I wrote What is big in TOKYO in first half of 2004. Then in Every year end,SMBC consulting releases a list "the BIG products in this year". Their ranking way is unique because they makes it as Sumo Banzuke (ranking). Basically there is East side and West side, In each side has Yokozuna(champion), Ozaki(No.2), Sekiwake(No3) in such way,
No.1: (e)Winter Sonata, (w) blank
Ah! what a timing, I wrote about Winder Sonata yesterday, then this morning I saw a middle age woman who has Yong sama Bad and Yong sama scarf. ahhh SMBC makes west Yokozuna Blank, they fit to real Sumo Banzuke or they could not find such big competitive to Winter Sonata. I don't know.
No.2:(e)Sekachu (w)Athens Olympic
Hmm I wrote about both. Sekachu was ranked in first half of 2004 ranking too, then Athens! Of course I am glad Japan got a lot of medals most of all, but olympic memory started that horrible uniform..
No.3: (e)Sharp Aquos, (w)ipod
Both have nice TV commercial, I thought ipod TV commercial would be common in the world. But I heard this Sazae san version aired in the U.S. Is this true? (I don't think so) I don't think American people understand what this means. This is exactly THAT Sazae san Opening animation. Aquos commercial introduce excellent house in the world. For example one of them is this designed by future system. This means every fine scene Aquos can fit. Actually Aquos has custom made service with various materials.
No.4: (e)Ichiro, (w)Iemon
I wrote them too. Both are name of person. Ichiro is major league baseball player, Iemon is Japanese green tea.
No.5: (e)beveled laundry machine, (w)FOMA 900i
I need this laundry!! GIVE ME. Then FOMA900i is my cell, I enjoyed to play FinalFantasy 1 and Dragon Quest actually.
No.6: (e)Habanero, (w) Potato Shochu
I said I would try Habanero, but I have not yet. My friends love to drink Shochu, sooner or later I will write about Shochu and Nihon shu. But basically I am Whisky and GIN woman. So I can not tell about taste and recommend good one.:-(
No.7: (e)coenzim Q10, (w) Toyota Crown new model
I take Q10 everyday, I got them from Canada. Crown is the most expensive model in Toyota Japan.
No.8: (e)Net Auction, (w)Black beans coco
. Black vinegar I use very often Yahoo auction. This year Black colored food (ram) was boom in Japan, because they are rich Poliphenole.
No.9: (e)Happoshu Draft one, (w)Making Nice leg pants
Since I can not tell the different of taste between beer and Happoshu, actually who drink beer?? I think. Regarding pants, I bought this last month. HOWEVER the reality is not sweets always.
No.10: (e)Yokohama China Town, (w)Rakuten Eagles
Yokohama China town was topic because we can get ther much easier by Minato Mirai Line. Rakuten is big net shop. Old industry had to leave professional baseball owner than some IT company have join as new face. This was big news in this off season.
Anyway while I am making today's post, I came across this. Ahhhh he did it.
err... the song was "Jet - Will You Be my Girl"
Posted by: Chris | Saturday, December 04, 2004 at 08:24 AM
Yea that Sazae san commercial didn't appear here in the US. It has the same music "Jet - Are You Gonna go my Way" and same concept though. Instead of the Sazae san people its just shilloutes of people rockin out to the music.
Posted by: Chris | Saturday, December 04, 2004 at 08:18 AM
I don't believe the Sazae san version of the iPod ad has aired here. You're correct in assuming no one here would get it.
btw: Mari, I've got to say, I've been reading a lot of foreign blogs lately and yours is the best by a long shot. Love checking your site, keep up the good work!
Posted by: Tom | Saturday, December 04, 2004 at 05:30 AM