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Japornucopia

July 18, 2007 in art, Movies / Television, Notes From Japan, Politics

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It was a rainy Tuesday in Central Japan at 9pm, my first work day of the week had ended and it was time to go home.

I rode the rainy streets past the 99yen shop, past my bank, a few barber shops, money lenders and the Korean brothel, under the shelter of the light rail train tracks to the convenience store where three young women and four or five businessmen stood at the magazine rack.

The women were browsing fashion, the men browsing porno mags with no shame.  Read the rest of this entry →

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As American as Fireworks

July 5, 2007 in Notes From Japan, Politics

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So, here I am…celebrating America’s birthday in Japan. That’s right, my dear country turns 231 years old today and if you measure freedom by pints of ice cream consumed, dozens of donuts eaten, kegs of beer guzzled and number of TV channels available, it is safe to say that we are freer than ever.

Of course, this 4th of July is a little bit different for me. No barbecue, no hot-dogs or hamburgers on the grill, just me, myself, and I holding a sparkler in my left hand, a can of beer in my right hand and an American class A cigarette pursed between my lips, sitting on my porch, looking out over a parking lot in suburban Japan.

Sound exciting? Believe me, it’s not. Read the rest of this entry →

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