California Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger, 60, will appear in a TV ad campaign in Japan to promote California. Schwarzenegger will introduce Hollywood and Disneyland as well as Californian industries and nature in the ads, which will be aired from Friday. His voice will be dubbed by Tessho Genda, 60, who has dubbed him in his films in Japan.
Schwarzenegger, who was popularly known as "Schwa-chan" during his movie days, last appeared in TV ads in Japan in 1993.
© Japan Today
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raymech1
Not sure why, but i'm pretty sure lots of Japanese know about California
Sarge
"His voice will be dubbed"
Oh, for cryin' out loud, that's going to ruin the ad.
roughneck
:) My exact thought!
northlondon
Maybe it could go something like' 'velkom to Kalifonia, vere even non-English speakers wiz no klu about politiks can become Koverner'.
Himajin
'You'll be ba-a-a-a-ack'
HonestDictator
Good one Himajin. xD California is the other place besides New York that a majority of Japanese tourist etc seem to go first
Ah_so
They are already showing the ad in Britain. It is cringeworthy, apart from the surreal appearance of Arnold Schwarzenneger at the end, which somehow manages to rescue it.
DenshaDeGO
An Austrian promoting the US?
capone
"his voice will be dubbed"..perfect, it'll probably be some squeaky anime voice
KaptainKichigai
Arnie is an American now Densha. Hes a citizen. Schwa-chan? is that for real? Has anybody ever honestly heard him referred to as that before?
kinniku
In Japan? Pretty much anytime the man is mentioned in casual conversation. Many people in Japan don't actually know or know how to pronounce his real name.
cleo
Yes they do. The Shuwa-chan thing came from a commercial he did a while back with Rie Whatsername selling wotsit. The commercial was selling something totally forgettable, but the image of big tuff Arnie reaching out and calling 'Rie-chaaan', and her calling him 'Shuuuwaaa-chaan' stuck.
KaptainKichigai
Maybe in your casual conversations.
namabiru4me
"Hi, I am Schwa-chan. Please come and visit our beautiful state where cities are bankrupt, water is in short supply, and gas is at an all time high, not to mention outrageous airfare. California; our tomatoes are not contaminated, we think!"
Sarge
"It ( the ad ) is cringeworthy"
Cringeworthy! Ha ha ha! I like that word! I have seen many cringeworthy ads, TV shows, movies...
namabiru - You've never actually been to the beautiful state of California, have you?
usaexpat
The governator is promoting California, seems like a natural as he already has recognition in Japan.
himasan
They shouldnt dub over Arnie`s voice, hes accent is part of his appeal. Just an excuse to give some loser hasbeen voice actor some crumbs.
kinniku
Why not actually try showing people in Japan his picture and asking what his name is? The commercial was for 'arinaminn V' an energy drink. Yes, that is where the nickname came from and it has stuck.
Betting
He's Austria? I always thought that accent was ... Australian oh doh!! No wonder they need to dub it.
nisegaijin
There are no fayaaas in state of Kaliforniaa!!! GET DAAAAOONN!!!!!
timorborder
Pretty poor form to pick up on the Gov's accent. He is both an American citizen and a credit to the US policy of allowing people from all over the world to become citizens of the country. Color, creed or accent should not be an issue.
timorborder
Arnold used to flog a genki drink with Rie Miyazawa. They were known as the Rie-chan, Schwa-chan combination.
Hughgarse
can`t be anything worse than this... http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=skBlEbsM0jM
Raja Kumar
Terminator arnie to promote california terminations like in terminator movies, or creations. California should have got,other sunshine people to promote california, may be of the likes,of Jim carrey,and many others. They should get more good guy, positive role models for california tourism. This is bad choice, from california state, for its association with terminator movies/arnie.
rtrhead1
Why is it that anything foreign, the Japanese feel the need to dub? Can they not read? Is it too far over their heads? Every time it seems when I see a show on about any foreign country, they dub over all the voices AND subtitle it. Come on, is it really that hard to read subs in your native tongue?
Zen_Builder
They also sub-title a LOT of japanese talents.
Dubbing/subbing is the norm in NON-english speaking countries.
Raja Kumar
rtrhead1- You are right on,agree with you.