Television

TV in Japan is a bit of a trip back in time. Many of the shows will remind Americans of classic formats from 60 years ago or more. The variety show has not died in Japan. Almost every program has a panel of famous or funny people who comment on various videos shown. They could really be about any topic. These shows can last 4 to 5 hours at a time. I understand very little, but if I did, I can tell the programs would be entertaining.



Another classic I wish America would have kept was the two-man comedian team. This is the classic format for comedy still in Japan, and many people have become famous from it.

Here is an oldie, but goodie:

Glad to see some traditions never die!

For New Year's Eve, they showed a special in which 5 well-known comedians agreed to act as bellhops on a pre-planned trip. Their activities would be planned out for them for an entire day. They had no idea what would be in store for them. Their challenge was to laugh as little as possible. If they laugh, they are spanked (hard) by men in patent-leather S&M suits. It is really funny.

Another television show that I enjoyed was "Hajimete no O-Tsukai," meaning "My First Errand." A very young child is chosen to go on a trip to purchase certain items from a store. Often it is for dinner or something similar, but can be anything. Then the child has to go out on his own for the first time and complete the task. The camera follows their entire journey. You would be surprised how dramatic it can be watching a boy try to get over his fear of slimy fish so he can put them back in the bucket. Then, lurking at every corner is the cat waiting to strike.

Whether it was highly manipulated or very real, I was still near tears at the end of the episode. These little kids go through so much and try their hardest. Even when they want to give up, they do their best for their mothers. It is such a unique program.
I thought about it for a while, then realized we could never have this program in America. I would never let my 4 year old kid walk half a mile and rely simply on the kindess of strangers. I am not sure if in America you really can`t, or if in America you think you can't, but I know the program would never work.

Sachi's family never wears a seatbelt. I noticed that you don't really need to. Driving is never fast enough to cause you bodily harm and even on the "highway" it is usually only two lanes. Himeji is a relatively small city compared to Tokyo or Osaka, but I think the concept applies to other cities in Japan. It really is a smaller, more community-based conception of living. The reason that is possible, however, is because Japan is smaller. America makes things like genuine democracy without electoral colleges or sending your four year old down the street virtually impossible simply because of its size.

You will just have to come to Japan to see some of their programs. I leave you with one of my favorite commercials for student's requisite school backpacks.