On reverse culture shock, phases kids go through in Japan, and all about Japanese TV

It's always fun being back in the U.S., because I get to experience that rarest of sensations, reverse culture shock, when things I see in my home country surprise me because of my years spent in Japan. Today I caught a radio ad for AM/PM Mini Mart whose message was essentially that we should all live the "good life" and treat ourselves to a candy bar today, and that "more is more, at AM/PM." It was similar to the commercials from Taco Bell promoting "fourthmeal," a meal between dinner and breakfast that supposedly we should all be eating. Advertising approaches like this probably wouldn't fly in Japan, a country where bottled unsweetened oolong or green tea is preferred three to one over Coca Cola and where, when given a choice between small and large cans of canned coffee that cost the same money, many will pick the smaller can because that's all the coffee they feel like drinking just now. Even though I'm a big American, when I go to Wendy's I'm content to get the smallest Frosty they sell, which is bigger than the large at Wendy's in Tokyo.

Raising kids in Japan is certainly an educational experience, and I've enjoyed watching my kids go through many phases in their lives so far. For my son, there was the fascination with Shinkansen trains that every Japanese boy goes through, and together we learned the names of all of them, from the blue and white Hikari that runs between Tokyo and Kyoto to the Tsubasa, the only bullet train that can run on normal tracks when needed. Around the age of eight he started his "bug phase," staying out for hours to catch beetles and keep them as pets -- his favorite was the Hercules Beetle, but I always liked the coloring of the classic scarabs. When Yu-Gi-Oh came along, my son turned his friends on to collecting the American cards, and they'd sit for hours comparing the differences between the Japanese and American versions. I wonder what his next phase will be? Television in Japan is quite different from the U.S. First and foremost, there are a lot fewer channels to choose from in Japan, although more and more choices come along every year. The majority of television is provided by the "big five" commercial networks, Fuji TV, TBS, TV Asahi, Nippon TV and TV Tokyo, which create the sports, news, "doramas" (what Japanese TV dramas are usually called by fans, due to how the word is pronounced in Japanese) and anime programming that everyone enjoys watching. Japan is slowly switching from analog to digital broadcasting, and there are satellite and cable options, too. The past decade has seen a lot of investment from American companies, resulting in choices like local versions of Cartoon Network, the Discovery Channel and CNN International, and the cable-only version of Fox has been a big success as Japanese TV fans get hooked on U.S. shows. Not all of these television imports from the States have been welcome: lately it's hard to flip channels without running into lame American infomercials dubbed into Japanese, advertising exercise devices and weight loss gimicks and whatever. All things considered, I could do without that little piece of home. J-List brings you many fun and wonderful products from Japan, including the super cute monster who happens to be the official mascot of Japan's public broadcasting network (NHK), Domo-kun. Today we've gotten in a cool new Domo-kin T-shirt for guys and girls, featuring an outlined version of our favorite monster. Check it out now! This month's "Game of the Month" is Tokimeki Check in! One of the most memorable titles from Peach Princess, this outstanding game puts you in the role of owner of a traditional hot springs inn, hosting beautiful women to come to take relax in the bath. The first true blockbuster bishoujo game to be ported to English, this game has it all -- gorgeous characters, a huge story with a mind-blowing 17 possible endings, music by I've Sound and more -- plus, it's a wholesome game that will teach you a little about Japan as it entertains you. One of the best dating-sim games ever translated, the game is available at a special price this month -- check it out now! Here are today's "really cool products" that I thought were especially noteworthy. Note: the J-List links below may be for adult products and should probably be considered "not safe for work." To see all the J-List products, check out J-List or the JBOX.com updated products link.

	Pent-Japan vol. 132 Mar. 2007. New issue of the Japanese version of Penthouse. It's interesting, with all-Japanese content.
	Asa-Yuma -- Yuma Asami. Gorgeous new photobook by Yuma-chan, a really lovely woman.
	Lifting of Nakadashi -- Mihiro. Mihiro is one of the true enigmas of the JAV world. Originally a model from Cream, if you remember back that far, shewas softcore only for a long time. She then shocked her fans by becoming a full fledged JAV actress. As a fan of her, I'm intrigued, and can't wait to get back to Japan and watch this newest offering ^_^
	Nintendo Classic Controller Golf Game -- Mario version. Super item for Mario fans. This looks like a lot of fun!
	Fun with Katakana ~ Sutekina Katakana. Enjoy learning katakana, the writing system for foreign loan words.
	Gush Mania EX ~ Danshi Ryo H. Great item for yaoi fans, with lots of great work by various artist.
	Cure vol. 41 Feb 2007. J-Rockers, here's a new issue of Cure for you, filled with color photos of Japan's rockingest bands.
	Comic AG Super Erotic Manga Anthology vol. 60. New issue of AG means another 80 pages of top quality "H" manga for you.
	Eroi Neko ~ Naughty Pussycat. Great manga about beautiful, massagable soft things.
	Tachikomans Tachi-Silver 1/24 Scale *Wave High Advanced Model* Tachikoma w/Daisuke Aramaki. New Tachikoma for collectors -- the first ever silver model released at this quality!
	Working Yukata ~ Japanese Traditional Working Suit ~ Samue/ Green . This is just too funky. A traditional "working kimono" used in many jobs.
	Spinning Light Pen . A handy pen with a light that's built in.
	Kanji Mug Cup ~ 'Kaze' (Wind) . Enjoy coffee and a little peace with this kanji coffee cup.
	KIDS Red Tatami Sandal with Hanabi/Fire Works Hanao ~ 19cm . New tatami sandals for the little ones.
	Odin from Final Fantasy lX ~ Final Fantasy Master Creatures 2. FF9 fans, here's a cool new monster that would look great displayed in your home or office.
	Chili Squid Pretz -- Soy Sauce Flavor. You say J-snacks are too boring, do you? Well try some of these!
	Domo-kun (Black Outline) - Girls' Fitted. New Domo-kun T-shirts for you today!
	Domo-kun (Three Circles) - Standard Men's. And here's the men's version. Domo!