Economist.com Cities Guide: Tokyo Briefing - June 2005

News this month

Dressing down

A dark suit, white shirt and unadventurous necktie have been de rigueur for generations of Japanese salary men and government employees. But this summer the government is asking them to ditch their suits in a bid to conserve energy. The campaign to use less air-conditioning is part of a plan by Junichiro Koizumi, Japan's prime minister, to cut electricity usage and reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gases.

By government decree, thermostats in public buildings are to be set no lower than 28º C from June 1st until September. To encourage hierarchy-conscious businessmen and government workers to adopt the casual look, Mr Koizumi promised that he and his cabinet members will shed suits and ties this summer for all but the most official functions. A newspaper advertisement of the policy has him pictured in a short-sleeved shirt. The environment ministry has plans for a fashion show called “Cool Biz Collection”—featuring Hiroshi Okuda, chairman of Toyota Motor—to show salary men how to cope with the change.

A rock gets conquered

In a move that seemed designed to irritate China, Tokyo’s nationalistic governor, Shintaro Ishihara, visited a rocky Pacific outcrop that lies at the centre of a territorial dispute between Japan and its vast neighbour. The governor raised a Japanese flag on the tiny island, known in Japan as Okinotori, and released fish into the nearby waters in what he said was the beginning of a fishery operation. Mr Ishihara also donned snorkelling gear and jumped in the sea for a look at the nearby reefs.

Japan says Okinotori is the southernmost part of its territory, and claims exclusive rights to the oil and other undersea natural resources within 200 nautical miles of its shores. China disputes this, arguing that Okinotori is too small to be considered an island. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which administers the territory, is considering a plan to build a thermal energy power plant on the nearby reef.

Catching a chill

Anti-Japan rallies that broke out in China earlier this year may do more than strain diplomatic ties between the two countries. A recent survey by a Tokyo research firm found that most firms polled worry that the demonstrations will hurt the Japanese economy. More than a third said they’re reconsidering plans to invest in China. In the nationwide survey of 10,535 companies, 80% said they were very or somewhat worried that souring relations with China would have a negative impact on the Japanese economy, according to the Teikoku Databank, a research firm. Of 848 firms that said they had been planning to invest in China, 36% responded that they are now reconsidering.

Leaving the gilded cage

A date has been set for the wedding between Princess Sayako, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito, and Yoshiki Kuroda, a 40-year-old urban planner. In November, the 36-year-old princess will marry in a Shinto ceremony at Tokyo's Imperial Hotel, appropriately. As the first Japanese princess to marry outside the royal family since 1960, Ms Sayako is understandably nervous about adapting to life as a commoner (her marriage compels her to forfeit her title and leave the imperial palace). To prepare for life on the outside, the princess has been learning to drive around the palace grounds. She and Mr Kuroda were childhood playmates, and were reunited several years ago at a palace tennis party.

A shrine to controversy

Every year on August 15th (the anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the second world war), leading politicians pay homage to the dead at Yasukuni, a Shinto shrine north-west of the imperial palace. Their pilgrimage provokes outrage, especially from Koreans and Chinese, who claim the shrine promotes Japanese nationalism. Mr Koizumi has visited Yasukuni every year since taking office in 2001. He has not said if he will visit this year.

In May, Wu Yi, China's vice-premier, cancelled a meeting with Mr Koizumi and cut short her visit to Japan by a day after the Japanese prime minister refused to rule out a repeat appearance at the shrine. The visits are not particular popular at home, either. A poll by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper found that 49% of Japanese say the visits should stop, while 39% say they should continue.

Catch if you can

June 2005

Yasumasa Morimura: “Los Nuevos Caprichos”

Until July 2nd 2005

Yasumasa Morimura, a leading Japanese contemporary artist, is renowned for superimposing his own portrait on to iconic images of old masters and movie stars. This talent for subversion has won him international acclaim and quite a bit of scepticism. One of his biggest fans is Shugo Satani, the owner of Shugoarts, an independent gallery in Tokyo.

In this exhibition, Mr Morimura turns his attentions to Francisco Goya—specifically “Los Caprichos”, a series of satirical and lurid etchings produced by the Spanish painter in the late-18th century. Using photography and film, the artist produces his own interpretations of Goya's etchings.

Shugoarts, Shinkawa 1-31-6, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo. Tel: +81 (03) 5542-3468. Taxi from Tokyo Station. Open: Tues-Sat llam-7pm. The gallery's website (in English and Japanese) publishes a full programme.

More from the Tokyo cultural calendar