My students thought I was about to sing. They don’t know me that well.

Because it’s done by a Japanese comedian, the P.P.A.P. phenomenon has hit Japan without mercy. It’s on the news. The singer is all over the variety show ecosystem. His costume was a big hit over Halloween.

Students of all ages at the school where I work are singing it. It’s in the phase where students will spontaneously burst into the song. It’s got the point where I’m ready to start using pencils because the singing starts every time I mention the word pen. (Ah, but PENcil. Never mind.)

The only good thing about the P.P.A.P. phenomenon is that it will go away quickly, at least here in Japan. The Japanese public will make something ridiculously popular, especially unfunny comedians, but that intense popularity guarantees that the interest will fade away quickly.

By contrast, the Gangnam Style fad barely made a ripple here, although that may be because of Japan vs Korea rivalry. Although I remember some university students singing it at one point, and even having a dance contest, I don’t remember seeing it on TV even once.

Today, when I was looking for my pen I said “I’ve got a pen.” The entire class suddenly went “Whoa” and watched me. I hammed it up by saying “What? I’ve got a pen? What?”

Now I’ll have to see how long I can use that trick to get everyone’s attention.