When I get used to living Yangon, I have some leisure time these days. But I often witness strange and disappointing matters.

First of all, why do Myanmar people like Japanese words? When the rainy season comes, all umbrella ads come out on TV with great momentum. They are Yuki, Sakura, Yamasu, Nagoya and Asahi. Mitsuha, I think, is the ad of bags. Another is Yokohama, which sells bicycles.

Among them the most popular and famous ad is, as I think, Sakura. There is a kind of incense stick by the name of Sakura. The latest detergent also takes that name. Htet Htet Moe Oo, the most famous actress of ads in Myanmar, is merrily advertising "Cherry (Sakura) is the most popular in Japan". Although we have never heard of it in Japan, for local entrepreneurs saying "Japan-made seems to make their products status high. Japanese people can take pride of Myanmar people's impression on Toyota and Sony products. But ??. Let's go back to "Sakura".

These days, the hospital, which is becoming famous with great momentum is Sakura. The ten-storied building was built as a hotel but suddenly changed into a hospital. The owner is a very friendly Myanmar, I am sure. This hospital is in vogue nowadays. We can see it in movies very often. As far as I know, it appeared in the movies four times. While I went to hospital for two weeks in June last year for a headache, I happened to see shooting movie two times.

The tallest building opposite Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road is called Sakura Tower. There is an apartment residence for well-to-do foreigners who have to pay 1000-2000 US$ per month is also called Sakura. Moreover there is a teashop by the name of Sakura where longhaired girls wait in a bit doubtful environment. It is designed as a town in thirty years before and is romantic and fascinating. But the visitors who come to this shop are not very good.

Recently a drink called Oishi came out. In the ad of it, the most popular Htet Htet Moe Oo appeared in a kimono. A lovely actress by the name of Khine Thin Kyi, who takes No 2 place in TV commercials also put on a kimono in an incense stick ad. In both ads the kimono's right side is on. It is reverse position. That way of putting on a kimono is for the dead.

I feel very uneasy about that as Japanese. When I asked my Japanese friends about that nobody knew it so I had to neglect it.

And there is a thing, which takes the name Karate. But I have forgotten what it is. A German-Myanmar mixed beautiful model Thanda Hline starred in Fuji detergent ad.

Lately a lot of actress form modeling world acted in TV commercials. I think, as a man it is a good thing.

There is also a teashop by the name of Fuji. The Yangon University of Foreign Languages where I go to school situates it. And I often go there to drink coffee. A cup of coffee costs about 900 Ks. In an ordinary teashop it is only 20-30 Kyats. Curry rice renders Japanese taste. But if you have a serving of curry rice and a cup of coffee that comes to more than the salary of a teacher from a university. That is true, so only when I am left alone, I have to go stealthily to the shop.

Recently, Myanmar women began to take interest in cosmetic. So we can find cosmetic ads on TV. On the other hand, number of girls who apply traditional "Thanakha" is becoming less in the cities, I think. Cosmetic but you will get wrong if you think it is Japanese "Shiseido". But it is the brand "She shadow". In the ad of it, the most beautiful actress Nanda Hline and the most popular actor "Dwe" co-starred. That excellent and successful ad is broadcast often on TV. And the second one "D shadow" came out on the market. In this ad, Htet Htet Moe Oo, who is No 1 in TV commercials, acted competing Nanda Hline, the most beautiful girl under the sun. I don't know who will win.

The question "How long will the booming of using Japanese name in Myanmar go on?" is still in my thought.