One for the Money: Why cash is (still) king in Japan

The sages teach us that bearing the wrath of your father is easy but seeing him afraid is pain defined.  These days my dad is resigned to the role of amazing cheerful (and generous) grandfather.  He harbours neither spite nor anxiety about nothing in particular, so I need to reach deep into my memory toContinue reading “One for the Money: Why cash is (still) king in Japan”

Porsche’s Wrong Turn

“Ew! EEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!” My wife’s exclamation on our afternoon walk declared imminent danger ahead. As I glanced down the leaf-lined road in our sleepy West Tokyo neighborhood I spied the subject of her concern.  It was a middle-aged man, slight, scruffy and harboring the look that only an aloof Westerner admonishes in these parts.  It madeContinue reading “Porsche’s Wrong Turn”

The Yakumo Avocado: How supply side economics and aspirational whims shape consumer behavior in Japan

One Saturday afternoon in October 2001 I found myself in a state of dire panic.   My shpilkes were out of balance with the otherwise whimsical background of Meguro Station.  It was filled with carefree couples and young families stocking up on piping hot oden, bitter and bony sanma and other soothing dishes to usher inContinue reading “The Yakumo Avocado: How supply side economics and aspirational whims shape consumer behavior in Japan”

Uncle Bern – Sweet Prince of the Verboten

Not so long ago I complained to my wise friend, Joy Kellman, that my role as a father was perilously close to being a big failure.  The issue afoot was my inability to ingratiate two out of my three kids with a common skill.  The skill being the wu-shu of the tidy backpack.   Without muchContinue reading “Uncle Bern – Sweet Prince of the Verboten”

Sally Kiester, The Patron Saint of My Kitchen

I moved to Tokyo (for the first time) 19 years ago this week.  It was not until I secured a proper watering hole and bistro that I felt at home.   The search-and-find procedure did not take long given that a middle class 15 million souls has money in pocket and little time to eat atContinue reading “Sally Kiester, The Patron Saint of My Kitchen”

Mickey Tillman – The World’s Greatest Saleswoman

By Adam Brownstein I have three children, and all of them were born in the month of June.  If I even glance at my wife during the month of September, there is a high likelihood that another human will arrive the following summer, so she and I tend to sit apart during High Holiday services.Continue reading “Mickey Tillman – The World’s Greatest Saleswoman”