autumn skin maintenance

For women in Japan, autumn is the time of year when the effects of air-conditioning and the summer sun's harmful rays have begun to affect their bodies and skin noticeably in the form of skin tightness and discolouration.

To help avoid these problems Japanese women exfoliate regularly to encourage new skin growth and use treatments to nourish and rejuvenate.

Japan's "white-beauty" (bihaku) products are renowned for their moisturising properties and helping blemished and freckled skin regain brightness and clarity.

Autumn is a time to repair the damage of summer and prepare for the drying effects of winter. Different produce available in supermarkets means dietary changes as well, so this is an ideal time for women's bodies and skin to recover and re-charge.

Text & photograph courtesy of Shiseido Australia
http://www.shiseido.co.jp/e/index.htm

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Rajio Exercises

Refers to a range of callisthenic exercises performed to music that Japanese people have commonly practised since the system was introduced in 1928. The system's full name is National Health Exercises and was founded by the Ministry of Communication's Post Office-based life insurance department of the time to promote good health among the general populace. Radio exercises are so prevalent it would not be an exaggeration to say that almost every Japanese person knows or has practised it at some stage and is familiar with its accompanying music.

Performed in time with radio broadcast piano music, the exercises are intended to provide an overall body workout, promote good circulation and posture, increase flexibility and help avoid obesity. Many schools, companies, villages, towns and cities all over Japan practice radio exercises.

The first radio exercise session of the day is played for 10 minutes on Japan domestic AM band from 6:30am. Different sessions with various tempos and set movements are played throughout the day at 8:40am, noon and 3pm. Japan's broadcasting corporation NHK also runs a television version four times a day called "Minna no Taiso" (Exercises for Everybody).

Neighbourhood associations and residential groups also rise early in the morning during school summer holidays to hold radio exercise sessions for schoolchildren which occasionally feature prizes for perfect attendance.