Summer Wars

It was on my way back to Tokyo when this animation movie caught my attention at Gimpo Airport. When the movie came out to box offices earlier in Japan, I dismissed it is just another Japanese cartoon. Well, it turned out not. The film is added to my (short) DVD shopping list.

Summer Wars

Summer Wars is about family reunion, the history of samurai, (a bit futuristic) information technology, high school baseball, teenage love and so on.

Natsuki, a 18-year-old girl, asks Kenji to come to Ueda, Nagano (located in central Japan) with her to see her great grandmother and relatives, pretending to be her boyfriend. Although he wasn't used to such a huge family get-together, he starts to enjoy the time at Ueda.

But, everything becomes so different after he replied to a spam mail. Followed by ID thefts happening all over the world; computer-controlled systems of utilities and public transportation go into a panic. Then, Kenji, Natsuki and all the family members try to save the world...

Doesn't sound so exciting, does it? Unlike most of (non-cartoon) Japanese movies, however, the story isn't slow. As watching it, I burst into laughter so many times. And a bit of tear drops. Gosh, after all, I really wanna visit my grandma!


Shortly after back from Seoul, a news followed: a former Korean president's death. Kim Daejung, a Nobel peace prize winner, opened up Japanese pop culture coming into Korea. Thanks to him, the movie is in the theaters in Korea (I watched it after having come back to Tokyo though). I was also very delighted to see so many Korean names (perhaps for CG works) on the ending roll.

***

There is another "Summer War" this year in Japan. General election is held tomorrow. As predicted, will the Democratic Party of Japan defeat the post-war dynasty of the Liberal Democratic Party? Or will LDP survive accidentally? Can't leave TV tomorrow night. It's a D-day. Let's vote and see.

Korea Sparkling 2

Can't miss it!! Korean cuisine whenever I go to Seoul. I need a couple more stomachs, though.

Start with processed meat

부대찌개

Chicken
삼계탕 (参鶏湯)

Pork
삼겹살!!

and Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeefff!!!
Here come the king of meat, 생갈비♪

then dessert comes.

팥빙수 with water melon, kiwi and mango.

wanna some more at Dunkin Donut?

Or stop by spacious coffee shops here

콩다방

and there.

My most favorite time comes at Starbucks.

별다방

I prefer living in Seoul more than in Tokyo. First of all, Seoul has Dunkin and Coffee Bean but Tokyo has neither. Secondly, Coffee Bean and Starbucks in Seoul are so spacious that a single Starbucks in Seoul is as large as half a dozen stores in Tokyo combined at least. Last but least obviously, Korean foods are the BEST in the whole world!!!!!!!!!

Korea Sparkling

I usually just go visiting my family and friends in Korea. But, had some time for sightseeing Seoul this time and rediscovering "Soul of Asia" where history and cutting-edge technology meet.

Gyeongbokgung (경복궁, 景福宮), a Royal Palace,

has been my favorite place in Seoul.

Korean garden of a traditional Korean restaurant:

Wonder how the meals were? EXCELLENT.

Rivers Run Through Seoul.

Not only Han River but Cheonggyecheon (청계천, 清渓川).

Must be an oasis for all the business folks of the downtown.

Now the Stream became my new favorite spot.

Didn't know the tower has changed its name to N Seoul Tower

and renovated with beautiful LED lighting.

a view from the top of the tower

なでしこジャパン

なでしこジャパン。

とは言っても、スポーツ選手ではありません。

国際機関、国際協力の分野で活躍する日本人女性。

多いですよね。

日本社会で活躍の場が限られていた、国連や世銀で日本人女性を積極採用していることもあるのでしょうが、個人の信念、能力も秀でたものがあるのでしょう。

緒方貞子さん。現在はJICAの理事長ですが、まだUNHCRのトップだった頃、NYCで会った赤十字の人が、彼女をすごく尊敬していたのが強く印象に残っています。

世界銀行副総裁を務めた西水美恵子さん。昨夏、「貧困に立ち向かう仕事」に掲載されていた彼女のスピーチを読んで、涙が止まりませんでした。そして、先日は講演会&サイン会に行ってきました!!

昨年、世銀グループのMIGAトップに就任した小林いずみさん。今後の活躍が注目されます。

そして、瀬谷ルミ子さんや高嶋由美子さん。他にも現場で活躍する人もたくさんいますよね。私と同い年ぐらいの人も結構います。

そんななでしこジャパンを誇りに思い、尊敬します。そして、自分は今、何をしているんだろう、という焦りも。 一応男なので、なでしこジャパンの一員になりたい、というよりは、国際舞台で活躍する日本人の一人になりたい、ということですが（笑）。

昨日、録画しておいたNHKプロフェッショナルを観て、改めて感じました。（何ヶ月も前に録画していたのを今頃…（^^;））