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Japan: to the western world, it's about as weird and oriental as one can get. Of course, most of what people think about Asia tends to be about as wrong as you can get; usually rumors started three hundred years ago that, having never been clarified, only got blown even more out of proportion.
But that's not what this page is for. This is mostly just to clarify a few points of question that may arise while watching Shingo Mama. I don't have any yet, because I haven't got any questions yet! Most of my questions come from my friends who are wondering what one thing or another is, and why they do something. If you have any questions, please E-mail me! Please keep in mind while reading this page that this is not a guide to life in Japan. Many of the explanations here are broad generalisations that do not fit all understandings, and some of the more "Japanese experienced" visitors may have their own explanations or understandings of many of the points presented here. That's not what this page is for. Okay?
First, variety / reality shows are pretty popular in Japan, and they are rarely anything like what is shown in America. In America, well-built, politically correct silicone / testosterone types who fit idealised stereotypes of what each sex would like to see themselves as have to try out and submit sexually intriguing profiles of themselves in order to show their faces on TV. Nine times out of ten, they are daredevil sports shows to see who gets with who and who gets voted off or whatever, or "let's show the world who's the weaker sex while displaying our mammary glands" themed programs. Well, it's practically the opposite in Japan, except perhaps for shows like Gatchinko (a fighting show). Most of the more popular hosts and personalities are not amazingly hot or nude, and anyone... really anyone... from the crazy father to the inventing teenager to the witty drunk can get on TV. That's what makes these shows so interesting; they're generally regular people who have a chance to make a fool out of themselves, and seeing them making fools out of themselves is what's appealing.
In Japan, it's okay to be a housewife, and there's nothing derogatory about it. While some say that being a housewife is weak and not acceptable (Hey, women let's be all we can be - let's be men!) in Japan, it's perfectly okay. I'm not going to go on a spiel about why it's nice to have a mom, but Shingo Mama shows the world how difficult it really is to care for a family, how much effort, love and care goes into the job, and how significant of a part of life the morning family breakfast really is.

Also importantly, as you will see on the breakfast page, JAPANESE DO NOT ONLY EAT SUSHI!!! I know most of the people who come here know that, but I've had sooo many of my friends as me that and it is so annoying. In addition to that, people do not always walk around in kimonos wherever they go, Japan has MacDonalds and running water, people do not have eight wives and they have the same kinds of music over there that they do anywhere else in the world. It's just usually in Japanese. By the way, slippers are always used indoors. There are even special shoes you change into for inside school. If not slippers, then socks, but shoes are rarely worn inside homes.

Now, what exactly is Johnny's? Okay, sorry to make you jump around, but the page which would best explain that is here, with SMAP. Originally it was on this page. Quick definition: Johnny's Entertainment is an agency which specialises in male actors and talents. Shingo Katori and all of SMAP are owned by Johnny, which is why they, like all the rest of the Johnny's bands, are often called Johnny's Boys.
I promised a link translation for the "send mail to Shingo Mama" on the first page, so here goes! Here is a link to the message page. If you are using a PC, right-click and "open in new browser window". If you are using a Macintosh, hold down the command key (apple) and click. That way it will open in another window and you will still be able to see this page too.

The first blank is for NAME.

The second blank is for WEB NAME. It's like a nickname, or something you call yourself online.

The third blank is for E-MAIL ADDRESS.

The fourth, a choice blank, is for sex. The first button is for MAN and the second button is for WOMAN.

The fifth blank is for your AGE.

The sixth blank is for your JOB DESCRIPTION.

And of course, the seventh and largest blank is for your MESSAGE.

Don't worry if you do not speak Japanese. Ninety nine times out of a hundred, it's not actually the star who is the first one to read the messages; it's someone hired to do it. These people are hired, usually, because they do speak a number of languages, and when they come across a message which is interesting or particularly notable, their job is to translate it and pass it on to their boss. If you are writing in a language other than Japanese, take care not to use too many colloquial terms, since they do not translate well into other languages. Often the most important parts are highlighted since the star does not have time to search for significant information in a letter. This isn't meant to discourage you, this is just a message: MAKE YOUR LETTER COUNT!! Say something different or interesting, and more likely than not, Shingo might get to read it himself!*

*Special thanks to Sho for the mailing tips!