re: that last comment regarding the Kasai photobook. It was controversial in Japan - very much so! There was an enormous backlash and they issued apologies and ended up stopping sales competely (to my knowledge at least). Also, there is nothing in "Japanese culture" that explains this. It is just the shock value and titilation common to entertainment worlds I guess.

(I got a few comments resembling this one, but this is the most complete.)

I somehow totally missed that the photobook got pulled (I accomplished this by not reading anything on the page that’s linked, haaaa), so I assumed it was deemed appropriate.  Thanks to everyone for the correction.

Also, I recognize that my comments re: Kasai and the photobook were problematic (at best), and I do apologize.  I try not to do things like that since I’m in no position to speak about things outside my worldview.  But I forgot myself; I’ll do my best not to let it happen again.

Anyway, regarding the photobook, I’ll scan in the pics with the baby where Ayaka’s just hanging out with him being adorable.  Because he is seriously a super adorable baby.

Thanks to everyone who wrote in!