Asia After Hours

On January 12, the Tokyo District Court ruled against Democratic Party of Japan diet member Yasuko Komiyama in a lottery ticket fraud scheme masterminded by her brother, reports Shukan Asahi Geino (Feb. 2).

The ruling requires the 46-year-old lawmaker and the other defendants, including her brother, Kenji Hashimoto, 41, her mother, and lottery ticket sales firm New Lottery Service, to pay 15 million yen and accrued interest over a five-year period to the victim.

In June 2010, Hashimoto, was arrested for allegedly defrauding the 45-year-old plaintiff, a resident of Tokyo, out of 4 million yen in a fictitious transfer of rights to lottery ticket sales booths. Hashimoto is still on trial.

In December 2003, the plaintiff loaned 15 million yen to the New Lottery Service, for which Hashimoto was a managing director. “Komiyama was there and said, ‘Since I am here to act as an overseer there is nothing to worry about,’ the plaintiff said. “She guaranteed the return of the loan in full. She even signed on as a co-signer. With her father (Jushiro Komiyama) being a former posts and telecommunications minister, I trusted her words.”

During the trial, Komiyama denied using her registered stamp and placing her signature on the documents. The court, however, concluded otherwise.

After the due date for the loan arrived, the plaintiff asked for the payback of the 15 million yen. Hashimoto, however, repeatedly asked for more time. Finally, Hashimoto said, “We cannot pay you back so we will transfer rights to sell lottery tickets. You will be able to generate income that way automatically.”

But the right to sell lottery tickets means transferring the ownership of a lottery ticket booth, which is prohibited by law.

Komiyama is best known for being one of “Ozawa girls,” a title that refers to the group of attractive female candidates dispatched to minor constituencies under the guidance of the DPJ’s scandal-plagued Secretary General, Ichiro Ozawa, for 2009′s lower house election. Komiyama was elected to the House of Representatives that year in Saitama District 7.

Shukan Asahi Geino speculates that the diet member’s political power was used as leverage in crafting the fraud. In the end, the plaintiff never received the promised lottery ticket rights.

“The brother kept collecting money from people even before the time he met the plaintiff,” says a Journalist who viewed the trial. “The total should reach two billion yen. According to the victims, he kept saying that things would turn around once his sister is elected.”

The writer adds that people associated with Komiyama said some money was allocated for her political activities: “Every time there was an election, talks centered around who will benefit from special rights.”

The verdict permits a seizure of Komiyama’s annual expenditures. Representatives of the plaintiff will file for repayment of the loan on February 10. (K.N.)

Source: “Minshuto Komiyama Yasuko Ozawa garuzu ‘sagi saiban’ de saihi sashiosaie,” Shukan Asahi Geino (Feb. 2, page 54)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Popularity: 4%

The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11 left a big scar on the nation in 2011. Yet this year will truly be about recovery, believes Shukan Asahi Geino (Jan. 12) — albeit with the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant continuing to be a concern.

Shigeru Aoyama of Japan’s Independent Institute finds the government’s announcement in December that “a state of cold shutdown” had been reached regarding the three damaged reactors at the plant to be ridiculous given that mere cooling had taken place. “Actual recovery will be marked by Environment Minister Goshi Hosono or representatives from the Safety Committee working inside the nuclear plant premises and monitoring the situation,” says Aoyama. “The reality is that it will take a long time to complete real containment.”

What will happen to nuclear plants in the future?

“Japan will continue to utilize nuclear power plants,” Aoyama continues. “It is likely that Japan-made reactors will be used, not the U.S.-made models like at Fukushima. This will be considered a safer way forward. However, I am not sure how this can be explained rationally.”

As to recovery, something like a “bubble economy” will surface in Tohoku. “Sendai’s Kokubuncho red-light district is booming with both blue- and white- collar male workers,” says the owner of an eatery in the city. “It reminds me of the ’80s. Even girls looking for jobs as bar hostesses are traveling here to find jobs. One hostess is apparently pulling in five million yen a month. It won’t be long to see someone doubling that figure.”

On the other hand, Tohoku is still experiencing aftershocks. Will the Big One come?

Professor Masaaki Kimura of Ryukyu University had offered warnings prior to the earthquake of March 11. He predicts an earthquake exceeding magnitude 6.5 will occur beneath the waters of the Japan Trench. “We expect to see a tsunami develop, centering around Tokyo and extending from Chiba to Okinawa,” the professor says.

Some are speculating a magnitude-8 level quake, adds Shukan Asahi Geino, which is keeping its optimism in check for the foreseeable future. (K.N.)

Source: “Boso oki jishin de M8 Heisei Kanto daishinsai ga okiru hisaichi baburu de gesshu 1000 man yen hosutesu ga shuggen,” Shukan Asahi Geino (Jan. 12, page 51)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Younger generations are finding multi-function smartphones appealing, but using one also increases susceptibility to fraud, reports Shukan Asahi Geino (Dec. 22).

The classic one-click spam from adult-oriented sites are becoming wide spread, says an editor from an IT magazine. “Just as we still remember that there a large number of victims when personal computers and mobile phones became hits,” the source says, “criminals are also taking advantage of the increase in popularity of smart phones.”

The editor says that the major issue is that younger generations are not familiar with one-click spam. “Middle school and high school kids click once and become victims,” says the editor. “In addition to leaking his or her email address, an invoice asking for 50,000 yen will follow. Fearing to be caught by their parents, they just pay.”

Needless to say one should simply discard such spam. It is, however, understandable that these kids become panicked as they have no knowledge of how these scams work.

Chek Li, a journalist with knowledge of the scams, says that the number of victims varies depending on the smartphone model. “It is difficult for those with an Android 2.1 to distinguish server verification forms and signatures to approve payment. It makes it easier for those committing crimes to run their scams. Manufacturers noticed this and upgraded the security for the Android 2.2. While I am mot encouraging people to switch phones, guardians should provide kids with higher security measures.”

What if one is victimized? The previously quoted editor says not to panic. “While the scam site will have sent a message indicating that your information has been leaked, as long as you don’t access it again, they will mot obtain anything further. If they are persistent, then go to a consumer affairs agency or something similar.”

Still, the scams change all the time. “With free wireless becoming a hot topic, this again provides opportunities for the criminals to obtain the information from users,” journalist Li says. “There is also a risk for making users involved in other crimes. Basically, a smartphone is a PC. Adults need to teach kids that the smartphone is a different level of usage.” (K.N.)

Source: “Sumaho dairyuko no kagede erosaito sagi ga oko chugakusei wo hyoteki ni 5 man en harae to odoshi meeru ga…” Shukan Asahi Geino (Dec. 22, page 70)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Popularity: 6%

As the “bubble economy” of the ’80s started to inflate, the nation’s sex industry rose to the occasion as well, so to speak, reports Shukan Asahi Geino (Nov. 24).

Dubbed the “fuzoku bubble,” the period largely began with the establishment of Monroe Walk in Kyoto in June 1980. It was the first no-pan kissa, or coffee shop in which women do not wear under garments. Other similar establishments opened in Osaka and Tokyo later that same year.

The shops featured topless waitresses in mini-skirts and stockings parading across a reflective flooring with fans to serve coffee for between 1,500 and 2,000 yen. A second boom occurred in 1984, when services were upped to include hand-jobs in private rooms for an additional 2,000 yen.

The nozoki heya made its debut in Osaka in 1981. The clubs offered a series of small private rooms with two-way mirrors that surrounded a large stage. For 2,000 yen, customers were able to view a highly sensual performance by a naked woman. Tissues were provided, and an additional 2,000-yen tip would allow for a private hand-job.

This service was considered the progenitor of conventional “fashion health” clubs, offering hand and mouth services, that predominate to this day.

“The mainstream brothels didn’t allow customers to select a particular woman,” says a fuzoku writer. “So this new system resulted in a huge boost in popularity.”

Indeed, nozoki joints were not offering coital sex, but things quickly escalated to include such offerings thereafter.

“While shops prohibited full service, they did allow it behind the scenes,” explains another fuzoku writer from that period. “It was dependent upon the particular shop. In fact, some girls quit because they were able to hear other customers moaning in erotic bliss in adjacent rooms.”

The “mistress bank” called Yugure-zoku (“evening wanderers”) was established in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward in 1982. But in December of the next year, the establishment’s female manager was arrested on prostitution charges and operations ceased.

Until then, men paid 200,000 yen in membership fees to meet available women, who were charged up to 100,000 yen to register. At a meeting, the pair would agree upon terms of service.

The females, says another sex writer from the period, were not self-conscious about the arrangement. “Those who registered as mistresses didn’t share the notion that they were engaging in prostitution,” says the writer. (K.N.)

Source: “No-pan kissa aijin banku nozoki heya…” Shukan Asahi Geino (Nov. 24, pages 184-186)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Popularity: 8%

The Minami entertainment district of Osaka has seen a serious growth in the sales of drugs designed to fall within a legal gray zone, but law enforcement might get the upper hand with a new law, reports Shukan Asahi Geino (Nov. 3).

“Legal herbs” have documented adverse effects, but there are no laws regulating their possession and utilization, which has putting law enforcement in a difficult position.

“America-mura is known to be an area for drugs,” says a news reporter covering the society beat. “There are 20 clubs situated there, an area smaller than Shibuya, and many often receive illicit drugs, like weed, from foreigners. Pedestrians are approached out of nowhere for possible transactions.”

Dating back approximately one year, shops with signs reading “specializing in legal herbs” began to emerge. Now about 10 can be spotted in one area. With prices in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 yen per gram, most users are teenagers and those in their 20s.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare defines “legal herbs” to be tea leaves that have had chemicals similar to speed or marijuana applied. The practice started to spread through Japan about a decade ago. When inhaled, the user will hallucinate or become physically excited.

A writer from a magazine that specializes in non-fiction stories tells the tabloid, “You can easily buy the drugs online or at shops. You can even spot them in Tokyo in areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro. It also seems like sales are expanding to suburban areas.”

Some are brazenly inhaling the drugs in front of police boxes, the article reports. “You cam spot regulars smoking and sitting on benches just outside a shop,” says the same society reporter.

While the pharmaceutical law prohibits inhalation, most shops sell them as they would incense. This makes it difficult for police to issue citations.

That might change.

Sales volumes and prices went up during this past August and September. “Suppliers started to unload inventories before a revised pharmaceutical law was to go effect on October 20,” the writer from the same magazine is quoted.

The revised law added six chemicals, which will force most makers of legal herbs to change ingredients. Suppliers were subsequently forced to clean out inventories.

“They also started to supply drugs containing ingredients yet to be regulated,” continues the reporter. “What is scary is that suppliers themselves are not fully familiar with these ingredients. We hope this does not result in a rash of health-related incidents due to serious side effects.” (K.N.)

Source: “Ame-mura de ‘taima modoki’ doraggu ga dairyukochu keikan no mae de wakamono ga dodo to genkaku torippu shite,” Shukan Asahi Geino (Nov. 3, page 58)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Popularity: 11%

It’s a familiar nighttime routine: You are out in Shimbashi, drunk, and the last train has passed. What to do?

While pondering the predicament a young Chinese gal materializes on a nearby corner. “Excuse me, sir?”

Thus begins a survey of quickie sex services from weekly tabloid Shukan Asahi Geino (Sept. 15), which finds that prices are plummeting in the current deflationary environment.

“We can get you a room for 5,000 yen,” she continues.

“Ah, but I’ve only got 3,000 yen,” the crafty writer counters.

In Tokyo’s entertainment areas, below-the-belt services for 5,000 yen are in abundance, but many lucky lads are getting away with much less.

“A hand-job with light body-touching is an appealing package for girls who want to make fast cash,” comments a writer who covers underground businesses. “And for businessmen with tight wallets, it is an economical way to experience sexual pleasure.”

It was assumed that if prices were to fall too low customers would become cautious, but that has not been the case. “The trade has expanded into amateur girls,” the underground writer continues. “You know, to become involved in this business it doesn’t take much effort to recruit clients, and nowadays the competition to offer the lowest prices just keeps getting hotter.”

After finishing up in Shimbashi, the tabloid’s reporter moves over to Shinjuku’s Kabukicho red-light district, where he enters Anpuri-tei. The 20-minute course here runs a mere 2,700 yen and includes a hand service (2,000 yen) and room rental (700 yen).

Asagei’s writer enters a room and picks up the phone. Soon after an 18-year-old with big eyes, similar in appearance to actress Haruka Ayase, appears before him.

Various options are included, such as verbal abuse, blowing, the use of lotion, and panty and bra peeks. However, when time is up, the stroking stops — win or lose. But frankly, are there any losers at this price?

Outfitted in a tank top and pink underwear and seated atop a pillow, she utters a polite “excuse me” before proceeding with the pulling process.

The reporter winds up coming out on top, even vowing a return visit. Should you, dear reader, be interested in a similar experience Anpuri-tei’s number is provided: 03-6233-7499. And tell ‘em Shukan Asahi Geino sent ya! (K.N.)

Source: “Kabukicho de tekoki 2,7000 yen saiyasune wo koshin defure fuzoku ga oyaji no kahanshin wo sukuu!” Shukan Asahi Geino (Sept. 15, page 58)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Popularity: 4%

A new erotic photo book is achieving brisk sales in spite of not revealing any of the faces of the female models nor full nudity, reports weekly tabloid Shukan Asahi Geino (Sep. 8).

The magazine says that the book emphasizes the subtle aspects of swimsuits and uniforms: The skirt of a sailor suit gently rises to expose high up a thigh; a sock is visible just before a change into a swimsuit; and an exercise session gently reveals a bare midriff.

The book “Natsufuku Joshi (Summer Clothing Girls, 夏服女子),” by Million Publishing, is recording tremendous sales, having ascended to the top of the photo book section of Amazon.jp at the end if July (and still holding that position now).

“Over the last year or two, it’s become something of a trend for this type of book to appear on shelves,” says Shunichi Kamada, manager of the Aratama book shop, located in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. “By not showing the faces of the models, the reader’s imagination and fantasies can be expanded. This particular title has become its own genre.”

As Kamada indicates, there are various titles of this type available, so the success of “Natsufuku Joshi” has even surprised the creators.

Yuki Sugawara, who edited the book, says that promotion was limited. “The Akibablog, which features current events in Akihabara, kick-started interest. What attracted the most attention was a quote that read, ‘We can probably smell that obi‘” — referring to a belt that wraps around a summer kimono.

The photographer behind the pictures is Masaki Okado. “I didn’t use posed pics,” he explains. “I just focused on moments where a girl momentarily drops her guard while wearing summer clothes.”

It was a matter of focusing on eroticism hidden within everyday activities — that’s what is driving sales, says the photographer. “While looking at other books, I felt that there was something that wasn’t right,” he says. “Perhaps this has something to do with the particular photographer’s personal feelings. We decided to incorporate the perspective of various staff members after thorough discussions to come up with a consensus.”

“The camera angles and lighting are also carefully crafted,” bookstore manager Kamada adds. “Focusing on high, dark blue socks is also an example of the book’s attention to details.”

“Natsufuku Joshi” (2,100 yen) also comes with a 60-minute DVD. “It’s a good buy,” Kamada concludes. (K.N.)

Source: “Kaonashi hadakanashi demo uriage ichii, ‘Natsufuku Joshi’ no chirarizumu ga ero sugiru,” Shukan Asahi Geino (Sept. 8, page 58)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Popularity: 5%

It has been widely reported that products sourced from the agriculture and fisheries industries of Fukushiima Prefecture have faced intense scrutiny since the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11. But who would have thought that bias would bode for blow-jobs, too?

Freelance fuzoku journalist Teruhiko Aoyama tells weekly tabloid Shukan Asahi Geino (June 23) that even before the nuclear incident, some regulars at sex clubs liked to look down on girls and verbally berate them. “Sadistic customers tend to fall in that category,” says the sex scribe, “and now they’ll give girls a hard time when they find out they are from Fukushima.”

It is common for many shops to disclose the hometowns of girls as a means of introduction. Prior to the earthquake, Fukushima locals carried an image of being passionate and nice. Now it is only about radiation. The magazine cites one deri heru (out-call) shop called Umichan in which an exchange regarding a Fukushima gal might go something like, “I forgot her name, but is the radiation here today?”

Fukushima working girls who moved to Tokyo before March 11 and those who came to the capital thereafter are now hiding their origins.

“The fuzoku industry is competitive,” says a reporter of an evening daily responsible for the fuzoku section. “Deri heru shops used to never offer a deep kiss but today that’s a common service. So now, when a (Fukushima) girl tries to give a kiss as a way of a greeting, a customer will refuse. They’ll say the saliva may contain radiation. The ’69′ service is a no-no because love juice may contain radiation, and also no blow-jobs. Some girls have become very hurt by these conditions.”

In one case, a client said to a girl, “What are you going to do from now? Don’t have kids. In Chernobyl, kids became deformed. Yours will be too.”

Fuzoku journalist Aoyama continues, “With hitozuma shops” — that is, establishments staffed by married ladies — “the conversation usually starts off with, ‘How old is your kid?’ Then once it is revealed that she is from Fukushima, they’ll look at her as if she’s really dirty, like trash. Then the client will suddenly ask to change a girl prior to the commencement of service. Some guys will even file a complaint with the shop.”

One out-call girl from Fukushima was told by a client to wash her hair because the thought of radiation was making it difficult for him to get hard.

Some managers are suggesting that girls lie and say they are from Akita or Yamagata prefectures, but the slight difference in accents makes that challenging.

A female employee at a hitozuma shop tells the magazine that the sight of Prime Minister Kan on television makes her sick. While she was lucky to win temporary housing, she adds, “You still have to pay utility bills. I was hoping that donations would cover that but I haven’t received anything yet. I am a single mom. This has left me with no choice but to work at a fuzoku shop. But in being from Fukushima, I get mistreated.

“Politicians are only concerned about their power,” she continues. “I don’t want to see Kan’s face.”

Aoyama says that some some clients are going so far as to carry Geiger counters with them to hotel rooms. “They’ll check the radiation level by putting it against the girl’s privates,” he says. (A.T.)

Source: “Fukushima shushin fuzokujo no hoshano sabetsu ga hajimatta, kyaku no fera kyohi ni Akita shushin to uso wo,” Shukan Asahi Geino (June 23, pages 184-185)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Popularity: 5%

Weekly tabloid Shukan Asahi Geino is likely not the first publication one might peruse for updates on the ongoing developments following the Great Tohoku Earthquake — that is, unless there is an interest in how the region’s sex-related establishments are faring.

In its Mar. 31 issue, the tabloid somewhat surprisingly reports that Miyagi Prefecture’s biggest adult entertainment area in Sendai is functioning on a limited basis.

The lifelines of Sendai, which has suffered greatly following the Mar. 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami, are starting to come back to life. Shops have begun to operate as their services are gradually being restored.

From the area’s largest red-light district, Kokubuncho, located in the city’s Aoba Ward, a reporter tells Asagei that electricity and water services are slowly coming back to life. “Some shops have started to sell yakitori on the streets during the day,” the source adds. “A convenience store has reopened and there are long lines. Ladies can be seen wearing make-up and sporting mini-skirts. We are beginning to see the light.”

However, only some entertainment establishments are in operation during the evening.

“A few bars are open, but they don’t have any food, only drinks,” continues the same reporter. “Only one kyabakura club is open, and the three hostesses who were able to show up for work were accommodating ten customers. These guys looked to be locals in their 40s and 50s.”

During the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, soaplands offered their bathtubs to those impacted by the disaster. Sendai, the tabloid postulates, has not yet reached that stage.

In midst of this, however, deri heru joints (out-call sex operations) are functioning, with some even offering housing to displaced female staff members. The magazine advises that services are limited to the central part of the city.

One of them is Celeb Garden, which began operation four days after the earthquake.

“While customers are calling, we are just operating on a limited basis,” says a representative of the club, whose Web site offers a hotel plan that starts at 17,000 yen for 70 minutes. “Unfortunately, out of 100 girls, there are a few whose whereabouts we cannot confirm. I just wanted to reassure them by opening the office to offer them a place to stay if they had lost homes.”

The manager at club S-style tells the tabloid that they are also trying re-establish contact with some female employees. “One of our girls lives in the central section of Sendai,” says the manager of the club, which has been steadily receiving reservations from customers. “She encouraged me by saying that the club has to keep moving forward. Our competitors may be closing their shops, but we cannot let all the lights go out in Sendai.” (K.N.)

Source: “Hisaichi no kanrakugai ha ima Sendai de deri heru eigyo shite ita!” Shukan Asahi Geino (Mar. 31, pages 34-35)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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Popularity: unranked

When it comes to creative devices for the purpose of self-abuse, Japan simply can’t be beat. As Shukan Asahi Geino (Mar. 10) excitedly reports, Tenga, the nation’s most innovative supplier of hand-held, synthetic vaginas and related items has set its sights on mainland China, where the rocks 600 million men are hoping to get off have nothing to do with rare earth minerals.

Tenga is tying up with two other firms, AV producer Soft On Demand and its affiliate SOD Create, to establish a joint venture in Shanghai under the name Yaxin Trading Co. (雅心商貿易公司 in Chinese).

A source tells Geino that while Tenga is prepared to go through regular business channels, the company is concerned over regulations on contents of adult videos.

“China of late has become quite receptive to adult goods,” says a Japanese trading firm employee based in Guangzhou City. “You can already find specialty shops in most cities. Most tend to be located in small and run-down places, but every now and then you run into really upscale shops as well.”

China is said to hold numerous clandestine exhibitions of sex-related goods.

“They’re as big as some of the major trade shows,” the aforementioned source goes on to say. “In order to satisfy the requirement that it be related to ‘culture,’ they will put up exhibits showing traditional erotic prints and sex education materials, but they have plenty of other stuff on display, as well as available for purchase on the spot. There’s nothing sordid or raunchy about the displays at all, and you can even see young couples giggling as they pick up the items and discuss them.

“You can also see men in their late 60s watching sex videos, hoping to bone up on their love techniques,” he chuckles.

Kemuta Otsubo, a writer familiar with the adult-related business, is convinced Tenga is going to take China by storm.

“When I went to the ‘Macau Adult Expo’ the SOD booth was mobbed by Chinese,” he says. “Japanese domestic versions of Tenga goods are already being sold in Hong Kong to much acclaim. I think they’ll modify their package labeling for the Chinese domestic market, but otherwise sell the items as-is.”

The Guangzhou-based trading firm staffer thinks the entry by Japanese firms spells “happy news” for Chinese men, who, due to the nation’s strict one-child policy must “generate their own electricity in-house,” so to speak.

“Workers who come to the cities from the countryside will carry them back home with them, and before you know it the products will get ‘di-semen-ated’ nationwide,” he winks.

So then let’s aim carefully for the tumescent China market, where 600 million wankers eagerly await release, cheers Geino.

But the trading firm staffer adds a precautionary note.

“China is under a single-party dictatorship that swings between ‘open’ and ‘closed’ depending on which way the winds are blowing,” he warns. “If people start treating sex too openly, then there are concerns the door might suddenly slam shut.” (K.S.)

Source: “TENGA, SOD ga genchi hojin setsuritsu ‘Chugoku rokuokunin onanii shijo wo kaitaku seyo,’” Shukan Asahi Geino (Mar. 10, page 42)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

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