TV on DVD in Japan

American TV can be found around the globe and recently the transition to DVD has made it even easier to find American television everywhere. In Japan, along with a considerable number of Korean dramas, American television is found in abundance.

Many people here have been avid fans of 24, Prison Break and Lost. Even more popular for younger generations there are massive quantities of DVDs of Supernatural, The OC and Sex and the City. Stereotypes are often reinforced in these dramas. It's funny to hear what people imagine about America after watching our TV. Many students have believed that all Americans live in massive homes like the OC stars. And visions of American law enforcement must appears grim after the Fox thrillers.

Sometimes you have to question the shows that arrive in Japan. At a video rental shop yesterday I saw Pepper Dennis, Rebbecca Romain's short-lived sitcom. One time I even rented a rather dreadful Canadian sci-fi show called Charlie Jade about three dimensions all colored different tones of blue, green and red. It seems that action, dramas, and romantic sitcoms can make the cut, but comedies seldom do. I've yet to see The Office, Arrested Development or Seinfield anywhere in Japan. I hope someday we'll see more international TV make its way into America rental shops.

Ichirou, Nakamura, and Mao-chan

Whether they love sports or hate them, it seems every Japanese person can name at least a dozen athletes and their claims to fame.

Ichiro Suzuki's recent in-the-park home run and All Star game MVP honors have continued his legacy as Japan's favorite athlete, greatest source of pride, and perhaps everyone's favorite person. In second place for baseball Matsuzaka and Matsui are in tough competition with Okajima fighting for his place too.

Outside of baseball there are many athletes that bring all Japanese pride. Among these are Miki Ando and Mao Asada (known affectionately as Mao-chan). These graceful ladies attract millions of Japanese fans to their televisions during competitions. Ando's quadruple jump at the 2002 Junior Grand Prix Final and continuous success at world events has made her a permanent star, along with the young Mao-chan who is currently ranked as the best skater in the world.

This evening another star the famous Shunsuke Nakamura is the star in the Japan-Australia game. Everyone is expecting good things from the Celtic player. And whether people follow sports or not they will know well if he does something amazing.

Monster Trucks in Japan

Yesturday, as I walked my new roommate around town, she exclaimed, "that's unusual!" After a year in Japan I felt that I could expect to recognize what a new arrival would find surprising. However, as I turned around, I was equally stunned. What barrelled down the road was a typical box-sized tiny, little Japanese truck that had been converted into a monster truck! This shocking vision also captured the attention of everyone it passed on the street.

And speaking of strange vehicles, Himeji has a famous electric blue van with wings and stripes that's supposedly driven by the Yakuza - the Japanese mafia. I've seen it driving the streets of Himeji a few times, and I must say that even if it does harbor gun-wielding gangsters - it doesn't look particularly threatening. It resembles more closely an affluent garage band's ride.

There is also in Himeji a gang of high school motorcyclists. They ride their incredibly noisy motorcycles around the city late at night much to the irritation of the citizens of Himeji. However, from what I've heard, the worst thing they do is eat dinner late night near the castle and on occasion do wheelies in front of the train station during the yukata festival.

Sabishii in Japan

It's been busy in Japan lately. My fellow blogger Sarah has returned to US and two new roommates have appeared. And just yesterday I decided to extend my contract and stay in Japan for at least another three months

The Japanese language is filled with words that have no translation. Just yesterday, a student asked me for a translation of friter - a term that applies here to young people that graduate from high school or university but continue to live off their parents while unemployed. All I could manage was bum, but this is obviously not an exact equation.

Another such word is sabishii. Lately all of my Japanese friends have said this to me while making a sad face when told about my lost roommate. They usually translate it as sad, but after a quick search through my dictionary, I found the word is more closely linked to lonely or desolate. Perhaps it is a bit dramatic, but yesterday, after moving into Sarah's empty room and realizing my phone card was empty, thus preventing me from calling my family back home, and after being hit by the enormity of three or four more months on the other side of the world, I did indeed feel a bit sabishii.

However, the things I am looking forward to with my extended stay are many. These include:

1. Improving my Japanese - I am finally able to have a short conversation and look forward to being able to lengthen my conversations and using them more widely.

2. Learning how to cook more Japanese food. With my new roommates moved in, we are starting group cooking sessions soon. Hopefully their skills will be easily picked up.

3. Talking to (maybe someday going out with) my ridiculously good-looking gym instructor.

4. Losing weight and thus finally being able to again enjoy Mister Donuts - the world's best donuts. (Apparently these really come from Boston, but I've never seen one there).

5. Traveling around Japan more. There are so many places yet to be seen. I recently learned about a desert not to far where one can go for camel rides.

6. Saving money to fund a tour through southeast Asia.

7. The Unknown - you never know what to expect in Japan - I always learn new things.