The attitude of things being 'grand' on the night doesn't cut mustard in Japan

It was shortly after nine on Saturday morning when the hordes began to spill from the commuter trains, through Kaihimmakahuri station and across to the imposing Makahuri Messe convention centre which was playing host to the annual Tokyo Game Show.

The Messe spreads out over close to 900,000 square feet yet, it looked as if the flood of humanity snaking towards it would cover every available inch. By 11am, the flow had barely eased, if at all.