APRIL 2015

Japan’s number one English language magazine

DEAN FUJIOKA Taking on a Killer Role

SHOOTING THE SALARYMAN Candid Snaps of the Corporate Class at Work and Play

KNOCKOUT DIVAS The Wild Women of Japanese Pro

ALSO: Club Med in Japan, How to Build a Better Bento, Movies, Events around Town,www.tokyoweekender.com and More... APRIL 2015 APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 CONTENTS 12

THE SALARYMAN PROJECT Capturing elusive moments of the corporate worker in his natural environment

14 16 20

CLUB MED’S FINOLHU VILLAS DEAN FUJIOKA WOMEN’S PRO WRESTLING Welcome to your Maldivian escape from the The multitalented actor talks about Getting up close and personal with the everyday. Did we mention the lagoon? playing roles on both sides of the law glorious ladies of joshi

6 The Guide 15 Club Med Japan’s CEO Mori Seguchi 28 Previews Spring forward into tech, a tequila tipple Explaining the secrets of the all-inclusive Fairy tales, psychedelic gumshoes, and the for your hanami, and cupcake royalty vacation resort’s success in Japan Best Picture Awardee for 2015 8 Art Around Town 19 Insiders Club 30 Agenda A Belgian master, a Welsh conceptualist, Get invites to events around town and Katy Perry’s Prismatic World Tour, a week and two giants of Japanese ink painting register to win an exclusive spa package of beer, and a bubble run

10 The Art of Bento 24 People, Parties, Places 34 Back in the Day Earn your black belt in the Way of the Celebrating French cuisine, a night of hula An icon of the silver screen brings his Lunch Box in Midtown, and National Day bashes elegant insouciance to Kyoto

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 THIS MONTH IN THE WEEKENDER

to take on the role of an infamous killer, and just what he thinks the Japanese APRIL 2015 entertainment industry could learn from its US counterpart. Women’s in Japan may have picked up some of its initial tricks from international grapplers, but it is clear that it has long since outstripped anything else being done overseas. Joshi puroresu, as it’s Publisher BC Media Group known here, has a fascinating history Chairman Pedersen and more than a few colorful characters

Executive Producer Asi Rinestine who make action inside—and outside— the ring interesting. Editor Alec Jordan Although taking off from Tokyo in Art Director Liam Ramshaw the heart of sakura season is the last thing on our minds, the conversation Media Director Kotaro Toda we had with Club Med Japan’s CEO Mori Account Executives Ohad Elbaz Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa Seguchi had us eyeing a trip to one of the country’s two resorts—or their five- Media Consultants Mary Rudow star flagship on the Maldives—for the link and you’ll miss it. Sophia Bai coming Golden Week holidays. Cherry blossom season Marketing Ingrid Dubreuil And finally, lest we be dazzled by has just arrived here in the brief show of pinks around town, Society Bill Hersey B Tokyo, and with it another let’s not forget about the dark-suited resetting of some of the city’s many salarymen who provide Tokyo with Lead Writer Matthew Hernon calendars—financial and academic its usual hues, muted as they may be. years are launched anew in the fourth Editorial Associates Vivian Morelli Photographer Bruno Quinquet has been month. It’s just one more reminder, if Sarah Custen capturing the city’s corporate workers in Kyle Mullen we ever really need it, that time here a fascinating series of images over the sometimes runs a bit out of joint with years, and his pictures just might give the rest of the world. you another perspective on the inner Film Christopher O’Keeffe Our cover story catches us up with lives of these fellows we often take for a multitalented, polyglot actor who IT Manager Nick Adams granted. has set his sights on success not just DBA Iryna Sundutova Until next time—kampai!—and see in his native land, but on the global you around town. stage. You can see Dean Fujioka on the new US show “The Pinkertons,” but the Fukushima-born star also has a lot to say about a much more challenging EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 role that he recently brought to the screen. We find out why Fujioka chose 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]

To subscribe to the Tokyo Weekender, please call (03) 6666-4924 or email: [email protected]

For ad sales inquiries, please call (03) 6666-4924 or email: [email protected] WRITERS WANTED www.tokyoweekender.com Tokyo Weekender is looking for a few good writers. If Opinions expressed by Weekender contributors you’ve got a travel story you want to share, a gift for the are not necessarily those of the publisher written word, or have a unique take on life in Tokyo, we’d like to hear from you. To join our team of freelancers, please send us an email at [email protected]

Published by BC Media Group www.bulbouscell.com

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com

the guide

MARC BY MARC JACOBS NYLON LAPTOP CASE Who says laptop cases have to be plain and boring? Spruce things up at your next meeting with this thick, quilted laptop companion that will not only protect your computer, but also add a bit of playfulness. The case is adorned with smudged polka dots (what else would you expect from the NYC designer?), and we think it’s too good to be hidden inside your bag—you’ll definitely want to be showing off your dots when you’re commuting, and it comes with a practical shoulder strap.

ETOILE ISABEL MARANT VERA CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA MINI SKIRT KITTY SATIN SLIPPERS Unleash your inner hippie with You can never go wrong with this easy breezy cotton-muslin deluxe UK shoe brand Charlotte mini skirt, embroidered with Olympia, which usually presents black and scarlet flowers. Wear glamourous yet fun designs. This it with the matching top for a full particular one is a lustrous satin boho look (there is also a dress slipper with an embroidered cat from the same collection), but motif, complete with gold stitching if you don’t want to go in that and crystal embellishments. While direction, pair it with a simple the kitty face keeps it fun, the sat- white tee, tucked in to show off in balances it out to make it look the colorful waistband. We’re grown-up and sexy. This pair is also going nuts over the large great for everyday wear, although front pockets, which defines the you might want to tone down the Parisian nonchalance that is rest of your outfit, and go for a Isabel Marant. simple, monochrome look.

MONARCH CUPCAKES - HARAJUKU f you walk down Harajuku’s busy Takeshita-dori, a sweet surprise awaits you at the end of the road... I and it’s not crepes. Just recently opened, Monarch of- fers a variety of colorful and delectable cupcakes whipped up by British entrepreneur Furva Saleem. Whether you like the classics such as vanilla, chocolate and the ubiq- uitous red velvet, or prefer the salt caramel and cookies and cream creations, you may not able to stop after eating just one. Make sure you drop by the tiny sweets shop next time you need a break from the Harajuku madness. Could cupcakes become the new crepe?

Web: www.monarchcupcake.com Address: 3-24-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com NVIDIA SHIELD If you’d like to keep those thumbs twiddling on some- thing more legit than Candy Something for the weekend...A Crush and also want to show cocktail guide for the most off your tech cred, this could discerning of drinkers be the TV console for you. The NVIDIA Shield plays games hat better way to celebrate the arriv- designed for Android, links up al of spring and the onset of hanami with Steam, and offers access Wseason then by indulging in a deli- to a service called Grid, a cious seasonal themed cocktail. This month’s cloud-based platform that lets recipe is a tequila-infused, cherry-flavoured gamers play PC games with- tipple called Before Dawn, which will be sure to out the need for a monster fill any party with the spirit of the season. gaming computer. 4K video Shochu and cans of convenience store beer capability makes this offering may be acceptable for the majority of hanami a real contender for top billing parties, but for a discerning drinker sakura in your entertainment center. season is the perfect time to practice the art of cocktail. Bringing a cocktail shaker and a Boston strainer to a picnic may seem like a bit of an ex- travagance, but just wait for the envious glances that will come your way as soon as people see SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 your party enjoying perfectly mixed cocktails. Following on the heels of last year’s flag- Before Dawn was created by master mixol- ship comes the S6. This year, Samsung ogist Junior Merino, founder of the The Liquid has decided to eschew the standard plas- Chef and resident tender at the Rayuela and tic and has gone all in on brushed metal Macondo restaurants in New York. and Gorilla Glass. It features a brilliant, The cocktail combines the intense sweetness large display, wireless charging, an of cherry and honey with the tart sourness of impressive and bright screen, a 16MP lime and grapefruit and packs a decent punch camera with serious low light capabili- with a generous measure of Añejo tequila. Just ties, and the ability to charge wirelessly. remember to take all things in moderation. As the saying goes, “one cocktail is all right, two are Limited quantities of an “” model, too many, and three are never enough.” featuring a screen that curves along

the left and right sides, will also be sold Method: starting April 10. Perhaps one of the Pour all the ingredients into a large jug and only knocks against it is that it’s not an stir until the honey has completely dissolved. iPhone. But hey, nobody’s perfect. Decant the mixture into bottles and place in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to serve, pour a generous amount into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice, give the mixture a good shake, strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a cherry.

Ingredients (Serves 4): - 4 tablespoons of buckwheat honey - 360ml Excellia Añejo tequila - 120ml cherry liqueur - Juice of 2 fresh limes - 400ml pink grapefruit juice

APPLE IWATCH Let’s get one thing straight: it won’t matter how well the iWatch works or how long the damn battery lasts. It’s going to sell like crepes (or cupcakes) in Harajuku. You’ll be see- ing reviews, reactions, and the wearable itself on wrists around town. The anticipation has the tech set as wound up as “Game of Thrones” fans, clamoring for the latest news from Westeroth. However, after the frenzy dies down, some questions will remain. What will be the first killer app? Can Apple set a new product soaring without Steve Jobs? And who will be the first person to fall down a flight of stairs while Tweeting on their phone about what they had for lunch?

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 GALLERY GUIDE TOKYO GALLERY GUIDE OUR PICKS FROM THE EXHIBITIONS AROUND TOWN

by Sarah Custen

Cerith Wyn Evans

erith Wyn Evans’s work will feel realms of astronomy and physics.” familiar to you, even if you’ve His sculptures are your mind after a never heard of him. He could be procrastinatory internet binge, a transla- waiting on the periphery of your tion of cultural and intellectual osmosis. Csubconscious, having entered through the His current exhibition at Taka Ishii back door using his connections to actress marks his third solo presentation at the Tilda Swinton in his 1988 film short, “De- gallery in the past half decade, featuring grees of Blindness,” or English rock band three new works created specifically for The Smiths, with a series of music videos. the occasion. The highlight is a large, More than that, you’ll recognize Wyn mobile-shaped sound sculpture, four Evans because his work is an outward mirrored discs transmitting sounds that manifestation of your very own, internet-fed can only be heard as you face the small brain, a synthesis of popular culture and speakers directly. philosophical questions, soundbites and “[It] entices one’s senses like a gravita- structures. “The citations within his works tional lure,” Taka Ishii Gallery represent- are informed by a diverse range of cultural atives explained. “From time to time the and academic spheres,” explains long-time viewers are exposed to a ray of sound that Wyn Evans supporter and current host, Taka drifts solely towards their ears...heighten- Ishii Gallery, “in the manner of literature, ing [their] awareness of transformations philosophy, film, music, further extending to in spatial perception.”

Cerith Wyn Evans, C=O=N=S=T=E=L=L=A=T=I=O=N (I call your image to Taka Ishii Gallery Tokyo mind), 2010, Mixed media, Dimensions variable, © Cerith Wyn Evans Dates: March 20–April 18, 2015 Photo: Todd-White Art Photography Courtesy of Taka Ishii Gallery, Tokyo and White Cube, London Open: 12:00–19:00, closed Sundays, Mondays and national holidays Web: www.takaishiigallery.com/en/archives/15306

Celebrating Two Contemporary Geniuses: Jakuchu and Buson

to Jakuchu and Yosa Buson were ists newly devoted to their work. Jaku- both icons of Japanese premod- chu retired from the family business ern art, both Kyoto-based, both and Buson settled down, both bringing born in 1716. On the cusp of their their distinct life experiences and years Irespective 300-year birthday anniver- of study and practice to the genre, as saries, Suntory Museum of Art offers a well as innovative techniques and retrospective, examining not only the style. Jakuchu is known for his unique two artists’ oeuvre and influence, but sujime-gaki technique, utilizing sumi on also the intersection of their lives and super-absorbent gasenshi paper, which inspirations. leaves a space between brush strokes Jakuchu was brought up in the like a white line, or “sujime.” Buson family grocery business, training local- championed a new genre called haiga, ly and focusing on realistic representa- merging painting with hokku poetry in tions of living things—for example, he a casual and insightful interplay. would set roosters and hens loose in “Celebrating Two Contemporary

Top: Elephant and Whale Screens, by Ito Jakuchu, Pair of six-fold screens left- his own garden to sketch them. Buson Geniuses” offers a comprehensive hand screen, Kansei 9 (1797), Miho Museum was the more cosmopolitan of the two: overview of these two masters’ lives Bottom: Elephant and Whale Screens, by Ito Jakuchu, Pair of six-fold screens he moved to Edo (present-day Tokyo) and endeavors for the uninitiated, and right-hand screen, Kansei 9 (1797), Miho Museum as a young man to study poetry and a unique perspective on their proximity Suntory Museum of Art then traveled for a decade through the and mutual acquaintance for those Dates: March 18–May 10, 2015 northern Kanto and Tohoku regions. more familiar. Open: 10:00–18:00, Fridays and Saturdays until 20:00 Early 1740s Kyoto found both art- Web: www.suntory.com/sma/exhibit/2015_2/index.html

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com TOKYO GALLERY GUIDE | ART | 9

Inaba Haruhi Saturday 11th Apr. - Sunday 26th April 2015 Opening Hours: 12:00 - 19:00 | Closed: Mondays Opening Reception: Friday April 10th from 18:00 onwards

NANATASU GALLERY 〒 106-0031 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Nishi-Azabu 2-12-4 Ogura building 3F René Magritte Tel: 03-6419-7229 | Web: www.nanatasu.jp

ou know Magritte. his staggering painting, “The You know his 1964 Lovers,” featuring a man and self-portrait, “The Son woman embracing, lips locked, of Man,” which has each sheathed in fabric, as if beenY parodied and reproduced to be executed. You may not since its conception throughout know that only two years after a pop culture history, the man young Magritte began drawing, in an overcoat and bowler his mother committed suicide hat replaced by Bart Simpson, by drowning herself in the River SpongeBob, Darth Vader; the Sambre, the last in a series of face-obscuring green apple attempts on her own life. You supplanted by a donut, a Lego likely don’t know that Magritte block, a pineapple, or the served in the Belgian infantry, Macintosh logo. You know his worked in a wallpaper factory, oil painting “Golconda,” replete and got by as a poster designer with similarly coated and and ad man until he was able to capped men, raining from the paint full time, or that his first sky, from the 1992 Robin Wil- exhibition in Brussels in 1927 liams movie “Toys,” or you’ve was lambasted by critics. seen it imitated with dozens Come get beneath the sur- of Mary Poppins or miniature face—or simply get what all those Super Marios. You’ve seen these movies and books and TV shows images and their remixings be- have been referencing for years— fore, more times than you could at NACT’s Magritte retrospective, count, though you surely were dedicated to the surrealist master not counting. you think you know. But you may not have seen

The National Art Center, Tokyo Dates: March 25–June 29, 2015 Open: 10:00–18:00, Fridays until 20:00 Web: magritte2015.jp/english.html

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 10 | FEATURE | BENTO Photos by Maaserhit Honda

A well-balanced bento contains fresh, seasonal ingredients and presents four colors of side dishes—red, yellow, green and brown. rice wine used as a condiment). I particular- ly enjoyed the asparagus in sesame sauce, The Art which can be whipped up in less than a min- ute using a bit of ground sesame seeds and a homemade banno (‘almighty’) sauce that can be easily prepared beforehand and stored for up to three months—and used for many more of Lunch recipes. A couple of tricks: use cling film to By Vivian Morelli shape the onigiri, and to make sure that the nori strips stay crispy, wait to wrap the rice Earn your black belt in the Way of the Lunch Box balls in seaweed.

orget about cellophane-wrapped pea- ment of dishes is perhaps the most rewarding FILLING (AND EATING!) THE nut butter and jelly sandwiches and a part. Back in the day, bento were packed in BENTO BOX bag of potato chips: packing a lunch simple bamboo leaves; now you can choose After the chicken was fried, the pork was in Japan goes beyond the brown-bag from a variety of boxes made with everything cooked and the omelet had cooled down, it Flunch. In fact, bento-making is a serious affair from lacquer to plastic, with many shapes was time to carefully place everything in the here. Some might even call it an art... and sizes. box. It’s best to cool the rice to prevent it from My own (failed) attempts at putting to- It doesn’t stop there, of course. Although warming up the other foods, especially in the gether a bento box had been nowhere close to there’s plenty of freedom for what you put in, hot, bacteria-friendly Japanese summer. Using masterpieces, and I had given up after a few a well-balanced bento contains fresh, season- small disposable or washable cups for each tries, convinced I should stick to sandwich- al ingredients and presents four colors of side dish also helps prevent foods from mixing es and sliced carrots. However, my growing dishes—red, yellow, green and brown—and with one another. (and unused) bento box collection convinced white for rice, noodles, or bread. A good rule As I started filling half of my bento with me to try my hand at making a bento again, of thumb is to fill half of the bento with rice my onigiri, I quickly realized there was not this time with the professional help of Miyuki and half with side dishes. Any gap should be much space for everything else we had cooked, Suyari, who teaches home cooking lessons in filled so everything is kept together tightly and but somehow I was determined to make it all her own kitchen, including an increasingly doesn’t shift in a bag on the way to school or fit—and I did. The large variety of dishes can popular bento class. the office. In other words, form and function be divided in tiny portions, so you get a bit of are as important as nutritional value. everything without filling up on one dish. All BENTO BASICS remaining spaces (if any) should be filled with I quickly learned that a good bento starts with MY BENTO MENU bite-sized foods, such as mini tomatoes and the box—after all, the container keeps it all With those guidelines in mind, we began broccoli. You can sprinkle some furikake (sea- together and lifting the lid to a colorful assort- preparing the various dishes that would be soning) on the rice to add color, and voilà! used to fill the box: a few kinds ofonigiri (rice Although my efforts did not look nearly as balls), karaage (Japanese fried chicken), gin- lovely as Miyuki-san’s skillfully arranged ben- ger pork, asparagus in sesame sauce, broccoli to, I was happy with my results, and managed and ham flowers, cheese and nori (seaweed) to banish my bento fear in less than two hours. rolls, marinated bell peppers, carrot salad, Perhaps the best part was that the class didn’t corn pancakes and tamagoyaki (omelet). requre a 5 am wake-up call... Sound complicated? The key is to be prepared in advance: you can use leftovers, or freeze large quantities for the following week. For more information, please check the of- All the dishes were very simple, using ficial website: Simply Oishii Japanese Cooking no more than three or four ingredients, in- Class (English or Japanese) cluding Japanese cuisine staples such as sake, Web: simplyoishii.weebly.com ginger, sesame, and mirin (a type of sweet Email: [email protected] APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 The Salaryman Project

by Alec Jordan tongue-in-cheekily named Bureau D’Etudes Japonaises (Bureau of Japanese Studies), Quinquet’s most well- known work is the “Salaryman Project,” a collection of photographs that capture these sometimes mocked, oft-misunderstood workers in scenes that evoke humor, loneliness, and the passing seasons of an urban sprawl. They are also images of startlingly brilliant composition, employing odd angles, clever reflections, and adhering to a rule that you wouldn’t expect to be obeyed in street photography: you never see the full face of his subjects. Despite the visual sophistication of his images, Quin- quet is a relative newcomer behind the lens. Following a career of nearly 20 years as a recording engineer in Paris, he moved to the country in 2005 to live with his Japanese boyfriend, and didn’t have a strong idea about what the future would hold. After a frustrating stint ith the beginning of spring and a new financial studying at a language school, he found himself a year year in Tokyo, a fresh group of male university later facing a rapidly expiring visa and the prospects W graduates will trade in their jeans and sneakers of an unceremoniously quick return home. Yet several for the uniform of the Japanese salaryman: a dark suit years later, he had graduated from an arts school with a and tie, worn day after day. The dress code may lighten up specialty in photography and significant, if quirky, body slightly in the warmest months, but even without the tie, of work behind him. He had also caught the attention of the formality remains. The kimono-clad geisha may be the the photography world. He published a series of three romantic image of Japan, but the black or grey-clad sala- photobooks (appropriately enough in the form of the ryman is one of the real symbols of the country: slightly workaday business schedule), he has exhibited overseas, anachronistic, not given to expressing strong emotions in and has been profiled in Thames & Hudson’s anthology, public life, but prone to revealing their feelings with ac- “Street Photography Now.” Even the Harvard Business tions that take a fair amount of training to actually notice. Review—admittedly not a publication where you’d be It does take a close observer to catch these moments, expecting to find street photography—has chosen him as and Bruno Quinquet is one of them. The head of the a spotlight artist for their April issue.

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com all photos © Bruno Quinquet

things, let go of my preconceptions, take a lot of pictures, and keep looking at the results where portrait rights have nearly put an in a trial-and-error process. Sometimes I end to the tradition of snapshot photogra- catch a good picture not knowing that I did phy, I wanted to build a body of work that because it’s the photo that will talk to me, not We caught up with Quinquet to learn a would escape legal hazard in a creative and what was originally there. And sometimes bit more about his inspiration to venture humorous way. when I think that I did, well, in the end, into photography, the art of taking peo- I didn’t. There’s a little bit of desperation ple’s pictures when you are uncomfort- How does this feeling of shyness behind it all. Because the photos end up in ably shy, and the occasional desperation affect how you compose and shoot the spreads of a business agenda, what didn’t of street photography. your images? change is the simplicity of composition that When I monitor the scene before me on the keeps the design clean and simple. What inspired you to take up pho- small screen of a digital camera, I’m looking tography in the first place, and what at reality from a slightly different angle and What about your subjects? Do you drew you to the salaryman as a distance—it’s already a picture—whereas see the salarymen from a different subject? looking through a viewfinder feels like perspective now? After dropping out of language school, I was looking at reality itself. The distance of the When I started doing this project, the sala- faced with the possibility of having to leave camera screen helps me to get into the pic- rymen were the most remote people from Japan and move back to France once my visa ture and forget my fears. In return, this lets me: I was still some kind of tourist; I had ran out. So I was thinking to myself, ‘maybe I other sides of my personality—introspection never worked in an office. I knew that they should buy a camera; this is Japan, after all.’ and contemplation, for example—come into were part of the scenery in Japan, but I could I thought to buy a full-frame digital camera, action. The pictures that I choose to publicize still pretend to see them as exotic creatures. but for a couple of reasons I went with a are the ones that give the impression of a Over time I realized that if I were Japanese, smaller point-and-shoot. It was with this calm, quiet and invisible observer, gently chances are that I would work at a company camera that I had this moment of illumi- trying but failing to really get into people’s and be a salaryman myself. The distance has nation in the forest around Kawaguchiko, privacy. changed, but I don’t know if it shows in my where I had gone to visit with my nephew. work! (laughs) We were on a trail in the forests, and came You have been working on the across a salaryman in a black suit, just hiking “Salaryman Project” for a few Are you still out shooting? Can we up the hill. (Maybe he was on his lunch years now. How have your photo- expect another set of salaryman break?) At the time, we had a laugh, and I graphs changed over that time? photos to come? got this one photo that I didn’t think was so At the beginning, I had this very 20th century Actually, I think that I’ve finished with the special, but it put me on the track towards modernist idea that there always needed to Salaryman Project. But I’m always out taking something—a story to be told, or something be a strong geometric composition or clear pictures, and recently an unexpected new to be studied. visual lines in order to make a good photo. project has unfolded for me in the shitama- But sometimes I happened to take interesting chi (downtown) neighborhood where I live. Street photography is a genre that of- photos that didn’t have these features and It may not be as long-lived as the salaryman ten demands a willingness to get in I liked them all the more because they had work, but it has my full attention. people’s faces. But in your pictures, escaped my rational understanding. To get subjects’ faces are usually hidden, more of those I had to look more closely at www.brunoquinquet.com and one of the strongest feelings that comes across is of your own bashful- ness… Oh, definitely! I suppose I decided to use that in my photography instead of shying away from it. If I were 20, I might have tried to overcome my shyness with a more aggres- sive, street photography-like approach. But I was at an age where self-acceptance was more important and this aspect of my personality became part of the work. As for maintaining the anonymity of my subjects: that was something I realized was crucial within the first month. Coming from France www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 ClubMed_logo_002.pdf 1 25/03/2015 16:36

paradise redefined BOUNDLESS BEAUTY, ULTIMATE LUXURY, TREASURED MEMORIES

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The new high-end flagship offer in the Maldives, Finolhu Villas For reservation and inquiries, please call Club Med: 03-5792-7660 (English support available) Mon-Sat 10am–6:30pm/Sun & National Holiday 11am-6pm | Web: www.clubmed-jp.com CLUB MED | TRAVEL | 15

The spaces we offer Welcome give freedom and privacy, two things that are scarce to the Club in Tokyo. I think people The pioneer of the all-inclusive resort steps up its cosmopolitan, appreciate that. luxury appeal while staying true to its traditional roots ing about the average hotel experience. “Yet so on Okinawa’s sunny many opt to take tours and other outings.” By Club Med Kabira, Ishigaki Ishigaki is distin- contrast, Club Med aims to give its customers guished by its grand no reason to leave by focusing on luxury ocean views, while and top-notch service. “Why not stay on the Club Med Hokkaido property and explore what is being offered to resort is a natural you?” he asks. jewel set amidst the And each location has plenty to offer. raw beauty of the The facility in Kabira Beach boasts expansive Mount Sahoro area, grounds where visitors can enjoy a range of which offers a variety activities that include transparent-bottom of winter activities. kayaking, tennis, and scuba diving, as well A new option are the as more exotic activities such as archery and Club Med Finolhu flying trapeze. For fun in the winter months, Villas, a five-star Sahoro is a must-visit. Home to some of the fin- facility on the est powder on the planet, the location is a skier ince its founding in 1950, Club Med has Maldives that is a precise example of Club or snowboarder’s paradise located in a part been a brand that is closely linked with Med’s recent decision to offer even higher of Hokkaido that most don’t see. “Niseko is of European style, even as it has opened standards in luxury accommodation. As course well known,” says Seguchi, “but Sahoro locations across the globe, expanding Seguchi explained, thanks to a recent boom provides a great opportunity to experience Sfrom the Mediterranean area that gave the in inbound visitors, Club Med Japan has big Hokkaido without the crowds.” company its name to exotic locations in Poly- things planned. Finolhu Villas on the Maldives offers a truly nesia or the Caribbean. The resort staff at Club unique experience. The eco-friendly resort Med, known as Gentils Organisateurs (G.Os), PEOPLE POWER runs on its own solar power, and private but- are expected to pick up and move locations on In 2010, customer makeup at Club Med Hok- lers, personal pools, and attentive room service a regular basis, giving them a chance not only kaido was about 70 percent Japanese, while ensure that a stay at this secluded lagoon offers to see the world, but also keep the atmosphere “inbound” visitors from abroad and expats the ultimate escape from quotidian life. at resorts fresh and dynamic. It is fitting, then, made up the remaining 30 percent. After a Keeping the future in mind, Seguchi that Mori Seguchi is at the helm of Club Med 2012 shift in market strategy, that ratio has looks forward to the firm’s next step: a new Japan: the globetrotting CEO has studied, been flipped on its head. “These are now the location in Japan. “Our business is character- worked, and traveled extensively overseas most cosmopolitan resorts in Japan,” Seguchi ized by flow,” he says. “It’s never static.” since he was 12. says. “The atmosphere is almost like that of an This experience has given him a strong international school.” For more information on Club Med Japan, sense of what customers who come from To roll with the blow dealt to the hospi- please visit their site: www.clubmed-jp.com outside of Japan are looking for in a vacation, tality industry by the triple disaster in March and what Club Med Japan’s locations have to of 2011, Club Med Japan decided to return to offer—in particular, two commodities that are the G.Os—according to Seguchi, “the essence quite precious in one of the largest cities in the of [the] brand”—who hail from more than 25 world. “The spaces we offer give freedom and countries and collectively speak nearly 100 privacy, two things that are scarce in Tokyo. I languages and dialects. think people appreciate that,” he says. Always introduced by their first name, It’s a combination that has made the G.Os are the face of Club Med’s service and the resorts a top choice for expats in Japan, and reason that so many of its customers choose even more popular for Japanese nationals. to return. G.Os are dedicated to providing The two locations offer widely diverse expe- service, whether they are leading activi- riences: The spacious Club Med Kabira ties and teaching sports by day or appearing in the company’s famous

Club Med Hokkaido evening performances. “The more time people spend with us, the more impressed they are by the G.Os,” says Seguchi. Even though Japanese work culture frowns on taking long breaks, he explains that the com- pany is trying hard to familiarize Japanese customers with the concept of the longer French vacation.

PERENNIAL LUXURY “People pay a lot for their accommo- dations,” Seguchi continues, speak- Mori Seguchi, President of Club Med Japan by Matthew Hernon

hen Dean Fujioka flew out to America to study web design at Seattle University, his dream was to become a success- ful entrepreneur like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. Unfortunate- ly things haven’t quite worked out the way he was hoping Wfor; yet at the same time he certainly hasn’t done too badly for himself. Over the past decade or so he has worked as a model, musician, actor and director, becoming a bigger name in and Taiwan than his native Japan. His latest role is in “The Pinkertons,” a popular American detective drama that will be aired on WOWOW starting on April 18. The program’s central character, played by Angus Macfadyen, is Allan Pinkerton. Founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, he rose to fame in the mid 1800s when he claimed to have foiled an alleged conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The organization, which is still in operation today, brought down some of America’s most notorious criminals and by the end of the 19th century had more agents than there were soldiers in the United States Army. “Being in the Pinkertons has been really educational for me as I knew nothing about North American history,” Fujioka tells Weekender. “After getting the part I started doing my research and as soon as I saw the unblinking eye logo with the motto ‘We never sleep’ I got the feeling that it would be an intriguing show. My character is also interesting. He’s a noble samurai-like guy called Kenji Harada who goes out to the States to take revenge on a diplomat who killed his father. I’m in eight episodes—and take the lead in one—so it is quite a big role. “I felt an added pressure to produce a flawless performance because the level of professionalism was higher than what I was used to from working in Asia. I think there are a number of reasons for that: for a start the budget is on a completely different scale. I also think acting is seen as a well-respected profession out there. In this part of the world you can be asked to work 20-odd hours with hardly any break and then you’re expected to be fresh again when they wake you at 5am the next morning. It’s not like that in the States. I think it’s the country where most actors want to end up and I’m no different.” His prospects look good. The Fukushima-born star has got the model looks, charm and language ability—he speaks English, Manda- rin, Cantonese and Japanese—to make a big impression internationally. He’s also made a habit of being in the right place at the right time. His modeling career took off after he was discovered by a magazine editor at an open mic night during a trip to Hong Kong. He went on to appear in numerous magazines, TV commercials and films before being scouted by a producer who offered him a role in a Taiwanese drama. “I was comfortable in Hong Kong and earning more than enough to survive, but as an actor you’re always going to be tempted by new chal- lenges,” Fujioka says. “Going to Taiwan was a strategic decision—it gave me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and learn Mandarin, which of course is more widely spoken than Cantonese. A couple of dramas I was in (“Corner with Love” and “Miss No Good”) were really popular, so I started getting a lot of attention there. I had to wear sunglasses and a mask when I went out, which is something I struggled to deal with. I start- ed to question whether that was the kind of life I wanted and then decided to quit the agency I was with and started focusing on my music.”

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com THE TALES BEHIND but I was really unsure about this particular role TWO ROLES because I’d been out of Japan for so long and was initially unaware of this incident. I was of- fered just an acting role at first so I decided to do some research and then meet up with the execu- tive producer to discuss the issue. At that time a lot of people were tell- ing me I shouldn’t do it. THE PINKERTON FILES My friends and family The Baltimore Plot Murdered in 1865, thought I was crazy. Abraham Lincoln was also the target of an They said I wouldn’t alleged assassination attempt four years PLAYING A KILLER get TV work or any kind of endorsements. earlier while en route to his presidential Although he is a talented, soulful singer The first question that came to mind after inauguration in Washington. Warned by Allan with a real passion for music, Fujioka was reading the book was why would anyone Pinkerton that there was a plot to ambush not about to give up on his acting career want to publish something like this? Also him when he changed trains in Baltimore, the just yet. In 2010 he signed with Japanese who would be interested in reading it? I President-elect boarded a sleeper train under agency Amuse and the first project they was puzzled. Sadly things like this happen an assumed name with Pinkerton agent, Kate brought him was the highly controversial every given minute, so what was it about Warner, who posed as his sister. “I am Ichihashi: Journal of a Murderer,” this particular case? As I’d been out of the Jesse & Frank James The Pinkerton Agency a film based on Tatsuya Ichihashi’s book country I was curious about what was was called in to bring the notorious robbers, “Until I Was Arrested.” Written while going on beneath the surface in Japan – the Jesse and Frank James to justice in 1874. After awaiting trial for the brutal rape and way young people were becoming desensi- the man assigned to capture them, Joseph murder of English teacher Lindsay Hawk- tized to violence. Therefore, I also accepted Whicher, was found murdered, Allan Pink- er, the journal describes the tactics the the offer to direct it, hoping I could help erton vowed vengeance. He staged a violent fugitive used to evade the police, including eradicate this kind of thing by showing it raid on the James homestead the next year, which led to the death of the James’ 8-year-old half-brother and the maiming of their mother. I’d always wanted to play a killer, but I was The incident caused outrage and created sym- pathy for the James brothers. Following his really unsure about this particular role...A lot greatest failure, Pinkerton gave up the chase. of people were telling me I shouldn’t do it. My TATSUYA ICHIHASHI On March 24, 2007, Tatsuya Ichihashi raped friends and family thought I was crazy. and strangled English teacher, Lindsay Hawker, and then buried her in a bath of sand and changing his name, hiding on a desert- through a movie.” compost soil at his apartment. Two days later ed island and even performing plastic It was a brave decision by Fujioka the criminal fled barefoot as the police circled surgery on himself with a razor blade and that could have backfired and seriously outside his place. He spent the next two and a pair of scissors. Whilst there is nothing damaged his career. Fortunately for the a half years on the run, staying at various about the actual crime in the story, many 34-year-old, his reputation remains in- locations around the country, including an critics believe it was distasteful to make tact and his career continues to go from uninhabited island in Okinawa. He used false the movie just 18 months after Ichihashi’s strength to strength. What the future names and took on manual labor to pay for his arrest. Some have also suggested that a holds remains to be seen—he admits to plastic surgery. The surgeries eventually led to film like this risks turning the criminal into indulging his curiosity and going off to his arrest, as one of the clinics became suspi- something of a tragic hero. Fujioka—who try new things. Over the years he has cious and called the police. He was captured on directed, played the lead role, and wrote worked as a DJ, done some photogra- November 10, 2009, while attempting to board the music—told Weekender it wasn’t his or phy, been an amateur boxer and tried a ferry to Okinawa. Tatsuya Ichihashi was producer Toshiaki Nakazawa’s intention to various . He is now into a sentenced to life in prison in 2011. glorify Ichihashi in any way. form of Chinese sword “Throughout filming it was always dance called jian wu, and on my mind how important it was not to is hoping to perform on offend the soul of the victim or her family,” stage with his crew from he says. “We certainly weren’t trying to Taiwan sometime soon. defend the killer’s actions or show any However, the father of kind of admiration for him. I just felt that twins has a hectic sched- there was a story to be told and lessons to ule that is only likely to be learned from this episode. I did try to become busier following get in touch with Ichihashi; however, his his American debut in attorney said that while he knew the film the “The Pinkertons.” was being made he wasn’t in the right The young man who frame of mind to speak about it. I then once dreamed of being tried to reach out to anyone who knew him an entrepreneur is now well. living the dream as an “I had mixed feelings while making the entertainer. movie. I’d always wanted to play a killer, www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 18 | WEEKENDER | EXPAT LIFE

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f you want to understand a few countries, watch their pro was followed. Top US star Mildred Burke toured Japan in 1954; wrestling. In America you’ll see super-heroic muscle- she and her cohorts staged more occupation-influenced drama men—inexplicably portrayed as underdogs—defend the for eager Japanese audiences. Joshi puroresu, literally “girl’s pro US against foreign behemoths. In Mexico there’s a similar wrestling,” became an established form of performance art and Ibattle of good versus , but instead of lone heroes, you find All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling (AJW) emerged as the pre-emi- groups and multiple generations of families taking part in nent joshi promotion. an endless struggle. In the twilight years of British wrestling The story of Japanese wrestlers overcoming the odds to you saw its aging stars slowly succumb to injury while its defeat Americans, only to succumb to their dastardly tactics on most promising youth failed to find glory outside the United the next show, repeated itself for the next decade. However, as Kingdom. the occupation faded into memory and Japan looked towards its Like any great art, pro wrestling lays bare the myths a future as a post-industrial world power, a new way of expressing society is built on, the aspirations of its people, and the harsh Japanese pride was needed. realities that govern them all. The hopes and dreams of Japan’s In the 1970s puroresu turned inwards and pitted Japanese schoolgirls created one of the most vibrant and influential wrestlers against other Japanese wrestlers. The art of puroresu forms of pro wrestling: it’s called joshi puroresu. advanced as more athletic wrestlers joined the fray. Wrestlers Japanese pro wrestling began as a post-war effort to of this era put on complex matches that showed that wrestling reinvigorate the country’s wounded psyche. The legendary could be exciting even without national pride at stake. Rikidozan, who happened to be a Korean immigrant, wrestled Jackie Sato and Maki Ueda, The Beauty Pair, dominated joshi to defend Japan’s honor against American grapplers in wildly in the late 70s. They became a genuine pop culture phenom: popular bouts. When it was the ladies’ turn the same pattern they had hit singles, won music awards, and starred in their own

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com Tsubasa Kuragaki’s patented Torture Rack hold Stardom’s doused in streamers WOMEN’S PRO WRESTLING | FEATURE | 21

AJW’s retirement age fashion sense, and outspoken nature have of 26 forced both Crush brought her legions of supporters, and sev- Gals to leave at the eral critics. Her story? She’s so good she’s height of their populari- above joshi, as she stated in a 2011 inter- ty. The loss of the Crush view: “There will never be another wrestler Gals was especially like me. I am the only one in the world. I damaging to joshi, as no have no female rivals, as there are none later wrestlers became that can fight with matching technique and crossover stars on a heart. I can’t measure my abilities within similar level. women’s wrestling.” But as joshi lost some Lightening the mood in WAVE is Sakura of its pop appeal, its Hirota, a comedy wrestler known for her legitimacy in the larger hilarious impersonations. She’s donned wrestling world grew. fake lips and noses to spoof her opponents The late 80s and early and stuffed her top and worn school girl 90s saw newer stars like outfits to mock idols. Her most devastating Manami Toyota, Akira moves are usually kisses and kanchos (goos- Hokuto, Aja Kong, Toshi- ing). film. The Beauty Pair’s popularity garnered yo Yamada, and claw their Stardom is joshi’s most publicized AJW a fantastic TV deal and brought in a rush way up the ranks in increasingly outstand- promotion. Like AJW, its focus is on finding of new fans, most of whom were teenage girls. ing matches. AJW had multiple shows each the sweet spot between pop culture and old It’s easy to see why The Beauty Pair con- year that drew tens of thousands of fans. school wrestling legitimacy. “Joshi needs nected to the young Japanese women of that They were so successful they even invited more media exposure. More people need time. Sato and Ueda challenged suffocating wrestlers from rival promotion groups to to see it, not only wrestling fans, but other gender norms: they were both beautiful and participate in their events. people as well. That’s what Stardom tries muscular; they were tomboyish and elegant; The story was simple: joshi puroresu is to do,” says Act Yasukawa, one of Stardom’s they were highly skilled athletes and platinum the best. People took notice. top wrestlers. selling pop stars. They embodied the dreams During this time joshi began to get Act is a former actress and model, and of a generation of young Japanese women who international attention from die-hard wres- the star of a recent documentary about her saw a future that held more options for them. As popular as the Beauty Pair was in the late 70s, The Crush Gals were even more so in There will never be another wrestler like me. I the 80s. Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness had all the pop culture success of the Beauty am the only one in the world. I have no female ri- Pair, but were also next-level athletes. The Crush Gals were tougher, meaner, and badder vals, as there are none that can fight with match- than their predecessors. Their enemies—The Atrocious Alliance of Dump Matsumoto, Bull ing technique and heart. Nakano, and Crane Yu—wore face paint and mohawks and carried weapons to the ring. tling fans. Male wrestlers began copying life called “Gamushara.” In the piece, Act The story joshi puroresu told then was of the innovative wrestling maneuvers of tells how she survived illness, depression, strong, powerful, athletic good guys facing off joshi. US wrestling companies flew over rape, and a suicide attempt to eventually against brutal, weapon-wielding cheaters: nice AJW stars. Joshi matches won Match of find herself in pro wrestling. “When I was girls in the judo club versus the bad girls who the Year awards and Manami Toyota was younger I was bullied and unhappy. I sur- smoked in the bathroom and bullied everyone. named the most outstanding wrestler, male vived and now I feel really alive, and I’m The good guys didn’t always come out ahead or female, by Wrestling Observer magazine living my dream. That’s the feeling I want but the more the Crush Gals were beaten, the in 1995. to give to the audience.” more fans loved them. Like the Beauty Pair and Crush Gals These are just a few of the intriguing sto- The art of pro wrestling is a violent one booms beforehand, the pure wrestling-driv- ries being told in modern joshi. Companies and careers are short. The Beauty Pair only en joshi high was short-lived. The faltering including REINA, Oz Academy, , existed for three years before Ueda was forced Japanese economy, the rise of mixed mar- DIANA, and LLPW run multiple events each to retire due to injury, and Sato soon followed. tial arts, and an aging and unhappy locker week in the Tokyo area. If you are interested room caused AJW to splinter, dwindle, and in seeing it live, you can find show listings eventually fold in 2005. Numerous other on newsstands everywhere in “Weekly promotions opened and closed during this Puroresu” magazine or on puwota.com. time period. Names like GAEA, ARSION, and JD*Star came and went with less and less fanfare in Japan. While joshi is nowhere near as popular as it was in the 80s, it has climbed out of the black hole that was the 2000s. Several small but healthy promotions put on dozens of shows each month. The events are smaller and the talent pool is diluted, but joshi puroresu companies still put on fantastic performances. offers the best pure wrestling of any joshi pro- motion and is the primary promotion group for joshi’s top star, Kana. Her vicious wrestling style, avant-garde Kana prepares to finish her opponent

The Beauty Pair were crossover stars www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 22 | WEEKENDER | EXPAT LIFE

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www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 Bill with Konishiki and his wife Chie at their night of hula at Midtown Premiere Oakwood

tarting this column out at one of the outdoor tables at Segafredo They hosted three people-packed parties in their embassy compound. in Hiroo. It’s mid-March and the sun’s shining and just heard on The first was for the Vietnamese who live in Japan, the second for the FEN that the temperature’s 56. Hopefully it’ll stay that way. Time diplomatic corps, business leaders, and other Japanese friends, and flies and before you know it we’ll be heading into Golden Week, the third for the full staff working at the embassy. All the parties were Sand spring for real, with its cherry blossoms and full schedule of all held over one week and special guests included former Prime Ministers kinds of international festivals in Yoyogi Park. Takeo Fukuda (and his wife) and Yukio Hatoyama. I’m just back from a week in marvelous Manila. It was sunny I dropped by the embassy recently to congratulate Second Secretary every day there and temperatures were in the 80s. It was perfect Hoang and his lovely wife Huyen (she’s a lawyer) on the birth of their weather to visit the Philippines, where I saw many long-time friends, baby daughter An. Hoang showed me his cell phone photos of a clock on enjoyed the good people and great food, and checked out many of the the wall showing the exact time of An’s birth, and of course Huyen and exciting changes in the growing city. I’ll be sharing some of these with An. A big congratulations to all our Vietnamese friends for their New you in the next few columns. For now I’d just like to say you should Year and new little girl. visit the beautiful, colorful and thoroughly enjoyable Philippines while you’re in this part of the world. I’m sure you’ll enjoy what will be one KONISHIKI, HIS WIFE CHIE PERFORM AT OAKWOOD of the travel experiences of your life. It’s also much easier to get there It was an Aloha evening all the way at Midtown Premiere Oakwood when now. Philippines Airlines has two daily flights from Narita to Manila former sumo champ Konishiki and his gorgeous wife took the stage in and two daily from Haneda to Manila as well as two direct flights from matching Hawaiian fabric fashion and joined a group of musicians for Tokyo to Cebu. ANA Airlines and JAL both have busy schedules to the an hour of great Hawaiian song and dance. They really are good. Special Philippines as well. It’s a short flight—about four hours and a whole guests included Bu Takagi, the man who first introduced the ukulele to new world. Japan. He took the mic to sing and play a couple of Hawaiian favorites Looking over my schedule and columns I want to apologize for while Chie gracefully did a hula dance. Other special guests at the Oak- getting so far behind in my reporting. Tokyo, as I’m sure you all know, wood Hawaiian evening included popular TV announcer Tsuyuki Shigeru is a really happening city, and it’s not always easy, covering so many and Jane Yamano, founder and owner of the Yamano Beauty College. interesting and worthwhile events in old Edo, but I love what I’m doing Needless to say it was another great evening at Oakwood. and will try to continue doing my best. I do want to catch up so I’ll have to limit the number of photos I take at each reception, party, or whatev- IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL FAIR er I attend to four or five. Believe me, it’s not going to be easy. Thanks It was wall-to-wall people at the Tokyo Prince Hotel, where the organiza- for your continuing support and understanding. tion hosted their annual Charity Fair. HIH Princess Takamado joined this year’s chairperson Maali Siam (wife of the Palestinian Representative) in VIETNAM’S LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION cutting the ribbon for the magnificent exhibition of ikebana creations by My dear friend Vietnamese Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung, his family, both Japanese and foreigners. As always, the home-baked cakes, cookies, and his staff—who are also my neighbors—have really been busy this etc. as well as the favorite foods of the many participating countries year in celebrating Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration. pretty much sold out. I also heard the international handcrafted jewelry

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 25

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Qatar National Day at the Imperial Bahrain National Day 1. Turkish Amb. and Mrs. Ahmet Meric, Jordanian Amb. Demiye Haddad 2. 8. Popular Politician Kazuyuki Hamada, Russian Amb. and Mrs. Evgeny Outgoing Greek Amb. wife Yasmine Tsamados, her daughter Alexandra 3. Afanasiev 9. Vietnam Amb. Doan Xuan Hung with former Prime Minister Jamila Bilal, Former Djibouti Amb. Rachad Farah, Moroccan Amb. and Mrs. and Mrs. Takeo Fukuda 10. Outgoing Thai Amb. Thanatip Upatising, Philip- Saiamir Arrour 4. Pan Orient Bureau Chief Khaldon Azhari, Kamori Tourism’s pines Amb. Manuel Lopez 11. Vietnamese Second Sec. Hoang, Hamada-san Masanori Senno 5. Qatar Amb. Yousef Bilal, popular politician Yuriko Koike 6. 12. Vietnamese Military Attaché Major Vu Duc Phuc, Swiss medical student Yamaguchi and Qatar Amb. 7. Mounari Kalis Elloumi (Tunisia), Shifa Haddad Michel Bielecki. (Jordan), actor Tetsuya Bessho, Abeer (Oman), Maali Siam (Palestine)

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 26 | SOCIETY | PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES

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Ikebana International Norman Tolman 1. Ikebana Int’ls Fair 2014 Chairperson, Maali Siam (Palestine) and HIH 7. Norman Tolman’s daughter, Allison, and her son, Lucas, on a family break in Princess Takamado 2. Maali and Mary Katayama 3. Maali, son of Kuwait Amb. Palm Springs 8.Allison, her chef husband Patrice Martineau, her sister Hilary Hamoud al-Otaibi, Abeer. Tolman, Lucas, and Daisuke Maruoka.

Oman National Day Reception Konishiki and Chie Put On a Great Show at Oakwood 4. Tongan Amb. Tania Tupou, Daniele Yoshikoshi 5. Personal trainer, Nick Pet- 9. Konishiki, his wife Chie, and TV announcer Tsuyuki Shigeru 10. Bu Takagi tas, the hostess Abeer, Nick’s wife, Aya 6. Powerful politician Natsuo Yamaguchi who first brought ukulele music to Japan, Segafredo’s Brian Mori 11. Yoon and congratulates Oman Amb. and Mrs. Khalid bin Al-Muslahi. Oakwood’s Amy Hanashiro 12. Jane Yamano, her husband Stanley, their daugh- ter Mia, “Super Chie” and Konishiki

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 27 and fashions sold well. Kudos to Maali who, along with her many for the evening, Dewi Sukarno, would be at his table for the dinner I friends, made the fair the huge success it was. Proceeds went to many quickly accepted the invitation. The first-class evening started off in the worthwhile causes. newly decorated reception room where guests had the opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, and enjoy an excellent selection of hors OMAN AND QATAR CELEBRATE NATIONAL DAYS d’oeuvres and the finest French wines and Champagnes. The wives of the Arab diplomatic corps here in Japan have to be some After short speeches by the ambassador and another French of the busiest, hardest-working women I’ve had the privilege of getting friend—Frederic Meyer, who heads the tourist office Atout France to know. Abeer Aisha, wife of the Oman ambassador, proved that at her Japon—we moved to the main dining room. Others at our table included country’s 44th National Day reception at the New Otani, as did Jamila high-ranking government officials, world famous chefs Yukio Hattori Bilal, wife of the Qatar ambassador, at their National Day reception at and Kiyomi Mikuni, NHK Managing Director Hisanori Isomura, Itochu the Imperial, and Maali Siam at Ikebana Int’l. CEO Masahiro Okafuji, and JNTO President Ryoichi Matsuyama. At the Omani reception, I really enjoyed talking with Tongan The seven-course dinner was French cuisine at its finest, and as Ambassador Tania Tupou and Daniele Yoshikoshi. Daniele and her each course was brought to the table, the cuisine staff described the dish husband Koichi recently returned from visiting several countries in in exquisite detail. After dinner, guests moved to the entrance hall where South America. She enjoyed it all, but Daniele was especially impressed a very attractive young lady performed chamber music on a piano. It by Machu Picchu: she told me that the ancient city in the mountains of was a really special evening in every way. Kudos to Ambassador Dana, Peru was absolutely one of the most awesome places she ever visited. the embassy chef Sebastien Martin, the embassy staff and the French I remember—years ago—when I met actress Shirley McLaine, she told community, who are working hard at promoting their wonderful cul- me the same thing. The Yoshikoshis are currently in Hawaii playing ture and cuisine. golf. That popular couple do get around. We all make changes over the years and everyone at the Oman THINGS TO DO bash were congratulating Abeer on her great new look. She got together Check out your local book store for a copy of “My Cinderella Lesson” by with personal trainer Nick Pettas and his personal trainer wife Aya, Steve Haynes, one of Japan’s most talented and popular foreigners. For worked hard, and really slimmed down. In addition that she changed his new book, Steve worked with the top names in fashion and fitness her fashion concept as well and really came up with a chic cool look. It’s here, including Jessica Michibata and Maria Akiyama, and is teaching also amazing how busy both she and her husband Khalid stay. readers how to look better, feel better, and be better people. The book’s It was also nice seeing artist Masami Yamada and his wife Mami, full of cool photos and illustrations and I’m sure it will be a best-seller. who’s a writer, at the New Otani party. I first met them at the big tribal Jessica, as many of you know, recently married British F1 driver festival in Goroka in the mountains of Papua New Guinea. Masami has Jensen Buttons in Hawaii. I saw the videos that Ceremony President done some interesting paintings in the government buildings in Port Tsukasa Shiga took at the wedding with his camera-equipped drone. It Moresby. was a magical day in every way. The Qatar party, at the Imperial, like the Oman party at the New Back to reading material, I just found a very slick and chic maga- Otani, was wall-to-wall Japanese and international friends of the zine titled Roppongi Town Magazine. A good 50% of the publication is hosting couple. Like Abeer, Jamila had worked hard to give the venue photos of Roppongi’s “tasty life” and features the malls, gardens, gallery an Arab design look, and the buffet was a bountiful mix of Arabic, restaurants, fashion, art, and architecture. There are 144 “tasty” pages of Japanese, and western food. photos and not one of a disco, bar, hostess club or strip club. It’s obvious At the Qatar party I enjoyed meeting Turkish Ambassador Ahmet that the creative VIPs who put it all together are connected to the upscale Meric for the first time. I really enjoy Turkish Airlines’ always original element behind the “Clean Up Roppongi” campaign. and always changing TV ads. Do yourself and your kids a favor and take them to the 17th Arab Char- It was also nice seeing former Djibouti Ambassador Rachad Farah ity Bazaar on Sunday, April 12, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The popular back in town. Thanks to this kind, generous friend I spent a week really annual event will be held at the Izumi Garden Gallery near the Saudi enjoying Djibouti quite a few years ago. Embassy and is directly connected to Roppongi Itchome station. Organ- Tall, good-looking, and very creative actor Tetsuya Bessho was at ized by the society of wives of Arab ambassadors and heads of missions the Qatar event and attracted a lot of attention. In addition to his acting here in Japan, the colorful, interesting, fun bazaar gives people the career, he’s the founder and director of the Short Shorts documentary opportunity to experience Arab culture and make new friends. Activities film festival and recently took this festival to Doha, the capital of Qatar. include great Arabic food, calligraphy, an Arab fashion show, music, dance, handicraft sales, and a kid’s henna corner. There’ll be some super GOÛT DE FRANCE AT THE FRENCH EMBASSY door prizes from both Qatar and Ethiad Airways. Proceeds go to Make a Due to a schedule conflict, I almost turned down an invitation Wish Japan and the Momo-Kaki Orphans Fund. to French Ambassador Thierry Dana’s Gastronomique des Later in the month, our friends at National Azabu Supermar- Français Soirée at the embassy on March 19. I first met the ket will be celebrating their 53rd anniversary. Join them in ambassador at Segafredo’s in Hiroo when he first arrived the parking lot on Sunday, April 26, from 11:00 am to 7:00 in Japan several months ago and found him very outgoing pm. There will be food, drinks, and games for the whole and friendly. When I found out that I and my companion family to enjoy.

At the Diner Goût de France: Dewi Sukarno; Hisanori Ryoichi Matsuyama, President of JNTO; Masahiro Hisao Harihara, MAFF, French Amb. Thierry Dana; Isomura, Chairman of the TMF Group Okafuji, President & CEO of Itochu Corp. Dewi; Frédéric Meyer, Dir. of ATOUT FRANCE in Japan

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 COMING TO A CINEMA NEAR YOU IN APRIL

APR 25 CINDERELLA lossy remakes and retellings of classic children’s stories are doing Gbig business at the box office right now with Disney leading the charge. While fairytale mash-up Into the Woods can still be seen in cinemas and “Oz: The Great and Powerful,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Maleficent” have all been released in the past few years, the House of Mouse has now turned to Cinderella for a big-screen revival. Kenneth Branagh is behind the camera directing “Downton Abbey’s” Lily James in the role of the princess, while “Game of Thrones’” Richard Madden hopes to avoid another Red Wedding as the handsome prince. After the death of her father our unfortunate heroine finds herself at the mercy of cruel stepmother Cate Blanchett, until fairy godmother Helena Bonham Carter, lends a magical hand. Disney crafted an animated musical classic in 1950 when they first had a stab at the story, and they’ve retained many elements from their earlier effort this time around. Cinderella’s timeless tale has been told many times before, but this latest version has been very well received abroad, garnering praise for its faithful, throwback style and fine cast.

APR 25 A FAREWELL TO JINU APR 4 he opening film at last month’s Yubari International Fantastic Film TFestival, “A Farewell To Jinu” is a Japanese comedy-drama based on a manga by Mikio Igarashi. Popular model and actor Ryuhei Matsuda (“Gohatto,” “Nana,” “The Raid 2”) stars as Takami, a former banker who has developed a phobia of money. To escape his fear, the young man moves RYUZO AND THE SEVEN HENCHMEN to a tiny village populated by a variety of PRIDE ilm and comedy legend “Beat” Takeshi oddball characters including a town mayor et in Britain in 1984, British comedy-drama Kitano made headlines last year with with a penchant for violence, an idiotic local “Pride” tells an unlikely and uplifting, Fstinging criticism of modern Japanese thug, and a strange old man who claims to Sbut true, story of two very different sets cinema at the Tokyo Film Festival. Now it’s be a god. Takami must learn to cope in his of people. Margaret Thatcher is in power and time to see what the man himself can do with newfound situation if he’s to survive his the region’s coal miners are on strike. When a the release of his latest, “Ryuzo And The Seven new cash-free life. This is Matsuda’s second group of gay and lesbian activists at the London Henchmen?” Not that the acclaimed director collaboration with director Matsuo Suzuki Pride march decide to help the struggling has anything to prove: hits like “Sonatine,” after 2004’s “Otakus in Love.” miners, they’re not exactly welcomed with open “Hana-bi,” “Zatoichi” and “Outrage” have arms. With the miners union embarrassed to cemented his position as Japan’s boldest receive such support, the activists take matters modern filmmaker. Kitano’s played both a into their own hands. Traveling to a hard-hit comedian and a criminal in his career and APR 4 area in deepest Wales, where two different in this action-comedy he gets to have a go at groups form an extraordinary partnership and both. Fuji Tatsuya stars as the titular Ryuzo, triumph over shared adversity. Brit veterans an elderly yakuza living a quiet life until he Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton head the cast becomes the unwitting target of an online with support from Paddy Considine and “The phishing scam. The elderly gangster responds Wire’s” Dominic West. Fans of “Billy Elliot” by getting together his old cronies to take on and “The Full Monty” are bound to fall for this the gang of young miscreants. Kitano co-stars life-affirming story of working class grit and in a cast of veteran toughs. determination.

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INHERENT VICE aul Thomas Anderson is undoubtedly one of the modern greats of American cinema. Returning to screens for the Pfirst time since 2012’s “The Master,” Anderson has again collaborated with star Joaquin Phoenix for “Inherent Vice.” Based on a novel by Thomas Pynchon, Phoenix plays wacked-out private eye Tokyo’s most exclusive Larry “Doc” Sportello, who takes on multiple cases in a convoluted Organic Beauty Salon plot involving crooked wives, billionaire land developers, wannabe starlets, hustlers, surfers and addicts. All classic noir stuff, but this is Elana Jade, where boutique luxury and personalised service is LA in the tail end of the 60s and Anderson is taking us on a seriously unsurpassed. Conveniently situated 5 minutes walk from drug-fueled, psychedelic romp through a seedy world of mystery and Roppongi Hills on the Azabu Juban shopping street. All products suspense. The director has a knack for putting together impressive used in Elana Jades treatments are guaranteed to be organic and ensemble casts and this time is no exception as Josh Brolin, Benecio are delivered by highly trained, English speaking staff. Del Toro, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon and many more add life Treatments Include to the amazing cast of trippy characters. “Inherent Vice” may not be Waxing | Facials | Massage | Pre-natal | Men a straightforward ride, but it’s one hell of a trip.

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BIRDMAN: OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) irdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” has ridden a wave of accolades that have culminated in the biggest prize Bof them all, a Best Picture win at February’s Academy Awards ceremony. In a case of art imitating life, the film stars Michael Keaton as an actor from a successful comic book hero franchise, Birdman, trying to reinvent himself as a serious actor by mounting a stage play of a Raymond Carver short story. After sporadic appearances on screens since defining the modern superhero movie in his role as Batman over twenty years ago, the talented actor finds a timely reprieve in “Birdman.” While unfortunate not to pick up the Best Actor win, the famously out-there Keaton is outstanding. The excellent supporting cast includes Edward Norton as his arrogant co- star, Zach Galifianakis as his stressed producer, and Emma Stone as his troubled daughter. Alejandro González Iñárritu directs the film, using techniques to suggest the entire movie was shot in one long, continuous take à la Hitchcock’s “Rope.” A modern masterpiece and a welcome return to the spotlight for Keaton, “Birdman” is cinema at its finest.

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1 APR 25-26 2 APR 16 3 APR 23-25 4 APR 14 Katy Perry Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Japan Hobby Show Jurassic 5 The chart-topping pop Birds Probably more The alternative hip hop princess will be taking Catch up with the eldest handicraft and hobby crew reunited in 2013 and over Tokyo for two nights as part of Gallagher brother, post-Oasis chaos and gear than one can humanly handle, is back in full force in brand new her Prismatic World Tour. Expect hits fame, with his psychedelic rock group complete with workshops and even a venue Toyosu Pit. and several dress changes. High Flying Birds. cooking fair. Where: Toyosu Pit, Koto-ku Where: Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium Where: Nippon Budokan, Chiyoda-ku Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba How Much: ¥8,000 How Much: ¥10,000/¥12,000/¥25,000 How much: ¥9,000 How Much: ¥1,000 (adv.) /¥1,500 (same day) More info: www.smash-jpn.com More info: www.creativeman.co.jp More info: www.smash-jpn.com More info: www.hobby.or.jp

5 MAY 2-3 6 APR 11-12 7 APR 18-19 8 APR 18-19 Kohgen 2015 Bubble Run 2015 Earth Day Tokyo Daidogei Street Festival Take your pick from Run a 5K, get sprayed with A chance to find out more This annual street festival the 40 Buddhism-relat- foam, and dance to the sound about NPOs and eco-con- should have something for ed workshops offered, ranging from of DJs at the after-party of this two- scious businesses, while enjoying the whole family: keep an eye out for yoga to achieving a state of Zen. day extravaganza. some music and veggie eats. acrobats, musicians, clowns, mimes Where: Zoji-ji Temple, Shiba-koen Where: Makuhari Beach Park, Chiba Where: Yoyogi Park, Shibuya and trampoline jumpers. How Much: Workshop prices vary How Much: ¥6,900 How Much: Free Where: Minatomirai area, Yokohama More info: www.kohgen.org More info: www.sportsone.jp/bubblerun More info: www.earthday-tokyo.org How much: Free More info: http://daidogei.jp/

APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL | AGENDA | 31 APRIL

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VICTORIA’S FILET 11 The Victoria’s Filet® steak is thick cut and hand trimmed into a flawless filet. Our chefs season it with our Outback house-made, secret blend of savory herbs and spices, then sear it on the grill exactly to your liking.

Juicy slices of delicious roast Prime Ribs beef, cooked to perfection and served in a choice of three 12 mouthwatering cooking styles: Original, Seared or Flame Grilled. Served with traditional au jus sauce, your choice of two freshly made sides, and a salad 9 APR 22-23 10 APR 14-16 or a cup of our soup of the day. (Weekend Special) The Black Keys Jimmy Cliff Soul, rock and hip hop The Jamaican reggae legend from the American duo will warm things up on this Aussie Cheese Fries awaits you after the group’s 11-year side of the world with a three-day stint Perfect for a starter or absence from Japan. at Billboard Live. for sharing with friends. Where: Studio Coast, Shin Kiba Where: Billboard Live, Roppongi Chunky fries, topped with How Much: ¥7,500 How Much: ¥12,000 - ¥10,000 (casual) melted Monterey Jack, More info: www.studio-coast.com More info: www.billboard-live.com Cheddar, and chopped bacon, and served with a spicy ranch dressing. 11 APR 16 12 APR 3-12 Charlie XCX Tokyo Beer Week 2015 Shamelessly dance along to Get your craft beer the catchy hit tunes from fix at this event that this sassy English pop singer and highlights the wide variety of flavors songwriter. and brewing styles the microbrewery Where: Liquid Room, Shibuya-ku movement has to offer. How Much: ¥6,000 Where: Various bars around Tokyo More info: www.creativeman.co.jp How much: Prices vary according to venue More info: www.beerweek.jp

www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 32 | WEEKENDER | EXPAT LIFE

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APRIL 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com EXPAT LIFE | WEEKENDER | 33

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The Tolman Collection Shiba Daimon Our gallery’s atmospheric location strikes visitors somewhat as “The Japan that may not always be here,” with its shoji windows, tatami floors, and Japanese staff who are as polite to foreigners as it says they are in books. We have created and maintained an informal way of doing business showing Japanese graphic art, much of it unavailable elsewhere. If you want to be enchanted by Japan, its art, and its people please drop by any day, except Mondays and Tuesdays.

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www.tokyoweekender.com APRIL 2015 BACK IN THE DAY: APRIL 1974 Check out the scene in Tokyo from 1974! You can read the rest of this issue (No.13 1974) and view Weekender’s 42-year archive online. www.tokyoweekender.com/ MARCH 2015 www.tokyoweekender.com weekender-archives/