Justin Lee Collins - turning japanese

In a desperate attempt to rekindle his name in the stars, Justin Lee Collins has journeyed to the other side of the world.

More known, as the co-presenter on the hit Channel 4 show, The Friday Night Project, Justin Lee Collins career looked bleak when the show was axed. Following the cancellation, JLC, has moved from channel to channel, show to show. Never quit finding the stardom he had on the Friday Night Project.

His most recent TV appearance is in the new Channel 5 series – Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese, on Thursdays at 9pm.

Even though I am now living in Japan and I have formed my own views on Japan as a country, its people, way of life etc – it is still interesting to get an outside viewers opinion. However, as much as I love JLC, he does seem an unusual candidate to be chosen to go to Japan and report back. I understand they want the comical appeal but why do the TV producers think that the only way to understand Japan is through a comedian – I say this because the last “main stream” programme about Japan was “Japanorama” presented by Jonathan Ross.

The first episode was surprising to say the least and was clearly used as a means to get people to come back and watch more about the weird and wonderful world called Japan. My concern is that many people will think that this is really how Japan is – I base this assumption on the fact that my sister and many friends all asked me, with excitement in their voices, if Japan really use ice cream instead of alcohol for drinking games, or if every Japanese man has a love doll, or if men wear ladies style underwear to distress.

The media is surely a powerful thing, this is one think I learn whilst at university studying film and TV, but I didn't realize it would be this affective.

Japan has become known for all its cults, weirdness, bizarreness, crazy inventions an ideas, but it has so much more to offer. It is slightly disheartening when talking to people about Japan and the only thing they seem interested in is hearing about Lolita’s, Anime, Cosplay, Suicide Circles, and Horror etc.

JLC:TJ has done just this – focused on the unusual aspects of Japanese life and made it seem that this is all main stream. So this is an attempt to clear up some of the myths relating to turning Japanese and living a life in Japan.

Anime/Cosplay/Lolita’s/Shinjuku

Anime is one of the most things that pop up in a person brain when you ask them the question “What do you think about Japan?”

The truth is, not everyone likes Anime. In fact, some children are just too busy with studying and school activities that they don't even have time to watch TV. In a class of 40 students maybe only a handful will read manga or keep up to date with the latest episode of Naruto. Just like in any culture, everyone has different preferences. Also you have to under that any form of animated cartoon, such as Disney, Pixar and so on, is classed as Anime.

Lolita’s are a bit like a continuation of the childhood princess dream. You continue to stand out, look beautiful, be admired and at the same time feel a part of a group. Again you have to be aware that in Japan there is a strong emphasis about being part of a group and working together.

Cosplay is not just in Japan but in many countries. I also know of  people who choose to spend the weekend doing much stranger things, such as dressing up in dog costumes (google furries)

Shinjuku – as become famous for its teen-cult. Many teenagers and people of different backgrounds flock here to show off their fashion trends. You can find people in Cosplay, Lolita’s, Goths but mostly just normal youths shopping at some trendy stores – and if you love Daiso (100en store) they have the largest one in Japan. You should also note that Lolita’s and cosplay etc can be found throughout japan in the main cities on any given day, although the weekend is when you stand a better chance to see it. Ginza is fast becoming a more popular place for people in cosplay to meet up. Also Sunday is the main meeting day in Shinjuku.

Sex habits

It’s got to be mentioned – especially when it was talked about on JLC:TJ.

Sex Dolls. Yes, men in Japan do choose to buy sex dolls. This is more common amongst men who have long working hours and no longer have a sex life with their wife, or quite simply don't have a wife. Unfortunately for the Japanese man, for a long time they have been expected to work long hours which is most unpaid overtime. They do this in hope of pay raises, promotions and bonuses. Of course this comes at a price – they have to choose between doing this and not seeing the family or see the family more but risk loosing their job for not being a team player. In some families, to ease the stress, both the mother and father go to work. They still have to work long hours and it also means they don't see much of each other. So for some men, who need to satisfy their need will invest in a sex doll – sometimes in the image of their wife. It is also true that sex dolls are to satisfy secret fantasies – again, just like any other culture, men are horny.

The above working patterns are also a strong contender for why couples are having less sex…they just don't have the time. Work causes stress and marriages to break apart but you have to balance on a very thin line between marriage and work. So its not that they don't want to have children, is many factors.

Now as for the frilly underwear for men – lets just say that you wont find a store like this in the city. I do find it weird that men would like to do this and I struggle to find any understanding of how it can reduce stress. But a Friends episode comes to mind when you find Ross wearing his girlfriends’ underwear.

Finally, the lonely woman’s bar. How many times have you met a woman who wants to feel special, needed and admired but at the same time not have to commit or have the stress from a real relationship. So, to find it “weird” that a women pay to spend time with good-looking men in a bar is just stupid. Isn’t it true that in England you can hire a guy for the night – isn’t this the same thing.

Ice cream party games

Do you remember the game of truth or dare and you would dare people to do or eat weird things – well this is the same. Except, this is more of a novelty. It doesn't replace drinking games…its just another similar type of game played with unusual ice cream. These kinds of things are not unique to Japan though. Back when I was at university, in York (UK), my friend and I would often visit a place called the milkshake shack. Here you could choose from a variety of unusual flavored milkshake – from most of your sweets, Cadbury cream eggs, snickers, and mars bars etc, to the more unusual stuff, Weetabix, Vitamin C tablets etc.

One final note

Most of what these type of TV shows focus on is anything that would appear entertaining – which includes the unusual stuff that seem weird. Just remember though that these things don't apply to everyone and is normally found in the cities…go away from the cities and you will find ‘normal’ people who go to school, study then find work or the mother who has the same routine everyday, which is tidying the house after her children messed it up, teenagers stay a child much longer and respect their elders and for most part are seen in their school uniform that they wear with pride.

You also need to remember that your own culture also has many weird and wonderful things that seem bizarre and unusual to other cultures – maybe you should share them

So – What is weird about your country? (either the one your from, currently living in or currently teaching in)

 

All in all – Justin Lee Collins: turning Japanese is a fun and interesting show to watch…just take it all with a pitch of salt because most of it isn’t classed as being main stream in Japan

(If your interested to know – those mad about all things anime, cosplay etc are called an Otaku – people who are otaku don't usually call themselves this but are usually obsessed with anime and think its cool – generally speaking most Japanese people are not Otaku and usually avoid the otaku types…a lot of people who come to japan to teach usually do so because they are interested in cosplay, anime etc and as usually branded otaku – my advice for anyone like this is to not come with any expectations, japan is not anime driven and most don't cosplay – ive known many people gone home disappointed because of this)

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