
It’s not every day that an enormous blonde-haired bear of a man comes to your school, agrees to play a quick game of rugby with you and then proceeds to knock you on your 10-year-old arse rather than let you win the ball.
But then, it’s not every day that London mayor Boris Johnson is visiting Japan…
“Hey, your mayor’s in Japan!” an American friend of mine said to me via Facebook message earlier this week.
“I’m not from London, and that man is nothing to do with me, I promise you,” I replied, awaiting something awful.
“Whatever. Here he is speaking Japanese lol.”
After retrieving my eyeballs from deep inside my skull following a cringe so violent I thought I might never see again, I got to wondering what ol’ Boris, the London mayor whose gaffes routinely make the headlines in my homeland, would get up to during his four-day sojourn in Japan.
“He’s probably going to be in meetings all day;” I told to myself as I read more about the purpose of Boris’ visit, “what harm could he possibly do?”
Well…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYZ-Aidn8oo
It turns out that, what with the two nations I have at various points in my life called home currently buzzing about the Rugby World Cup and Japan’s dazzling display on the pitch, London’s lovable/lunatic mayor agreed to take part in a small “street rugby” tournament a group of elementary school kids were having earlier today.
Little did the children, know, however, that the mayor was quite the experienced sportsman and, in true British style and wanting to ensure that the kids grew up knowing that life is awful and full of hardships, resolved to knock one 10-year-old boy to the ground rather than lose the ball in front of parents and reporters.
The boy, named in reports as one Toki Sekiguchi, was seemingly unhurt following the tackle and, once he’d put his little cap back on his head, was quick to dust himself off. All the same, I have a feeling any foreign language teachers visiting Toki’s school from now on are going to have a heck of a job coaxing any English out of him…
▼ “Yes! I am king! Soon I will rule all of Great Britain!”
▼ “Haha, Mr Boris. I’m going tackle you!”
▼ “I don’t think so, son…”
Cringe…
H/T Twitter/Mashable
Featured/insert images: YouTube/Inferno Productions




Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
The new product for all Japanese men who wish they were little girls
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
These creative, fanciful post boxes from Japan will delight you in so many ways【Photos】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
The new product for all Japanese men who wish they were little girls
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
These creative, fanciful post boxes from Japan will delight you in so many ways【Photos】
Starbucks unveils new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino in Japan
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Put down the soy sauce! We try a new “expert” way to season your sushi【Taste test】
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Shikadamari: The Nara deer summer gathering phenomenon that baffles visitors every year
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Starbucks unveils new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino in Japan
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Put down the soy sauce! We try a new “expert” way to season your sushi【Taste test】
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Shikadamari: The Nara deer summer gathering phenomenon that baffles visitors every year
The importance of “aisatsu”: Why people shout “Good morning!” in Japanese offices
Donations pouring in from foreign Uma Musume fans for Japan’s real-life loveable loser racehorse
Coming of Age Ceremonies in Tokyo changing form due to COVID-19 State of Emergency
Iron flavoured traditional Japanese candy is a thing, and you bet we tried it
Pokémon Eevee evolves into Japanese convenience store sweets with exclusive merch giveaway【Pics】
Station of despair: What to do if you get stuck at the end of Tokyo’s Chuo Rapid Line
Japanese vending machine mecca: Around 100 rare retro machines await you at this unusual location
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2018】Celebrate the Year of the Dog with Village Vanguard’s “Cat Lucky Bag 2”
Leave a Reply