Did you know that you can take a 26-hour leisure trip to one of the outlying Japanese islands and still be in Tokyo? That's right. The Ogasawara islands may be located some 1,000 km off the coast, but nevertheless fall under the Tokyo city administration. Inhabited by roughly 2,500 people and a few flying foxes plans are now under way to build an airport there. Naturally this will have an impact on the delicate environment of these islands.
Another, perhaps more necessary airport has been a thorn in the eyes of quite a number of people for over 33 years. The New Tokyo International Airport in Narita is now constructing a second runway - which may finally drive out the last die-hard farmers, unless they can stand having their conclave boxed in by 6m high walls and overhead chicken wire to protect against falling debris.
In this issue Tokyo Journal takes a close look at both airport projects.
Did you know why the yakuza like to decorate their bodies with colorful tattoos? Well, with an 80% chance of ending up in jail at least once during their career, a full-body tattoo done by a master tattoo artist will bring respect and admiration (and all the associated perks) from fellow prisoners. It is a sign of good character to have a full-body tattoo since it meant enduring several hundred painful sessions - not to mention the investment of several million yen in cash. Tokyo Journal took a skin-deep look at some of the "men in color" and witnessed their bravery under the sharp needles of Horitoshi, one of the more prominent traditional Japanese tattoo artists.
And did you know that late last year the German government set aside billions in compensation money to victims of forced labor during World War II - while the Japanese government is still dragging its feet in even recognizing any guilt? Tokyo Journal spoke with the president of Global Alliance, an association of 30+ groups whose goal is to finally bring this issue to a humane conclusion.
Have a nice February.
stephan hauser