INTERVIEWS

Standing in the bustle of Tokyo, I realized that at the very core, we are not so different after all.

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Bryan Sherman Global Human Resources consultant (In Japan this time since November 2007) We’ve interviewed people who came from “literally” all over the world. We did not have the intention of meeting people from around the world in order to convey the notion that “at the core, all people are essentially the same.” But, after many interviews, this is a point that I have heard echoed time and time again. Recently we met a man who espouses such ideas. Bryan Sherman, American born and raised, now calls Tokyo home. He

INTERVIEWS

We want to be seen as a great entertainment group in Tokyo, not as some silly “gaijin” group.

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Mike Staffa (USA) Improv comedy group founder Photo Credit: Michael Holmes Photo   Almost two years ago we last talked with Mike Staffa, the founder of the Pirates of Tokyo Bay. The group is Tokyo’s only bilingual comedy group specializing in improvisational (improv) comedy. He told us how and why he started his own comedy group in Osaka and Tokyo to bring laughter to audiences regardless of their native language. This year, the Pirates of Tokyo Bay will mark their 5th anniversary with a special show on November 29th at

INTERVIEWS

Make the change that you want to do. And create new opportunities.

Written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Anthony Joh (Canada) The 5th guest for the “MET Morning Interview” is Anthony Joh, Business Development Director of GPlus Media. Anthony is in charge of developing the GaijinPot website, which is the largest online resource for anyone looking to work, study or live in Japan. We first were introduced to Anthony by one of his colleagues and met up in a bar in Roppongi to hear of his business background. We’ve met many foreign entrepreneurs up to now, but we’ve never met a person like him. Most of entrepreneurs we’ve met have

INTERVIEWS

I feel Japan will succeed. I want to help it.

Written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Keith Perhac (USA) IT Consultant On February 15th, we held the 4th “MET Morning Interview”, where we conduct public interviews with cutting-edge business leaders in English. The guest speaker for this Interview was Keith Perhac, who’s been working in Gifu as an IT consultant. We met Keith at a meetup for entrepreneurs called “GTIC” which was held in Tokyo in the spring of 2013. He often raised his hand and showered questions on presenters in Japanese. That was so impressive for us. Then he joined our presentation event called “Mechakucha Night” in May

INTERVIEWS

The “Pirates” is a family. Trust off stage makes the trust on stage.

Written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Mike Staffa (USA) Improv comedy group founder Photo Credit: Michael Holmes Photo   Today we introduce you to the “Leader of the Pirates”. Mike Staffa, the founder of the improv comedy group called the “Pirates of Tokyo Bay” (POTB). As soon as he stepped in the venue for this interview, he said, “I’m sweating today!” even though it was a cold day outside. Because according to him, where he comes from was currently -40C that day! We’re not sure he was joking or not, but anyway he is totally a funny guy.

INTERVIEWS

If they are interested in tea, they would be interested in Japanese tea.

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Ian Chun (USA) Tea Merchant Ian at the symbolic starting point of all roads in Japan at the Nihonbashi bridge in Tokyo.“We all have a starting point on the road to discovering Japanese culture.” My Eyes Tokyo welcomed the 2nd guest speaker for MET Morning Interview at the end of 2013. Ian Chun is the founder of Match Latte Media, and has introduced Japanese tea to people in about 50 countries around the world. We met him at a small entrepreneurial event in Tokyo in 2012. There were many entrepreneurs

INTERVIEWS

Tokyo doesn’t need to be like anybody else. Tokyo doesn’t need to be like New York or London.

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Loren Fykes (USA) Entrepreneur   We have been organizing asakatsu (literally “morning activities”) meetups since early 2013. Initially, we focused on bringing people together for discussions on hot topics in English with English learners and native English speakers. From these meetings, we had the idea to start a new project. Because My Eyes Tokyo does regular interviews with both local and international artists and business, we thought it would be interesting to do bring these interviewees to asakatsu and conduct the interview openly in English with meetup participants. We have

INTERVIEWS

To know the differences between Japanese and English is the best way to learn English.

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Mike Cadman (Canada) Educator (He’s been in Japan since 2004) Nowadays, My Eyes Tokyo is engaged in English-related projects because we’d like to encourage people who want to be able to speak English well. Today’s interview will help them a great deal. It is with Mike Cadman, an English educator here in Tokyo. He came up with the word “Janglish”, which means “Japanese-English”. He researched how it differs from natural English and turned it into a book. He tells us that a good way to learn a language is “to

INTERVIEWS

My goal is to spread fake food replicas originating from Osaka around the world.

                                                                                  Justin D. Hanus (USA) Founder/CEO of Fake Food Japan (Resident in Japan since 2001) Have you seen “fake food replicas”? Ones that are made out of plastic and sculpted to look like actual dishes? The fake food items we’re referring to are the ones in display cases of restaurants or cafes throughout Japan. Mr. Hanus started the “Fake Food

INTERVIEWS

There won’t be a war as long as you know about others and talk to them.

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   David Sindell (USA) Lawyer David Sindell is a business immigration lawyer with offices in New York, San Francisco (Silicon Valley), and recently in Tokyo. We met him at the presentation and exchange event for entrepreneurs called “GTIC (Global Techno Innovation Cafe)”, which was held by Tomo Akiyama, a Japanese venture capitalist. He’s been traveling between America and Japan for many years and recently became a gaikokuho bengoshi (foreign law registered lawyer) in Japan. Specifically through his Silicon Valley office, he acts as a bridge between Japanese ventures and the mecca of