Unlike Scott, I’m not a cop. But I did live in Tokyo for ten years from ‘85 to ‘95. I was in my 20’s and 30’s, so I can sympathize with a lot of what you went through. But let me say this — you have done an amazing thing, becoming a reporter and going into the seedier side of Tokyo. For all us gaijin who spent years in Tokyo, so many parts of your book bring back so many memories. But on the other hand, many of us steered clear of places like Roppongi and Kabuki-cho (as you did until you were assigned to go there). We wanted to get to know the real Japan, not other foreigners in Roppongi (or the Japanese who were attracted to the foreign-like Roppongi). I was in high-tech business in Tokyo, not newspaper reporting, so I had no need to spend lots of time in Roppongi. For the sake of your wife and kids, I hope you’ve stopped smoking. A real irony I find in your book is that you purposely sought out the most criminal aspects of the G7 country with by far the lowest crime rate. For many of us gaijin who stayed on the clean side of the law, the inner workings of the Japanese police were quite a mystery; your book really enlightens in this area. Finally, congrats on getting the 60 Minutes segment. As a California taxpayer, I feel angered that my tax dollars (UCLA) went towards a liver transplant for one of those scum-bag yakuza. Shame on UCLA!

Anyway, you’ve done an amazing thing with this book. Will you now follow in the footsteps of Robert Whiting, writing more books about Japan? Or maybe time to find some peace by going back to being a monk? Best wishes to you, Sunao and the kids. (I’m also married to a Japanese and we have a son and daughter.)

Joe

But that’s not why I’m writing – I’m writing because I was in Asakusa and there’s a dilapidated karaoke bar right next to the main temple (on the back side). And on Friday at noon there were around 25 mobsters going in the place with another 7 or so standing guard in front, plus who-knows-how-many drivers with their cars waiting in the surrounding parking lots.

Is that an average day in Asakusa? Or if it is an unusually large meeting, do you know the context? It seemed weird because the whole neighborhood looked run-down and semi-deserted . . . like even if it IS a mobbed-up ‘hood, how can they be making any money?

You would have been a great cop lol you have the insticts to do it and we are all far from saints. You were around them enough in Japan to know this. It’s funny when you say I am grieving for Hamaya and I guess I am in my own way. I am grieving for you as well, as the burden you are carrying around with you regarding her death I would not wish on anyone.
As for the email I know I have no right to say this but it’s my two cents. In some ways I think reading the email will provide you with closure as painful as it would be to do so. I have had close friends commit suicide and you are left feeling hollow inside always wondering what you could have done differently and if you could have stopped it. I only learned this from work but those people that leave a message behind generally never do so blame the recipients. Every note I have read had always been to apologize to those around them and to make them understand why they did what they did. In the end it was Hamaya-sans good bye to you. I think she would have wanted you to read it.

Sorry if that crossed a line Jake-san it’s just of all the things you had the courage to write about in your book that, and Helena seemed to be the two things you carry with you the most. It’s a heavy burden to have. Scott

I should have followed in your footsteps, perhaps. . Well, I would have been a lousy cop, never was good at following the rules. I’m glad, in a funny way, that there’s someone else grieving for her. I hope she’s made peace with her life as it was on earth and moved on the next realm–that she’s not trapped in the realm of hungry ghosts. Sometimes, I sort of believe that such a realm exists.

No, I never read her email. I don’t think I ever will. I don’t think I could live with any more remorse than I have now. I’m just not that strong.

I literally just got finished reading your book. All I can say is wow. That was an unbeleivable read. I lived in Japan back in 2000 then came back home and became a cop here. I am utterly amazed at what you were able to accomplish through your hardwork and dedication especially because of the high personal cost that came with it. While I was reading your book I found myself identifying with what you did a great deal and understanding I think your reasons for doing so.

I will say that I that the chapter about Hamaya was horribly sad to me which I found as odd since I deal with a lot of situations like this on a weekly basis. I am not sure what was different in that chapter but I could feel your remorse and the guilt you feel over what happened. It made me sad to read it, and a week later I still think about that chapter every day. Forgive me for asking this, but did you ever read her email to you?

It’s the responsabilty of the Japanese governement to establish a drastic law and bring to justice any American soldier who commit a crime or a felony in Japan, which is not the case till today.

頑張って

I’m thrilled that you got out of the book some of the things I like about Japan–there is much to like in this country. Sekiguchi was a great friend and a mentor. I haven’t had many friends like him and I doubt I will. It’s hard to find a good friend, one that will also tell you when you’re being a jerk and encourage you to do the right thing. Yes, I think we have a duty to stand up for the oppressed and the exploited as best we can. While this can only sound melodramatic, we live in a world gradually consumed by darkness and it’s the effort of people who keep lighting the candles, that keep everything good from fading into blackness.

Thanks for writing in and for picking up on an aspect of the book that I hope people don’t miss.