Japan Information and Culture Center, EMBASSY OF JAPAN PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR NEW PARTNERSHIP IN ASIA

rime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore Jan. 9-14, to underscore the importance Japan places on the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) region and to provide a blueprint for the future of Japan-Asian cooperation. The basic theme theP Prime Minister stressed was to enhance cooperation in which Asian nations would “act together and advance together” as frank and honest discussion partners. Acknowledging that changes confronting Japan and Asia are becoming increasingly swift and momentous, the Prime Minister outlined three pillars of a “sincere and open” partnership: 1) the promotion of economic reform and competitiveness in both Japan and the ASEAN countries 2) joint efforts to ensure regional stability by fighting terrorism, reducing poverty, preventing regional conflicts and addressing transnational issues such as piracy, energy security, infectious diseases, the environment and trafficking WINTER 2002 in narcotics and people 3) cooperation for the future such as an Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology, CONTENTSW human resource development and tourism. Further, in a major policy speech in Singapore Jan. 14, the Prime Minister noted the importance Trip involved many stops of the ASEAN + 3 grouping of the Southeast Asian nations with Japan’s commitment to ASEAN and the region is strongly reconfirmed. Japan, China and the Republic of Korea, and links with Australia and 2 New Zealand. Stressing that the cooperative community he envisages 2002, a year of revival should not by any means be exclusive, he mentioned particularly that The Prime Minister presses his reform the United States is indispensable because of its security and agenda; Royal family to visit Europe. 3 economic importance in the region. During his trip, Prime Minister Koizumi met Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Profile of New Foreign Minister 3 Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Business News Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, and other leaders. He later Public-private plan to boost employment; met President Bush in Tokyo on Feb. 18. GE’s Welch praises corporate Japan; airline merger; GM back in production. 4 (see page 2) Viewpoint A translator describes how Japanese fiction is so often misunderstood. 5 Trends in Japan The most popular phrases in 2001 capture the national spirit; Celebrity homemakers. 6 Beyond Differences The kimono kept evolving, particularly during the Edo period. 7 Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi speaks to a group of politicians, academics and World Cup Fever 8 businessmen Monday Jan. 14, 2002 in Singapore. Koizumi, who signed Japan’s first free trade agreement yesterday with Singapore, spoke about creating further economic ties between Japan and other Southeast Asian Japan Now is online! nations. (AP photo/Ed Wray) www.embjapan.org/jicc.html US PRAISE FOR JAPAN’S ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS Admiral Dennis C. Blair, head of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Command hailed Japan’s efforts in the NEW DIPLOMATIC fight against terrorism Feb. 11 during a visit to Tokyo. He said Japan’s contributions, including VISION the deployment of an oiler to the Arabian Sea and diplomatic efforts to raise money for Afghanistan, represented a “timely and significant” commitment. “The Japan Self uring the Prime Minister’s Southeast Asian Defense Forces (SDF) are turning from the trip, he held extensive talks on bilateral missions of the past to the missions of the relations with the region’s leaders, expanding future,” he said, adding the U.S.-Japan alliance on his “act together and advance together is the most important in the Pacific and D theme,” and his commitment to frank and responded “magnificently” to the terrorism honest discussion with Japan’s partners. The highlights challenge. Under the Anti-Terrorism Special of his stops: Measures Law passed by the Diet on Oct. 29 the • PHILIPPINES. On Jan. 9 the Prime Minister met SDF is allowed to provide non-combat with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacanang assistance to the coalition against terrorism. Palace. The talks covered Japan’s New Diplomatic Vision for East Asia and he expressed his support for the Philippines’ efforts on advancing reform, continue to support promotion of small and medium- emphasizing the need for both nations to cooperate in size enterprises and the One Village, One Product this endeavor. The President praised Japan’s own Movement in Thailand. Both leaders agreed to continue efforts at structural economic reforms, expressing her to cooperate on anti-drug measures in the region of the gratitude to the Japanese people for bearing the burden border between Thailand and the Union of Myanmar, (of reform) not only for Japan itself, but also for the among other issues. growth of the global economy. Moreover, the President • INDONESIA. On Jan. 12, the Prime Minister again expressed her appreciation for Japan’s Official visited the Republic of Indonesia and met with Development Assistance (ODA) and pledged to ensure President Megawati Sukarnoputri. The Prime Minister the assistance was implemented as efficiently as expressed his support for the territorial integrity of possible. The Prime Minister praised President Indonesia and announced support of approximately $10 Arroyo’s firm resolve against terrorism since the million dollars for assistance for internally displaced terrorist attacks in the U.S., and explained Japan’s persons and the resolution of the East Timor refugee measures for the eradication of terrorism, adding that issue. The Prime Minister also expressed his support Japan will cooperate with the Philippines in the fight for Indonesia’s efforts on reform and democratization, against terrorism. He also invited President Arroyo to such as judicial and police reform and assistance for visit Japan this year, and called for the Philippine’s small and medium-size enterprises, indicating a participation in the 2005 World Exposition, Japan flexible stance on debt rescheduling. In addition, from (EXPO 2005 Aichi). the perspective of emphasizing education, the Prime • MALAYSIA. On Jan. 10, Prime Minister Koizumi Minister gave his agreement on the establishment of a visited Malaysia, and met with Prime Minister scholarship fund for elementary school and middle Mahathir Mohamad. The Prime Minister proposed that school students. President Megawati expressed her the two nations jointly promote industrial development appreciation for Japan’s cooperation and her and work together on cross-border issues such as expectation that relations between Japan and Indonesia terrorism and piracy. He also proposed official events will develop further. to mark the 20th anniversary of the Look East Policy • SINGAPORE. On Jan. 13 the Prime Minister espoused by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and visited Singapore and met with Prime Minister Goh the designation of 2003 as the Year of Japan-ASEAN Chok Tong. The two leaders signed the Japan-Singapore Exchange. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Economic Agreement for a New Age Partnership, a free- expressed his agreement with these proposals and trade pact expected to promote bilateral trade and mentioned the need to strengthen the framework of investment between the two countries. Prime Minister ASEAN+3 (Japan, the People’s Republic of China, the Koizumi said the agreement “provides a model for Republic of Korea). economic relations between Japan and ASEAN.” Prime JAPAN • THAILAND. On Jan. 11, the Prime Minister Minister Goh also welcomed the signing of the NOW visited the Kingdom of Thailand and met with Prime agreement and said it would lead to closer bilateral Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Prime Minister Thaksin economic relations and has great strategic significance 2 expressed his support for Japan’s diplomatic initiative, for East Asia, and said his government will cooperate and Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan would with Japan on counter-terrorism. ROYAL TRIP TO EUROPE Prime Minister Koizumi announced Feb. 12 that Their Majesties The Emperor and the Empress will pay an official visit to the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Hungary in July. Along with 2002, A YEAR OF the two countries, Their Majesties will also visit ECONOMIC REVIVAL the Czech Republic and the Republic of Austria. “Japan has long enjoyed friendly relations with those countries,” the Prime Minister said in a statement. “This is Their Majesties’ first visit to n Feb. 4 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi those countries, and along with the Japanese reiterated his reform agenda, and newly people, I am confident and delighted that the appointed Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi visit will further strengthen Japan’s relations with made her first policy speech to the 154th the countries. I would like to express my sincere Session of the Diet before the Houses of hope for Their Majesties’ pleasant journey and O safe return home.” Representatives and Councilors. Prime Minister Koizumi reaffirmed his resolve to carry out the various structural reforms to revive Japan’s economy. Emphasizing the importance of the Japan-U.S. Emergency Countermeasures to Deflation on Feb. 27. relationship, he emphasized cooperation with the U.S. Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, the former in the fight against terrorism and his expected summit Environmental Minister in the Koizumi Cabinet also meeting with President Bush. explained her policy agenda in her address. Stating On economic revival, the Prime Minister that Japan-U.S. relations are the fundamental basis of showed his firm determination in implementing the nation’s diplomacy, she echoed the Prime structural reforms by stating that the year 2002 will be Minister’s intention to advance dialogue and policy “the year to lay a foundation for economic revival.” coordination between the two nations across a broad He also pledged that the Government of Japan will spectrum of issues including the fight against give its full attention to preventing a deflationary terrorism. For the full texts of both speeches see: spiral, while not compromising necessary reforms. http://www.mofa.go.jp/index.html Furthermore, he declared that the issue of non- performing loans will be normalized in FY 2004 (which ends March 2005) by strengthening Minister for inspections of major banks and purchasing non- performing loans through the Resolution and Foreign Affairs, Collection Corporation. In concluding his Speech, Yoriko Prime Minister Koizumi inspired people by reminding Kawaguchi them that during the 1860s and 1870s, the Japanese built a modern state by means of the rapid reforms of the Meiji Restoration and rebuilt the current Born in Tokyo, Jan. 14, 1941 industrialized nation from the rubble left by WWII. March 1965, B.A. in International Relations, Tokyo University The Prime Minister also stated that the fight April 1965, joined the Ministry of International against terrorism is Japan’s own issue and it will Trade and Industry (MITI) continue to actively participate in international June 1972, Master of Philosophy in Economics, efforts in this fight against it. He also reiterated Yale University Japan’s strong resolve to contribute to building a truly June 1976, International Bank for stable Afghanistan. Acknowledging that Japan needs Reconstruction and Development to be prepared to protect the security of the Japanese February 1990, Director-General, Economic people in times of national emergency, he said that the Cooperation Department, MITI Japanese government will submit bills providing for a August 1990, Minister, Embassy of Japan in the response to national emergencies to this session of the United States Diet. Recognizing that Japan and the U.S. are June 1992, Deputy Director-General for Global enjoying ever-closer relations, Prime Minister Koizumi Environmental Affairs, MITI expressed his intention to continue to strive for September1993, Managing Director, Suntory Ltd. enhancement of the strategic dialogue between the July 2000, Minister of State and Director- two allies. While strengthening the credibility of the General of Environment Agency JAPAN Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements, he said that he January 2001, Minister of the Environment NOW also puts a priority on building upon the Japan-U.S. February 2002, Minister for Foreign Affairs Economic Partnership for Growth. Under the Prime 3 Minister’s direction, the Government announced BUSINESS NEWS • WELCH SEES COPORATE BRIGHT SPOTS Former General Electric CEO and management guru Jack Welch, on a recent visit to Tokyo praised OINT PROJECT ON EMPLOYMENT Japan’s major corporations. In a speech to As Japan moves forward with structural businessmen at the Nikkei Management Forum, reform, the government and the private sector Welch said, “Sitting in your midst are great global are joining together in taking measures to corporations, you don’t have to look to Europe or J bolster employment. For its part, the America, you just have to look to your best.” government has moved quickly in enacting a Mentioning Toyota, Sony, Canon, Ricoh, Hitachi and supplementary budget for fiscal 2001 (April 2001- other Japanese firms, Welch said, “While Japan March 2002) centered on employment-related taught the world so many things about quality, about measures. In the private sector, meanwhile, some consensus management, about involving everybody,” firms are introducing work sharing, a scheme in corporate Japan must be more vigorous in pruning which employees work fewer hours. weak businesses and encouraging mergers. The first supplementary budget passed by the • JAL AND JAS TO MERGE FORCES Diet (a second one was passed Jan. 29) focuses on Japan Airlines Co. Ltd (JAL) and Japan Air System three areas: (1) creating employment opportunities; (JAS) have announced that they will merge forces to (2) eliminating mismatches between job offers and form the world’s sixth biggest carrier, marking the job seekers; and (3) constructing a safety net. The latest industry shakeout after the Sept. 11 attacks. $23.1 billion package includes $7.7 billion for JAL, Japan’s top airline, and third-ranked JAS will measures to aid employment and small and medium- set up a joint holding company in Sept. 2002 sized businesses. It also contains a $2.7 billion through a share transfer, planning to merge their emergency fund to help municipalities hire more operations fully in 2004 to fend off what they said workers. Local governments across the nation will was “intense global competition.” JAS President provide new jobs by hiring teaching assistants for Hiromi Funabiki, who will be chairman of the new public schools, instructors for computer classes, holding company said, “This is a time for great people to collect and compost garbage and monitors change in the Japanese airline industry.” The tie-up to spot illegal parking. One notable characteristic of comes as Japan’s airline industry faces heightened these measures is the fact that the public and private domestic competition from cut-rate carriers, sectors are teaming up to help people find jobs. slumping international traffic and rising insurance Publicly run employment security offices, known as costs. The deal is expected to bolster JAL’s position “Hello Work,” provide information about job in the domestic market that is dominated by Japan’s openings in private-sector firms. A computerized second-largest airline All Nippon Airways (ANA), as network can be accessed even by a cellular phone. it struggles to cope with a sharp fall-off in its An assistance system has also been mainstay international division. The merger will not established for companies planning to cut their affect JAL’s current alliance with 19 international workforce; the government will reimburse businesses carriers, including American Airlines, British for 25 percent of the cost of using a reemployment Airlines and Cathay Pacific. assistance firm. Training for white-collar workers will • GM JOINS JAPANESE AUTOMAKERS be increasingly turned over to universities and General Motors, which has been trying to strengthen nonprofit organizations. its presence in Japan by taking stakes in local For middle-aged and older white-collar automakers, has become the first foreign company to workers who have lost their jobs, a new kind of join a key Japanese car lobby. Membership in the “order-made” training system will be created to Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, which make reemployment easier by matching training groups powerful companies such as Toyota and with the skills desired by employers. For the Honda, requires manufacturing cars within Japan. unemployed under the age of 30, trial employment GM has embarked on a new strategy of working with will now be an option. Companies that offer a Japanese partners to gain a foothold in the Japanese JAPAN prospective worker a three-month trial period of market and now owns 20 percent of Suzuki, 49 NOW employment can receive a $385 subsidy plus percent of lsuzu Motors and 20 percent of Fuji training costs from the government. The aim is to Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru cars. It 4 have businesses train young people and offer them produced its first car in Japan since 1939 last continued employment. November in cooperation with Suzuki. British secondary school textbook, Short Story BY Workshop, includes a story by Yuko Tsushima GERALDINE describing a mother’s reactions when she discovers that her daughter has suddenly left home. The students are HARCOURT given discussion topics like “How do you think your parents would react if you left home?” and are asked to write about incidents in the story from the girl’s point of view. In three pages of questions, the book mentions Japan just once, to ask, “To what extent do you agree that, although set in Japan, the story is universal?” I agree completely, but was amazed that the writers do not think of the Japanese fiction I have chose not to focus on those famous “walls.” translated as being about something called Recently I was lucky enough to be asked to “the Japanese psyche,” or even as being about translate Gotai Fumanzoku (No One’s Perfect) by Japan at all. But all too often that is the way it Hirotada Ototake, a young man born without arms or I is received. For example, according to a New legs. The book is his autobiography, written while he York Times review in 1991, translated fiction reveals was a student at Waseda University, and it became a “a far more complex picture of the Japanese psyche huge bestseller in Japan. The author thought that what than the many how-to books explaining the obvious — he had to say might be “no big deal” in the U.S. where that Japan builds better mousetraps because of disabled access is so much better and wheelchair users education, research, company spirit, and long hours. more visible than in Japan. Fiction helps to break down the walls of strangeness.” Given the tendency for even fiction set in The reviewer concludes that Woman Running in the Japan to be read in a sociological, only-in-Japan kind Mountains by Yuko Tsushima “does open the doors of of way, that was a real concern for me, too. But I felt Japan’s home life a little more widely.” that the zest for life that comes across in Oto’s story In contrast, the Los Angeles Times reviewer of would be remarkable anywhere in the world. The fact the same novel mentions the author’s nationality only that it is a very funny book made the project in passing. “This book is about calming the demons irresistible. Carrying that over into English was a that pursue women who seek their own way,” she says, challenge, but in defying one stereotype — all disabled and concludes that it is “a novel with the grace of a people lead unhappy lives — Oto also puts a dent in woman and the moral force of humanity.” the dour image of the Japanese. The book does have Unfortunately, the “only-in-Japan” view is the more aspects that are distancing to English readers. The common one. opening pages tell how Ototake’s mother was not Sometimes a reviewer sounds pleasantly allowed to see him for three weeks after his birth; for surprised to find “universally entertaining stories,” as the English edition, it was necessary for him to add the Observer called Chinatsu Nakayama’s some background about the authority of doctors in Behind the Waterfall. Their reviewer writes, “Although Japan, where informed consent was a little-known one notices that characters leave their shoes in the concept in 1976. hall, there isn’t anything clobberingly Japanese about In his teens, Oto’s life was centered almost these stories.” entirely on school and after-school clubs, and readers Admittedly, there is not much I find unfamiliar with Japan cannot know how typical that is. “clobberingly Japanese” myself after living here for And there are passages in the bureaucratic style that more than 20 years. In fact, when I go home to New local community groups use where their English- Zealand, I feel odd at first walking into a carpeted speaking counterparts prefer informality. living room with my shoes on, and in countries where In all the books I translate, there are cross- elevator doors close at a leisurely pace I catch myself cultural barriers like these. But I am inspired by Oto’s looking for a “Close Doors” button after a few seconds’ way of treating barriers as if they don’t exist. As a wait. These things have become part of my own mental translator, it makes me want to say, “Walls of landscape. strangeness? What walls of strangeness?” As a translator, of course, I have to be alert to differences between the writer and readers’ cultures * Geraldine Harcourt, a graduate of the on a word-by-word level in order to avoid University of Auckland, first traveled to Japan in JAPAN misunderstandings. But I always hope that, in the end, 1973. Translator of eight books, mainly NOW things foreign to the English reader will not muffle contemporary fiction she is the recipient of the what the writer has to say. 1990 Wheatland Translation Prize and 5 Miracles have been known to happen. A currently lives in Kamakura. TRENDS IN JAPAN

ix phrases coined by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during 2001, including “structural reform without sanctuaries,” were chosen by a Japan’s top policymaker is also the top selection committee as best representing the trendmaker of phrases (Jiji). S trends of the year 2001. Attending the Dec. 3 Congratulations on becoming number one in Japan” ceremony announcing the selections, Prime Minister to which the fans roared their approval. Koizumi remarked, “I’m happy that the people have Looking back at popular phrases and quotes shown an interest in words that describe politics.” from past years, a number stand out as being Of all the phrases that are born each year, the particularly interesting. For example, the winning new and fashionable ones that cleverly express quote in 1996 belonged to Yuko Arimori, the conditions in society and achieve wide currency are marathon runner who captured the bronze medal at considered for this award, which has been presented the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Arimori’s every December since 1984 by Jiyukokuminsha, the battle to overcome injuries were widely reported by publishing company that releases Gendai yogo no kiso the media, so her statement, “I want to congratulate chishiki (Basic Knowledge of Current Terms). Readers myself,” was readily accepted by the public. Another of this book nominate their favorite phrases. award winner that same year was a memorable The six “Koizumi quotes” chosen for the buzzword coined by Shigeo Nagashima, a former award in 2001 are “100 sacks of rice,” the title of an manager of the Yomiuri Giants whose team made up anecdote extolling self-sacrifice that the prime an 11.5 game deficit to win the pennant. Nagashima’s minister made reference to in his first policy speech remark was, “make drama.” to the Diet; “no fear, no hesitation, and no constraint,” ©Japan Information Network also used in the same speech; “structural reform without sanctuaries,” which became his slogan, expressing determination to press reform; “the pain of CELEBRITY HOMEMAKERS reform”; “honebuto no hoshin” (“the thick-boned Celebrity homemakers show others how to spice plan”), referring to the economic policy guidelines up an ordinary household and are noted for decided on by the government; and “the wide-show devising ways to make everyday activities creative cabinet,” as the new, media-savvy administration was and fun. Recently among housewives, celebrity dubbed. With his unprecedented public-approval homemakers are enjoying tremendous popularity. rating and his use of catch phrases, it is no surprise Cookbooks written by these women have been that Koizumi produced the year’s most popular flying off store shelves, and clothes and other phrases. The top ten runners-up included “there’s products bearing their own brand names are all always tomorrow,” the title of a popular song; “e- the rage. Martha Stewart, a celebrity-homemaker politics”; “mad cow disease”; “biological weapons”; icon in the United States, opened her own store in “the forces of resistance,” meaning those who oppose Tokyo in November 2001 in Yurakucho is a Koizumi’s reforms; “domestic violence”; and fashionable area in Tokyo popular with women. “broadband.” From the day it opened, the store has been The selection committee also chose the most packed with housewives, and sales have been memorable quotes of the year. It selected a remark twice than originally expected. Especially popular made by Mitsushige Takechi, a fisherman who was are Stewart’s line of towels, which come in 24 rescued after being stranded in the Pacific Ocean for different colors. Harumi Kurihara is Japan’s most a month, drifting all the way from Nagasaki to Chiba, popular celebrity homemaker, who has authored a distance of 500 miles. Upon rescue he said, “People 40 cookbooks that have sold 15 million copies. There are even four restaurants in different parts just don’t die that easily.” People all over Japan were of Japan that serve food according to her recipes. surprised that he had come back alive, and his JAPAN Others are making their marks as well. Emi Inoue NOW philosophical pronouncement became a popular topic is quite popular and has been featured in women’s for discussion. Also chosen was the statement made fashion magazines. Other popular celebrity 6 by Tsutomu Wakamatsu, manager of the Yakult homemakers include Sachiko Murakami and Swallows, following his baseball team’s victory in the Makiko Fujino to name but a few. Japan Series. Wakamatsu said, “To all the fans: non-patterned ones. State ministers wore tea-colored KIMONO’S OF robes with simple patterns. Nobles and lords could wear compound colors, such as vermilion and purple, THE EDO PERIOD but ordinary people could not. Remarkable as it may seem, it was possible from looking at a person’s robes to determine rank, class, and the occasion for which the robe was being worn. Color, cut, and pattern were hile a country’s era names generally reflect all dictated by age and gender. changes in power at the top, cultural currents Peasants were not allowed to wear silk, and if often move at a slower pace. Such was the a man who was allowed to wear silk married a case with the art of kimono design during the peasant, he could not wear it on his wedding day. As W 250-year-long Edo period, when the far removed as we are, it may seem that the Tokugawa shoguns made Edo (later known as Tokyo) Tokugawa regime had too much free time on its their capital. hands, to be so obsessed with enforcing a multitude The Edo era is broken up into three parts – of detailed dress code laws. But it must be Early Edo (1615 to the late 17th century, Middle Edo remembered that the government feared that change (18th century), and Late Edo (1800 to 1868). The, would undermine its power. In the Edo period, design and colors of kimonos during the early period people were born into certain classes and were pay no attention to who’s in power and they are expected to serve society from within those classes. nearly indistinguishable from those of the Momoyama As time went on, however, merchant class period (1573-1615), remaining elegant, lush, and marriages with the samurai class, in particular, bold. The main technological difference in the Edo increased. The merchants knew how to make money, era was the development of yuzen dying, which while the samurai had prestige but little income. enabled weavers to create much more complex Such marriages gave merchants’ children and designs than the abstract, one-dimensional patterns grandchildren elevated status, while for the samurai, of the past. Pictorial effects that were startling in cross-class marriages were often a matter of survival. their realism became possible. One of the most But the Tokugawa regime reacted with horror at the outstanding examples shows the Yoshiwara, an blurring of class lines, and the regime did what it entertainment district famous in its day, in great could to return society to a fixed vision of the past. So detail, complete with buildings, servants, trees, restrictive did the dress code become by the Late courtesans and their gentlemen callers. Since in Edo period, that creativity had mostly vanished from Japan, celebrated artists sometimes designed kimono design. kimonos as well, many of the most famous patterns The Meiji era, beginning in l868, saw took on the look of ukiyo-e paintings. considerable changes in Japanese fashion. The The greatest clothing innovation during this introduction of the sewing machine enabled women time was the development of the obi, or wide sash. and men to wear Western–style clothing —so Narrow sashes had been used in previous centuries different both in pattern and fit. Those in the military to hold kimonos closed, but sashes themselves were were commanded to dress in Western uniforms as not an important part of the fashion statement. early as 1861 and 1862. After World War I, more Several possible origins exist, but it is known that the women wore Western clothing, which they considered kabuki actor, Uemura Kichiya appeared wearing a more convenient, outside the home. But many women long obi, tied in a bow and his fans went wild. and men still changed into Japanese robes at the end Everyone suddenly had to have obis, so the weavers of the day to distinguish between the outside world in the. Nishijin district began to turn out sashes often and the atmosphere of the home. Today, while men 12 feet in length and six to eight inches wide. Obis mostly wear Western clothing outside the home, were of made of a stiff brocade designed to hold the women will occasionally air out a beautifully softer materials of the robes in place. As the fashion preserved family heirloom kimono to provide just the took hold, the Tokugawa regime said that ordinary right look and feel for a special occasion. As the women had to wear the obis tied behind their bodies, Japanese say, “In a kimono, every woman is while courtesans were to tie them in the front. beautiful.” Dress codes had been developed as early as JAPAN the Nara period (645-794), but it took the Edo era to * Carol Marleigh Kline is a freelance writer in NOW make them part of everyday life. For example, the Washington, D.C. who lived in Japan for 11 Emperor was restricted to gray and yellow for his years. Next month she will write about “The 7 patterned kimonos for every day use, and green for Story of Silk.” KOIZUMI INVITED TO SEOUL WORLD CUP FEVER South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, in a New Year’s telephone greeting, invited Prime Minister GRIPS JAPAN Koizumi to make an official visit during 2002, as the two nations co-host the World Cup. No dates for the visit have been set. Japan also agreed Dec. 21 to ease restrictions on South Korean he lineup of the 32 countries that will visitors by allowing them to attend the games compete in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and stay up to 30 days without a visa. Japanese Korea/Japan tournament taking place in can also visit South Korea under the same Japan and South Korea between May 31 and conditions. Dentsu Inc., the world’s 4th-largest June 30, 2002 was completed on Nov. 25, ad agency, estimates that as much as $25.74 T billion in additional spending may take place in and the groupings for the first round, played according to a league format, were decided at the Japan as a result of the games. draw in Busan, South Korea on Dec. 1. The big event itself — the first World Cup to be held in Asia and the city of Chiba. the first to be co-hosted by two nations — is now less Once the lineup of the teams was decided, than six months away. interest in buying match tickets intensified. On Dec. The Japanese public spent much of Dec. 1 5 the draw for the second round of ticket sales to the glued to their TV sets, transfixed by two big news general public was held, and applications flooded in. events. First, at just after 2 p.m., came the news that Fans whose lucky number came up in the draw Crown Princess Masako had given birth to a baby rushed to buy tickets. For some popular matches, girl, and then, in the evening, came the draw that such as those involving Japan, there were more than would decide which teams Japan would face in the 100 times as many applications as tickets. 2002 FIFA World Cup. Fans were on the edge of The relief of the Japanese players at knowing their seats as Belgium, Russia, and Tunisia were which teams they will face was also tinged with drawn in Japan’s first-round group, Group H. The nervous tension at the knowledge that the tournament dates and venues for the games were also decided: is fast approaching. The team fought bravely for a 1-1 Japan will face Belgium on June 4 at Saitama draw against Italy in a friendly match at Saitama Stadium 2002, Russia on June 9 at International Stadium in November, bringing joy to the 62,000 Stadium Yokohama, and Tunisia on June 14 at Nagai spectators. The team is scheduled to play between Stadium in Osaka. five and seven games before the World Cup, including Profiles of Japan’s three opponents and a European tour at the beginning of May. World Cup predictions about how the national team will fare fever is sure to intensify further as we enter 2002. were given broad coverage in the press and on TV in The list of participating nations: host Japan, the days following the draw. The local governments of South Korea; reigning champions France; Asia, the three areas that will host the Japanese team’s China, Saudi Arabia; CONCACAF (North and matches began preparing in earnest to welcome the Central America and the Caribbean), Costa Rica, teams and their fans. In all, 32 matches will be Mexico, United States; Europe, Belgium, Croatia, played at 10 stadiums in Japan, and now that the Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, teams and dates of the games are fixed, each of these Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey; venues has begun the final stages of their South America, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, preparations. Construction of the last of the Japanese Uruguay; Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South venues, Kobe Stadium, was completed at the end of Africa and Tunisia. November, and all that is left is to put the final touches to the arrangements. JAPAN NOW is a publication of the Among those who took most interest in the Embassy of Japan for distribution to readers in the results of the draw were the 84 cities, towns and United States. However, the opinions and material villages that had been wooing the teams in the hope contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the government of Japan. of playing host to their training camps before and

during the tournament. These places see the prospect Japan Information and Culture Center JAPAN of playing host to a training camp as a way of putting EMBASSY OF JAPAN NOW [email protected] themselves on the global map without staging a World www.embjapan.org/jicc.html Cup match. After the draw a number of teams 8 1155 21ST STREET, NW decided where to hold their camps: Italy in the city of WASHINGTON, DC 20036 Sendai, Ecuador in the city of Tottori and Ireland in 202-238-6900