“Tonight is quiet here, so no problem. Tell you what: take three and I’ll send them over.”

The above exchange, relates Shukan Shincho (Jan. 26), took place not long ago between two bar “mamas” while getting their hair done at a beauty salon in Ginza 7-chome.

“I’d never heard of the renting out of hostesses,” said another mama, who overheard the negotiations. “Clubs are all rivals. Aren’t they worried the girls will steal their customers?”

But according to a Ginza veteran, business at the clubs slumped badly following last March’s earthquake and tsunami, and as personnel costs (stipends to the hostesses) make up 55 to 60 percent of operating costs, the clubs would have trouble staying afloat even if they extracted penalties from the hostesses who fail to make their sales quotas.

Of course clubs could lay off regulars, but would then have to worry about how to apportion their hostesses on the rare occasions when things get busy.

“If the ratio of customers to hostesses exceeds three to one more, it’s common wisdom that customers will feel neglected and never come back,” the mama at a medium-size club tells the magazine. “In the past there were services that would dispatch hostesses to join customers at hot springs resorts, but from the year-end and New Year, and then in March and April, when companies typically engage in personnel changes, things get busy and it’s not easy to get enough gals,” says the manager of one club. “And there are lots of girls who for whatever reason aren’t suitable to work at Ginza.”

To deal with any shortfalls, the mamas have come up with a system of hostess rental, where the girls are dispatched for a straight 3,000 yen per hour. The rules are strict: a hostess may not give out her cell phone number to the customer of another club, nor may she accompany him outside the establishment.

Still, the system is not without occasional stumbling blocks.

“Once I went to another club and the hostesses were all decked out in long dresses with revealing décolletages,” recalls one hostess. “I came wearing a pants suit, and some customers suspected I was on hire from another place. But the regular hostesses came to my rescue by telling them, ‘She’s a newbie and doesn’t know any better.’”

It also seems at least some hostesses for hire fully justify the outlay.

“This girl in her mid-20s had an incredible capacity for booze,” recalls the aforementioned manager. “She kept ordering small bottles of beer, emptying 20 bottles and leaving our customers gaping in amazement. After that, I wasted no time going to her club when her services are needed, and personally escorted her to our place.” (K.S.)

Source: “Hosutesu no kashikiri ga hajimatta himasugiru Ginza kurabu-gai,” Shukan Shincho (Jan. 26, page 45)

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.

The city of Otsuchicho, Iwate Prefecture, whose number of deceased and missing persons totals 1,700 (one of whom is the mayor), has members of the Japan Self-Defense Force, police officers, and fire department personnel on the ground making strides in finding victims in the midst of heavily damaged and burned buildings.

At one street corner, the magazine’s reporter sees two elementary school boys looking around. Perhaps they are looking for their parents or lost items? When asked, they said, “Juhachikin.”

They were looking for what?

The reporter thought they could be referring to gold items, as in 18-karat jewelry, which in Japanese is rendered juhachikin (18金). But after one of the boys produced an adult video DVD titled “Married Women In Their 30s,” it was clear that they meant 18禁, which means illegal for those under 18 years of age. “Life in the evacuation center is boring,” said one of the boys, a bit embarrassed. “So we like to watch this at our secret fort.”

For a survey of adult activities, the magazine went to a love hotel in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. “We resumed our businesses two weeks after March 11,” said an employee. “In the beginning, families utilized our short-stay options priced at 3,000 yen. They didn’t have baths where they were staying, so they came to use one here. But the number of couples have since increased. Many are from evacuation sites. There has been a 50-percent increase for short-stay uses compared to before the quake.”

But access to a love hotel is a luxury.

“A 23-year-old guy I know lost his home in the tsunami,” says a woman in her 20s from Natori City, near Sendai. “His girlfriend is staying at a separate evacuation site from him. They had been visiting back and forth, but she told me she couldn’t hold it after a week, and since prefab toilets are too dirty and unpleasant and the outdoors too cold, they borrowed their parents car and did it on the passenger seat.”

And after hearing another story from a mid-20s female evacuee, whose sister and husband got it on one evening during a visit at her Natori evacuation center, Shukan Shincho affirms that two kanji characters pronounced sei — 生 (living) and 性 (sexuality) — indeed cannot be separated. (K.N.)

Source: “Kasetsu rabu hoteru mo hitsuyo ni naru hinanjo no sei,” Shukan Shincho (May 5-12, pages 58-59)

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.

JSA Chairman Hanaregoma was seen with an unidentified man at the white wood counter inside the restaurant, which goes unnamed but is reported to have received its award from the tire company in last year’s edition of its popular guide. The tabloid adds that the course menu at the establishment, located in the Akasaka entertainment area, begins at 10,000 yen.

That day the JSA confirmed that text messages discovered on the mobile phones of 13 senior wrestlers have implicated them in systematic bout-fixing. Last year, a separate scandal implicated a number of wrestlers in a gambling ring that focused on baseball games.

“This is the greatest stain in the history of sumo,” the 62-year-old Hanaregoma told reporters on Sunday, when the announcement was made that the Osaka tournament in March would be cancelled.

The tabloid does not mention whether Hanaregoma has a future in restaurant reviews.

Established in 1947, Poplar began its shift in tenants last autumn. “In September, a company joined as a tenant on the 6th floor of the publisher’s headquarters in Shinjuku Ward’s Yotsuya district,” says an individual associated with the publisher who does not name the company in question. “This tenant joined under the direct referral of Hiroyoshi Usuda, the chairperson. The company is said to sell devices that eradicates pollutants from water.”

The website of the company — for which a Google search reveals to be NIBM — features actor Hiroki Matsukata, known for his macho roles in mafia and samurai films, extolling: “I was shocked when I used it!” The site also provides details on the product’s efficacy in purifying water. The tabloid also reports that this firm is recognized by law enforcement as a front for a Yamaguchi-gumi affiliate.

“The company’s managing director serves an intermediator for a geino production company under a boss from within the entertainment industry and the head of a group affiliated with the Yamaguchi-gumi,” an individual associated with investigations says. “This managing director has coordinated geinojin (entertainers) to attend private gatherings for this gang boss as well as reconciling any issues any of them may have had. Post-retirement of that boss, the managing director maintained his solid relationship with the gang-affiliated organization.”

So, wonders Shukan Shincho, how does this fit into the publishing of children’s books?

“Usuda is known as an entrepreneur,” says a person with knowledge of the situation. “He has a solid record of working with companies. He is also the owner of Special Week, the horse that won the Japan Derby in 1998.”

In 2003, Usuda was involved in the founding of an affiliate company to Poplar — a move that helped him to establish himself as a chairperson. He is also the majority shareholder of the company in question.

When the managing director of the company in question was asked about Usuda’s involvement, he said, “I am not involved at all with Poplar or the yakuza.” He added, “While searching for a sponsor, we consulted with Matsukata-san, with whom I’ve had a 40-year relationship. He then referred us to Usuda-san. Usuda-san said, ‘Move into here,’ and thus we moved into the current location.”

The tabloid has also found that documents have recently been circulating with a sender’s name indicated to be “A Group of Employees Wishing for the Return of a Clean Poplar.”

The same individual associated with Poplar says that about a year ago another company whose business has no association with publishing as well moved into the building. “People appearing to be not exactly professional began to surface and employees started to feel uncomfortable,” the source adds.

What does Usuda say about all this?

“I was introduced to the managing director of the company in question by Matsukata-san, whom I know well,” Usuda told the tabloid. “I am bearing 104 million yen in monthly rent. There is no way whatsoever that the company in question is a fronting firm. If that’s true, Poplar will go down.”

Whatever the case, Shukan Shincho concludes, this is no longer child’s play.

Note: Poplar offers a response to Shukan Shincho’s assertions here. As well, NIBM has modified its front page to respond to the allegations. (A.T.)

Source: “Kikansha Tomasu ‘Popura sha’ ni boryokudan furonto ga kisei shita,” Shukan Shincho (Sep. 9, pages 45-46)

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.

On Sunday, the association decided to dismiss 34-year-old wrestler Kotomitsuki and his stablemaster Otake. Other wrestlers and senior advisors received punishments.

Recent revelations that Yamaguchi-gumi crime syndicate members have been supplied with ringside seats for past matches — ostensibly so that fellow gangsters behind bars can catch a glimpse of their compatriots on television — have also soiled the image of the pastime.

Two days after the firings, NHK announced that it would not provide a live broadcast of the upcoming tournament in Nagoya as a result of viewer complaints over the ongoing scandals.

Yet very little has been explained regarding the intricate connections the grapplers have with mobsters and just how they were gambling on ball games. For that, The Tokyo Reporter turns to a back issue of Flash (June) for a little insight.

“It is not just the rikishi (wrestlers), it is also former grand champions (yokozuna) and sumo officials who are betting on baseball,” a senior member of a Kansai boryokudan, or a yakuza group, explains to the tabloid. “The gamblers stay at inns in the countryside with people affiliated with gang groups and bet on games. Some officials will have their wives there. Relatives of gangsters who are running the gambling ring will also be in attendance. This practice has a long history; it didn’t start just yesterday.”

Revenue collected from baseball betting has historically been one means of income for yakuza groups. “The practice started in the Kansai area in the ’60s,” says a journalist who covers criminal activities. “In the ’80s, it spread to extend nationwide.”

The source says that a single game can see between 10 million yen and 100 million yen change hands.

The betting system is much more complicated than simply picking a winner. In each game, a betting line, or hande, is determined by a bookmaker. This number is based on a variety of factors, including the strength of the teams and the scheduled starting pitchers.

“On the day of the game, the hande of each game is decided by noon and passed to a yakuza messenger who will then distribute them to the gamblers by email,” explains a person affiliated with gang groups. “All bets must then be placed by 2 p.m. that day.”

Two different types of hande are generally applied. Flash provides a photo of a mobile phone screen that displays hande data for the games of May 24. As an example, the favored Yomiuri Giants are given a hande of 1半5 (which is read ichi han go) over the Orix Buffaloes. This means that should the Giants win by a single run, wagers on the Giants are considered losing bets. If the Giants prevail by two, punters will receive a return of 50 percent. If the difference is three or more, then bettors will get even money returned.

In another case, a 1.5 hande is applied to the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters over the Yakult Swallows. This translates as follows: should the Ham Fighters win by a single run, bettors receive a 50 percent return; and even money is reached for a two-run difference or better. The magazine notes that Nippon Ham Figher star right-hander Yu Darvish will often receive a 2.3 hande, meaning a whopping three-run margin would be required for even money.

It should be noted that a 10 percent commission gets taken off the top by the gang group on all wagers.

Interestingly, starters in the Central League are guessed at — a necessity given the league’s tendency of not naming starting hurlers in advance. On May 24, both Yudai Kawai and Kenta Asakura were listed as probables for the Chunichi Dragons against the Rakuten Eagles.

“At least three games must be wagered on,” says the same senior gang member from Kansai. “The money must be paid each Monday. Bets are commonly between 10,000 yen and 1 million yen.”

The same source says that the bets are usually placed by company presidents, members of the sumo world and entertainment figures. Betting on high school baseball also takes place, with gamblers often wagering on games involving their alma maters.

“Since the wrestlers train in the morning, they have time during the day to check the hande numbers,” says the senior boryokudan member quoted previously. “In the afternoon, they’ll have their bouts. So at night they’ll watch the baseball games.”

Sumo and the criminal underworld have a long history, says Flash. “Years ago, sumo wrestlers visited cities and towns in the countryside on special tours,” says the crime journalist. “The people sponsoring the events — which means providing the catering, security and lodging — were local leaders and gang groups.

“Nowadays, the tours don’t happen, but the intricate relationship still exists,” the same journalist continues. “At the sumo stables, for example, it is still up to the yakuza to provide security and transportation, and should there be trouble with a particular wrestler, it’ll be the yakuza who’ll keep it away from the media.”

Sumo watchers feel that the sumo world needs to change its culture if it wants to transcend from mere entertainment to actual sport. “The wrestlers are always receiving everything, always having everything done for them,” explains a person connected to sumo. “If this doesn’t change, they’ll never be able to sever the ties with gangsters and move forward.” (K.N.)

Source: “Kakukai to boryokudan ‘kuroi kankei,’” Flash (June 15, pages 9-11)

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.

The two had come up with a project they named “Dobusu wo Mamoru Kai” (group to protect ugly women).

“They went around on the street accosting women, saying they were ‘researching an article,’” a source at TMU tells Shukan Shincho (July 8). “Later it was determined that the video, showing the faces of certain women, had been posted on YouTube without the subjects’ permission.”

The school’s investigation found that on three occasions the pair had gone to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Tachikawa and other places in Tokyo and filmed a total of six female subjects “on location.” At least two of the six had data posted in a manner that enabled them to be identified by name.

The one shot at Tachikawa, filmed on June 12, ran for about six minutes in length. Its opening included this introduction by the producers: “Presently in Japan, dobusu (ugly girls) are endangered with extinction a possibility. Through dissemination of information more women are finding it easy to improve their appearance through cosmetics, fashion and hair styling, and in addition thanks to advancements in cosmetic surgery they are able to boost their appearance to the minimum level.”

The producers of this goofy video were actually dumb enough to include their own names in the credits at the end.

“After they submitted the video a friend who saw it chewed them out, and they deleted it, but the next day it was resubmitted,” the aforementioned school source relates.

By June 17, copies of the video had been spreading like wildfire all over the Web, and the following day TMU’s home page posted an apology from the president.

Then on June 24, the school announced that the two would be expelled from the institution. A third student who had provided the background music for the video was suspended from attending classes for one month.

The reasons given for the expulsion were for having made persons’ images public without permission; causing psychological harm to said persons; and damaging the university’s public image.

Shukan Shincho reports that the families of the students involved have been subjected to abusive telephone calls. From his home in Tottori Prefecture, father of one of the two told the magazine, “I saw the offending video. It was done in the humorous style of a TV variety show, but was lacking in morality and was cruel to the persons involved.

“I first learned about it in late June,” the father continues. “A complete stranger called me up at work, telling me she was in the process of organizing a protest and saying, ‘Do you know what your son’s been up to?’ Why didn’t he drop out of the university of his own volition?’”

Both students were in the process of job seeking, but their future prospects with employers appear to be in doubt. (C.J.)

Source: “‘Dobusu wo mamoru kai’ de shutodaigaku wo taigaku ‘bakatare daigakusei’ oya ga naiteita!” Shukan Shincho (July 8, page 40)

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.

With the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma now at the forefront of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s agenda, the weekly says that the dam, whose construction was halted following the DPJ’s historic victory in last year’s lower house election, has become a secondary issue.

A native of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture and one of “Ozawa’s girls” — referring to the group of attractive female candidates dispatched to minor constituencies under the guidance of DPJ politician Ichiro Ozawa — the 34-year-old Tanaka fell short of former Prime Minister Yoshihiro Mori in Ishikawa Constituency No. 2 in last August’s election. Yet she wound up qualifying for a house seat through the proportional representation system.

Shukan Shincho suggests that the colorful Tanaka, who acted in an erotic scene in a cult film and wrote a regular column for a sleaze rag, might not have been taking her position seriously during a visit to the area with a student intern on April 19.

“This is a personal training trip,” she says and adds that she spoke to a cafeteria manager and milk industry employee to get a local perspective on the halting of the project, which is controversial due to its importance to the local economy. “I normally visit ‘problematic places’ and I will continue to do so in the future.”

A beautiful woman with a splendid heart — or so it seems until the rest of the story is revealed, grouses the tabloid.

The manager of the cafeteria says that he explained numerous problems related to [ostensibly, the stopping of construction of] the dam but all she could muster was, “Is that right?” His request that the matter be taken to Hatoyama was not greeted with a response.

Further, Naganohara’s mayor, Kinya Takayama, who is in favor of the completion of the project, has been left feeling alienated. “I had no idea she came,” explains the mayor. “DPJ members never visit me when arrive at Yamba Dam. Nobody in the party seems to hold the view that this issue as a big problem.”

Taking another slant entirely is tabloid Friday (May 14), which through an extensive four-page spread sees the visit as hope that Tanaka will take further initiatives in reconciling the situation.

The magazine also notes that numerous complications remain for the massive project, which has seen the estimated cost of one portion of the construction balloon from 210 billion yen in 2003 to 460 billion yen at present.

Takeo Toyoda, president of milk company Toyoda Nyugyo, located in the area of the Kawarayu Onsen, tells Friday that the work has not ceased entirely. He says that Seiji Maehara, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, clearly stated that construction of the main dam will be halted but also indicated that related work will continue. “Everything besides the main construction is proceeding at a fast pace,” says the president.

Relocation of residents occupying land in the dam’s proposed footprint has been costly. What happens next is not certain. “The area intended to form the bottom of this dam is where people lived for a long time,” Toyoda says. “That area was purchased by the government and it is now empty. I anticipate that they will divide it up and sell the portions.”

Tanaka, whose party used the “from concrete to people” motto in its campaign manifesto last year, appears concerned. “Very reluctantly they gave up their land to the government,” the representative says. “Now that they know the land will be sold to others, it’s hard to accept. The idea of reselling the land is very delicate. Right now, I wants to hold talks to discuss the issue.”

Dressed in a striped suit adorned with her chrysanthemum Diet pin on the left lapel, Tanaka is presented in multiple images by Friday: she peruses aerial photographs showing the proposed work, speaks with guests at the Yamba Dam visitor’s center and dines at the nearby Kawarayu Onsen cafeteria.

But Shukan Shincho doesn’t buy it. By all accounts the trip was a pleasure tour — her Diet badge must now be crying, weeps the weekly. (A.T.)

Source: “Tanaka Mieko no Yamba damu buken yusan,” Shukan Shincho (Apr. 29, page 142)

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.

Honoka resigned from the AV business a year ago, after starring in 50 films over a career that spanned five years. Her biography “The Basket” was released on January 18. The weekly provides one excerpt.

“He said, ‘Lick it.’ But I didn’t know what that meant, so I just followed his lead. ‘We’ll finish inside your mouth, and you’ll swallow it.’ I tried to imagine something drinkable but I didn’t know what kind of liquid would could be. I still wasn’t sure what was gonna happen. When he finished he smiled. ‘Let’s do it again sometime.’ Then the next thing I knew he was out the door. I was less than 10 years old at the time.”

A representative of publishing company Shufunotomo says that “The Basket” is really popular with girls. “The level of ‘Platonic Sex’ is our target,” the exec explains, referring to Iijima’s 2001 semi-autobiographical novel about the life of a runway who eventually winds up in adult video.

This is the 26-year-old’s second venture as a writer. Her first, “Koakuma Sex,” went on sale through publisher Best Shinsho in January of last year.

Saori Hara, 22, initially wanted to be an idol but wound up in porn, yet unlike Honoka she is still at it. Shueisha released her confessional “My Real Name is Mai Kato: Why I became an AV Girl” last December.

“The actor opened his hand in front of me,” she writes. “It seemed really wet, filled with sweat…This part of the shooting was only supposed to take a few seconds. But then I realized that the wetness was from me, from down there. At that moment, it was spurting out of me. I felt messy, ashamed and sad. A lot of feelings were in my heart and mind, combating one another, and just like that it was over.”

Shukan Shincho reports that she has become Japan’s number one AV girl and the second printing of “My Real Name is Mai Kato” has sold 10,000 copies, largely the result of a boost in popularity following being served papers with renowned photographer Kishin Shinoyama in January. The pair were cited for violations of public decency laws after shooting explicit photographs in the Tokyo area for inclusion in Shinoyama’s book “No Nude by Kishin 1 20XX Tokyo.”

Having better luck making it in the conventional entertainment industry is Mihiro, 27, who appears on television variety programs and in theatrical productions. Not surprisingly — given the direction of the article — she also performs naked in front of the camera, which is the subject of her memoir, appropriately titled “Nude,” released by Kodansha last May.

“The shoot had already started,” she conveys, recalling her first experience acting in a threesome. “The director barked, ‘Start!’ and things got going quickly. ‘Can I insert it, Mihiro-chan?’ I closed my eyes, waiting for him. But the other guy asked me to touch him. ‘Suck me,’ he commanded, and then his hardened thing was pushed into my mouth. ‘Ah,’ he moaned…at the same time, I felt something warm and hard entering me down below.”

As with Iijima, Mihoro admits that her narrative is not a completely factual account. “I cannot write all fiction,” she says. “So I wrote half real stories mixed with half fantasy.”

Adult media writer Rio Yasuda says that the AV business is assimilating itself with popular culture much more than ever before,” the writer explains “These girls used to live in another world, but now that is not the case. The stigma has faded.”

Shukan Shincho is hesitant to anoint any of these ladies as the second coming of Iijima, but it salivates at the prospect of perusing future entries. (A.T.)

Source: “Mezasu ha ‘daini no Iijima Ai’ toiu AVjo tachino ‘kokuhakuhon,’” Shukan Shincho (Mar. 25, pages 47-48)

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 Shincho (Feb. 25) reports on the latest project by mama-san Shiho Masui, 41, who has appeared in the media numerous times since 1995, when she opened the hostess club Futago-ya (Club Twins) in Ginza’s 6-chome district. This separate pricing venture began on the first of the month.

“I wanted more and more customers to enjoy the tradition of Futago-ya,” says Masui, whose twin sister operated a club in Ginza that closed two years ago. She adds that whiskey, brandy, shochu and wine “can be enjoyed on an all-you-can-drink basis for an hour while viewing the show put on by our hostesses.”

The rate for single rooms depends on the day of the week (and includes weekdays only), but reaches a maximum of a mere 12,800 yen and includes a room at the Ginza Capital Hotel and a choice of sushi or pasta for dinner.

Masui is often asked by customers how she can offer such a deal. She responds in the article by emphasizing the recession-manageable pricing at the Futago-ya club, whose entry rises from 5,000 yen to 10,000 yen over the course of each evening. Further, since she is the owner, she doesn’t have to employ a separate mama-san to manage the hotel guests. She claims that Futago-ya has racked up sales totaling 300 million yen over last two years.

Shukan Shincho views this separate offer as an aggressive move in an area where the economic downtown is very apparent.

“In the late afternoon, I checked in at the Ginza Capital Hotel and received two vouchers, one for dinner and the other for club Futago-ya,” says one male customer, who selected the pasta dish. “The room is bit small, but it is typical of a business hotel.

“The pasta came with tuna, squid, anago (eel), shrimp, red snapper, egg and tekkamaki (tuna rolls). It’s usually 1,500 yen for this alone. So I was pretty satisfied.”

The guest adds that the hotel may use the Ginza tag but its address is actually for nearby Tsukiji, known for its large fish market.

“When I arrived at the bar [in Ginza], I was shocked because the girls were all in mini-skirts and dancing to loud music,” says the same customer. “For those expecting a quiet evening in Ginza, it may be a disappointment, but it may be a good chance for you to have some fun with your friends.”

So far, five people have used the package. Another 30 people have reserved spaces through March.

Shukan Shincho wonders if other clubs in the area are getting restless.

“Even though it is called a club, it is in a different category,” says a person related to the Ginza club scene. “Uniqlo has become well-known for its store in Ginza. It now seems like we have night version of Uniqlo.” (K.N.)

Source: “Hoteru tsuki Ginza kurabu ’12,800 yen’ de shobaijozuno reino mama,” Shukan Shincho (Feb. 25)

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.

At the party’s annual convention inside the Hibiya Kokaido on January 16, three of these ladies, who wound up winning seats in their districts, seemed a bit on edge, reports Shukan Shincho (Jan. 28).

On that day, representatives Yukiko Miyake, Kumiko Hayakawa, and the colorful Mieko Tanaka were seen seated next to one another, their lovely legs, the weekly drools, perfectly aligned but their minds appearing to be moving in multiple directions. These perplexed looks may have been due to the right-wing vans protesting outside the hall or the fact that Ozawa’s former secretary, Tomohiro Ishikawa, had been arrested the day before for misappropriating political funds within Ozawa’s fund management body.

A DPJ representative tells the tabloid that they have nowhere to turn should Ozawa leave his post. “Some of the girls were able to win elections largely due to Ozawa’s connections and financial resources,” the source says. “Should Ozawa face the worst-case scenario, they will lose something to fall back on. For those who had to fight during the election with the five million yen supplied by the party and personal funding it is certain they will find these girls irritating. Even if Ozawa resigns, it won’t make anyone want to rescue them.”

Further, an accounting report released last September showed the flow of Ozawa’s political funds, a part which was allocated to those under Ozawa, which includes his gals — though, it should be noted, not necessarily all of the lasses listed above. The DPJ now finds itself in a situation where it cannot explicitly criticize Ozawa and the situations stemming from his suspected activities.

Another DPJ rep explains, “During the convention, I was watching [Deputy finance minister Yoshihiko] Noda, who is known for keeping his distance from Ozawa. But even he was offering loud applause when Ozawa was making a speech that was critical of how the investigation is being conducted. We cannot take a big step at the moment as we cannot anticipate how the investigation will continue or know whether Ozawa will return to full power.”

In the meantime, conflict of interests will continue flying within the DPJ, and the current alignment within the party pales compared to that of those beautiful legs, the weekly dreams. (K.N.)

Source: “Ozawa Kyuchi de ‘girls’ ni sosogareru shisen,’” Shukan Shincho (Jan. 22)

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