Central League's reputation takes hit in scheduling row

The league's old-school, bull-headed desire to begin the season on March 25 at all costs gave way slightly to the voice of reason on Saturday night. Not, however, before its reputation took a beating in some circles.

Agreeing to push its openers back to March 29 — a mere four days later — looks less like a concession and more like a bully, used to pushing people around, grasping for the last modicum of control it had left.

To its credit, the league will play as many day games as possible to save power, and will not allow games to go extra innings this year.

In the wake of the tragic events in the Tohoku and Kanto regions after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and an ensuing tsunami battered a section of the country and in hours nearly wiped decades-old cities off the map, baseball was in its proper place on the back burner.

The Pacific League, which fields a team in one of the hardest hit areas — Sendai's Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles — decided in the wake of the tragedy, and the logistical problems it caused, that it would be best to delay the start of the season, planned for March 25, to April 12.

Rather than stand in solidarity with the six PL clubs, the CL teams, with the Yomiuri Giants reportedly at the head of the train, steadfastly stuck to a March 25 start.

Predictably, the decision was met with widespread criticism from many corners, including some members of the government, respected minds from the academic community and even the league's own players, namely Hanshin Tigers star Tomoaki Kanemoto and Tokyo Yakult Swallows veteran Shinya Miyamoto, who each issued scathing criticisms.

"It might make sense to promote baseball when things improve," Miyamoto told Nikkan Sports last week. "If they are thinking it would help now, they are not thinking about it in the right way."

As with anything, there were differing opinions. While there were more players publicly against playing, some said it couldn't be helped.

As for the CL leaders, they touted baseball's role in the nation's recovery.

Others pointed out playing games so soon after one of the most tragic events in the nation's history wasn't such a great idea.

Those voices should've been heeded earlier.

After all, it's not like baseball was spared the impact of last week's event. The Eagles have a stadium that at the moment is unusable and a fan-base that was among the worst off in Japan after the disaster. So why not stand together with the Pa. League and have both leagues open simultaneously on April 12?

Central League leaders cited professional duty and baseball's place in Japanese culture as the reason they absolutely had to get on the field as soon as possible. It's a fine goal, that in this case looks misguided at best and self-serving at worst.

Which is a shame, since on some level the CL is right.

Baseball could be a great way to help lift spirits and aid the recovery process.

But not yet. The wounds are still too fresh, the images of destruction still too vivid.

There is a time and a place for everything and baseball will have its day. The game is embedded in the very fabric of the nation and it can be a healing salve when the country begins to move on.

Yes, the games must go on, but at the right time.

The Central League had a chance to stand up and do the right thing from the beginning.

Instead, the league took a giant hack and struck out swinging.

Source http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sp20110322jc.html

B2ST to hold two Japanese expo concerts for 40,000 fans

In anticipation of their Japanese “Shock” debut, B2ST will play their music video on the streets of five major cities, and will also host two expo concerts at the Tokyo Big Sight and at the Dojima River Forum in Osaka. Together, the two expo concerts will house a cumulative figure of 40,000 fans!

B2ST already held a successful showcase last November despite the fact that they haven’t officially debuted; the tickets for that November showcase managed to sell out 10,000 tickets within 10 minutes. News of the group’s larger-scale concerts have already stirred Japanese fans into a frenzy.

On February 26th, Japan’s Nikkan Sports and other media outlets reported, “The Korean beasts will be landing in Japan. All of the members are known for their exceptional vocal and dancing talents, and the group itself has managed to leap into the ranks of other top artists with their talent. One industry representative revealed that their popularity had the ‘possibility to overtake TVXQ and Big Bang.’ B2ST will become the eye of the storm in K-pop this year.”

B2ST’s debut album, “Shock,” will be available on March 16th. All special versions of the album, including the DVD and standard edition, have managed to rank in on the top 10 of Tower Record’s pre-order chart.

Source http://www.allkpop.com/2011/02/b2st-to-hold-two-japanese-expo-concerts-for-40000-fans

2 Pokémon Feature Films to Open on Same Day in July

Two feature-length Pokémon anime films will open in Japan on July 16 instead of the usual one feature-length film with an anime short. According to the Nikkan Sports newspaper, this is the first time that two feature-length Japanese animated films from the same franchise have opened on the same day. In addition to the previously announced Gekijōban Pocket Monster Best Wishes! Victini to Kuroki Eiyū Zekrom, there will also be a second feature called Gekijōban Pocket Monster Best Wishes! Victini to Shiroki Eiyū Reshiram. The same theaters will show both films, one after another.

In the story of the two films, the protagonist Satoshi (Ash in English) and his Pokémon creature Pikachu take part in a battle held during the harvest festival in Aintoōku, and they encounter the mysterious Pokémon Victini. The two films will also feature two different legendary Pokémon — the black hero Zekrom appears before people who seek the pure "ideal," while the white hero Reshiram appears before people who seek the pure "truth." Not incidentally, these two are pivotal Pokémon in the latest games in the franchise, Pokémon Black and White. They also appeared as miniature floats at last year's 84th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Pokémon anime feature films have often opened in theaters with an anime short, similar to how American Pixar films have often opened in theaters with an animated short. However, the two Pokémon films that will open in July are both feature-length. The last time that Japanese theaters opened two features from the same franchise on the same day was in 2009, when the live-action franchise Ju-on (The Grudge) marked its 10th anniversary with Ju-on: Shiroi Rōjo and Ju-on: Kuroi Shōjo.

Source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/0003-89-25/2-pokemon-feature-films-to-open-on-same-day-in-july

Japanese fans praise coach for Asian Cup win

Japanese football fans praised Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni on Sunday after he guided Japan to a record fourth Asian Cup title with a 1-0 win over Australia in Doha.

"Victory for Zaccheroni Japan," read the headline in the Nikkan Sports newspaper. Thousands of fans celebrated the win in the streets of Tokyo's Shibuya entertainment district after Tadanari Lee's volley in the 109th minute gave the Blue Samurai the win.

Fans chanted "Nippon! Nippon!" after the match ended at about 2:30 a.m. local time on Sunday.

The mass circulation Asahi Shimbun ran a four-page special edition with a banner headline that read "Japan, the champions of Asia."

The 57-year-old Zaccheroni, who took over from Takeshi Okada after the World Cup, won praise from both Japanese fans and media for his ability to get the most out of his young players.

He used 21 of the 23 players on his squad. Against Australia, he moved hard-working Cesena fullback Yuto Nagatomo into midfield and the player responded by supplying the cross for Lee to volley home the winner.

"Zaccheroni quickly grasped a feeling for his players and that was obvious by the performance of the team in Doha," said office worker Makoto Inoue, who stayed up late to watch the match.

Japan Football Association president Junji Ogura told Japanese media in Doha that he was pleased with the decision to hire Zaccheroni.

"I feel we have chosen a great coach and the players have complete confidence in him," Ogura said.

Zaccheroni surprised many in Japan when he chose Lee, a 25-year-old ethnic Korean who made his debut in the team's opening match against Jordan and scored his first international goal in the final.

"At times, we found ourselves in difficulties, in numerical disadvantage," said Zaccheroni. "But this team has always found the necessary resources to win the match."

The former AC Milan and Juventus coach was chosen by the JFA after an exhaustive search that dragged on for months. He signed a two-year deal with an option of two more years, despite a lack of experience abroad and at international level.

Source http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-01-30-2010700206_x.htm

Ichihashi’s stated celibacy while on the lam possibly exaggerated

Garnering a fair bit of attention in recent days has been the book written by Tatsuya Ichihashi, the accused murderer of Briton Lindsay Hawker. Naturally, Nikkan Gendai (Jan. 28) felt it necessary to verify his claims about his sex life while on the run.

In March of 2007, police arrived at Ichihashi’s apartment in Chiba Prefecture to investigate the disappearance of the 22-year-old Hawker. Ichihashi bolted from the scene and officers discovered Hawker buried in sand inside a bathtub on his balcony. The suspect was captured in November 2009.

Released last week by publisher Gentosha, “Records of What Happened During the Two Years and Seven Months Before Being Arrested” tells stories of his stops in 23 prefectures (including Tokyo), his partaking in ohenro, or the touring of the 88 temples in Shikoku, and his stay on a remote island in Okinawa.

There are also details on his sexual activities, or lack thereof.

In July 2007, four months into his escape, the 32-year-old ventured into a fuzoku (red-light) area of Okinawa. “A few ladies were standing outside the doors of various place,” he writers. “One was in her 30s. She offered me services for 5,000 yen. But after recalling what I had done, I couldn’t answer her.”

He also worked at a construction company in Osaka for a year and three months. “While I told colleagues that I’d go out on weekends to buy hookers,” he continues, “I was actually saving my money for plastic surgery, so nothing happened. When I thought about Lindsay-san, I got scared.”

Nikkan Gendai is skeptical that such recollections have led to a feeling of deep remorse. A former colleague and roommate at the construction company’s dormitory offers further speculation. “Ichihashi used to go out a lot on Sundays,” says the source. “Some people witnessed him walking around the Tobita Shinchi area (the largest largest brothel district in Kansai). He had cash, and I noticed half of condoms in a 12-pack box were gone.”

Certified clinical psychologist Yo Yahata says that in the days immediately after one begins his runaway, a tremendous amount of pressure is exerted. “But with time and money building up,” the psychologist adds, “one starts to have the appetite and a sex drive will return.”

The article also cites Ichihashi’s sushi dinner with a boss, trip to a movie theater, and date with a woman in Koza, Okinawa as further evidence that his stated contrition is probably overdone. (A.T.)

Source http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2011/01/31/ichihashis-stated-celibacy-while-on-the-lam-possibly-exaggerated/

Brewers nearing one-year deal with Saito?

According to Japan's Nikkan Sports, the Brewers are nearing a one-year contract with right-hander Takashi Saito worth around $3 million.

Saito posted a quality 2.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 69/17 K/BB ratio over 56 relief appearances for the Braves this past year. He's battled some shoulder problems recently, but the 40-year-old right-hander is very reliable when healthy and should do well in an eighth inning role for Milwaukee. That $3 million price tag includes performance-based incentives.

Source: NPB Tracker on Twitter

Samurai spirit: Liberated Japanese lasses turn seductresses in name of country

Nikkan Gendai Jan. 1This may be the Year of the Rabbit, but Nikkan Gendai (Jan. 1) predicts that Japanese women will not be satisfied nibbling on mere carrots.

The evening tabloid says that the rise of nikushokukei joshi (肉食系女子), or carnivorous women, will continue to pick up steam in 2011. Fuzoku writer Yukio Murakami explains that women are increasingly viewing themselves differently.

“Women believe that they too should be able to freely enjoy sex just as men do,” the sex scribe says. “Even with steady boyfriends they’ll still approach men at train stations as the evening’s last train approaches. The rationale behind such behavior is rooted in simple sexual desire that occurs right before their menstrual period or the thought that it’s better to stay at a love hotel than going home.

“Most of these ladies, aged in their late 20s to late 30s, do not ask for financial compensation,” Murakami continues. “They are simply looking for excitement.”

A similar type of woman can be spotted in the youth Mecca of Shibuya, specifically the Center-gai area.

“Girls with flexible jobs roam around during the day and give signs, such as a wink, to handsome guys,” comments a female writer. “They approach boys of their liking by saying, ‘I don’t need money so let’s go straight to a love hotel.’ Unlike a prostitute, it’s not for quick cash so they won’t pick up just any guy.”

Of course, the question is: Why is this unfolding now?

“While they say it is due to sexual liberation, that is nominal,” asserts Murakami. “The reality is that they see the unease with North Korea and China’s aggression and find it worrisome. Their maternal instinct is making them aggressive in wanting to leave behind more offspring.”

The article surmises that this is similar to the samurai eras of shoguns Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, when similar scenes took place just as their regimes were about to crumble.

2011 could be a dream for womanizers, drools Nikkan Gendai, but the challenge is for you, dear reader, to up your game if you want to be a player. (K.N.)

Source http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2011/01/06/samurai-spirit-liberated-japanese-lasses-turn-seductresses-in-name-of-country/