Japantopia

Western popular culture has long indulged in the creation and perpetuation of Asian caricature villains. From the Victorian British pulp-tale Chinese opium and gambling kingpins of London to Fu Manchu and Ming the Merciless around the turn of the (19th/20th) century to the Triad/Yakuza gangsters of more contemporary entertainment, Asian villains remain mysterious, inscrutable and often violent.

Hollywood has certainly embraced the trend. DW Griffith’s Broken Blossoms or The Yellow Man and the Girl in 1919 follows the progress of Cheng (played by squinting Caucasian Richard Barthelmess) through his immigration to the West as Buddhist missionary, opium addiction and doomed love of a white woman. Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961’s horrifying turn by Mickey Rooney as “Mr. Yunioshi”- the buck-toothed, coke-rimmed-glasses-sporting, speech-impediment impeded, lusting-after-Audrey-Hepburn Japanese landlord actually helped to raise awareness of anti-Asian prejudice’s indefensibility on the silver screen.

After Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it wasn’t until the 1980s that a new sort of Asian antagonist found its way into Tinsel Town- the invasive Japanese business behemoth. Although European investment in the U.S. far outstripped that of the Japanese (Germany alone was far more heavily invested; and the Dutch and British…), someone that didn’t come up in the American ‘80s and early ‘90s probably has no idea how profound the national paranoia about being bought out by the Rising Sun was in the states. That paranoia was reflected by a considerable number of big budget big screen productions. Here are a few that stand out.

As the Japanese investment mini-panic has since abated the Japanese have more or less retreated from the American cinematic limelight; with the exception of the largely apolitical J-Horror trend.

Die Hard (1988)- Bruce Willis’s character, John McClane, has come to Los Angeles from New York to visit his semi-estranged wife whose career at the Japanese Nakatomi Corporation has taken off. In the novel Die Hard is based on (Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorpe) the company being bedeviled gun gunmen is the American “Klaxon Oil Company” rather than the Nakatomi Corp. McClane almost immediately confronts the Japanese executive throwing the ill-fated Christmas party, Joseph Takagi (actor James Shigeta).

McCLane: “I didn’t realize the Japanese celebrated Christmas.”
Takagi: “Hey, we’re flexible. Pearl Harbor didn’t work so we got you with tape decks.”

Before McClane can get to the business of killing the German terrorist/thieves, however, he has an argument with his wife, Holly Gennaro McClane (Bonnie Bedelia) about use of her maiden name. She explains that it was a business decision, Nakatomi being a “Japanese company”, and unmarried female employees are more successful. Why it should matter to the Japanese-American Takagi or any of the executives in Japan what Holly’s marital status (or name choice) is remains unclear.

Back to the Future Part II (1989)- There are a few references to the Japanese trade hegemony in the Back to the Future trilogy but one of the most overt is in the second installment. In the sequence hot-headed Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is harried about engaging in an illegal financial transaction by a coworker. Having been called a chicken, McFly obliges the employee and proceeds with the deal. Unfrotunately, Marty’s Japanese boss “Fujitsu-San” has been spying on McFly’s video phone conversation and fires him for the illicit undertaking. The suggestion of the scene is that the Japanese run considerable portions of America’s business infrastructure in the crazy, two-ties-at-once-wearing future of… 2015.

Black Rain (1989)- The bulk of Black Rain takes place in an almost post-apocalyptic-seeming Tokyo where two maverick, tough-guy New York cops chase a vicious Yakuza killer. Its Tokyo is peopled by brutal Yakuza thugs, motorbike gangs that kill by samurai sword, giggling Japanese coquettes fascinated by the American men and a culture far too complex and nuanced for the cops to sort through. At one point a looming gangster delivers a gravely monologue regarding his suffering resultant from the atomic bomb; the speech perhaps symbolically given in front of a massive, roaring fireplace. If the Japanese characters not tattooed gangsters cutting off pinkies, they’re straight-laced, uptight, custom- and ritual-obsessed Japanese cops- by-the-bookers who unwind by getting drunk in a karaoke bar. (It also probably features more occurrences of the word “babe” between two colleagues- police partners Andy Garcia and Michael Douglas- than any film before or since.)

Gung Ho (1986)- This comedy starring Michael Keaton and Gedde Watanabe about a Japanese car corporation taking over an American car factory (even though ‘Gung Ho’ is a Chinese term), is more or less a vehicle and showroom for Japanese stereotypes to be lined up and exhibited. The Japanese and American characters find themselves at all sorts of cultural and ethnic odds leading to amusing shenanigans and misunderstandings. In one of the more infamous scenes, Hunt Stevenson (Michael Keaton) walks in on Takahara Kazuhiro (Gedde Watanabe), a Japanese middle management official, being berated by his (Kazuhiro’s) zaibatsu boss. Hunt compliments Takahara on the ribbons he’s wearing to have the corporate boss scream, “They are ribbons of SHAME!” A number of further antics transpire highlighting the Japanese’s obsessive, strict, conventional approach to business contrasted by the American looseness and laidback approach.

Rising Sun (1993)- Rising Sun’s black and white buddy-cop dynamic (Wesley Snipes and Sean Connery) is further complicated by a murder case they’re investigating involving the freewheeling son of a Japanese business tycoon. That Japanese-American corporate princeling Eddie Sakamura (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) is accused of murdering (of course) a tall, blonde, beautiful American call girl. The subsequent investigation familiarizes them with all manner of Japanese cultural intrigue. Sean Connery’s character, a Japanese guy trapped in a Westerner’s body, is forced to do karate on a bouncer; we’re introduced to love interest Tia Carrera, whose physical deformation has marked her as a life-long outcast from Japanese society. But mostly the point is made that the Japanese, their business community in particular, is mysterious, impenetrable, armored by a thick layer of ritual Westerner’s can’t hope to understand even after years of study and run by ruthless, obsessive businessmen who will do anything to get ahead.

Mario Vitanelli is a freelance writer and blogger who specializes in international politics and finance. His areas of expertise include South American economic policy and Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme. When away from his keyboard, he enjoys photography and appreciates the rest of the Vitanelli family’s endless patience with his football dependence.

When organising a family holiday, it can easily become a difficult task to initially decide on your chosen destination. With so many people to please, generally ranging throughout a number of age groups, mums and dads have the hard task of choosing a location that everyone will enjoy. To help you in your endeavours, we’ve compiled a list of what we thing are the top five family holiday destinations around the world.

Port Vila, Vanuatu

With the infamous title of being one of the friendliest places in the world, there is no doubt why many families choose to travel to Vanuatu. Located in the glistening waters of the South Pacific, Vanuatu is the perfect destination for travellers of all ages. Hideaway Island, just a short trip from Port Vila, provides a great day of discovery for the entire family, with an abundance of shallow reefs to explore. Glass bottom boat rides and catamaran day trips are also popular, while the underwater post office makes sending a letter back home a real change from the norm!

Tokyo, Japan

Home to Tokyo Disneyland and all things cute and cuddly, your kids will absolutely love a trip to Japan. While there are a lot of cute toys and games around, Tokyo also has a reputation for being home to some the latest in technology and gaming gadgets, meaning teenagers will love this holiday too. Standing under the brightly lit billboards in the city, you’ll be able to get some great happy snaps, and maybe even try some foods you didn’t even know existed! If you’re planning on doing some sightseeing in Tokyo, check out Japan holiday deals, which often provide great prices for combining airfares, accommodation and tour packages.

Cairns, Australia

Cairns is a great place for families travelling with small children. The manmade lagoons provide a safe swimming environment for everyone, while you can also organise a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Family friendly accommodation is also easy to come by in Cairns, providing great facilities for even the youngest travellers.

Bali, Indonesia

Many Asian countries have a reputation for being very welcoming and fond of younger travellers, and Bali is no difference. If you are planning a trip to Bali, the best place for families to stay is in Nusa Dua, where it is a little less crowded and the beaches offer protected waters, provided by rocky outcasts. The Marine and Safari Park is a spectacular day out for travellers of all ages, as you’ll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the kings of the jungle!

Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is commonly referred to as the adventure capital of the world and, as so, I’d highly recommend this destination for families who are travelling with teenagers. If your kids don’t want to hang around in kids clubs all day, get their hearts racing with a fun day of jet boating. In the winter months, Queenstown also provides the perfect family ski holiday destination; meaning, whenever you travel, you’re bound to have adventure waiting for you!

Whether your idea of the perfect family holiday is discovering all things cute and cuddly at Tokyo Disneyland or you think hitting a speeding fast jet boat ride is more your style, your family is sure to have a great time at any of these breathtaking destinations.

Private White V.C is the ‘exclusive’ menswear brand that is the creation of the merging of reputable clothing manufacturer ‘Cooper and Stollbrand’ with former head of Dunhill menswear Nick Ashley. The company has been selling their range of menswear garments online for several years acquiring themselves a prestigious status and high-class reputation as British manufacturers, however they are now branching out into retail.

They are one of the few British manufacturers that pride themselves on ‘craftsmanship’ and endeavor to source all of the materials locally or regionally, implying that their core brand ideas have barely changed from over 50 years ago. Their designs take the classic British military style of its founder as inspiration creating ‘timeless’ garments for men.

Jack White was not only the founder of Cooper and Stollbrand but he was a military hero fighting in WW1. In 1917 he was awarded the Victoria Cross; the most prestigious honour that can be awarded. He continued fighting until the end of the war, which he then started an apprenticeship as a trainee pattern cutter in the local factory.

Jack White V.C then worked in the Manchester factory until he became unwell and passed away at the age of 52. Little did he know that one day, the factory he once worked in as a war veteran would under the control of his great-grandchildren merging into a highly sought after brand still manufacturing high-quality crafted garments, inspired by the very founder himself.

The brand is well known for their vintage and heritage style, the local sourcing and quality of the materials used, the care and time taken to create the ‘elite’ garment. The factory has been functioning for over 100 years have manufactured garments for a variety of high-end retailers. Retailers including ‘Burberry’, ‘Paul Smith’ and a similar bespoke brand ‘Aubin & Wills’ who like Private White V.C pride themselves on producing ‘timeless pieces’ for returning customers.

Earlier this year great-grandson of Jack White V.C, James Eden showed his passion for British-made products by preparing a bid for Aquascutum, the 161-year-old retailer had gone into administration after making significant losses. The manufacturer had once manufactured ‘elite’ garments for Winston Churchill and the queen mother. The brand is known for its variety of outerwear many of which are supplied by Cooper & Stollbrand.

The factory has also manufactured products for John Lewis and school wear for Harrods London. The coats made by ‘Cooper and Stollbrand’ have been worn by ‘Virgin Atlantic’ staff and ‘British Midland’. The reputable retailers that the factory supplies to evidently shows the quality of clothing coming out of the factory and how their garments are highly sought after. However to get an original Private White V.C product you have to pay the price for this highly sought after brand.

Private White V.C. clothing has been in high demand in Japan and has since built a strong relationship with the Japanese. Both James and Nick Ashley flew out to Japan to meet their Japanese contact and look forward to their next trip.

You can follow @PrivateWhiteVC and see what they got up to whilst they were visiting Japan. Private White V.C has an exclusive line of clothing for their Japanese customers online so that they don’t miss out on this bespoke and original clothing brand.

Who knows, maybe in the future we will see Private White opening a chain of exclusive stores in Japan.

The ‘Cooper and Stoolbrand’ factory was featured on the channel 4 documentary ‘Made in England’ providing a unique insight into the production within the factory and how it is one of very few left sourcing regionally in the country (the materials come, whenever possible from mills in a 25-mile radius).

The British Heritage brand appeals to many of the UK consumers who strive for quality in clothing, the history behind the brand and the brand’s ‘ethos’ is appealing to them. Although occasionally supplying small retailers, the company mainly survives on delivering highly varied small orders to retailers and consumers looking for high-class garments. This is a contrast to most clothing brands in the UK who choose to source from the Far East in high quantity and compromise on quality.

The store, which has opened on Lambs Conduit Street Bloomsbury, is in the perfect location for an exclusive retailer. The newly formed retail store shares the street with other bespoke retailers such as ‘Folk Store’, ‘Oliver Spencer’ and ‘Darkroom’ who all supply in smaller quantities with specific requirements. Lambs Conduit Street boasts a variety of independent retailers meaning that consumers have exclusivity to the products in these small boutique-style stores.

Another benefit of the location is the city of London being renowned for fashion; it is visited by thousands of tourists everyday to scour the streets of London for a fashion investment. The store itself is an extension of the Manchester factory, dressed with beaten-up wooden fixtures, old sewing tables and fittings scavenged by Eden from the factory.

Author: Jade Randall

Japan is home to many delicious food traditions that have been around for centuries, and many interesting and unusual ones as well. In fact, many foods that are common in Japan may sound very strange, extreme, and downright disgusting to us non-native Japanese people. Cheap airfares to Tokyo are readily available today, so when traveling in Japan, if you’d like to get a taste of true Japanese culture, be sure to sink your teeth into at least one of these seven most extreme Japanese foods.

Shirako, the male genitalia of fish, is a somewhat common cuisine in Japan. This delicacy is a sack or ball that is actually filled with the seminal fluid of the fish. It is a popular dish at izakaya, or Japanese pubs, and at sushi bars.

Fugu is a very popular dish in many parts of Japan. Fugu is the Japanese word for “puffer fish” and is a delicacy in Japan. You may be thinking, “But puffer fish are poisonous!” and you would be correct. In fact, puffer fish are one of the most poisonous fish known to man. The flesh of the puffer fish is edible, however. The skin and organs contain lethal amounts of the poison tetrododoxin and can actually kill a person by asphyxiation. Therefore, only eat this delicacy if it is prepared carefully by a fully qualified fugu chef who is skilled at removing all traces of the dangerous skin and organs. The Japanese have enjoyed this fish for centuries and have developed ways of carefully eliminating all risk of poisonous consumption.

Hachinoko, otherwise known as bee larvae, is another quite common food in Japan. Hachinoko is commonly added to beer in bars and pubs around Japan.

Zazamushi are aquatic insects that live in gravel beds in the numerous rivers in Japan. They are available in a canned version as well as in many restaurants.

Shirouo no Odorigni, or “Dancing Ice Fish”, is another common Japanese delicacy. The shirouo are very small and transparent fish that are eaten alive. People who love to eat shirouo claim they “dance” in your mouth when you are eating them, hence the name “Dancing Ice Fish”.

Many cultures around the world enjoy eating insects and claim they contain high nutritional value. In Japan, Inago are popular. Inago are small brown crickets that are fried crisp or cooked in a soy sauce broth and then served over rice.

Arguably the most common of the strange and extreme foods Japan has to offer is natto. Natto is fermented soybeans and is very popular in Japan, especially as a breakfast food. It is typically eaten over rice and has a very powerful odor and flavour. It is also slimy and stringy. To create natto, soybeans are steamed and then mixed with a bacteria called Bacillus subtilis natta. It is left alone for up to 24 hours to ferment, and then chilled and left to age for about one week in order to develop its slimy stringiness.