It's 2010 and the Story Continues...

How fast time flies. I still remember the pandemonium and panic over the Y2K bugs last 10 years, and within blink of eyes, it's already 2010.

2009 has its own mark in my walk of life. The year I started my life in foreign land, specifically in Japan. The year I was so worn out to study for my graduate school entrance exam but Alhamdulillah passed it. And few other adventures and life experiences that I feel so precious to be listed here.

I remember in previous years I did make new year resolutions and aim to achieve it. I dare say I'd fulfilled the 2009 list with some points not achieved but I really feel good. And this year I just hope that my life would be better than last year, the world will be much better place for us to live in and of course, the happiness of everybody. My master course and research will begin this spring, I really hope I can nail it graduate like everyone else.

New year celebration back in my home country has this close image to concerts and fireworks. Sleepless nights. But surprisingly in Japan, although new year is a big celebration celebrated by Japanese (long holiday and they go back to their hometown, like Christmas for Christians and Eid for Muslims), concerts and fireworks are not common to celebrate New Year. I can't recall what I did back in 2009 for New Year's Eve, probably watch the countdown at home. It has been ages since I went to countdown concerts and watch firework show for new year, the last one maybe while I was still in college.

New Year's Eve: This year I didn't go out either, I was not really motivated to spend the whole night outside since it was freezing. Watched Downtown Gaki ni Tsukai: Waratte wa Ikenai and Kouhaku Uta Gassen with Shogo and Anthony instead (without both of them, my New Year's Eve will be a bit lonely). I watched both show in Youtube before (I think it's pretty famous on Internet), so this is my first time to watch it on tv. Ended up continue watch tv the whole night and sleep at 5:00 am. What a way to celebrate new year.

Jan 1: woke up at 14:00, and went to Nagareyama Ootakanomori to check out the fukubukuro scene but unfortunately all shops were closed (New Year is really like Eid in Malaysia, Tokyo streets were almost empty and shops are mostly closed), so decided to go to karaoke with Shogo and Reginaldo instead. At least the karaoke parlor and kombini was still open. More about Japanese new year, click here.

My first 年賀状/nengajou/New Year's Postcard, a common etiquette in Japan (more about common etiquette in Japan, click here) from Coy. The postcard normally will be received exactly on the first day of new year and commonly replied within seven days.

Jan 2: went to Gotemba Premium Outlet in Gotemba, Shizuoka. The bus ride took about one and a half hour from Tokyo. Despite colder weather in Shizuoka, the crowd was immense, all can't wait to spend their yens. Managed to get myself a new wallet, Nike Snow Trainer 3 and francfranc fukubukuro.

富士山/Fuji-san/Fuji Mountain from far. Gotemba located in the foot of the mountain.

皆さん、
新年明けましておめでとうございます。
昨年は色々とお世話になりました。
ありがとうございます。
今年も宜しくお願いします。
今年も頑張りましょう。

【PV】 コブクロ - 風
アップロード者 kenjikasukabe. - 音楽動画をHD画質でもっと見る！

「。。。この風は
あなたですか？
次の春を吹きますか。。。」
ーコブクロ「風」２００２

「青い空に高く 今なら飛べるかな。。。」

picture taken from flickr@hiromy

まぶしい光に　憧れた
その日　殻にヒビが入った
思い切って　のぞいて
初めて見た高い空

嬉しくもなって　手をのばした
同時に怖くもなった
この羽の使い方は
とてもじゃないけど解らない

小さく小さく　風に負けても
信じきってみたい

青い空に高く　今なら飛べるかな
もしこのまま　落下しても
今はそれでもいい

宝を持ったこと　幸でもあり
欲望にのまれたりもする
こんなはずじゃなくて　何度も言った
素直な気持ちだった

小さな世界をやぶって
大きく君を愛したい

青い空に高く　いろんな景色を見て
もしこのまま　落下しても
今はそれでもいい

朱く泣く道しるべ
心は透き通って
いつか大きくうなずく

青い空に高く
今なら飛べるかな
もしこのまま　落下しても
今はそれでもいい
青い空に高く
今なら飛べるよね
もしこのまま　落下しても
今はそれでイイ
-大塚愛 「羽ありたまご」

For those who dream big, and want to make it a reality. Good luck.

Ada Apa Dengan Nagoya?

(picture taken from flickr@sinkdd)
Summer will be leaving us soon, goodbye heat, and welcome coldness. Welcome chilly wind, welcome melancholy.

And I will be leaving Tokyo tomorrow, to one place called Nagoya/名古屋. Interesting fact about Nagoya:

1. Stuck between Tokyo and Osaka, it is one of the most populous area in Japan after Tokyo-Yokohama and Osaka-Kobe region.
2. I have been informed that it is also one of the area where girl is said to be uglier than other part in Japan (日本三大ブス), the other two includes girl from Sendai/仙台 and Mito/水戸. No pun intended anyway. So, where have all the beautiful girls gone? They are all said to be concentrated in Akita/秋田, Kyoto/京都 (the reason why it is famous for geishas maybe?) and Ishikawa/石川, three areas called 日本三大美人 in Japanese. Boys, now you know the place of interest to visit when you're in Japan.
3. Contrary to the above fact (if I can call it a fact), the cost for wedding ceremony in Nagoya is the the most expensive in Japan. A contradictory statement I reckon. Uglier girl costs you more money in Japan. Again folks, no pun intended. I'm just making a conclusion based on the pool of information I received from local friend.
4. Home to one of the largest automotive industry in the world, Toyota. Nagoya also base to many manufacturing company in Japan, instead of textile image for Malaysian. Oh, Nagoya also the birthplace of pachinko, the Japanese version of pinball.

Welcoming autumn, I am expecting beautiful yellowish leaves on ground, more attractive wool sweaters and cardigans and also a pair of Timberland boot. More on fashion talk, UNIQLO, the Japanese version of Gap is going chic with their recent collaboration with Jil Sanders, in a project called +J UNIQLO.

And Armani Xchange watches and shades are super attractive. Not within my current budget anyhow, I should stop dreaming and read more books.

Off to Nagoya people. I'll be reading Miyuki Miyabe's All She Was Worth and Murakami Haruki's Norwegian Wood and listening to Arashi's One Love, With You I'm Born Again by Mariah Carey and John Legend, Yuzu's new single, Niji and my favourite Kobukuro's pieces, Niji/虹 and Toki no Ashioto/時の足音 along the journey. At least as a replacement to food I cannot consume during Ramadhan. The travelogue will be posted after the journey.

Landslide and Responsibility

(picture taken from Linda Sieg's Reuters blog)

I am not gonna talk about any disaster or whatnot but more about the current political updates here in Japan. As some of you already read the news, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ, Minshutō - 民主党) lead by Yukio Hatoyama has won the Lower House election on 30th August 2009. This marks a new history in Japan political landscape where the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, Jimintō - 自民党) who had ruled Japan since its formation in 1955 (post-war period) had lost goverment, and only manage to win 26.7% of lower house of Diet of Japan's seat.

That means a landslide victory for Hatoyama and his party, DPJ. And following normal Japanese response towards responsibility, Taro Aso is going to step down as LDP leader to take full responsibility for his party's defeat.

I'm not normally blog about politic since my topic of interest ranges from music, movie and daily personal stuff. Although I love to read about environment and sustainability things, still I'm not really keen to blog about those two topics either. All this while my life has been exposed to Malaysian political scene (since my dad is a huge fan of that :p), but I rather label Malaysia political milieu is a bit disappointing.

Nevertheless, observing foreign political process when I have the chance to (since here is where I'm studying now) is somehow interesting, with regards to comparing it with our political scene back in Malaysia. Watching all parties campaign in mass media (each parties have their own TV commercial, and equal coverage in news).

It is somehow feel like deja-vu to see DPJ landslide victory over LDP as the most recent election in Malaysia seen a close call to that situation. The different part is just UMNO, the Malaysia's ruling party since our independence in 1957 was not defeated, but lost its two third majority, the first time in our history as well. And Pak Lah didn't stepped down immediately in response to that.

Albeit their triumph over the current election, most Japanese I known (and went voting) says they're not really happy Hatoyama wins. They're quite unsure whether DPJ has enough financial ability to perform what they promised in their manifesto, and in today's Yomiuri Shinbun survey shown 66% respondents believe LDP will regain back their power, just mere 2 days after election. Frustration and exasperation aside, now people have to wait for the next 4 years to elect the government again.

Thus, place your vote wisely. Not based on manifestos, emotions, branding or image.

Cool fact: Taro Aso known for his fond interest in comics and anime, and Yukio Hatoyama is known as E.T (the alien) among his supporters and opposition alike.

Wind Blows and The Day Goes By

Forgive me for being a lazy blogger. I did have a lot of fun in my life during my hiatus time, but my sluggish trait just hold my thoughts from being spilled here for much a longer time.

One of the big and major news clouding over Tokyo is the past few weeks include the spreading case of swine influenza in Kantou area (Kantou covers the Tokyo and its suburbs area), starting with Hachioji and Kawasaki. Both areas are located near Yokohama and Kanagawa Prefecture, which is pretty far from my location in Chiba and Kashiwa. But the fast H1N1 virus spreaded fast to Saitama Prefecture in just mere days, and since Saitama is even closer to Chiba, supposedly I think, the time has come to get freaky.

But apparently it was not. The number of people wearing mask in the train or in the busy street of Shibuya is just normal, and it is perhaps due to the slowing outbreak (I think there is no more new cases reported around Kantou, and the government starts to announce that things are getting better). Nevertheless, the virus is still around, so it is better to stay safe and alert.

I am currently on a marathon run of reading all Murakami Haruki's psychotic fiction but since my life is more preoccupied of academic thesis, IPCC reports and IEA journals, the fiction reading activity has been slowing down a bit. Murakami's new anticipated novel, 1Q84 (which can be pronounced as 1984 in Japanese) is a hit before it even reaches the bookstore's shelf. The publisher got 480,000 orders for first run copy and that is really quite a number. Too bad I still haven't attempted to read any Japanese fictions yet, so I can only let my finger crossed on 1Q84 to be translated to English as soon as possible.

On a more personal note, the entrance exam is getting near. I really need get my hands done on every essential mathematics before the burden comes.

Wish me luck and have a nice day.

ps. picture of 1Q84 in bookstores, courtesy of Japan Times/AP

War and Reconciliation

And finally Japan get his shares on H1N1 influenza strain. Two students and one teacher who returning back from a student exchange program in Canada complaining that they have flu-like symptoms and quickly quarantined once they arrived in Narita.

And coincidently, Canada reported their first death of the influenza strain.

World without borders. Globalization. That's the fact of world we live in today. If knowledge, cultures and sex tapes can spread all over the globe in split seconds, why can't a virus do the same thing?

More on the global note, Pope Benedict XVI had called for an interfaith reconciliation, on his second day tour of Middle East. Al Jazeera reported him quoting 'He said Muslims and Christians must strive to be seen as faithful worshippers of God "because of the burden of our common history" that has often been marked by misunderstanding'. I'm not his fan, let alone a Christian but I do agree with him about the fact that all of us need to love each other and reconcile. Hating each other and killing people is just beyond insanity. The fact that many Muslims, Christian and even Jews had been killed by the name of war is something that need to be stopped.

Spread the love and today's Mother's Day. To my mum...

'Happy Mother's Day, Mak!. Untuk Mak paling hebat di dunia (overrated I know, but who cares, she's my mum!), Daus sayang Mak dunia dan akhirat dan mengucapkan mak berada dalam kesihatan yang baik dan kekal muda selalu dengan SKII! :)'

My Malay now sounds a bit rusty. The effect of talking Japanese, English and slang-ish Malay for so long. Masa untuk memperkasa bahasa ibunda, mungkin?

'Hanya cinta yang 'kan selalu
menyembuhkan sgala luka
Hanya cinta yang 'kan selalu
bisa membuktikan semua
keindahan hidup'
-Marcell, Hidup 2008

Of The Importance of Being Sane and Live Healthy

I'm sorry for not writing for quite a while. It's not that I'm have nothing to write, I do have so much to tell about, but maybe I'm just lazy.

There are two major news that keep floating around the news in Japan recently, the pandemic swine flu and one of SMAP's member arrested by police for being heavily drunk and nude in public.

The swine flu pandemonium started in Mexico and soon after it spreads to United States and Canada. The outbreak happens fast and quick, and in a very short time, there are many cases already reported all over America and certain parts in Europe. The virus strain origin remains unknown but it is believed that the virus strain migrated from Asia or Europe through people and migratory birds, although many speculated that it comes from pig factory farms in Mexico. The virus developed to be infectious from human to human contact (and no longer through animals like it used to) and that starts the pandemic warning globally.

The WHO has give few recommendations to prevent the outbreak of swine flu (especially in affected country):
1. Avoid crowded places
2. Avoid close spaces
3. Avoid salutations with the hand and kisses
4. Wear tissues to cover mouth and nose
5. Go to the doctor at the minimal sign of flu
6. Enhance your immunologic system
7. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
8. Sneeze in the arm, under the elbow, instead of doing it in the hand
9. Try to stay at home.
10. Never self-medicate
11. Eat fruit and do not drink alcohol nor smoke
12. Avoid sick people



And the next major news is the arrest of one of the SMAP member, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. He was arrested for public indecency, appear naked in public (in Akasaka, Tokyo to be exact) after been heavily drunk (he was believed to consumed more than 10 mugs of beer and shochu, the Japanese traditional wine). It brings the shock to Japanese media (considering the massive popularity of SMAP in Japan and also because of the gentle and clean image of Kusanagi throughout his career in Japanese media industry.

Unlike the West part of the world, such behavior normally would increase the popularity of the artist (for example, Paris Hilton sex video) but it is almost impossible to see the same effect happen to celebrity in Asia. Especially Japan, which famous for the clean image of every public figure and the strictness of being a role model of the society (remember Shoichi Nakagawa case? Where he was drowsy and slurring his words during G7 meeting), such case as public indecency is a big no-no. The effect of Kusanagi bad move; all his commercials and feature in media has been taken back and he receives critiques from all over the country.

Some of my Japanese friends has asked me why Islam prohibits the Muslim to eat pork meat and consume alcohol. I let Kusanagi and swine flu to answer that.

Okuribito by Youjirou Takita

I used to have some perception regarding Japanese movie; they tend to be draggy, slow and monotonous. If they are scary type of movie, the ghost is easily predicted or recognized. A long rebonded hair is so Japanese type of spook. Or in general we can call it Asian type of ghost. If they're melancholic type of story, it must be one of the main cast is dying for serious illness. Yada yada yada.

I know about Okuribito long before I came to this land of Japan. I know it wins the Oscar. And I know Ryoko Hirosue is in it. But perception does influence me to temporize watching it. Although deep inside I do think it's gonna be a good watch.
And finally I downloaded it. And yes, now I know why they deserve the Oscar. It is like the same feeling when I first watched Volver (by Pedro Almodovar).
I do not want to further explain about the plot line and so on. Watch it yourself. I highly recommend it.
My favourite quote from Okuribito:

"Working here for a long time make me think
that death... is a gateway.
Death doesn't mean the end
but leaving the present, heading for the next stage.
Truly a gateway.
As a gatekeeper..
I've seen off many people
"Have a nice trip, and see you again"
I would say."

Updates

No, I am not busy. Maybe not yet. But to post something about what's on my mind is somehow kind of complicated. There are so many things in my mind right now that not easily composed in one complete essay. So, for the time being, let list it down to few points:

1. I love shinkansen (the bullet train). Contrary to popular belief and my own otherworldly mind, it is not really feel fast inside the train. Yes, you can still see the view from the window and read the letters from sign board and so on. But I believe the train runs fast from outside view.

2. I love Land Rover bicycle and I want it for my ride. Forget about Freelander folks. They are too pricey for my current financial flow right now, and I am going environmental. Not talking about saving another whales, but living eco-friendly life and stop releasing another CO2. Yeah, and I didn't even bother to switch off the light during Earth Hour campaign because I was totally forgotten that campaign. Sigh.

3. I have Konosuke Matsushita: His Life and Management Philosophy book to review (and to write report to Panasonic as well) and Kafka on the Shore by Murakami Haruki to read now. Finally. I have been hesitating to read Murakami's for almost 2 years because there's too much to read in my reading list and I just don't bother to read in train sometimes (back in my working life back then).

4. I listen to Ayumi Hamasaki new album, Next Level and Koda Kumi's Out Works and Collaboration recently. They're good.

5. I just downloaded Okuribito, the Japanese film who won the Oscar. Some of the cinemas here is still rolling it but I don't want to watch it alone and I don't want to spend another 1500 yen for it. And please somebody upload Talentime as soon as possible because I am desperately want to watch it too.

6. Another so called sustainability stuff. I love it when the bus driver here turned off the engines when they stopped in traffic light. That's super awesome. Malaysian (and the rest of the world too) should follow this good move.

I am extremely exhausted. Off to bed people. Have hanami date tomorrow.

The Land of Train

Japan is known with so many terms like The Land of Sakura and also The Land of Rising Sun, but not many people call Japan as The Land of Train. Train might be the first thing you see when you first enter Japan by airplane, since that type of transport sprawling all over this nation and connects almost every place (even the remote and rural ones). And don't even start mention about the Tokyo subway and train system, it confuses all foreigners and newcomers to this city.

Despite the complex train system in Tokyo and major urban center in Japan, undeniably it the most important factor in daily Japanese life and one of the most important factor in the rapid development of Japan after World War II period until now. Each train lines and subway system has their own history, like the bullet train (known as Shinkansen) is opened in times with Tokyo Olympics 1964. Japanese spend most of their life inside the train, while commuting back and forth to work place, and also for other purpose.

Train system in Japan is not just famous for its effective and complex network, but also for its punctuality. Japan railway network has been regarded as one of the most punctual in the world. With some of the train has interval for only few minutes for each train schedule, it is not a surprising thing to see train schedule in unusual time like 10:43 and so on.

Snow and Sakura

One of my friends told me that by the time I arrive in Tokyo, it already warm. So, don't buy thick clothes as they no longer useful. And it will be much cheaper in Tokyo (of course, if only you don't convert the price tag to Ringgit).

But it's freakishly freezing now. When I woke up this morning to brush my teeth, snow fell and I can see the beautiful view from my friend's house window. And the sakura already starts to bloom. I walked down the street of Yokohama and I can hear the Japanese talked about the weird weather and the coldness of the weather, although April is near and approaching.

You can blame the global warming for all the weird things happening in this Earth. But you will realize later that all your pointing finger will returned to yourself, as global warming itself caused by you.

On another note, I got apartment to live near Kashiwa campus ground (about 10-15 mins walk). There are many kombini (read:convenience store) and supaa (read:supermarket) within the vicinity and also some cafes and restaurants. A good way to start I guess.

Japanese way of renting house is a bit complicated for those who are new to the country. Normally those who wish to rent a house need to pay three times of the house rent to the agent when they first entered the house.

I love Kashiwa, the campus of University of Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Really. I really wish I will pass the entrance exam of University of Tokyo and become a permanent student there.

Akira Toriyama draws Ayumi Hamasaki

【リリース情報】2月25日（水）NEW SINGLE「Rule/Sparkle」発売決定!!
初回限定仕様が、鳥山明氏による書き下ろしピクチャー・レーベルに決定！

2009年第1弾リリースは、超大型タイアップ付きの両A面シングル！！
3月13日より世界に先駆けて日本で先行公開される映画「DRAGONBALL Evolution」全世界テーマソングの「Rule」と、
Honda ZEST SPARK CMソングとしてオンエアされて話題の「Sparkle」！
DVDには、「Rule」のMusic ClipとMaking Clipを収録！

映画『DRAGONBALL Evolution』（3月13日公開）の全世界テーマソングを担当することが決まったことで、
原作者である鳥山明氏に描き下ろしをオファーし、実現！
世界的な人気を誇り、超多忙な鳥山氏が自身の作品以外に画を提供されることは極めて稀で、
アーティストの似顔絵を商品化するのはもちろん初めてのことです。

3形態の初回盤の盤面に、鳥山氏の画が印刷されたピクチャー・レーベル仕様になります。

There you go. Manga artist Akira Toriyama has agreed to draw Ayumi Hamasaki as the character Goku from Toriyama's famous Dragon Ball manga for her new single cover, Rule/Sparkle (the single is also used for the soundtrack of the Dragon Ball movie). This is the second time Ayu uses cartoon or manga in her single image. The first one is from the single 'Connected' (the song from her I Am... album)

You can download the Honda Zest Spark CM here to listen to Sparkle (the song has been featured in the commercial). (the link belongs to Divine Ayu website)

I also had tried searching for Connected music video in YouTube but I cannot find a single one, maybe because of copyright thing. But it is available from other video source here. I love Connected music video (they call it PV-Promotional Video in Japan) because I think the anime element in that PV is so cool! I hope Sparkle PV by Mr. Toriyama is cool as well :)

Oh, Happy 10th Anniversary to Ayumi Hamasaki music career!

Of Many Things

There are so many things evolve in my head everyday, give me some sort of urgency to blog it out. But I am currently not in a mood to elaborate and lengthening the sentences for any kind of writings, my head is spinning around, and I just had a fever yesterday, and a mild one today. It has been so hot in Malaysia lately, albeit the usual rainy season. Blame it to the global warming I guess.

I think I just point out some of the things in my head recently. Some of them might get special attention for further elaboration but for the time being, let it be.

1-Che Det open letter to Barack Obama - funny and witty in Che Det way, I am totally going to give him a standing ovation if this speech is given right from his mouth in any occasion. The time has come for the States to change their foreign policy, respect the UN and sign the Kyoto Protocol.

2-Although I love to read some of the magazine like TIME, Newsweek, GQ and National Geographic, it doesn't change my opinion towards some of the global issues. Apart from these mags, I am a big fan of Monocle. Do check it out. It covers all topics that took my interest, politics, economy, environmental and also fashion. It costs about RM50 here for one latest issue of Monocle, so I prefer to buy the backdated issue which costs only RM10 in mamak news stand! They had listed 20 new heroes who deserve a bigger stage to 10 clever companies to watch in 2009 but since I am not a subscriber, I can only wait until next month to read it. And they just opened their merchandise shop in London! I am so excited to buy some of the their suitcase (join with Porter) and furniture, but they're so pricey and London is not my future stopover anytime soon. They also had named Munich to be the most livable city in the world (last year ranking), and that easily make Munich to be plotted in my travel map.

3-I just finished reading Laskar Pelangi by Andrea Hirata. Nope, they're not Japanese. Andrea Hirata is actually an Indonesian novelist from Billiton (Pulau Belitong, Indonesia), kilometres away from Borneo. The Billiton people is actually Malay, so they speak Malay just like I do. Laskar Pelangi is about 10 poor children in Billiton who strive to live the best in their life, including to get better education for better future. I must say it has been years since I read Malay novel, let alone a good one, but I'm glad that Laskar Pelangi is one of them.

4-With Gaza Carnage 2008 issue and some of personal issues, I started put my interest in Islam Reformist and try to find some info from the Internet and books. My findings stumbled upon Tariq Ramadan and Muhammad Yunus. I tried to buy their books in Kinokuniya KLCC, but there's no stock left and I need to wait until end of the month to get them. More about them soon.

5-With my resolution to start learning how to play oboe, I tried searching for the instrument from major music instrument shop in Kuala Lumpur, but unfortunately, they're not available. To make it worse, some of the staff even don't know what is oboe. I reckon classical music is not a mainstream genre among music fan in Malaysia, thus not many people actually know what is oboe, and its influence in modern mainstream music. Coy mentioned in her blog that there is one neighborhood area in Tokyo, called Ochanomizu, known for its various musical instrument stores. I hope oboe is available there since I know there are few famous Japanese oboist (is that the right terminology?) so they're more exposed I guess. My sister even had told me she wants a new violin and PSP when I go to Japan (unfortunately sis, your brother is not Bill Gates or Mittal whosoever!).

6-I have added one more new resolution in my previous list, which is to buy Panasonic LX-3 and shoot more awesome pictures. Materialistic I am, I know.

Okay that's all for today's ramblings. This topic will be explained more in later posts. Have a good day everyone!

CHANGE by Kimura Takuya and Eri Fukatsu

I admit that I am not usually the trend follower. I tend to like things and styles that people normally dislikes. But it all took a different path for me when it comes to Japanese stuff. I often opt to like everything. And this includes their teen idol (well his age should not be treated as teen actually), Takuya Kimura (wiki)(later will be refered as Kimutaku) and the J-Pop queen, Ayumi Hamasaki (wiki). I remember I started to watch Beautiful Life (wiki) back in my boarding school days, which aired in TV3 on evening foreign drama slot. And I never failed to watch every single drama that has Takuya in it since then.


CHANGE (wiki; official website) is the latest Kimutaku drama that I watched, since his last appearance in Karei Naru Ichizoku (also a great piece fo drama). Similar to his previous appearance, CHANGE is basically focusing on Kimutaku's special career man character. While he had acted in almost every drama as the coolest person who had the coolest career everyone in Japan could think of (he has been pro-stylist, public prosecutor, ice hockey team captain, pilot, pro-car racer, Japan's big think-tank legend, and pianist) , there is certainly one more cool character he should try, which is the prime minister of Japan.

And it happens this time in CHANGE.

Kimutaku plays Asakura Keita, an elementary school teacher in Nagano who never had any interest in politics until one day when his father and brother (both MPs and active in politics) died in helicopter crash in Vietnam. The leader of ruling party, Kanbayashi Masaichi and his secretary, Miyama Rika later conceive the idea of appointing Asakura as the next candidate of local election in Fukuoka, replacing his father. Of course, he rejected at first approach but accepted the offer then, with condition that Miyama would give up on her choice if he losses in that election.

But it turned out that he wins. Kanbayashi, who realized the opportunity to use Asakura brand to fulfill his dream to becoming the next prime minister, try to promote the young and clueless Asakura to be the next candidate of prime minister election among other influential MPs. Due to his looks, fashion taste and decentness, he wins poeple's heart and nominated as the next prime minister without knowing that he is been using in dirty politic trap.

Although I strongly believe that life of Japanese prime minister showcased in CHANGE is certainly different in reality, but I like the fact that the drama tries to feature the other side of prime minister life which is after all, a normal human being. And I also like the idea that Kimutaku plays a decent character close enough that he is not influenced by other politic game, but keep the national issue as the first priority.

I personally keep relating the story line with local politic scene here in Malaysia (I watched CHANGE in the midst of Japan's shock of Fukuda resignation (wiki), and further call for Pak Lah stepdown), but I later realize that our local politic landscape is different story altogether.

• Wiki Info Box
  

Title (English): CHANGE

Format: Renzoku

Genre: Human drama, politics

Episodes: 10

Viewership ratings: 21.7 (Kanto)

Broadcast network: Fuji TV

Broadcast period: 2008-May-12 to 2008-Jul-14

Air time: Monday 21:00

Theme song: Miles Away by Madonna

Casts:


Kimura Takuya as Asakura Keita

Fukatsu Eri as Miyama Rika

Terao Akira as Kanbayashi Shoichi

Kato Rosa as Miyamoto Hikaru

Abe Hiroshi as Nirasawa Katsutoshi

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Kaerimichi/帰り道(On The Way Home) by Crystal Kay

***
yuuyake ga machi wo somete
hitori aruku kaerimichi
natsukashii kaze ga fuki
kimi no koto omoidashiteru

aitakute aenai mama de
toki dake ga sugite iku no

* kirakira hikaru futatsuboshi yo
yurayura tooku michibiite yuku
kimi mo onaji sora wo miage
watashi no koto wo omou deshou ka...

yuruyaka na kono michi wa
kimi no moto e yuku no kana
itsudatte kimi no tonari ni
itai to tada inotteta

aitakute aenai mama de
yume dake ga kiete iku no

kirakira hikaru futatsuboshi yo
harahara namida koborete yuku
futari sugoshita hibi wo motome
kimi mo ano hi wo negau deshou ka...

unmei wa watashi to kimi wo meguriawasete kureta
sore na no ni watashi to kimi wa musubarenai no...

* repeat

hoshitachi ni kakomarete
hitori aruku kaerimichi
***

Kuala Lumpur is still raining. Sun ray did come and see us for a short while yesterday's evening, not long before rain poured down and melt the heart away with emotions.

I'd downloaded Crystal Kay's new album, Color Change! and as usual, it is good as what I am expected. I always thought Kuri's (Crystal nickname in Japan) R&B-ish voice would suit my mood very well, immediately after get my chance to hear the tracks. I won't comment more about the whole album, at least not yet before I blog about this one. One of my favourite track in the album, Kaerimichi/帰り道(On The Way Home) is haunting me badly since my journey back home from work yesterday. Well maybe, the song fit the condition at that time :p

It is quite rare for Kuri to sing any sort of Asian/Japanese influence tunes in her track in previous album, so I might say that Kaerimichi is one good try. And it is one good track too. Seems this one will be my on my heavy rotation this week (forgive me SPEED, I just excited about their reunion yesterday, but sorry, I got new song to hooked to :p)

On a more personal note, I'm going for Hatha Yoga class this evening. And gosh, I really in desperate need to organize my financial matter as soon as possible (car insurance deadline, Bangkok trip saving bla bla..). I'm on the verge to finish my current book (The Last Oil Shock: The Survival Guide to Imminent Extinction of Petroleum Man by David Strahan), which is quite surprising that I could finish reading it, since I'm always not a big fan of serious and non-fictional stuff. I wish to read more Haruki Murakami piece after this, so might blog about that one too.

Till then, have a good rainy Tuesday!

I Always Want They Get Back Together.

Kuala Lumpur was all gloomy the whole weekend and rain seems can't stop pouring down. As the emotion got carried away, I found myself in good, comfy sleep and the restless week has been greatly paid for.

My mind starts wondering when my iPod starts playing some random old tracks which yours truly almost forgotten way back. If my mind can't even tracking back the singer and the title, my emotion always able to draw and reminiscing the memories associated with the track. And that is why I always thought that is the magic behind music, it gives soul to your life.

And this time, the iPod plays Eternal Place by hiro, out of sudden, out of my lazy, rainy, gloomy Sunday morning.

And I remember very well, how I adore the four girls. They all grown-ups now, with more mature appearance. The girls are one girl J-pop vocal group, SPEED. That's where my interest in J-Pop started (not from Doraemon and anime like everyone else), when I was introduced by these girls by my Japanese teacher back at my boarding school days, Miss Akiko. I know it sounds uncool for guy to like girl bands, but I can't resist the fact that Spice Girls and All Saints was really a phenomenon back then in the West, and so did Japan.

My first encounter of SPEED was the track named White Love, when the music video was aired by Miss Akiko in Japanese audio room back in the year of 1999. I was so instantly hooked up and look for their album when I was in my outing in KL. And there I was, being the great fan. Until suddenly they decided to disband sometime in 2000 and it shocked everyone including me. When they said that they're going solo, I was easily come to conclusion that only Hiroko (now known as simply hiro) or Takako can make it, since only both of them steal the limelight. And seems I was correct.

Hiroko now works solo, appears as a lead role in one movie called Backdancers, and managed to have two solo albums, and somehow have a jazz band named Coco d'Or. She dated Hitoshi Matsumoto (well-known as Matchan, one of the two combination of popular comedian of Downtown), which is 21 years older than her at that time. Eriko, managed to come up with few albums and her solo career goes well until she announces that she was pregnant and going to marry his boyfriend, Shogo, vocalist of 175R. She then gave birth to Raimu Kinoshita in October 2004. Takako, appears in some commercial break, films and dorama, and still kicking until now. Hitoe, unlike the rest, start her art career in New York and live there since the break-ups. She is also getting her certification as yoga teacher.

They had their short reunion few times since they disbanded, but all of 'em never lasts. I was reading Mr. Swifty's blog this morning until I found out they reuniting seriously this time, after 5 years of hesitations and going solo. Some of the blogs I read does give some comment on whether they will make it big this time, since they are getting older (the Japanese entertainment industry really pays big deal with age and maturity, where older celebrity will be seen less popular except if you're in classic/enka genre and a comedian) and the music landscape has truly changed this time (they started mainly in R&B and pop genre, but no idea whether they'll stick with that concept now). But I do hope they remain as the old SPEED I know before.

Tell me how to live without your love
Hoshi wa itsuka moetsukitemo
Anata e no ai kawaranai kara
Shinjite ite eien no basho

Eternal Place by hiro playing endlessly in my mind. Some things are better left unchanged. And so does SPEED.