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ALC Newsletter No. 065 08/01/07
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By the International Marketing Team at ALC Press
http://www.alc.co.jp/international
Contents:
1) The "Dear Readers" Column: Messages from the International Marketing Team at ALC Press
2) Trendy Japanese #21: Billy's Boot Camp
3) Quiz on Japan #4: "What color is considered taboo at wedding banquets?"
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Dear Readers,
Greetings from Tokyo!
As we mentioned in our Newsletter #62 issued on June 20<http://www.alc.co.jp/international/Newsletter/062.html>,
we launched a new website on July 20, specifically targetting young
Japanese people wishing to study English abroad. It is called "Gogaku-Ryugaku" (= Study English Abroad) Net and the URL is <http://www.gogaku-ryugaku.net/>. Our ESL advertisers are
all listed here.
We are going to strengthen this website through keyword
advertising and alliances with other organizations' websites.
Best wishes from the International Marketing Team at ALC Press.
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Trendy Japanese #21: Billy's Boot Camp
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Do you wish to communicate better with Japanese students and get
closer to them? Then remember these words and try to use them!
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Billy's Boot Camp
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It has been a while since "Billy's Boot Camp" became a huge hit in
Japan. Just in case you have no idea what this is, let me explain. It
is a special workout program available on DVD, invented by an
American fitness instructor and actor, Billy Blanks. If you follow the
DVD's and complete the 7-day workout program, you'll get into much
better shape ── according to the program.
Billy first became popular in the U.S. after he invented the Tae Bo
workout by combining dance moves and tae kwon do in the late 80's.
Billy's Boot Camp is one of his original workout programs, based on the
principles of basic military training. The Japanese version of the DVD
set was released in 2005. It gradually became popular through word
of mouth, and now it is a huge hit among many Japanese, who want to
be in better shape. A set of four DVD's cost about 15,000 yen (about
$125), so it is not inexpensive. But still, more than 200,000 sets are
said to have been shipped during May alone.
Why has Billy's Boot Camp become so popular among the Japanese?
First, as long as you have this DVD set, you won't need any other
equipment to do the exercise. The DVD says all you need for the
exercise is a space as small as one tatami mat. This is surely suitable
for most Japanese, who are known for living in small houses! Another
thing that motivates and encourages people is Billy's rhythmic shouts
── "One more set!" has become like a catchphrase among his
followers, even those who are normally not good at English.
Also, the fact that it is based on basic military training seems to
be another reason for its popularity. The act of buying the DVD set
and trying the workout is called "nyu-tai suru (joining the troops)" in
Japanese, and so people seem to have a sense of fellowship among
other people who are also trying to complete this tough workout
program. With teammates, under the instruction of an encouraging
leader, working on a challenging but rewarding task ── well, it sure
sounds like fun. And doesn’t it sound like a universal idea that can
be applied to other parts of our lives, such as studying and working?
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Quiz on Japan #4: "What color is considered taboo at wedding
banquets?"
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How much do you know about Japan? We'll give you a quiz in each
issue, so try to find the right answer!
［Answer to last week's quiz］
Last week's quiz question was "What do cat sculptures represent?"
The answer is: (a) To wish that there will be more and more
customers. This specific type of cat sculpture is called a "Maneki-
neko," or welcoming cat. The sculptures have their right or left hand
up around their ear, which is characteristic of cats, and they look as
if they are beckoning people into the store.
［Quiz for this week］
Quiz #4: In Japanese baseball games, some feverish fans have their
unique way of cheering for their favorite team. Among the four
alternatives below, which one is actually seen during the game?
(a) Fans swinging Darth Vader's lightsaber to the theme of Star Wars
(b) Fans wearing angel-like wings on their backs
(c) Fans holding them in the air, no matter what the weather is
(d) Fans blowing soap bubbles in the air
Check out the correct answer in the next issue!
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Thank you for reading!
*Back issues of the ALC Newsletter are available at:
http://www.alc.co.jp/international/Newsletter.html
*If you wish to be removed from this newsletter or change the e-mail
address to which it is sent, please let us know by e-mailing us at:
intl-mag@alc.co.jp
Publisher: ALC Press, Inc.
2-54-12 Eifuku, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-8611 Japan
Writers: The International Marketing Team at ALC Press / Ayako Ishimoto
Editor: The International Marketing Team at ALC Press
Copyright (c) 2007 ALC Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
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