Every Sunday we gather the week’s weird and interesting Japanese news and present it to you in our Sunday News column. It might not always be hard-hitting news, but we hope that it still informs and entertains you. Enjoy!
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Japan’s Number One Hostess Crowned in Hostess Election Event: I shouldn’t be surprised that Japanese hostesses have pageants, but somehow the idea of “Japan’s Number One Hostess” had never occured to me. I wonder if this is an elegant Miss America-type pageant where a crooner sings to the winner, or if a Japanese hostess pageant just tries to keep people there and buying drinks as long as possible.
[/threecol_two] [threecol_one_last]Man arrested for biting ‘snake-possessed’ son to death: Even though Japan has the lowest rate of gun ownership in the world, people still find new, bizarre, and original ways to kill each other. This one is the strangest I’ve seen in a long time: biting and headbutting somebody to death because you believe they’ve been possessed. Next time, call a priest.
New Head Priest of Controversial Yasukuni Shrine Appointed: A new head priest has been appointed to Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine, the Shinto shrine dedicated to Japan’s war dead. I’m sure the new priest’s time at Yasukuni will be quiet, uneventful, and completely uncontroversial.[/threecol_one_last]
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[threecol_one]Bank of Japan Reignites Currency War Debate: With the LDP back in power in Japan, monetary policy has been just plain wacky. The yen has been in freefall since last year’s election, and people are starting to talk about currency wars. It’s all about the Fukuzawas, baby. [via News On Japan]
Japanese Finance Minister: Government Should Let Old People ‘Hurry Up And Die’: With politicians, there are gaffes, and then there are gaffes. You can say something that might be misconstrued, or you can say something that’s so blatantly wrong or offensive that it’s a miracle if you stay in office. Telling the elderly to die quicker? Probably the latter. [via Reddit][/threecol_one] [threecol_two_last]
Book That Popularized Concept of “Hikikomori” Translated into English: In the last decade or so, the conept of hikikomori, or social outcasts who rarely, if ever, leave their homes, has been catapulted into popular culture. Now, the book that started it all is finally getting an English translation. Fortunately, with Amazon and two-day shipping, you won’t have to go outside to buy it.
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Bonus Wallpapers!
Ever wanted a desktop background of Finance Minister and former Prime Minister Taro Aso fighting an old Japanese lady in a Mortal-Kombat-like scenario? Well, you’re in luck!
Our always awesome illustrator Aya whipped up a few wallpapers for a bunch of resolutions. Enjoy!
