The other day I went to buy a bicycle. (Random aside, in Japanese the English word “bike” always refers to a motorcycle, and I’ve lived in Japan so long that my brain becomes uncomfortable thinking of the pedaled version using that word.) For some odd reason, many bicycles sold in Japan have famous foreign brands printed on the sides, making it possible to buy your very own Hummer® branded bicycle, or one with the Jeep® or Chevrolet® logo on it, or even Ford Mustang® if you like. They have European luxury bicycles, too, like BMW and even a Jaguar bicycle with a chromed plastic jaguar attached to the front, just like the cars. If you’re a collector of Zippo® lighters, you can add to your collection by getting an authentically licensed Zippo® bicycle, and many Japanese like to experience the great outdoors by riding a Coleman® bicycle around on weekends. The reason Western brands help sell products is the sense among Japanese consumers that things from America and Europe are kakko ii (good style, cool). So they would think the brands around this awesome girl are “cool” but most Westerners I know would be focusong on the awesomeness of the girl.
You can buy a Zippo brand bicycle in Japan.
