1.
GV.DEPARTMENT STORE ILLUMINATE.
0.05

2.
CU.PAINTING OF FATHER CHRISTMAS.
0.10

3.
SV PAN FROM.. CHILDREN TO FATHER CHRISTMAS.
0.16

4.
LV.DITTO.
0.19

5.
CU.CHILDREN.
0.21

6.
CU.DOLLS AND SIGN "MERRY CHRISTMAS".
0.25

7.
CU.REVOLVING DISPLAY OF CHRISTMAS TOYS.
0.31

8.
SV.DITTO.
0.40

9.
SV.PEOPLE SHOPPING.
0.45

10.
CU.JAPANESE DOLLS.
0.47

11.
SV PAN..FROM REINDEERS TO MINIATURE FATHER CHRISTMAS.
0.54

12.
GV.DITTO WITH PEOPLE PASSING SHOP WINDOW.
0.58

13.
TV INT..CHURCH STYLE WINDOWS AND TOYS AT STORE.
1.02

14.
TV.PEOPLE UP ESCALATOR.
1.07

15.
TRAVEL SHOT..PASSING ILLUMINATE BUILDINGS.
1.15

16.
SV.SIGN "MERRY CHRISTMAS" AND LIGHTS.
1.17

17.
GV.DITTO.
1.25



Initials AA/V/AW/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE MOST POPULOUS CITY IN THE WORLD PREPARES FOR CHRISTMAS --- AND REMARKABLY: FOR LESS THAN ONE PER CENT OF THE COUNTRY IS CHRISTIAN.

CHRISTMAS IS A POSTWAR INNOVATION IN JAPAN, WHERE MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE BUDDHIST OR SHINTOIST AND WOULD NOT NORMALLY CELEBRATE THE CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL. BUT THE END OF THE YEAR IS TRADITIONALLY A TIME FOR EXCHANGING GIFTS AND THE RESULT IS THE CONVENIENT INTRODUCTION OF THIS COLOURFUL FESTIVAL.

IN THE GINZA, TOKYO'S LEADING SHOPPING THOROUGHFARE, DOZENS OF FATHER CHRISTMASES BEAM HAPPILY SPENDING THEIR MONEY IN THE SEASON OF GOODWILL.

IN DEPARTMENT STORES AND COFFEE SHOPS THE TRADITIONAL CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS FILL THE AIR. EVERYONE RECOGNISES THE TUNES, THROUGH FEW UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE WORDS.

CHRISTMAS IS NOT OFFICIALLY A HOLIDAY IN JAPAN, BUT THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS NOW A PART OF JAPANESE LIFE. AND NOT ONLY THE SHOP-KEEPER WANT TO KEEP IT, FOR IF SANTA CLAUS OR FATHER CHRISTMAS OR SAINT NICHOLAS CAN FILL STOCKINGS FOR CHILDREN ALL OVER THE WORD. WHY SHOULDN'T HE PUT JAPAN'S CHILDREN ON HIS LIST?