I came to Japan in 1981 after reading Japanese at London University. It seemed like the obvious thing to do, to see whether four years of study had been worthwhile and to put into practice the things I had learned.

I spent my first year here teaching English and French and then I worked as a freelance book translator?my first book was about Japanese war crimes in Manchuria, which was quite a way to get my grounding in translation. After that I went to work for Vickers Da Costa translating news and then for Commes des Garcons in their PR department. I started my own business because I wanted to be involved in the environmental movement but couldn' find a company that had environmental concerns. Initially I thought that I would just advise Japanese companies on how to become more ecological in whatever it was that they did, but I kept on meeting all these businessmen who were saying it wasn't possible to run an ecologically sound business, so I realized that I had to do it myself to prove that it was possible.

I've not really had too many problems functioning as a businesswoman in Japan, mostly because I'm involved in the fashion business and, unlike most industries here, there are a lot of women in senior roles in fashion. Even if I'm dealing with men, they are men who are working with successful women every day, so they respect me and my ideas.

But when it comes to trying to find companies that are responsive to my ideas, it has been very difficult. Many of my buyers are just not interested in the thinking behind my product, and some shops prefer to not make any mention of the issues behind the pieces at all. They say it looks like I'm pointing an accusing finger at the other manufacturers, but I don't see it that way; I simply think it is about having the choice. It's difficult for me to say what I think the best thing about living in Japan is because I've lived here for most of my adult life. But from a personal and a business perspective I really enjoy the fact that the Japanese are so ready for new products and ideas. I get a real charge from that enthusiasm. It's such fun.

Something that is really starting to get to me though is the lack of personal space. It's so crowded everywhere and, even though I grew up in London, it's something that I just haven't got used to. I mean wading through the crowds at Hachiko is just too much sometimes. I could handle it when I was in my twenties, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to cope so well when I'm in my fifties. For that reason I'm planning to spend more time in Europe in the future. I love Japan, it's so much fun, but I think I'm ready for a change. We'll just have to wait and see.

Merry Angel spoke with Richard James.