Massive Earthquake and Tsunami Hit Japan

As we were waiting for news about the Japanese MMA promotion Jewels, we were alerted via tweets from martial artists and related groups that the event was canceled due to a massive earthquake.

Now that some time has passed and more information has been uncovered, it appears damage has been terrible and the loss of life great. The 8.9 quake is the largest earthquake on record for the country. Many of the hundreds of deaths seem to have occurred due the tsunami caused by the earthquake that hit off the coast of east Japan. Right now Japanese authorities are responding with all their resources and the world, including the United States, is offering and sending support.

We will continue to keep up to date on the tragic situation via NHK World and BBC News, and of course, we wish Japan a speedy recovery.

For obvious reasons the Jewels event was canceled. We hope all involved are in good health.

The Enigma of Gender Roles in Japan and the Takarazuka Revue

In my opinion, despite all the media that it exports to America and the whole world, Japan’s cultural personality is very hidden and confusing to even the well educated. I guess it is hard to really apply our sociological imagination, or our ability to connect the dots between group and individual actions and motivations, to a different culture like Japan.

The greatest difference that always seems at the forefront in my thought is American individualism versus Japan’s sense of duty, collectivism, and strict norms on public behavior. Another is the competitiveness and inflexibility of their educational system. There is also the perception of widespread xenophobia and racism in Japan, which may annoy or infuriate a Japanophile and make the idea of relocating very troubling.

Though these differences are great, I believe that one of the greatest areas of misunderstanding deals with the personality traits of Japanese women in a country seemingly defined by strict patriarchy and media portrayals of women that seem incredibly shallow compared to even Hollywood standards.  The stereotypes, ranging from the hyper super cute anime character to the shy, “better seen not heard” student, worker, or wife,  contrast  greatly against the dynamic roles often played by and lived by men in movies, business, and politics.

One recent example I discovered, which both entertains and illustrates just how much I don’t know about this area, is the Takarazuka Revue. The Takarazuka Revue is a theater company composed of an all female cast which was started in 1913 as a sort of response to there being no women in Kabuki (traditional Japanese all-male theater). Since its inception, the Takarazuka Revue has become a huge hit and draws millions of fans. Read more »

“Meggings” Are a Rising Style in Japan… Maybe Aoki Was on to Something

Japan is no stranger to “interesting” fashion choices, and this is no exception really. Leggings for men, or as some like to call them “meggings,” have apparently been circulating around European fashion, but now according to Japan Probe, they are a hot item amongst the male 20 to 30 something crowd in Tokyo.  Basically long underwear coming in a variety of patterns, they’re usually worn under shorts or capris (another thing you don’t see men wearing very much). Check out some examples in the video after the jump. Read more »