2008 August | The Tokyo Reporter

Ominous rumblings on the love hotel front

By Kazutaka Shimanaka • August 11, 2008

Annual trade show exhibited plumbing, fixtures, amenities and other accouterments for the nation’s love hotels

John Woo’s ‘Red Cliff’ to open Tokyo fest

By CJ • August 7, 2008

Organizers for the 21st Tokyo International Film Festival announced yesterday that Hong Kong director John Woo’s “Red Cliff” will kick off the event on October 18th.

Pachinko parlor owner sticks to his nails

By CJ • August 6, 2008

TOKYO – Yoshimasa Ono puts the compilation cassette into the stereo underneath his counter. It is a mix of oldies (“I’ve Got Rhythm”) and …

Donning the robe

By CJ • August 6, 2008

YOKOHAMA – As incense emanates from a few ceramic pots, Buddhist priest Gakushin Tsujimoto settles back on the tatami mat of Renkeiji, the temple …

New Yoshiwara soapland targets lusty middles

By Kazutaka Shimanaka • August 6, 2008

Sex businesses must constantly come up with creative new promotional ideas

The pachinko player

By CJ • August 5, 2008

YOKOHAMA – His slender and tall frame quickly slips down one alleyway after another just outside the West Exit of Yokohama Station. He scans …

Shochiku adds animation

By CJ • August 5, 2008

TOKYO – Readying more robots for battle.
Japanese film giants Toei and Toho probably cast nervous looks over their backs in September, when film-distribution and …

New book of taxi tales relates exciting excursions and ribald rides

By Kazutaka Shimanaka • August 4, 2008

Since earlier this year, when scandal broke out over taxi drivers’ cozy practice of according special hospitality to members of the bureaucracy — resulting …