Hello Kitty Ticket Scalper Arrested! Anal Retentive Police Completely Out of Hand

Here we go again. Just after I complained about the Japanese police for busting a bar in Roppongi for allowing, of all things, dancing after midnight, now the cops have gone off and have arrested a guy for selling tickets to Sanrio Puroland (Hello Kitty Fun Park). 

This just pisses me off to no end that the cops waste our tax money with idiocy like this. Don't they have any real criminals to chase?


Once again, the Super-publication of truth, justice and the Japanese way, the Tokyo Reporter has the story:

Yamaguchi-gumi gangster arrested for scalping Hello Kitty fun park tickets

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested Kao Iwata, a member of the Yamaguchi-gumi criminal organization, for attempting to resell complimentary tickets to the Sanrio Puroland theme park in Tokyo’s Tama City, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Dec. 6).

Here we go again with the "Yakuza crackdown on ticket sellers." And, once agin, my complaints of "Don't we have other, more important problems to deal with?"

At approximately 11:10 a.m. on Sunday, an undercover officer from the TMD heard the 46-year-old suspect soliciting customers for tickets to enter the park, which offers attractions and rides featuring popular characters from the Sanrio brand, such as Hello Kitty.

Oh! He went "Undercover"!? Wow! (cue: Mission Impossible music) 

Iwata was attempting to sell individual tickets for 2,500 yen each. He was arrested for violating anti-nuisance ordinances.

What nuisance? If it's a family of three, he tried to save them about $60! I would have bought them!

According to the Community Safety Department of the TMD, Iwata had 12 complimentary tickets in his possession. “I received the tickets from an acquaintance,” the suspect is quoted by police. “I have no income, and I thought this would be a way to support myself.”

How in the world does selling tickets to Hello Kitty World involve "Community Safety?" The guy didn't have a job. He had no income. Hell, for all we know he has a kid... You do what you have to do, right?

Here's the story on the Japanese evening news no less!

I've stated it before that the police are obstructing business. Jeez! Confirmed by  the news story this desperado had a grand total of 12 tickets that he was trying to pedal off for ¥2,500 each (about $32 each). 12 tickets x $32.00 comes to a whopping grand total of $384. 

Sanrio Puroland entry tickets sell for ¥4,400 each (about $56 each)... Hell, the guy hasn't a job and he's out to try to make a buck. So what? 

I'm sure the good folks at Sanrio Puroland don't like it, but I really wonder if this is worth it to us all to have to pay taxes and arrest this guy for doing what he has to do to make some cash so he can live and eat.

I wonder how much money it cost us to arrest him?

Of course, as usual, people will blast me and say that the Yakuza have to be cracked down on because of "Human Trafficking." I say, "Bullshit!" When we have a story about the police actually arresting Yaks for human trafficking, then I might not complain. But this after-hours dancing and scalping tickets as well as prostitution busts are nothing more than a waste of tax dollars.

Aressting people for victimless crimes is BS.

I say death penalty!


NOTE: Anecdotal evidence. My wife tells me that the scalper was selling free entry tickets. These tickets are passed out in huge volumes to shareholders of Sario stock at shareholder's meetings. According to her, the vast majority of people entering Sanrio Puroland on weekends enter with free tickets. Many of the people visiting on weekends get in with free tickets from the shareholders and the other huge block of people who are admitted for free get their tickets from renewing newspaper subscriptions. My wife claims that "there isn't a family in our neighborhood who hasn't gone to Sanrio Puroland for free, except us." She, nor I, have any intention of going there for free or not. If you consider that most people get in for free and this guy was trying to sell entry tickets for ¥2,500 maybe that explains why he doesn't have a job.

The Tokyo Reporter is, in my opinion, one of the best English language publications in Japan as they translate into English stories that appear in the standard Japanese weeklies. With Tokyo Reporter, you get the news that the Japanese people get and not some twisted (and often confused) foreign outlook.

Hot Young Female Japanese Actresses, Yakuza Gangsters, Sex and Japanese TV and Mass Media - This Post Has it All!!!

Japan's news has been in a tizzy about the Yakuza and all the scary and awful things that they do that the weekly magazines just can't get enough. Today's post has it all: Sexy young girls, actresses to be exact; prostitution, gambling, mafia, TV producers and shows, and other naughty bits.


Since April of 2011, the Japanese police have been obsessed with the activities of the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. This writer thinks it's a total farce and waste of hard-earned taxpayer monies chasing these guys around.

Yukie Kawamura - Japan's Hottest Young Actress? 

(and today's sexy Japanese girl cheesecake photo... 

After all what story about gambling, sex and mafia would be complete without one?)

What horrendous crimes are the Yakuza guilty of? Well, they are guilty of the terrible crimes of scalping tickets and prostitution. As far as the crime of ticketing (that's surely the most pressing problem we have today). Please refer to: Japan's Yakuza Mafia Faces a Crackdown:

Recent scandals over illegal gambling among sumo players and ringside VIP tickets for Japan's notorious yakuza gangsters have enveloped Japan's venerated sport of sumo and fascinated the public.

Lupin III - "Folk hero." Yakuza Japanese gangster. Cartoon star.
There's not a person in Japan who doesn't like this character. Kind of 
like a Robin Hood or Jesse James to the Japanese.

Then, another victimless mutually consented act of sex between two adults in the privacy of their own room please refer to: "Sex Services in Japan First to Get Back to Business After Earthquake." 

Even the horrifying death and devastation that struck northeastern Japan on March 11 could not suppress the human sex drive for long. Friday (June 10) reports that sex businesses were among the first to recover, many as soon as one week after the disaster.

“I was back at my job on March 18,” says Kitty-san, a 21-year-old employee of a delivery health (out-call sex service) service named Ainori in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. “From the day we reopened demand was even higher than it was before the disaster. Many customers had suffered from the catastrophe, and had even lost family members. They justified their urges, saying they 

‘sought psychological relief’ or ‘wanted to be consoled.’....

I applaud these businesses for getting back on track early and creating jobs for people. The economy needs it.

What people need to realize is that the Yakuza have been involved in the entertainment business in Japan for easily over 400 years. Here's two choice tidbits from Wikipedia:


"They are very prevalent in the Japanese media..."


"Despite uncertainty about the single origin of yakuza organizations, most modern yakuza derive from two classifications which emerged in the mid-Edo Period (1603 – 1868): tekiya, those who primarily peddled illicit, stolen or shoddy goods; and bakuto, those who were involved in or participated in gambling."

Now, once again, the Tokyo Reporter gives us a story that the - surprise! - Yakuza are involved in TV! Heavens! What will we ever do?  Here's the story from Tokyo Reporter. I have my commentary in between also.

Tokyo Reporter:

“Entertainment production companies are basically gangster front companies,” says a former television station manager. 


Well, yes and no. Some are. Actually I own a entertainment production company since 1992 and haven't seen any Yakuza around, so this blanket statement is not true (though sometimes I'd like to hire one!) I'm sure in any country there are shady businesses operating. And just what sort of hijinks are these folks guilty of?


“They’ll engage in the wining and dining of TV station producers,"


Wining and dining of prospective clients!? Well, no sh*t Sherlock. Wining and dining to get a client? Never heard of such a thing. This must be stopped! (Over flowing cynicism)


"... and offer gambling on the golf course and mahjong, in which the producers will be intentionally allowed to win big."


Hoo-hum. This writer's never been to Las Vegas? Nah. Letting someone win at a game of cards? Never!


"...Then they might be taken to high-end hostess clubs, operated by gangsters affiliated with the entertainment production company, in Ginza and Roppongi at no charge."


They might be taken to high-end hostess clubs, operated by gangsters affiliated with the production company?... At no charge"? Might!? What a bunch of losers! In any country in the world, it wouldn't be "might" if you wanted to land the big juicy contract, it would be "must." And what's this "No charge" business? Of course it's no charge. 


"Taken to a high-end hostess club"?! You can't be serious. That this BS is even an issue is ridiculous. No! It has never happened in the USA as was reported in the DC Madam case with thousands of Washington insiders who have never been prosecuted (but, you see, they are our masters not lowly peasantry like us) or on CNBC news.


The companies will also arrange parties with some hot, young female actresses. Invitations to soaplands also occur.”


Well, if they are young female actresses, they'd better be hot. And, for the uninitiated, soapland is sort of, how shall I say, er,... a "Disneyland for men,"... if you know what I mean.

As a result, the TV station producers will be influenced regarding the casting and structuring of upcoming programs. 


"Will be influenced"? Is that what they call it nowadays? They used to call it "blowjobs"...These are called, "perks" of the job for TV producers. They get these "perks" because they climbed the ladder for 30 some years.


But there is yet a potentially darker side, the magazine warns.


"Darker side?" Cue ominous music....

“TV employees at big stations frequent ‘members only’ clubs in Nishi Azabu that are managed by close associates of gangsters,” says a police investigator. “The network being built up within this community is a concern.”

Heavens! "Members only" What are we ever going to do?

Hot young, Japanese actress Yukie Kawamura gratuitous

cheesecake photo number two

Japan is up deep serious economic problems. We have debt at 229% of GDP. Total debt at 492% of GDP. A declining population which is destroying the savings rate and our productivity and these a*sholes in government and the police are concerned about ticket scalpers, hot young actresses, mutually consented sex between adults, a members only clubs?!

Well, okay. I admit, if I were a cop, I'd be interested in the hot young actresses too.

This reminds me of the opening to Leslie Neilsen's Police Squad TV show back in the early 1980's. The entire show is incredibly funny and absurd. In this clip, at around 3:48, Neilsen as Frank Drebin says:

"My name is Sgt. Frank Drebin detective lieutenant Police Squad a special detail of the police department. There'd been a recent wave of gorgeous fashion models found naked and unconscious in laundromats in the west side. Unfortunately, I was assigned to investigate hold-ups at neighborhood Credit Unions." 

Like I said, absurd and way too funny. Too bad the Japanese police aren't joking and are absolutely serious with this idiocy involving ticket scalping and hot baths with steamy young actresses. 

Why don't those clowns get a real job and, instead of obstructing business, do something positive to help the economy?


UPDATE: Confused people who think the state is here to protect us continually attack me for "defending" the Yakuza (these are the same people who hate drug laws yet they fail to make the connection - go figure). Anyway, to show that what the Yakuza are accused of doing is business as usual in the USA (and, in fact, not nearly as bad as the Yakuza do not bomb and kill children the world over 24/7) watch this:

 

Thanks to Tokyo Reporter!

Why I Don't Go To Concerts in Japan Anymore

This is an open-letter to music and concert promoters in Japan. I'm writing this for me, but you can be sure that there's lots of industry insiders who feel the same way I do (if they don't, they were brought up under rocks and households that didn't teach them any manners either, so forget 'em.)


Promoters of Japan, it's bullshit. It's bullshit how you handle "Guests" to your shows. I used to go to concerts all the time. But I stopped in 2005 or so. It doesn't seem that any promoters have the sense to think about why (or they don't care... That's fine too!) 


This post will be hard to understand for most people. But try, OK? This isn't completely and uniquely about the music business in Japan and concerts, per se, it's mostly about manners and common sense.


I have been a music industry professional for over 30 years. I have always produced and created Alternative and underground music shows. When new artists come out, I always play them first. When new artists come out and need a break, I always play them first in Japan. It's been this way since the mid-80's.


When artists needed a break and needed airplay, I gave it to them. Sometimes, rarely, these artists struggle and "make it" most just fade away.


When these artists come to Japan, I always get invited. I always get put on the "Guest List." I haven't paid to go to see a "Rock" concert in 30 years. The last time I remember paying to see a concert was a Jazz performance. 


I don't play Jazz music generally on my shows, so it is understandable that Jazz promoters would not treat me special. I don't "help" them.


It used to be that "Guest List" meant that you were a guest. Like in the word, "Guest" like G-U-E-S-T. That meant I could get into the concerts for free. I'd walk up to the door, say my name, and they'd let me in. I didn't have to pay any money.


Not anymore.


A few years ago, the venues and cheap-assed producers changed the rules. Now, when they ask me, or plead for me to go to a show, and tell me that I'm on the "Guest List" it costs me money.


Contradiction? Yeah. And that's why it's bullshit. And that's why I don't go to concerts anymore. Let me explain more.


Even though your name is put on the Guest List, in Japan, in the last 5 years or so, the claim is that the venue still charges for one drink. That one drink is usually ¥500 (about $6.00 USD). If you don't pay this ¥500 at the door, they won't let you in.


Get that? You are on the guest list, which means you get in free, but if you don't pay the fricking ¥500, upfront at the door, you can't get in. I don't get it. How could having to pay ¥500 be free? 


So much for being on the "Guest List."


It didn't used to be that way in Japan. I'll bet the foreign artists don't know this or they've been told, "It's the way things are done in Japan." Well, maybe it is, nowadays. But it didn't used to be that way. 


The first time I was "welcomed" to a concert this way was 4 or 5 years ago. I walked up to the venue and said I was on the Guest List. They checked and I was. I walked in. Soon the door attendants stopped me and said that I had to pay ¥500


I protested, "I'm on the Guest List!" They said that it didn't matter. I still had to pay ¥500 for one drink. I insisted that I wouldn't. I had never heard of such a thing. I insisted that I wouldn't pay. They insisted that I had to or I wouldn't be allowed entry. "Wow! I'm glad I'm on the Guest List! How warm and welcomed I feel." 


I was pissed off. Here's an artist whose music I played heavily for a few years and these clowns invite me as a guest, yet they want me to pay to enter!? What's wrong with this picture?


I turned around and walked out. 


¥500 (about $6 USD) is a paltry sum for sure. But this isn't about the money. It's about the principle. (I usually wind up with a drinking tab of over $50 anyway when I go to a show) so this isn't about the amount of money. ¥500? ¥5000? ¥50,000 it doesn't matter; it's the principle of the thing that matters. And that principle means means that "Guests" don't pay (unless, of course, you are running a hotel).


I didn't ask for any tickets to any shows. If I wanted them, I'd buy them. The promoters asked me to come, "as a guest" to a show. They asked me. I didn't ask them! Then they want me to pay money at the door? With the bullshit excuse that "it's the venue's rules"? No thanks. (I promote shows too. I know the venue doesn't decide this by themselves. It's a part of negotiations over venue rental price).


Think about that for a moment.


How about if the shoe were on the other foot? Say, your artist comes to the radio station and is a guest on my show. Can I charge you all ¥500 to get in at the door? No? Why not?


Oh, but I know that "your artist" is important to you - much more than I am of course and that's natural... As they make money for you... (OK. So let's even the tables: I don't play them anymore. You don't make money from their airplay or from my help selling their albums or their concert tickets anymore, agreed?) 


Or I start charging ¥500 at the door of the radio station to let you and your artist in... But! Aha! You can't trick me! You'll try to secretly pay for them at the door in order not to have the artist insulted (of course, who wouldn't be insulted?) But I will make that against the rules. Your artist will have to pay in person, from their own pocket, or they won't be allowed in. That's fair. 


So, this set-up, using the typical promoter's rationale and lack of common sense, seems a good deal. No? Why not?


You sure are hard to please. How about this option, then: If I have to pay ¥500 to get in to your show that you asked me to attend, then let's make it fair? How about I don't go to any shows at all and I don't play your label's music as favors anymore... That's fair. (And, actually, probably better for music in general and for everyone else.) Then, if I want to go see your artist, you sell me a ticket. If I want a drink, I'll buy one.


For my radio show that you guys always ask for support, on air plugs for your artist's shows, and for allowing your artist to be a guest on air (trust that there's lots of artists and labels who ask to be guests and we politely say, "No!") I can't charge you a measly ¥500 each to get in? Why not?


It's only ¥500 yen. No big deal, right?


At least, in the case of my radio show, I didn't ask your artist to be a guest on my show (it's a music show. Not an interview show. I don't really want any artists on it at all actually). If and when I do ask your favor to have your artist be a guest on my show, you can bet that your artist will treated as a guest and not be charged anything for entry... In fact, I always buy guests drinks.


Funny that. I always treat guests as if they were special! My, what a quaint and out-dated, old-fashioned notion! 


It seems doing favors for labels and promoters in Japan and being a "Guest" isn't a two-way street. 


So that's why I don't go to concerts anymore. 


NOTE: This is not an attack on any artists. I like the music of all artists I play. This is a complete attack on promoters.... On top of pissing me off about this pay at the door bullshit, they give me pressure to show up at the shows or give me shit after the show when I don't show up. Gee, it's wonderful feeling wanted and cared for.... How about used and bow-legged?


PS: I also think it's bullshit that the fans - the ticket-buyers, who buy tickets for entry, should have to be charged again when they arrive at the venue. People already pay exorbitant sums to go to concerts in Japan; sometimes paying $70 ~$80 (USD) or more for a show to see ONE artist and then the get hit for a ¥500 drink charge at the door? Nonsense! 


No wonder the music business in Japan is doing so poorly. It's run by idiots who don't know how to treat people (as in people with money who they need to make a living) properly. If they thought about it for half-a-second they'd realize that people don't like being treated like this. THAT'S why concert ticket sales are down!


UPDATE: Working at radio and promoting music (especially alternative music) is a low-paying crappy job (in spite of how cool people think it is)... So getting treated with the cheap-assed trick at a venue door is just like being kicked. My wife was just making fun of me about this article and saying that I might be perceived as acting like a bratty kid... If so, I don't intend that and I'm sorry for being, well, for being a bratty kid.