EVENT: Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. Black Professionals in Tokyo, Cocktail Hour

This in from Sista in Tokyo (SIT):  For well over two years now, a group of black professionals in Tokyo has been getting together to connect, chill, and catchup on the first Friday of every month.  I’ve posted a few times about some of the more interesting discussions from our little shindig, but have not yet posted on the actual group.  So today, I figured it was about time I did so.

Tomorrow, our cocktail hour will be held at 57 restaurant in Ropppongi(located behind Tokyo Midtown).  Usually, our group includes around 7-12 attendees from various industries here in Tokyo.  It’s almost always predominately male, hence my reason for posting this announcement today :).  

I am extending a personal invitation to all SIT readers currently living in Tokyo (or visiting) to come out, kick back and enjoy a laugh or two and have a drink!  I have included details below.  Also, if you’re interested in keeping up with the goings on and other events happening, you are welcome to join our Black Professionals in Tokyo Group located an Ning.  You don’t have to currently reside in Tokyo to be a member– and you don’t even have to be black, just like being around black people :).

PM Aso to reporter, “Cut the B.S.!”

REPORTERS COVERING the prime minister of Japan are allowed to ask him questions every day in brief press conferences called burasagari, or “hanging on”, as in hanging on to a strap or a person’s shoulders.

The burasagari got its name from the practice of reporters “hanging on” to the prime minister every morning as he walked from his official residence to the Diet building and asking him questions. The press created problems as they hung on the man’s coattails by not watching where they were going, and sometimes photographers wound up stumbling and falling.

Prime Minister Koizumi ended the practice, either to protect them or the public. He resumed the daily informal press conferences in the official residence after the reporters promised to behave, however, and the name burasagari stuck.

For a taste of how the Japanese press conducts itself, here is a quick translation of a burasagari held earlier this week with Prime Minister Aso Taro. Before this exchange, Mr. Aso was asked and answered a few other questions about the six-party talks (and had to caution reporters not to include two different topics in the same question). The following accounts for about 80-90% of the press conference. The questions are italicized.