Sights for Sore Eyes

By Jacqui Jury

While many of you are probably parked up by the fire (if they're still allowed in NZ) with thermals on sipping hot milo, weather conditions are quite different in this part of the world. At 9am this morning the temperature gauge in the car read 40 degrees Celsius and 100% humidity. It's no exaggeration to say, that you can crack a sweat in the shower here.

The rainy season has officially ended now in Japan and I can count only about 5 rainy days in the whole season - the least amount of rain ever experienced in my 7 years here. Global warming is so evident with Tokyo experiencing its hottest June ever this year. So much so that business executives are breaking tradition and recklessly stripping off coats and ties at the office in favour of the open neck white shirt made famous by Prime Minister Koizumi. Some companies feel so nervous about this new "cool biz" business attire that they're making employees who deal with the public wear badges saying,"Excuse me for being casually dressed. "There's no such thing as over-apologising in this country. Despite the rainy season being so pitiful this year a Tokyo company put on sale its new waterproof rain suit,which looks exactly like an ordinary business suit but let's you ignore the rain "??Ĭ? could it be a big seller on the West Coast of NZ? Somehow,I don't think so.

Casual dressers also seem to be wearing some odd outfits this summer in Tokyo. While doing our grocery shopping at our local neighbourhood store the other day,a big block Harley pulls up to a grinding halt right on the footpath just missing a couple of Chihuahuas and box of bananas. Much to my surprise a peroxide blonde Japanese lady gets off wearing a leather g-string with fish net stockings and knee-length stiletto boots. The top half of her had just the vital parts covered once again in black leather. Suddenly the entire street seemed to freeze,even cats and dogs,while all eyes were on this alien-like creature as she strutted her stuff through the supermarket aisles,through the checkout,and out through the exit doors. With a very bold fling of her leg she mounted her bike and roared off. A few shakes of the head from by-passers,and a quick reality check,it was all back to normal.

I've got to say though; it's very refreshing seeing someone break the stereotypical image of Japanese women that we all tend to hold in my minds. These days they are no longer your demure,reserved,subservient "gentleladies" we all imagine. On my way to the office a couple of weeks ago I had to do a double-take when I saw an immaculately groomed women doing some repair work on top of her concrete mixer wearing overalls and sporting some high-fashion Gucci eyewear!

On the other hand,it's a bit of a worry to see guys on motorbikes taking their helmet off while waiting for a green light and fixing their hair in the wing mirror! Scary but true. The gender roles have definitely started reversing here.

Well,I hope you've enjoyed these short tales from Tokyo. Here is one to finish up with which I read recently and couldn't resist sharing with you ...

Toto Ltd. unveiled its new toilet that checks the user's blood pressure,the amount of protein and sugar in the urine,weight,and percentage of body fat. The toilet which costs up to ¬ "562,000 ($7,500) more than a toilet which just sits there,(the toilet) can keep computerized records for a family of four.

Let me know if anyone would like to place orders!