The Delight Factory

Written by: adekun on 1 February, 2009 11:48 pm - Filed under: blog

I left the UK around the time the announcement to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces was made. Despite an expectation that Japan would have a differing stance, I was astonished to see the national volleyball team sporting the logo of a tobacco company. That has got to surpass McDonalds and Coca-Cola at the Olympics. Most developed countries have laws to prevent sports tobacco advertising. Why is Japan different? Well, the Ministry of Finance still retains a 50% stake in the diversifying corporation. Despite the poison dumplings Japan Tobacco is a model company.

At JT, we want to make society and people’s lifestyles more relaxed and more abundant. We want to go on creating unique delight that only JT can offer.

A great deal of money has been invested to offer the smoker clever behavioural pointers. It is called “Smokers Style” part of their Manners campaign. Whatever the underlying reason, I certainly welcome it. Here’s a few graphics off their website that make up the stickers, posters, adverts etc.

Coming from the company that bought the rights to a potential lung vaccine, I find the latest ploy a bit rich.
A litter hunt schedule is drawn up and the troop set up shop around the country. The public is encouraged to join in (press ganged?). Branded bags and tongs are given to the children so they can go around and collect cigarette butts. Talk about “from cradle to grave”. There was even a couple of gaijin speaking Japanese badly in the advert; how cutting edge.
I’m turning into a cynical old man, but how can people lap this up?