For a nation which, to outsiders, looks as if it takes life very seriously, the Japanese can be gloriously eccentric.
Alongside an elevated section of the main freeway leading out of Tokyo to the North, there is a modern building with what looks like a huge golden chilli pepper on the roof.
On closer investigation, it turns out that this is the HQ of the Asahi Brewing Company.
Apparently, the various brewing companies in Japan fight with eachother like tigers for market share and, when the HQ building was designed, the Asahi board told the architect they wanted something on the roof which would demonstrate the company’s fighting spirit.
The suggestion which was accepted was that a representation of a flame would show the world the Samurai-style pugnacity of Asahi’s marketeers.
The gigantic flame was built, but the planning authorities ruled that, with Japan’s vulnerability to earthquakes, it would be dangerous to erect such a tall object on top of a building flanking a motorway.
Refusing to substitute the flame for a shorter symbol of Asahi’s warrior mentality, the board decided that the flame should still go on their roof but, instead of standing upright, it should be laid on its side.
So there it sits, this huge, golden structure looking like a chilli pepper, or a sea slug, puzzling everyone who drives from Narita airport to downtown Tokyo.
The Samurai spirit of Asahi, having a kip.
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