Jake Adelstein's Blog, page 99
November 29, 2009
"Gods", Demons, and Teenage Girls: New Web sites facilitate exploitation of runaways and promote human trafficking in Japan
The Japan Times featured an excellent article last week about the latest trend of iede (家出) web sites where young girls who have run away from home look for kami (神 – god) or men who will take them temporarily off the streets in trade for sex or other favors. Some of the girls are aged 13 or younger, and use the sites to not only find protection, but also money.
Observers say such sites have emerged because the operators and male users want to dodge new laws on "deaikei," or "encounter...
November 27, 2009
Fuzoku Friday: Finding a job that's right for you (Part II)
Last week we introduced a few of the high-paying part-time jobs (高収入アルバイト) ladies take up to make some cash, and this week we'll continue with four more career specialties:
Chat Lady
Good for idiots: 2
No nudity required: 4
Work when you want: 3
Easy stand-by: 5
Calorie burner: 1
Payment: 1-star
Enjoy conversations with men, either over the internet as a Chat Lady or in a cafe as a Talk Lady. This isn't a "service" job, and you can make money just by making conversation.
Health
Good for idiots: 4
No...
November 25, 2009
Nevada gaming board gets portion of yakuza assets
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have announced that they will share more than $60,000 in assets seized from yakuza Susumu Kajiyama with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Kajiyama is documented in "The Emperor of Loan Sharks" (pages 213-236) in Tokyo Vice, and Special Agent Mike Cox, who appeared in the 60 Minutes clip, was instrumental in the investigation as was Special Agent Jerry Kawai.
In January 2005, ICE agents executed three federal seizure warrants targeting Los Angeles and...
November 20, 2009
NPR animates yakuza girlfriends, serial killers, and other exciting things
After Jake's interview on NPR earlier this month, Thomas Dreisbach and other interns put their skills to work in editing a segment about Jake's time covering the case of Gen Sekine, animal breeder turned serial killer in Saitama. It's a fun, quick-and-dirty summary of "The Saitama Dog Lover Serial Disappearances, Part 1 & 2″ (pages 102-135), and artist Kathryn DeFeo got Jake's hairdo down pretty good.
Check out NPR: In Other Words, Japan Confidential
Fuzoku Friday: Finding a job that's right for you
Last week we talked about magazines and websites for fuzoku job hunters, but for those looking to dive into the industry and start their career in high-paying part-time work (高収入アルバイト), the variety of work available must be daunting. How is a girl to know what kind of job best suits her personality?
LunLun Work is once again here to help, with a handy work guide that simply and clearly lays out a description, demands and money-making potential for sex industry jobs from "lingerie cabarets" to ...
November 19, 2009
A Yakuza Encounter
After the 60 Minutes broadcast in November of 2009, we got several emails from foreigners in Japan who had had unpleasant encounters with the worst of the tattooed tribe. We also received some stories that put the yakuza in a good light, but those were the exception. Some details in this account have been altered to protect the name of the author. Of course, I sincerely doubt there would be any repercussions if details of an event so long ago was brought up now — but then again, I'd really...
November 18, 2009
TOKYO VICE: On sale! Just in time for Thanksgiving?
Amazon celebrated the book's 10th day in the top 100 best-selling non-fiction books by marking it down considerably. It's never too late to buy it as a sushi stuffer for a Japanese thanksgiving celebration.
Are the yakuza humorous? Comedian duo play yakuza for a day 苦笑い一杯
While the average Taro will cringe at the mention of the yakuza, it's clear the culture and myth behind the organization still tickles the fancy of TV viewers in this clip from "HAMASHO." Masashi Hamada, part of the well-known Downtown comedy duo, and rakugo storyteller/comedian Shohei Shofukutei are the hosts of this a satirical late-night TV show that lead the pair around on various adventures.
(Editor note: I never realized that there is something kind of absurd about the...
November 15, 2009
Don't miss the Daily Show!
Be sure to watch The Daily Show on Monday, November 16 to catch Jake Adelstein in an interview with Jon Stewart talking about his book, Tokyo Vice, and all the nitty gritty of working the police beat in Tokyo.
