Chikara Kamimura, 44, manager of club Proud, a soapland (erotic bathhouse) in the Fukuhara district, was written up for violating the Child Welfare Law. The girl utilized a 21-year-old friend’s driver’s license during the application process.

More sophisticated means, however, are being utilized by middle and high school girls wanting to gain employment in the fuzoku (commercial sex) biz.

Teruhiko Aoyama, a fuzoku writer, says that special establishments termed gizo-ya (forgery shop) are now specializing in producing fake identification documents. “The number of young girls in the deri heru trade has increased in recent times as a result,” says the writer, referring to sex services operating on an out-call basis.

Aoyama adds that the companies will place ads on the Internet clearly indicating that they can assist minors in obtaining work in the fuzoku biz. “While the forgeries are being prepared the companies will also offer advice regarding how to handle the interview, such as remembering the Zodiac sign for the age of impersonation.”

How are the fakes produced?

“The easiest counterfeit documents to make are health cards, as they do not require photographs,” says Aoyama, adding that a scanner and an original card are all it takes to churn out a quality fake in a snap. The market price for such a service is 100,000 yen.

Perhaps ironically, if a student identification card is presented on the spot an installment payment plan can be arranged. There are also forgers who will counterfeit driver’s licenses but the process is more laborious and the price averages 200,000 yen.

“Either way,” Aoyama says, “the girls will be able to pay back the amount in no time.”

Shukan Jitsuwa knows of a former fuzoku-jo (working gal) who earned roughly 350,000 yen a month after presenting a faked health insurance card when she was 17 years old.

What can the clubs do to protect themselves?

“Over concerns about being caught, I’ve become nervous,” says a Shinjuku deri heru club operator. “To combat fake health cards, I had requested the candidates bring in school graduation albums. But there are even shops now capable of faking those. It’s a tough business.” (K.N.)

Source: “Fuzoku-jo tei nenrei ni katan suru gizo-ya,” Shukan Jitsuwa (May 31)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

For its November 3 issue, the weekly tabloid profiled the Osaka-based Nationwide Organized Crime Relationship Certification Association, which performed background checks on firms or entities to expose any possible ties to crime syndicates.

It seems, however, that the association was up to a fair bit of criminal activity itself. On May 2, investigators with the Osaka prefectural police arrested Akira Tanaka, 57, and two others for attempted fraud.

Investigators believe that the association was attempting to profit from the recently passed anti-gang legislation anti-gang that started on October 1 and prohibits ordinary citizens from doing business transactions with gangsters.

Starting last autumn, the association sent documents to individual company owners and shops in an attempt to solicit members. The modus operandi was something like a pyramid scheme.

The fee to join was 10 million yen, which allowed members the ability “to share data on boryokudan” (or organized crime) groups. Profit could then be made by getting others to join the association.

Individual investigations were sold as tickets priced at 1,000 yen each. “An investigation would be carried out by the association and a report provided that simply gives a yes or no designation regarding the targeted entity’s involvement with organized crime,” says a company president who was approached by the association.

In Shukan Jitsuwa’s interview with the association last fall, it claimed that “the assessments (of the companies) are sourced from individuals associated with the police” and is not a form of fraud. The association wound up using the resulting article as a form of promotion for its business.

“In reality, the association did not conduct any assessments and had no connections to the police,” says a reporter from a newspaper covering the domestic beat. “Needless to say, it could not verify a targeted entity’s involvement with organized crime. It was simply looking for ways to collect money.”

Representatives from the Osaka prefectural police were understandably upset in having been seen as supporters for the association. “We have never given away the personal information of private companies,” a spokesperson tells the tabloid. “We will penalize severely for this fraud using the name of the police.”

Gangsters, too, are feeling violated.

“The reason you have this type of fraud is that yakuza groups are targets,” says a person associated with a gang. “We are also upset: Since we cannot take action, as that would possibly be scrutinized under the law, we want the police authorities to take care of this matter.” (K.N.)

Source: Yappari tekihatsu sareta boryokudan to keisatsu wo tekinimawashita bohaijoreichin shobai,” Shukan Jitsuwa (May 24, pages 227-228)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

A man in his 40s, claiming to be a writer and critic of topics related to education, raised concerns about the 28-year-old former AV actress — now a mainstream entertainer in China — maintaining a high-profile presence on Twitter.

With the large-breasted Sora having had starring roles in the fantasy-horror click “Big Tits Zombie” and the psycho-sexual thriller “Revenge: A Love Story,” it seems plausible that the objector was taking such a stance due to the risk that adolescents may have access to provocative content, but this appears to not be the case.

“People on the Internet are making a big deal out of this issue,” says a writer specializing in online media. “As the record shows, this man was requesting that Aoi, via multiple accounts, connect, or follow, him on Twitter.”

With the micro-blogging service, users are able to update their whereabouts and activities, with their followers making comments on such postings. If the interaction is between friends, that is, users who mutually follow one another, communication can be achieved, but given that Aoi has over 325,000 followers, there is little chance for substantial correspondence by her with people unknown to her.

Nonetheless, the educator made demands on a daily basis: “I am a fan of yours; please follow me,” “Please consider following,” “How’s work? Your English is getting better. Please follow me,” and, in the end, he wrote in English, “Please follow me.”

After being neglected, he took legal action.

“On the Internet, many said it was simple retaliation (for him being rejected),” the same writer is quoted. “Through research, it was discovered that he had been making similar requests to Toru Hashimoto, Michiko Shimizu, and other celebrities, and was also being disregarded.”

The man then explained in vain that he made the requests in order to find out what actually happened regarding Aoi being singled out in a controversy that surfaced in China.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television in April demanded that satellite televison stations prohibit controversial personalities, including Aoi, from appearing in programming.

To lend support to the actress, fans at a soccer match in Guangzhou on April 17 combined their affection for the actress with support for a separate set of controversial outcroppings in the East China Sea. The group raised a sign that read: “The Senkaku Islands belong to us; Sola Aoi belongs to the World” — a reference to the disputed land masses that Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara said he would like to purchase during a think tank forum in Washington D.C. the day before.

Online users, upset about the litigator’s demands, utilized the educator’s blog and Facebook page to expose his work background and residential address.

Shukan Jitsuwa chalks it up to being a middle-aged man checking in on the cool kids. (A.T.)

Source: “Ninki AV joyu Aoi Sora no tsuittaa ni kamitsuta, jisho ‘shosetsuka’ ken ‘kyoiku hyoronka’ no doki ha sakaurami,” Shukan Jitsuwa (May 10-17, page 265)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

Located in the ground floor of high-rise apartment building in the Kujo area, the 69-seat Cine Nouveau theater last year screened a selection of soft-core porn films, some from within the “roman porno” genre established by venerable studio Nikkatsu four decades ago.

“Most of the works shown at this movie theater are independent films, documentaries, projects reflecting social issues, or other pieces containing artistic elements,” says a reporter for a local paper. “A porn piece was shown as part of commemoration to a screen writer. The management association responsible for the building then objected when that screening was run in parallel with a project to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the porn genre created by Nikkatsu.”

“Porn movies are not appropriate for a residential area,” a resident of the apartment building is quoted.

“The theater should halt the showing of porn if it considers itself to really be dedicated to fine art,” says another tenant.

The theater’s management has been struggling to find a way to resolve the situation. “While the screening to commemorate the screenwriter didn’t attract any negative reaction,” manager Noriko Yamazaki says, “claims mounted when the word ‘porn’ appeared explicitly (as in the Nikkatsu features).”

It looked like both sides would reach a compromise, but that has not been the case.

Earlier this year, the issue was brought to the courtroom. While the plaintiff is clearly the building’s management association, the matter is complicated.

“Because I am also a member of the association, the cost for the lawsuit is coming from our rent,” says a staff member of the theater. “Therefore, money I am paying is being used to sue me. It’s nonsense.”

The plaintiff’s arguments demand that adult-oriented films not be shown, screenings cease by 9 p.m., and posters not to be visible.

Experts, however, question whether all factors are being considered. “Roman porno is a tool to learn the background of today’s leading movie directors as well as what social issues were pertinent in that particular time in history,” says film critic Satoshi Takahashi. “Some works actually among Japan’s best films. It may be too old-fashioned to simply judge all porn to be perverted.”

Can porn be a piece of art? Shukan Jitsuwa leaves that up to you, dear reader. (A.T.)

Source: “Jimoto ninki gekijo ga roman poruno joei ni hinan gogo,” Shukan Jitsuwa (April 26, pages 206-207)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

Takao Sekine, 33, of the Odakyu Electric Railway company, was arrested on March 21 by the Kanagawa prefectural police for violating youth protection statutes.

“Sekine allegedly caressed a high school girl’s breasts and lower body on December 25, Christmas Night, while they were on an out-of-service train car bound for Shinjuku from Shin Yurigaoka,” a writer from the domestic affairs section of a newspaper says. “He designated the time to meet up with this girl whom he got to know via an online dating site. He invited her to ‘take a discrete ride on an out-of-service train,’ and had the girl hop on at Shin Yurigaoka Station.”

His actions, however, were anything but discrete.

“A staff member who witnessed the girl getting into the train reported to the deed to a supervisor. A record showed the time when the doors closed — solid evidence that he was misusing his position at work. Further, a few eye witnesses filed reports from Mukogaoka Station and Noborito Station, both of which are places where the train tends to slow down.”

While Odakyu was consulting with law enforcement regarding potential penalties, Sekine’s behavior escalated.

“On December 26, the next day, he engaged in another sexual act with the girl at a karaoke parlor. He also took the girl to a hotel on January 26 in Shinjuku,” says the same writer.

“My intention was to keep her in safe custody as she said she had just run away from home,” Sekine was quoted by Odakyu immediately after the incident on the train in December.

Shukan Jitsuwa, however, finds this to be a pathetic explanation. (A.T.)

Source: “Shasho no kaiso densha waisetsu hakkaku,” Shukan Jitsuwa (April 19, pages 196-197)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

Perhaps with the tax deadline of March 15 in mind, the 23-year-old adult video (AV) actress, formerly known as Hina Kurumi until she debuted under her current handle in February of last year, utilized Twitter in late February and early March to convey her income and some of the downfalls in being a porn actress to her fans.

As Hina Kurumi, under which she starred in such AV features as “Max Girls 6″ (she in “8″) and “School Days,” the actress picked up 6,381,500 yen between December 15, 2007 and July 15, 2009. Over a similar time period, from October 15, 2010 to February 15 of this year, she performed under her present name, whereby she deftly delivered the goods in a cage scene in “Deprived of dark desire: A woman and daughter in despair,” and her income nearly doubled to 11,853,000 yen.

Sana’s best month was August of last year, when she was the subject of uncensored filming and pulled in a whopping 3,120,000 yen. Of that accumulated 18,234,500 million yen, she estimates that 3,930,000 yen remains as savings.

After making her porn debut, Sana was forced to retire from making appearances on television variety programs, for which she made about one-quarter her current monthly wage in AV.

Of course, there are concessions, including frequent spats with her mother. Sana divulges that the mental state of the average AV actress is not exactly an example of stability. “For a few million yen at best, I get men aroused with my body,” she writes. “Putting those images onto a DVD for the purpose of sales, that’s my job. Women are turned into products in the the lowest, worst way. To be loved does not come first.”

Sana adds that general uneasiness and antagonism from family members are part of being an AV actress.

Shukan Jitsuwa wonders if it is all worth it, noting that her average salary per month (380,000 yen) over her four-year career is roughly equivalent to that of an office worker.

“In conclusion, working only for money won’t last long,” she says. “The money will always disappear. The important thing is is to find a desirable job.” (K.N.)

Source: “Gyara wo bokuro shita AV joyu no ‘shogai chingin,’” Shukan Jitsuwa (April 5)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police on February 14 busted a massage parlor for offering sexual services dispensed by the feet of female attendants.

Officers from the peace preservation division of the TMD took managers Masashi Ono, 66, and Seiji Aramaki, 46, and one other employee affiliated with Ashizeme Club, located in the Ueno district of Taito Ward, into custody for violating the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses.

According to police sources, the club offers private rooms and is staffed by over 20 women, whose treatments start at 8,000 yen for 30 minutes. Operations began in an apartment building south of JR Ueno Station in 2002. Since that time sales have totaled 550 million yen.

In 2010, officers entered the apartment building housing the club and made 17 arrests from various other establishments operating in violation of the same law. At the time, Ashizeme Club was not cited.

“The club offers a special foot service,” says a writer who covers the adult-entertainment industry. “The surprising thing is that the hand or mouth is not used. Instead, the club recruited women with nice legs.”

Standard protocol is for customers to enter a private room and drop their pants. The masseuse will then ridicule the man’s manhood, a process considered to be a turn on.

“She’ll then tear her stockings and simultaneously rub his privates and face with each foot,” continues the scribe. “The smell of her foot, the feeling of her stocking, and the masochistic-type sensation gets the guy off.”

The writer speculates that the more than 500 million yen in revenue was derived from repeat customers as the sex industry continues to be mired in a deflationary slump.

Yet this bust shows that the game of cat-and-mouse between the cops and clubs continues unabated, says the weekly. Last month law enforcement busted four panty-peeking clubs in the Tokyo metropolitan area for violations of the Labor Standards Act.

Shukan Jitsuwa points out that since the high school girls did not remove all of their clothes and there was no contact or conversation with customers the strategy of the clubs was to skirt the adult-entertainment law.

The cops are getting the upper hand, concludes the weekly, but the war is far from over. (A.T.)

Source: “Bijin soroi no ashi koki mise tekihatsu,” Shukan Jitsuwa (March 29)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

Luna, an employee at Okusama Shokudo (Married Woman Cafeteria), a chain of out-call sex clubs specializing in housewives, returned to work in May of last year. “I lost both of my parents in the tsunami,” says the 42-year-old, who works out of the service’s branch located in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. “At the time I returned to work, my mother’s body was still going through DNA exams. It was not until August that it became official.”

After going through such a traumatic experience, Luna returned only through a push from a trusted acquaintance. “I knew I couldn’t just sit there,” says the employee, whose sensual services, according the establishment’s Web site, start at 12,000 yen for 60 minutes. “After I convinced myself to return, many of my patrons further encouraged me. It was really gratifying.”

Sena, 26, who works out of the Kenkita outlet of the same chain, actually joined the industry of February this year. “I had a day-time job in Tome City, which is an inland area,” she says of the time one year ago. “It was tough to get settled after the earthquake, but during the clean-up time flew by fast.”

The Maesawa branch of the deri heru chain Vivace in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture　employs 25-year-old Arisa, whose home in Kesennuma City and car were washed away by the tsunami. She resumed working by the end of March. “It helped me emotionally to know that I had job security,” she says. “I plan to save enough money so I can go to school to earn a certificate.”

Her colleague, Ai, 26, returned to work in May. “The year passed really fast,” says Ai, whose sessions begin with deep kissing and continues onward toward ejaculation. “In fact, it was too fast for me to complete anything. I prefer to not watch footage of those horrible scenes from that day. Rather, I continue thinking positive and moving forward.”

Shukan Jitsuwa suggests readers give a hand to these women, as opposed to the usual vice versa. (K.N.)

Source: “Onna ha tsuyoi! Hisaichi wo ikinuku Tohoku fuko fuzoku!” Shukan Jitsuwa (Mar. 22)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

Shukan Jitsuwa (Mar. 15) reports that in the latest incident, which occurred in a residential neighborhood in the city’s Konan-ku around 9:00 p.m., a woman returning home was attacked from behind. Her assailant clamped his hand over her mouth and forced her down at the roadside, yanked up her skirt and peeled off everything she was wearing south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Similar incidents had occurred earlier in February, and police were already patrolling the area for a suspect to be charged with committing obscene acts in public and robbery.

“These crimes are known to happen, but they’re far more likely to occur in summer when women wear lighter clothing,” the reporter covering the crime desk at a newspaper tells the magazine. “Because women wear wool panty hose and other undergarments in winter, it’s a lot more work to steal just panties.

“Based on the modus operandi, the same guy seems to be responsible for the recent crime spree,” the reporter added.

The type of women targeted by the assailant appear to fit the same pattern.

“In most cases they are walking alone while listening to their headphone stereo,” says a police source. “Then the next thing they know they’re horizontal and their underwear is yanked off. It appears the suspect is either wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet or ski mask, so none of the victims have been able to give us a usable description.”

The assailant has not been successful at all attempts, as more than 10 women have reported being knocked down but managed to hang on to their undergarments.

The police are devoting extra manpower to nabbing the culprit. The reason, says the aforementioned police source, is that whoever is doing this may cross the line from robbery to homicide.

“Two years ago, a 39-year-old male assailant in Kamagaya, Chiba Prefecture was arrested for severely wounding a 29-year-old woman with a knife,” says the source. “When police searched his home, a foul odor was noticed emanating from the futon closet; inside were more than 100 ‘raw’ women’s undergarments.

“In many cases, crimes like the one in Yokohama can escalate into real tragedy. We want to get this guy off the streets before it’s too late.” (K.S.)

Source: “Yokohama de nama pantee goutou higai zokushutsu,” Shukan Jitsuwa (Mar. 15, page 204)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

To rewind, three male juveniles were arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police for assault last October. When one of the boys then confessed to having engaged in a sexual relationship with the idol’s 44-year-old mother, officers looked into the claim and arrested her after she admitted to misconduct.

Takahashi is the leader of Team A of the all-girl singing troupe. News of the arrest, first reported by tabloid Shukan Bunshun (Feb. 16), stunned fans of the wildly popular ensemble. Well-wishers sent thousands of messages of encouragement to the official blog of the AKB48-affiliated pop trio No Sleeves, which includes the 20-year-old Takahashi as a member.

The incident began at an apartment in Hachioji City shared by her mother and 15-year-old brother. The boy’s friends, all students at the same middle school, started to gather at the residence, and one of them, also 15 years of age, began to have an affair with the elder Takahashi. Her parents had divorced a few years prior.

“Last December, the mother was arrested for violating an ordinance regarding the healthy development of youths,” says a person involved in the investigation. “She was suspected of having a sexual relationship with the boy. The mother confessed, ‘I had to because they (the other boys) were threatening my son.’ Following a summary indictment in January, the woman received a fine of 500,000 yen.”

Jitsuwa notes that such a fine appears excessive considering penalties ranging between 200,000 and 300,000 yen are more common for similar incidents involving sexual indecency.

“The evidence shows that she was forced initially, but for the second meeting (and thereafter) she took the boy in her own car to a love hotel,” says a reporter specializing in legal affairs. “It is hard for her to deny that she was pursuing her own pleasure.”

According to Bunshun, Takahashi’s brother had in recent years garnered a reputation for being a trouble maker. When he entered the seventh grade, fellow students came to realize that he is the brother of the famous idol and often bombarded him with autograph requests. This seems to have caused him to skip school.

While this chain of events comes across as shocking, many television stations, sports newspapers, and weekly tabloids — the latter two of which are routinely on the prowl for salacious content — have remained quiet.

On February 7, the day before the Bunshun issue hit the stands, evening dailies Tokyo Sports, Yukan Fuji, and Nikkan Gendai did not include coverage of the affair, while weekly magazines Weekly Playboy, Flash, Friday, Shukan Asahi Geino, Shukan Taishu, Shukan Post, and Shukan Gendai also ignored the matter over the next 10 days.

By 4:00 p.m. that day, reports Cyzo, news wire services Jiji Press and Kyodo had released reports confirming the basic details of the matter but without indicating Takahashi’s name.

Shukan Jitsuwa cites the AKB48 management agency — whose name is not provided but is in fact AKS — as the reason for the lack of reporting. “The management agency answered inquiries from the media by requesting that consideration be made for the mother being a victim,” says a writer from a sports newspaper, who added that the news outlets were also asked to take into account that legal action was also possible. “This made the media stop.”

The entertainment industry relies on the substantial power of AKB48, continues the source. “There is a risk that reporting this incident may jeopardize business relationships.”

Shukan Jitsuwa says that Yasushi Akimoto, the group’s producer, has always maintained strong faith in Takahashi, alluding to her as the real leader of the group.

“She is in essence the student leader of the AKB ‘school’ of kids,” explains Hideo Horikoshi, a critic of the idol business. “She wasn’t a good dancer in the beginning but managed to master it through persistence and practice. That’s why other members follow her.”

Yet in spite of her lofty status, the scandal may end here.

Horigoshi says that since the incident does not involve Takahashi herself the media will probably refrain from pursuing it further.

“However, she may decide to do something,” the critic says. “She may forfeit re-election within the group due to the disturbance that has resulted.” (K.N.)

Source: “Inko taiho AKB48 Takahashi Minami no 44sai haha oya ga musabotta 15sai shonen to no aoi taihen,” Shukan Jitsuwa (Mar. 1, pages 204-205)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese., page )