11 January 2009

Late morning saw up making our way to Yokohama, Japan's second largest city, 20 miles away around Tokyo Bay. We met Nick's old boss from Mitsubishi in London, Mr Hashioka, and he escorted us to his company apartment where we were having lunch. He and his wife are in their late forties, and live there with their teenage son. They are true Europhiles, and have a motley collection of assorted quasi-antique furniture and ceramics from the UK. He also apparently has a fetish for hand-made English shoes (he used to go regularly to Northampton to buy them when he was in the UK) and reputedly has a collection of more than 100 pairs. They had a wonderful view from their 11th floor apartment, out into the bay and across to the newly-developed harbour area. Its Landmark Tower is the tallest building in Japan. Emily was very excited about a big wind turbine turning lazily nearby, and the seagulls that passed periodically.

After feeding Emily we all sat down to a lunch of fresh baguettes, insalate tricolore and tuna pasta. Emily was happy with a steady supply of bread and cucumber, and kept squealing with delight at their Harrod's teddy bear. Mr Hashioka explained that he would be 55 in seven years and that, as is common practice, he is then expected to take a lesser job within Mitsubishi, at a lower salary and without accommodation provided, so he was starting to worry about it. Their son stayed in his bedroom studying most of the time we were there. His father told us that he had been lazy for several years, but when he was younger he was handsome so they indulged him; now he was older they weren't so happy about his progress. He is in a Keio high school, which makes him attractive to girls, apparently! He seemed personable enough, once he put in an appearance, and was quite interested in Emily, even asking for a picture with her as we left.