Some of the biggest changes in Japan over the years have taken place in the world of academia. Over 10 years, for example, my university classroom has changed from reserved, plain-dressed girls who used to hide behind their bangs to a group of miniskirted, sexy, breasty teens who wiggle and jiggle their "equipment" as they stride along in skyscraper heels and shriek into cell phones while at the same time curling their eyebrows. Every day I fear Cosmopolitan magazine is going to pop into my classroom and start snapping photos. And this, of course, is what my students are hoping for.
"No, no, she is not Britney Spears!" I would say about the little Britney look-alike in the front row wearing a low-waisted miniskirt and a cropped top to show off her pierced navel. But Cosmo would ignore me.
"No, no, that student is not Mariah Carey!" I would claim as my little Mariah, with the backless shirt affixed to her body with just a few strings, settled into the pouty-mouth position. But Cosmo would merely continue setting up those electric fans they use to make a model's hair blow back and her nipples protrude.