Because Japanese newspapers spent most of the month of April crisscrossed with redundant reports, commentary and photography on the Wahabbist-Khomeinist-Ba'athist disruption in Iraq — including the chalkboard-raking spectacle of family members of so-called "human rights activists" and random protesters blaming the Allies for the kidnappings and violence of the very thugs whom said activists indirectly absolved in their crusade to keep Iraq dangerous, poor and undemocratic — the Mainichi Shimbun's Photojoural pages have been below uBlog standards. Now that the weeks of handwringing have passed, the general public is again treated to slices of life on the greatest island democracy that almost never was.
This is Peko-Chan, trademark for the Fujiya Confectionery Company; and as streetcorner mascot a prime candidate for highly portable, collectable kitsch. Her kidnappings are a sort of urban tradition. Elias Brothers, know that you are not alone. (Or for that matter, Big Boy. Hey, Peko, do I know a fella for you. Hardworking. Good cook. Er, what do you think of pompadours? )