Sales of calendars featuring Russian leader Vladimir Putin are outstripping all others in Japan
- Young women appear to be the ones driving demand, though quite why the Russian leader is so appealing remains somewhat of a mystery
- Putin’s popularity has knocked home-grown acting star Kei Tanaka into second place, followed by Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu
With the end of December fast approaching, calendars are flying off the shelves of Japan’s stationery stores. But instead of the pop stars, Hollywood heartthrobs, fluffy kittens and puppies of yesteryear, the calendar shaping up to be 2019’s most popular features a very different kind of pin-up.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is the star of the calendars selling more than any other, according to popular variety store Loft. Online retailers such as Amazon Japan are reporting a similar fascination with the Russian leader, who appears in various macho poses or looking thoughtful and statesmanlike.
Young women appear to be the ones driving demand, a spokesman for Loft told the Weekly Post news magazine, yet why this should be is somewhat of a mystery.
“I can only guess that he appears to Japanese women to be more manly than the average Japanese politician, that he is somehow seen as exotic, a powerful man who is physically different to what they see on a daily basis,” said Robert Dujarric, a professor of international relations at the Tokyo campus of Temple University.
“We know that it is rare for Japanese men to show off their muscles because that’s just not part of the style here, it’s not part of the identity of Japanese men, so maybe a man who is happy to appear bare-chested is appealing.”