What's Up in Japan?

It has been several months now since the majority party changed to the Democratic Party. Criticism about the Prime Minister Hatoyama, the fact that he coolly denies things that he said just 2-3 days ago, is starting to come out. Even the public commitment made to the manifesto before the election seems not to be making much headway. The public’s irritation towards a government that cannot seem to decide its own direction is only increasing.

In Japan, these days we often hear the term “vegetable sommelier.” As the word suggests, it denotes an occupation that provides to us all ways of enjoying vegetables – like how to eat seasonal vegetables and how to store vegetables so that their freshness remains intact. Among these vegetable aficionados, a vegetable is attracting much attention these days – the humble tomato.

Up until a while ago, “hormone” had a “only middleaged guys ate it at barbecue restaurants” image. Now, I hear that it is so popular with the ladies that a new word had to be created – “hormonienne” just like Parisienne!

When people enter an izakaya, the first thing they say is “Beer, for now!” Now, however, there is one drink that seems to be capable of overtaking the king of drinks, the almighty beer. That drink is the “highball.”

There are various activities in this world, but the one that is in vogue in Japan right now is the “Konkatsu.” Konkatsu is short for kekkon-katsudo (literally, activities to find a marrieagable partner) and indicates the many efforts it takes to find the right “match” and walk down the alter.

Recently in Japan, men in their 20s to mid-30s with particular characteristics are on the rise. One of the first peculiarities is that they refuse to participate in company parties.

Digital television has better picture and sound quality than analog. With a higher pixel count, the picture we see is sharp, making it more impressive and realistic than ever before.

These days in Japan an increasing number of people are claiming to be “Rekijo” or “Rekidol.” The word Rekijo describes women who are enthusiastic about history.

Coming May 21, the jury system will finally start in Japan. This system involves citizens participating in criminal trials as jury to deliver verdicts along with the Judge.