Tabloid Tokyo: 101 Tales of Sex, Crime and the Bizarre from Japan's Wild Weeklies

by Geoff Botting, Michael Hoffman, Ryann Connell

Each week, the authors of this book comb the varied weeklies that cascade from Japan's printing presses, pages brimming with blaring headlines and alluring stories. Their translations and interpretations of many of these tales--lurid, quirky and irreverent--have long been a staple on the pages of the country's English-language newspapers, and a big favorite of captivated readers.

TABLOID TOKYO is a selection of their best columns over the past four years. Inside are stories about sex, criminal shenanigans and scandal. Families--dysfunctional and otherwise--and the economy. Pets, fashion, trends and much, much more. As a picture of contemporary Japanese society, readers will find this collection often informative, sometimes shocking...but always entertaining.

Are the stories real? Well, Japanese readers believe so, in varying degrees. They turn to the weeklies to learn, not only the gossip and the frivolous, but also the items glossed over by the sober mainstream media. They look for kernels of truth in even the most outrageous sounding stories. They know that, after all, truth really is stranger than fiction--and often far more fun.


MEET SOME FASCINATING JAPANESE PEOPLE YOU WON'T FIND IN THE LAST SAMURAI OR MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA:

◘ A "diplomat" who bared her breasts to the North Koreans
◘ Men who fall in love with their latex companions
◘ Sushi chefs who replace the real thing with dubious fish
◘ Children who feed off their parents--long into adulthood
◘ An investigative reporter who predicted his own death
◘ Men who dress in lingerie under their business suits
◘ Ninja-stealthy sex molesters who target female commuters
◘ Compulsive shoppers who cram their small homes with goods
◘ Parents who dress up their children--like pets or dolls
◘ A rapist who targeted the suicidal via the web

Genres: Nonfiction, Japan, True Crime, Humor

255 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2005

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find this terribly tabloidy. Sure the title of each story was but the story itself wasn't. Some of the stories were quite interesting.

[Eskil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tacky og nasty, men sånn er det når man skriver en toalettbok med historier fra tabloidavisene. Underholdene i små doser, men man blir fort deprimert!

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The authors managed to make this book banal and disrespectful, of subject and reader. Cripes, I had to bail. I was looking for controversial cultural nuances, not this pap.

[my name is tony I like to make drawrings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. If you're interested in Japanese culture or just need something to give ya a smile or a good laugh. Gives you a little reality check to the stereotypical image that is projected by media of a traditional (some say backward), benign and naive Japan. I'm not sure if it's all true, but some truths are stranger than you might think in life.

[Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just don't foresee myself finishing this book anytime soon if ever. What I have read has not turned out to be that fascinating.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neither as wacky nor as funny as it thinks it is

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and hysterical insights into Japanese culture, quick and fun read.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

An uninteresting book. Short sections make it good for bathroom reading.

[Karol K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange events occur in Japan. Some funny, some sad and some just weird. Interesting read , but not for everyone.