Popular model Ayumi Takahashi busted for drugs, police tipped by association with gangster

TOKYO (TR) – Earlier this week, popular model and DJ Ayumi Takahashi was arrested for violation of the cannabis control law, reports Sankei Shimbun (Aug. 31). Read more

Moe Yamaguchi divorces husband following arrest for illegal Tokyo hostess club

TOKYO (TR) – Three months after her husband was arrested, actress Moe Yamaguchi has filed papers for divorce proceedings, reports daily tabloid Sponichi (Aug. 31). Read more

Tokyo police to investigate talent agency over Shimada’s ties to gangsters

TOKYO (TR) – Shinsuke Shimada’s admitted ties with members of organized crime via former boxer Jiro Watanabe have prompted the Tokyo Metropolitan Police to investigate Yoshimoto Kogyo, the television personality’s agency, reports daily tabloid Sponichi (Aug. 30). Read more

Tokyo talent agency office for Taiyo Sugiura damaged by debt-collecting Yamaguchi-gumi member

TOKYO (TR) – A member of a gang group was arrested last week after inflicting damage at the offices of a Tokyo talent agency in while in search of money lent to the father of actor Taiyo Sugiura, reports Nikkan Gendai (August 27). Read more

Shunga anthology hits shelves, offers new look at erotic art from Edo

TOKYO (TR) – Shunga is a form of erotic woodblock-print art popularized in the Edo Period (1603-1868). For a glimpse at these works, publisher Heibonsha last month released Ofer Shagan’s “Encyclopedia of Japanese Erotic Art,” reports Nikkan Gendai (Aug. 23). Read more

NPB players shunning high-end soaplands for extra-inning erotic endeavors

With the pennant races heating up, now is the time for NPB players to be at their best. Yet a feature in Shukan Taishu Venus (August 23) explains that the serious stick-playing begins after each game’s last out — albeit in a fashion that is more discreet than in days gone by.

In Tokyo, heavy hitters used to swing their bats in expensive soaplands in the Yoshiwara brothel district, and that is still true to some degree. “There’s a player with a bancho attitude that comes around,” says a beat writer with a sports paper. “He is a legend for using shops as his post-game shower room. He’ll play with three girls, no problem.”

However, a Yoshiwara street tout tells the tabloid, “We don’t see players come and play here as much as we used to.”

A fuzoku writer — that is, one who covers the sex trade — says that players are tending to use deri heru (delivery health) escort services as a means of discretion. “Since you can use your own hotel,” the source says, “there is no risk of fans or paparazzi finding out. SM clubs seem to be quite popular these days.” Read more

Osaka in 24 hours

OSAKA (TR) – As Japan’s third largest city, Osaka offers a mix of modernity and traditional touches: culturally important structures, culinary delights, interesting art — it’s all here. What follows is a guide to this city for a single day’s stay.

08:00: Osaka may be considered Japan’s second city in many ways but when it comes to urban sprawl it has just about as many flashing neon signs, packed trains, and towering skyscrapers as that found in Tokyo. For an idea of how things used to be, start your day by heading over to Osaka Castle, nearly an oasis of serenity in the center of this city of 2.6 million people. Around the grounds, paths wind beneath cherry trees, near the moats, and up to the imposing stone walls that surround the structure. Osaka Castle Museum includes displays that feature the history of castle, which was originally constructed by warlord Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1537-1598), elaborate samurai armor and helmets, and a top-floor observation deck. The area surrounding the compound also offers no shortage of vendors peddling grilled mochi (rice cakes) wrapped in nori (seaweed) and piping-hot red bean cakes. Read more

Stressed-out damsel in distress takes a spill, recovers quickly

“I’d been going with this guy for four years, and breaking up with him came as a huge shock to me. I climbed aboard my motorcycle and headed for the Sea of Japan.”

So then off zips an anonymous female contributor to the June issue of Ai no Taiken Special Deluxe, as introduced in Shukan Bunshun (Aug. 11-18).

Unfortunately, while negotiating a sharp turn on a lonely mountain road, she took a spill. But just at that moment, a man appeared in a car.

“‘Are you hurt?’ he asked me solicitously. ‘Let me give you a lift.’

“He took me to a nearby hotel and we checked in. At some point we both leaned toward each other and kissed, and it seemed completely natural for me to invite him into my room. He was so sweet and gentle that any worries I might have had were dispelled. Read more

Nighttime in Hakodate

(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, August 19, 2011)

Tour through Sapporo’s red-light district of Susukino

(Photo by Tokyo Reporter, August 18, 2011) Read more

Next Page »