Colonialism?

[Jason Gray]

> I can see your point as far as business practices,
> but I find 'anglicized' names somewhat
> uncomfortable; rendering 'Joji' as 'George' (for
> example) seems to be a reminder of the days of
> colonialism, if that makes any sense.
> Jim.

It doesn't make sense, in my opinion. Jasper Sharp and I
interviewed Joji Iida and he himself uses George (see his
official site, where he even uses the nickname "Geo"). In
my original post I wasn't talking about kokusaibu workers
being careless with romanization, which I agree could
cause problems -- Aaron's points are logical. But this
isn't Japanese film people being forced to take a
westernized name so that they're more "marketable" -- it's
free will of someone to call themselves whatever they
like, Japanese or not. 

I've always sensed a tendency, especially among western
fans of asian cinema, to want only the "purest" forms of
their drug of choice -- and anything that flirts with
westernized elements is considered "cut". It's nothing to
do with colonialism, but reminds me more of "asymmetrical
multiculturalism" 

http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/politicsphilosophyandsociety/story/0,6000,1540242,00.html

Anyway, I wouldn't want to be the one to tell Joe Shishido
"Shishido-san, why don't you just drop that 'e' from your
first name and make it easier on all of us, huh?" 
You might get shot, or worse! Everyone can write in their
books on Japanese cinema "Shishido Jo (aka Joe Shishido)",
and you'll stay alive.


jg