December 2008

Yoji Yamada to start new project

By CJ • December 27, 2008

Studio giant Shochiku announced this week that legendary director Yoji Yamada will begin work on his next film in mid-January. “Otouto” tells the story of one foolish brother (the word “otouto” in Japanese means younger brother) and his warm and caring older sister.

King copra

By CJ • December 23, 2008

MAJURO – The continually hot and dusty conditions found on the Marshall Islands’ capital of Majuro can be rough on the interior of any …

Keitai’s ring, ‘no vacancy’ signs glisten, in Tokyo’s winter wonderland

By Kazutaka Shimanaka • December 21, 2008

“I was surprised — from early afternoon there wasn’t a room to be had anywhere,” the man in his 40s, who works in his …

Sex shops cop out on ‘naitei’ arrangements for class of ’69

By Kazutaka Shimanaka • December 18, 2008

When it rains, as the saying goes, it pours. Not only are proper companies backing out of naitei (informal agreements) to hire university grads …

Social hygiene getting outfoxed by the pox

By Kazutaka Shimanaka • December 16, 2008

“Considering that syphilis infections spread relatively easily, those who contract it tend to have a low awareness of their condition. I wouldn’t be surprised …

Kabukicho conundrum

By CJ • December 15, 2008

Recent police crackdown on sleaze that has shut a large swath of sex clubs

Looking toward 2009: What to (s)expect in the year to cum

By Kazutaka Shimanaka • December 12, 2008

What’s the latest news from the commercial sex business? Only a magazine like Spa! (Dec. 16) could touch on such a topic with a headline like “Nookie-pedia 2008.” Well actually it’s “Nuki-pedia,” the term nuki being a slang term akin to “getting off.”

Recession sends sex-service rags reeling

By CJ • December 10, 2008

Economic data released this week showed that Japan has entered a downtown that is deeper than initially feared, and even an industry once thought to be nearly recession-proof is feeling the pinch. The stagnation has caused clubs and shops offering adult entertainment to shut their doors, resulting in a slump in advertising sales for publications catering to such establishments.

Koma Toho shutting its doors

By CJ • December 6, 2008

Bidding farewell on New Year’s Eve, offering special screenings

There may be a yucky story behind your hot oshibori

By Kazutaka Shimanaka • December 5, 2008

One winter evening, investigative reporter Hirokatsu Azuma used a steaming hot oshibori (hand towel) to wipe his face. Looking in the mirror the next …