There was a fair amount going on, on Sunday. Along with one of the mochi pounding spots in front of the Lotteria near the Yamakataya department store was also a Red Cross blood drive. Given that there's a strong cultural taboo in Japan regarding the spilling of blood, obtaining sufficient blood supplies for the victims of natural disasters here is an uphill battle.
There do seem to be a few donors this time, at least.
Politicians
Meanwhile, Amu Plaza had some kind of political speaker truck event going on in the space in front of the department store. Not a big crowd, but they were slightly vocal in their support of whatever was being said.
This appears to be Kiyohiko Toyama, a member of the House of Councillors in the National Diet, from the Komeito party, born and raised in Chiba (north of Tokyo). I didn't bother trying to listen to what he was saying, but the speakers were turned up really loud. I could hear him from 2 blocks away. Komeito was founded by members of the Nichiren Buddhist-influenced Soka Gakkai religious movement, and they're aligned with the ruling LDP party.
"This is the part where you're supposed to applaud me."
Thinking: "Which podunk backwater are we in, again?"
Marugoto Fair
Amu Plaza also had another of their "Comprehensive Products" fairs for Kagoshima, Hioki and southern Satsuma. Ceramics, green tea, mikan (small oranges), etc.
The Hioki foamhead mascot, and fan.
The stage event schedule was pretty disappointing this time. It ran from Saturday to Monday, but the majority of the events were just interviews with the shopkeepers, a "rock-paper-scissors" contest against the foamhead for regional prizes, a little performance dancing, and one accoustic guitar set by one of the female folk singers that I'm not a big fan of.
Here, the MC (Hikari) is interviewing a shopkeeper who is trying to promote a new brand of black vinegar in mini-bottles, or something.
"Please, tell me more..."
Some of the Hioki reps, plus the foamhead, preparing to start the rock-paper-scissors contest for the products on the table at the back of the stage. This was the one event that attracted the largest audience of the day.
"Next up, a bottle of orange juice. Try your best, everyone!"
Things get real (metaphysical) when the foamhead competes to give away a plushie version of himself.
Not really a fascinating day, but yeah, there was a lot going on.
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