Understanding Tokyo vs. Rural Life through Power Rangers

The relationship between the various regions of Japan and the capital city of Tokyo -- which is really like a prefecture itself, divided into 23 sections similar to New York's boroughs -- is a complex one that's interesting to observe through the eyes of an outsider. J-List is based in Gunma, in the exact center of the main island of Honshu, far from the sea, which can make it difficult to find really fresh sushi. We're about 100 km north of Tokyo, and people living here consider themselves to be culturally close to Japan's capital, although Tokyoites might snicker at the quaintness of this idea. Tokyo, of course, is the "Mecca" of all business and commerce in Japan, a sprawling megacity of 35 million if you add up the neighboring cities of Kawasaki and Yokohama, and there's much to offer people and companies based there. Rural regions of the country, on the other hand, work hard to point out the many benefits of life in a smaller city, from the lower cost of living to the higher quality of life and "vibrant greenery" in order to try to get Tokyoites to consider doing a "U-turn," the term for leaving Tokyo and settling in a more rural area. A talent agency based in our prefecture has come up with an innovative way to promote life here, creating a Power Rangers-style team called Super Speed Warriors G-FIVE, who put on shows for kids in which they battle evil minions and talk about how great life in Gunma is. The members are named after famous mountains in our prefecture -- Akagi Red, Haruna Yellow, etc. -- and they participate in a wide range of public services, including working with local police to help educate people about public safety and how to avoid common types of fraud.