FREE
06 2013 JUN vol. 20
QUALITY REVIEW
Konaka Shower Clean Suit
［A Conversation with Foreign Residents ］
Taste Testing Convenience Store Desserts
eng.jqrmag.com
［FEATURE］
Look here, look here!
Super The Mini Car Has Arrived! ● I Drove a “Super” Mini Car! ● Isn’t it Time You had the Pleasure of Using this Unique Car?
eng.jqrmag.com
May 2013 (published on July 20, 2013)
C O N T E N T S The Shirano Theater
05
07 Japan Undercover Hiroyuki Abe
JQR SPECIAL
08
Look here, look here!
Super The Mini Car Has Arrived! ● I Drove a “Super” Mini Car! ● Isn’t it Time You had the Pleasure of Using this Unique Car?
16 18
QUALITY REVIEW
Konaka Shower Clean Suit ［A Conversation with Foreign Residents ］
Taste Testing Convenience Store Desserts
23 Other Eyes and Ears HAMAJI Michio
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jun Shinozuka Editors
Jun Nakaki Christine Lavoie-Gagnon Lyu nari
Designer
Wakako Kawasaki
Translation
Manabiya Inc.
JQR editorial department
2-1-14 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0064 03-3518-2270 JQR advertising department
2-1-14 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0064 03-3518-4488
er Theat s * o n Shira
場 劇 乃 志ら
nks s the ra n i o j .9 w meho how No o S s n a m A wo
o
hiran awa S Tatek
A girl—the second in total for the Tatekawa
sticks in my mind is a woman who turned up just
school—has joined the Shiraku rakugo stable. Well,
after I joined. Perhaps thinking it would be rude to
I shouldn't really say“girl”, being as she is only
refuse outright, Shiraku set a few artistic hurdles
a year younger than me. When asked her age, she
she would have to overcome to join.
replied with a broad grin that couldn't help making
The thing is, she cleared every one. So Shiraku
me grin,“Thirty-eight on 7 August! Flower Day!”A
raised the bar.“Go away and copy Sanyutei Kinba
response like that might make you think she's a bit
III's Yabuiri word for word. If you can't do that,
of a ditz, but I personally didn't find it off-putting.
you'll never be a decent rakugoka.”
She's done a few jobs in her time, the most recent
But a week later, I witnessed her overcome this
being that of a manzaishi stand-up comedian. With
formidable challenge as well. Finally, having run
one thing and another she and her stage partner
out of excuses to turn the woman down, and looking
split up, but apparently she carried on with the
rather resigned to this fact, Shiraku proffered one
shows that were already booked, performing the material of two by herself. A desperate measure, but she insists she enjoyed playing both roles.
Depending on the answer, he might have had no
Sometime later she saw a performance of Shiraku
choice but to take on a new apprentice. She replied,
rakugo, had that eureka moment (as in“Aha! This
“You're just so cute...”
is what I've been wanting to do all along!”), and
It was one of those moments when time seems to
came to a Shiraku stable show armed with her CV.
stand still. Shiraku seemed relieved to finally have
何となく女子の入門
第九席
She approached me after the show as I was tidying
last question. “So, what is it that you like about me?”
up the reception area, asking if Shiraku-san was still there.
“He is,”I replied.“Do you mind if I ask your business...?” “I'd like to meet him.”
a reason to refuse. “That's not good enough, I'm afraid,”he said.“It's one thing to fall in love with a person's art, but quite another to fancy them as a man,”he informed her, and in the end, her desire to train with us as a rakugoka was not fulfilled.
She didn't mention wanting to join, but something
So why did he take on the girl who turned up this
told me that was her aim.
year? If I asked Shiraku he'd no doubt just shrug
Up to this point Shiraku had turned down any
and say that somehow, it seemed the right thing to
females aspiring to join our ranks. Doubtless he
do. However, I suspect it's because this one had the
had various reasons. The difficulty of training up
air of a winner. I think we can expect her debut
a woman in what is a very male domain, for one,
sometime soon.
plus the fact that rakugo stories are told from a male viewpoint to start with, making them tricky for females to perform. I've been present every time he's turned someone down. One that especially ● Second-generation apprentice of Danshi Tatekawa. Joined the Tatekawa Shiraku rakugo stable in 1998 and advanced to futatsume status in July 2003. Is determined to win promotion to star performer this spring! Don’t miss his Shirano Daisakusen solo shows, held regularly every month. Also a subculture aficionado with a regular radio program that allows him to expound exhaustively on the subject.
2012July
05
HIROYUKI ABE News Analyst Fuji Television
An inside look at what makes Japan tick
Japan Undercover
vol. 1
vol.5
Tokyo, a City Controlled by Smartphones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRiP7-aclrQ&list=PLA815B0F8E813EE4D&index=12
On January 29, 2013, an event called
through CGI, but in the real world.
soft power ranges broadly,
“FULL CONTROL TOKYO” was held at
Kentaro Shihaku, creative director at
encompassing not only ‘kawaii’ fashion
Zojoji, a Buddhist temple at the foot of
GLIDER, the company behind this
and anime, but historical buildings and
Tokyo Tower. The event was more than
unique campaign, notes, “We wanted to
other ‘hardware.’ It also includes less
just a live concert to celebrate the
try crossing Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, a
visible aspects of the culture, such as
birthday of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, a
Japanese pop icon, with the latest
Japan’s globally acknowledged spirit of
global icon of Japanese pop; it was part
technology and with two well-known
hospitality. It is likely these kinds of
of a so-called ‘integrated campaign,’ an
symbols of architecture in Japan, a
integrated campaigns, events that
event tied to commercial advertising
temple (Zojoji) and Tokyo Tower.”
feature a cross between soft power and
with digital technology at its core.
The campaign grew out of the belief that
technology, will continue to evolve.
Using a smartphone app, the 1,500
physical experiences create lasting
people in the audience were able to
impressions. The project hinged on
Most mobile users today have
synchronize their phones not only with
having the actual experiences of
smartphones, and it won’t be long before
the stage lighting, but with the full range
concertgoers using digital technology
those users can enjoy an always-on
of special effects set up for the event,
(4G LTE) in turn become the content of
connection to high-speed networks.
everything from a hydraulic jumping taxi,
the television commercials. Those
When that time comes, there’s no doubt
to the volume of water and color of LED
commercials, broadcast over the
that, along with the evolution of
lighting in a fountain, and even with the
airwaves, would then reach the eyes of
technology, advertising campaigns will
lights illuminating Tokyo Tower itself.
millions of viewers, enabling them to
change in ways that we can’t even
The entire scene was broadcast over the
vicariously take part in what the
begin to imagine.
internet, then used in a commercial for
audience they’re seeing is experiencing,
au, one of Japan’s telecommunications
with all the thrill and excitement of a
The second phase has already begun.
carriers, which ran over terrestrial
live event. While similar methods have
Official website: http://www.au.kddi.
broadcast stations. This smartphone-
been seen in advertising overseas, this
com/odoroki/
controlled environment was made
campaign was groundbreaking for the
possible by high-capacity, high-speed
way it brought together Japan’s vaunted
networks, with the results rendered not
‘soft power’ and digital technology. That
After graduating from Keio University with an economics degree, earned a Master’s degree in international relations from the International University of Japan. Worked in the business section of Fuji Television covering the then Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Finance, responsible for business and economic issues. Following stints heading the station’s NY bureau, as a News Japan newscaster, and head of the business and economics section, is now a commentator.
Hiroyuki Abe
07
Q Can you guess what this is? ● A A motorbike? An F1 racer? ● Or the cockpit of a small jet?
08
2013 Jun
Answer: It’s a car dashboard. 2013 Jun
09
Super
The Mini Look here, look here! Finally a new car to get excited about has arrived on the scene. It looks rather cute. It’s also en Text/ JQR Editorial Staff
Cars are essential for getting about, but changes in lifestyles and the environment have created a growing need for something more convenient. At last a car to fill this gap has arrived. Supermini cars are ultra compact electric vehicles (EV) that are smaller than any other cars and less harmful to the environment. It’s the next generation car for traveling short distances. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, sixty percent of journeys made in privately owned cars in Japan are within ten kilometers of the home. On average they transport two or less people. It’s obvious that using a car that can seat four or five people to transport just one or two is not efficient. A smaller, narrower car is also much
A very simple dashboard
easier to use when it comes to navigating and parking in narrow shopping streets and suburban back streets. Of the two models Toyota has already released, forty percent are owned by individuals, with the remainder possessed by businesses and companies. Businesses commonly use them for making small lot deliveries. Nissan and Honda also plan to have their own ultra-compact electric vehicles on the streets in the very near future.
EVs reduce the burden on the environment. The supermini car surpasses other cars with its energy efficiency.
The backseat is narrow
Convenient to use and easy to park on short distance journeys such as deliveries, commuting or other errands. Only takes up half the parking space of a conventional car.
10
2013 Jun
・Top speed: 60-80 km/h ・Charging time: 3-6 hours ・Maximum range: 50-100 km ・Passengers: Two
・Length: Under 2.5 m ・Width: Around 1 m ・Height: Around 1.5 m
JQR SPECIAL
MINICAR
Car Has Arrived!
nvironmentally friendly so you can use it without hesitation. This is the car we’ve been waiting for!
The Ultra Compact EV! We like this! Cloth wing-type doors
1 Convenience Suitable for short journeys to the shops, schools, gym, etc. Great for easy drop-offs and pick-ups at crowded train stations.
2 Compactness Two of these fit in the space taken up by one conventional car.
3 Safe and Easy-to-Use Has the stability of a fourwheeled vehicle, and top speed is reduced. Keeps out the wind and rain, and a helmet is not necessary.
4 Runs on electricity The motor is electric powered and can be recharged from an ordinary household 110V power point. Short recharging time.
5 Environmentally friendly Zero emissions and high energy efficiency make it the perfect eco-car. No noise pollution thanks to the quiet engine.
6 Economical Prices start at 600,000 yen. Government inspections are not required so insurance and tax costs are low.
2013 Jun
11
TEST DRIVE
Excitement plus ♥
I Drove a “Super” Mini Ca
Early May and the wind smells sweet. JQR editor Christine excitedly heads for the Mega Web circuit in Odaiba. Here you can test drive Toyota’s Supermini cars. Chris was all smiles as she jumped in the car and gripped the steering wheel. This is her report on how it went. Photography/Tomoya Takai Text/Christine Lavoie Gagnon (JQR Editorial Staff)
The cute car body provokes smiles
that supports you nicely, it’s very
The mini car that I test drove was a
dashboard is a speedometer. I was
Toyota PCOM. Although it’s called
amazed at how simple it was. There
mini, you can drive it legally on
didn’t seem to be any space for
public roads. It came up to about my
options like a car navigation system
shoulders – not too high, not too low.
or a stereo.
You could park it in the same space
I discovered the socket for
as a big scooter. And if you were
recharging next to the ignition! At
forced into stopping on the road, it
last it was time to start the engine. I
wouldn’t cause much of a nuisance
pulled the lever on the left to neutral
to other drivers.
and turned the key. Being an electric
From the front, the PCOM looks like
car, you don’t hear any engine sound
a big lovable insect. You might even
at all.
call it cute.
Before setting off, I looked around for
The opening at the front turned out
somewhere to put the bag that was
not to be a plug in point, but rather
on my knees, and was surprised to
the opening for the liquid detergent
note there wasn’t the slightest bit of
tank.
spare space inside. In fact the door
Super simple dashboard
Oh it’s so compact
comfortable. The only instrument on the
of the PCOM can’t be locked either. It’s made of cloth, so anyone could get in. I wonder if the lack of space is meant to remind people like me,
rom the outside the seat looked
who are always in a hurry, not to
narrow and hard. However, when you
leave their bag in the car. On the
sit down it fits the body snugly. If
right-hand side of the dashboard,
you adjust the seat to find a position
however, I discovered a small hollow
Easy to park in narrow spaces. Good
GOOD
Everything looks bigger and wider
12
The cloth window shuts to your desired position, but it could get very humid and uncomfortable during the rainy season.
BAD
Spacious trunk with a key.
GOOD
JQR SPECIAL
MINICAR
ar!
stine Ultra simple dashboard. Plenty of space around the feet.
GOOD
for placing a mobile phone. The attendant informed me that bags can be stored in the trunk at the rear. It looked big enough for three large shopping bags to fit in. This compartment has a key, so that’s reassuring.
What about the rainy season with no air conditioner?
Can be recharged from an ordinary power point.
Very easy to drive – no stress on narrow crowded streets.
GOOD
GOOD
You can attach the cloth door yourself.
A wide field of vision means you can enjoy the scenery At last I was ready to start. When I pressed down on the accelerator, it immediately took off. The car body stayed stable even when entering a corner while maintaining speed. That’s good to know. But the steering wheel was rather stiff, and the moment I took my foot off the
The cloth door is also a window, which you open and close with a zipper. Manually of course. On sunny days you would have it half open, on rainy days fully closed. Which reminds me, I didn’t notice any air conditioner controls on the dashboard. Does that mean there is no air conditioner? I felt vaguely uneasy about not being able to adjust the interior temperature.
pedal the speed dropped. Therefore you probably wouldn’t need to use
Cloth door that shuts with a zipper. Can’t leave things safely in the car.
the brake much, apart from when you need to brake suddenly.
BAD
There were strong vibrations but that wouldn’t be a bother over short distances. Vision on both sides is good so you can really enjoy the scenery. It made me want to take off for a drive rather than go back to work.
Wind may enter from both sides, but during the rainy season it would be like a steam bath.
General Comments It can’t be compared with an ordinary passenger car of course, and it has a different kind of enjoyment. It’s like a luxury golf cart that you could use unhesitatingly. With low purchase and running costs, it would be very convenient as a second car.
Reassuring stability when taking curves.
GOOD
13
Supermini Car Catalogue
Isn’t it Time You had the Pleas
With motorized bicycles unknown as a means of transport in Europe, minicars took off e Their convenience and economic qualities are now attracting attention in Japan as well Photography/Tomoya Takai Text/Christine Lavoie Gagnon (JQR Editorial Staff)
European Specification Cars
Zagato Volpe (Italy)
Volkswagen Nils (Germany)
Peel (Britain)
Renault Twizy (France)
Renault Twizy F1 Concept (France)
The three-wheeled electric car makes a comeback with EV specifications! It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a three-wheeled car, but ElecTrike Japan (Nakahara ward, Kawasaki) has developed the ElecTrike, a one-person three-wheel car that they have now started manufacturing. The ElecTrike is based on a car body made by Indian company Bajaj. Each rear wheel is driven by a separate motor which gives better stability on curves. A minimum turning radius of 2.0 m was achieved by having the wheels turn in opposite directions. The body weight was kept down to 420kg, making a load capacity of 150 kg achievable. Its convenience for making deliveries and as a means of short-distance transport is attracting attention. It can run for forty kilometers after six hours of recharging at 100V. The price is two million yen. http://www.e-tric.co.jp/
14
2013 Jun
JQR SPECIAL
MINICAR
asure of Using this Unique Car?
early as a simple and easy mode of getting about. l. Here’s the latest line-up. Going to the shops has never been such fun!
Japanese Specifications
Nissan New Mobility Concept
Maximum speed: 80 km/h
It may be a concept car, but it comes with the
Body weight: 470 kg
know-how of Nissan’s commercial partner Renault, and expectations are high for its release within the year. It was developed as a convenient and efficient means of transport over short
Length: 234 cm Width: 119 cm Height: 145 cm Maximum range: Approx. 100 km Charging time: Approx. 6 hours Battery type: Lithium ion Passengers: Two
distances for small number of passengers, and is suitable for the elderly and single-person households.
Honda Micro Commuter There is a good chance this concept car will be introduced within the year. The battery and other components are positioned under the floor and in
Maximum speed: 80 km/h Length: 250 cm Width: 125 cm Height: 144.5 cm Maximum range: Approx. 60 km Charging time: Around three hours Battery type: Lithium ion Passengers: Two
the rear of the car. The body and interior have been designed to be versatile for various users and purposes by concentrating driving functions into a compact space.
Toyota PCOM This model is already on the market, and is designed for private use. It was designed around the concept of making short trips to the shops and so on. Convenient and economic for short
Maximum speed: 60 km/h Length: 239.5 cm Width: 109.5 cm Height: 150 cm Car body weight: 410 kg Maximum range: Approx. 50 km Charging time: Around six hours Battery type: Lithium ion Passengers:One
journeys, such as solo shopping trips or commuting to work and school.
Maximum speed: 60 km/h
Toyota BCOM A commercial-use version of the PCOM. Expected to be used as a transport by builders and other contractors who make frequent deliveries and short journeys.
Length: 247.5 cm Width: 110.5 cm Height: 150 cm Car body weight: 400~420 kg Maximum range: Approx. 60 km Charging time: Around six hours Battery type: Lithium ion Passengers: One
2013 Jun
15
QR 1
Quality Review
KONAKA NEW ZEALAND WOOL Super 100's SHOWER CLEAN SUIT
Konaka Shower Clean Suit Photos: Noriyuki Kamio/Text: JQR
A washable suit that takes advantage of water-repellent wool, combined with quickdrying, anti-wrinkle technology. Summer is almost upon us again, a fun time of year for heading out to the mountains and the sea. But for workers commuting in the heat and humidity, the coming season can be a veritable hell. Despite the growing popularity of “cool biz,” if you work in a job requiring a jacket you know the misery index in the summer is sure to top 100%, and well before the end of the day, the non-stop perspiration is going to leave your shirt and even your jacket and pants looking pretty shabby. Shirts are one thing, but there’s no way you can send your suits out for cleaning every day. Keep wearing them, though, and eventually the odor will start to get to you. As its name suggests, the Shower Clean Suit first sold by Konaka in 2008 can be cleaned in the shower, easily washing away perspiration, dust and food stains. When we asked what kind of amazing technology was used to make this possible, Tatsushi Iwatani, the head
of the company’s Merchandise
breathable fabric that allows water
Headquarters, said, “It’s not that we
to run off, while also achieving a
invented or developed some
very light weight.
revolutionary new kind of wool. This
Further, to prevent the suit from
suit was the result of our going back
losing its shape, they treat the fabric
and focusing on the original
with Konaka’s Eco Super 3D
properties of the fabric.”
process, which uses L-cysteine, a
Up until then, so-called “washable”
natural amino acid, to ensure the
suits could be laundered at home,
slacks retain their sharp creases.
but because of the nature of the
This year, the fabric has evolved
material they were limited to
further, with new products utilizing
polyester, which lacks a premium
the finest New Zealand wool, noted
feel.
for its soft drape and finely detailed
Utilizing the inherent water-
coloring.
repellent property of wool fabric, and
This amazing suit, which can be
taking advantage of quick-drying,
hung up to dry right out of the
anti-wrinkle technology, Konaka
shower, is one item we hope every
created the Shower Clean Suit, a
businessman suffering in the heat of
suit that would dry overnight and
summer will add to his wardrobe.
need no ironing.
The Quest for a QuickDrying, Breathable Suit that Maintains its Sharp Creases The goal was a suit that could be washed under a warm shower, removing dust, dirt, pollen, and odors, then hung up to dry overnight without being wrung out. To accomplish this, Konaka weaves together a blend of water-soluble and wool threads, creating a quickdrying structure by removing the water-soluble threads in the finishing phase. This creates a highly
Inquiries: Konaka Customer Center ☎ 045-825-1111
16
2013 Jun
A warm shower is all that’s needed to wash the dirt away. Amazingly, dry by morning and wrinkle-free.
KONAKA NEW ZEALAND WOOL Supe 100's SHOWER CLEAN SUIT
The finely-woven mesh fabric is nearly sheer in back, with good ventilation that lets the heat out. New Zealand Wool Super 100’s Shower Clean Suit ￥45,000; Shirt ￥6,195; Necktie￥5,145
2013 Jun
17
apan J t u o b A Talking
Taste Testing Convenience Store Dessert
●
Hajri Mourad ／ Owner-chef of Tunisian restaurant L’Azure (Tunisia Patric Pachon ／ General manager of French restaurant Pachon ( Naoko Kanno ／ Food Coordinator (Japan)
を
そ
話 A Con
う
ith Foreig versation w
n Residen
ts
Convenience store shelves are always lined with a mouthwatering array of desserts, and every month new products get put to the test in this extremely competitive market. New desserts only have a week to prove themselves in trial sales, and those that don’t sell get taken off the shelves. We asked three people in the food business to give their independent opinions of the top-selling desserts. And the results…? Photos: Satoru Naito Text: JQR Editorial Staff
：I put together a selection of
when freshly made. But if you put them in
popular convenience store desserts for
bags and store them in the fridge, the
today. Makes you feel like a kid in a candy
moisture makes them go soft.
store, doesn’t it? ：Can we really eat all these? ：(laughs) Let’s start by tasting the cream puffs. ：Can we use our fingers? It tastes better that way. Arabian style. (laughs)
：Of course the ideal is crisp,
work out the desserts and variations. ：Do you ever take a look at what’s in convenience stores when you plan desserts?
crunchy pastry, with a soft, melt-in-yourmouth cream center. ：The Japanese probably have this idea that soft and fluffy means freshly made.
：We don’t have any convenience store pastry chefs in our restaurants (laughs), but of course we take note of what’s selling or what type of desserts are popular.
Crisp means that time has passed and
：Japanese customers are very
something is old. For example, bread served
attuned to detail, so convenience store
distinguished. Nice work!
restaurants is warm, but that’s only because
desserts are different to restaurant desserts.
ALL:(Everyone concentrates on eating)
it’s been heated up in the oven. It doesn’t
But if I buy a dessert in a convenience store
necessarily mean it’s fresh. But something
I will notice if it has a strawberry or
which convenience store you go to, the
that is warm and soft seems delicious.
chocolate sauce – that’s about the level of
cream puffs are always a good dessert
：You both manage restaurants… What kind of desserts do you serve?
it. I think that’s enough. If you served them in
：The pastry split is easily
：No doubt about it. Doesn’t matter
choice. You can tell the companies have really done their research in making them. ：Recently convenience store chains
：My restaurant is small so I can’t have a big range of cakes. Instead I have
a restaurant it would be bad for the image. That’s why I don’t do it. Though I’d like to try.
have gotten very particular about the
custard puddings. And because the food is
ingredients they select. Things like using
Tunisian, I sometimes make cakes with dried
add a few touches to a simple convenience
fresh milk from Hokkaido, or mixing their own
fruits, almonds and pistachios. If I’m asked
store dessert.
custard.
for a birthday cake, I send for one from the
JQR：Is that how good they are?
：This has whipped cream in it, more than that though, it’s sweet. ：About how much does a cream puff cost in France?
：That’s right. It would be good to
cake shop next door. Of course I tell the customer that (laughs). ：In my case the situation is
：Well, not all of them. It depends on the dessert. There’s a kind of standard flavor common to all convenience stores,
different for each of our restaurants. In the
with each just a little bit different. This one
main restaurant we have a tray and ask the
is a little sweeter, or this one has a bit more
convenience stores in France, but this is not
customers to select four desserts they would
cream… that kind of thing. But you won’t
much different to what’s sold in the
like. At the sister restaurant, Le Petit Bedon,
find anything that stands out far above the
supermarkets.
we have a wagon service with whole cakes
rest.
：Around 1.8 euros. There are no
：Pastry in France is crisp, isn’t it? ：Yes, it’s crisp. ：What do you think about this soft, fluffy pastry? ：I probably wouldn’t be able to make it. ：Cream puffs are always crisp
18
2013 Jun
for the customers to choose from. The bistro
：I remember starting to eat this
is Southern French cooking so we only serve
cream puff quite a few times, but never
southern French cakes, which can be
finishing it.
difficult. Plus the restaurants are all close to each other, so if we served the same kind of
：You don’t like it? ：It’s not that, it’s the amount. If it
dessert at each the customers would find
were a bit smaller, they might sell more. The
out. We have four pastry chefs who each
balance between amount and taste is
ts
a)
(France)
Taste Testing Convenience Store Desserts
Talking to foreign residents in Japan
Meet our iewees!!! rv three inte
Desserts tasted: Milky Cream Puff (S), Big Twin Cream Puff (L), Smooth Cream Puff (F), Chocolate Cookie Cream Puff (M), Orange-scented Almond Jelly (S), Square Custard Pudding Cake (L), Deep-Roasted Coffee Jelly (F), Mont Blanc Custard Pudding (M), Belgian Chocolate Parfait (M), Melt-in-the-Mouth Smooth Rich Cheesecake (S), Premium Swiss Roll (L), Premium Cream Cheese Mousse Cake (L), W-Cream Éclair (F), Concentrated Cheese Baked Cheesecake (F) ※ (S) 7-Eleven, (L) Lawson, (M) Ministop, (F) Family Mart
Naoko Kanno
Patric Pachon
Hajri Mourad
Food Coordinators Association Japan (FCAJ) certified food coordinator. Worked in menu development and product planning in the food industry then went to France. Stayed with a French family and learned home cooking while studying cooking and sweet-making at Ecole Ritz Escoffier and Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.
Born into the Pachon family, a large well-known family of restaurateurs working in France, Canada and Japan. Currently general manager of the old established Pachon restaurant in Tokyo. Restaurant Pachon TEL: 03-3476-5025
Owner-chef of Tunisian restaurant L’Azure. Reputedly the best Merguez sausage maker in Tokyo, he is inundated with orders from the French Embassy, amongst others. Restaurant L’Azure TEL: 03-3366-4004 2013 Jun
19
full. I like to eat sweets with my eyes, so add
didn’t think about anyone else. Just ate it
a bit of fruit or something and I’m happy. I
right there. (laughs)
would like this better if the appearance were
：How about in France?
improved. A Swiss roll is usually a log. It’s a
The Japanese think about the balance of
into portions.
sweetness, or bringing out the quality of the
：You’re right. This is a very popular
that’s not sweet, but for the French, if it’s
version of it. Limited period variations like
not sweet then it’s missing something. That’
strawberry or sakura to match the season
s why I think this sweet cupcake would sell
give it a special feel. But they never change
well. sweet combination. Something that’s not just
call stunning. No surprises, just what you’d
sweet, but has a bit of extra zing. There was
expect.
a time when salty desserts were popular
conservative, so they like it when they get what they expect. They’ve eaten Swiss rolls
– desserts with an accent that came from something other than sweetness. ：That’s the Japanese way, isn’t it?
before and know what they’re like, so they’re
In Japan you can eat food from around the
not disappointed.
world. The top level restaurants have a
：I sometimes buy a matcha
concept of the Japanese sense and palette.
taste is average there will be leftovers. I
flavored Swiss Roll and have it with green
If you go to France, French food is delicious,
have children so whenever I find a nice
tea. I don’t buy ordinary white Swiss rolls.
but not so much other kinds. In Tokyo
looking dessert at the convenience store I
：Japanese men in particular are
buy three or four to take home. Then I check
not very adventurous. Although they’re
the fridge next day when I get home. What
always coming up with new products…
do they eat everyday, what is leftover and so
：It’s usually women who latch on
especially, quality levels are high. ：I also think its incredible that you can eat a convenience store dessert as delicious as this for 150 yen. Convenience
on. If a dessert gets left for three or four
first. But they don’t stay with something for
stores have become like professional
days, I won’t buy it any more.
long. If the men don’t follow, then a product
competitors nowadays. Lunch at a restaurant
won’t take off.
might be 800 or 900 yen, but how much do
JQR：Is there something here that might be
you pay for a convenience store lunchbox?
popular in Tunisia?
Half that. Even if you add a coffee or
：Don’t men prefer large amounts? ：But amount and flavor are related, if you don’t think about both, good taste is meaningless.
：The cheesecake and cream puffs
dessert, it’s still cheaper than lunch at a
would probably sell. Before I was married I
restaurant. Convenience stores have lots of
used to live with my mother, father, brothers
people working on the food, but in a
and sisters. There were nine of us. When I
restaurant there’s only one – so even famous
popular product after cream puffs. But in
took them a packet of cream puffs they all
chefs can feel the pressure.
France you don’t see cheesecake much, do
got eaten up on the spot. With a normal cake
you?
they’d say things like, I’ll have it for
focused on quality coffee, so they’ve become
breakfast, or leave some for so-and-so, or
rivals to cake and coffee shops as well. If a
eat half at a time. But with cream puffs they
restaurant doesn’t serve really good food, it
：What shall we eat next? ：Let’s try the cheesecake. ：Cheesecake is the next most
：That’s right. The Japanese love cheesecake, don’t they. This cheesecake is delicious. A wonderful size and flavor. ：This cheesecake also looks very nice. I wish I could serve it in my restaurant. ：If you added a few touches and served it up no one would know. Not unless you told them. JQR：Cheesecake used to taste of plastic. ：Yes, it did. Even though the labels said fresh cream, it wasn’t 100% pure fresh cream. ：Yes, that’s right. If this were left unsold for a night it’d be taken off the shelf, wouldn’t it? ：Yes, it would. There’s strict inventory control of leftovers, so you can feel safe about what you eat. Another reason why it’s delicious. Would you like some of this Premium Swiss Roll? ：This is delicious, but a bit sad. It’ s just cream. Just one mouthful and I feel
20
：The Japanese rather like a salty-
：It’s delicious, but not what you’d
：I see. Japanese men are rather
important. Even if the amount is large, if the
ingredients, or will even make something
dessert, and every month there is a new
the price, which is amazing.
The three experts’ top scoring dessert was the Smooth Cream Puff (Family Mart).
：Cakes in France are really sweet.
shame it doesn’t look like a log when it’s cut
2013 Jun
：Recently they’ve also become
will lose out.
Taste Testing Convenience Store Desserts
ices! o h C t r e s s e D p The Panel’s To Belgian Chocolate Parfait (Ministop)
Premium Cream Cheese Mousse Cake (Lawson)
Concentrated Cheese Baked Cheesecake (Family Mart)
As delicious as any chocolate mousse
Superb balance between the
A rich taste of concentrated real
you might buy from a cake shop. The
cheese and the bottom layer of
cream cheese, just like the name
melt in your mouth taste of Belgian
cookie. Tastes even better with a
suggests. Leaves an impression.
chocolate is top-grade. Visual
coffee. If served with a sauce in
Has a very nice price of 130 yen.
presentation is fantastic too, with the
a restaurant no one would notice.
addition of nuts and puffed wheat so that you never get bored.
Real Belgian chocolate and a winning topping
So perfect I’d like to put one in my pocket.
Enjoy the taste of cookies once the cheese has melted.
2013 Jun
21
ds Ears mon wor d n a m s gh co r Eye Othe ight throu ins tural l u c r e ~ Int
Other Eyes and Ears
耳 異 異目 >>>
Vol.5
Breakfast at night
Seconded to the Saudi capital of
from Allah. As the most blessed month
classed as “heavy labor”, but
Riyadh while working for a trading
of the year, it is much anticipated.
Osunaarashi, originally a sportsman,
company, I got an appointment with a
The aforementioned market reopens at
has always adhered faithfully to his
client whose office was in the souk
sunset, extended families gathering at
religion's teachings on the matter of
(marketplace). Asked to “come at 11”, I
the shops to eat and drink (though no
Ramadan, and is said to be perfectly
duly turned up at 11 am on the day
alcohol, of course)in party-like fashion.
OK with the fasting, describing it as “all
arranged, only to find the shops all
In some cases, the festivities continue
part of the training”.
shuttered, and the souk deserted. What
through the night.
The end of Ramadan is a celebration to
on earth was going on, I wondered
Which means that the next day, people
rival Obon and New Year combined,
suspiciously. Later it transpired that I'd
are groggy from too much eating and
paid for by the wealthiest and most
actually been told to come at 11 pm.
not enough sleep. And because they
successful member of the family: a
The reason: my visit just happened to
eat much more than usual,
manifestation of the patriarchal nature
coincide with the month of Ramadan
paradoxically this month of fasting often
of Muslim society, and also perhaps a
according to the Islamic calendar.
becomes a month of expanding
form of social welfare: a way of
During Ramadan Muslims fast in the
waistlines.
redistributing income.
hours of daylight, eating nothing. The
Apparently some are sensibly exempted
You may think breakfast should be
most devout do not even swallow their
from the fasting requirement, including
eaten in the morning, but no, this
own saliva, preferring to spit all over
travelers, people performing heavy
“breaking of the fast” reaches its
the place.
manual labor, pregnant women, women
pinnacle at nighttime. Engaging in
According to the Koran, the Muslim
in labor, invalids, and children.
business talks in what was virtually the
holy book which sets out absolute
The remarkable Egyptian sumo wrestler
middle of the night gave me insight into
precepts for living, Ramadan is the
Osunaarashi is a Muslim. During
yet another way in which cultures can
sacred month in which the Prophet
Ramadan he refrains from eating during
differ.
Muhammad first received revelations
the day. I suppose sumo could be
HAMAJI Michio
International business consultant. Part-time lecturer at the Bunkyo University Faculty of International Studies. After graduating with a degree in economics from Keio University in 1965, studied at a foreign trade college before taking up a post in the Middle East in charge of oil for a trading company. At the age of forty-five, launched a new career in the information business and moved to New York. Following jobs at a translation company and Japanese-US communications firm, chose the path of self-employment in 2002. Set up the Saudi Arabian pavilion at the Aichi Expo. Has worked on a series of music videos on renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein. Japanese advisor to firms such as U.S. information systems company Cognizant and U.K. educational publisher Pearson.
2013 Jun
23
The next issue will be released on Saturday July 20, 2013.