Occupation:
Squid merchant
Time in Japan:
Approximately five years
Where are you from?
Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada.
What brought you to Japan?
Initially an interest in seafood. I' heard a lot about the abundance and variety in Japan
and had to come and taste it for myself. Once I got here it didn't take long to fall in
love with other aspects of the culture.
What do you do here?
The squid business takes up most of my time now. I'm involved in everything from raising
the squid to curing them for surume (dried squid). I also handle the distribution end of
it as well.
How did you get into the squid business?
A good Japanese friend of mine was in the business of raising ayu (sweetfish). I was
interested in aquaculture so I assisted him with the operation in my spare time. Being a
big surume fan, I approached him with the idea of raising squid in an artificial
environment. Since then we've been in this joint venture. It's a little too early to tell
if it will be a big moneymaker but because of our competitive prices the outlook is good.
I hear that you also perform in a band. Tell us a little about it.
We're known as the "Nasu Boys." We're comprised of an African-American on
vocals, three Japanese guys in their forties on guitars and I play the keyboards. Our
music is mostly '70s classic rock and we play everything from town festivals to wedding
parties.
What do you like about Japan most?
Having travelled to many Asian countries, I've come to really appreciate Japan's civility.
Granted, one always encounters rudeness here and there, like on crowded trains, but
considering the amount of people who live here it's a miracle how polite people are. I
really miss it when I'm away.
What's your favorite area of Tokyo?
It's not a "trendy spot," but I'll have to vouch for Shimbashi. It's a place
where a salaryman can go and let his hair down or perfect his golf swing on the sidewalk.
One doesn't feel the pressure to be stylish and up-to-date like in other areas of the
city. The food is good and cheap too.
If you could change one thing about Japan, what would it be?
The Japanese attitude towards rice. It's also a major annoyance for me when I take
Japanese abroad and they can't eat the rice because it's too pasa pasa (dry). It may seem
insignificant to some, but the attitude towards rice here is a major obstacle to Japan's
internationalization.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen or experienced in Japan?
It started off as another drunken night on the town but turned into a confrontation with
the bosozoku (motorcycle gangs). My friend-who had had a bit to drink-got tired of their
racket and started running up and pushing them off their motorbikes. I thought a big fight
would ensue but all of them just ran away, leaving their bikes on the street. It makes you
wonder how tough they really are.
If you could take one thing back from Japan to your native country, what would it be?
I couldn't live without surume, obviously. A close second would have to be shochu liquor.
If anyone wants to make a lot of money, there's something really worth marketing in the
West.
What's your recipe for a happy and successful life in Japan?
One package of soba noodles, add a half bottle of Jinro and at least three pounds of my
specially grown surume. Dozo-a happy and successful life in Japan.
You can confine one person to eternity on the Chuo line and give one a bottomless credit
account at Seibu. Who would they be?
Ronnie James Dio would go on the Chuo line (heavy metal fans will remember this icon from
the eighties.) My mother would get the credit account at Seibu. That way I could attempt
to repay the kindness and understanding she has shown me.
Occupation:
LIFE IN JAPAN: