I just saw the funniest Japanese commercial

[Art_from_Ark]

It shows the back of a young Japanese man on his knees apologizing to his girlfriend. But his girlfriend snorts "You're lying! Kao wa jouji ni natteiru kara" This is a great pun in Japanese, because "jouji" can mean an "affair", so it seems like she is saying "You're lying-- your face says you're having an affiar!" Then we see that the boyfriend is wearing a George Bu$h mask! "Jouji" is also the Japanese pronunciation for "George" So she's actually saying "You're lying-- because your face has become George!" Too funny!

[berry]

1. Please don't stop there! What happens next?

It's hard to imagine her sticking around after that, but ads can be really weird. And whatever could they be advertising? Too bad it's probably not a product that is sold in the U.S. Not that it's conceivable that an advertiser here would go out on a limb like that, for fear of RW backlash. Besides being funny, that ad really is another measure of how widespread (around the world) that connection (Bush=liar) is.

Thanks for passing this on!

[Art_from_Ark]

2. What happens next

is that the camera pans to someone wearing a Michael Moore mask. It's a commercial for Fahrenheit 911.



By the way, this picture is from Micheal Moore's Japanese web site. It's interesting that "Dude, where's my country?" is translated in Japanese as "Hey, Bush, give us back the world!"

[berry]

3. Ah--then I *do* think it should be shown here.

The pun wouldn't travel into English of course, but the rest would. At least it would be a good little feature--maybe for Keith Olberman on MSNBC's Countdown. Do you get that in Japan? I'd be willing to send this to him, if you'd rather not (and if you wouldn't mind).

Also, I'm very fond of creative translations. This "sekai o kaese" is great. And true.

BTW, I've noticed you around for ages, but never introduced myself. I lived in Japan for 14 years and often miss it. I lived in Tokyo. Well, the 'burbs I guess--Kunitachi. Where are you? (do you mind my asking?)

[Art_from_Ark]

4. I checked my local cable listings

and found that MSNBC is not offered in my area-- although I can get all the "quality" programs I want from FOX, if I want to pay another 20 bucks a month :dunce:

I'm in the Tokyo area, too, but far enough out to make the commute into the city a real pain in the cheney. I've been here about as long as you were.:hi:

[berry]

5. Yeah, Tokyo's like that.

Friends in Chiba might as well have been in Kyoto. Well, it was cheaper to visit them, but not faster.

It's funny that you can get FOX there (not that you'd want to), because they don't offer it where I live now (not that I'm complaining). Olbermann on MSNBC often snipes at *BushCo so I watch it when I can. You didn't give me permission, but I assume you don't mind if I write and tell them about the ad. I'll PM you if I get a reply.

ja ne! :hi: