Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese Episode 1

Description: Justin arrives in Tokyo on a mission to learn more about the people and customs behind Japans often baffling image. Tokyo Japans hectic capital city is home to 13 million people but Justin readily admits that his perception of their culture is entirely caught up in clichs. I dont like robots I dont have an MP3 player and I hate manga he confesses. So I hope there is more to Japan than that.The Bristolian adventurers first port of call is one of Tokyos most fashionable hangouts the bustling Harajuku district. Every Sunday young people dressed in a range of outlandish theatrical costumes congregate in the area to promenade and socialise. To Justin Harajuku appears to be the perfect meeting ground for lovers. But translator Mai explains that the sexes often remain separate because increasing numbers of strong ambitious Japanese women have begun to view the male of the species as too foppish and effeminate.Justins next stop is a shop beloved by many of these men to whom the women disdainfully refer as herbivores. The store specialises in womens underwear made especially for male proportions. Justins portly physique causes much merriment among Mai and the manager who take it in turns to grope his chest. They feel nice like a girls the proprietor giggles before offering Justin a pink polka dot bra. The frills and the pink suit you he informs his baffled visitor. They match your face.After this strange experience Justin is determined to find out how Japanese singles go about attracting a partner. The intrepid host soon finds himself in a college that specialises in dating classes. Each lesson starts with a series of facial exercises designed to make the smile more attractive and Justin quickly becomes the star pupil. Justin youve been working very hard the teacher exclaims. Your face is red. Buoyed by the praise Justin heads to the front of the class to demonstrate his pulling technique. These people need to see British charm and sophistication in action he declares.Next Justin investigates the options available to frustrated singles for whom facial exercise does not cut the mustard. He finds himself in a love doll shop which stocks silicon and latex replicas of women. Justin is particularly unnerved when the proprietor offers him the chance to test one of his creations. The owner directs Justin to one of his best customers Mr Tabo a successful businessman who owns more than 100 dolls. As Justin surveys the strange landscape of Mr Tabos flat where almost every surface is covered in rubber dolls or dismembered parts of them he notices his hosts wedding ring. Im married to all of them Mr Tabo explains. I have given up on real marriage.In a bid to get the female perspective on Japans sexual subcultures Justin descends on one of Tokyos many host bars. At these venues women spend thousands of pounds a night to secure a date with an attractive young man and tonight Justin is on the menu. Justin gets a sleek new look from mentor Haruki before joining the team of preening hosts as they wait to be selected by a lucky lady. I suppose Im the chefs special Justin muses. But apparently you should never go for the special because its just the stuff theyre trying to get rid of. Business is booming for Justins colleagues but just as he works up the confidence to start touting for his own customers Haruki steps in to remind him that the punishment for poaching another hosts date is a shaved head. Will Justin end the night with his luscious locks intact?