Just So You Know, I'm Sick

In Japan, people wear surgical type masks when they have a cold or the flu. People also wear them during allergy season, and as means of protection from said illnesses. It makes sense as we are a very crowded society smashed together on subways. I too, was raised with this culture so I don't notice it when I go home and see people--until I have a foreigner with me. Everyone I brought home have gasped and/or commented on the look. I can see how it would appear creepy to have crowds of people wearing masks.

We. Are. Mask. Wearing. Robots.
(www.news.janjan.jp)

And what's amazing is that now there are all sorts of different masks for different needs:

Masks for men
(www.livingincairns.com.au)

Masks for women
(www.saihatei.com)

Masks for kids

(blog.qlep.com)

Special allergy blocking masks
(item.rakuten.co.jp)

Masks with a slight curve so it sits better on your face, and...
(www.excite.co.jp)

Masks that have a small metal piece to shape it around your nose so that if you wear glasses, they won't fog up.

(item.rakuten.co.jp)

I suppose it's natural that if you use something often and a lot, people would put effort into improving it and making money from it. I have no idea if this is effective. I don't know if wearing masks has prevented others from getting sick. The amount of people wearing them during flu season is so much, it seems a bit pointless then. Are we trying not to mix up illnesses? Who knows? At least it appears as thoughtful. It's the equivalent of sneezing into your elbow, which I bet doesn't happen in Japan.

I don't see this trend taking off in the States anytime soon.

This is Where He Is Now

Do you remember Tommy Lee Jones? The actor from The Fugitive who hit so big, he proceeded to be in EVERY film for about 3 years after that? Well, if you are worried about his career now, you can stop. He has been making a mint in Japan doing commercials for Boss canned coffee for years now. Japanese commercials are notoriously nonsensical and most of the time, the product has nothing to do with the content of the commercial.

In this series, Jones is playing a space alien named...Jones and he is put on this earth to research humans by taking on a variety of occupations. When it starts, it always says, "Space Ailen Jones, Earth Research Team." And at the end, he always has something wise to say.

What's funny about this series is that although he is researching the Earth, everything he does is very specific to Japan and is actually a great way to show the culture through various occupations. Here is a compilation of some of the funniest ones. Please to enjoy:

Bonus commercial: This is what Ken Watanabe (of The Last Samurai and Batman Begins) is doing lately. To set it up, he is playing a phone. I guess this is what an Academy Awards nominee does.

2011: The Year of the Rabbit

In Japan, we celebrate new years on January 1st. Just so you know.

Here is to healthy and uneventful year to you all!