Bill Esler

Junichiro and I: Reading Local Papers
July 14, 2008

Enroute to Beijing to visit the managing director of a label and RFID printer manufactury (his teen-aged son was a foreign exchange student in our home in Chicago last year), we stopped along the way in Tokyo. Courtesy of hotels.com we were able to afford the princely Prince Park, but nothing more than the room and the elevator ride to and fro. For meals and notions we walked several blocks to a university district and ate with the regulars people and students. 
Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (stock photo) greeted Bill Esler (not shown) on that free elevator, offering a moment of eye contact and smiling recognition that was priceless. He was there to go bowling! 
Another free accommodation in the hotel--one or two daily newspapers delivered to our door, with world-class reporting in the Daily Yomiuri and Japan Times. We were able to stay in touch with the travails of Brett Favre's on again off again retirement, the Cubs and the first doping in the Tour de France without having to be online. Also reported was an initiative by the Japan Post (office) to deliver fresh "bento box" lunches for foor retailer Lawson's. If they can move mail fast enough to arrive with fresh milk, juice and hot meals, well, perhaps USPS will be able to pick up some tips.  

Posted by Bill Esler on July 14, 2008 | Comments (0)