FEBRUARY 2014

Japan’s number one English language magazine

BREAKING THE SILENCE Former Miss International speaks out against the yakuza

BARUTO We speak with the Baltic sumo superstar on the eve of his retirement

THE MAYOR OF MINATO Managing Tokyo’s most international ward TAG HEUER PERFECT TIMING The precision engineering behind the iconic Swiss brand

ALSO: Interview with former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Agenda, People, Parties, and Places, and much more FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 CONTENTS 10

TAG HEUER The inner workings of a Swiss watchmaking legend

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BARUTO IKUMI YOSHIMATSU MOGWAI An Estonian sumo phenom looks back at a Standing up to a system of artist Scottish post-rockers on Rave Tapes and their storied career in the ring intimidation in Japan’s talent agencies upcoming show at Hostess Club Weekender

8 The Lexus 6 22 Valentine’s Day 34 People, Parties, Places In the fast lane with Issac Nelson, a star Cupid got you stumped? Here are our The 16th Annual Orphans’ Holiday Party, of the Tokyo rock and soul scene suggestions for gifts and things to do saying sayonara to old friends, and more 18 Yoshiro Mori 25 Education 40 Movies Former Prime Minister speaks about New trends in learning, and a look at A Formula One throwback, a return to foreign policy and Vladimir Putin some of Tokyo’s top schools Middle-earth, and the Mighty Thor 20 Patina 30 The Mayor of Minato 44 Agenda California-style fine dining comes to the Masaaki Takei tells us what it takes to run The Stones, Eric Clapton, Nine Inch Nails, heart of Tokyo the most international ward in Tokyo and cultural celebrations

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 THIS MONTH IN THE WEEKENDER

suggestions and see if we can’t get you sorted. FEBRUARY 2014 This month we got to hear from many figures from the worlds of sport, politics and FEBRUARY 2014 entertainment. First among them, weighing Japan’s number one English language magazine in at 193 kilos, is the outsized Estonian who goes by the sumo name Baruto, who took the time to share (more than) a few drinks with us and tell us about his meteoric rise within Publisher Bulbous Cell Media Group BREAKING the ranks of sumo and what his plans are for THE SILENCE Chairman Ray Pedersen Former Miss International life outside the ring. speaks out against the yakuza Our next story features a figure of much Executive Producer Asi Rinestine BARUTO smaller stature, but one who is facing an We speak with the Baltic sumo superstar on the eve enormous opponent. Ikumi Yoshimatsu, Editor Alec Jordan of his retirement Art Director Liam Ramshaw the former Miss International, recounts a Illustrator Liam Akin THE MAYOR harrowing tale of a campaign of intimidation OF MINATO Managing Tokyo’s most she faced from a yakuza-connected talent international ward Media Director Kotaro Toda executive after standing up to an unfair Account Executives Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa TAG HEUER system. Ohad Elbaz PERFECT TIMING The precision engineering behind the iconic Swiss brand Masaya Okamoto We also dropped by the office of former ALSO: Interview with former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Agenda, People, Parties, and Places, and much more Prime Minister Yoshirō Mori, who has Media Consultant Mary Rudow recently been named head of the Olympic y the time you read this, the red- Marketing Ingrid Dubreuil organizing committee for Tokyo 2020. faced oni of Setsubun will have Editorial Consultant Sami Kawahara Mori has a long history of bold statements packed his bags after being B delivered on the world stage, as well as a pelted with enough beans to foreign policy focus during his time in office Society Bill Hersey cook ten pots of chili, and it’ll soon be time that now seems ahead of its time. You’ll want to make way for Cupid on his way through Editorial Associates Vivian Morelli to read what he has to say. town. Matthew Hernon And finally, we spoke with Maasaki In such a short month, we can’t help Mace Bertumen Takei, the man who keeps Minato Ward but have time on our minds as we count running like clockwork. The kucho—or Film Christopher O’Keeffe off the days until warmer weather, so we mayor—of Tokyo’s most cosmopolitan ward got in touch with Swiss watchmaking giant IT Manager Nick Adams reveals some of the secrets of Minato, and TAG Heuer to find out a bit more about how Development Manager Stephane Boudoux opens up about a scandal that recently hit to keep time, in style. We also got a visit Finance & Admin Sakura Arimura the city. from global brand ambassador Leonardo DBA Iryna Sundutova We hope every day of this short month DiCaprio, who explained how he’s been treats you kindly, and we’ll see you in March. helping the brand go green. With Valentine’s on the way, you might even be inspired to pick up a timepiece for your special someone. But in case you’re still thinking about the right gift—or what EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 you should do!—for the 14th, check out our Editor

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Published by Bulbous Cell Media Group www.bulbouscell.com

Fried Sushi by Liam Akin. To see more of Liam’s work check out www.friedsushi.net

by Matthew Hernon Kaido Höövelson, aka Baruto, shrugs when asked about the legacy he has left behind, saying that some might see him as “just a fat sportsman.” Well, he was a lot more than that. One of the best and most colorful sumo wrestlers of his generation, his retirement leaves a huge void in the sport.

persistent knee injury forced pushed to the limit by their trainers. the giant Estonian to bow out “I think they should do even more,” he at the age of just 28, yet if he tells Weekender. “Shiraishi, who works at this is feeling sorry for himself he yakiniku restaurant, and I used to do double certainly didn’t show it when sessions, in the morning and evening. That weA met up for some drinks and yakiniku at a was our own choice because we wanted to restaurant where a former teammate works get stronger. Additionally, being a foreigner in Ikegami. The 193-kg. star was in high spir- in what is quite an enclosed nation, I had to its as he reflected on what has been a short, work even harder to prove myself.” but memorable career. Baruto’s fierce determination soon “I remember my coach telling me sumo started to yield results. He made the top divi- would be easy,” Baruto says with a smile. “He sion in just two years, the second fastest rise lied! I was doing judo at the time and he con- in the history of sumo. He was then promoted vinced me to try this Japanese sport where to ōzeki rank in 2010, beating Hakuhō— the I would eat and sleep lots, while practicing man he considers by far his toughest op- just a little. He was right about the first two ponent ever—along the way. Two years later things, but not about the last one. he recorded his first and only championship The training was long and hard. I’d wake victory. up around 5 am, go to the club and stay there With sumo being dominated by stories of until 11 am. I guess it was kind of like school: drug-taking, match-fixing and brawls, the rise you think it’s really tough at the time, but of the 6’6” Estonian provided the sport with looking back you realize it was fun.” a real boost during its darkest days. Despite For some youngsters the pressure and in- many supporters growing tired of continuing tensity of training proves too much and they foreign dominance in sumo, they seemed to end up running away, and in some stables, take to Baruto. An affable guy who always tough training crosses the line. The world had a smile on his face, he was considered of sumo faced one of its biggest scandals in the glamour boy of the sumo world and was 2007 when 17-year-old Takashi Saito died even compared to Leonardo DiCaprio. after being beaten with a metal baseball bat “DiCaprio looks like me, I don’t look like and a beer bottle at the stable where he was him,” he says while laughing. “He sent me training. a text message telling me how honoured he Whilst Baruto’s stable master was severe was by the comparison.” with him, he never experienced anything like Baruto is clearly someone who doesn’t that and never felt that things went too far. take life too seriously; he loves joking around A former bouncer who grew up on a cattle and has a good-sized sense of irony. During farm, he also disagrees with the notion that our meal, a young lady comes up to ask for a today’s young pupils of the sport are being photo. With a deadpan expression, he agrees

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com Looking to eclipse their best effort of ten medals won at the Nagano Olympics in 1998, the Japanese team are heading to Sochi with high hopes. While their target may seem overly ambitious to some, they do have a number of exciting teenagers capable of making a big impression in Russia. Here’s a look at three of the best.

and offers to take her picture. After a few seconds of confusion she realizes he isn’t Sara Takanashi (17) being serious. Women’s ski-jumping is finally set to make its The fact that he is so approachable and Olympic debut this year, with teenage sensation is able to have a laugh with his fans is one of Sara Takanashi a favorite for gold. The 4’11” star, the main reasons why his popularity soared who credits ballet lessons as the reason for her during the last few years of his career. He sense of balance, has been in stellar form this trained arduously to achieve the success he season, winning 8 out of 11 events, giving her 17 world cup wins in total. did and therefore wanted to enjoy it. It’s just It puts her four ahead of previous record holder Sarah Hendrickson, who a shame that he couldn’t earn that promo- will also be competing in Sochi. If she has recovered sufficiently from tion to yokozuna. knee surgery, the American is expected to be Takanashi’s closest rival. Refusing to use injuries as an excuse, he prefers to concentrate on the positives. He Yuzuru Hanyu (19) believes his troublesome knee, which he had While much of the press attention will focus on at the start of his career, actually pushed him Mao Asada’s battle with Kim Yuna in the women’s to try even harder and without it he “may figure skating event, the men’s competition prom- not have even reached ōzeki status,” (the ises to be just as exciting. In Daisuke Takahashi, rank directly below yokozuna). He has no re- Tatsuki Machida and Yuzuru Hanyu, Japan has grets about his time in sumo as he prepares three genuine medal contenders. Hanyu in particular goes into the for a new life away from the sport. Games with high hopes, following an extremely impressive display in December’s Grand Prix Final in Fukuoka, where he defeated three-time “I loved wrestling and I will miss it,” he world champion Patrick Chan of Canada. Training under renowned coach tells us. “Especially going out drinking with Brian Orser, Hanyu’s career has gone from strength to strength since teammates from the stable! That said, I’ve moving to Toronto. spent much of the past ten years fighting for other people. I’m looking forward to being able to do things for myself. Elena (Tregubo- Ayumu Hirano (15) The heir apparent to Shaun White’s snowboarding va) and I are already married, but we will crown? Ayumu Hirano may only be 15, but he is have the wedding ceremony in Estonia in already getting more air than most riders and last June, then there is our little motel and our year launched his small frame over 18 feet out big farm to keep us busy. I would also like to of the pipe to earn a silver medal at the X Games do some sumo coaching in the future.” in Aspen. Legendary figure White, who won the event, said of Hirano, “I Before any of that he has his retire- think he’s got an amazing future ahead of him and I was proud to ride ment ceremony at Kokugikan on February with him.” White is expected to continue his dominance in Sochi, but he 8, which will include 200 people cutting will be wary of the threat that the young contender from Japan poses. his hair, guest appearances from stars like Hakuhō, and Baruto himself fighting against kids. It should be a terrific send-off for a man who has been a great servant to the sport of sumo over the last decade.

Baruto’s Retirement Ceremony Place: Ryōgoku Kokugikan Date: February 8, 2014 Time: From 10:30 | Price: ¥7,000

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 IN THE DRIVING SEAT WITH ISSAC NELSON The lessons learned from three decades of making music in Japan

here’s no other way to put it: Issac Nelson has had find his way into the music scene around Tokyo and Yokohama. one of those lives that most people would envy. He started touring with Japan’s top soul, rock, and jazz fusion A producer, arranger, musician, and DJ, Nelson bands after he left the Navy, and found himself in high demand first came over to Japan in 1977, on what he for his charismatic personality and a style that stood him apart describes as a “not so battle ready” Navy ship from the crowds. thatT was on a “forward deployment mission,” sent to seek out Gigging and touring as a musician was something he Russian ships in the Pacific. They did find them, but in a great was familiar with, from the time he and his friends would show of cold war diplomacy, the interaction between the crew push their amps a mile or two to play at a spot, or daisy-chain members was far from tense: the American crew played music extension cords out of doorways in order to power those amps and had barbecues on the flight deck, while the crew of the for block parties. But he also says that there were cultural Russian ships fired off star shell flares and got drunk. styles that he needed to get used to, as he learned from one Born in Sanford, North Carolina, and raised in Bridgeport, experience working with an idol group in the 80s: “One guy I Connecticut, Nelson, also known as DJ Ike, didn’t take long to worked with would bump into me every time he walked by me.

Part 5 of The Lexus 6 Series PART V | THE LEXUS 6 | 9

now recording, and We actually gain producing their new CD, and even ended an extra culture by up writing them a song. having the experience Nowadays, many of the producing and of living in Japan, and recording gigs that he takes put him on finally it’s up to you: the road, whether it’s driving in to Tokyo a place is what you or making longer hauls to Osaka, make it. which means that DJ Ike was looking for Every time! And it got to the point when I told two things in a car: someone in the group, ‘the next time he does comfort and speed. it I’m going to retaliate!’ And she said, ‘No no He found both of no! He’s trying to meet you!’ When I realized them in the Lexus that, I said, ‘All he has to do is walk up and say GS450h F SPORT hi!’ As it turned out, the guy was just shy.” model, which he picked up in October of 2013. loves the small details that add to the driving Not everyone has taken the same He had driven an earlier model GS450h experience: “The trunk door automatically approach in getting to know him, but his before, but he says that he really appreciates closes, but it won’t let you slam it. and the seats extensive resume producing and performing the increased legroom in the recent model: always go back to a neutral position. The Lexus with musicians from Akiko Wada to the Kinki “I’m a big guy, and having that extra leg room engineers are geniuses!” DJ Ike, who gives his Kids is a testament to the gregariousness of is a lifesaver!” And the speed of the Lexus is all to the crowds when performing, applauds the musician. Nelson wasn’t satisfied with something that has always stood out for him, the great customer service on behalf of his just touring and playing clubs, though: he right from the first test drive: “I could feel the dealer at Shibuya Lexus and the convenience opened his own club, Yokohama Circus, in power from the car right away. You stepped of the Owner’s Desk concierge service. But the 1985. He also kept himself busy (he’ll be the on the gas and it went boom! The pick-up is final word for Nelson when he thinks about first one to admit to being a people-pleaser, incredible.” He says that the hybrid engine Lexus is “dependability. That you can put in and having a hard time saying “no”) DJing and the drive style selector gives him the best capital letters, at the top of the list.” when he wasn’t touring, appearing on TV, or of both worlds, with gas efficiency in the eco Nelson’s three and a half decades of his own radio shows. mode when he needs it, sport mode for a experience in Japan have taught him many He moved up to Saitama in 2010, and bit more speed, and a sport plus mode that lessons about expat life, from how to deal stepped away from the daily hustle of the tightens up the suspension for an even more with people’s initial prejudice with a sense of music business. He still helps clients with aggressive ride. humor to dealing with difficult bandmates— production and recording, and given his Of course, a music professional like Nelson or the woman who ran a restaurant in magnetic personality, he’s even found himself wouldn’t want to hear his driving music Yokohama, who wouldn’t smile at him for drawn in to some local music projects. It any other way than on the optional Mark the longest time. (A joke or two not only turns out that one of his neighbors plays Levinson–tuned sound system, which he says brightened that relationship, it turned into a in an old-timers’ surf-rock band, and they he “only blasts every now and then,” listening chance for the restaurant owner to learn how asked him to sit in and have a listen. He’s to everything from Hendrix to hip hop. He also to cook the American soul food.) But he insists that the most important thing is to look on the 1 2 positive side of things, and not to get stuck in the mindset of complaining about what you may have left behind back home: “instead of losing something, we actually gain an extra culture by having the experience of living in Japan, and finally it’s up to you: a place is what you make it.”

Photos by Akira Furukawa LEXUS INTERNATIONAL GALLERY AOYAMA

If you’d like to get a taste of the Lexus experience, drop in at Lexus International Gallery Aoyama. Their English-speaking concierge staff is on hand to consult with you on any question you might have about cars, in a sales-free environment where there is no pressure to buy.

1 Issac in his Saitama Studio 2 International Gallery Add: 2-5-8 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo Aoyama where English speaking staff is on hand to Tel: 03-5786-2711 answer all of your questions 3 How to get there. 3

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 10 | FEATURE | TAG HEUER IMPECCABLE TIMING Antoine Pin, Japan General Manager of TAG Heuer—a worldwide leader in the luxury watchmaking industry—defines the values that have led the Swiss company to the forefront of the Japanese market, and the innovations that will continue to lead them into the future

aunched in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in Switzerland, the brand expanded into the Japanese market in the 1960s. The company’s first popular products in Japan were a line of stopwatches that looked like helmets and were sold by anL agent who dealt in motorcycle accessories. Beginning with these automotive roots, TAG Heuer has flourished in Japan, negotiating the Swiss watchmaking industry’s many ups and downs and thriving in a competitive market. Pin explains that TAG Heuer truly hit its stride in Japan during the 80s and 90s, thanks to a new design of watches, a loyal and dedicated sales agent, and the pioneering use of brand ambassadors, particularly F1 driver Ayrton Senna. But as Pin explained, even after TAG established itself as a luxury brand name in Japan, it still faced strong domestic competition: “Among the most innovative brands, the Japanese brands are exceptional. Seiko is one of the biggest in the watch industry today. From an innovation point of view, this is where our biggest competitors are.”

A PEDIGREE OF INNOVATION And they were ready for the competition. Precision, design, and cutting-edge technology have always been at the heart of TAG Heuer’s philosophy. This precision has its roots in the brand’s long history of timekeeping for motor racing and the Olympic games. “The more competitive the sport is, the closer the gaps are, and therefore the more precise you need to be,” Pin explains. In 1916, the company developed stopwatches that could measure hundredths of a second—the highest degree of accuracy available at the time. This proven reliability led to Heuer becoming the official timekeepers for the Olympic games in 1920, 1924, and 1928.

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com TAG HEUER | FEATURE | 11

The watch doesn’t only stand for telling the time. It is the memories, the memories of emotion. That is what we are here for.

Of course, Pin says, the Olympics were not the only event where Heuer’s split-second accuracy would come to the fore. Heuer provided a revolutionary timing system for the Formula One racing circuit, beginning at Le Mans. As watchmaking progress continued, Heuer developed chronograph The recently renovated Espace Omotesando movements that could measure intervals as small as 1/1,000 or 5/10,000 of a second; the “In the Japanese market, people will buy brand also owns the Guinness book of world something they are willing to spend their Launched in December 2012, the records for the shortest interval measured in time and their money on. They understand Edouard Club is a free, permanent a race from 2005. where value for money is—products, membership that is available to any With cutting-edge technology at the services, and experience.” Essential to the customer who purchases a TAG highest level of innovation, the same design brand, Pin describes TAG Heuer as offering Heuer timepiece in Japan. and precision engineering makes its way more than just a product: “The luxury goods into TAG Heuer’s consumer products. For industry not only provides functionality, but Edouard Club benefits: customers, this translates into a reassurance also a smile to the face of clients, positive Members’ price on repair and that comes with purchasing a product from a feelings, and positive impressions.” maintenance services brand that is a proven master of precision, as Beyond its products, TAG Heuer delivers A two-year extension to the Pin explains. emotional and intellectual satisfaction to its TAG Heuer Warranty & Guarantee* The brand always stayed aligned with clients, and insight into what makes a quality its values, and continued to improve. product. “You want to know why this watch is Invitations to TAG Heuer “Interestingly enough, I think even the better than that one, you want to understand limited events and special sale campaigns recession times are very good . . . Recessions the differences between hand-stitching and are a time when you can really develop your machine-stitching in the leather, you want to *only available if registered during the two- brand.” During the last economic crisis, know where it’s built, and you want to know the year period from the date of purchase TAG Heuer invested heavily on the quality history,” Pin says of TAG Heuer’s consumers. of services, communication, training, and Visit www.tagheuer-edouardclub.jp manufacturing. “It comes back to value THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE to find out how to become a member for money as people don’t stop buying; TAG Heuer offers opportunities to connect consumers just become cautious and pay with the brand at 180 points of sale in Japan more attention to what they are buying.” and two specialty stores in Tokyo. Ginza hosts essence of what we do,” Pin emphasizes. Pin says that this is very important in the TAG Heuer’s flagship store, and a recently To extend their points of contact with Japanese market, where consumers have a renovated store reopened in Omotesando. customers and to continue relationships past high level of education about luxury goods. (Both stores offer service in English.) As the the purchase, TAG Heuer in Japan launched first store directly run by TAG Heuer in Japan, the Edouard Membership Club in 2012. the Espace Omotesando is a landmark in this Edouard Club members receive exclusive trendsetting, luxury district. benefits, including invitations to special This state-of-the-art store concept is events associated with the brand. a multi-story space that welcomes guests “When you ask people about their into the world of watchmaking, with gently favorite luxury item, they will tell you less sloping steps that lead to the main floor about the item itself and more about the of the Espace. The second floor contains a story behind it.” Pin often hears people collection of TAG’s latest models and limited describe their favorite piece of jewelry or editions, as well as a selection of TAG Heuer’s clothing based on a significant life event or a eyewear and lifestyle collections, including special memory it represents. leather jackets and travel bags. “So what do we actually stand for?” A comfortable space for customers to view he asks. “The watch doesn’t only stand for and learn about the watches is available in- telling the time. It is the memories, the store as well. “The excellence in the experience memories of emotion. Personal, intellectual, we give to any of our customers, or any one emotional enrichment is what we provide. The flagship Espace Ginza who comes into contact with our brand is the That is what we are here for.”

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 12 | FEATURE | TAG HEUER THE he TAG Heuer Carrera made its debut in 1963, inspired by the speed and exacting standards of CARRERA high-performance racing— andT by the name of a famous race: the Carrera Pan Americana Mexico. In in focus Spanish, Carrera can mean many things: race, road or career. The moment when Jack Heuer first heard the word, it struck a chord, and the idea for the TAG Heuer Carrera was born. Heuer’s racing pedigree goes back to making precision timepieces that were used for road events around the world, and this heritage shows through in every model of the Carrera series. Built to stand up under demanding conditions while providing split- second accuracy, they also set the standard for the watch connoisseur who recognizes craftsmanship, elegance and timeless grace. There have been changes in the Carrera’s technology and design since 1963, each representing new breakthroughs in TAG Heuer’s watchmaking prowess. One of the most outstanding is TAG Heuer’s first ever in- house movement, the automatic Calibre 1887, which powers the latest watches in the Carrera series. Over the decades and in a variety of styles, the hallmarks of the Carrera always stand out: The impeccable Swiss craftsmanship that guarantees accuracy down to the thousandths of a second. The uncluttered design that makes for a watch face that can be read in any situation, from the boardroom to a night on the town. And a reliability that assures your timepiece will stand up over the years, without missing a moment. A TAG Heuer Carrera isn’t just a watch. It’s an investment that epitomizes quality, and one that will keep time during all of the races that you run.

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com TAG HEUER | FEATURE | 13

Film icon Leonardo DiCaprio has already made an indelible mark on the world—as an actor, producer, and passionate environmentalist—but he shows no signs of slowing down. For DiCaprio, being a TAG Heuer brand ambassador has meant helping the company reduce its environmental impact while maintaining its impeccable standards of quality.

How did your relationship resources and species on the brink of directly impact and benefit our planet each with TAG Heuer come about? extinction. and every day. Very early on, I approached TAG Heuer about In my adult life, my environmental incorporating my environmental work into work and activism remain a priority. Your relationship with TAG our relationship. Jean Christophe Babin, who I created a foundation that focuses on Heuer means you’ve visited was TAG Heuer’s CEO when I became an raising public awareness of the very their manufacturing facility in ambassador, was enthusiastic about the idea important issues concerning our planet, Switzerland… from the beginning. He understood then the our environment, and the impact we as There’s something fascinating about old- importance of doing good—by helping to raise people have on the world we live in. fashioned watchmaking, and being able to money for environmental organizations that travel to Switzerland to see it firsthand was a focus on impacting the world in positive ways. What are your tips for people great experience. It’s an incredibly modern leading a more sustainable facility, and yet it feels timeless—like a giant What drives your life? What’s something they science lab with minute little parts and men environmental activism? can do every day? behind microscopes. I loved my time there. I have been interested in environmental The most important thing you can do to issues for as long as I can remember. As live more sustainably is to be conscious of Have you always been interested a kid, I was always enthralled by nature the world we live in, and to integrate that in watchmaking? documentaries, specifically consciousness into your everyday life. The I’m no expert, but I’ve always been a fan IMAX films on the reason that this is important is simple: If of watchmaking, and even more so after rainforests. Even you are knowledgeable about the issues my visit to Switzerland and the TAG Heuer though I was affecting our environment, you will have a factory. Watching a Swiss watch being very young, greater appreciation for the world and be made with so many intricate and delicate I remember more conscious about how you use it. parts is like watching a giant jigsaw puzzle being On a daily basis, I believe that one being pieced together. Experiencing the profoundly of the most important acts someone can craftsmanship firsthand made me even more affected by do to directly impact the environmental interested in the art of watchmaking. issues like community is to buy local. We live in the depletion a very complex world where we want You’re nearly 40—do you still of the world’s everything immediately, even if this this have burning ambition or are means transporting food across the world you satisfied with what you’ve on shipping crates and airplanes. Eating achieved? local, buying local, or planting in your 40? Already? I guess the big four-o hasn’t own backyard has the ability to entered my consciousness yet. I believe it’s very important to look back on the choices you’ve made and re-analyze where you want your life to go and the things you want to do as an individual. I came from a lower middle-class background, and being an actor never seemed like an achievable dream. Once I got my first opportunity to work on a movie, it’s really been a mad rush to fulfill that dream. As an actor, I do everything possible to tell a great story in a truly artistic way, but at the end of the day you never know how critics and audiences are going to respond. It’s always an eternal sort of mystery in making movies, and that’s the great fun, challenge, and excitement about doing what I do.

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 You are invited to take part in the Tag Heuer Price Promise guarantee

The TAG Heuer price promise offers the convenience of buying your watch in Japan, at the same price you would pay overseas. Make a visit to one of our Ginza or Omotesando flagship stores, and if you purchase any TAG Heuer Carrera 1887, we will match the overseas price*. This is a limited time offer, so if you’ve been waiting for the chance to make a TAG Heuer yours, now is the time.

*The price at official overseas TAG HEUER flagship stores. Please bring this invitation to the store or tell the shop staff that you read about this invitation in Tokyo Weekender.

Offered in collaboration with the Tokyo Weekender, the TAG Heuer Price Promise guarantee is only available until March 7, 2014.

Espace TAG Heuer Omotesando Espace TAG Heuer Ginza 5-8-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Ginza 5-3-9, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 Tokyo 104-0061

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 16 | FEATURE | IKUMI YOSHIMATSU

FORMER MISS INTERNATIONAL BATTLES ARTIST INTIMIDATION BY THE YAKUZA

by Matthew Hernon

hat should’ve been the greatest year of her life turned into a nightmare for Ikumi Yoshimatsu. Soon after becoming Japan’s first recipient of the Miss International W crown at the back end of 2012 she was al- legedly being harassed and threatened by a powerful talent agency executive named Genichi Taniguchi—aka Motokazu Taniguchi—of Burning Productions. Her crime: The refusal to sign a contract with his company due to concerns over their links with the yakuza. It would’ve been easy for Yoshimatsu to have simply ac- cepted Taniguchi’s offer and toed the line as so many females have before her. Here in Japan, a nation ranked 105 out of 136 countries in terms of gender equality, it’s unheard of for a woman to come forward and publicly name her tormentor. The moral courage she has shown in doing so is both admira- ble and inspirational, yet concerns for her safety remain.

THE STORY BEGINS Her first contact with Burning came in the spring of 2012. K1 founder Kazuyoshi Ishii drove her to the company headquarters where she was introduced to their notorious boss Ikuo Suho. Having heard rumors about their connections with the mafia, Yoshimatsu turned down the offer to join them and started her own agency. Undeterred, Ishii came back to see her in October. According to Yoshimatsu he interrupted a meeting, insisting that she meet with Genichi Taniguchi, who is an executive at K-Dash and president of Pearl-Dash (both of these agencies are part of the Burning Productions Group). Despite refusing, the matter was far from over and two months later she came face to face with Taniguchi for the first time at a TV studio in Tokyo. “It was on December 30 2012,” she tells Weekender over the phone. “He came in screaming, started chasing me and then finally grabbed my arm and tried to abduct me. After that he sent a private investigator to my house to look through my windows and take photos. He also tried to blackmail my family and threaten them. For over a year now I’ve been afraid and that feeling has intensified since revealing his name in public. Nobody has done that before so of course I was really worried about it, but I realized what a huge problem this was in Japanese society and how many women live their lives in fear. I knew it was

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com IKUMI YOSHIMATSU | FEATURE | 17

conference she gave THE WORLD TAKES NOTICE details of some of the While she is “extremely disappointed” by the text messages that lack of coverage the story has received here, Taniguchi sent her. She her spirits have been lifted by the support she mentioned the name has been given on various social networking Ako Kawada, a TBS re- sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as her porter who she believes blog, which has been read by more than two was being harassed by million people. On top of that, her Change.org Taniguchi before com- petition calling for an end to the Japanese “cul- mitting suicide in 2008. ture of silence” towards crimes against women Yoshimatsu stated has, at the time of writing, amassed more than that the TV execu- 105,000 signatures. tive wrote to her dad Additionally she has an extremely powerful saying, “I’m worried ally in Akie Abe, wife of Prime Minister Shinzo about your daughter Abe. A judge of the 2013 Miss International pag- because your daughter eant, she received an outpouring of messages would become like her informing her of the plight of the 2012 winner. [Kawada].” After finding out more about it and meeting Taniguchi Yoshimatsu in person on Christmas Day, she denies the accusa- responded on her Facebook page: “This is last tions, claiming that year’s Ms. International, Ikumi Yoshimatsu. he only got in contact Those in the media criticizing the new secrecy something I had to do. It was completely my with Yoshimatsu’s parents because Taylor law should properly be reporting about this own choice.” still owed him money. “I’m no stalker,” he lady. I think we should join forces for the sake Burning Productions are said to be one of told the Japan Times. “I called her father of all women.” a number of talent agencies with links to the at least twice to try and reach her man- Yoshimatsu deeply appreciates the support yakuza. Yoshimatsu insists she never consid- ager to solve my financial dispute with from the First Lady. “Meeting her was a power- ered signing for them, because “once you’re him. I have no grudge against her.” ful Christmas present for me,” she says. “She part of the yakuza or a crime organization Yoshimatsu, nonetheless, is adamant listened to everything I’d gone through over the you can never leave.” Her manager Matt that Taniguchi has been stalking her, stating last year. Nobody from the International Cul- Taylor, who was also on the line, informs us that she has the evidence to prove it, which tural Association or the Miss International Or- that some stars had written to Ikumi asking she has presented to Shukan Bunshun. ganization told her about my situation. She felt about the possibility of joining her agency as They are one of the few Japanese used and embarrassed about that and decided they wanted out of Burning as well. media outlets to cover the story. Domestic to take down her posts about being a judge of Getting out is not always easy though. It was previously reported that Glay, Japan’s seventh best selling artists of all time, were I realized what a huge problem intimidation effectively blacklisted after they left Burning is in Japanese society and how many women live to go independent, while popular actress Miki Mizuno lost her role as Yukino Kashiw- their lives in fear. I knew it was something I had agi in the long-running comedy movie series Odoru Daisosasen after she quit the agency. to do. It was completely my own choice. Yoshimatsu herself was prevented from pass- ing her crown on to her successor—the first newspapers and TV stations have chosen to the competition. She pledged full support to my time this has happened in 53 years. stay silent on the issue, despite the fact that Change.org campaign.” Even her original lawyer felt she was tak- it has received a lot of international press. The next step for Yoshimatsu is to present ing too big a risk. Taylor tells Weekender that Yoshimatsu thinks the reason is obvious. her petition to Mrs. Abe’s husband. She has al- he didn’t want her to name Taniguchi publicly “They are afraid of losing celebrities ready written the Prime Minister an open letter and was even reluctant to file a lawsuit be- who belong to Burning Productions,” she urging him to “establish a taskforce to investi- cause “he and the people that worked for his tells us. “There are lots of big stars who gate stalking and violence against women with company had families and he was concerned belong to that group so if they can’t have the object of laying out an immediate national about the potential repercussions.” Conse- access to them it’s going to be a problem strategy to address these issues and offer real quently, Yoshimatsu had to change her lawyer for the Japanese media. Also, Taniguchi’s protection for women.” Because Prime Minister mid-stream. an extremely powerful person who thinks Abe has placed women’s issues as a centerpiece he can do whatever he likes. If he orders of his political platform, Yoshimatsu hopes that SPEAKING OUT a blackout it becomes very difficult for the attention that her story has received will None of this dissuaded her from taking on newspapers and TV stations to report on it. not only lead to improvements in the way that Taniguchi, though. In December 2013 she sat I’ve even had messages on my blog and Fa- stalking and harassment crimes against women in front of the foreign media at the Foreign cebook page from journalists who said they are handled, but to new efforts and programs Correspondents’ Club of Japan to talk in great wanted to cover it but they had to back down that will offer women a fairer chance to play length about her ordeal. During the press because they were threatened.” an active role in Japanese society.

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 18 | INTERVIEW | YOSHIRO MORI

Yoshiro Mori Ahead of the Game

ormer Prime Minister of Japan, and current President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, Yoshiro Mori is not your typical politician. Well- built,F jovial and extremely forthright, he even tried to scrum with us when we met up with him at his office in Tokyo. He keeps a miniature rugby ball on his desk next to a photograph of him rising, along with other members of the bid team, When I thought about those Japanese soldiers who died to cheer after the 2020 Olympics host city announcement was made in Buenos Aires. from the cold, I couldn’t pray whilst wearing a warm scarf Instrumental in Japan’s successful bid for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Mori was recently and gloves, then after my explanation, Putin took off his tapped to head the Tokyo 2020 Olympic organizing committee. scarf and gloves and prayed for a while without a word. Mori is still a member of parliament, but his time as Prime Minister was a short “THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON me. Soon after my inauguration I decided one (April 2000–April 2001), due in part ON THE PLANET” to go there. We spent more than ten hours to a tendency for off-the-cuff statements As he looks back at his tenure as Prime together, eating lunch, watching an ice and political gaffes. However, many of the Minister, one of the things that stands hockey game. I think during that time diplomatic moves that he made at the time— out most was his relationship with spent together we could understand each reaching out to Russia, India, and nations in Vladimir Putin. The two men met in other as human beings. Africa—look prescient in hindsight, given 2000: Mori had just become Prime It was the first of several Japan’s recent foreign policy decisions. Minister after his predecessor, meetings between the two leaders. But the first thing on his mind was his Keizo Obuchi, suffered a stroke, Putin was even one of the first favorite sport. Mori knows that Japan does while Putin was just days away to know that Mori was stepping not have a strong tradition in rugby, but he from being inaugurated as the down after he revealed his hopes that Japan might be able to break into Russian President. decision to him during a visit to the Top 10 by the beginning of the 2015 World “I remember that meeting Irkutsk in March 2001. Cup in London. Seeing the Japan national well,” Mori tells us. “It was “We talked about all team go head to head with New Zealand in a during Golden Week and I kinds of things, including 2013 test match made one thing clear: “Our used that holiday to go to St. my father and how to fix his backs did not look good! We aren’t strong Petersburg to see Putin. Usually a country,” he says. “Prior to getting to enough in those positions yet. There’s no new Japanese Prime Minister goes know him I had this impression of him amount of skill that can overcome sheer straight to Washington and then to as a scary person. I mean, he was in the physical strength, and that is something we Canada, but my thinking was different. center of the KGB! The reality, however, need to improve.” Putin seemed very interested in meeting was different. He looked like someone

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com YOSHIRO MORI | INTERVIEW | 19

During the period of joking around with Ivory Coast president that followed. According to Mori, the Alassane Outtara and exchanging national strong reaction on behalf of the US was as colonization, Indian people soccer jerseys. It’s possible that he may have much a question of wounded pride as it were thinking ‘colored gotten some coaching from the first Japanese was a matter of principle: “The American prime minister to visit Africa: Mori went to intelligence community was embarrassed people’ could never defeat South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria during his because not detecting the preparations for time in office. the test was one of the ‘serious intelligence white people. But the Given Mori’s penchant for speaking failures of the decade’.” Japanese did. We didn’t his mind and going against the grain, he Japan also imposed sanctions that froze also pushed for greater inclusion of African all loans and grants, barring humanitarian supply weapons to India, nations on the global platform: “As a prime aid, but in keeping with his stubborn streak, minister I held the 26th G8 Summit [in Nago, Mori still chose to go to India during his but the psychological Okinawa] and as a host, I really wanted to time as prime minister in defiance of the invite African people. But French Prime impact was big enough for sanctions. Looking to the future, Mori Minister Jacques Chirac and US President believes that the relations between the two them to be independent Clinton said no because G8 was the place to nations will continue to improve, thanks to talk about economy, not politics. But I invited a shared religious tolerance— and perhaps from Britain. three African heads to a party in Tokyo one some racial affinity. day before we moved to the summit, and we “India is rather generous country about who was overwhelmed with sorrow, so I traveled together. You know, I’d love to do religion—they have Hindus, Buddhists and said to myself ‘he must be a melancholic what people say not to do, and this was the Christians. And we Japanese say, yaoyorozu fellow.’ I had that feeling and we started to very beginning of African countries being no kami [“eight million gods,” a reference to talk rather openly. invited to the summit.” the myriad gods in the Shinto tradition) so We also visited a Japanese soldiers’ grave as for religion, we are both open-minded, together. I took off my scarf and gloves, then ON TIES WITH INDIA permissive and tolerant nations. Mori prayed for loved ones. He asked me about Over the past months, Japan has focused also believes that Japan’s victory in the it and I replied, ‘It is nothing to do with you; renewed attention on India. Concerns about Russo-Japanese war “had a great impact when I think about those Japanese soldiers China’s continuing influence have warmed on Indian people,” even encouraging the who died from the cold, I can’t pray wearing relations between the two countries: the budding independence movement. “During a warm scarf and gloves.’ Then after my Emperor and his wife visited in November the period of colonization, Indian people explanation, Putin took off his scarf and gloves 2013 on the 60th anniversary of Indo- were thinking ‘colored people’ could never and prayed for a while without a word.” Japanese diplomatic ties, followed by Prime defeat white people. But the Japanese did. This close relation has continued into Minister Abe himself this January. These We didn’t supply weapons to India, but the the present day. Early in 2013, he had moves serve to bolster the Comprehensive psychological impact was big enough for a 70-minute meeting with the Russian Economic Partnership Agreement between them to be independent from Britain.” President. Mori and the man that Forbes the two nations that was signed in 2010. Although his brash statements on sports currently (and perhaps controversially) The initial cooling of relations was due and international politics may ruffle some dubs “the most powerful person on the in large part to the nuclear bomb tests that feathers on the way to Tokyo 2020, it is clear planet” met to discuss the “abnormal” India performed in 1998, and the economic that Yoshiro Mori will continue to listen to his absence of a peace treaty between their sanctions, initially led by the United States, convictions and call them as he sees them. two native countries and the dispute over a group of Russian-held islands near Hokkaido. “He [Putin] basically told me that the two countries are currently completely out of sync,” Mori says. ”He insisted that we need to get on the same page first, and then we can start playing the game. He also used the phrase hikiwake (a martial arts term meaning “a draw”) to describe his hopes for a settlement. In other words he is hoping for a solution that would be acceptable for both sides.”

AN EYE TO AFRICA Prime Minister Abe’s recent visit to the African continent took him to the countries of Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique, where he pledged billions of dollars in aid and development projects. Notably, Abe engaged in some rare displays of political showmanship, Mori has been President of the Japan Rugby Football Union since 2005

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 20 | FOOD & DRINK | PATINA

that lets guests watch the chefs prepare their meals in an intimate setting for private events or gōkon (group dates for singles in Japan), according to General Manager Paul Snyder. A large wine storage case outside the Chef’s Table serves as a partition between the bar and restaurant area, making for an easy transition between dinner and post-dinner cocktails. As we headed back to the table for dessert, we passed by the pâtissiers who specially prepare each dessert at Patina. The Chocolate Banana Parfait features Patina’s homemade chocolate that is also available to take home, and the Apple en Croute delivered a nice balance of sweetness, finished with an PATINA unexpected layer of apple celery gelato at the bottom. With a lunch menu that changes weekly and a dinner menu that changes seasonally, Patina’s staff takes care to ensure that ingredients are both local and seasonal. TOKYOby Sami Kawahara

Known as a dining powerhouse in the States, the LA-based res- The Patina Bar After enjoying all four courses, we moved on to taurant franchise has chosen Tokyo for its first overseas location. our nightcap at the chic marble bar. Signature cocktails are made from Patina’s quality ucked away in the back streets of The Dining Experience whisky collection and other top shelf liquors, Shibuya, Patina Tokyo is one of A modern, open space with eclectic and prepared with panache. Mixologists from two flagship restaurants within international design first caught our eye as the restaurant’s LA locations were flown the Patina Restaurant Group, a we walked in, from the animal print–inspired out to Japan where they prepared Tokyo’s Tcompany that has managed more than 50 Spanish furniture to the sleek Finnish bartenders to ensure consistent quality in each establishments throughout the United States. designer dishware. We arrived at a quiet time cocktail, while still nurturing local creativity. Internationally renowned Executive Chef on a national holiday, and we were seated at a The “Shibuya Eastside,” consisting of gin, shiso and Founder Joachim Splichal has established spot set in dim lighting, overlooking the rest of tincture, and other unique ingredients was himself as a master of French-inspired the white-linened tables. Greeted by Patina’s one of the many cocktails that exhibit Patina’s California cuisine, demonstrating his ability to multilingual staff, we were given our menus, originality. balance textures and flavors in the design and and the choice of a four or five-course tasting Patina Tokyo lives up to its fine dining creativity of each dish. menu, or ordering a la carte. reputation by finding a middle ground between Curious to try it out for ourselves, we We went for the four-course menu, but Western and Japanese cuisine, and tactful dined at the restaurant that made its Tokyo wished there was an option for seconds and service on behalf of the well-trained servers, debut in December 2013. more, as the progression of Winter Tartare of specialty chefs, pâtissiers, and mixologists. Scallops with Truffles appetizer, the Truffle Risotto hot appetizer, and the Slow Poached Snapper entree was too good to share. With Web: patinatokyo.com three sommeliers onsite, we were able to taste Tel: 03-5738-7031 wine that complemented the rich flavors of 1st floor Kamiyama Forest, 11-15 the risotto and the light texture of the fish. Kamiyama-Cho, Shibuya- ku, Tokyo, The Head Chef—Hitoshi Sugiura from Japan 150-0047 Osaka—came out to explain each dish, helping Opening Hours us feel the true spirit and energy put into Mon-Fri 11:30-14:00 the preparation of our meal. On a quick tour Mon-Thu 17:00-23:00(L.O.22:30) around the restaurant before dessert, we had Fri,Sat & HolidayS 17:00- chance to see the special Chef’s Table for six 23:30(L.O.23:00) | Closed On Sundays

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com This year for Valentine’s, give a gift that will last for years to come

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www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 Valentine’s Special

Red, pink, and heart-shaped decorations displayed all over the city make for constant reminders that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. And although the holiday in Japan is traditionally seen as a “girls gifting boys” day, there’s no reason it can’t be a collaborative effort to equally enjoy the day. Here are a few of our suggestions for activities to conquer the city together, for every budget:

Be a Tourist in Your Those Who Bathe Own City Together, Stay With our busy everyday Together schedules and day-to-day lives, February is usually one of the it can be difficult to find time to coldest times of the year in sit back and enjoy the city you Tokyo, meaning that a nice live in. Valentine’s Day is the bath and hot sauna session perfect excuse to visit that place just might be the perfect cure you’ve been meaning to go to, but haven’t quite got around to yet. to those close-to-frost-bitten toes. A quick trip to Yokohama to Perhaps, say, Enoshima? A short train ride from central Tokyo enjoy the rooftop onsen with a front row view of the Yokohama can bring you to the island’s annual Valentine’s Day event, which Bay at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or an overnight stay in Hakone offers a whole lot of light—from a mirror ball light show by with a private outdoor bath at Hakone Ginyu will surely bring graphic designers and artists, to hundreds of lit balloons released the heat, both literally and figuratively! into the sky. Indulge Inside Get Active on the Ice Chocolate It’s been said that doing One could hardly imagine physical activities together as anything better than a nice a couple can boost bonds and relaxing massage with an improve connections. Whether equally content partner it’s your first Valentine’s Day by your side. Add some together or your fifth, skating chocolate? And there you have side by side, bundled up in the your Valentine’s Day miracle. Holistic Sanctuary is offering a cold can certainly add an extra spark to the night. The notorious Cacao Scrub Warm Chocolate Body Wrap couples massage for concrete jungle has managed to layer a few strips of ice to skate “chocolate lovers.” It may sound strange, but chocolate is said on around Tokyo, including the ice rink in Tokyo Midtown and to provide rich antioxidants that can help maintain firm skin, Meiji Jingu Gaien not far from the Meiji Shrine. Check out Tokyo and acts as a moisturizing agent, thanks to the high amounts Weekender online for more ice skating locations! of natural oils in the cocoa butter. In addition to consuming chocolate on the most popular chocolate sales day of the year, Watch a Show—Live or why not also immerse your entire body in it? on the Big Screen Take the pressure off 1 www.enoshima-seacandle.jp 2 www.tokyo-midtown.com yourselves to be the www.tokyoweekender.com/events 3 www.bluenote.co.jp entertainers, and just enjoy 4 www.hakoneginyu.co.jp 5 www.h-sanctuary.com some entertainment together. Blue Note Tokyo in Omotesando is hosting its annual Valentine’s Day show for the 15th time with Ken Hirai’s acoustic jam session at ¥9,500. Billboard Live is also adding some live jazz with a hint of hip-hop to the mix with American vocalist Jose James. And if a live show doesn’t quite fit your Valentine’s Day budget, Toho Cinemas Day offers discounted tickets every month on the 14th, which falls quite conveniently this time around. Catch a movie for 1,000 JPY instead of the usual 1,800 JPY.

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com 2004 PERRIER-JOUËT BELLE EPOQUE FOR THE BON VIVANT The Art Nouveau bottle design will catch her eye, but this brut’s bouquet is just as lovely as its container, offering lively notes of apple, citrus, and BOND NO. 9 PERFUMES honey, and a crisp, energetic finish. FOR A SPRITZ OF ROMANCE Price: ¥21,000 Bond No. 9 fragrance has a scent for any woman Where: www.perrier-jouet.com whether she’s Uptown classy, Downtown trendy or Wall Street savvy. The New York district-inspired perfume recently made its debut in department stores around Tokyo. Price: ¥29,400–40,950 Where: Isetan Department Stores

PAUL SMITH CUFFLINKS FOR THE ELEGANT GENTLEMAN Not every man can pull off French cuffs, but you wouldn’t have chosen him if he were every man. You can count on the English designer for his tweaks on the classic look, and these accessories are just the right touch for the dandy in your life. Price: ¥8,400 | Where: www.paulsmith.co.jp

PEARL EARRINGS FOR THE CHIC AND THE TIMELESS A classic, quality Valentine’s Day gift can Editor’s be found in a classic, quality pearl. The customized pearl earrings at Yonamine Choice Pearls come as simple or as intricate as her accessorizing heart desires. Price: Varies Where: www.yonaminepearls.com

CHOCOLATS FLEURIS FOR THE CHOCOLATE LOVER WITH EXQUISITE TASTE Now you won’t have to choose between giving flowers and giving chocolates. La Maison Du Chocolat’s creations offer the best of both worlds, with romantic works of confectionary art made just for Valentine’s and flavored with floral essences. Price: ¥3,465 | Where: La Maison Du Chocolat Roppongi Hills (English-speaking staff available)

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com OPINION | EDUCATION | 25

FirstHow “failing better” Attemptcould be the most valuable in lesson Learning you learn this year on until the next new year comes around and we start from scratch all over again. This clearly isn’t the most sensible route to success. When our children are learning to walk they stand unsteadily, take a few faltering baby steps and fall down. Then they get up and repeat the process. If all is well, they continue to try and continue to fail until, after failing better with each attempt, they eventually master this tricky new skill. It’s a process all parents encourage. I cannot imagine that any mother ever thinks, “My poor little dear has fallen down; perhaps he shouldn’t try this awful walking thing again until next year.” One of the current buzzwords in educational circles is resilience or, as my American friends prefer to say, grit. It makes an appearance in almost every list of so-called 21st century competencies as one of the key characteristics that good schools must instill in their students in order to equip them to thrive in today’s fast-moving, ultra- t’s February, the graveyard month competitive world. The idea is that the most success- for all those resolutions you made ful people are those who learn how to cope with and when 2014 was in its infancy and eventually overcome adversity and that, as parents I you thought you could do things and teachers, we do our children a disservice if we differently this year. More exercise? bubble-wrap them so protectively that they are never Less chocolate? I know you meant well but you may at risk of failure. as well come clean—those good intentions have slid It’s hard to disagree with what seems to me to away, haven’t they? be a fairly obvious point: learn to fail or fail to learn. Don’t worry: you’re in good company. In fact, I’m well into my sixth decade and I’m still making the statistics are bleak: apparently only 8% of those mistakes, but at least I’m now old enough to know who make New Year’s resolutions manage to stick that I can learn just as much—and probably more— with them—and the vast majority fall by the wayside from my failures as I can from my successes. I think within the first week. If you’re over fifty you’re it was Albert Einstein who said, “the person who almost twice as likely to slip back into your bad old never made a mistake never tried anything new,” and ways as twenty-somethings who are less set in their history is littered with examples of spectacular flops habits, and if you make a resolution to eat or drink that led in time to giant leaps forward. less the result is often that you actually end up eating So if your resolution has just bitten the dust don’t or drinking more. The truth is that, whatever prom- be too down-hearted. Pat yourself on the back; at ises you might have made to yourself a month or so least you gave it a go. And don’t wait until next year ago, the chances are that you will end 2014 as pretty to give yourself an opportunity to fail better. Baby much the same person who started the year. steps, achievable goals and a well-defined action plan There’s a simple clue to the reason for such will certainly help you to get where you want to be— widespread fallibility in the very name we give to and above all, just remember that FAIL stands for a such promises: New Year’s resolutions. The implicit First Attempt In Learning. Better luck next time! point is that when we fall off—as most of us do— there’s no incentive for us to attempt to climb back by Brian Christian, Principal of the British School in Tokyo

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 26 | EDUCATION | BRITISH SCHOOL IN TOKYO

CelebratingThe 25 years Best of first ofclass British education in Japan by Brian Christian Lady Thatcher would have been proud of the school she opened all those years ago

give our students an even greater insight into the rich culture and history of this wonderful country. Thanks to the generous support of Walk Japan, we have two significant challenges planned for May and October—a 500 kilometer-relay reviving the ancient Brian Christian with British First Secretary of State Wiliam Hague route taken between Kyoto and Tokyo by the Emperor’s messengers along the Nakasendo his year the British School Thank goodness, though, that some things Way, and a recreation of the traditional in Tokyo is celebrating haven’t changed. Our librarian, Mr. Steven, Mount Fuji pilgrimage, so popular during the its 25th Anniversary. A may have just missed Lady Thatcher but he Edo period. The pupils, parents, and teachers quarter of a century may arrived soon afterwards and he is delighted T of BST have always been up for a challenge! only be a heartbeat in a that the children still love their books. Our And we want to give something back. country with Japan’s long and distinguished parents are equally delighted that Mr. Steven Central to our celebrations will be a fund- history, but the world has raced on at a is still baking his amazing cakes for our Friday raising drive—not for ourselves but for breakneck pace since the formidable British coffee mornings, and are quick to agree with those who can only dream of the world-class Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher him that what makes this school so special, education our students are fortunate enough declared us open on September 21, 1989. what has always made BST special, are its to receive. Working with United World Even those of you with the most people and its sense of community. Schools, we aim to build and maintain a retentive of memories will have long It is this sense of community that we will village school in a developing country, and forgotten the record (remember those?) celebrate throughout 2014 with a series of to establish an enduring partnership with its that topped the UK charts that day—even events here in Tokyo, in London, Hong Kong staff and students. It is an ambitious goal, but though it spent six weeks at number one.* and Singapore. one we are determined to achieve. But in many other ways 1989 was a highly There will, of course, be lots of As the British Foreign Secretary said memorable year. It was the year that opportunities to party—culminating with a when he wrote to us to wish us well for our witnessed the birth of the Internet and the Grand Charity Ball towards the end of the anniversary celebrations, “Lady Thatcher collapse of the Iron Curtain; the year of year—but we are also keen to mark our would have been proud of the school she Tiananmen Square and the San Francisco anniversary by celebrating our exciting opened all those years ago.” Bay earthquake; the year when Rain Man position at the heart of this incredible city, won the Oscar for best picture and Kazuo and to establish a lasting legacy to sustain * “Ride on Time” by Black Box topped the Ishiguro published The Remains of the Day. us through the next 25 years. Our strong charts for six weeks. It all seems such a long time ago. relationships with Shibuya Kyouiku Gakuen And, of course, it was a long time ago— from the start, and with Showa certainly in terms of all that has happened Women’s University in more recent since. There were fewer than 150 students times, are immensely important at BST on that first day and not even the to us and we will celebrate those most prescient among them could have partnerships with a number of imagined that 25 years later their modern shared activities. We are especially day counterparts, all 800 of them, would be keen that our pupils should have the taught in Wi-Fi enabled classrooms equipped opportunity to work in collaboration with interactive whiteboards connected via with their Japanese peers. AirPlay to their iPads. It’s a different world. We will also use our anniversary to

03-3411-4211 [email protected] www.bst.ac.jp 3–18 yrs. Showa Women’s University 5th Bldg. 1-7-57 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-8533 FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com ASIJ | EDUCATION | 27

ADVERTORIAL the future of ASIJ:learning Teaching and Technology at The American School in Japan

“It’s hard to define 21st-century learning without talking about technology, and the robotics program at ASIJ is a prime example of that” says Head of School, Ed Ladd. Since hosting and winning the VEX Robotics Competition How would you design a robot that can grades to work together, research, share in 2009, ASIJ’s robotics program pick up and throw BuckyBalls and then and consume information, and create has continued to enthuse the hold a larger ball while hanging from a media-rich products. From experimenting community. Our teams qualified for bar? If you could create a new app for and designing to using their devices to the VEX World Championship for your iPad, what would it do? What kind document their thoughts and ideas, they the fourth year running in 2013. of fairground ride would you design and work on a wide range of engaging projects how would you build a prototype from that require higher-level thinking, critical Lego WeDo? These are just a few of the decision-making and problem solving. questions being tackled by students at “As well as the three ‘Rs,’ we now The American School in Japan (ASIJ). teach the three ‘Cs’—communication, ASIJ prepares all students to meet the collaboration, and creativity,” says challenges of a dynamic global society in Head of School Ed Ladd. “It is not only which they collaborate, communicate, the amount of information available create and innovate through ubiquitous to students, but it is the constant access to people, information and ideas. accessibility to this information that is Our aspiration is to make technology changing the face of education. Teachers an integrated experience for students, are no longer the font of information; rather than a periodic event, by bringing instead, the teacher is a coach or technology into the core of the learning facilitator who helps students analyze This year we launched a new process and the learning space. A key information, synthesize it, and use it semester-long Creative Design course directive that originated from ASIJ’s strategic to solve problems,” he adds. “I’m very in the middle school. All sixth-grade planning process was that the school focus excited by the changes we’ve already students take this introduction to on developing an emphasis on design and made and the innovative ways students the design process and use a variety the design process in the curriculum. and teachers are exploring and creating of technologies including robotics, Students are empowered through with new technology. There has never programming, CAD and 3D printing our 1:1 MacBook program (grades been a more exciting time to be an as well as hands-on building materials 5–12) and the use of iPads in the lower educator—or a student.” and techniques. Students have the opportunity to use these tools to Nursery through grade 12. Accredited by WASC. design creative solutions to self- identified problems, a process that For complete admissions information please visit: exposes them to the fundamental http://community.asij.ac.jp stages of the design cycle. or call 0422-34-5300 ext. 720 www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014

Weekender_advJAN13.indd 1 1/17/14 9:45 AM 28 | EDUCATION | INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

ai INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Internationalt ai InternationalSchools School, preschool and kindergarten children from around the world learn to respect A differences and develop borderless friendships, thanks to the diverse and international atmosphere of its classrooms and activities. In the cross-cultural enviroment that ai fosters, English is used as the common language for communication, but the School offers a truly diverse learning experience. Just like our children, ai’s educators come from around the world. As a reflection of the global nature of ai International School, our curriculum combines many theories and ideas from the educational systems of the home countries of our staff members. Parents will be glad to know that at ai International School, their children will be taught to love the learning process and they will be encouraged to become lifelong learners.

THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF TOKYO 03-3769-3372 [email protected] 5-4-1-3F, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073 Japan ituated in the heart of Tokyo, The Montessori School of Tokyo (MST) is a JCIS member school that offers a vibrant and fresh www.aiinternationalschool.com 18 mos.–6 yrs. S vision of education for your child. Our approach is designed to teach children to think deeply, to think for themselves and to think about others, as they develop a sense of wonder and imagination. MST offers a broad variety of learning opportunities, from a well stocked library with more than 8,000 volumes to one of the largest gardens in central Tokyo, where children care for their own fruit, flowers and vegetables as they learn about their natural environment. Children can also enrich their learning experience through such diverse activities as art exhibitions, science fairs, and community service projects. We have been offering this truly child-centered, high-quality curriculum to Tokyo families for more than a decade. Our diverse group of students represent more than 30 different countries, and range in age from 2 to 14 years old. We look forward to welcoming you!

03-5449-7067 [email protected] 3-5-13 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047 www.montessorijapan.com 2–14 yrs.

J’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

ounded in 2002, the story of J’s International School began with two mothers whose children attended international schools in F Japan. After seeing how their children benefited from a quality international school education, the two mothers opened J’s International School to enable other children to have similar opportunities. At J’s we believe academics, creativity, and communication all play an equally important role in early childhood development. We encourage children to learn by using their imagination and curiosity in a loving and fun environment. Our classes consist of Little Lambs (15 months–2 1/2 years old), Busy Bees (3–4 years old), Ready Rabbits (4–5 years old), and Clever Cats (5–6 years old). We offer an after school program for children 3–6 years old and extended care from as early as 8:00 am until as late as 5:30 pm. Please feel free to contact us for more information or come visit us for a school tour!

03-3452-2078 [email protected] 2-12-14 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046, Japan www.js-international-school.com 15 mos.–6 yrs. SPECIAL | EDUCATION | 29

International School of the Sacred Heart

What makes Sacred Heart special? We are a school that: inspires hearts and minds nurtures a passion for learning and zest for life prepares women for the world provides wise freedom to encourage responsible choices

The journey begins here - come and see for yourself.

Believe Learn Connect Serve Grow 4-3-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012 TEL: +81-3-3400-3951 [email protected] www.issh.ac.jp 30 | INTERVIEW | MASAAKI TAKEI

THE MAN

BEHIND MINATOby Alec Jordan

With a collection of neighborhoods that includes the harbor side areas of Shibaura, the offices and parks of Akasaka, and the upscale cosmopolitan hubs of Azabu- Juban and Shirokanedai, Minato Ward boasts a wide variety of urban zones in a small area of land. Dozens of Japan’s top companies have their headquarters there. It’s also the ward with the highest proportion of foreign residents: the citizens of 130 different nations make their home in Minato, and the embassies of 82 different nations can be found in this “little UN.”

ith such a diverse set of the mayor, that would be about right.” He concerns and groups of explains that the relationship of Tokyo to people—Minato’s official its wards is much like that of a prefecture population is 235,000, to its cities; however, the wards have a Wand the daytime population swells to stronger financial link to the Tokyo met- more than a million during working ropolitan area. For example, emergency hours—is no easy task. But it’s one that services and other municipal services, Masaaki Takei, the kucho of Minato-ku, such as water and power, are provided by has handled with efficiency and a low- Tokyo, but funding for trash collection, key attitude during his 10-year tenure. schools, and many other services are Tokyo Weekender spoke with Takei about funded by the wards themselves. the challenges of administering Tokyo’s Ensuring that Minato’s foreign resi- most diverse ward, his greatest successes dents (the most populous are, in order, in office, and his opinions about the Korean, American, and Chinese) can take campaign financing scandal that forced an active part in the everyday life of the Governor Naoki Inose’s resignation. ward is a prominent part of Takei’s job. To The first thing that Takei cleared up keep foreign residents informed about the was the specific role of the kucho, and services they can use daily, the ward pro- how the wards and the greater me- vides a wide variety of information about tropolis of Tokyo are related. As Takei daily life in Minato in a variety of differ- explained, “if you think about the role of ent forms—some of the more innovative the kucho a little bit like you’d think of systems are an email information service

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com MASAAKI TAKEI | INTERVIEW | 31

to implement be- fore he took office. MINATO FACT FILE “My election pledge was decentraliza- The word Minato, 港, means tion and I was able “port.” Among the ward’s to implement this many ports is the passenger pledge 18 months terminal by Takeshiba station. after taking office.” Takei said that his 8% of the population of Mi- plan met plenty of nato are foreigners. This may friction: “my critics not seem like a large number, said that decentrali- but if you consider that only 1.5% of Japan’s zation would bring population is foreign, Minato’s diversity about inefficiency stands out more. and discord, and a loss of expertise. The 20 square kilometers of I was happy to be Minato house more than half that is available in Korean, English, and able to prove them wrong.” Decentraliza- of the nation’s embassies. Chinese at [email protected], tion led to a streamlining of many mu- and a Japanese-English bilingual phone nicipal processes, and gave more power Minato is a business power- service at 03-5472-3710. to the directors of the branch offices to house and home to many of An issue that is frequently on the address the specific needs of their com- Japan’s biggest companies, minds of foreigners is their inability to munities. Currently, the areas of Shiba, including Dentsu, Honda, vote in elections, and this will not be Azabu, Akasaka, Akasaka, Takanawa and Toshiba, Sony, and even something that will change any time Shibaura-konan are using this stream- Pokémon. Yahoo!, Apple, Coca-Cola, and Dow soon. However, while Minato’s foreign lined process, and it has been a success Chemicals are among the many foreign com- citizens cannot vote, they are able to over the past eight years. panies that have their headquarters in Minato. take part in general assemblies and they When we asked him about the crisis can give their opinion in many different that led to Naoki Inose’s resignation as The fastest-growing areas in forums, both formal and informal. In governor of Tokyo, Takei spoke about his Minato are the neighborhoods fact, this is something that Takei hopes deep disappointment with the situation. of Shibaura and Konan. They’re will increase: “I want to hear what people “It’s a shock to have a person in the top also Minato’s youngest neighborhoods. want,” Takei says. “Our diversity is really position in Tokyo have to step down like an advantage that the ward has, because that. It does not do an honor to the city.” it is a source of great new ideas and per- He also didn’t accept Inose’s rationale people truly do come first, and this was one of spectives that can make Minato a better that he needed the money to run his cam- the reasons that the Inose scandal bothered place to live.” paign: “According to the law, there is a him as it did. “I am always thinking from the Takei is not given to boasting, but fixed amount that you are allowed to use. point of people who live and work in Minato- he does take pride in one of his earliest Going beyond that amount simply isn’t ku, and for the people who receive our ser- accomplishments, and it was one that permitted. You can receive donations, but vices,” he says. Unlike the big-time personali- met a lot of early resistance. In a move there is always an upper limit. The whole ties of a Naoki Inose or a Shintaro Ishihara, that gave branch offices more power to thing makes me wonder if anyone really the “Mayor of Minato” doesn’t need to be the control their own affairs, he pushed for needs that much money. ” center of attention. He keeps his focus on the decentralization that gave the individual It was clear in our conversation that task of keeping Tokyo’s most international neighborhoods more autonomy. As he ex- Takei considers himself a public servant, ward running smoothly, as it prepares to play plains, this was a change that he wanted in the best sense of the word: for him, the its part in hosting the world in 2020.

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PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES TOKYO’S LONGEST RUNNING SOCIETY PAGE, WITH BILL HERSEY

tarting this column out at the popular Segafredo Coffee shop in across Aoyama Dori by Kinokuniya. First you’ll see Kua Aina—Hawaii’s Hiroo, January 3. Just a couple more days of Shogatsu (New Year) Best Hamburgers, which has long been a favorite here in Japan. Continue holidays, and most of my friends will be back from their travels, walking towards Roppongi and in a few blocks, you’ll find three new and back to work, and getting into February’s busy social events very popular eateries—the 3rd Hamburger on the right, Granny Smith’s Scalendar. The streets around major shrines are still packed with people Apple Pie and Coffee a little further up on the left and across the street making their first visit of the year to pray for a good 2014—The Year of the from Starbucks is the Clinton St. Bakery Co. and restaurant from NYC. Horse. Hope those prayers work. You’ll probably have to line up for this one as well as for pie and coffee at I thought I’d be bored, but decided to stay in Japan for Christmas and Granny’s. It’ll be interesting to see what opens in the new long building that New Year’s. It was much busier, more interesting and more relaxing than I replaced the graffiti-covered smaller buildings on the corner of Aoyama thought it would be, and time really flew by. Dori and Koto Dori. In keeping with the religious spirit of the holidays, I truly enjoyed two Still on food, I really enjoyed an almost three-hour lunch at the inspirational evenings with good friends. The first was with Philippine Mexican Restaurant Cocina de Gabriela with Tabasco’s super nice guy and Ambassador Manuel Lopez, his wife Maria Teresa, Warner Brothers great friend Marc Gleason. The spacious eatery is decorated in Mexican President Bill Ireton and two of his five children, Matthew and Roberta at rustic, there’s an open kitchen, and they specialize in carne asada. It was the Meguro Catholic Church. Bill’s wife Charo, and their other three sons, an excellent lunch with time for a 30 minute telephone conversation with William, Thomas and Edward were already in Hawaii for their annual former Tokyoite mutual friend Regina Doi. Regina, who sends her regards vacation there. to her many friends here, is doing very well. I also had a short break (very It was my first time at the Meguro Church and the architecture and short) when I danced to a Latin tune with a fun Mexican lady working at interior are really impressive. After the service a buffet of homemade the restaurant, which is located is on the 2nd floor right across the street Filipino food gave me the opportunity to talk with lots of Filipino friends from the big Azabu police station. who live and work here. Enjoyed a bit of traditional Japan as well when I picked up a traditional Also really enjoyed Christmas Eve Mass with Matthew and Roberta as arrow at Hachiman Shrine, ate some mochi (pounded rice) with Amy well as Father Grimn and Father Russ at the Franciscan chapel. Matthew, Hanashiro and her friends at Midtown Oakwood, and joined Hisako who’s a really good singer, helped with the musical program, which Uemura, wife of the owner of National Azabu for a cup of amazake (sweet, included several choral groups, a brass band and a string group. Kudos to non-alcoholic sake) at the supermarket. the many volunteers who decorated the chapel so beautifully. All kinds of new buildings are popping up all over the city. One of the Traffic was very light over the holidays, so I drove around Tokyoa biggest is right next to the Algerian, Pakistani and Finnish embassies. It’s lot, and as always, I really enjoyed making all kinds of new discoveries. never easy to get info on things like this, but a friend in the know told me it If you’re looking for new restaurants and cafés get on Koto Dori just was going to be a center for medical clinics.

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16th Annual Orphans’ Party at Hilton 1. Abeer Aisha (Oman) with Santa and two of the kids 2.Yasmine Tsamados cute kid 10. Kyoko Spector, Dewi Sukarno 11. Didnen Miyakawa (Turkey) 12. (Greece), Amal Ketrandji (Algeria) 3. Nahid al-Robaee (Iraq) 4. Amira Anna Shiga (Russia) 13. Reiko Szerdahelyi (Hungary) 14. Mary Katayama (Aston Ali Abdelaziz (Sudan) 5. Maali Siam (Palestine) 6. Seibold Buater Anja Martin) 15. Bicky Comberbach (Zimbabwe), Clara Nakazato 16. Maria Teresa (Switzerland) 7. Roberta Ireton, her brother Matthew, and their boy for the Lopez (Philippines) 17. Hiroko Inayama 18. Keio student Shoto Kendo 19. Dr. day 8. Mika Nigitsch, Mrs. Fujisawa (Yodobashi Camera) 9. Steven Haynes, Yoshiko Hatakeyama Hassan (Bahrain). Itsumi Sano (Sony Pictures), Takako Bosman, Lynn Lai, Grace Saito, their

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Sayonara—Welcome of Tokyo’s top businessmen: Oakwood’s Martin Fluck and Asian Tigers’ Nick Masee 8. 1. Grand Hyatt’s new G.M. Antonio Alvarez, outgoing G.M. Christophe Lorvo and Antonio Alvarez, Hyatt’s Chikami Koga, Alicia Lorvo, Croatian Amb., Mira Martinec. his wife Alicia 2. Malaysian Amb., Datuk Shaharuddin, Grand Hyatt’s executive chef, Stephane Foucher, Zimbabwe Ambassador Stuart Harold Comberbach 3. Algeria’s Super National Day Reception Lufthansa’s Otto Benz, Paramount Pictures Japan Pres. Ichiro Okazaki, Emirates 9. Fumiko Tottori (Greece), Yasmine Tsamados, Lilo Maruyama 10. The host Algerian Airlines Mgr. Japan, Richard and Mrs. Engelmann 4. Author, Fashion specialist, Ambassador Sid Ali Ketrandji, wife Amal, Lilo Maruyama, Lilo’s son Helge 11. EU Françoise Moréchand, Dance instructor Kon Hanaoka 5. Bicky Comberbach, Lilo Ambassador Hans Diztmar Schweisgut, his wife Kaoru Schweisgut, French Ambassador Maruyama, Reiko Szerdahlyi (Hungary) 6. Alicia Lorvo, Swedish Ambassador Lars Christian Masset 12. Lilo Maruyama and Brunei Ambassador, Mahamud Ahmad 13. Vargö, Canadian Ambassador Mackenzie Clugston, his wife Paula Bowers 7. Two Architect Manny Sultan and his wife.

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 37

It’s not a brand new building, but Coca-Cola has moved from their GRAND HYATT’S SAYONARA CHRISTOPHE, long-time headquarters in Shibuya to the ultra-modern facilities in Ark WELCOME ANTONIO Hills South, Roppongi. Our congratulations to Coke on the many great The most rewarding thing about writing this column is getting to promotions they did to brighten up our city and Japan’s holiday season. meet and know so many wonderful people. The only downer are the I always took time to check out the fantastic graffiti on the elevated sayonara parties for many of them. One nice thing, though, about these highways near Coke’s Shibuya offices. I can’t figure out how and what time parties is knowing that people are returning home to resume their lives graffiti artists get up there to do their art (and it really is art) work. there, and are often moving to bigger and brighter things in whatever We had a good crowd at the New Lex Tokyo Countdown Party, but I was they do. surprised how quiet the main drag and side streets in Roppongi were There seems to be an exodus of really good friends lately and will compared to last year. Everyone I talked to had their ideas about why try to cover these as they happen. Roppongi has changed so much, and I’ll talk more about this after more I will start out with one of Tokyo’s most popular couples— research in a future column. Christophe Lorvo (he’s French) and his wife Alicia (she’s American). In closing this part of the column, I would like to thank US Ambassador Christophe has worked wonders for five years at the place he’s Caroline Kennedy for the nice signed holiday card that featured a photo turned into one of the world’s best known hotels—the Grand Hyatt of her, her husband Dr. Edwin Schlossberg and their three children in Roppongi. Over the years, his guests have included top showbiz Rose, Tatiana and Jack. We here at the Weekender sincerely wish the personalities like Madonna, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, Tom Cruise, Ambassador a long, happy and what I’m sure will be a very successful Tom Hanks, and the list goes on. The hotel has also been the choice for tour of duty in Japan. royalty, government dignitaries, and business leaders from all around the world. Christophe and Alicia have three super kids: Audrey (11), BILL HERSEY, THE WEEKENDER, AND HILTON TOKYO’S 16TH Sophia (8) and Charles (7). About every three months I’d get a call ANNUAL HOLIDAY ORPHANS’ PARTY from the hotel telling Alicia she had left some bags there for me. These Once again I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to the many community- were always huge IKEA bags packed with like-new prestigious brand minded, caring people out there who put so much time and effort into clothes (Gap, Armani, Macy’s, etc.) that her kids had grown out of or making our orphans’ party the big success it was. Our helpers included gotten tired of. I’ve always mailed these to several childrens’ homes celebrities, many Ambassadors’ wives, and familiar faces from both the and to less fortunate kids in the Philippines. Alicia not only made a lot Japanese and expatriate communities. Long-time contributors of all kinds of families happy: with her fashion sense, she made many kids some of of fun things for the beautiful kids included the Walt Disney Co., Warner the best dressed in the Philippines. Brothers, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Toho-Towa Paramount Pictures, The evening was as I knew it would be: beautiful. The marvelous Twentieth Century Fox, History Channel, Tohokushinsha, Lufthansa, United mix of VIPs, the awesome food and the Hyatt ambiance made it all very Airlines, Mercedes-Benz and Coca-Cola. Several Ambassadors’ wives and special. The Lorvos are busy now, settling in Rio where Christophe will other friends who couldn’t be there that day sent some great gifts as well. be GM of the Hyatt there and be involved in several new Hyatt projects A big thanks to Hilton Tokyo’s personable, very capable, and always in bustling Brazil. helpful outgoing GM Jamie Mead who is now at his new job as GM of the His successor is a cool Spanish man, Antonio Alvarez. He worked beautiful Hilton in Kuala Lumpur. Jamie’s a good friend and will really be with Christophe at Hyatt in Buenos Aires for several years, has a lot of missed. As busy as he always was, he took time to work with his marketing experience and is really personable. We wish all these good friends Director Momoko Gonohe and the Hilton staff in making this year’s party and good people all the best in their work lives. Publication dates and a grand and glorious celebration. Our regular Santa Claus, Dutch clown the long holidays made it impossible to wish all our Chinese friends a Rene Bosman, had a showbiz job in Bangkok so he introduced us to Randy happy new year. January 30 was New Year’s Eve and January 31 is New Drake who made a great Santa at our party. Rene’s wife Takako did come Year’s Day on the lunar calendar. But that’s OK: the celebrations go on and help. The Hilton’s marble lounge was transformed into a marvelous for about 2 weeks, so I do feel I can still wish them a very happy new magical kingdom with a huge Christmas tree, beautiful decorations and year or as they say in Cantonese: gung hay fat choy! several hundred holiday balloons. Jamie and Momoko had also brought Here’s something very worthwhile: to celebrate their 10th in a clown, a fingernail artist, and a face painter to help with the festive anniversary the Mori Art Museum will hold an exhibition of Andy event. As usual, Matthew Ireton led the kids in singing Christmas tunes, and Warhol’s art. Titled “15 Minutes Eternal,” the exhibit opened February Steve Haynes donned his Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer costume who led 1 and will continue through May 6. not only the kids, but everyone there in some fun dancing. I also want to Looking back to when Andy was still alive, I used to spend thank the half-dozen helpers from the volunteer Guardian Angels who are considerable time at his “Factory” whenever I was in New York. involved in many worthwhile community projects. Needless to say, there were always interesting people at his I’m grateful to so many friends, and it was a wonderful almost daily health food lunches. I just wish I would have day in every way: the happy children left loaded down with had the cash (not that much) and sense to buy a few of his gifts and so many balloons that they couldn’t get them all many paintings that were always piled everywhere. A few on public transportation. Once again, a big thanks to the so have sold for more than a million dollars in recent years... many who helped that day. as they say—“live and learn.”

Roberta Ireton, Philippine Amb. Manuel Lopez, wife Maritess, Naef Japanese dignitaries join to celebrate the Saudi National Day with Hamid, William Ireton, mom Charo, Father Grimm, Bill & Bill Ireton Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Turkistani

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 38 | WEEKENDER | EXPAT LIFE

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www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 MOVIES COMING TO A CINEMA NEAR YOU IN FEBRUARY

FEB 28 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG hile critics continue to bemoan the fact that the admittedly Wshort source novel has been split into a whopping three-part film series, fans will rejoice at the return to Middle-earth in this second installment of The Hobbit. Even the most ardent of fans probably felt that Bilbo Baggins and his merry band of dwarves took their time getting started on their quest in the bladder-challenging, three-hour The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Part two, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, makes short work of the preliminaries, firing straight into the action and keeping the momentum up throughout as Dwarven king Thorin Oakenshield continues to lead the party to the Lonely Mountain for a date with the dragon Smaug. Martin Freeman is back as the Hobbit Bilbo, with Ian McKellan as Gandalf and Orlando Bloom returning to his Lord of the Rings role of Legolas the Elf. Everyone knows whether they love or hate these films by now and for fans this offering won’t disappoint.

FEB 7 THE BUTLER FEB 28 he Butler is roughly based on the life of a butler in the White House Twho served for over three decades. Forest Whitaker plays the man who served under seven different presidents, from Eisenhower to Reagan, taking in some of the major historical events of the twentieth century and watching the world, and his family, change along the way. The film boasts a stellar cast, including some NEBRASKA SNOWPIERCER major names stepping in to play the roles ctor Bruce Dern has been around for of various presidents: Robin Williams n a nice break from all the sequels years, but he’s always been more of a as Eisenhower, James Marsden as John and reboots hitting our screens supporting actor than leading man. F. Kennedy, Liev Schreiber as Lyndon B. A comes an original piece of science After an appearance in Tarantino hit Django I Johnson, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, fiction filmmaking from Joon-ho Bong, Unchained, Dern is back in his biggest role and Alan Rickman and Jane Fonda as one of Korea’s most promising directors. in years in Nebraska, garnering praise and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Snowpiercer marks Bong’s return to sci- award nominations for his efforts. Dern plays fi action, and the film has already created a crochety old man who becomes intent on quite an internet buzz. The director’s FEB 15 traveling across the country to pick up a English-language debut boasts an million dollar prize which, quite clearly to impressive cast that includes Chris Evans, everyone but himself, is a scam. Will Forte Tilda Swinton, John Hurt and Jamie Bell plays the son who accompanies his father on who must survive in a post-apocalyptic what becomes a road trip into the heart of future wracked by an ice age that killed off Middle America, coming to terms with their most of the life on earth. The survivors of troubled relationship along the way. The the global catastrophe live aboard a gigantic film is directed by Alexander Payne, whose train—the “Snowpiercer”—governed by a impressive back catalogue includes The rigid class system that is ready to collapse. Descendants and Sideways.

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com SHOWING THIS MONTH | SCREEN | 41 FEB 7

> DVD/BLU-RAY This Month’s Releases

ELYSIUM Sci-fi action with a political undercurrent from District 9 director Neill Blomkamp. Matt Damon is a dying man who must make his way RUSH from the ruined earth to the et amidst the fast paced world of 1970s Formula One racing, Rush orbiting space station Elysium to find a way to save his life. tells the story of one of sport’s great rivalries: that of naturally Sgifted English playboy James Hunt and his technically brilliant LINCOLN opponent, the Austrian Nikki Lauda. Hunt is played by the Mighty Thor A typically impressive himself—Chris Hemsworth—and the excellent young German actor performance from Daniel Daniel Brühl of Goodbye Lenin and Inglorious Basterds is his rival. As the Day Lewis as president two fiercely competitive drivers battle it out on the racetrack, not even a Abraham Lincoln who is major accident can derail their thirst for victory. Both drivers experience fighting a political battle over setbacks, as Hunt’s hard partying lifestyle and personal relationships slavery as the Civil War rages begin to impact upon his career, but it’s a terrible accident on a rain- on in this Stephen Spielberg directed historical drama. swept course that threatens to put Lauda out for good. There’s a lot of excitement around this biographical sports drama directed by Hollywood THE CONJURING heavyweight Ron Howard and it could be his most successful film since he Not for the faint of heart, won the Academy Award in 2001 with A Beautiful Mind. Tron: Legacy’s The Conjuring is a genuinely Olivia Wilde co-stars as Hunt’s supermodel wife Suzy Miller. scary horror movie, which sees a pair of paranormal investigators turn up at a FEB 1 farmhouse to help a family troubled by increasingly disturbing events.

BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK A documentary on the long and impressive career of New York based fashion photographer Bill Cunningham. Talking heads include the likes of American Vogue editor Anna Wintour alongside fellow fashionistas.

END OF WATCH Gritty documentary-style THOR 2: THE DARK WORLD thriller following two cops efore the Avengers assembled to smash global box-office working in South Central records, Norse god Thor appeared in his first solo outing in an Los Angeles who come up Bentertaining introductory film that mixed fantastical Asgardian against a dangerous drug fantasy with tongue-in-cheek earth-based action. The son of Odin gang. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal returns in Thor 2: The Dark World to do battle with Dark Elves in a and Michael Peña. suitably beefed-up sequel. Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor, as does Tom Hiddleston as his scene-stealing brother Loki, last seen being led MANIAC away to face trial at the end of the Avengers movie. The plot centers Elijah Wood plays against type around Dark Elf king Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) who plans to as the deeply troubled owner bring darkness to the universe forcing our hammer-wielding hero to of a mannequin shop who join forces with his scheming brother to stop him. There is a suitably begins to act out his urge to kill epic feel to proceedings this time around as the characters travel in this psychological horror between planets leading to an apocalyptic finale in London. Comic remake of a 80s cult video. touches, based around the fish-out-of-water quality of having Norse gods roaming around the streets of London keep things fun. Natalie Portman returns as love interest Dr. Jane Foster and Anthony Hopkins This month’s movie previews were written by adds weight to the proceedings as Odin, king of Asgard. Christopher O’Keeffe. For more movie news and reviews visit www.tokyoweekender.com

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 POST ROCK LEGENDS bring their unique sound to TOKYO

he cassette had a rhythm all its own, before playing even a single note. First there was T the snare-like snap of a pressed rewind button, then the spooling whir of ribbony tape that had already been used to record, making the same kind of hum heard when a finger slides up fretboarded strings in between strums. It was a familiar little ode to a very different era, a series of sounds that preceded every band Stuart Braithwaite had ever heard as a boy growing up in Glasgow in the late 80s and early 90s. At the time he and his pals would routinely swap those cassettes, each brimming with songs they’d taped directly off the radio, in a ritual that couldn’t have felt more mod- ern. In 2013 Braithwaite sat down with meantime,” Braithwaite says during a recent especially his band’s name. Mogwai may have his bandmates in the veteran indie troop phone interview of the sentiment behind his been named after the endearing little mon- Mogwai to record their eighth album. They band’s latest album title, adding that modern sters featured in the cult flickGremlins , but decided to dub the new album Rave Tapes, effect pedals and studio software allowed Braithwaite says he and his bandmates are because its recording process felt worlds them to easily record music that was rife inspired by far different pictures these days. apart from the cassettes that seemed so with electronic elements, while simulta- “I suppose I liked that movie as a kid, just essential in their youth. neously sparser than any of their recent because it had funny stories with weird things But, charming as those analogue days releases. “We started in the era of tape, and happening. But it would be pretty ridicu- were, Braithwaite insists that he doesn’t it was rare to record digitally. Now digital’s lous for us to try and soundtrack something lament their end. “It wasn’t nostalgia. It the norm, and it ends up giving us so many like it now,” he says, adding that he and his was more amusing than anything, remem- more ways of editing. There’s lots of changes bandmates were much more enticed by bering a time that isn’t that long ago, that we’ve embraced.” recent opportunities to provide soundtracks but already feels ancient because of That means the title Rave Tapes is less for the 2006 football documentary Zidane: A the technology that’s happened in the of a dedication to the past, and more of a 21st Century Portrait and the critically lauded tribute to time passing. Braithwaite is even 2013 French TV horror series The less sentimental about other monikers, Returned. Braithwaite adds: “I think there’s aspects of our music that definitely helped both of

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com PICKS | MUSIC | 43 those projects. Zidane was a very isolationist film, and our music feeds that atmosphere. And I also think quite a bit of our music is unsettling, so that was the angle I’m sure the producers were looking for when they asked us to score Here's a selection of the The Returned.” Braithwaite says that working process was equally albums that we've got on beneficial for Mogwai. “Musically, it hasn’t changed us too much,” he says of our wish lists, from indie writing and recording music movies and TV, adding: “But I think we’ve grown a bit of confidence because of it. We’ve to hip hop shown that we can apply ourselves to different projects.” And yet, that self-assurance has always been an integral component to Mogwai’s success. Braithwaite says no band Warpaint: can survive Glasgow’s music scene without it. Warpaint “It’s not isolated geographically, but Glasgow’s scene is January 22 detached from the music business in London,” he says, be- Following up their popular 2012 debut The Fool fore adding that living under such a long shadow prompts Los Angeles foursome Warpaint return with this Scottish bands to make bolder decisions, adding: “There self-titled follow-up. The experimental indie wouldn’t be much point in sounding really commercial to group mix densely atmospheric melodies with get a record deal, because it’s never that likely someone lead singer Theresa Wayman’s haunting vocals. will come sign you.” Johnny Cash: I think there’s definitely Out Among the Stars March 24 some parallels between Following in the steps of Biggie and Tupac, Johnny Cash proves that it’s not just rap legends SOME Japanese bands and the that can steadily release albums of new material after death. This album contains lost tracks from Glasgow scene. Maybe IT’s a shelved 1980 album recently discovered by the late singer’s son. just an interest in music, and Schoolboy Q: a slight fearlessness over Oxymoron February 25 what constitutes music. The likes of Oddfuture, Danny Brown, A$AP Rocky, Drake and even Kanye are all helping to make That attitude is obvious throughout much of Mogwai’s the rap scene as fresh and exciting as it’s been in catalogue, which mostly consists of sprawling instrumen- years. Add to the mix West-Coast rapper Schoolboy tals that are as demanding and rewarding for listeners as Q, who mixes socially conscious lyrics with some they are for the band. Oddly enough, Braithwaite gets that classic stonerisms on his major label debut. same sentiment from Japanese audiences. “We’ve had a plethora off wonderful concerts in The War on Drugs: Japan. And there’s plenty of really interesting bands from Lost the Dream there,” he says, before citing a few examples like Boris, March 18 Envy and Acid Mothers Temple. It’s been more than two years since the release Perhaps this Japanese tour will give Braithwaite the of their last album, but indie rockers The War on chance to explore a foreign, and yet oddly familiar, scene Drugs are back with their fourth album to date. with the same vigor that he applied to making and swap- The band continues making good tunes with ping mix tapes as a boy. their throwback, Sonic Youth–inspired sound. Braithwaite adds: “I think there’s definitely some parallels between those Japanese bands and the Glasgow scene. There really are some similarities. Maybe just an Azaelia Banks: interest in music, and a slight fearlessness over what Broke with Expensive Taste constitutes music.” March 2014 by Kyle Mullin Bursting onto the scene with her stomping bass-heavy dance/rap track “212” in 2011, Azaelia Mogwai will be playing the Hostess Club Banks has suffered setbacks, delays and even a Weekender at Studio Coast on Feb 15. Twitter feud with Lily Allen, but the 22-year-old For more information, visit New York native’s album is finally ready to drop. ynos.tv/hostessclub. Check out the stomping “212” and her EP 1991 to Their new album Rave Tapes is out now. get a taste of the rapper’s work.

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 AGENDA FEBRUARY 1

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5 AGENDA: THE WEEKENDER ROUNDUP OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY

1 FEB 26 2 FEB 14 3 FEB 25 4 FEB 25-26 The Rolling Stones Bonjour Tokyo Foals Nine Inch Nails Yes, the Stones are back Valentine’s Party Less than a year after Trent Reznor and his (and still rocking) and The French party planners their performance at the band will be touring as a if you’re lucky you can still get your have a sensual Valentine’s night 2013 edition of Fuji Rock, the Oxford four-piece, in a new lineup including hands on some tickets. planned: come wearing a mask and group is back in Tokyo with their math previous collaborators Ilan Rubin, Where: Tokyo Dome put your slow dancing shoes on. rock and dance punk mashes. Alessandro Cortini, and Robin Finck. When: February 26, March 4–6 Time: 19:30 | How Much: ¥1,000 Time: 19:00 | How Much: ¥6,300 Time: 19:00 | How much: ¥9,000 How Much: ¥18,000 - ¥80,000 Where: Las Chicas Omotesando Where: EX Theater Roppongi Where: Studio Coast, Shin-Kiba More info: www.rollingstones.com More info: www.bonjourtokyo.com More info: www.smash-jpn.com More info: www.creativeman.co.jp

5 FEB 4-12 6 FEB 12 - MAR 4 7 FEB 15 - MAR 15 8 FEB 8 - MAR 2 Kokufu Bonsai TAG Heuer x Ken Yukio Futagawa “Frank Setagaya Ume Matsuri Exhibition Okuyama – kode9 Lloyd Wright” February is all about the Learn a little more A chance to check out Photographs of Frank Lloyd plum blossom, so head about this traditional Japanese art some limited edition timepieces Wright’s architectural works from to Umegaoka for some flower viewing, form by admiring a full collection and get a glimpse of Okuyama’s influential architectural photographer haiku reading and plum sweets eating. of the bite-sized wonders. latest car project. and publisher Yukio Futagawa. Where: Hangi Park, Setagaya-ku Where: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Where: Daimaru Tokyo Event Space Where: Taka Ishii Gallery, Roppongi How Much: Free How Much: ¥1,000/¥500 How much: Free. How Much: Free More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.takaishiigallery.com

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY | AGENDA | 45 FEBRUARY

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10 Blooming

11 BRILLIANT! Get the party started with the classic Outback Bloomin’ Onion®

Bacon Cheese Burger 100% beef patty topped with bacon and cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, mayo and 12 pickles for the ultimate burger experience! Served with Aussie Fries and cole slaw.

9 FEB 22 10 FEB 18-28 Thomas Gold Eric Clapton EDM star Thomas Gold The artist is still going Rack of Lamb is headlining AgeHa’s strong at age 68, but as he 450g of succulent and “Lumberjack” night, which features plans to retire by age 70, this may tender New Zealand lamb, flannel, hairy chests, denim, beards be the last chance to see him live accompanied by a rich demi and sexy female lumberjack dancers. in Japan. glace sauce. Served with mashed Time: 22:00 | Where: AgeHa Time: 19:00 Where: Nippon Budokan potato and seasonal mixed How Much: ¥4,000 How Much: ¥12,000 (S)/¥11,000 (A) vegetables. More info: www.turnedon.jp More info: www.udo.jp

11 FEB 6 12 FEB 9 Toro Y Moi Dan Dan Charity Run Your chance to spend The Japan Association one night with the for Refugees (JAR) American graphic designer turned is hosting a charity walk/run this chillwave icon. February in support of refugees Where: Shibuya Club Quattro living in Japan. How much: ¥5,500 Time: 9:00 | How Much: ¥3,000 -¥4,000 More info: www.smash-jpn.com Where: Imperial Palace Course More info: www.refugee.or.jp

www.tokyoweekender.com FEBRUARY 2014 BACK IN THE DAY: FEBRUARY 1989 Check out the scene in Tokyo from 1989! You can read the rest of this issue (No.6 1989) and view Weekender’s 42 year archive online. www.tokyoweekender.com/weekender-archives/

FEBRUARY 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com