Konnichiwa everybody,
A few days ago I came upon numerous articles from Western media outlets that covered a Donald Trump interview where he said that the Japanese prime minister’s wife, Abe Akie (安倍 昭恵), did not speak a word of English. This news cycle went on to imply that she “may have pretended to not speak English to avoid chatting with Trump.” As a Japanese person, I would never have thought of such an interpretation (解 釈 – kaishaku). The first lady pretending not to speak English to snub the American president? That just doesn’t sound Japanese… In fact, Japanese media and Twitter feeds described Trump as either “rude” (失礼 – shitsurei) or that this was “another lie from him.” No one imagined such sneaky behavior from Akie. Asked to comment about this incident, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga (菅官房長官 – Suga kambo choukan) replied that he was sure Akie made a great impression on Trump and “he enjoyed the evening with her, and that she is really a lovely woman.” And you…what is your interpretation?
UGLY DIVORCE ／ 泥沼離婚
Matsui Kazuyo (松居一代), actress, icon to older housewives who is somewhat of Japan’s “Martha Stewart”―and wife of famous actor Funakoshi Eiichiro (船越 英一郎), has been in the news every day this month. This famous pair, who received a “Best Couple” award (ベストカップル賞 – besuto kappuru shou) in 2006, is having a “swamped divorce” (泥沼離婚 – doronuma rikon), as we like to call it in Japanese. It all started when Matsui revealed her husband’s alleged affair with her best friend by accusing them on her blog and YouTube channel. She then opened a Twitter account to attack him on a daily basis, disclosed some private and embarrassing medical conditions, called out a successful script writer (脚本家 – kyakuhonka) for having a short affair with him several years ago and the list goes on. Her dramatic YouTube videos have already been viewed more than several million times. It is the first time in Japan that a celebrity has used social media for such a pubic outburst, and people are just hooked by her energy and anger! Matsui announced she was interested in doing business in the US and even recently released a video in English, so you might hear about her one day, too!
ABE’S DWINDLING POPULARITY ／ 安倍内閣支持率急落
Our prime minister’s popularity rating (支持率) is at its lowest level yet. After months of ongoing scandals around him, his wife, and his cabinet members, people have had enough and Tokyoites showed it at the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly elections (東京都議会選挙 – Tokyo togikai senkyo). His party suffered a historical defeat (歴史的大敗 – rekishiteki taihai) by winning only 23 seats, which is 15 seats less than their former lowest record in 2009. The big winner was Tomin First (都民ファースト), Tokyo governor Koike Yuriko’s new party, which scored a sweeping victory with 49 seats. Moreover, when Abe went to the streets of Akihabara to support a candidate backed by his party, he was booed and while speaking. People were chanting “Abe go home!” and “Resign” (安倍 帰れ 辞めろ – Abe kaere Yamero). Abe responded to them by saying “We cannot lose to those kind of people” (こんな人たちには負けられません)—and many people blame his sinking popularity on this condescending remark. Japan does not have a culture of protest as Western countries do, so when that happens, people mean it.
TOKYO GEM ／ 東京ジェム
As mentioned in my previous newsletters, I recently started to share my Tokyo gems to my regular clients. This month, I would like to introduce this beautiful omakase sushi restaurant. All their plates are delicious and presented like they are pieces of art (アート作品 – aato sakuhin), but the decor’s true Japanese minimal and clean aesthetic makes it even more special. This place was so peaceful, even though it is located in a busy area of Tokyo, my friends (友達 – tomodachi) and I forgot where we were. A true hidden gem! If you want to know where to find it, feel free to ask me during our session!
That’s all for today—thank you for reading. Looking forward to seeing you soon at our next lesson!
最後まで読んでくださり、どうもありがとうございます。皆さまにまたお会いできるのを楽しみにしています。よろしくお願いいたします！
★MY PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER CAN BE SEEN HERE
★CALENDAR
■ July 27 / Screening of “Your Name” in Oakland
■ August 4 & 5 / Spirited Away
■ August 5 / Peace Lantern Ceremony in Berkeley
■ August 5 & 6 / Nihonmachi Street Fair in SF
■ ~ August 6 / “The Four Immigrants” in Palo Alto
■ August 10 & 13 / Screening of “Tokyo Idols” in SF
■ ~ August 19 / “take a break” in SF
■ August 21- November 15 / “Something from Nothing” in SF
■ August 27 / Origami Palooza
■ September 9 & 10 / J-POP summit in SF
■ ~ October 1 / “Flower Power” in SF
■ ~ March 31, 2018 / “Exclusion” in SF