Fur of the Year › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

PHOTO BY JUN SATO

Friday 20th November, 04:24 AM JST

Actress-singer Meisa Kuroki, 21, wears a Russian sable jacket over Emporio Armani denim pants and T-shirt (she’s the image character for the brand) at a ceremony to present her with the Fur of the Year Award on Thursday. The award, for the celebrity who looks the most gorgeous in fur, is given by the Japan Fur Association, in conjunction with the International Fur Trade Federation. The federation guarantees that the fur comes from countries in which the industry adheres to strict animal welfare standards.

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 70 Total Comments Show All

30061015 at 02:56 PM JST - 20th November

it's a fur animal it's likely skinned alive and conscious.

Waaaa haaaa haaaaaaaa! LOL!

My hobby is

I grew up trapping. The fox were all quite dead. "Alive and conscious?" Are you?
Foxie at 03:01 PM JST - 20th November

She looks good, the jacket doesn't. Why do so many people dislike her hair? The only thing slightly wrong with it is that she put too much mousse on top which gives it a wet, disorderly look. I have the same hairstyle, only 10 cm longer and blonde hair and everybody loves it.
cleo at 03:24 PM JST - 20th November

30061013

How nice to know you find the idea of animals being skinned alive so hilarious.

http://www.naturewatch.eu/fur-farming

But you prefer trapping to farming? Because trapping is so humane, I suppose. How long did it take for the foxes to die?

http://www.furkills.org/trapping.shtml

And how exclusive were your traps?

http://www.hsus.org/furfree/dogscats/dogandcatvictims.html
torikuru at 03:37 PM JST - 20th November

Several years ago I bought a black fur coat in a misguided moment of luxury goods obsession. I knew I had made a grave error when I brought it home and my black cat started nuzzling it. I shipped it to PETA in the States where they use unwanted fur in demonstrations or give it to the homeless- who like the Inuits actually need such warm clothing. The worst film I have seen is in China of raccoon dogs being skinned alive in the street with a close up of the animals eyelashes, the only hair left on its body slowly blinking. It breaks my heart to think of such things. Young celebs in Japan need to get on this bandwagon and promote fake- fur as the only glamorous and ethical choice. Please check cheaperfake-fur` trimmed items from China as often they are mislabeled as fake when they are in fact raccoon dog.
pawatan at 04:58 PM JST - 20th November

Fur is warm, comfortable to wear, and attractive when well made into clothing. I have several items of fur clothing (and leather) and am glad it's finally in the season when I can wear it. No regrets.

She looks really nice with this coat, the hair could be a bit better as others have said.
marushka at 05:41 PM JST - 20th November

i adore Meisa, but here she doesnt look as gorgeous as she usually does. hair style doesnt suit to her, fur and the clothes just dont reflect her real personality.
Icantbelieveit at 08:19 PM JST - 20th November

she's hot but come on, another useless award
usaexpat at 02:00 AM JST - 21st November

30061015: If you grew up trapping that makes you far closer to the land than some of the advocates on the PETA side, good for you.
bushlover at 10:16 AM JST - 21st November

Please make sure your Raccoon Dogs are dead before skinning them. It could be hazardous to your own skin to grab them alive and start to pull their skin off. I only say this so you don't end up being a skin head. I care!
30061015 at 02:10 PM JST - 21st November

Koo koo ka choo
betternotsay at 03:43 PM JST - 24th November

She's pissed off a lot of people by wearing that. I can't believe the lack of imagination some people have. Do people seriously think these animals were killed and then skinned? Please, google first before making such an ignorant comment. They are anally or vaginally electrocuted, then skinned alive. I can't even imagine what that must feel like. Noone has to be an animal lover to know that this is just wrong. Sacrificing animals for medicinal purposes are still debatabale, but taking the fashion side in a case like this is pure stupidity. What's the point? We don't live in the North Pole, nor are we in the medival period. There are no circumstances where we have to wear fur. I have plenty of faux-fur coats and hats, and they are perfectly warm, they don't smell, and they look hella good. I'm pretty fashionable and I have good taste, and I've never had a problem not having real fur. Those who have purchased fur items or are planning to this winter....I beg of you. Take a moment and research. See what's happening, and if you still want 'em, well that's your choice. But at least you know and you're that much more aware.
MochizukiHaru at 04:25 AM JST - 25th November

The fur is nice..as long as it is imitation fur. But the pants , how they are pulled so far up is ugly as hell. She is pretty though ^_^
abromofo at 01:20 PM JST - 25th November

What I find ironic is that the same people who would find the animals that the fur comes from, "Gyyaaaaa Kawaii" are the ones who are walking around draped in their hides.

It's actually hypocritical. I share the "Gyaaaaa Kawaii" people's sentiment. So what if people like cute furry animals, and also like wearing fur? I love fur.

It's human nature to use animals for useful things.

I like furry animals, and also I like wearing fur. It's super warm, nice to touch, and I like the look of it.
dolphingirl at 02:06 PM JST - 25th November

My intial reaction is: Fur! Yuck! But I did check out the IFTF site and they make a valid point about the difference between animal welfare and animal rights. People who support animal welfare are those who accept that animals have always provided us with food and clothing and they have helped us make medical advances. Animal rights supporter are against many things including farming, hunting, leather & fur, wool & cashmere, zoos, etc...

My heart is all for animal rights but my head is in favor of animal welfare. I hate the idea of an animal being kept in a cage and then skinned for its fur but we can't deny that we do rely on animals. The IFTF does claim to kill the animals quickly and humanely but I have also heard horror stories of animals being electrocuted and skinned alive.

And being from Canada, I know that fur-bearing animals are a natural resource and are important to people in isolated areas and to aboriginal people's lifestyle. Fur for fashion, however, is completely frivolous. So in the end I guess what I really believe is we should respect animals and they should not be caged, harmed or killed unnecessarily.
pamelot at 09:01 AM JST - 3rd December

Creases in jeans?