Mr. A.K　/　 Mr. F.G　/　 Miss. C.S　/　 Mrs. A.G　/　 Miss. B.G　/　 Miss D.P　/　 Mrs. S.I　/　 Mr. M.S　/　 Mr. M.S　/　 Mr. D.S　/　 Miss K.F　/　 Miss M.K　/　 Miss L.B　/　Mr. S. H　/　 Mr. F.W　/　 Mr. L.R　/　 Mrs. B.S　/　 Mr. H.S　/　 Miss S. P　/　 Mr. P.T　/　 Miss K. T　/　 Miss M. H　/　

Foreword 　The models in this book are friends from work whom I asked to pose for a quarter hour at lunch time. A lot of thanks goes to them for their time and interesting essays. This booklet is the eighth volume in my series. I hope it serves as a good memory of myself and Japan (my country), whose freedom and democracy I am struggling to improve. 　Let me talk a little about the inhuman situation in big Japanese companies. The word KAROSHI, which refers to sudden death from overwork, has become a well-known symbol throughout the world of Japan's neglect of human rights in the work place. Companies transfer their employees to other branches against their will. 　I have only seven years left here before my retirement. I will draw as many beautiful things as possible and I will also do my best to make things really beautiful. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　December　12, 1996 　　　　　　　　　　　　Michio Wakamatsu

Hi all. 　I'm an Australian by the name of A.K and I've been working at NTT since May '96. I just missed seeing the hanami when I arrived, so I'll have to wait until next year for that one. 　My life in general to pretty full in Japan. In between breathing I see live music, learn Karate (thanks to all my very patient sensei at NTT), study Nihon-go, push forward (or is it backwards ?) the frontiers of science engineering.....and enjoy discovering new and uncharted territory in Japan. 　I'm still learning bicycle etiquette (..when to ring the bell, who to give way to..) but this too will come in time. 　 My thanks to Wakamatsu-san for taking the time to sketch me. It's a very good sketch...it's just that the subject was poor quality. 　　　　　　　　A.K

My first global impression about Tokyo and its suburbs, since we have been living here with my wife for two months, is its measureless. In the size of the city, first, with houses and buidings covering the surface without any distinguishable limits, in the lightings at night with a full range of warm colors and in the noise resulting from the traffic and public works. As acoustician I am more particularly sensitive to noise and still wonder how the inhabitants of Tokyo can support it (Do they ?). Perhaps is there any kind of adaptation which results to get accustomed to it ? But I think that the escape of hundred thousands of people during the week-end (sometimes waiting many hours in traffic jams) to places where nature and silent are present (Nikko is marvelous) signalizes that this accustomization is only partial. 　Anyway, learning about Tokyo, Japan and its totally different language and writing system is a very interesting although sometimes difficult experience, since I used to live until now in medium and quiet size cities in France then Germany where only ``romanji'' is used. I thank Mr. Wakamatsu for his opened mind, thus giving us with his portraits and related essays the occasion to discover some aspects of the personality of other people working here. 　　　　F.G

Trees : I can observe them for hours ! They seem so generous and are, for me , a kind of beauty incarnation. Japan is a great place for trees within 1000 years old ones ! Roots seem to love playing together as if they wanted to mix our mind : whos belongs to who ? Japan : as trees, poeple, here, seem to love the idea of staying in groups. As trees always, Japanese are so generous ! Always ready to help me, always ready to offer something, at least their time and patience ! As trees still, they can keep their tradition while being so updated, living with all the latest technologies and gadgets. As trees finally, Japan has always hidden things that you just have to spend time an to observe with the same patience as they have to discover. Having said that ( and everything else that I still have to find out), how couldn't I love this country ? Thank you at all of you to help me to have such a great time during my-unfortunately- short stay here, 　　　　　　　　C.S.

Hallo, I am A.G, 27 years old and I arrived in Japan 3 Months ago with my husband who works for NTT. In Germany, where I come from, I've worked for 4 years as an occupational therapist with handicapped children. I've liked my worka very much. During my 2-years stay in Japan, normally I wanted to use my time to relax, reading books and learn to know the country and its people. Now, after 5 months without my work, I miss working with people and I am also very interested to know how occupational therapists work here in Japan, with a totally different culture than the european one. What is the real opinion about handicapped children ? How are they treated ? What about mental illness ? How is the opinion about handicapped people who never can work, in this land where working is so totally important ? Many interesting questions for which I want to find an answer. 　I think the best way for me to learn about the culture and the people of Japan is to share experiences, knowledge and perhaps also feelings, by working together

( As she did not left me her essay but her e-mail, I'd like to put those here.) 　Dear Mr. Wakamatsu, 　I have just got your letter so I thought I would answer at once. Yes it is O.K. for me to meet this evening any time. Maybe we can use one of those meeting rooms in building number 1 that you mentioned. Maybe we could meet by the telephone boxes just beside main entrance and then go wherever you think is best. For example at 6 o'clock (but if that is too late for you just change it whenever it is convinient for you, I can always make a break and come). 　I think I remember you at Thursday noon time, but I had no idea that it was you. Vincent went and talked to you while we waited for the key. You were sitting on the little wall just oposit to gymnasium, but I didn't notice that you were sketching (gym). Is it right? I am usually very bad in paying attention to things around me, and in remembering peoples faces!!!. See you then 　Best regards from 　B.G