Dream Jumbo

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a millionaire? This week Pam Stoikopoulos has got the ticket on the Japanese Lottery system and realizes that winning is more than just a numbers game.

"I buy a ticket at the same lottery booth every week, keep it in the same place in my house and always store the ticket in a yellow file or wallet as yellow is a lucky color."

Akira Sonobe's lottery ritual may sound overly superstitious, but it has proved to be successful so far. Four years ago, he cashed in a Green Jumbo lottery ticket worth JY2,103,000. "It was unbelievable. Twenty years ago I began to buy lottery tickets, but I almost always lost. My family was delighted and I was finally able to pay off my mortgage."

On Christmas day 1998, he received another unexpected gift - a Numbers 4 ticket worth JY500,000.

Lucky 3

Lotteries are not new to Japan, originating sometime in the 1630s. The 200 years following their first inception saw them banned and resurrected several times, until they were finally snuffed out entirely in 1842. After more than a hundred years of abstinence, the Japanese penchant for gambling this way could no longer be restrained and lotteries were finally revived in 1945 to help fund the war effort. Following Japan's defeat in World War II, Takara-kuji (literally translated as "treasure" or "fortune") lotteries were conceived by the federal government. Profits were used to rebuild the country and help stave off rapidly escalating inflation.

Eventually, in 1954, the federal government handed over control of Takara-kuji to local governments, who continue to be the exclusive issuing bodies of the lotteries. The Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, meanwhile, acts as Takara-kuji's trustee, handling all sales matters and distribution.

Challenge Match

The profits - around 40% of proceeds - are used to fund local programs and public works projects including housing, healthcare, education and parks. As the Japanese economy continues to stagnate, and government belts continue to tighten, Takara-kuji's growing popularity and revenue have become an essential component of local councils' budgets.

Most of us, at some time or another have bought a lottery ticket on a whim when the jackpot is huge. The numbers game in Japan, however, comes in all shapes and sizes and choosing a lottery can be as overwhelming as trying to pick out a new mobile phone - the options are endless.

Jumbo Lotteries
The biggest lottery cash-cow in Japan, "Jumbo" lottery tickets are issued four times a year: the "Year End Jumbo" in December, the "Green Jumbo" in February, the "Dream Jumbo" in May and the "Summer Jumbo" in August. As its name suggests, the "Green Jumbo" has an environmental slant, with funds going towards creating a cleaner community. It's especially popular since the top prizes also tend to be "greener" than other comparable lotteries, with a grand total of JY300,000,000. Tickets are issued with pre-printed numbers and can be purchased individually for JY300 or in numerical ordered sets for greater payback.

Block Lotteries
Like "Jumbo" draws, "Block" lottery tickets are sold with the numbers already stamped on them. These lotteries, however, are divided according to region - Kanto, Chubu, Tohoku, Kinki, Metropolitan Tokyo and West Japan - and are usually drawn weekly in each area.

Held 12 times a year, the national version of the "Block" lottery is the "All-Japan Lottery." An additional nine "Rainbow" draws are held annually with the proceeds going towards upgrading medical resources and funding programs for the elderly. Providing new hope for millions of salarymen who fear lay offs and forced retirement, the grandiose "First Dream of the Year" lottery is held around New Year's Day and reflects the Japanese tradition that the first dream of the annum sets the tone for the year to come. Prices range from JY100-JY300.

Numbers
Most people will be familiar with the do-it-yourself lottery ticket that is known simply as "Numbers 3" and "Numbers 4" in Japan. Simply fill out the "Numbers" form at any ticket outlet, choosing either three or four numbers. Selecting the winning numbers, for many people, is a very complicated task. Some prefer the computer to choose the winning ticket for them, while others use more sophisticated means, resorting to birthdays, shoe sizes, license plate numbers, total of ex-wives/husbands or a combination of the above.

Tickets cost JY200 each, and prizes vary according to whether or not the digits on the ticket are in the exact same order, in random order, or a combination of the two. Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday at 6:45pm.

Instant Lotteries
For those of you that require the rush of a scratch followed by immediate gratification, there's the ever-popular instant ticket. While the pay out for these lotteries is not quite as extravagant as "Jumbo" or "Block" tickets, the odds of winning are usually higher. Popular games include "Lucky 3" and "Challenge Match" instant lotteries. Even if you lose the first time around, don't trash the ticket as an additional draw is held in September. If your serial number is a match, then you're a winner. All instant lottery tickets cost JY200 per ticket.

With a little background work, a few numbers and a lucky (imitation) rabbit's foot, you might someday be able to buy all the mobiles in the world, the rest of the rabbit and the whole farm too.

Questions/Comments? You can reach Michael McDonagh at textandpictures@yahoo.com