Anne chosen as Tokyo Metro poster girl

Tokyo Metro system not only serves as the lifeblood public transportation, but also the unique characteristic of Tokyo's daily life.

They can use it right next to the poster showing a woman carrying a bag in that way and telling not to do that as it causes inconvenience to other passengers.

What?! No question about her thoughts on marriage and kids? Shocking!

Godan, they were too busy trying to discover her last name. :-)

Those guys on the right of the poster look like they're goose-stepping.

Bring back Miyazaki Aoi!

Why does the metro need advertising at all? People would go everywhere by taxi if there weren't ad campaigns? Waste of money.

@Fadamor - LOL! @Ivan - Couldn't agree more! Guess someone's got money to waste. Must be nice.

...just marvelously beautiful. Japanese women are adorable.

Ivan, when the earthquake hit, did the trains stop underground? If so they may have seen a drop in ridership while all the aftershocks rumble-on.

Bring back Miyazaki Aoi!

Amen. Aragaki Yui just wasn't the same.

Why does the metro need advertising at all? People would go everywhere by taxi if there weren't ad campaigns? Waste of money.

Ivan -- agree. I thought we were in a time of austerity/belt-tightening. Instead the Metro spends a few hundred million of the yen they are saving by not running as many trains/escalators, turning off lights, etc. on this silliness. Is this why I am being caused more inconvenience? Does anytone there think or do thye simply do what Dentsu tells them?

her Dad is Ken Watanabe,,,,very coool

“I’ve used the metro from kindergarten until now

"And from now it's strictly limos, baby!"

A night dancing on the town?

Hope the club finishes early, before the last train, or she will be getting a taxi home!

Yes, her father is Ken Watanabe, so her full name is Anne Watanabe. The mononym Anne is used in her modeling work and other public appearances. Her mom and Ken are divorced, so maybe the single name is meant to show her independence from a famous parent or indicates difficulty accepting Ken's remarriage in 2005. Does anyone on here know for certain?

The best detail about her on wikipedia is that she is "a well known rekijo (history girl)--a female history otaku." I think this means she is a girl who likes history, not someone who specializes in the history of women. She also appears on a late night TV program reading and discussing literature classics from foreign countries. Seems to be a lot smarter than the stereotype I have of fashion models.

OK, but personally I would much rather see Ken Watanabe on the posters.

I don't like the poster. Her hairstyle (or air?) makes her look like Medusa.

But how old is she?!?! And does she plan on marrying soon??

Why does the metro need advertising at all? People would go everywhere by taxi if there weren't ad campaigns? Waste of money.

I've been wondering about that for years. It's not like people don't know it exists or just love going by bus everywhere. A lot of TM stations don't have a JR or Toei line near them either, so it's not like they have to compete for passengers.

If you use the subway it's because it's convenient for you. Whoever they have in their adverts, they could spend billions or trillions of yen on them, I seriously doubt it would change who uses the subway, and who doesn't.

Use the cash for advertising on something else. Something worthwhile.

Actually, I do think the underground trains are pretty wonderful. Except for the total lack of seats and trash cans, but, y'know...

Seats on the platform while awaiting the train. Seats on the train are hit or miss. Wonder what else this Wonderground ad line will come up with. Personally, I like the yellow, black and white "Manners de yarou" cartoon posters the very best! Amusing and useful reminders.

I hope that Anne will now be able to afford to use her full name.

Looks like she is watching someone get pushed off the platform.

getting

Fantasizing about her on my way to and from the Oedo line platform makes the trip seem much quicker.

Fantasizing about her on my way to and from the Oedo line platform makes the trip seem much quicker.

So gaijin men dont objectify Japanese women, then, eh? This lovely young lady is only complimented by you guys as long as she is not a mother or a wife.

This lovely young lady is only complimented by you guys as long as she is not a mother or a wife.

Make that one's own mother/wife. Anything else is fair game for a leer.

I think she's young enough to be a daughter of many in this thread..

Where on Earth does anyone think this poor gal looks even remotely attractive ? She's emaciated almost to skeletal proportions and looks bewildered and lost. Far from a recommendation to ride the train.

Anne who?

I too wondered why the Metro would need to advertise, but I think the London Underground also has publicity posters, so it's not just a peculiarity of Japan, IIRC.

looks bewildered and lost.

That's a recurring theme among Japanese models. Apparently it's to make Japanese blokes feel stronger. If a woman looks all helpless and baffled, a big strong Samurai arm around the shoulders to lead her to safety would naturally follow.

Except most Japanese blokes I know wouldn't so much as stop picking their nose for long enough to help.

Right here, CapnSinbad. I applaud the Tokyo Metro for their choice - a sharply dressed, beautiful woman with flowing tresses who seems to have caught a climpse of the interesting advertising that adorns the walls of the train station as she bustles past on her way to/from work. Outstanding!