APRIL 2014

Japan’s number one English language magazine

CAPTAIN AMERICA We talk to US rugby legend about his stellar career and life in Japan

PRIMAL EATING Man’s primitive nutrition plan has become today’s most INNER talked-about diet VISIONS Artist Asami Kiyokawa prepares to go global with RUNWAY her imaginative visual style PERFECTION Japanese designers showcase unconventional style at ’s biggest week of fashion

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FASHION WEEK Japanese designers take to the runways with bold looks and innovative ideas

8 12 18

KAMATA HAKENSHA TODD CLEVER ASAMI KIYOKAWA Four generations of knifely knowledge in We caught up with Todzilla before his The visionary artist reveals the inspiration the heart of Asakusa crucial World Cup Qualifier game behind her unique creations

6 Paleo Diet 14 John Thomson 26 Movies Getting back to our hunter-gatherer Lexus International’s Director of Global The web-slinger takes on a triple threat, a culinary roots Branding on marketing a luxury lifestyle chilling documentary, and more 9 Paraiso 20 Real Estate 28 Agenda Have a bite, take a sip on a Pisco Sour, Our listing of some of Tokyo’s hottest We’ve got you covered: Here’s what you and then head to the dance floor properties ought to be up to this month 10 Hotel Metropolitan Sendai 22 People, Parties, Places 30 Back in the Day Tradition and modernity meet at The Ambassador Kennedy’s Red Sox Party, and Some of Tokyo’s top international schools Gateway to Tohoku more reports from our man about town show off their theatrical talents

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

world who have gathered there will be APRIL 2014 just as fascinated by her as we were. APRIL 2014 Now, while rugby standout Todd Japan’s number one English language magazine Clever’s body of work certainly wouldn’t be described as ethereal, the man they call Captain America is no less an artist CAPTAIN on the field. The veteran has AMERICA We talk to US rugby legend made his mark here in Japan, and as the Todd Clever about his stellar career and life in Japan US National Rugby team moves on to the Publisher BC Media Group World Cup, you can be sure that Clever Chairman Ray Pedersen PRIMAL will be one to watch in 2015. EATING Executive Producer Asi Rinestine Man’s primitive As bound to the trappings of modern nutrition plan has become today’s most society as we are, it’s hard to believe INNER talked-about diet Editor Alec Jordan that we might have anything to learn Art Director Liam Ramshaw VISIONS Artist Asami Kiyokawa from our ancestors who lived tens of Illustrator Liam Akin prepares to go global with RUNWAY her imaginative visual style PERFECTION thousands of cherry blossom seasons Japanese designers showcase unconventional Media Director Kotaro Toda style at Tokyo’s biggest week of fashion ago. But given the popularity of the Paleo Account Executives Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa Diet over the recent years, it’s clear that Ohad Elbaz ALSO: The Brilliant Blades of Kamata Hakensha, Paraiso’s Latin Paradise, People, Parties, and Places, and much more our distant cave-dwelling cousins might not have had it wrong when it came Media Consultant Mary Rudow he always all-too-brief Marketing Ingrid Dubreuil to eating right. We find out how this hanami season may have Editorial Consultant Sami Kawahara nutrition-based lifestyle is doing here in already passed its fullest T Japan, and try out a couple of recipes that Society Bill Hersey bloom by now, and we hope prove that “no processed food” doesn’t that, even if you don’t spend a day or Editorial Associates Vivian Morelli need to mean “no fun.” two drinking on the blue tarps, you find Matthew Hernon After that, we sample the best Pisco some way to savor this time when the Mace Bertumen Sour in town, learn how to pick out the country loosens up and embodies the perfect knife from one of the masters in Film Christopher O’Keeffe spirit of bureiko—playing it free and the field, take in the latest bold collections easy, and not standing on ceremony. IT Manager Nick Adams from Tokyo’s young fashion designers, With that same spirit in mind, let’s Development Manager Stephane Boudoux and experience Tohoku-style omotenashi have a quick look at what our April issue Finance & Admin Sakura Arimura in a town where sakura season comes a DBA Iryna Sundutova has on offer. little later in the year. Our cover star is the artist Asami As always, we appreciate your Kiyokawa, an intriguing creative force readership. We’ll see you next month. who is as captivating as the work that has made her famous. She’ll be showing some of her latest pieces at Milan Design EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 Week by the time you’ll be reading this, and we expect that the art and design Editor Published monthly at the Regency Shinsaka Building, 5th floor 8-5-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (03) 6666-4924 / (03) 6432-9229 (fax) [email protected]

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Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher

Published by BC Media Group www.bulbouscell.com

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

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 by Sami Kawahara

nnovation doesn’t always mean alcohol, and dairy improvement, advocates of the products—became Paleo Diet might say, as America’s staples of the human newest and most “Googled” diet diet. Since the In- Iof 2013 is, ironically, inspired by the dustrial Revolution world’s oldest diet. in the 19th century, The Paleolithic diet, common- food processing tech- ly referred to as the “caveman,” or niques and intensive “hunter-gatherer diet,” is based on the livestock farming foods that our ancestors ate during the methods have led to Paleolithic Era—a period that began the production of re- about 2 million years ago, and ended fined cereals, sugars with the First Agricultural Revolution, and vegetable oils. 10,000 years ago. The main principal of Due to strong the diet is simple: if the cavemen didn’t beliefs that the Munchkin Foods, says that “Japanese eat it back then, we shouldn’t eat it now. human digestive system has hardly people are not used to thinking of a During the Paleolithic Era, our changed over time, Paleo Diet support- diet as a lifestyle. They are always ancestors only ate foods that could be ers argue that the ideal diet for human looking to go on a diet, but it’s more of hunted and fished, such as meats and health is a pre-agricultural diet. So, say a momentary thing to drop weight in a seafood, as well as foods that could be goodbye to ramen and rice—no grains, couple weeks. They can’t wait to finish gathered, such as nuts, fruits, vegeta- no refined sugar, no processed foods— their diet so they can eat a piece of bles, herbs, and spices. Since the time and hello to sashimi and yakitori. cake after.” when humans began cultivating crops Cutting out particular foods, how- The Paleo Diet, on the other hand, around 10,000 BCE, several kinds ever, doesn’t mean your diet has to be a puts more of an emphasis on a change of food that humans rarely strict calorie-counting, yes-or-no-check- in mindset: it’s actually less of a diet and consumed before—beans, list type of diet. The Paleo Diet focuses more of a lifestyle. Advocates believe grains, more on a general lifestyle change and that just following the minimal require- guidelines to eating unprocessed food. ments—cutting out processed foods and Sayaka Miller, longtime ultra-trail loading up on unprocessed whole foods, athlete and author of in combination with healthy sleep and Japan’s bilin- physical activity—can lead gual Paleo to a lean, strong, and blog, energetic body.

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com PALEO DIET | TRENDS | 7

FROM MUNCHKIN-FOODS.COM/HOME

CHICKEN GYOZA Ingredients: 9-12 sasami (chicken tenders), 250g ground pork, 1 package shiso leaves, 1/2 package nira, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp Japanese people are not used Chinese 5 spice, Salt/pepper, 1 tbsp coconut oil. to thinking of diet as lifestyle. 1. Dice shiso and nira very finely. Mix sesame oil, They are always looking to go on shiso, nira, ginger, Chinese 5 spice and ground pork for filling, salt and pepper to taste. a diet, but it’s more of a momen- Approx. 30-40 mins 2. With skin side up pound sasami with meat Serves 2–3 people tenderizer or hammer until thin. Be careful tary thing to drop weight in a not to rip holes in the meat. 3. Spoon 1tsp of filling or more depending on couple weeks. They can’t wait to size of the sasami and wrap. These will not finish their diet so they can eat a close as well as traditional gyoza so be careful that there is some space for the chicken to piece of cake after. press together to hold in the filling. Salt and pepper the tops of the gyoza 4. Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil in a frying pan. Add Miller adds that unlike diets that require you to meas- gyoza and cook on medium heat until under ure out food and count calories, Paleo is compara- side is white. Flip and cover—cook for anoth- tively quite simple. “Trips to the supermarket and er 5 minutes then uncover and cook on high preparing meals are easier because you can skip the heat for 5 minutes to crisp the underside. middle aisles and head straight to the fresh part of 5. Serve with coconut aminos, apple vinegar with the market.” It is also easier because it’s up to you to a dash of red pepper for dipping sauce find the right way of doing it yourself. “You know how hard you work out [and] how many calories you need and you adjust [your calorie intake] to your own life- CHOCOLATE CHIP style,” Miller says. Some long-time practitioners of the COOKIES Paleo Diet have even noticed improvements in chronic Ingredients: Almond flour 1 1/2 Cup, Baking illnesses, thanks to cutting out milk and grains, such soda 1/4 tsp, Salt 1/4 tsp, Coconut oil 2 tbsp as corn, wheat, pasta, and rice, from their diets. or Butter 28g, Vanilla extract 1/2 tsp, 1 Egg, For Japanese people or people living in Japan, Honey 70g, Chocolate Chips 1/2 cup cutting out the ever-present staples of rice and noo- 1. In one bowl, mix together the dry ingredi- dles isn’t easy. But when cooking at home, there are a ents—almond flour, baking soda, and salt. number of Paleo-friendly alternatives that can replace Approx. 45 mins 2. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients ingredients in traditional recipes. Although ordering Serves 3-4 people except for the coconut oil or butter —i.e., gyoza or chocolate chip cookies out at a restaurant the vanilla, egg, and honey. might not be considered Paleo, you can surprisingly 3. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry, and make these indulgent-sounding dishes healthy (see stir in the coconut oil or butter. Fold in the sidebar). chocolate chips last. Miller recommends replacing white flour with 4. Let the dough rest in the fridge or freezer almond flour when baking or cooking tempura, or for about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to substituting canola oil with olive, coconut, avocado, 170 degrees. 5. Use a tablespoon to scoop up the dough, macadamia, walnut or flaxseed oil. While out at form a ball, and place it on a baking sheet. an izakaya, most veggie and grilled fish dishes are 6. Bake in the oven for 6 minutes. Take the Paleo-friendly, Miller says, and so are miso, green tea, oven tray out once, and use a spatula to edamame, and wakame. flatten the cookie. Like any new healthy habit, starting out isn’t easy, 7. Return to the oven and cook for another but the results can really be worth the effort. “The 5–7 minutes. Take the cookies out of the first few months are hard,” Miller reflects. “But once oven when they start to turn golden brown. you eliminate foods, the cravings just gradually go Watch them carefully in the last 2–3 min- away and you really feel the impact it has on your utes as almond flour can burn easily. body.” 8. Cool on a wire rack.

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 8 | JAPANESE CRAFTS | KAMATA HAKENSHA

However, if a customer is using the knife for cooking, Kamata warns that the most impor- tant thing for a buyer to be sure of is exactly what they want from their knife, and this can depend on the type of cuisine they are preparing. Western-style cooking generally involves chopping through harder materials, and as sharp as the blade of a Japanese knife may be, the thin fine blade will chip if it is used for rough cutting. Finally, whether a Kamata Hakensha: customer is purchasing a Western-style knife or a Japanese one, Kamata recommends that they “step up” gradually in their purchases, Refined Edges instead of buying a knife that doesn’t meet their particular needs. Four generations of experience are the secret to this That said, some of Kamata Hakensha’s clients work at some of Tokyo’s most re- Asakusa knife emporium’s success nowned restaurants, and through the store’s broad network of craftsmen and factories, or a professional chef, or someone Kamata’s grandfather opened a shop in the Kamata can offer a degree of customization who loves cooking, a well-made Asakusa neighborhood, where he sharpened that other stores can’t match. For example, knife is more than just a simple tool: and maintained knives for restaurants and pri- many clients have been asking for handles in the kitchen, it can become an vate customers around the area. The business made of harder wood such as black persim- extensionF of the user’s hand. expanded to selling knives (both Western and mon, or a type of cedar found only on the But, like any piece of equipment, a knife Japanese), and Kamata has also founded the in- island of Yakushima. must be taken care of: a traditional Japanese house brands Kenmax and Togiharu. Yet, true Whether it’s a factory-made knife or knife, or wabōcho, has a carbon steel blade to the family tradition, the heart of the busi- a one-of-a-kind blade, the staff personally that must be dried and oiled after use, or it ness is still based around the sharpener’s craft, inspects each piece before putting it on the will quickly rust, eventually damaging the so when we paid a visit to the shop, it was no shelf for sale. A popular service at the store metal. And even a Western-style stainless surprise to find Kamata’s son at the shop’s is custom engraving, which can be done steel knife needs sharpening to maintain its grindstone, sharpening a customer’s knife. in English or Japanese—Kamata speaks edge. With so many different types of knives The combined wisdom of generations of English, and he can help foreign customers available, each one requiring its own type of experience in maintaining knives has given choose the most appropriate way to write maintenance, the choices can be daunting for Kamata insight into what all types of custom- their names in kanji or katakana. The store someone looking to step up to a higher quality ers need, and the shop carries a wide array of takes care to educate their customers about knife, or to make the transition to a Japa- knives that come in all shapes and sizes: heavy the proper use and maintenance of their nese-style knife. This is where an expert’s ad- cleavers, thin-bladed knives used for slicing new purchases, and each knife comes with vice can help, and Seiichi Kamata, proprietor fish, and even specialized knives for preparing a detailed set of instructions for proper use of Kamata Hakensha, is one such expert. unagi, or eel. Some of the most striking pieces and upkeep. The family has been in the knife can be found in the back of the shop, where If you’re looking for a unique gift or business since 1923, you can find wabōcho decorated with maple souvenir, a piece of craftsmanship that will when Seiichi leaf or cherry blossom patterns, or Western last you for years to come, or if you want to knives made with the characteristic wave- breathe new life into a knife that you’ve had like patterns of Damascus steel. Many of his for a while, visit Kamata Hakensha. foreign customers buy the more exotic knives as souvenirs or gifts. Kamata Hakensha (Kenmax, Inc.) Address: 2-12-6 Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-3841-4205 Web: kap-kam.com/index_english.html

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 PARAISO | RESTAURANTS | 9

The dance floor fills Paraiso’s up with dancers as the night goes on, and Latin Paradise works as the perfect Based on the idea of rounding up the three D’s—dining, place to practice those drinking, and dancing—all in the same venue, Paraiso Latin moves whether was born in lively Roppongi. you are a beginner or a

generous, and intended to professional dancer. be shared! Complementing the Latin instructors, and gives you a chance to varied culinary offerings try out your new moves. A different live salsa are a wide variety of band also hits the stage every Sunday night. cocktails, with the most They also host events such as guest DJs or live popular being the Pisco dance performances throughout the month. Sour—Peru’s national For large groups or private parties, Parai- cocktail. The bartend- so offers a customizable menu or a reasona- ers blend this drink bly priced nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) and up with grape brandy, tabehodai (all-you-can-eat) set menu. You lime, sugar, egg whites, should also consider Paraiso to be a go-to spot and Angostura bitters, to host a birthday party, a year-end office topping it off with a hit party, or even a wedding party. of cinnamon. They also After we finished our food and drinks, we offer 20 different types decided to head to the dance floor to enjoy of frozen mojitos, as the beats of Paraiso’s in-house DJ, Peruvian/ well as a full array of Japanese DJ Ricardo, who kept the music standard cocktails. going all night long, running the gamut from Paraiso is located salsa and bachata to merengue and reggae- just a short walk from ton. The music and energy on the dance Roppongi Station, floor made us feel like we were worlds away on a side street off from Japan, tucked in a lively corner of South Gaien Higashi Dori. America, and we had to remind ourselves After heading down that there was that last train to catch. a flight of stairs and walking into the So if you’re in the mood for some good ith more than two decades venue, which was newly opened in 2012, we Latin hospitality or a place to dance until of experience manag- were greeted with a warm smile and a “buenas dawn—or both!—Paraiso is a hotspot you ing Latin bars in Tokyo, noches” (good evening) at the reception desk. should put on your restaurant to-do list. owners Stewart Bailey and Heading inside, we could hear the salsa music MasaW Tanaka decided to create a venue and feel the upbeat energy from the bartend- Address: B1 Kobayashi Bldg. 7-10-3 Roppongi, people could call their own ‘Latin Para- ers, the friendly serving staff and the dancers Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0032 dise,’ giving Paraiso its name. practicing their steps on the dance floor. An Phone/Fax: +81-3-6447-1963 Two world-renowned Peruvian chefs eye-catching chandelier, made from wine glass- Email: [email protected] —“Lucho & Lucho”—are the stars of Parai- es and illuminated by color-changing LEDs, is Web: www.paraiso-bar.com so’s kitchen, and the menu that the duo the centerpiece of the bar. 1 has put together satisfies both die-hard The venue is split into Latin food lovers as well as the more tem- two sections: a “tropical perate taste buds of those not accustomed island–themed” dining to the traditional spices and ingredients of space on one side, and a Latin American food. Latin “city-style” dance You can find many of the standard floor area on the other, dishes you would expect on a Latin style with the big round bar menu, such as chicken quesadillas, beef serving as a partition. The 2 and chicken tacos, and burritos. But per- dance floor fills up with 3 haps the most impressive entrées that set dancers as the night goes this Latin spot apart from the rest are the on, and works as the per- homemade recipes that Peruvian cuisine fect place to practice those is known for, such as Lomo Soltado (beef Latin moves, whether you stir fry with vegetables, fried potato slices are a beginner or a pro- and rice), Anticuchos (grilled skewered fessional dancer. Paraiso meat), and arguably the best Peruvian offers daily salsa dance 1 Pisco Sour—Peru’s national cocktail 2 ceviche you will find in Japan. Portions are classes with experienced Best ceviche in Japan 3 Lomo Soltado.

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 Hotel Metropolitan Sendai: tohoku-style omotenashi

ounded by the great warlord your exploration of Tohoku, then the Ho- Date Masamune in 1600, Sendai tel Metropolitan Sendai is the ideal place is known as the gateway to the to stay in the city. Japanese tradition and Tohoku region, and is a city that 21st century modern conveniences unite looksF forward to the future while main- at the classic yet sleek Metropolitan, taining the cherished traditions of its past. whether you’re staying in one of their It hosts the largest Tanabata festival in the recently renovated Japanese-style rooms, country in August, and the zelkova-lined or one of a variety of Western-style main streets of this “City of Trees” serve rooms or suites. (Prices range from a as the setting for many festivals and standard single room at ¥13,200 to the events throughout the year. luxurious Royal Suite—¥155,000) Wi-Fi Sendai is also the perfect base from service has been enabled throughout the which you can explore the Tohoku region, hotel, ensuring that you’ll be able to stay as it continues its rapid recovery from the on top of business—or keep your friends Great Eastern Earthquake and tsunami, up to date on your vacation adventures. and the people of the surrounding cities As soon as you walk into the spacious and prefectures offer a warm welcome to lobby of this centrally located hotel—the visitors from Japan and abroad. building is connected to Sendai City’s And if Sendai is the perfect base for Tohoku Shinkansen station, and close

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com HOTEL METROPOLITAN SENDAI | TRAVEL PROMOTION | 11

If Sendai is the 1 2 perfect base for your exploration of Tohoku, then the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai is the ideal place to stay in the city. 3 Japanese tradition and 21st century modern conveniences unite at the classic yet sleek

Metropolitan. 1 Experience the very best of Japanese hospitality 2 Modern Japanese style tatami room 3 Enjoy an intimate meal in one of the hotel’s private dining rooms. to the sights and sounds of the Northeast’s bustling urban nucleus—you’ll be able the recent, and more remote, past of Sen- breaks. If you’re in the mood for a drink to feel the spirit of omotenashi, or Japa- dai. The Sendai City War Reconstruction before dinner or a nightcap, drop in on the nese hospitality, and the hotel’s multilin- Memorial Hall holds records of the World aptly named Knight. Open for several meals gual staff is there to cater to your needs War II air raids, and Sendai City Museum during the day, Serenity offers fusion cuisine throughout your stay. Executive Managing has a wealth of information about histor- made with locally sourced ingredients and Director Junichi Konno has put his all ical Sendai and its 17th century founder expertly prepared by a French-trained chef; into training his staff, ensuring that each Masamune. the restaurant itself is divided into five differ- member of the Metropolitan is thoroughly To take in some of Sendai’s history ent areas, including private booths, a conviv- committed to going that extra mile in order while strolling among its celebrated cedar ial counter dining area, and a family-friendly to make sure that every guest’s stay is one trees, visit the reconstructed Zuihoden— space. With its elegant, sophisticated décor, that they will remember long after they’ve the mausoleum belonging to Han, the first Hayase is the ideal environment for enjoying returned home. feudal lord of Sendai. washoku—the traditional Japanese cuisine A short cab ride away is the Miyagi that has earned the recognition of UNESCO SIGHTS AROUND SENDAI Prefectural Museum of Art, with a fasci- as an Intangible Cultural Heritage—with a Whatever brings you to Sendai, you should nating permanent collection and a variety menu that highlights the local food products certainly take the time to enjoy its many of rotating and interactive exhibits, and of Tohoku. Finally, the restaurant Tohri attractions. Cherry blossom season comes lovers of modern architecture should drop serves up the rich flavors of authentic Chi- to the region a little later than it does down in at architect Toyo Ito’s Sendai Media- nese dishes. A perfect way to look out on this in Tokyo, and you will find that Tohoku’s theque. While you may not be able to see City of Trees, the banquet spaces “La Beaune” pleasant summers make for a wonderful Ma-kun in action now that he’s gone to and “Ginga” provide a view from 21 floors getaway as well. the Yankees, baseball fans shouldn’t miss up, making for a unique backdrop for special The Metropolitan is close to several the Rakuten Kobo Stadium Miyagi, which occasions. engaging museums that offer glimpses into plays host to the 2013 NPB Champion And even if you’re on a busy vacation or Tohoku Rakuten Golden a business trip, who says you can’t take some Eagles baseball team. time out to pamper yourself? The Sendai Metropolitan has a beauty salon on the 3rd FOOD, DRINK, AND floor, and for a feeling of total luxury, ride the A LUXURIOUS see-through elevator to the hotel’s 6th floor BEAUTY SALON beauty treatment clinic and beauty studio Of course, there’s nothing for a full range of salon treatments, all with a like traveling to work view out on the hotel’s verdant garden. up an appetite, and the Let the Sendai Metropolitan Hotel serve Hotel Metropolitan has as your travel oasis on your journeys around a variety of cafés, bars, Tohoku and beyond. and restaurants to satisfy any palate and suit any Hotel Metropolitan Sendai mood. The Lobby Lounge, 1-1-1 Chuo, Aobu-ku, Sendai-shi Chaleur, is an ideal spot 980-8477 | Phone: 022-268-2525 that is open throughout Email: [email protected] the day for quick coffee Web: www.s-metro.stbl.co.jp

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 by Sami Kawahara

f you happen to run into a taller-than-average I man around Tokyo with long, curly brown hair that would make any man, woman or hair model envious, look carefully: it might be rugby legend Todd Clever. Captain of the US National team, and the first American ever to play in the elite league, Clever chose to spend his prime rugby years competing in Japan’s Top League. Clever was born and raised in California, but unlike his American football or baseball-playing teenage peers, he chose a different path growing up. After watching his brother play in high school, Clever decided to play competitive rugby in addition to high school football. Although rugby is far less popular in the states than it is in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere, club rugby in Cali- fornia gave Clever the chance to travel the world while still in high school. As a three-time All-American at the University of Nevada, Reno, Clever was selected to play on the US National team, which allowed him to gain worldwide exposure and grab the attention of coaches from the best leagues in the world. In 2006, Clever began his professional career in New Zealand, before receiving the opportunity to play in the sport of rugby’s elite league—Super Rugby—for the South African Lions in Johannesburg in 2009. He was the first and only American to play in this league, and he was named captain of the US National team in 2011. During a successful season in the Super Rugby league, Clever suffered an injury that would require surgery. Although he still had a year left on his contract in South Africa, Japan coach Eddie Jones reached out. “I had an offer from Eddie Jones saying ‘have surgery, rehab back in Japan and play two seasons.’ I was only planning on

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com TODD CLEVER | SPORTS | 13

a different kind of rugby that they play here, espe- Physicality is cially compared to what I played last. In South Afri- maybe one aspect ca it’s a lot more physical and the players are a lot Japan has to get better bigger. The skill level is a little higher too, but the at, but Japanese rugby Japanese skill is improv- is faster than any ing a lot. Physicality is maybe one aspect Japan other rugby in the has to get better at, but Japanese rugby is faster world. That’s why it’s than any other rugby in the world. That’s why it’s exciting. exciting.” When asked how else the Japanese league is Q&A WITH TODD CLEVER: different, Clever says that staying two years and then going back to South the fans’ politeness stands out: “It’s funny: Favorite moment in your Africa, but I just really enjoyed it here and it when you’re warming up, it is so silent at rugby career? worked out really well with my schedule with the stadium, until someone does something TC: At the 2007 Rugby the US team,” Clever says. Four years since that like score a try or make a good break or World Cup, when we conversation with Jones, Clever is still playing tackle. Then people get excited. But for the played one of the first in Japan. most part, the fans are really intrigued and games of the tournament. It was USA quiet and respectful. It’s just different from versus England, in France, but the whole LIFE IN JAPAN anywhere else in the world.” place was English, singing their national When Clever first moved from Johannesburg With the season lasting from September anthem. The hype before the game was to the countryside of Fuchu, Japan, in 2010, to January and playoffs following, Clever was pretty incredible. things were a bit different. “It was a big culture back to the States during the off-season to Best player you’ve . I really enjoyed it but it was just differ- begin qualifiers for the 2015 World Cup. The played with and against? ent. There was a big language barrier at the US National team defeated Uruguay in late TC: Both with and time.” This inspired Clever to begin learning March to officially qualify for the World Cup against is George Smith Japanese. For the first two years, playing for in England, and will continue to compete in [Australian on Suntory , Clever used a translator to a pool with Japan, Scotland, South Africa, Sungoliath]. Also against, is Jerome Kaino communicate with his coaches and teammates. and Samoa. “It will be a tough one,” Clever [American Samoan-born New Zealand But thanks to the combination of Clever’s says. “Scotland is first. We struggled with player] Japanese study and an English-language envi- them when we played them last, but on ronment being encouraged on his new team, neutral ground it will be a good contest. We Player to look out for on the NTT Shining Arcs, Clever now does well lost by two points against Samoa last time, the US National team? without a translator. and South Africa with be tough too, but if we TC: One of the best players Although the level of competition is high could target a few of those games and have in the world right now is in Japan’s Top League, the way the league good performances, there’s a possibility of Samu Manoa. He played runs is very different from Super Rugby or the doing really well.” football and now plays rugby in England. European leagues. The 16 teams in the Rugby According to Clever, the future is also He is one of the most exciting players and Top League are corporate owned, and many of bright for the sport of rugby as a whole, and he’s up for Player of the Year in England. the players on the team are employees of that he says the number of US players is growing Favorite and least company as well. “These guys put in some long faster and faster. As for Clever’s immedi- favorite thing about hours. Japanese work ethic is second to none; it ate future, he has extended his two-year Japan? is incredible,” Clever says. “They work contract with the NTT Shining Arcs for one TC: My favorite: Japa- for six hours, go to lunch, then more year, giving us the opportunity to see nese food, sushi, and the train, then gym, then video.” Captain America, or Todzilla as many people people are so respectful and kind. Least The style of play is also call him, dominate the field in Japan. Or just favorite: not owning a car. different in Japan. “It’s catch those locks somewhere around town…

CAPTAIN AMERICA: A CAREER IN NUMBERS

BIRTHDATE: JANUARY 16, 1983 TEAMS: HEIGHT: 6 FT 4 IN (1.93 M) 2006: NORTH HARBOUR (NEW ZEALAND) WEIGHT: 220 LB (103 KG) 2009–2010: (JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA) POSITION: FLANKER 2010–2012: SUNTORY SUNGOLIATH (FUCHU, JAPAN) ITERNATIONAL CAPS: 54 2013–PRESENT NTT SHINING ARCS (CHIBA) NO. OF STARTS: 53 INTERNATIONAL DEBUT: AUGUST 2003 VS. ARGENTINA INTERNATIONAL TRIES: 11 PROFESSIONAL DEBUT: 2006

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 14 | BUSINESS | JOHN THOMSON BRAND MAGIC Lexus International’s master marketer discusses the power of intangibles in building a luxury brand

power or smooth ride. Lexus has been making a number of moves over the past Screenshot from the ‘Amazing in Motion’ TV advert few years to shake up the way that luxury cars are branded and When I was in the UK, I marketed, and one was working on very detailed of them is to bring in Thomson himself. marketing programs and The UK native came trying to figure out what would to Japan in August 2011, after more than work in Liverpool or London... a decade working for But when you’re here in a Toyota and Lexus in England and Europe. global role, you’re saying to Since arriving, yourself, ‘what would work in Thomson has come to Tokyo, Taipei, or ?’ view the automotive industry from a much be mentored by established professionals in broader perspective, their fields—12 winners have been chosen drawing as he does from more than a thousand different entries, on the intelligence and their designs and prototypes will be on of Lexus’s market- display at Milan Design Week in April. ing teams in the US, Another prong in the Lexus branding Australia, Singapore, attack is “Intersect by Lexus.” Designed and other countries. as an environment where customers can f you’ve been watching TV recently In fact, he says that it has given him a new per- learn about the Lexus lifestyle, the space in over the past few months, you’ve spective on car marketing as a whole: “When I Aoyama is not a showroom for production probably seen it. It’s a car ad, but was in the UK, I was working on very detailed cars at all—in fact, the only vehicle you one of the reasons it stands out is marketing programs and trying to figure out might see there is a concept car like Lexus’s thatI the product only appears in the final what would work in Liverpool or London. LFA Spider. Intersect, then, is a showcase for second or two. The rest of the ad features a But when you’re here in a global role, you’re products that reflect the company’s values: a troupe of quad-rotor helicopters that nav- saying to yourself, ‘what would work in Tokyo, café featuring coffee from Fuglen, a Norwe- igate sprightly down a city street at night, Taipei, or Toronto?’” gian coffeemaker, and a retail space offering evoking the feeling of free movement and One of the ways Lexus has been imple- items made for the Crafted for Lexus brand. possibility that driving a high performance menting its new strategy is through initiatives Ranging from clothing and pottery to jewelry car can provide. like the Lexus Design Award, which gives and leather smartphone or tablet cases, the The ad is one of the recent initiatives up-and-coming designers the opportunity to Crafted brand is the product of a collabora- from Lexus International, tion with a variety of Japanese artisans and and as John Thomson, Lex- manufacturers. It’s inspired by the idea of us’s General Manager for making pieces that fit into a luxury lifestyle Global Branding, explained, and create a positive association with the the absence of automobiles cars themselves. in the “Amazing in Motion” And back to the cars themselves, we campaign commercials is asked John Thomson for a glimpse into Lex- a branding approach that us’s future, and what we could expect from proves that depicting the Lexus in the years to come. He told us to keep intangibles—or lifestyle our eyes open for a new series of revolution- elements—of the Lexus ary designs from the automaker—but he kept experience is as important mum on whether we’d be seeing a return of as trumpeting a car’s horse- Intersect by Lexus in Aoyama the quad-rotors any time soon.

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com EXPAT LIFE | WEEKENDER | 15

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www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 by Sami Kawahara

Japanese fashion is expressive, dramatic, and stands in contrast to the typical way westerners perceive the culture of the country. We experienced the bold presentations of several Japanese designers as they showcased their Autumn/ Winter 2014 collections at Tokyo’s most exclusive week of fashion.

f you’ve lived in Japan for a while, or come to visit with a very specific idea in mind (e.g. Japanese food), it can be easy to take for granted the fascinat- Iing design and creativity of Japan. From the towering buildings in central Tokyo to the sophisticated toilets at your local combini, everything in Japan is carefully crafted. In an effort to promote this Japanese design to the world, Creative Tokyo—a gov- ernment-sponsored initiative—took us on a three-day tour of the city to remind us of the Photos by Akira Furukawa beauty and style that surrounds us everyday. One of the most integral aspects of Japan’s creativity is fashion. Japan is known for being rather conservative in most aspects of daily life, but when it comes to fashion, Japanese people truly embody their own character and individuality. Visit any high fashion website and you can see a brand’s full collection for the upcoming season online. But it’s the way Checking out Tokyo’s turn with the However, Editor-in-Chief, Christene these designers showcase their pieces on the world’s most influential fashion event— Barberich, and Senior Global Editor, Connie runway with a very specific vision in mind Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week—when it Wang, of one of New York’s most popular that truly tells a different story. There are came to town at Shibuya’s Hikarie, we fashion sites, Refinery29, have a differ- strong points of view as Japanese designers found that runway shows by Japanese ent point of view. “Japanese fashion has take pride in presentation. designers displayed many of the same already started to become extremely pop- qualities as the designs of the clothing: ular,” Wang says. “Designers in the states less commercial and more individualistic are borrowing inspiration from Japanese than their western counterparts. designers this season with very tomboyish, baggy, peasant looks and avant-garde style JAPANESE FASHION: HELPING and prints.” THE WEST LOOSEN UP? “There’s a market for it [in the US]. Designers in Japan, surprisingly, view There’s a novelty to it, something very the generally nonconformist western characteristic about it that I think fashion world as conservative when it comes in general is moving towards. It’s unique… to fashion. Asked in a press confer- people don’t want to look like everyone ence before Tokyo Runway about the else. They want to look individual,” Barber- challenges Japanese designers face ich says. “I think that’s something these when expanding overseas, designer Japanese designers help to promote—in- of the brand DRESS CAMP, Toshikazu dividualism—which is what our audience Iwaya, says his focus is on other Asian really loves and gets excited about.” countries now because he believes his Wang believes fashion in Japan goes brand might be too wild for more two ways. “One is very experimental and moderate dressers in the US. avant-garde and the other side is very

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com TOKYO FASHION WEEK | FEATURE | 17 classic, utilitarian, and functional. The US audience already knows about that classic side of Japanese fashion (through brands like Uniqlo) but they are hungry for that avant-garde side. There is an entertainment piece to it that is really appealing.”

Japanese fashion has already started to become extremely popular ... designers in the states are borrowing inspiration from Japanese designers this season with very tomboyish, baggy, peasant looks and avant-garde style and prints.

LOOKING AHEAD When it comes to the future of fashion, there is a special balance of tradition and innovation that young designers aspire to achieve. Kunihiko Morinaga, the designer of the brand Anrealage, says that the strength of his genera- tion of young designers is their ability to express their uniqueness and creativity. The latest venture for Morinaga and his brand is combining technology with fashion. For his past two col- lections, he developed innovative designs, starting with his autumn/winter 2013 photochromic colors collection. Made in collaboration with a coloring specialist from © wakana murata Kyoto, his photochromic clothes change colors when exposed to sunlight. In his spring/summer 2014 collection, Morinaga integrates a dial into his pieces that can make the fabric The first Japanese branch of LA-based Patina Restaurant, PATINA shrink or expand. Inspired by the concept of Japan’s TOKYO marks the first international foothold for PATINA four distinct seasons and the need to maintain comfort indoors and outdoors, his designs let the wearer adjust RESTAURANT GROUP, a leader in the premium segment of their clothing accordingly—for example, allowing a tradi- the restaurant industry with more than 50 establishments in the tional shirt to transform into a long dress. US. PATINA TOKYO’s highlights are its spacious dining room, In a culture where following the rules and conform- its authentic classic American bar counter, and the chef ’s table, ing to society is typically seen as the standard, it was where guests can host their private events and can be served by refreshing to be able to experience fashion as one of the the chef directly. Under founder and chef Joachim Splichal’s most colorful forms of individual expression in Japan. direction, guests can enjoy French inspired California cuisine that is full of art and creativity, as well as a carefully curated wine list that perfectly complements the food menu.

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From the A DEGREE FAHRENHEIT collection. www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 The pioneering artist tells the story behind the unique style that has made her a design icon

by Matthew Hernon

sami Kiyokawa is simply one of the most beguiling and creative artists of her gen- eration. From best-selling books and CD Acovers to various art movies, commer- cials, and collaborations with celebrities like AKB48, she has been involved in a wide variety of projects over the past decade or so, but it is the intricate way she amalgamates photography and embroidery for which she has become most well known. For someone who can turn a picture into some- thing that is both elegant and illuminating using just a needle and thread, we were surprised to discover that these were tools she didn’t particularly enjoy using growing up. “I don’t like doing the same things as everyone else so I was never really interested in embroidery from a traditional sense: that is, for making clothes,” she tells us. “It was actually one of my weak points at college, but then around the age of 21 I saw a needle and thread placed on a photo and I was fascinated…I started thinking about how I could start putting holes on to this shiny surface to create something that had never been seen before, a completely new genre.” Kiyokawa tends to notice things that others might simply ignore; it’s a quality she’s had from a young age. Brought up on the tranquil island of Awaji in Hyo- go Prefecture—where, as she says, “there wasn’t much to do,” she would spend much of her time observing what was around her. On moving to Tokyo following high school, she was scouted for a modeling job almost immediately. For three years she would attend photo shoots in the mornings and evenings while studying at

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com ASAMI KIYOKAWA | FEATURE | 19

The female form is a thing of real beauty, yet at the same time it can be scary. We have many facets to our personality and I want to portray that in my work.

Bunka Fashion College during the day. This was of course before she found her unique style, and within a year of establish- Not only does our body shape change regularly, ing it, she had won an army of supporters but so do our moods. The female form is a the main image for renowned novelist and began to garner awards. Following her thing of real beauty, yet at the same time it can Kanae Minato’s short story “Safaia,” and colorful design for the cover of Kaela Kimu- be scary. We have many facets to our personal- then collaborated with legendary figure ra’s album, Real Life, Real Heart, numerous ity and I want to portray that in my work.” Shuntaro Tanikawa on the book kamisa- brands—from the high-end market such as In 2010 Kiyokawa was given the task ma wa iru inai? (Is There a God or Not?). Swarovski to fast fashion outlets like UNIQ- of depicting the individual characteristics Considered by many to be Japan’s greatest LO—were soon lining up to work with her. of each member of Japan’s biggest pop act, living poet, the 82-year-old was high on So were some of Japan’s best-known idols, AKB48. The group’s producer, Yasushi Akimo- the list of people Kiyokawa wanted to work including Aya Ueto, Masami Nagasawa and to, a man who appears to have control over with. She even had a premonition about it. . But Kiyokawa didn’t just want every aspect of the way the girls live their “I feel as though I was born under to embellish their beauty with pretty designs: lives, gave Kiyokawa artistic license to do a lucky star,” she says. “When I hope or she intended to go much deeper than that. “whatever (she) wanted.” He was, apparently, dream for something to happen more often “I like to look beyond the surface,” she pleasantly surprised by the result: the artistic than not it does. I get this funny feeling in says. “I want my artwork to express my representation showed him a side of the my bones that I will meet with a certain subject’s true personality, their inner self. young ladies that he hadn’t recognized. person and it regularly seems to come Before meeting them I will check their photos Kiyokawa’s popularity continued to true. That was the case with Shuntaro or have a look at their videos on YouTube skyrocket. Whenever she held an exhibition Tanikawa, whom I envisaged working with and very quickly, usually within ten minutes, fans came in droves. In 2012 55,000 people and then out of the blue it transpired. I I feel I have a good understanding of their turned up to see her work in Omotesando have met with many interesting people character. Hills, a record number for the shopping down the years, but he is the one that “It doesn’t have to be someone famous; mall. Her picture books have also proved stands out the most.” as long as they have some originality I find it very successful, selling more than half a Not afraid to step outside her comfort easy to work with them. That said, I do prefer million copies in total. zone, she continues to challenge herself working with women because I think we are She remains very much an artist in de- and in 2012 presented her first men’s more complicated. We are generally harder mand, not only by companies and celebrities, collection. Known as Danshi, the images to read and, therefore, more unpredictable. but by writers as well. Kiyokawa produced portray Exile’s Takahiro, singer Nobuaki Kaneko, and footballer Atsuto Uchida as famous historical figures, and once again All about Asami... proved to be a huge hit. She hopes her next publication, due out at the end of this BORN: AWAJI ISLAND, HYOGO PREFECTURE (1979) month, is even more successful. Described NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS: SHIAWASE NA OUJI (2006), by Kiyokawa as the “second portfolio in the BIJO SAISHU COLLECTION (2006–), CAICO (2008), GINGA series of her life’s work,” it is called Him- TETSUDOU NO YORU (2009), 5 STITCH STORIES (2010) itsu (Secret) and will include a number of DANSHI (2013), HIMITSU (2014) personal photos that she has taken herself. The next step is to raise her profile AWARDS: BEST DEBUTANT (2004), VOGUE JAPAN WOMEN OF abroad. Kiyokawa’s first international ex- THE YEAR (2012), ASIAGRAPH CREATOR’S AWARD (2013) hibition will take place in Milan at the start BRAND COLLABORATIONS: CARTIER, SWAROVSKI, GAP, of April, and we doubt it will be her last. LEXUS, UNIQLO, ETRO Once she puts her mind to something she usually achieves it, and something tells me CELEBRITY COLLABORATIONS: AKB48, that we are going to be hearing a lot more SHUNTARO TANIKAWA, TVXQ, KANAE MINATO, about Asami Kiyokawa in the near future. KISHIN SHINOYAMA

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

obody likes health problems, but let’s face it. They’re all a Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations featured parties at the part of life. Needless to say, I’ve had my share of problems the Embassy, parade in Omotesando, and Min-On’s presentation of the Irish last month or so; I’m not happy about this, but I’ve certainly Téada. The Irish ambassador’s wife Kathleen is really making a lot of realized how very very lucky I am. friends now that she’s here in Tokyo. Prior to coming to Japan, she took NI thank God, friends, and the powers that be that I met one of Japan’s care of many of the visiting dignitaries to the President of Ireland. outstanding surgeons, Dr. Satoshi Ohtsubo, Surgeon-in-Chief in the We’d also like to congratulate Ambassador and Mrs. Chúc Mung Nam Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, his doctors—including Tatsuma Moi. Their embassy, which is next to my house in Motoyoyogi, was wall- Yamamoto—and the professionally trained nurses who I feel truly are the to-wall with people and their Vietnamese friends. angels of one of Tokyo’s top hospitals, Saiseikai Central Hospital. I can tell The 2013 Major League Baseball champion Boston Red Sox showed you that I have really learned to respect Japanese nurses, who do a hell of off their World Series trophy at a reception at the U.S. Embassy on Jan. 28. a job with the many people that they have to work with. Thank you, girls! Ambassador Caroline Kennedy welcomed Red Sox Japanese players Koji The hospital experience has also given me the opportunity to get to Uehara and Junichi Tazawa, Red Sox marketing man Adam Grossman know some really good people I should have gotten to know better long and the team mascot, Wally the Green Monster. Also at the reception was before. My hospital room has been a center of attention, with lots of photos MLB Tokyo representative Jim Small, as well as former Major League of the wonderful celebrities I’ve met over the years. The most beautiful players Masanori Murakami and Hideki Matsui. flowers came from a brilliant, charming lady, Dewi Sukarno. Dewi is a Things are never dull at the Tolman Collection and no one knows how star, and her flowers and cards reflect her sophisticated, international they do it. Norman Tolman attributes it all to his wonderful staff, who are personality. I also sincerely appreciate the flowers and visits from so able to work together and accomplish things that other galleries don’t seem many members of the business community and the diplomatic corps, able to do. One example: the Art Fair Tokyo project, which was put under particularly a few of the best friends that anybody could have: the Ireton the supervision of Kiyo Fukuda, who arranged things that guaranteed a family from Warner Brothers, Dale Toriumi from National Azabu, and successful show. Norman’s old friend from the PTA of Lycée Franco- others. Most of these people have their own problems, but still take time Japonaise days, Francoise Morech, and Dewi Sukarno both stopped by to to visit friends and help people out. bring an aura to the event that was greatly appreciated. Toko Shinoda’s I missed a lot of events, including the anniversary of Bahrain’s wonderful paintings, as usual, stole the show even among the 120 exhibitors National Day, which was very special this year, with the celebration of and there was a continual crowd at the Tolman Collection booth. the Ambassador and his new wife, Dr. Yoshiko Hatakeyama Hassan. It Once again, thank you for all your friendship and attention. I was a colorful evening with a Japanese folk dance show. We wish them look forward to seeing you all in the near future. Until then, take all the best. care. God Bless.

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 23

Hiroo Segafredo’s always helpful staffers: Shiroma-san, Daisuke Tamura and Tony DeNiro at Segafredo Matsumura-san, and Tamura-san

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4 5 6

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In and Around Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, who hosted the party, chats with Japanese fans 1. Bill and Egyptian sumo wrestler, Ōsuna-arashi 2. Junko Koshino and Taos 6. Bill and baseball legend, Hideki Matsui. Drum Group performers The Tolman Collection at Art Fair Tokyo Ambassador Kennedy’s Boston Red Sox Reception 7. Norman H. Tolman and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mei 8. Eiji Nagao, PTA of Lycée 3. Red Sox SVP, Marketing Adam Grossman, Red Sox players Koji Uehara and Franco-Japonaise days, Ms. Francoise Morechand, Norman H. Tolman 9. Ms. Dewi Junichi Tazawa, Ambassador Kennedy 4. Bill and conductor Seiji Ozawa 5. U.S. Sukarno and Norman H. Tolman.

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 PUBLICITY

Leadership “cancer” is quietly killing organizations. STOP DESTROYING YOUR BUSINESS

areers are cut off at the knees and businesses destroyed when 1. The quality of the relationship with the immediate supervisor. people problems are allowed to fester. Getting the people part 2. The employees’ belief in the direction the senior leadership were right is not just fundamental, it is critical in any business. taking the organization. Ironically, we are all taught to believe that “hard skills”—our 3. Their sense of pride in working for the organization. Ctechnical expertise—is the main requirement for success. The reality is that if the people skills part is not working well, no amount of technical All three pivot points refer to “soft” not “hard” skills. They are expertise will compensate for the damage being done to the business. indicating issues about communication and people skills. This is often Poor, mediocre or uninspiring leadership is easy to spot. However, the weak point for technically oriented people. They are often very there are other types of problematic leadership which are not so detail driven, high “task focus” individuals. Communicating with, immediately obvious, but which must be fixed. leading, enthusing and motivating others are expertise areas where Smart, capable people get promoted and are given responsibility they struggle. for others. This is usually because they have demonstrated a mastery If expertise in these areas is the linchpin for engagement of the “hard skills” areas of the business. The challenging part is that and motivation, and those given responsibility for leading are often these admirable and highly evaluated skills are individual to underperforming, then the full potential of the team will never be that person. Those working for them, by definition, do not possess the realized. If the full potential of the people is not being realized (and same capability level. Also, individual expertise may not be replicable people are usually the biggest expense line in any organization), the or transferable to others. Another additional problem is that having “opportunity cost” is very, very high. This is like a leadership “cancer,” the requisite hard skills is not enough. You can’t do it all yourself and quietly killing the organisation. so leaders need to be able to delegate, to leverage the capacity and ability of others. This requires expertise in the soft skills—particularly ENGAGEMENT LEVELS COUNT leadership, communication and people skills. If your competitor has a more engaged team, then their performance, As famous baseball coach Yogi Berra wryly noted, “Leading is creativity, teamwork, accountability, coordination, attention to quality, easy. Getting people to follow you is the hard part.” The vast majority and ability to go the extra mile for the client will be superior. They of companies say they need to get more out of their people. They outperform you in innovation, because they are getting more people to especially look to the leader groups, particularly middle management, care more. They are inspiring their employees to want to be an integral to provide this capability. Most often they complain that those and valued part of the improvement process. They will soon be eroding responsible for others are not getting sufficient leverage from the your market share and will ultimately destroy your business. whole team and are not producing sufficient outcomes. The four major business skills of leadership, communication, sales and presenting are all soft skills. Hard skills alone are just not going to do GLOBAL RESEARCH REVEALS SURPRISES it. Companies and individuals who want to succeed need to invest to com- The breakdown occurs when individual technical expertise does not pletely marshal the full power of their potential—their “people power”. provide enough of what followers want from leaders. Recently, global By the way, don’t talk to anyone about training until you read Stop research was conducted on what drives followers to be loyal, motivated Wasting Money On Training: How To Get the Best Results From Your and engaged about their organizations. This research was duplicated in Training Budget. To receive your free report, pick up your phone now and Japan and the three key factors were found to be same: call 0120-948-395 (or 03-4550-1601) for a free 24-hour recorded message.

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com EXPAT LIFE | WEEKENDER | 25

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

APR 25 THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2 he Amazing Spiderman swung back onto screens in 2012 just a Tfew short years after Sam Raimi’s Spidey trilogy had ended. While many questioned if it was too soon, the new (and appropriately named) director Marc Webb did a decent enough job to be offered the sequel with new guy Andrew Garfield back behind the mask. With the origin story out of the way, we can jump straight into the action as Peter Parker juggles his schoolwork and relationship with girlfriend Gwen Stacey (Emma Stone) with a second life as a wall-crawling superhero. Three big villains are squaring off against Spidey this time around: Jamie Foxx’s Electro, Paul Giamatti’s Rhino and Dane DeHaan as the Green Goblin. We saw in the messy Spiderman 3 that more doesn’t necessarily mean better, so it will be interesting to see if the film can keep on track with so many characters in play. Sony owns the rights to Spiderman, so anyone hoping for a crossover into the Marvel-owned Avengers franchise will be disappointed—the wall-crawling hero will be swinging his way through solo adventures for the time being.

APR 5 GRUDGE MATCH APR 26 ver wanted to see Robert De Niro’s Raging Bull duke it out against ESylvester Stallone’s Rocky with both actors thirty years past their prime? No, probably not, but someone over in Tinseltown thought it would be a good idea, so here it is—Grudge Match. Stallone plays Henry “Razor” Sharp and De Niro is Billy “The Kid” McDonnen: two former rivals THE ACT OF KILLING whose careers went down the drain after THERMAE ROMAE II Razor announced his retirement on the eve he Act of Killing was perhaps the most hermae Romae II is a sequel to the of a big fight. Years later the pair are coaxed talked about documentary film of last 2012 hit Japanese comedy that saw back into the ring for a definitive bout by a year, although it didn’t take home popular star as Lucius, T promoter. Stallone and De Niro appeared T the prize at last month’s Academy Awards. a Roman architect who finds a portal to together before in the excellent Copland, Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, the film modern-day Japan. The fish-out-of-water and there may still be some fight in the looks at Anwar Congo and his cohorts, leaders comedy saw the confused Roman experience aging superstars. of a notorious death squad that rose to power a variety of uniquely Japanese situations that during an anti-communist purge in Indonesia provided him with ideas to take back to his from 1965 to 1966, during which more than APR 4 own time. This sequel promises much of the 500,000 people were brutally murdered. same as the bathhouse architect is tasked Asked to reenact their killings in the style of with building a “thermae” in the Colosseum their favorite movies, the killers take to the for the benefit of wounded gladiators. The task with glee but the grisly reconstructions film, based on an award-winning , lead to contemplation on the motives and traveled to numerous film festivals around nature of their terrible crimes. It’s chilling to the world and should prove popular again at watch them speak with impunity about their the Japanese box office. hideous acts. On the strength of early footage, luminaries Werner Herzog and Errol Morris came aboard to executive produce.

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com SHOWING THIS MONTH | SCREEN | 27 APR 19 Door to Door Pickup Service 24 Hour Staff Supervision One daycare visit available Open 365 Days No Cages

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER arvel has already kicked off its second round of post- Avengers adventures with Thor: The Dark World and Iron MMan 3, and now it’s time for the star-spangled avenger Captain America to take a second crack of the whip in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Lacking the swagger of Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man or Thor’s scene-stealing villain, Loki, Captain America was solid entertainment but lacked the spark and visual presence of his teammates. This latest adventure sees Chris Evans back in costume, a simple soldier from a time when heroes and villains were more clear-cut than they are in today’s murky world of terrorism and politics. The action has been beefed up considerably as Cap faces off against a former friend turned Soviet super-spy, the “Winter Soldier” of the title. Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow takes a bigger slice of the action, Samuel Jackson returns to his role as Nick Fury, Athletic Dog Club co., Ltd. 1F 1-8-18 Akatsutsumi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-0044 and Robert!"#$%&'('')*(+&&'%%%% Redford brings a touch of [email protected] to proceedings as a senior S.H.I.E.L.D. member. Tel: 03-3327-1003 I Fax: 03-3327-7407 | E: [email protected] ,-.$%&'('))*(*/&* www4.ocn.ne.jp/~adc www4.ocn.ne.jp/~adc (Japanese) | http://adc.pipi.cc (English)

APR 5

THE WORLD’S END imon Pegg went from being a cult comedy TV favorite in his native England to starring in the likes of Star Trek, Mission: SImpossible and The Adventures of Tintin after his breakthrough in hit zombie-rom-com Shaun of the Dead. Pegg and co-writer/ director Edgar Wright would go on to make Hot Fuzz in 2007, and are now completing their trilogy with this final installment, The World’s End. Like the previous films in the series, The World’s End takes epic, Hollywood-style plots and sets them in uniquely British situations. Having already tackled a zombie apocalypse and a police thriller, here the team takes on an alien invasion of a quiet English town. When five friends reunite to tackle an epic pub crawl they failed to complete years earlier, they not only have to deal with old relationships and rivalries within the group but also the arrival of alien forces—all as the group becomes increasingly inebriated. Series regular Nick Frost is back as is the familiar face of Martin Freeman (Bilbo in The Hobbit), with Eddie Marsan and Paddy Considine filling out the group.

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1 APR 12-13 2 APR 26-27 3 APR 12 4 APR 29 Bruno Mars Shonan Festival Odaiba Ekiden Kohgen 2014 Hailing from Hawaii, the Get an early start on Run or cheer on runners Take your pick amongst melody maker has been summer: this festival at this ekiden (team relay- the 40 Buddhism-related selling out concert stadiums all over is packed with surfboard races, a style race) in one of Tokyo’s most workshops offered, ranging from yoga the world and snatching up awards. sandal throwing contest, an Aloha touristy spots. to achieving a state of zen. Where: Makuhari Messe, Chiba market and beach foods. Where: Symbol Promenade Park, Odaiba Where: Zoji-ji Temple, Shiba-koen How Much: ¥15,000 Where: Southern Beach, Chigasaki How Much: ¥15,000/team, ¥2,000/¥3,500 How Much: ¥1,500-¥5,000 More info: www.creativeman.co.jp How much: Free solo runs/¥1,000 kids’ run More info: www.kohgen.org More info: www.chigasaki-kankou.org More info: www.enjoysport.jp

5 APR 29 6 APR 11 7 APR 26 8 APR 29 Yoyogi Flea Market We Love 80s Disco Bonjour Tokyo Rainbow Disco Club Stock up on things Show off your best dance Cosplay Party Headliners Moodymann you may not need and moves in the hotel’s Grand Put on your best outfit and DJ Prins Thomas scour through the treasures offered Ballroom, which will temporarily and leave your inhibitions at the will most likely keep you up for 24 by 800 vendors. be adorned with disco balls. door for this costumed cosplay hours. Where: Yoyogi Park, Shibuya-ku Where: Grand Hyatt, Roppongi extravaganza. Where: Harumi Port Terminal, Chuo-ku How Much: Free How Much: ¥13,000 Time: 19:30 | Where: Las Chicas, Omotesando How Much: ¥5,500 More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.tokyoweekender.com How much: ¥2,000 (1 drink included) More info: www.rainbowdiscoclub.com More info: www.bonjourtokyo.com

APRIL 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL | AGENDA | 29 APRIL

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12 GET YOUR 9 APR 12 10 APR 19-20 Deep Purple Earth Day Tokyo The English band just A chance to find out STEAK ON! celebrated their 45th more about NPOs and anniversary, so expect some hard eco-conscious businesses, while rock (and roll), and perhaps some soaking up some music and EVERY NIGHT CAN BE A STEAK “smoke on the water.” enjoying the veggie eats. NIGHT IN THE OUTBACK Where: Budokan, Chiyoda-ku Where: Yoyogi Park, Shibuya-ku How Much: ¥10,000/¥9,000 How Much: Free More info: www.udo.jp More info: www.earthday-tokyo.org

11 APR 24-26 12 APR 17 Japan Hobby Show The Baker Brothers Probably more Bringing their heavy- handicraft and hobby hitting soul and funk gear than one can humanly handle, straight from England, the boys complete with workshops and even a apparently have a large fan base on cooking fair. this side of the pond. Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba Where: Billboard Live How Much: ¥1,000 (one day) / How Much: ¥4,900–6,900 ¥1,500 (three days)/ children free More info: www.billboard-live.com More info: www.hobby.or.jp

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2014 BACK IN THE DAY: APRIL 1989 Check out the scene in Tokyo from 1989! You can read the rest of this issue (No.16 1989) and view Weekender’s 42 year archive online. www.tokyoweekender.com/weekender-archives/