Japan ReBorn

by 19 Comments

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the Tohoku disaster so I thought it appropriate to waste your Saturday with some “Drive for Tohoku” CMs from Toyota. Toyota has played a large role in funding Japan’s recovery project and these new CMs have Kitano “Beat” Takeshi and Kimura Takuya driving around Fukushima for the sake of their country. They even pick up Matsuko Deluxe to tag along for a bit in the middle.

The enjoyability of the following CMs may vary depending on your level of Japanese, but basically it depicts the two actors as the reincarnations of Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At the end of their journey they arrive in Tohoku and meet the one-eyed dragon and ancient warlord of Tohoku, Date Masamune.

Kimura Takuya keeps referring to Beat Takeshi as Saru (meaning monkey) because as legend has it, Oda Nobunaga gave that nickname to Toyotomi Hideyoshi because of his facial resemblance to a monkey. This recognition directly contributes to the popular image of him being monkey-like, both in appearance and behavior.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VKOgzMWCDE']

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OMEvOfcRHQ']

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzJbuXHH7FM']

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f1jjQMAjo4']

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kLr2o_XB84']

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee4402tTz1M']

Could you follow along okay? If you have any questions about what’s going on feel free to inquire in the comments below. Toyota hopes these commercials will help promote the recovery of the region as well as promote their vehicles which in turn helps Japan as a whole.

For those interested, you can read more about Toyota’s endeavors in Tohoku here.

And Now A Message From Arashi

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTT1O2VtrSY']

Even though this video is from last year, I still find it appropriate for today’s post. And for those of you unfamiliar with Arashi, they are a very popular music group in Japan and the members frequently appear on variety shows and TV dramas.

And from all of us at Tofugu, thank you so much for keeping Japan in your hearts this past year and helping them to rebuild for a better tomorrow.

Saturday Timewaster is a weekly post that features Japanese videos, music, images, or games that will certainly waste your time (some weeks more than others). We hope you enjoy!

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  • Whitetiger

    does not feel like a time waster..it is lovely!!  thank you

  • simplyshiny

    Thank you for all the CMs! and I hadn’t seen that Arashi video before…I loved when they sang Hatenai Sora before an Arashi ni Shiyagare episode….I feel a lot of people probably don’t like Johnny’s…but I love them…thanks again, love it! You’re the best!

  • John

    Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=607790802 Alex Napoli

    There’s still a lot of work to do. For anyone who’s up for the translation, here’s a statement from Donald Keene on how far Japan has to go before it can recover: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20120309-OYT1T00135.htm?from=main8 
    Basically, he wanted Japan to really unify and work towards recovery after the earthquake (and after he became a citizen), but was disappointed by what he saw. I’m really hoping for the best and hope the Japanese can work together to recover and prevent future disasters. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003410150338 Nicole Yamagawa

    As someone who is in Japan, since a while back, I must say that it’s amazing to see how far the country has come in such a short time.. And it’s difficult to grasp that it has already been a year.. In some ways it’s hard to understand that anything even happened in the first place. The Japanese people are amazing and it’s truly inspiring to see how they have moved on since then, and the love they share for each other as well as the country.
    It’s already March 11th here.. Time sure flies.. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003410150338 Nicole Yamagawa

    Oh, and thank you for the post! It’s not at all a time waster, it’s lovely! :)

  • http://x-stei.tumblr.com/ x_stei

    I didn’t watch all the CMs, but I did end up watching the Arashi one for the second or third time. <3.

    Around December of last year, there was a Thank You video that was posted from the citizens of Tohoku and the surrounding areas thanking everyone for their donations and help. It was posted on LJ over at arama. I found it on YouTube: 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS-sWdAQsYg Very sad and touching video.

  • simplyshiny

     thanks for that video! it totally made me cry

  • simplyshiny

     (◕‿◕✿)

  • kitsuki

    it’s already been a year..
    i wasn’t there at the time of earthquake, nor have i visited tohoku, so can not even comprehend how difficult the situation is,, however as sincerely as i possibly can be, hope for the rest and well being of those affected by the disasters and will somehow continue to support japan by visiting as much as possible.
    thanks for the post.

  • John

    Great find, thank you for sharing.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1434168513 Juan Fernando Castellón

    Thanks John,

    This brought tears to my eyes. I’m far from fluent in the language, but these CM’s pulled at my heartstrings.
    気持ちは本当に寂しいでも、Ｒｅｂｉｒｔｈを見えるから嬉しい。

    I was in Japan last year in September and October. Home is where the heart is, and I left mine over there. I hope to visit again soon. Those of you who have donated to help rebuild, you can do more if you are able to visit and help their commerce, or by purchasing goods that are manufactured in Japan. 

    日本と世界、一生に頑張りましょう！

  • LMAtheScrivener

    Can someone please link to any presentation of these videos with English subtitles if possible?  I know my Shogun history, but tragically, only a handful of Japanese words.

  • John

    As far as I know, none are available :(

  • http://twitter.com/eennnnuuhh innadee

    glad to see another johnny’s fan on tofugu! :D

    also, i completely agree with what you said. i remember watching that same AniShi episode and tearing up. absolutely great rendition of Hatenai Sora. :)

  • Sakura Yumeko

    honestly… somehow this made me cry xD especially the last video…. great post, thanks a lot! <3

  • Juuteki

    Whee! Who knew I’d find Arashi on Tofugu.

  • John

    We’re just full of surprises :3

  • John

    Yeah the last video is definitely emotional, despite its lighthearted feel. Glad you were moved!