Koko ga hen da yo, nihonjin
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese
TV show that was broadcast weekly from 1998 to 2002.
It consisted of two panels: One was a group of Japanese celebrities
notably consisting of Takeshi Kitano
, Konishiki, Rui Ramos, and Terry Itō. The other panel was a pool of 100 Japanese-speaking expatriates from around the world voicing, in Japanese, their grievances about their treatment in Japan. From this panel Zomahoun Idossou Rufin
or "Number 68" as he was called on the show because of his designated panel number, became a popular foreign celebrity due to his anger on a number of subjects that caused him to talk much faster than native Japanese speakers. The show was unique as it was a departure from the way foreigners are traditionally used on Japanese television that instead of being glorified non-talking set pieces, they could converse and articulate in conjunction with Japanese tarento
.
Another notable contributor to the show was German-born Christoph Neumann who later released his book "Darum nerven Japaner" (Why Japanese Are Annoying) both in German and Japanese. In Japan, it was published under the title "Iketenai Nippon - Nihonjin no honto no tokoro".
The show was also a jumpboard for several of the regular Japanese panelists; at least three of them later pursued successful careers as politicians:
- Mizuho Fukushima
, head of the SDP and current Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety, Social Affairs, and Gender Equality
- Hideo Higashikokubaru, current governor of Miyazaki Prefecture
, and
- Yōichi Masuzoe
, former Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (from 2007 to 2009)
Culture of Japan
The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...
TV show that was broadcast weekly from 1998 to 2002.
It consisted of two panels: One was a group of Japanese celebrities
Tarento
is a Japanese rendering of the English word "talent" and is used as a catch-all term for mass media personalities who regularly appear on television. Detractors of the phenomenon have referred to it in an English sense as "famous just for being famous" because many that fall into this career line...
notably consisting of Takeshi Kitano
Takeshi Kitano
is a Japanese filmmaker, comedian, singer, actor, film editor, presenter, screenwriter, author, poet, painter, and one-time video game designer who has received critical acclaim, both in his native Japan and abroad, for his highly idiosyncratic cinematic work. The famed Japanese film critic...
, Konishiki, Rui Ramos, and Terry Itō. The other panel was a pool of 100 Japanese-speaking expatriates from around the world voicing, in Japanese, their grievances about their treatment in Japan. From this panel Zomahoun Idossou Rufin
Zomahoun Idossou Rufin
Zomahoun Idossou Rufin , popularly known as Zomahon , is a Beninese foreign personality in Japan....
or "Number 68" as he was called on the show because of his designated panel number, became a popular foreign celebrity due to his anger on a number of subjects that caused him to talk much faster than native Japanese speakers. The show was unique as it was a departure from the way foreigners are traditionally used on Japanese television that instead of being glorified non-talking set pieces, they could converse and articulate in conjunction with Japanese tarento
Tarento
is a Japanese rendering of the English word "talent" and is used as a catch-all term for mass media personalities who regularly appear on television. Detractors of the phenomenon have referred to it in an English sense as "famous just for being famous" because many that fall into this career line...
.
Another notable contributor to the show was German-born Christoph Neumann who later released his book "Darum nerven Japaner" (Why Japanese Are Annoying) both in German and Japanese. In Japan, it was published under the title "Iketenai Nippon - Nihonjin no honto no tokoro".
The show was also a jumpboard for several of the regular Japanese panelists; at least three of them later pursued successful careers as politicians:
- Mizuho Fukushima
Mizuho Fukushima
is a Japanese politician. She has been a member of the House of Councillors since 1998, was re-elected in 2004 and 2010,and is the current chair of the Social Democratic Party of Japan, a position she has held since 2003....
, head of the SDP and current Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety, Social Affairs, and Gender Equality
- Hideo Higashikokubaru, current governor of Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
, and
- Yōichi Masuzoe
Yoichi Masuzoe
is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Councillors who was Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare from 2007 to 2009. He is also a well-known face on Japanese TV shows.- Career :...
, former Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (from 2007 to 2009)