Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2012
RAINING ON PARADES
Regarding “The Tokyo Umbrella Exchange” (The Last Word, Oct 25): I find this to be shocking and embarrassing as a foreigner living in Japan. There is no wonder the Japanese look down on “gaijin” when this low life system is in operation. To those new to Japan: let me tell you there is no such “system” or “club.” As in any other country in the world—taking someone else’s property is theft! I pay taxes, have permanent residency and I respect the people and culture. I have enjoyed reading Metropolis for years and wonder if the editor forgot to check this article before going to print? Stealing an umbrella is irresponsible and socially unacceptable! If you can’t afford your own umbrella, get wet or get out of here!—M.S.
FREE WILLY
Regarding “Ric O’Barry” (Star Struck, Oct 12): Japanese! Yes I want all Japanese stand up for dolphins! Plz 日本人の皆もイルカを水族館に見に行くんじゃなく、自然に返して上げましょう！皆が野生のイルカと触れ合える様に、頑張りましょう! We love dolphins!—Sakura Paia
It would also be good if there could be more financial transparency. How much money has been taken and what has it been used for? I am becoming sick of the queue of Westerners coming along and asking for money “for the dolphins,” only for it to disappear out of Japan or be used who knows how. Someone’s holiday, someone’s business, someone legal fees… When is it going to stop?—犬晴
I’ve seen the footage of the Rolling Coconut Revue shows in Japan and it features some amazing ’70s folk/rock performances by some artists who may no longer be household names but were huge at the time (Jackson Browne, Richie Havens, Jon Sebastian). Importantly, the shows also featured some major Japanese artists (Izumi Shigeru, Iruka) and were among the biggest live-music events ever in Japan at that time. The article hints at big names coming next year and the A-list Hollywood and showbiz support that O’Barry and his supporters have enlisted so far suggests it might be quite a show. But it will only be significant if the lineup includes at least one Japanese headliner.—Mark McBennett
FISHY BUSINESS
Regarding “Tight Lines” (Feature, Oct 26): I wouldn’t eat any of that, with the amount of radiation that’s in that bay—carried downstream by rivers, and also remains of radioactive debris dumped in the bay after incineration.—Tony Smyth
RIGHT HITS
Regarding “Right Wing Sounds” (Japan Beat, Oct 26): One of the ways nationalists are, ironically, all alike is that while they regard themselves as the custodians of the culture, they tend not to be very cultured or cultural people. A lot of people might play uyoku anthems privately, but I don’t see current compositions. They can only replay the songs of their grandfathers. Artists rarely think of themselves as producing to a national standard. On the contrary, each leap is marked by technological development and fusion of current culture with past times and other countries. These individuals—not just the writers and musicians, but also the scientists, business innovators, teachers—rarely attribute success to being being more German, more American, or more Russian. It seems nationalism is what people resort to when they have no other foundation for their identity, this unculturedness being such an international norm.—Dominic Berry
