Mayor of the City of Muncie

Well, we finally have a break and I thought I’d provide an update on our activities.

On Sundayafternoon we visited a popular tourist location and were approached by a group of 8 students from The University of Tokyo E.S.S.  They explained that they belonged to the English speaking Club at the university and that they spent Saturday’s and Sunday’s at the tourist site to improve their English.  They approach English speaking visitors and explain what they are doing and volunteer to be a guide through the shrine/temple.  I was very impressed that these students were spending 6 hours, two days a week on their own initiative to learn to speak the  English language better.  We did take a photo of the group and e-mailed it to them with the name card they provided.  What a great experience!

Yesterday, Monday, April 20, we were very busy.  We met in the morning to get an update on our intinerary and to discuss our appointments.  We met with three businesses, and were hosted for lunch by one of them.  Two of these appointments were follow-ups from our trip last June and one was was a new contact.  For dinner we met with Larry’s friend again and his daughter was able to join us.  She formerly lived and worked in New York and works with a firm considering buying one of the “rescued” insurance/banking institutes.  Very interesting to hear her opinion of the events taking place in the US.  

Today, we meet with a new contact.  Larry introduced us to the members of their US office a couple of months ago and they then scheduled an appointment for us to meet the executives at their office in Tokyo.  They are hosting us for dinner this evening.  Our other appointments were follow-up appointments from last year.  One of these contacts has introduced us to two of their clients, one of which has visited Muncie and the other has asked for additional information.  We met with both of these clients last June and we are scheduled to meet with them again tomorrow.

Much discussion has been had regarding the economic status of the United States and what we anticipate for the future.  They are watching the “Big 3″ and are very concerned about the economic impact.  The banks have been especially interested in a mayor’s insight of the economy and the much anticipated turn around.  It appears Japan has been hit even harder than the US and are anxiously looking for any sign of an upward turn in the economy.  

One last note, I forgot that the Japanese drive on the left side of the road with the driver in the right front of the car.  Also, when we are walking I found myself walking against the flow.  I didn’t realize they actually walk the opposite of us also!