teenagers and young adults, the Omotesando and Aoyama angle is mainly based on sophistication.

In saying that, the backstreets of Omotesando are also blessed with independent boutiques which cater for young adults. This especially applies to the casual angle and the power of American fashion mixed with Tokyo fashion can be felt richly. However, the main emphasis in Omotesando and Aoyama applies to the age group between the middle of the twenties to the early forties. Of course, individuals who are younger and older are fully catered for despite the above age group being the target area.

Indeed, the sophistication of some of the boutiques and high price ranges in Aoyama and Omotesando – means that purchasing power of the most exquisite designer clothes is the main focus and not specifically the age group. Of course, this will exclude the target angle being teenagers within the main areas which are blessed with adorable boutiques of extreme quality. Therefore, more mature adults will have ample opportunities to buy adorable items and purchase other top quality fashion goods in Omotesando and Aoyama.

The electric vibe of Omotesando is most noticeable because it is a place to explore and enjoy. Omotesando Hills and Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku (Omohara) have altered the landscape of old Omotesando. However, both fantastic malls cater for fashion lovers and other areas related to lifestyle in Tokyo.

One major feature of major cities like Tokyo and Osaka is the reality of anime and otaku culture. In Tokyo you have many fantastic places to visit in order to fulfill your anime and otaku love affair. One essential shop to visit is Mandrake which is the number one company in Japan for secondhand items related to anime, manga and otaku culture. This company can be found throughout Japan.

Mandrake (http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/en/) caters for magazines, hentai comics, art books, cosplay, photography, Bishojo figures, Yaoi doujinshi (brand new and second hand), and a host of other areas. The CEO of this company commented that “Our mission is to take over the world using manga and otaku things” While Mandrake can be found throughout Tokyo and Japan, the store in Nakano in Tokyo is special because of its history related to this vibrant company.

Another fantastic company to visit is Animate which is located in Ikebukuro. Indeed, Ikebukuro fashion is also fantastic. This notably applies to fashion malls including Lumine, Esola, Marui, Parco, Tobu Department Store and Seibu Department Store. Also, you have other areas which focus on casual fashion therefore Ikebukuro is awash with fashion companies catering for many different styles.

Turning back to Animate then Patrick Macias in The Guardian (UK newspaper) states that Animate is“specifically catering to female otaku.”  He further comments that the “Eight floors are mostly populated by otaku teens and young adults, and filled with the requisite anime goods and merchandise, but the real selling point here is the large selection of homoerotic-themed manga and novels from the “boy’s love” genre, a popular and influential subculture within a subculture.” 

Animate (http://www.animate.co.jp/) also appeals because unlike the relentless hustle and bustle of this scene in Akihabara, this store is a treasure by itself within a vibrant fashion district in Tokyo. The angle of catering for female otaku is also an added bonus along with selling products which cater for otaku fans in general.

Overall, it is clear that Tokyo lifestyle is extremely diverse and this article only delves into a small area of life in Tokyo. However, Tokyo lifestyle is blessed by the reality of fashion and otaku culture irrespective if this angle appeals to individuals or not. Without such a vibrant fashion and otaku culture then Tokyo wouldn’t be the same place.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to both main writers of this article

All fashion images taken by Modern Tokyo Times.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Hiroshi Saito and Michel Lebon

Modern Tokyo Times

Ikebukuro is a thriving part of Tokyo which continues to blossom in the area of fashion, commerce and being a perfect base to reside for people who enjoy buzzing districts. It may lack the sophistication of other major parts of Tokyo like Ginza, Harajuku and other powerful districts like Aoyama. Yet, this district moves to its own beat and when it comes to fashion then very few districts in Tokyo can outdo this vibrant commercial hub.

The transportation links and easy access to other major parts of Tokyo is also worth considering. After all, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Ueno and Ginza are all within easy reach. Similarly, quiet districts like Komagome and Edogawabashi, which are blessed with adorable gardens, are only six to eight minutes away by train.

Indeed, while the central areas of the west side and east side are extremely busy in Ikebukuro, this soon changes because within a relatively short time you are in the suburbs of this district. This reality means that the pace of life changes quickly. Yet this aspect of Ikebukuro is often ignored by individuals who only know the vibrant central parts of this district. Equally important, the price of real estate is much more reasonable when compared with other major parts of Tokyo.

Also, for people travelling from Saitama then it is very difficult to ignore the power of Ikebukuro. Many major train lines link Saitama prefecture with Ikebukuro. Not surprisingly, the location of this district means that Ikebukuro train station is one of the busiest in Japan.

The cultural angle is well served by the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Japan Traditional Craft Center and other aspects. Clearly, Ikebukuro isn’t on a par with Ueno when it comes to cultural places to visit. In saying that, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space is a relaxing place to visit and the program is very busy in the area of entertainment. Likewise, if you adore crafts then the Traditional Craft Center sells many adorable products.

Fashion wise, then Ikebukuro comes into its own because you have so many amazing department stores to visit alongside independent fashion stores. Stores which must be high on your list if you adore fashion include Lumine Department Store, Seibu Department Store, Tobu Department Store, Esola, Marui and Parco. Also, within the station environment on the west side you have lovely boutiques to visit near the Fukutoshin Ikebukuro train exit. Other places to visit include the Sunshine City complex, Tokyu Hands, Big Camera and Junkudo which caters for a wide array of goods.

If you adore animation and manga then Ikebukuro is well served. This notably applies to major stores like Mandarake, K-books and Animate. Also, powerful doujinshi products are sold which target the female market. Cosplay is also part of the subculture of Ikebukuro in selected areas. Therefore, you have a nice “raw edge” to other aspects of Japanese culture within this district.

Overall, if you adore fashion, a fast pace lifestyle and “a more raw part of Tokyo” then Ikebukuro will certainly appeal to you. Like mentioned before, you also have quiet districts within a relatively short walk and the cultural side is catered for. Similarly, if fashion is your cup of tea then Ikebukuro will certainly appeal to you. In this sense, Ikebukuro will appeal to a broad spectrum of individuals based on its own unique vibe within the vibrant city of Tokyo.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to both writers

Modern Tokyo Times fashion images

http://www.esola-ikebukuro.com/

http://orizzonti.co.jp/category/actuel/

http://www.barbie-stores.com/

http://www.bluebellmarket.net/index.html

http://www.palgroup.co.jp/brands/doudou/

http://www.turnojeana.jp/

http://www.frees-mart.com/index.html

http://m-muriel.jp/index.html

http://www.elleva.jp/

http://www.frame-works.co.jp/index_n.html

http://blog-s.frame-works.co.jp/ Spick and Span official blog

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com 

James Jono and Hiroshi Saito

Modern Tokyo Times

The Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, was adamant that Bill 156 would stem the tide of extreme sexual depictions of children in Japanese anime and manga. Other individuals countered that Bill 156 would infringe on artists and other forms of freedom by enforcing censorship throughout Tokyo. Therefore, both sides were extremely divided by the new measure which was introduced last year on July 1, 2011.

More than one year later in 2012 and it is clear that Bill 156 is either currently ineffective or that individuals with enforcement powers don’t believe that Bill 156 is being violated. Either way, the bullish comments about clamping down on extreme images of minors which can be found in some areas of Japanese anime and manga, appears not to have been materialized.

The Daily Yomiuri, one of the most powerful newspapers in Japan, commented in their article titled “No manga banned by Tokyo as too racy” comments that “One year since Tokyo’s youth protection ordinances were revised to prevent the sale of anime and manga containing extreme sexual content to minors, not one publication has been deemed unfit for consumption.”

“Ryokichi Yama, head of the editing ethics committee at the Japan Magazine Publishers Association, which has more than 90 domestic publishers among its members, said the Tokyo government has not applied the new standard to any publications because it is cautious.”

Shintaro Ishihara believes differently because according to him individuals who are in the trade related to sexual images, stories, graphics, and so on, are acting more responsible. Therefore, Shintaro Ishihara states that “Writers and publishers have started using common sense when it comes to publishing books.”

This statement appears rather mild given the comments made by Shintaro Ishihara prior to the enactment of Bill 156. More than likely, both sides have responded in a mutually beneficial way which will maintain the vibrancy of Japanese anime and manga. After all, racy anime and manga can easily be bought in Tokyo and given the mass complexities of regulating a vibrant industry then maybe the “economic impact” is also infringing on a clampdown? If so, this begs the question of enacting Bill 156 in the first place.

It must be stated that many artists, individuals who adore the sexual nature of Japanese anime and manga, organizations which support the freedom of speech and a host of other areas voiced their opposition to Bill 156. The reasons are varied but the main central theme is “civil liberties” because artistic freedom is essential in all societies which are modern. Also, it is argued that the extreme nature of parts of Japanese anime and manga are based on “fantasy,” “connecting to a-make-belief-world” and natural escapism. Therefore, the viewers clearly understand that the images they are watching are nothing more than manga, anime and harmless erotica. This implies that it isn’t depicting reality and given this fact it is complex to clampdown against unreality.

The ordinance passed by Shintaro Ishihara was aimed at sexual scenes related which depict rape, child marriage, sexual abuse of minors, incest, and other areas of concern. Supporters of Bill 156 believe that safety measures are needed in order to protect children and society from sexual predators. However, do individual who watch sexual anime and manga scenes go on and abuse children? This once more relates to Japanese anime and mange being based on fantasy characters and not real life images of children. The gap is enormous and clearly children are abused sexually all over the world but to point the finger at Japanese anime and manga would be extreme.

Also, the ordinance only applies to Tokyo and this in itself highlights that if Bill 156 was regulated tightly then local business in this area would just relocated to Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba. It takes roughly 11 minutes by express train or semi-express train to reach Saitama prefecture from Ikebukuro in Tokyo. Likewise, you can reach Kanagawa very quickly from Shinjuku by using the Odakyu Line and so forth. Therefore, even if Bill 156 was effectual it would not be solving anything – if anything, it would be spreading the problem to other areas.

In a past article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “Also, what if you buy animation which depicts rape, incest, and the abuse of minors, from an online company based in another part of Japan?  Will this also become illegal?  If so, then what measures can prevent packages from containing the newly banned material and if individuals download their new purchase online then are they breaking the law? “

International organizations point the finger at Japan but more than likely Japanese crime rates and abuse against children will compare favorably with any nation in the world. Also, in Saudi Arabia it is legal under Islamic Sharia law for old men of 60 years old and even older, to marry young girls of 8 years of age and 10 years of age. This also happens in other nations which abide by Islamic sharia law. Therefore, which is worse?

In Japan it is clear that young children are protected by Japanese law from being forced into marriages which they don’t understand. This is in stark contrast to nations like Saudi Arabia and Yemen where state sanctioned Islam allows children to get married to old men. Therefore, are nations claiming that child marriage in Saudi Arabia is leading to an epidemic of child abuse in this country?

Japanese anime and manga is based on fantasy, escapism, and other aspects, and clearly you have a very creative angle to the characters involved, even if people don’t agree to the context. If you had a firm link between child abuse and rape in the real world then artists would come under great pressure in Japan. Yet, unlike the reality of Saudi Arabia and child marriage, it is clear that Japanese anime and manga is based on “unreality.”

Therefore, the best solution is for a compromise between both parties and not to force this situation underground because this would be more dangerous. Also, if Tokyo began to take legal action against artists involved in making anime and manga, then this could open up “a can of worms” related to other subjects.

http://www.costume-designer.info/page/4

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120702004395.htm

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Grave of the Fireflies is a very moving animation film which focuses on the innocence of children and the brutality of war.  It is a film which blends into reality and it is easy to forget that it is an animation film because the two main characters are full of humanity and you feel their huge highs and tragic lows at all times.

In many ways I believe that Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka) is in a class of its own because from start to finish you can see the reality of war.  More important, it is not overtly sentimental from any nationalistic point of view and it does not portray victor or vanquished in any harsh light.

Instead it based on the strong bond between brother and sister and how they both try to endure the reality of war but not losing their childhood glee from rare moments of joy and fresh hope.

The film was written and directed by Isao Takahata and it was produced by Shinchosha, while production work was done by Studio Ghibli. The animation film is based on the novel by Akiyuki Nosaka which shares the same name. Nosaka fuses the novel with the reality of what happened to him and his family during this tragic period but changes the theme and direction of the two main characters.

The Grave of the Fireflies was intended as a heartfelt and sincere apology to the author’s sister who tragically died from sickness. This fact is clear because the passion of the characters and how the events unfolded could only have been written and expressed by someone who experienced such wrenching times.

Full credit must be given to Isao Takahata because even grown adults will do well not to cry or to feel the tragic loss near the end when the plot unfolds.

Also, Isao Takahata shows the simple beauty of nature and the animation reminds us of a time when the simple things in life offered so much and this is often lost in today’s world of commercialization.

More intriguing, is that this animation film does not have to turn to any ideology or to provide evidence of who is right or wrong.  Instead, it is about two young children who are fighting against terrible adversity and how moments of rare treasure lights up their world.

The film also highlights the innocence of civilians and when people focus on anti-German sentiments or anti-Japanese sentiments during this period of history; it is worth remembering the millions of innocent Japanese and German people, and all other nationalities in a multitude of conflicts, which have been brushed aside by historians or the media.

Yes, we know that innocents are always killed in war but this film focuses on the inhumanity of war and of human nature.  For the adversity that these two children face is not just the threat of allied bombings and the destruction that unfolds; but the film also shows the inhumanity of other family members who cared little about these two children. It also highlights the neglect of the Japanese people by their own government who could not understand the reality of what had befallen the people of Japan.

The film is based on the pre-teen Seita and Setsuko, his younger sister, and how he strives to protect her once they become orphaned.  From the start you see Seita in Sannomiya Station and he is dying of starvation and in a terrible condition.  Then a janitor just prods Seita and throws out a candy tin containing what he holds dear because inside the tin was ashes and bones.

After this the spirit of Setsuko and Seita are released and a cloud of fireflies can be seen.  From this starts the story and Seita’s spirit then narrates the tragic events which unfolded during this brutal period and you have a flashback to the Kobe fire-bombings and the ending of World War Two.

Straight away the symbol of America’s power can be seen and this applies to B-29s and while the children escape, their mother who is already sick is injured severely during the bombing raid and shortly afterwards she dies from terrible burns.

Now their world is turned upside down but Seita focuses his energy on protecting Setsuko.  Their options are now severely limited because they have been abandoned and they are in the midst of a brutal war.  Therefore, Seita hopes to find solace with their aunt but in time she turns out to be a cold hearted lady and instead of feeding and caring for the children, she forces Seita to sell many things and in time the only thing left is a small tin of fruit drops.

The tin of fruit drops often props up in the film and the coldness of their aunt turns into major resentment and clearly she believes that Seita and Setsuko are a burden.  Therefore, they leave and move into an abandoned bomb shelter and for light they find fireflies and fill their dark world with the beautiful light of nature.

However, the beautiful life of nature dies quickly and Setsuko is mortified when she finds out that all the fireflies have died.  Their brief moment of joy ends all too quickly and Setsuko painfully asks Seita why the fireflies had to die and why her mother had to die.

Now their life is full of despair and anguish but Seita remains strong despite the light of Setsuko fading all too quickly.  Seita is now forced to steal crops and loot abandoned homes during fresh bombing attacks but once he is caught then the desperation he faces grips him and in one last throw of the dice he takes Setsuko to see a doctor.

However, just like the American bombers which did not care about life and death or just like the Japanese military which did not care about the innocents they killed; then the same inhumanity and hopelessness is found in the doctor because he offers no solution or compassion.  The doctor just ushers in a blunt statement that Setsuko is suffering from malnutrition and he provides no comfort or remedy.

Seita then hears about Japan’s unconditional surrender but for Setsuko the darkness of death is getting closer.  When Seita returns to the shelter he finds Setsuko hallucinating because she thinks that she is sucking on fruit drops and despite Seita’s deep care and love it is all too late because Setsuko dies of starvation.

After this Seita cremates Setsuko, the sister he cherishes and cares deeply about, and he puts her ashes into the fruit tin which he carries and this, along with a photo of his father, and the memories of his mother; is all that remains of a life which is soon to fade because his candle is now very weak.

Then turning back to the train station where the story began you can see the emaciated body of Seita.

At the end you see the two orphaned children but the spirits of Seita and Setsuko are no longer skin and bones and filled with pain. Instead they are reunited and dressed in nice clothes and they are looking down on the city of Kobe.

This animation film is viewed by many to be an anti-war film but like any film you will have different interpretations.  I myself believe it is about the tormented soul of a writer who witnessed so much pain and anguish and that the Grave of the Fireflies is about the struggle that he faced.

When turning to the bigger picture it is clear that you had countless numbers of Seita’s and Setsuko’s who witnessed the brutality of this period.  Therefore, the war theme is obvious but the animation film focuses heavily on the darkside and coldness of human nature and not just the war.

It is not for me to say what the real meaning is or is not; instead if you have never seen this animation film then I recommend that you put this on your list.

Yes, this animation film is not new; however, it is a classic and timeless and not only this, it reaches the heart unlike other films. The brief highs are fantastically high but the lows are full of heartache and the film reminds us of the brutality of World War Two and the continuing struggle which rages in many modern day nations.

More than this, it highlights two innocents who are caught up in a tragic adult world and how inhumanity is not only at the drop of a bomb, but also within families and communities.

Grave of the Fireflies will always stay with many people because of the passion that it unleashes and because it focuses on the reality of life in dark times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwubNTA56HY&feature=related　

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2zq7V89vhc　 (very sad scene)

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com　

http://moderntokyotimes.com　

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Reality or unreality? Child or Adult?

Shintaro Ishihara, the Governor of Tokyo, remains adamant that Bill 156 is a step in the right direction in stemming the tide of extreme sexual depictions of minors in Tokyo.  Therefore, the anti-Anime and anti-Manga Bill will come into complete effect on July 1^st but elements began prior to this date.

Many artists, individuals, organizations and people in Tokyo are against the new measures  because  they claim that it is a threat to civil liberties and that it will hinder a vibrant sector.  However, others support Shintaro Ishihara on the grounds of protecting minors and because of other important factors.

The ordinance which was passed by the local government in Tokyo claims that regulations are needed in order to safeguard minors.  This applies to animation scenes which depict rape, incest, child marriage and the sexual abuse of minors.

However, if the ordinance only includes Tokyo then it seems rather strange because Saitama Prefecture is only 11 minutes away by train from Ikebukuro and within around 18 to 19 minutes you are in Kanagawa from Shinjuku.  Similarly, Chiba is not so far away from Ueno therefore if the entire region is not included it appears rather limited and open to be manipulated.

Also, what if you buy animation which depicts rape, incest, and the abuse of minors, from an online company based in another part of Japan?  Will this also become illegal?  If so, then what measures can prevent packages from containing the newly banned material and if individuals download their new purchase online then are they breaking the law? .

Before people point the finger at Japan it should be stated that child marriage of minors aged from 8 or 9 years of age to very old men in Saudi Arabia is allowed (also applies to other nations). Therefore, will outside pressure be put on nations which implement Islamic Sharia law in countries like Saudi Arabia and Yemen which allow child marriage based on this legal system? 

Which is worse?  Child marriage of children to very old men in nations like Saudi Arabia or animation which is not based on reality? 

Shintaro Ishihara can’t please everyone because it is a very emotional topic in certain circles. However it is clear that explicit animation and manga generates a lot of capital and the creativity it unleashes also crosses over into other areas.

Already restrictions have been put on six titles and the new ordinance is preparing other titles which will face the same problems.  Aki Sora, Oku-sama wa Shōgakusei, Lovers & Sharing, Koibito 8-gō, Hana-Hiyori, and Midori no Kisetsu, are the first to feel the act of this bill.

The final consequences remain unknown but with the closeness of other prefectures it is clear that nothing is what it seems.

It is also clear that this problem will be brought up again in the new future and much depends on the determination of people against the bill because the policing of this new bill will not be easy given the reality of mass communications and the sheer size of Tokyo

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Source of main photo from http://www.costume-designer.info/page/4