I`ve speculated about this issue before, but I think that I may have finally found the real root cause of Japan`s declining birthrate.
Yes ... It is the GREAT POKEMON ADVENTURE JAPAN RAILWAYS STAMP RALLY (or however you want to translate it) that takes place every summer here.
August in Tokyo is best described as unbearable, a time when outdoor activity should be avoided at all costs. There is only one thing worse than venturing outside in August here, and that is having to board a crowded train in this heat. Sadly for the already overworked Japanese parent, the GREAT POKEMON ADVENTURE JAPAN RAILWAYS STAMP RALLY manages to combine both circles of hell.
So this time of year, the trains are swarming with little adventurers in Pikachu visors, riding from station to station for no purpose other than to collect stamps for their booklet, which they`ll then send away for the equivalent of a cereal box toy. The little Pokemons are most often shadowed by a less enthusiastic parent who looks as if she may collapse from heat exhaustion at any moment.
The sight is enough to make any onlooker seriously think twice about procreation.
Have you discovered the Third Circle of Hell yet, the Pokemon-themed train (outside and inside) running around the inside of the Yamanote Line?
Posted by: ThePenguin | August 10, 2008 at 01:23 AM
I used to hate the little monsters, but got over it. I like Pikachu, though.
Anyway, have you seen this?
http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/jz/1694/Kazuhide+Vs.+the+Hostess
Posted by: Auberginefleur | August 11, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Ps. I am about to read your book, but thought I would do a whole theme this summer. Did you once post a list of related books?
-AF
Posted by: Auberginefleur | August 11, 2008 at 04:11 PM
sweet blog
Posted by: iresha | October 25, 2010 at 07:55 PM