MARCH 2014

Japan’s number one English language magazine

GRASS ROOTS We meet Tom Byer, the man FROM who inspired a generation of SWEDEN Japanese footballers WITH LOVE WAY OF THE TV star LiLiCo on WARRIOR Following in the footsteps of her hard-fought legendary samurai path to success Kuroda Kanbē

A BEAUTIFUL LIFE TRENDS, TREATMENTS & TOKYO’S HOTTEST SALONS

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Call us now for a free consultation Web: www.vacationveranda.com | Email: info@ vacationveranda.com | Tel: 090-5211-0053 MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 CONTENTS 18

KURODA KANBE Following in the footsteps of a 16th- century samurai and strategist

8 10 16

INTRODUCING LILICO BEAUTY SPECIAL TOM BYER The movie commentator opens up about Tokyo’s hottest beauty trends, treatments, A grassroots leader of the football skills her journey to success and salons revolution in Japan

6 The Wa Group 22 Haruno Yoshida 32 People, Parties, Places Bringing the wabi sabi aesthetic to art A pioneering executive explains what Embassy parties, charity concerts, and the lovers of all walks of life Japan can learn from global businesses world of Tokyo’s glitterati 14 Lexus VI 27 TY Express 38 Movies 400-kilometer road trip? For Joe Peters, The company behind some of Tokyo’s top A Miyazaki fave goes live action, Robocop that’s all in a Sunday restaurants gets a reboot, and Legos save the world 21 Tohoku 28 Funabashi and Ichikawa 40 Agenda Revisiting and remembering one of Two bedroom communities with plenty to Ueno Zoo turns 132, the happiest day of Tohoku’s hardest-hit cities offer the day-tripper the year, and Lionel Richie!

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

springs to come. We learn about optimal MARCH 2014 management techniques and consider the MARCH 2014 challenges that Japan faces in achieving Japan’s number one English language magazine gender balance in its corporate culture. One woman who knows both of these subjects well is BT Japan president Haruno Yoshida, and we visit with her to hear about what Japanese businesses can Publisher Bulbous Cell Media Group learn from global companies. Chairman Ray Pedersen GRASS Traveling around the country, we ROOTS We meet Tom Byer, the man step back in time and head south to Executive Producer Asi Rinestine FROM who inspired a generation of SWEDEN Japanese footballers Okayama and Oita, dropping in on a few WITH destinations where the famed strategist Editor Alec Jordan LOVE WAY OF THE Art Director Liam Ramshaw TV star LiLiCo on WARRIOR Kuroda Kanbē brought his brilliance to Following in the footsteps of her hard-fought Illustrator Liam Akin legendary samurai the battlefield. Looking north towards path to success Kuroda Kanbē Tohoku, we learn about how tourism can Media Director Kotaro Toda serve as a healing force in the regions still Account Executives Nobu (Nick) Nakazawa A BEAUTIFUL LIFE Ohad Elbaz TRENDS, TREATMENTS & TOKYO’S HOTTEST SALONS recovering from the disaster of 3/11. We Masaya Okamoto ALSO: Business Focus: Women in the Workplace, Agenda, People, Parties, and Places, and much more also drop in on two places close to Tokyo that have more to offer the day-tripper fter digging ourselves after Media Consultant Mary Rudow than you might imagine. Marketing Ingrid Dubreuil the heaviest snowfall we’ve One of the people we profile this Editorial Consultant Sami Kawahara seen in decades, we’re A month may not be a samurai master of starting to see a bit of spring Society Bill Hersey tactics, but he has led a revolution on on the way: a plum blossom here, another field: his name is Tom Byer, and Editorial Associates Vivian Morelli preparations for the end of the school his teaching techniques for the football Matthew Hernon year there. Mace Bertumen pitch have helped to transform how Japan With the coming of warmer weather, plays and learns the sport. And on her you probably find yourself ready to shed Film Christopher O’Keeffe rocky road to success, TV personality those outer layers, and you’ll want to LiLiCo reveals that she may have traveled IT Manager Nick Adams look your best when you decide to do so. more of Japan than Kanbē himself. Development Manager Stephane Boudoux With that in mind, we’ve put together a Finance & Admin Sakura Arimura That’s it for this month. Keep an eye collection of the beauty trends, products, DBA Iryna Sundutova out for the little people on St. Patrick’s, and salons that can help you meet spring Happy Vernal Equinox Day, and we’ll see with your freshest face. you in sakura season. March marks the end of the fiscal year here in Japan, so as businesses look ahead to the Fiscal Year of the Horse, we examine some of the dynamics that EST. Corky Alexander, 1970 are shaping the workforce now, and for 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]

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

Published by Bulbous Cell Media Group www.bulbouscell.com

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

PATINA TOKYO is the first branch of Patina restaurant in LA, and the first foothold in Japan for PATINA RESTAURANT GROUP, which is a leader in the premium segment of the restaurant industry with over 50 establishments in the US. PATINA TOKYO’s highlights are the spacious dining room, the authentic classic American bar counter, the chef ’s table where guests can host their private events and can be served by the chef directly. With the founder and chef Joachim Splichal’s direction, guests can enjoy the French inspired California cuisine that is full of art and creativity. The chef has even assembled the selected wine list to complement his menu.

Web: patinatokyo.com | Tel: 03-5738-7031 1st floor Kamiyama Forest, 11-15 Kamiyama-Cho, Shibuya- ku, Tokyo, Japan 150-0047

Opening Hours Mon-Fri 11:30-14:00 | Mon-Thu 17:00-23:00(L.O.22:30) | Fri,Sat & HolidayS 17:00-23:30(L.O.23:00) | Closed On Sundays 6 | ART & DESIGN | THE WA GROUP

I didn’t want my time in Japan to be one-way… I wanted to create something that would give back to Japan and put some meaning behind what I was doing here.

like to enjoy the experience without making a huge investment. Price points at the Wa Space and Wa Shop make art accessible to all, as one can invest in a multi-million yen traditional BRINGING tansu, or casually purchase a four hundred yen textile coaster. To help promote the value of the local craftsmen and artists, the Wa Group hand- TO THE WORLD selects its wares from artisans across Japan. Its lineup currently includes items from Iwate, In an effort to promote Japanese design to the Western World, Osaka, Saga, and Gifu prefectures to name a few, but its first exhibition will feature the marketing strategist Dominic Carter and his team of three have dyed textiles of Tokyo-native, Tochigi-based formed and brought to life The Wa Group, a company dedicated to Hideo Tao and his Studio Garaya. Tao creates Japanese decor through tradi- showcasing the essence of domestic artwork in Japan tional dyeing techniques using natural materi- als such as kakishibu (persimmon extract), combination art exhibition/design Carter and his team specifically de- minomushi (cocoon material commonly used shop, the Wa Space is the first pro- veloped an admiration for the wabi sabi in kimonos), plant dyes, and rice powder. Each ject of the newly launched group, concept. “Wabi sabi aesthetics is about project is hand-treated and crafted by Taō, an which has been under develop- not wasting things and not over-perfecting attention to detail that has earned him the hon- mentA for over two years. The Wa Space and things. It is about appreciating objects in or of being named an official Heritage Artisan its online e-commerce counterpart, the Wa their natural and uncontrived state, which is of Japan in 2008. Shop, will feature a Japanese artist’s exhibi- ultimately related to sustainability,” Carter During his month long exhibition at the Wa tion each month as well as a seasonal, semi- says. He explained that wabi sabi represents Space, Tao’s art will be featured with a “sakura permanent collection. natural imperfections, and truly communi- season” theme, offering textile art and decor at Ranging from interior decor and furniture cates what’s great about the contemporary, all prices. to tableware and fashion accessories, the space modern art of Japan. As The Wa Group gears up for their much- will have a wide variation of items that truly Supporting this aesthetic, and advocating anticipated launch at the end of March, Carter embody the nature of Japanese design and the the art that embodies it in the Wa Space en- reflects on his overall vision for the Group. “I’d “wabi sabi” aesthetic. courages people to feel and think differently. love to eventually expand to all the major cities Dominic Carter, originally from Australia, This communicates the underlying message of in the world to spread the word on Japanese started off in Japan in the marketing industry, sustainability, according to Carter. design. And at the highest level, my goal is and launched a successful market research “I wanted to inspire the idea of sustainabil- based on creating a better understanding and consulting agency in 2004. The opportuni- ity, without doing it in a way that tells people between countries—if people can experience ties he experienced in Japan, combined with what to believe and what not to believe,” he another culture through that culture’s artwork his growing appreciation towards Japanese says, adding that he hopes to develop people’s and integrate it into their daily lives, they can’t design after 15 years of living here, turned into senses about the topic and translate the mes- help but be positively touched.” a desire to share it with the rest of the world. sage organically. “I didn’t want my time in Japan to be one- The Wa Space also aims to be a place For more information about the Wa Group way… I wanted to create something that would where everyone can participate. The group’s please visit their Facebook page give back to Japan and put some meaning be- intent is not only to speak to those with a true 4-3-27-1F Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 hind what I was doing here,” Carter explains. passion for art, but also to anyone who would Tel: 03 4520 9335 | www.facebook/TheWaGroup Wa_Weekender_ad2_otl.pdf 1 2/28/14 15:34

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K The journey to celebrity for the half-Swedish, movie guru was not an easy one. The Weekender talked to LiLiCo about her tumultuous path to success, five years of living in a car, and how it felt to be the Japanese voice of Cartman

by Matthew Hernon

iving out of her manager’s car for a year, LiLiCo learned the hard way just how challenging and pains- taking the road to stardom could be. The Stockholm-born celebrity, Lwho now interviews the likes of Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio for the television show King’s Brunch, used to wash herself in parking lots, hardly slept and ate very little as she struggled to keep her dream of being an idol alive. “Everybody told me the easiest thing to do was to go back to Sweden, but I didn’t have the money for that,” she tells us when we caught up with the 43-year old at a restaurant in Azabu- Juban. “So what do you do? You have to live; I therefore had no option other than getting up and going to work. My manager and I would drive up and down the country and I would sing at various clubs. “Of course there were times when it was hard; you’re often hungry and desperate for a proper wash. The summer was particularly difficult because you couldn’t leave the doors open because it was too dangerous, and the air-conditioner has a detrimental effect on your voice. You just have to put up with it. The fact that I was pursuing my dream, however, made things that much easier! At the same time, I thought this was something I could write a book about in the future.” And that is what she did, releasing her Photo © LESLIE KEE (super sonic) autobiography Crayfish and Sunflowers in 2010. As well as detailing her life on the road, the book also delves deeply into LiLiCo’s relationship with her parents, who were inspired to marry par- tially thanks to the inspiration of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com LILICO | INTERVIEW | 9

In this industry you sified. Flicking through the teen magazines that her grandmoth- never know what is around er sent from Japan, she realized the corner, I work each that she stood a better chance of becoming an idol away from day as if it’s my last be- Sweden and decided to move to Tokyo. After a year working cause I might not have in a bento shop, followed by five a job tomorrow. In that years of roughing it on the road, LiLiCo released her first single in sense things haven’t really 1992 and then got a job as a voice actor on the Japanese version of the changed since those early satirical animated sitcom South Park. “I’d never heard of the show days in Japan when I was before I started, but I soon came to living out of a car. love it,” she says. “There were only five of us doing all the voices and we were always laughing so much. My main “My father was a huge Beatles fan—particu- character was Cartman, who is hilari- larly of John—so when he married Yoko my ous. Playing him I could feel my voice dad decided to follow in his footsteps and try getting deeper and deeper. It only lasted to find a Japanese lady. My mum happened to six seasons here—there were just too be backpacking in Sweden at the time, they many words we couldn’t say in Japanese, fell in love, [and] soon after that I was born.” so WOWOW didn’t want to broadcast it Gerard Butler,” she says with a smile. “He is But the marriage proved to be a volatile one: anymore. Unfortunately they used different always so funny. Will Smith is another I really arguments and thrown dishes were far too voices for the movie.” enjoy interviewing. There are many actors common memories. LiLiCo’s father left by Despite not being involved in it, the film that don’t want to be asked this or that, but he the time she was nine and while they get on did inadvertently help her career. Asked in a is not like that at all. I remember the first time very well now, she barely saw him during her magazine interview what her three favorite I met him; it was at the Men in Black press teenage years. movies of all time were, she chose South Park: conference. He pointed at me and said “I want Those years were particularly trying ones Bigger, Longer and Uncut, Miss Congeniality a picture with that girl.” The next time I met for the youngster growing up in Stockholm. and the Swedish movie Under the Sun. Her him we took a photograph of that shot and Her Asian appearance made her an easy tar- answer intrigued the producer of the popular we’ve continued doing that ever since. It has get for bullies at school and things were even Saturday morning show King’s Brunch, and become numerous pictures within a picture. worse at home. She would spend much of her he subsequently offered her a role as movie The only autograph I ever got was time taking care of her sick younger brother, commentator on the program. from Colin Farrell, which he signed “to my while her mother often insulted her saying “I think it was the variety of my choices sweetheart.” I never get overly excited about things like “everything you do is terrible; that interested him,” she reflects. Miss Con- meeting anyone, but he is just the perfect you can’t be my daughter.” She regularly dis- geniality is a nice romantic comedy, South guy. I think because he is so handsome, peo- missed her dream of becoming a singer saying Park is completely out there, while Under ple forget what a good actor he is. Everyone she was “too ugly,” and if she ever struggled the Sun is quite dark. knows about his bad-boy reputation but he with her homework she would call her “the “Whatever his reason, I couldn’t believe is actually really calm.” most stupid girl on the planet.” The put-downs he chose me. It was an amazing opportu- She has now been doing the show for 13 continued even after LiLiCo became famous. nity. That said I found it really tricky at first. years and plans to go on for as long as they “She passed away two years ago, but there I wanted to quit the show every week back want her. In addition to King’s Brunch, she was no reconciliation before she died,” says then.” continues to act, sing, appear on a host of LiLiCo. “Of course I have regrets about it. I’m Thankfully she didn’t. LiLiCo grew into variety shows and write magazine columns, like anyone, I wanted to love my mum and the position and soon established herself as as well as having a regular slot on the radio. get a hug from her, but it never happened. one of the most likable and admired celebri- She also designs handbags and in May she We can’t choose our family: I know we are ties on Japanese TV. Her slightly eccen- will be launching her own jewellery col- always supposed to appreciate our tric, but extremely professional lection LiLiNa. She clearly loves keeping parents, but sometimes it’s not presenting style endeared busy and hardly takes any days off. Having possible. I spoke about this on her to viewers as well as worked so hard to get to where she is now, some TV shows and got a lot the high-profile guests there is no way LiLiCo is going to take any- of feedback from people who sat opposite her. thing for granted. who felt the same, but She has interviewed “In this industry you never know what is didn’t have the courage to some of Hollywood’s around the corner,” she tells us. “I work each open up to others.” biggest names and day as if it’s my last because I might not have In spite of the struck up a great a job tomorrow. In that sense things haven’t discouraging words rapport with really changed since those early days in from her mother, many of them. Japan when I was living out of a car. The one LiLiCo’s will and “My favorite big difference of course, is that I now have a determination to ever has to be nice bed to go home to in the evenings.” become a star inten-

Image courtesy of Comedy Central www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 BeautifulLife by Vivian Morelli

Smooth, flawless and young-looking skin seems to abound on this side of the world. Whether the secret lies with a strict beauty care regimen or simply good genes and a healthy lifestyle, Japan has some natural resources that could help you achieve a fresh glow. These are just a few of the treatments that are getting attention these days in Japan.

GREEN TEA BEAUTY TREATMENTS Another daily Japanese beverage doubles up as a secret ingredient: green tea, and more precisely, matcha. Not only does it revitalize your body, but it does the same thing for your skin. Matcha, also known as the finely milled green tea, is of the highest quality (and it’s the closest you can get to the actual tea leaf), and it’s not to be confused with simple green tea powder. In addition to drinking it and using it in cakes and traditional sweets, matcha can IMPROVE YOUR SKIN WITH SAKE also be applied to the skin, as it’s filled with antioxidants. The fermented rice beverage may be a go-to product to guarantee In other words, it can slow down the aging process a good time, but it can also do wonders for your skin. It was while keeping you healthy and alert. Look for skincare apparently used by geisha for many generations, and judging by containing matcha extract, or try mixing some matcha and their flawless skin, there must be something to it. According to water for an at-home facial mask. some scientists, kojic acid, which is a byproduct of the fermentation process of sake, has some skin-lightning properties. Splashing HOT STONE SPA (GANBANYOKU) some into your face or bathing in it can help fade those aging spots. In addition to the numerous onsen (hot springs) spots that You can go all out and bathe in sake at some Japanese spa resorts, can be found all over Japan, you can take it a step further notably in Hakone, where you can dip in a bath filled with sake, by trying ganbanyoku—or hot stone spa, if you prefer. The coming from a huge cask—just make sure you don’t drink too much ‘bathing’ method has recently increased in popularity all of it… over Japan. After all, who wouldn’t like lying on some hot rocks after a long day? Although you’re actually lying on CAMELLIA OIL a mat on top of the warm stones, the heat can help your Smooth and glossy hair is possible to achieve, body detox, while providing some deep relaxation, a sense and you don’t need to look very far: walk of ease and it can even aid weight loss. The heat improves into any drugstore or beauty supply store, blood circulation, while easing any muscle pain and and you’ll see the ubiquitous yellow boxes tension, and you can alternate the hot stones with some adorned with red camellias. There must time in a cooling-off area. Widely found in most Japanese be a reason why all the ladies flock to that cities, just look for your nearest ganbanyoku using this section—indeed, tsubaki (camellia oil) has site: www.ganbanyoku-navi.net been an essential part of Japanese beauty rituals for centuries. Women use the oil to nourish and protect their skin, and as SNAIL FACIAL it’s hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and If you’re feeling adventurous, we dare you to try the much- quickly and naturally absorbed, it can be hyped snail facial. That’s right: the treatment where the used on both skin and hair. Try it as a daily crawling garden critters roam about on your face, leaving leave-in conditioner on your ends and you behind a trail of beauty-boosting slime. The 60-minute may notice your hair is a lot shinier, or use it treatment (if you can last that long) is said to rejuvenate on your skin to replenish and your skin while sealing in moisture and reducing hydrate, especially after a inflammation. And in case you’re wondering, the escargots long, harsh winter. used are fed with an exclusively organic diet.

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com Tokyo Beauty Guide

As we head into our favorite season of the year full of cherry blossoms and ideal weather, we rounded up a list of our top beauty spots in Tokyo to recover from those extra cold days of winter this year. From hair salons to beauty shops, here are our top picks:

NAIL SALON PINKY

ails can always use a little cheer, and whether you’re in for a French manicure, gel or customized decoration, the N English-speaking nail technician and salon owner Rie-san will happily welcome you in the Shibuya salon, which is just 1 minute from Shibuya Station. You can browse their English website to check out their extensive menu, or go ahead and book the popular and durable French Calgel, starting at ¥8,400. Calgel is an advanced nail system that promotes a healthy nail, and won’t damage your nails like harsh acrylics can. You can pick from among over 80 shades, and choose special techniques such as art, gradation or French manicures, and get your nails done while watching a big-screen TV in a comfortable massage chair. Basic manicures (cut, file, massage, cuticle treatment, color) and pedicures are also offered, and the salon has a special menu for brides-to-be. First-time customers get 10% off their first visit.

www.nailsalonpinky.com 03-6427-4403 Address provided on appointment

GRACE COLE FLORAL COLLECTION

anchester-based beauty brand, Grace Cole, recently debuted their new collection, adding four new M fragrances to the body care line. As we head into the spring season, the Floral collection fragrances are sure to complement this season’s ambience, with scents including white rose & lotus flower, lavender & chamomile, magnolia & vanilla, and lily & verbena. The lightweight creams enriched with natural essential oils will leave your skin glowing and fully recovered from the dry winter season. But the carefully crafted products aren’t just meant for women to enjoy, the Floral collections are suitable for men and women of all ages. Find the collections online or in selected shops if you’re looking for the perfect gift or to indulge yourself!

www.makeup-store.jp 06-6977-7300 WEC HAIR SALON

EC Hair, located in the trendy yet relaxing neighborhood of Ebisu, is a hair salon whose name is inspired by the W World’s End district in London where owner Kenji gained most of his hairdressing experience. Kenji worked in London and New York as a hairdresser for over three years, styling customers from all around the world. After his return to Japan, Kenji opened up his own shop in November of 2012, 5 minutes from JR Ebisu Station, and continues to practice his specialty techniques while also giving seminars on his color skills to Japanese hairdressers. Many of his clients include British and Americans who appreciate his international experience and specialties in highlights, cut, straightening, and perms. To book an appointment with Kenji, email [email protected]. First time customers will receive a 20% discount.

http://wecweb.jp/en 03-6277-4344 [email protected]

Shibuya-ku Ebisu 1-21-17-2F

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 BULB HAIR SALON

etting a haircut in Japan should not involve being lost in translation: hair stylist Soeda Kensuke has G spent five years working in NYC and specializes in Caucasian haircuts and color. The stylist is aware of the cutting-edge trends but will also take into consideration your specific styling needs, which can be discussed in detail during the consultation. One of his specialties is blonde highlights, which is a difficult service to find in Tokyo. Let the experienced hands of Soeda-san get your color just right. Conveniently located a few steps away from Daikanyama station, this English- speaking salon will cover all your hair needs for the reasonable fee of ¥6,825 for a basic cut, with a 20% discount for first-time clients, and 10% off the second visit. Soeda also specializes in both formal and casual styles for men, and the full service treatment includes a shampoo and blow dry.

www.bulb.jpn.com/english/ 03-6277-5877 (ask for Soeda-san) 18-7 2F Daikanyamacho Shibuya-ku, 150-0034 MDSA HAIR REMOVAL SALON

t’s finally getting warmer: time to shed those outer layers. This spring, to ensure smooth skin that’s free I of excess hair, rather than shaving or waxing, why not try a safe, longer-lasting solution? MDSA is a salon that offers effective results thanks to Intense Pulsed Light hair removal treatment, located two minutes away from Azabu-Juban Station. Many of MDSA’s clients are foreigners, and the salon is proud to offer service and consultation in English. You can have your choice of male or female staff, and all treatments are performed in fully private rooms. They offer the most popular hair removal treatments for men and women, and trial prices are also available. If you’ve never tried light-based hair removal treatments before, feel free to arrange a free consultation or patch test.

mds-a.jp/english/ 03-6435-12763 Ishihara Bldg 2F, 3-7-1 Azabu-juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0045

KENJI SUZUKI

eave your locks in the hands of a professional and experienced stylist: L English-fluent Kenji Suzuki has been part of the high profile, international beauty industry for over 20 years. He lived in New York City for most of those years, taking care of the city’s stylish clientele. Having relocated to Tokyo last year, he joined Bondz Salon in Azabujuban, which rounds up a crew of highly skilled stylists. With several years of salon and fashion industry experience under his belt, he is now ready to introduce his NYC-acquired knowledge to Tokyo, and “not only creating clients’ hairstyles but also creating their lifestyles” is his motto. He specializes in men’s and women’s haircuts, and first-time clients get a 20% discount, with an additional 10% off for your next, pre-booked haircut.

www.kenji-hairstylist.com 080-1307-4973 Bondz Salon 4th floor, 1-8-13, Azabu-Juban, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0045

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com NUA

et the highly qualified NUA technicians pamper you with a range of treatments ranging from facials and waxes to L manicures, pedicures and hair removal. Need a bit of a boost? Facials offer a deep cleanse and help you achieve a clearer complexion. Beyond the pampering are the health benefits associated with facials, including increased circulation and lower blood pressure. Take your facial a step further with the Photocare Antiaging Facial, the most advanced non-invasive procedure for skin rejuvenation. Or try a Microcurrent Facelift, which improves and lifts sagging skin, treats the dreaded double chin, stimulates facial muscles, and enhances skin tone and vibrancy. And as beach season is fast approaching, you can achieve a smooth leg and bikini area with IPL hair removal, or go Brazilian with the Hot waxing method.

03-3444-3055 (Hiroo) | 03-6804-5285 (Omotesando) Hiroo: Muramatsu Building 4F, Minami Azabu 5-16-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo | Omotesando: Lamial Jingumae #102, Jingumae 4-8-17, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo nuajapan.com

HOLISTIC SANCTUARY

reating the mind, body and soul, this lounge-like esthetic salon will leave you feeling relaxed, revitalized and T completely reinvigorated. Holistic Sanctuary is more than just a modern, sleek space: targeting mostly a male clientele, owner Keiko Chiba is aware of men’s increasing interest in personal grooming. Join the sports stars and celebrities who frequent the salon regularly to get your own personalized treatments: aromatherapy, deep tissue massage, reflexology, Swedish massage, manual lymphatic drainage, facial massage, hot and cold stone massages, and Thai foot massage are all part of the menu. Ladies are also welcome to the salon for the same blissful experiences, and couple/pregnancy treatments are even available. Lipo-cavitation (non-surgical ‘lipo-suction’) will help you slim down, and the Phytomer treatment can help you free yourself of all of the stresses of city life.

www.h-sanctuary.com 03-6441-2150 Akasaka 6-6-4, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052

ELANA JADE: ORGANIC SALON

he Australian-themed salon offers a wide range of personalized treatments according to your skin type T and needs, and the attentive staff will pamper you using exclusively organic products. Although well sought after for their waxing and hot-stone massage services, the Elana Jade salon is fast becoming famous for their organic anti-age and peeling facials. In fact, celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson have praised the exclusive IIcsi products used in the Elana Jade Peeling Facial. Mommies-to-be can also find a range of prenatal massages and treatments to fit their needs during that special time. “Your oasis in the heart of Tokyo”

www.elanajade.com 03-6438-9895 Latorie Memorial Building 3F 1−5−19 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 IN THE DRIVING SEAT WITH JOE PETERS The secrets of sales success, and why listening is more important than speaking

Part 6 of The Lexus 6 Series

hen Joe Peters was 15, he got a valuable This early experience in sales served Joe Peters well: business lesson while selling magazine after a stint in the army, where he was stationed at a base in subscriptions door-to-door. His territory Chitose, Hokkaido, he embarked on a 32-year career in the for the sales drive had been marked and insurance industry that took him to Japan, Singapore, and Whe had gotten some sales pointers from his father, who was Malaysia, serving in roles from sales to senior management a regional manager for Curtis Circulation in Ohio, where he positions with MetLife, INA, Mutual of Omaha, AIG, and AXA. grew up. Several hours after his father dropped him off on After his “retirement,” Peters launched the Japanese offices of his sales beat, he picked him up and asked him how he’d I Search Worldwide, an executive recruitment firm. He is also done. He’d sold 30 dollars’ worth, earning $15 in commission president of the American Club’s Toastmasters Club and the for himself—not a bad amount of money for a 15-year-old to director of BoomerangIt Japan, an innovative lost and found make back then. membership service. But his father wanted to know how much of his territory He got his first taste of the Lexus experience while he was he had covered. He told him, “I covered it all.” That was the working in Singapore and got his choice of a company car: wrong answer. The next day, Peters and his father revisited “I could have had a BMW, I could have had a Mercedes, and all of the houses that had turned him down, and presented I could have had a Lexus. Friends of mine had Lexuses and I them with a different sales pitch. That day, he sold about $40 had ridden in them, and I liked the immersive sound systems, in magazine subscriptions, and learned two important things: the smooth ride, and the sport-tuned engineering. I liked what “Never burn through your territory in one day, and don’t take they had.” At the time, he went with a Lexus ES300; when he no for a first answer. No is not the end of the story; it’s just an relocated to Japan in 2002, he was looking for the same car. opportunity to offer another suggestion.” The Lexus brand hadn’t launched in Japan yet, so Peters drove

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com PART VI | THE LEXUS 6 | 15

I see a lot of people who to Sport Mode on winding mountain fail because they say, ‘well, roads: the quick THE IS350 IN DETAIL acceleration and I’m going to do it my way.’ deceleration really For business in Japan, there give the IS350 a sports car feel.” So are ways—and there are far, their farthest other ways—to get things drive has been the 1,400 km-trip up to done. Not everything is black Towadako in Aomori. Given the couple’s and white: people need to willingness to drive remember that. a few hundred kilometers on a day trip outside of Aggressively tuned suspension that gives you complete control on the road, coupled a Toyota Windom for 11 years. When it came Tokyo, he doesn’t with a smooth, luxurious ride: the perfect combination of smooth and sporty time to buy a new car, he knew what he was understand his looking for: a Lexus. fellow expats who Bold styling that features sweeping lines, racing-inspired instrument gauges, and an iconic and unforgettable profile Peters and his wife enjoy taking long are unwilling to step road trips, and it’s not unusual for the couple outside the foreigner Look out on the road from a low-set driving seat that combines a dynamic to log 300 to 400 kilometers on a Sunday enclaves of central driving experience with total comfort. drive—even more on a weekend trip. So Tokyo. One of the they wanted a car that would let them hit the pieces of advice he’d road in style. As Peters explained, “I wanted give to any expat, no matter how long they Lexus, of course, is the Bluetooth connection. a comfortable car for taking those long trips were planning on being here, is “not to be I just pop my iPhone on and it plays through that would have the power, offer a quiet and afraid to get out of town.” the speakers. I can control it from the steering confortable ride, with a good sound system A lifetime in sales and recruiting have wheel, and that’s really convenient.” that we could listen to for long drives.” He definitely made Peters a confident speaker, When asked for a few final tips about how Photos by Akira Furukawa first had his eye on the GS450h (the hybrid but he also stressed that one of the most to ensure a relatively smooth ride on the expat model of the GS350), but as that model was valuable skills that a good salesman or life in Japan, the first thing he mentioned was about an inch too wide for their garage, recruiter can have is the ability to listen the importance of learning Japanese, even he checked out the IS350, and the cool yet well, a sentiment he likes to illustrate if it’s just a matter of being able to order in aggressive lines of the sedan impressed him. with a quote from the Greek philosopher restaurants or give directions in a taxi. Peters The couple takes the IS350 up to Nikko, Epictetus: “We have two ears and one would be able to hold a meeting in Japanese, or down to Nishizawa Keikoku in Yamanashi, mouth so that we can listen twice as and he often does, but one of his first reasons for hiking trips. Their commute to their much as we speak.” And whether Peters for learning Japanese was one that many of favorite udon place is a short one by their is listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or us can understand: his wife-to-be, whom he standards: it’s the 150-year-old Asamichaya, a shuffle selection that can roam from met while stationed in Hokkaido, didn’t speak between Hannō and Chichibu, in Saitama. country-western to opera, he appreciates much English at the time, and he remembers As Peters explains, the IS350 handles curves the whisper-quiet of the IS350’s interior. many a conversation that involved hurried brilliantly: “I love being able to switch over “One of the things that I like about the new flipping through a Japanese English dictionary. His last piece of advice was for budding 1 entrepreneurs looking to get a start in Tokyo: “There are hurdles to overcome, but you can overcome them as long as you’re willing to be patient and understand that there are certain rules and ways to do things, and not buck the system all the time. I see a lot of people who fail because they say, ‘well, I’m going to do it my way.’ For business in Japan, there are ways—and there are other ways—to get things done. Not everything is black and white: people need to remember that.” 2 LEXUS INTERNATIONAL GALLERY AOYAMA

If you’d like to get a taste of the Lexus 3 experience, drop in at Lexus International Gallery Aoyama. Their English-speaking concierge staff is on hand to consult with you on any question you might have about cars, in a sales-free environment where there is no

1 Getting to grips with the IS350 2 Control at your pressure to buy. fingertips 3 International Gallery Aoyama where English speaking staff is on hand to answer all of your questions Add: 2-5-8 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 4 How to get there. 4 Tel: 03-5786-2711

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 by Matthew Hernon

THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO LED A GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL SKILLS REVOLUTION IN JAPAN

ollowing another disastrous World Cup qualifying cam- paign where they finished below Iraq and Jordan, the Chinese football association decided it was time to see what their neighbor Japan—a country that has made giant F strides over the past three decades—was doing right. Yet rather than seeking out a national or J-League coach, they’ve turned to an American named Tom Byer, who wasn’t exactly a high-profile player and has never coached for a professional team. An odd choice? Definitely not. The only youth coach to have won the Adidas Golden Boot award, he’s a pioneer of the game at grassroots level. Hundreds of thousands of kids have attended his clinics and academies including Man Utd’s Shinji Kagawa and World Cup winner Aya Miyama. In fact most current Japanese internationals have in some way been influenced by Byer, whether that be through one of his DVDs, weekday morning TV program, magazine columns, comic book corner or directly via one of his training clinics and camps. Such is his popularity here, that when he was coaching alongside legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane, it was ‘Tom-san’ the kids sang most loudly for. So what is it that makes this coach from New York so special? “Not to downgrade my status but there are better youth coaches out there,” he tells Weekender. “The thing is nobody knows who they are. We became famous because we used a media platform to deliver technical content that made football accessible to everyone. When I started coach- ing everything was focused on the elite. Gradually we started changing that thinking and you can see the results. “The women’s team are the current world champions, the men were a penalty shootout away from the World Cup quarter finals and have won three of the last four Asian Cups. This is a side that couldn’t score one goal during the 1988 tournament. So how have they turned it round? It has nothing to do with the top players, who I believe are no better now than the best players from 30 years ago. The difference is the talent pool is now much wider. The more children playing, working on their skills, the more chance you have of future success. It’s as simple as that, yet most federa- tions around the world still don’t get it.” “Everyone thinks to develop a nation you just need to send top coaches. (Jose Antonio) Camacho is given an eight million dollars a year contract to turn around China’s fortunes. He’s managed Spain and Real Madrid; surely he can help them catch Japan and Korea? Wrong, it doesn’t work like that. They lose 5–1 to Thailand and he’s gone. The only way you’re going to see a real shift is if you start bringing more youngsters into the game and lessen the gap between the best and worst players. “I also think that kids should be coached when they are younger. The general consensus is that the golden age to attain technical skills is from 9–13. Before that is the ‘discovery phase’ when no coaching should take

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com TOM BYER | SPORTS | 17

1 It’s sometimes claimed that a team like Brazil is successful because of some special DNA their players have. That’s crap! It’s because they work on their technique incessantly. A coun- try like Japan doesn’t have the

2 same footballing culture, so the 3 media becomes a key compo- nent in terms of encouraging kids to practice.

Japan, the American coach decided to branch out to other countries in Asia. T3, a company he launched in 2007, has opened academies in nations like Australia and Indonesia with India coming soon. An even bigger challenge 1 Tom with World Cup winner Aya Miyama 2 Running a presents itself in China, where Byer was 1-on-1 drill 3 Speaking to a full house at the stadium. recently named as the Technical Advisor for their School Football Program as well as the place and children are supposed to just fall It proved a massive success both on and off Youth Development Ambassador for Chinese in love with the sport. This is an incorrect the training pitch. Parents, children and the Super League team Beijing Guoan FC after re- assumption, a large number actually stop media all loved it. Football began challenging nowned journalist Ma Dexing wrote an article playing because they haven’t been taught baseball as the most popular sport for kids in describing him as the “Godfather of Japanese and subsequently can’t do anything with the Japan, with Byer leading the revolution. football.” The question now is can he replicate ball. Go to any park in the world and you’ll “It just exploded,” he says. “I presented a what he’s done here across the water and be- see fathers endlessly kicking the ball back skill’s corner on the number one children’s come the Don Corleone of the Chinese game? and forth with their children, conditioning TV program (Oha Suta) for thirteen years. “It’s going to take time,” he says. “You them to boot it indiscriminately. They should We appeared monthly in the manga comic don’t see the results of grassroots football be learning how to keep and manipulate the CoroCoro which has a circulation of 1.2 mil- for 15–20 years. That said, things are really ball. This is something any parent can do and lion; I wrote regular articles for magazines starting to happen in China. The FA and the I believe it can be taught to kids as young as and newspapers. We were also involved in government, including their football-mad two and three.” the launch of the computer game Inazuma President Xi Jinping, are serious about making Bursting with passion, Byer’s a diffi- Eleven. On top of all that Tom-san’s Football progress. The sport is now being taught as a cult man to stop when gets on the topic of Technics was the number one selling football compulsory discipline in 6,200 schools across football. He first fell in love with the sport in DVD in the country. 126 cities. That’s 2.2million kids taking part in the mid-seventies when he would visit his “Our methods were simple, but incred- three hours of mandatory training a week. friend’s house and fiddle with the antenna ibly effective; one ball, one player. It can be “One of main jobs we have is educating on the roof, desperately trying to get a pic- exported to any country in the world and is parents, who see sport as a distraction to edu- ture good enough to see the likes of Pele and undoubtedly the biggest shortcut to develop- cation, about the benefits of playing football. George Best starring in America’s top flight. ing a footballing nation. It’s about prioritiz- In order to do that we are placing an even Unfortunately his own career in the ing technique so that kids are empowered greater emphasis on multimedia platforms: States never took off. Shortly after he began to practice on their own. It’s sometimes TV, 3D applications, microblogging etc, where training with the Tampa Bay Rowdies the claimed that a team like Brazil is successful we can communicate with millions regarding league went bust and Byer decided to try his because of some special DNA their players the policies of our programs.” hand abroad, firstly with English non-league have. That’s crap. It’s because they work on Byer already has 300,000 followers side Leighton FC and then in Japan play- their technique incessantly. Many have done on the Chinese site Weibo, while ing for Hitachi FC (now Kashiwa Reysol). their 10,000 hours (the supposed Dexing (3million followers) and Japanese football attracted little attention number of hours of prac- former Everton player Li Tie (2mil- back then; however, Byer realized its growth tice required to achieve lion followers) regularly repost potential and decided to remain in the mastery in a field) by what he writes. He’s received a country after retiring in order to coach kids. the time they’re 13. lot of support from officials and One of his early students happened to be the A country like Japan fans around the country who are son of the President, and he ran clinics that doesn’t have the same all desperate to see their national

Photo by Chris Shepard were sponsored by Nestle for 10 years with footballing culture; side catch Japan and Korea, though hundreds of children turning up to each one. they don’t play on the before that happens they need to Coinciding with the advent of the streets here, so the start producing quality teams at J-League, he then introduced the Coerver media becomes a key component youth level. If Byer can help them coaching program to Japan. It’s a method in terms of encouraging kids to do that, he may just go down as the based on the teachings of Wiel Coerver that practice.” greatest grassroots football coach places an emphasis on individual technique. With things working so well in of all time.

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 INTRODUCING KURODA KANBE Revealing the story behind one of Japan’s most iconic warriors

he founding father of the Fukuoka domain and hero of the popular drama Gunshi Kanbē now showing on NHK, Kuroda Kanbē was one of Japan’s most iconic warriors. A samurai of great honor and courage, he was a master Ttactician who served as chief strategist and advisor to the preeminent Daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi. According to reports Kanbē, who was also known as Kuroda Yoshitaka—and later in life as Don Simeon and Josui—wasn’t as ambitious as Japan’s great unifiers (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu), but he did have the skill and know-how to take land from them and that is something all three were aware of. Kanbē pursuaded his father to align with the Oda clan in 1576, and many of the families around Himeji followed suit. However, two years later a rebellion broke out among some of the clans who had previously aligned with Oda. Tricked into visiting Arioka Castle for a diplomatic meeting, he was confined for some time. Although he did manage to escape from the castle, he injured himself in doing so—leaving him with a permanent limp. Unable to continue battling on the front lines, he shifted his focus to war strategy. Hideyoshi and Ieyasu used a different approach. They wanted Kanbē close by, counting on his tactical knowledge to help them win battles. His influence was particularly strong during Hideyoshi’s reign, when he successfully led the Shikoku campaign of 1585 and was then ordered to lead an attack in Kyushu. During his time there Kanbē was heavily influenced by the renowned Christian Daimyo Takayuma Ukon and subsequently converted to Christianity. He was baptized, taking the name Don Simeon, but soon renounced his faith when Hideyoshi banned all samurai from following the religion. During his short time as a Christian he arranged for the rescue of the Jesuit Bungo mission when the province was being attacked by the Shimazu in 1584. He would later go on to take the Buddhist name Josui. Following the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Kanbē switched allegiance to Tokugawa. Though he refused a position in his government, he continued to serve Tokugawa until his death in 1604. In modern day culture, particularly in computer games such as Samurai Warriors, Sengoku Basara and Kessen III, Kanbē is portrayed as a colorful, intelligent character with a demonic appearance.

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com KURODA KANBE | FEATURE | 19

The NHK drama Gunshi Kanbē, which stars pop star turned actor Junichi Okada, also focuses on Kanbē’s love and dedication to his wife. Join us as we follow in the footsteps of this crafty strategist’s military and political career, and take in some of the famous sights and activities you can enjoy along the way.

The Life and Times of Kuroda Kanbē

1546: Born in Himeji (present day Hyogo Prefecture). 1567: Leads the Oda clan’s main attack that HISTORIC OITA brought down Inabayama Castle in Mino Province (present day Gifu Prefecture),

1576: Swears fealty to the Oda clan, and aligns MEMORIES OF himself with Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

1578: A rebellion at Arioka Castle (in present day TIMES PAST Hyogo Prefecture) leads to Kanbē’s confinement. ocated on the northern border of Oita Prefecture, Injured in his escape, he would focus on strategy the quaint town of Nakatsu is famous for its ma- for the rest of his life. L jestic five-story castle. Commissioned by Kuroda 1582: Devises the mizuzeme (castle flooding) siege Kanbē in 1588 (and reconstructed in 1955), Nakatsu attack on Bitchutakamatsu Castle. Castle is classified as one of the three great “water castles” of Japan, along with Imabari Castle and Takamatsu Castle. In May, 1585–87: Serves with Toyotomi Hideyoshi on for the Tanishi Festival, men dressed in samurai armor parade campaigns in Shikoku and Kyushu. the streets of Nakatsu. Around the year, you can get a free bicycle rental from Nakatsu Station, to explore the castle town at 1588: Builds Nakatsu castle in Oita. your leisure. 1592–97: Engages in several military expeditions to Known as little Kyoto for its enchanting sloping streets and Korea on behalf of Hideyoshi. charming little shops, Kitsuki (located on the other side of the Kunisaki Peninsula from Nakatsu) is a delightful city to stroll 1598: Toyotomi Hideyoshi dies, and Kanbē joins around while dressed in a kimono. For just ¥2,400 you can hire with Tokugawa Ieyasu. one at Warakuan Kimono Rental. Select shops and restaurants in the area also offer discounts (and sometimes even free prod- 1600: Fights in The Battle of Ishigakibaru. ucts!) to people wearing a kimono. If that wasn’t enough every 1604: Dies at his home in Fushimi, Kyoto. third Saturday of the month there is an opportunity to get your picture taken for free by a professional photographer during the Kimono Thanksgiving Festival. (For information, email info@kit- suki.com) Another popular festival takes place at Kitsuki Castle 1. Hijemi during Golden Week when people dress in a variety of costumes 2. Inabayama Castle, Gifu from the Edo Period. 3. Arioka Castle, hyogo A fun time to be in the 4. Bitchutakamatsu Castle, city, it almost feels like Okayama you have been trans- 5. Shikoku ported back in time. 6. Nakatsu castle, Oita And of course, if 7. Fushimi, Kyoto you like hot springs you will love Oita. The number one onsen destination in Japan, it makes for a wonderfully relax- ing getaway from the stresses and strains of city life.

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 20 | FEATURE | KURODA KANBE

eppu is famed for its many hot BEPPU springs, and it’s possible that B master strategist Kanbē rested his battle-weary bones in a few of A WARRIOR’S RETREAT them, while he was staying in Beppu. Kanbē was in the area during the Battle of Ishigakibaru is just as impressive: 10 of the (1600)—a prelude to the decisive Battle of Seki- 11 different mineral hot springs gahara, which in turn led to the establishment can be found there. You can of the Tokugawa shogunate. also try the unique experience And if Oita is the number one onsen of the sunayu: being covered destination in Japan, Beppu is the number one in natural sand warmed by the of number ones. The volcanic energy under hot spring heat. It’s something this resort town powers more than 2200 onsen, you have to try for yourself, which collectively produce the second largest but the closest way we can amount of hot spring water in the world. As describe it is like a warm hug impressive as the onsen output in Beppu is, the from the earth. If you’re up to variety of hot springs awaiting the aficionado the challenge, you should take your love of onsen to the next level when you visit Beppu. As a part of the Beppu-Hatto Onsen-Dō, or Hot Springs Mas- ter Program, you can collect stamps from participating onsen in a “Spaport” hallmark food products of Beppu: its famous booklet. If you fill up your booklet, you are be- toriten, or chicken tempura. Cooked with a stowed with the title of “Onsen Meijin,” giving technique developed by a local restaurant you access to special tours around Beppu. back in the Showa Period, toriten offers the Between visiting historical sites and striving ideal blend of crunch and juiciness. Jigoku- towards onsen mastery, you may have worked mushi—seafood and vegetables steamed with up an appetite. We recommend one of the onsen heat—is another local specialty.

OKAYAMA unsuccessful, and Hideyoshi learned that the Mori’s forces were sending a mass of 40,000 soldiers to protect the castle. Hidey- REMNANTS OF A GREAT SIEGE oshi needed to act quickly. He consulted with his strategist, the wily Kuroda Kanbē, who recalled a siege technique whose origins dated back to Chinese legend. The technique, called mizuzeme, or “castle flooding,” would take the very water that protected the castle and use it as a weapon. In 12 days, Hideyoshi’s men built a three-kilometer-long dam that redirected the nearby Ashimori River into the swamp, inundating it and forcing their enemies to flee. Only the ruins of this historically impor- tant castle remain, but you can visit the Castle Park and gaze out at the landscape as you imagine battles long gone. You can reach Bitchutakamatsu wood print of the seige of Bitchutakamatsu castle Castle Park in ocated in the western part of in the task that Oda Nobunaga had given him: about 30 minutes Okayama city, the castle at to conquer the Chugoku region (the far-west- from Okayama Bitchutakamatsu was the site of a ern region of Honshu). But Bitchutakamatsu Castle. Take the JR L memorable Sengoku Period siege Kibitsu Line Castle, which was controlled by forces loyal to devised by Kuroda Kanbē. The castle was Nobunaga’s enemy, the Mori clan, stood in his to Bitchutaka- long famed for its impregnability during this way. Despite Hideyoshi’s numerical advan- matsu Station. period of warring states, thanks to the swamp tage—about 30,000 to 5,000—his troops could The Castle Park that surrounded it. not use cavalry or siege weapons in their is a 10-minute In March of 1582, the warlord Toyotomi attack on the castle. walk north of the Hideyoshi was well on his way to succeeding Two attempts in taking the castle were station.

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com REBUILDING RIKUZENTAKATA | FEATURE | 21

Seeing our city first Revisiting hand not only means we know you took the time to visit, but it’s also good for Tohoku you. Being here is the best way for you to understand Three years after the devastation of 3/11, the cities and the people of To- and connect. hoku are still recovering and rebuilding day by day. An American volunteer based in the city of Rikuzentakata discusses the ways in which we can still become the topic of conversations for the next several days. That feeling is multiplied tenfold contribute—ways in which we might not have thought. for the people of this rebuilding community. “For the people of Rikuzentakata, your presence as a foreign visitor means more than you could imagine. It gives them a source of inspiration and strength. Of course, if you’re in the mood to be an instant celebrity, you’ll have that. But it will be something that the people of the city won’t soon forget. It will be something that they will be talking about for weeks.” Rather than a luxurious stay and a heavy travel itinerary, a visit to Rikuzentakata is more about taking in the land and meeting people. One of the most powerful sights around Rikuzentakata is the Miracle Pine. The tree finally succumbed to the heavy salinity of the soil following the tsunami, but a tree-shaped monument has been constructed, that contains part of the original tree at its top. Finally, the in- terdenominational memorial hall that was built in 2013 is a peaceful location for remembrance. Aside from this, Miller recommends “walking here have been many tributes left than two years. Raised in Japan, she came to the town, to get a sense of the rebuilding efforts, behind since that wall of water volunteer after the earthquake and tsunami in and talking with the people of our city.” leveled the Iwate Prefecture city March 2011. Her volunteer work brought her to Rikuzentakata can be reached by bus from of Rikuzentakata: the high school the region, and she chose to stay and work with Ichinoseki. To get there from Tokyo, take the girl who came to play her trumpet the city. Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki, and transfer at the site of the house where her mother and Miller said that financial support is still a T to a bus from there. The Capital Hotel, which sister died; a cafe and jazz bar owner whose necessity, particularly because government was destroyed in the tsunami, has been rebuilt business was destroyed built a series of colorful support for rebuilding is limited in many cases, on a hill and looks out over the remains of the cottages to replace temporary housing and to and the destruction in Rikuzentakata was so downtown area. (www.capitalhotel1000.jp) memorialize what he had lost; and a solitary complete. But one way for people to support the You can get an English map at the hotel that pine from a forest of trees, the only one left city and the region is simply to visit. contains a list of restaurants in Rikuzentakata. standing after the forest was tossed down like so While many people did travel north to many matchsticks. Dubbed the Miracle Pine, it assist in whatever ways they can, and many THE LASTING EFFECTS FROM 3/11 became a symbol of persistence for the people of still do, Miller explains that tourists can provide the city and the Tohoku region itself. another kind of aid. The idea of the site of a Two and a half years after the March 11, 2011, Three years later, none of us have forgotten natural disaster becoming a tourist destination quake and tsunami, 103,600 survivors of the the damage that the tsunami and earthquake is a delicate issue. However, Mayor Futoshi disaster still live in temporary housing units in did, but most of us don’t have to live on a daily Toba of Rikuzentakata explained, “People often Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.* basis with the reality that comes with the con- ask me how we feel about visitors coming to tinued rebuilding. In Rikuzentakata, this process town, and our collective answer is, ‘Yes! Please Tohoku population 2010: 9,335,636 is still under way. New public stop by.’ You seeing our city Tohoku population 2013: 9,109,167 buildings must be constructed and first hand not only means we permanent housing is needed, know you took the time to visit, Total killed = 15,884 to be certain. However, as Amya but it’s also good for you. Being Total missing = 2,363 Miller, public relations officer here is the best way for you to Total injured = 6,147 for the city explained, perhaps understand and connect.” Collapsed buildings = 127,290 the most important thing for the And, as tourists, we often Half collapsed = 272,788 people of Rikuzentakata—and the forget the influence we can have Partially damaged = 747,989 people of the other cities along on the places that we visit, even the coastline—is a sense of con- in intangible ways. If you’ve ever Estimated damages = ¥25 trillion ($300 billion) nection to the rest of Japan. visited a more remote place in Debris Swept off shore = 5 million tons Miller is an American Japan, or gone to a restaurant in woman who has worked as a Tokyo that rarely serves foreign- (As of February 10, 2014 by National Police Agency of Japan) full-time volunteer public rela- ers, you might get a small sense of *AsiaNewsNet tions officer for the city for more what this is like. A brief visit can

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 22 | BUSINESS | HARUNO YOSHIDA Yoshida In Charge As a high-powered female executive positioned in the lead role of an international company, Haruno Yoshida talks of the lessons learned in the work- force overseas, and talks about the best ways to inspire innovation in Japanese corporate culture

by Alec Jordan

aruno Yoshida, the President of BT (British Telecom) Japan, is a dynamic presence whose vision and en- H ergy can command the attention of a room with ease. But, as one of the rare female executives working in Japan, she sometimes found herself drawing unwanted attention when she returned home after 11 years of working in Canada and the United States. She laughs brightly when she recalls one part of returning to Japanese corporate culture as an executive: walking the floor of the huge office cafeteria at NTT. “I came back as a kachō (sec- tion chief), and I had to wear this blue tie with the corporate ID. Most people would expect a woman to be a contract employee or an administrative worker, so they weren’t expecting me. There would be thousands of employees eating, and the chopsticks would stop every time I passed through. Even when I went to the ladies’ room, the female employees would fall silent because I was wearing a different color.” Yoshida looks at the awkward moments as a necessary part of being a pioneer in diversifying the upper echelons of the workforce in Japan. However, she has always been adamant about never trying to pretend to be “one of the guys” as a part of her managerial persona, and she advises the same thing for female executives-to-be: “We shouldn’t try to act like men. We should be ourselves; otherwise, people cannot follow us. From your own perspective, trying to hold up a false presentation of yourself is something that you can’t do.” Putting on airs is not Yoshida’s style, and her honesty about the issues that Japanese business culture faces in modernizing is refreshing. You can chalk up some of that frankness to her experience overseas during very turbulent—and formative mo- ments—in US economic history: “You had the boom in Silicon Valley, the dotcom bubble, the bubble bursts, and 9/11 happens. There was a great sense of urgency and criticality. In a good way and a bad way, it was all about chaos, but it was an environment that created energy and fed innovation.” In Japan, she sees a similar environment for dramatic change in the aftermath of the March 11 disaster, and the wide-scale introspection that it has inspired: “This is the first time that I’ve seen in my life that—from the grandma and grandpa level to the prime minister—hundreds of millions of people share the consensus that Japan needs to change . . . But it won’t be an easy

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com HARUNO YOSHIDA | BUSINESS | 23 Yoshida In Charge

BT Japan’s Global Services Showroom

thing to do: there has to be intentional change, and a lot of effort. If the old guard says ‘shogannai,’ then nothing hap- pens.” Yoshida knows from experience that globalization and contact with worldwide perspectives can be a driver of positive change and a unifying force, a spirit that informs BT’s catchphrase, “bringing it all together.” However, while helping to motivate this change, a multinational company in Japan has to tread carefully at the same time: she knows that Japanese businesses are wary of “black ship companies” (a reference to the American ships that forcibly opened Japan to the outside world in 1853) that fail to understand the sensibilities of the Japanese market. She believes that BT can provide an example to Japanese companies in the diversity and inclusiveness of its work- force, while also sharing the benefits of their experience in providing the stream of digital information that has become as much a part of our daily lives as gas, electricity, or water.

We shouldn’t try to act like men. We should be ourselves; otherwise, people cannot follow us. From your own perspective, trying to hold up a false presentation of yourself is something that you can’t do.

One opportunity for this kind of collaboration is the preparations for the 2020 Olympics. BT was responsible for providing a fully digital telecommunications environ- ment for the 2012 Olympics in London, and they are look- ing forward to helping Japan’s tech companies get ready for the intense data needs that the Games bring with them. And with six years to come, there is little time to waste, Yoshida explains. Given the number of barriers she has broken, the challenges involved in facing up to centuries of ingrained traditions, and the responsibilities of running a busy company, you’d think that keeping everything going would be a difficult task. But Haruno Yoshida is not one to shy away from pressure: “Whatever you do, the challenges will be there. One saying I remember hearing was that ‘an airplane can’t fly without air pressure.’ So even if you’re feeling pressure, at least you can say that you’re moving forward. That has always been one of my mottos.”

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 24 | BUSINESS | GENDER EQUALITY

JAPAN FAILS TO ACHIEVE DIVERSITY AT THE TOP

n a speech before the UN General Assembly in September 2013, Prime Diversity is increasingly on Minister Abe proclaimed that he CEOs’ agendas as it is seen as a The following is Hays’ advice to employers wanted to create “a society in which who are looking to advance women into women shine.” Along with announcing way of improving attraction and management roles: aI $3 billion official development assistance retention of staff, better reflect- • Measure and report on the proportion of package, Abe challenged Japanese businesses women in your workforce, including at to place women in 30% of their management ing a company’s customer base senior levels. positions by 2020. and boosting productivity, inno- • Enable both women and men to balance There is still a long way to go to reach this their work and home lives by embracing goal. Only 15% of management positions in vation and financial results. flexible working schedules at all levels and train managers to manage based on Japan are held by women, well under the av- results, not hours at a desk. erage found across Asia, according to a survey every 100 male ones—a figure twice as high of employers by recruiting experts Hays in as it is in Japan (21.2 female to every 100 • Encourage an attitudinal change towards working flexibly, remotely or part-time: Japan. The survey of 2,600 employers, con- male). these different ways of working do not ducted as part of the 2014 Hays Salary Guide, Furthermore, according to McKinsey’s indicate a lack of commitment. found that across Asia, 28% of management report “Women Matter: An Asian Perspec- • Create supportive networks and encour- roles are held by women. Leading the region tive” released in June 2012 , Japan has one of age mentoring opportunities for female for the development of female talent is China, the lowest levels of female representation on managers. where 36% of management roles are held by boards and executive committees in Asia. • Prepare future female leaders by provid- women. “Diversity is increasingly on CEOs’ ing management training and qualifica- China was followed by Hong Kong (33%), agendas as it is seen as a way of improving tions early in their careers. Malaysia (29%) and Singapore (27%). “Japan attraction and retention of staff, better reflect- • Act on the evidence to ensure that is falling behind in the diversity stakes,” says ing a company’s customer base and boosting women throughout your organization Jonathan Sampson, Regional Director of Hays productivity, innovation and financial re- are given the same opportunities as men in Japan. “This is happening despite Prime sults,” says Jonathan. “Despite the compelling to progress. Minister Shinzo Abe’s commitment to tapping business case for diversity in the workforce, into Japan’s ‘most underutilised resource: the number of women participating in man- Japanese women’.” These findings are sup- agement is still relatively low compared to ported by a report released by Grant Thorn- men. With the acute talent mismatch in Japan, ton in March 2013, which said that mainland one that is worsening every day, it is essential Chinese women topped the world in terms of that we look to this highly capable talent pool Get your copy of the 2014 Hays Salary Guide by holding senior business management roles, to help drive the country forward. visiting www.hays.co.jp/en/salary-guide, con- beating Japan in 44th place. A separate survey “We will continue to monitor this trend tacting your local Hays office or downloading The by MasterCard , also released in March of in future years and it will be interesting Hays Salary Guide 2014 iPhone app from iTunes. to watch how quickly organizations come last year, further supported the finding that Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in around to developing female staff to expand mainland women were well represented in qualified, professional and skilled people. business, with 40.9 female business owners to their pool of talent.”

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com 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. MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com TY EXPRESS | FOOD | 27

TY EXPRESS We focus on developing our Metropolitan Dining the way it is meant to be brand, and whoever New York, and then ap- plying it in Tokyo without likes our restaurant compromising on authen- ticity or service. Terada can come to our says he doesn’t focus on what his competitors are doing in Japan because place. That is our trends, like tapas and burgers, first boom approach. in the states and then later become popular in Japan. Now, according OUR 4 FAVORITE TY VENUES to Terada, coffee and meat are the “big thing” BEACON here, which is why he An American style recently opened up a grill merged with a new, two-story location contemporary style with a coffee roastery chophouse, Beacon is on the bottom (The a sleek adaptation of Western cuisine. Located Roastery) and a BBQ on the side streets of Aoyama, the open space place (Smokehouse) on and modern furnishings make it perfect for a the top. business lunch or romantic dinner. Restaurant chains and www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/en/beacon/ hot spots in major city hubs typically have CICADA shorter life spans, This Mediterranean Terada explains, and style restaurant he wants to break that cycle by continually f you are a long-term resident of features arguably investing time and effort into the business and Tokyo (especially the “good part”— the best-tasting Baba sticking to the marketing strategy that made southwest central Tokyo that is) who ghannoug in town. The outdoor space them successful from the start. enjoys a steak dinner or maybe an and lush greenery in the restaurant set a EggsI Benedict brunch, then you know In the restaurant industry, Terada says casual and chic vibe. there are two types of marketing strategies: some of these establishments—Beacon, TY www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/en/cicada/ “market in” and “product out.” According to Brewery, Cicada and Ivy Place. They defi- nitely give a good ol’ western experience to him, “market in” means you look at the market THE ROASTERY those of us in Tokyo who have had enough and see who the target customer is, create the Coffee beans from of the izakayas, and crave some decent business around those customers. But Terada around the world Western food. says his marketing focus is all about the prod- are roasted at this These restaurants have become go-to uct: “We focus on developing our brand, and newly opened coffee spots for many expats and locals thanks whoever likes our restaurant can come to our house on Cat Street. The Roastery offers a to their prime locations, great food, place. That is our approach.” free-spirited ambiance, world-class coffee, atmosphere, and quality service from their Although he has more than 500 employees and they’re going in on the cronut craze English speaking staff. at his 11 locations around town, Terada still has that got its start in New York. It was no surprise for us to find out his eye on growth, while maintaining the qual- www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/en/roastery/ that the common element behind these ity that has won him so many loyal customers. carefully orchestrated restaurants is one group: TY Express. Mr. Shimpei Terada, SMOKEHOUSE the man behind the machine, has a rich in- The newest edition ternational background—he spent several to the TY Express years both in the US and Asia. Terada has family is the urban maintained and developed the business BBQ spot Smoke- his father originally created by turning the house, located on the top floor of the family’s warehouse business location into Roastery. American inspired BBQ, large the first restaurant and brewery. portions and specialty craft beers can be Terada’s secret? Keeping a close eye on found at this Omotesando hotspot. industry trends in the states through his www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/en/smokehouse/ American partners based in California and

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 28 | PUBLICITY | CHIBA Funabashi: HOW TO GET THERE A bridge between past and present

From Tokyo Station, a JR Sobu Line express train will take you to Funabashi in 25 minutes. Funabashi Station is the station after Ichi- kawa on the Sobu Line express, and four sta- tions after Ichikawa Station on the local train.

but a hot slice, topped with fresh ingredi- ents from the land and sea from around Funabashi, might be just the way to finish off a morning of marketing. For big-scale shopping, Funabashi can’t be beat, and Tokyoites regularly flock out to its vibrant commercial areas. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in Funabashi’s many markets and shops, it might not exist. As you shop around Funa- bashi, keep an eye out for the Funaemon Once the favored stomping grounds of Japan’s most famous shogun, character. Dressed in kimono, Funaemon is this city’s local mascot for Funabashi this lively suburban area has been a center of thriving commerce, brand products, and you can find his fishing, and agricultural production since the Edo Period image on many stores around town. In Japanese, part of his name means “a good uring the Tokugawa Period, Home to some of Chiba Prefecture’s thing,” and his mark on a product means Tokugawa Ieyasu would fre- largest agricultural production, Funa- that it has received Funabashi’s seal of quently hunt game in what is bashi has abundant crops of komatsuna approval. now Funabashi. While you may (Japanese mustard spinach), edamame, Tokyo’s close neighbor to the east, notD be able to take a bow and arrow there carrots and pears. If you’d like to take Funabashi offers a charming mix of old now to shoot down your supper, this Chiba home a taste of Funabashi’s fresh natural and new, and can make an easy and re- Prefecture city is a center of bustling activ- products, visit the morning market, which warding day trip any time of year. ity and cultural production, just a short trip is held at 9:00 on from central Tokyo. the third Saturday At the same time as the shogun was of February, June, going on his hunting expeditions, the August, October, coastal areas of Funabashi were the home and December. of thriving fishing communities, based Here you can find around the mudflats, rivulets, and channels vegetables that of Sanbanze, and the marine products of are harvested Funabashi were celebrated during the Edo from Funabashi’s Period. In fact, they still are today, particu- agricultural areas, larly the local seaweed, which derives its as well as fish and rich flavor from the minerals and nutrients other seafood. in the waters of the Sanbanze Shallows. Freshly baked The people of Funabashi maintain their pizza may not historical link to their communities’ fishing be the first thing past, with a yearly festival held every April you’d be expect- 3rd at the Funabashi Fishing Harbor to ing to get when offer prayers for safety at sea and for an visiting a farmer’s abundant catch. market in Japan,

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com Home to many of Chiba’s most serene and charming sites, Ichikawa is steadily emerging onto Tokyoites’ radars. Find out why Tokyo’s next-door neighbor might be the next pitstop for your upcoming hanami picnics and weekend day-trips

hime Sakura, this living treasure ly as hanami season gets closer—an of the temple is believed to be over English forecast can be found at 400 years old, and blooms earlier www.jnto.go.jp/sakura/eng/index.php. than the standard variety sakura. In addition to its sakura, the sculpture In addition to Fusehime, you can on the gate of Myōgyōji is a sight that find more than 200 cherry trees as you shouldn’t miss. Myōgyōji is a you stroll through the grounds of 10-minute walk from the Barakina- Mamasan Guhōji. Close by is the kayama on the Tozai Line. Kakumatsujaku Memorial Museum, An abundance of cherry trees can which has its own impressive be found outside of Ichikawa’s temples stretch of cherry trees. as well. Satomi Park and Sakuradote Stepping off at Keiseinakayama Park are popular places for families or Shimousanakayama Stations, you and couples to sit under that briefest will find yourself just footsteps away of seasonal gifts: the light pink cano- from the five-story pagoda that marks pies of the cherry blossom. Hokekyoji. This temple is known for Thanks to its close proximity to the spectacular blooms of its Yoshino Tokyo, its quiet, small-town feel, and a ith cherry blossom season fast ap- cherry trees, which blossom into rich history, Ichikawa offers a unique proaching, you may already be making impressive tunnels of pink flowers. experience for any hanami fan. your hanami plans. While most of us One of Japan’s most characteristic focus on Tokyo’s best known cherry views, the cherry blossoms look even Wblossom viewing spots for our hanami parties, you more ethereally lovely against the would be well rewarded by visiting the neighboring backdrop of Hokekyoji’s multitiered city of Ichikawa, in Chiba Prefecture. Many of us see tower, which is the only one of its the city as a bedroom community, or a city that you kind in Chiba, and one of only three pass by on the Sobu as you head to the airport, but in standing Edo-era pagodas. The tem- fact Ichikawa has a long and vibrant history, as well as ple was built around the year 1260, a series of picturesque temples, which truly come alive by Nichiren Shonin, the founder of during cherry blossom season. Many literary figures the Nichiren Buddhist sect, and the of the past made their home in this city, and you can treasure room of the temple holds imagine that they were inspired by the same views several National Treasures. that you can see to this day. Contours of pink lines like the One of the most well known of Ichikawa’s tem- rivulets of a waterfall are the charac- ples is Mamasan Guhōji, which was built some 1200 teristic shape of the weeping cherry years ago. The long stairway approach to this temple tree of Myōgyōji. Like the Fusehime rewards visitors with a stunning view of Fusehime of Guhōji, the weeping cherry tree Sakura: the weeping cherry tree. Known as Fuse- blooms early, so you should check the cherry blossom forecast close-

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 Japan’s No. 1 international property site

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Browse over 60,000 listings at www.realestate.co.jp Cool Caroline makes the welcome speech at the US Embassy’s Red Sox Reception Party

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

s usual, don’t like being so late in covering the many Once the traditional events for the long Japanese New Year’s were special events, but our city just never seems to slow down. over, January continued to be busy. Paramount brought in director November and December really stayed busy with many Martin Scorsese and actor Leonardo DiCaprio to promote The Wolf of Arab friends celebrating their National Days. These Wall Street and Warner Brothers had a star-studded premiere of their include Oman, Lebanon, the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar. In local production Kuroshitsuji. additionA to those receptions, the many movie promotions, charity events The Maruyama’s annual Chinese New Year’s dinner party at Tokyo and holiday parties really do keep us busy. Hilton’s Dynasty restaurant with 11 courses and interesting people In hopes of catching up a bit, I’ll cut down on copy this month and was perfect in every way. Special guests included Prime Minister Abe’s use more photos. For your info, at the time I’m writing this there are mother, father, and mother-in-law, as well as Princess Takamado’s 152 Ambassadors (16 are women) in Japan and that means all kinds mother Fumiko Tottori. My congratulations to Fumiko for the special of happenings. Thanks for your understanding. December 5 had two decoration she received from the French government for her work on so big events on the same day and the same time. The first was Thai many worthwhile projects. My thanks as well to Fumiko for a copy of the Ambassador and Mrs. Upatising’s celebration of their much-respected book on her dynamic family. beloved King, HM Bhumibol Adulyadej, on the occasion of his birthday In late January Lilo Maruyama and her son, Helge, traveled to at the Imperial. The second was Warner Brothers’ glittering premiere of Colombia and spent three weeks touring that beautiful country. their blockbuster film Gravity at the Toho Theater in Roppongi Hills. The If you’re thinking about traveling when it’s a bit warmer, I suggest director Alfonso Cuaron and superstar Sandra Bullock were here for that Krakow in Poland. Polish Ambassador Cyril Kozaczewski recently told one. Several years back I did a birthday party for Sandra at the Kagua me that this beautiful university city was named by travel experts as the Show Club in Roppongi. Believe me, she’s still looking good. #1 city to visit in 2014. I spent four days there a few years ago and really The Thai party was beautifully done with live traditional music enjoyed it. and dance, and a lavish buffet of Thai specialties that are so popular Other January and February happenings here included photographer all over the world. Former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda was special Hiroyuki Suzuki’s original black-and-white exhibition of his creative guest, and he as well as the Thai Ambassador made short meaningful photos of construction being done at New York’s Grand Central Terminal, congratulatory speeches. which was held at the Grand Hyatt. Hiroyuki’s wife, fashion designer Thanks to Kyoko Spector, I got to both of these events, but neither of Junko Koshino, is—as always—on the go and involved in all kinds of us was able to stay as long as we would have liked. activities. I saw her costumes for the world-renowned Japanese drum

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 33

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Grace Kai’s Charity Concert Nadid Al-Robaee (Iraq) 9. Djibouti Ambassador, noted Noh actor Nao Umewaka, 1. Rotary Club’s governor Sadami Ogai, Peninsula Hotel GM, Malcolm Thomson, Grace Zimbabwe Ambassador Stuart H. Comberbach 10. Peruvian Ambassador Elard Escala, his Kai Founder/Pres. Grace Saito 2. Junko Ishitoko, Homat Homes Pres. Shizuko Tani, wife Cristina 11. Hisanaga Shimazu, Yasmine Tsamados, Abeer Aisha, Takako Shimazu. Entrepreneur Ayano-san 3. Malcolm Thompson, Tongan Ambassador Tania Tupou, Holy See Archbishop Joseph Chennoth 4. Tokyo Women’s Club’s Brigitte Duchemin Al-Muslahi’s Glittering Oman Nat’l Day Party Sekine, Jill Sinclair Ito 5. Rotary Club’s Katsumi Kawai and Itsumi Sano (Sony). 12. Outgoing Grand Hyatt GM Christopher Lorvo, The host Omani Ambassador Khalid Al-Muslahi 13. Jamila Bilal(Qatar), Delores Equiarate(Mexico), The hostess Abeer Aisha Lebanon’s Wonderful National Day – Okura 14. Randa Eldib(Lebanon), Samira Abedaziz(Sudan), Nahid Al-Robaee(Iraq), Maali 6. Constantin Tsamados and his mother Yasmine(Greece) with the hostess Randa El-Dib Siam(Palestine), Jamila Al-Otaibi(Kuwait) 15. Anita Walther, Helge, Lilo Maruyama, and 7. The host Lebanese Ambassador – Mohammed El-Dib and Guatemalan Ambassador Norway’s departing Amb., Arne Walther 16. Hasselblad Camera’s Pres. William Penrise, Antonio Roberto Castellanos López 8. Zahra Al-Nowais (UAE), Shifa Haddad (Jordan), Elizabeth Addyman, and Ulf and Julie Sormaek (Swedish Embassy).

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 34 | SOCIETY | PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES

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In & Around Huge Celebration – Thai King’s Birthday – Imperial 1. Tunisian Charge d’Affaires and Mrs. Mohamed Elloumi at the Peninsula Hotel 9. Utako Arrour (Morocco), Maria Teresa Lopez (Philippines), Mrs. Shimomura (wife of Minister 2. Daniele Yoshikoshi and Hypnotherapist Alastair Prentice at Hiroo Segafredo of Education, Science & Olympics) 10. Former Prime Minister Fukuda, the hosting couple Thai 3. Kyoko Spector, Dir. of Mexican Tourism Guillermo Eguairte, his wife Delores at Grand Ambassador Thanatip Upatising, his wife Monthip 11. The super chic hostess Monthip and TV Hyatt 4. Roberta Ireton, appearing in the TV show Naomi Closet 5. Weekender’s James K. personality Kyoko Spector. Toda on the mic 6. Ravi, who runs a health food truck, Nat’l Azabu’s Tomoya Nakamura. Al-Nowais’s UAE National day at the Imperial At the Swedish Christmas Bazaar 12. Popular Politician Kazuyuki Hamada and Emirates Airlines’ Takehiro Kori 13. UAE staff 7. Ulf Melin (a great Santa) and actor/model Hideyuki Kusakari 8. Santa’s Swedish lady Omran Taryam with the hosting couple: UAE Ambassador Saeed Al-Nowais and his wife Zahr helpers Salme Ostlund and Kathleen Paulsson. 14. Ceremony Corp. President Tsukasa Shiga and his wife Anna, with Saudi Photographer Suhail Kalkatawi 15. Dima Siam and her mother Maali (Palestine).

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com PEOPLE, PARTIES, PLACES | SOCIETY | 35

Those long lines outside of Tokyo’s popcorn, pancakes, etc. shops are proof positive of the Japanese (especially the young ones) really following the US not only in fashion but with food fads as well. group Tao at their performance last year. The costumes were awesome, city’s most generous philanthropists, and as always at her events, there as was the group’s performance, at Bunkamura on January 31 this year. was a big turnout. The concert was in cooperation with Rotary Int’l Junko’s a super talent in everything she does: and that’s a lot. District 2750 and proceeds went towards the eradication of polio. For Other November, December and January outstanding events I’ll the closing of the concert, the audience joined the participating artists have photos of later included Irish Ambassador John and Mrs. Neary’s in singing “We are the World.” reception at the Okura for Ireland’s visiting Prime Minister, Enda Kenny and a delegation of Irish business leaders, and a marvelous SAKE SUPERSTARS TASTING exhibition of paintings by Colombian artist Pedro Ruiz. HIH Princess Advertising and marketing giant ADK, along with the Tokyo Weekender, Takamado was special guest that evening. She was also there for a Co-op Sachi, and the Sake Samurai Supporters Club, put on an awesome party to celebrate the launch of a book on Oman, hosted by Omani event at the Café Serre over at ADK Shōchiku Square. The talented Ambassador Khalid Al-Muslahi and his wife Abeer at their beautiful palates who judge sake at the International Wine Challenge put together home. a selection of some of their top sake picks in 2013. There was a great The UAE National Day reception, hosted by Ambassador Saeed Al- spread of food to go along with the nihonshu, and the evening kicked Nowais and his wife Zahra at the Imperial Hotel; the Bahrain National off with some lively remarks from Tokyo Weekender publisher Ray Day party hosted by Ambassador Khalil Hassan and his wife Dr. Yoshiko Pedersen. We’re looking forward to their next event. Hatakeyama, also at the Imperial; and the Lebanon National Day festivities, hosted by Ambassador Mohammed Al-Dib and his wife Randa JUST TALK at the Okura, were all regal celebrations with many VIP guests, lots of If you’re wondering who that gorgeous young blonde you see around party crashers and bountiful buffets of excellent food and legendary town and often on TV, it’s Roberta Ireton. Peek-a-boo Hair Salon’s boss Arab hospitality. At the UAE, there was a name card drawing for tickets Fumio Kawashima did a great job of changing Roberta’s long black hair on the highly acclaimed Emirates Air to exotic destinations in the UAE. At to blonde for her role as a CIA agent in the TV drama, Naomi Closet. She the Bahrain party, a colorful and energetic group of Japanese drummers also had her eyebrows reshaped by Hollywood’s Damone Robert, whose and festival dancers really livened things up. Lebanon’s celebration clients include Robert Downey Jr., Beyonce and Madonna. featured a huge selection of Lebanese cuisine, which is some of the Those long lines outside of Tokyo’s popcorn, pancakes, etc. shops best in the world. The wall-to-wall guests at Oman’s party at the New are proof positive of the Japanese (especially the young ones) really Otani showed off a kaleidoscope of color with most of the Arab ladies in following the US not only in fashion but with food fads as well. I had beautiful designer Arab fashion. The dynamic hostess was super chic in breakfast with some friends from the Big Apple recently and there are a black-and-gold original creation. a few items that are very popular over there right now that I’m sure While finishing writing this column in early February, I just received you’ll be seeing more of here soon. One big thing seems to be the pastry, two tickets from Cirque du Soleil founder and president Guy Liberté for cronuts—they’re a combination of a croissant and a donut. New Yorkers a performance on February 12 of the acclaimed show Ovo, which has stand in line for more than an hour waiting their turns, and some people had a long and successful run in Las Vegas. The show is sponsored by have been willing to pay other people as much as $40 for the cronut they Daihatsu here, and will run at Big Top in Odaiba through May 11. Cirque had already bought. Other current fads include fondue stands where du Soleil’s shows, as most of your probably know, are pure magic and you can get hot cheese dips that are great for the cold weather, and you well worth seeing. I hope you can check this one out for yourself. can find them just about everywhere. I also saw Starbucks’ first big beautiful tea shop in Shanghai on CNN, and heard they have plans to GRACE’S CHARITY CONCERT—PENINSULA HOTEL open them around the world. Grace Saito’s annual autumn charity concert was held in the The Rolling Stones who were here to do their Japan Peninsula Tokyo Grand ballroom on November 25. It was tour, “On Fire,” for Kyodo Tokyo have come and gone. I a marvelous afternoon of music—violin and piano, and heard it was a huge success and even the “gold ring seats” tenor, soprano and baritone vocalists. Grace is one of our at Tokyo Dome—which were ¥80,000 each!—sold out.

Tokyo Weekender Publisher Ray Pedersen, Mr. Mutsuki Takahashi of Tokyo Weekender’s Sami Kawahara and Alec Jordan, ADK, and Tokyo Weekender Exec. Producer Asi Rinestine ADK’s Sayaka Tada

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 36 | WEEKENDER | EXPAT LIFE

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

MAR 14 ROBOCOP s nothing sacred? Well, in Hollywood it’s the almighty dollar that rules Iand so the never-ending succession of remakes continue to cash in on brand names and audience recognition. With other recent do-overs Carrie (which did pretty well over here) and Total Recall (which didn’t), the most common criticism is “What’s the point?” Can Robocop buck the trend, respecting the original and bringing us something we haven’t seen before? Well, yes and no. Fans now look back on Robocop with the warm fuzzy glow of nostalgia for 80s ultra-violence and biting satire, but that stuff doesn’t cut it when studios want movies that can play to the largest possible audience. This remake doesn’t have the gore of the original but does keep some of the satire intact with Samuel L. Jackson going brilliantly over the top as a nut-job TV host. New guy Joel Kinnaman is good cop Murphy whose body is almost destroyed in a hit on his life. Brought back as cyborg law enforcer by the Dr. Frankenstein-like Gary Oldman, Murphy’s old feelings come into conflict with his new programming. Is he now a man or a machine?

MAR 15 FROZEN MAR 1 t seemed as if Pixar had stolen the Disney thunder. Ever since the release Iof Toy Story in 1995 they’ve had hit after hit the way the House of Mouse had done in the past. Frozen is a return to past glory for the original animation kings, bringing the catchy tunes, memorable characters and epic adventure that the studio is known for. Loosely based on the Hans Christian DON JON Anderson story “The Snow Queen,” we join KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE young Anna as she attempts to find her he actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is rapidly sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped iki’s Delivery Service is one of the most becoming one of the most interesting the kingdom in an eternal winter. Anna beloved of Studio Ghibli maestro Hayao players in Hollywood, ever since his T is joined on her quest by mountain man K Miyazaki’s films, and the little witch Kiki emergence as an adult actor in modern noir Kristoff, his reindeer Sven and breakout star and her faithful sidekick Jiji the cat are two of the Brick he has managed a balance between Olaf the snowman. The film has been one of studio’s most recognizable stars. Remaking such quirky indie pics like 500 Days of Summer and the highest-grossing films overseas last year. a beloved work is always going to tricky; however, big budget fare like The Dark Knight Rises. this is not a retread of the Ghibli animation but Don Jon is the talented actor’s directorial a live-action attempt at the books on which the debut, and on the surface it looks like a fairly MAR 14 original film was based. Interestingly the film is standard romantic comedy yet it has a much to be directed by Takashi Shimizu, better known more interesting premise. Gordon-Levitt plays for his horror work on the Ju-on film series. It will Jon Mortello, a typical guy who likes working be interesting to see if he can handle the story’s out, cars and girls when one night he meets cutesy characters or whether he will have Kiki Barbara, played by Scarlett Johansson, and the crawling backwards across ceilings on all fours. two begin a relationship. Problems arise over Young Koshiba Fūka makes her big screen debut Jon’s addiction to internet pornography and as Kiki the witch who must move away from Barbara’s unrealistic ideals due to her own home on her thirteenth birthday and learn how obsession with romantic movies. to live in the big wide world.

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com SHOWING THIS MONTH | SCREEN | 39 MAR 21

THE LEGO MOVIE id anyone not own Legos as a child? They were a kids’ staple, appealed to girls and boys, and even adults enjoyed Dthe little colored blocks. While most toys-turned-movies elicit a groan (see last year’s Battleships), Legos are the kind of product that might just offer a little something more. In The LEGO Movie a very ordinary Lego minifigure named Emmet gets mistaken for a hero and is recruited in an adventure to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the Lego universe together. The film stars relative unknown Chris Pratt, an American actor and star of TV’s Parks and Recreation. Expect appearances from characters throughout Lego’s history from old favorites like pirates and astronauts to some of the newer models based on superheroes and Star Wars, with a hefty cameo from Lego Batman. The film has already opened to positive reviews and huge box office receipts abroad.

MAR 7

12 YEARS A SLAVE Years a Slave is coming to Japan on the back of world- wide acclaim after racking up awards globally and 12becoming a major contender for the top prizes at the Academy Awards. By the time you read this, we’ll know whether or not it has won at the Oscars, but win or lose there’s no denying the power and impact of this mighty work. The film is based on the memoir of Solomon Northup, a New York-state-born free Negro who was kidnapped, sold into slavery, and forced to work on plantations in Lousiana for twelve years before his release. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup in a film directed by fellow Londoner Steve McQueen, a former artist whose previous work includes heavy- hitters Hunger and Shame. Newcomer Lupita Nyong’o plays a fellow slave who is lusted over by a sadistic plantation owner, a role for which she has picked up a Best Supporting Actress nomination from the Academy. The rest of the cast is filled out with some of the finest acting talent around at the moment including Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti and Brad Pitt.

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1 MAR 14 2 MAR 29 3 MAR 29-30 4 MAR 22 Maya Jane Coles Punkspring 2014 Harukaze 2014 Tempura Kidz The London-based A full day of head This earthy event is A rare chance for young producer and DJ will be banging with Bad more than handmade kids to set foot in the on the turntables, getting the floor Religion, Me First and the Gimme crafts and NGO booths; it raises Ebisu venue—catch the mesmerizing, packed at Womb. Gimmes, The Hives, The Bawdies, awareness for causes such as clean choreographed dance moves from the When: 23:00 | Where: Womb, Shibuya-ku and The Fratellis. energy, Fukushima youth and the junior pop troupe. How Much: ¥3,500 Where: Makuhari Messe, Chiba no-dancing laws. Time: 18:00 | Where: Liquid Room Ebisu More info: www.womb.co.jp How Much: ¥8,800/¥12,000 (with T-shirt) Where: Yoyogi Park | How Much: Free How much: ¥3,000 More info: www.punkspring.com/14 More info: www.harukaze.asia/english More info: www.liquidroom.net

5 MAR 25 - APR 20 6 MAR 20 7 MAR 15 - MAR 16 8 MAR 14 Wa Space Exhibit Ueno Zoo Happy Day Tokyo Bonjour Tokyo Head over to the opening Anniversary Celebrate the International International Party of the Wa Space to Tokyo’s most popular Day of Happiness (yes, that’s The dress code is experience the first exhibition of zoo turns 132 years old, so join the right) with a weekend filled with “something from your country.” A cloth artist Hideo Taō, featuring his crowds (for free!) and say hello to the fitness events, film screenings, gigs, portion of the proceeds from this exclusive sakura cloth art collection. pandas, gorillas and elephants. art shows and foods. cosmopolitan gathering will go to Time: 11 am–7 pm (Mon-Sat) Time: 9:30-17:00 | Where: Ueno Zoo Time: 10:00-16:00 | Where: Hibiya Park support the communities of Tohoku. Where: Wa Space, Akasaka | How Much: Free How Much: Free How Much: Free Where: Las Chicas B1, Omotesando More info: www.the-wa-group.com More info: www.tokyoweekender.com More info: www.hapyday-project.org How Much: ¥2,000 (1 drink included) More info: www.bonjourtokyo.com

MARCH 2014 www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH | AGENDA | 41 MARCH

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12 GET YOUR 9 MAR 22-23 10 MAR 29-30 Tokyo Outdoor Travis Weekend Catch the Glasgow boys STEAK ON! A weekend packed with during their mini tour workshops, presentations, live music of Japan, following the release of and the latest trends in sports gear. their 7th album Where You Stand. EVERY NIGHT CAN BE A STEAK Time: 19:00 | Where: Yoyogi Park Where: EX Theater Roppongi NIGHT IN THE OUTBACK How much: Free How Much: ¥8,000 More info: www.tokyooutdoorshow.jp More info: www.smash-jpn.com

11 MAR 31 12 MAR 22-23 Lionel Richie Anime Japan 2014 The legendary singer will Formerly known be crooning his top hits in as Anime Fair, the the self-explanatory All the Hits—All world’s largest anime fair is all about Night Long tour. exhibitions, live shows, theaters, and Time: 18:00 | Where: Budokan of course character appearances. How Much: ¥12,000/¥15,000 (premium) Time: 9:00-17:00 | Where: Tokyo Big Sight More info: www.creativeman.co.jp How Much: ¥1,500 -¥800 More info: www.anime-japan.jp

www.tokyoweekender.com MARCH 2014 BACK IN THE DAY: MARCH 1989 Check out the scene in Tokyo from 1989! You can read the rest of this issue (No.12 1989) and view Weekender’s 42 year archive online. www.tokyoweekender.com/weekender-archives/