Ippoippo

Sitting in the office.
Looking out, the weather is really nice.
God I wish I had my camera with me. Fancy taking a lunch time stroll to the Imperial Palace gardens and gettings a few pictures taken.

Ohh well. Maybe tomorrow.

Spotted an interesting story over at Japan Today during my lunch break.

In summary:

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Tuesday he will not wear a necktie or jacket during the summer and urged other cabinet members to follow suit, apparently taking an “environment friendly” stance.

Now, when I first read it, I thought it was a typical Koizumi story. The guy is like a Japanese Tony Blair. He became leader of his party because he was seen as young, different, and ‘at one with the people’. He meets and greets film stars etc etc.
Yet, policy wise, he hasn’t really achieved as much as promised, and is actually kind of war-mongering (but toned down a bit from Tony though, due to the Japanese constitution).

So, reading this story, I was thinking to myself, “What bullshit idea has he come up with now”.
But in retrospect its actually bloody sensible. Now, I admit I hate wearing a suit most of the time anyway (some occaisions though, I do), but it’s absolutely crazy wearing a suit in the really hot summer weather when you aren’t in meetings with customers. (Lucky for me, my office has no dress code when customers are not been met).

So, hopefully, less Japanese will keep wearing their stuffy suits and ties, and they can turn down the A/C a bit, saving on energy. Good idea!!!

Will anyone actually keep up this “dress-sensible” policy though… not a chance!

Well, looks like they got the forecast wrong.

Not the weather forecast though, the Cherry Blossom, uummmmm, “blooming forecast”.
I got thinking about it, and I suppose the nearest equivalent to it is when we have a White Christmas. So, we only have a Official White Christmas if snow falls on the Met. Office in London on Christmas Day. In Tokyo, the blossom opening is not Official until they have opened in the trees in Yasukuni Shrine.
So, for the previous two or three weeks, the Japanese Meteorological Agency was confidently reporting on the news that Blossoming does not start until 27th March (despite the fact we saw some Cherry Blossom in Ueno Park on Monday 21st……. but I digress).
Come the News on Sunday, all the reporters from the TV networks were filming the Met. Agency officials, only for them to announce that the opening is late!

Monday was rather wet, and today’s weather is not too great either so I’m guessing we still have no bloom.

Now what makes me chuckle is that the Cherry Blossom forecast bit at the end of the main weather forecast has now become rather vague and abrubt. Sort of like …..

….. with the weather getting cloudy at the Weekend. Now for the Cherry Blossom forecast. Umm, the Cherry Blossoms will open sometime this week.

Hmmmm, not so confident now are we!

This is one of the thing that’s fun about Japan. They have all these days where certainly seasonal events are predicted to happen…. then they seem so shocked when it’s a little bit off. We have the same with the first snow of the year, now the cherry blossom. I presume Rainy Season is meant to start on a specific day too!!
Maybe it’s because I’m British…. and so used to incorrect forecasts (”There will be no Storm tonight!!!” Copyright: Michael Fish) that I’m not suprised by all this.

Yuko starts her new job today. Situated a lot closer than her old one, and she allegedly will not be doing overtime work. Well, I most certainly don’t believe that promise they made to her, but as long they don’t overwork completely like the last job, then I’ll be happy.