Anthony Faiola & Akiko Yamamoto write of the challenges facing Japanese women in the workplace and the group of women suing Tokyo-based Kanematsu Corp.

the vast majority of Japan’s 27 million female workers ….encounter a system of corporate discrimination based on sex.
90 percent of part-time workers are women.
Women on average earn 44 percent of what men earn – the widest income gap between sexes in the developed world.

Many points resonate with me and what I have seen of women’s place in the Japan Business World: serving drinks to their male colleagues, lower pay, temporary contracts, and little chance of promotion.
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This is interesting news: Virgin Vacations decides the Top 11 Underground Transit Systems in the world.

No.1 is London, England. It’s Europe’s largest metro subway system and is the world’s oldest underground system. No.2 is Paris, France which is a the second oldest in the world. No.3 is Moscow, Russia! (really!) It has the biggest ridership of all metro systems throughout the world. Hmm I wanna try it. No.4 is Madrid, Spain! (really!). It’s the second largest underground system in Europe. Then No.5 is Tokyo, Japan. It carries approximately 2.8 billion people per year to 282 subway stations. Hm, okay. BUT I can’t agree with the later part! In addition to underground subways, the Tokyo transit system consists of the Toden Arakawa light rail line (one train car!) and the Ueno Zoo Monorail (run between only two stations!). What? Where is JR, auto driving train Yurikamome, and other major railways? Actually I have never ridden the Ueno Zoo Monorail (monkey train!) . Strange article…orz.

Anyway when you use the subway in Tokyo, to choose a transfer point is very hard. On the train map, you can see two lines are connected to each other, but sometimes you have to walk very long to transfer. And you need to be careful when you use Oedo line and make an appointment. Their stations are built in very deep and you may take 10 minuste returning to the ground after you get off trains. Here is an English train route finder. It will help you when you come to Tokyo. By the way, talking about the Tokyo subway, some will remember this Sarin attack. I remember the day because my mom called me at my job to ask, "Are you okay?"

This is my first entry for Metroblogging Tokyo. I first came to this city when I was 22 right during the bubble economy days, when sushi was still a novelty and the country didn’t have the J League. I cheer for Urawa Reds and try not to get too upset that there are no Swedish players here.

Many people working in Tokyo are from other areas of Japan, and they will root for their hometown teams. Games are a lot of fun with great fans, generally more lively than at the baseball games. Here is how Urawa beat Osaka 3-2 in the final 2 December, 2006.

Fortunately, hooliganism among the supporters is very rare, and there have been no cases of hooligan-related injuries or deaths at football games in Japan. Perhaps the game is still too young here, and there are no old grievances between fan clubs. I also think the press does a good job at staying serious about the game itself, rather than indulging in the mad inflammatory outbursts you often get in Europe. Oh well, lets wait a few more years and see how that story develops.

A few weeks ago, I participated in a personally unprecedented event: I waited in line for a doughnut. This was no ordinary doughnut, however; This was a Krispy Kreme doughnut.

In Japan, and it particular, Tokyo, things new and stylish become fast trends. Like all big cities across the globe, no one wants to be left embarrassed for not knowing “what’s hot”, especially in gastronomical terms. Ice cream chain, Cold Stone exploded with popularity in the US, and when it arrived on Roppongi soil in 2005, Tokyoites made sure to be part of the “in” crowd. Now, over a year later, Cold Stone has expanded to over 11 stores throughout Japan (two shops open on March 15th), and it still maintains its fashionableness and long lines.

Krispy Kreme is no different. Having opened its first store in Japan, in Tokyo, on December 15th, 2006, Tokyoites rushed out to be one of the first to experience these super sweet treats (You Tube video of lines). “There’s no way I’ll be a part of that insanity,” I told myself. I broke that oath.

These types of occurrences are not just commonplace trips to the store. In Japan, these are events. By my crude calculations, over 90 percent of the people in line were couples. The remaining ten percent were groups of friends ready to be hip. So a trip to Krispy Kreme had gone from everyday doughnut indulgence, to a date or an outing with friends. What else could justify waiting 45 minutes in line for a doughnut that costs between 150 to 170 yen, when Mr. Donuts is cheaper and seemingly on every corner without any lines to wait through?

For me it was a few factors that had me break my promise. The main reason: Boston Creme. Yes, Krispy Kreme has them and you can’t get them anywhere else in Japan. The ridiculousness of the situation also made it something worth sitting through. As previously mentioned, I wasn’t just in line for a doughnut; I was part of history and part of Tokyo’s latest trend. I might even go as far as to say that I was being hip. Well, maybe that’s going too far.

Believe it or not though, the experience was exciting. People were bustling with energy. They were talking and smiling with an aura almost unseen in Tokyo. Watching the doughnuts being made was fascinating to some, but definitely traumatic to me. Dough was a buoy, floating on a sea of oil, waiting to be doused with copious amounts of sugar frosting–an Atkin’s dieter’s nightmare. But my friend and I were steadfast, determined to get our doughnuts. While in line, worker’s passed out free honey glazed doughnuts to those waiting. They were hot and good but oh, so bad for you.

Once inside, I realized that my body could handle no more than two more of those diabetes specials, so I got my Boston Creme and a jelly-filled, with a coffee to provide balance. Though the prices are high and the wait is long, it was a fun overall experience. And the coffee was pretty good too. If you are ever in the Shinjuku area, with nothing to do, I recommend checking out Krispy Kreme. It’s something you can talk about later.

Himiko “Waterbus” arriving at Lalaport Urban Dock, Toyosu.
Posted from my mobile phone

Updated
Woops! Himiko, not Hitomi…

I’m playing 5-a-side football (Futsal – フットサル). We’ll be playing until 23:30 and it feels pretty late, but it’s nothing compared to what they have planned here next Friday evening: the ALL-NIGHTER – a 5-hour session from midnight until 5am.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. In the city where people routinely work 13-hour days and sleep all weekend, when else are you going to play?

Posted from my mobile phone

Any updates on when is going to be the peak time for viewing Cherry Blossom in Tokyo?

Last month’s official forecast was for March 25-April 3, a good week or two earlier than average (global warming?), but I haven’t seen any more recent forecasts; plus it turned cold today.
I have Hanami parties planned for March 24 & 31.

These are the Sakura maps that I found so far.

This is a call for readers to send in any other Urban Legends they have heard about Tokyo or Japan in general. Following on from Mari’s post, we are looking to uncover and investigate any other urban myths. Use SUGGEST A STORY or just add a comment here.

Meanwhile, Metroblogging LA’s Urban Legend series continues with Gang Rituals, Frozen Walt Disney – I’ve heard that one before, and Human Sacrifices.

Last month’s Tokyo Marathon didn’t feature loads of costumes, but I thought this one was pretty cool. He was wearing the full salaryman uniform: standard black suit, white shirt & even the formal black shoes – a killer to run in.
OTSUKARESAMA!!!

More photos from the race

I enjoyed to read this LA’s post “What is your favorite Los Angeles legend?”

I will pick the urban legends of Tokyo
The legend of Wraith in Tokyo : This is the most famous Tokyo legend;people still don’t touch Tairano Masakado’s grave.

This is a funny one,Touch the delivery company trade mark. If you touch the trade mark of Sagawa delivery company, you will have some fortune. The funny part is trade mark is a traditional Japanese postman and what you need to touch is his traditional underwear!

And this “kuchisake Onna” is the urban legend of Japan, not only in Tokyo. The interesting part is that it went to Korea.