Bill Hersey’s Partyline, April 1987

A few days ago I had some time to kill, while waiting for some friends, so went into a hotel bookshop to browse. The store isn’t all that big and its amazing the number of books they carry on every aspect of life in Japan. It was also amazing how outdated some of the vide books are that bear some of most famous names in the travel world.

A prime example was the Fodor’s Budget Guide to Japan. I didn’t have time to get into the book, but in checking out restaurants and nightlife, discovered that some of those listed haven’t been out of business a year or two, but clubs like Elysees Matignon, the brain child of Sukarno ceased operations (after about six months) more than five years ago.

Another example was the live jazz chib Blue Shell which was changed to Za Makeup, a pastel colored disco that caters to very young Japanese, and this was about five years ago as well. Fodor’s  may be waking up, as they have Holli Ferretti, a very conscientious journalist, working for them now. . .but what about all those other books?

There are exceptions, of course. Judith Connor and her co-author Mayumi Yoshida keep their Tokyo City Guide updated as much as the publisher will permit. They are both very active, get out and around and pretty much know what’s happening in this very fast-paced, ever-changing city.

Beth Reiber who lived here for several years was also back recently and out on the town, updating costs and facilities of places she had listed in her kit book, Frommers Dolt is Guide to Japan and Hong Kong, and checking out the new places that have opened to see which were “good finds” for her readers.

It’s especially important in Japan to keep things as up-to-date as possible. Tokyo at its best is no easy city for the tourist and visiting businessman. You’d be pretty frustrated if you hopped into a taxi, paid anywhere from $5 to $25 to get to a disco, club or restaurant you thought sounded interesting, and once you got to the address listed, found out that particular establishment hasn’t been around for several years. It’s not only the obligation of the publisher to keep things as up to date as possible, which I know is not easy here but also the writers being paid for a service should certainly feel some sort of responsibility to their readers,

As I mentioned, I realize it isn’t all that easy., and in many (probably most) cases, the writer loses control of where, when and how the material is used once its sent off to the publisher. I got myself into this kind of situation in 19K I when asked to do the Japan section for a guidebook titled, “World In-Guide.” Actually I enjoyed getting it all together, and through phone calls and telexes to Germany (mostly at my own expense) was able to keep the information pretty accurate and up-to-date when ‘the book was published.

The big shock came in about 1985 when I received a copy of the ’85 updated publication that hadn’t (the Japan section anyway) been changed much at all. It still listed the Tokyo Hilton in the building the Capitol Tokyu. took over in 1984 and didn’t mention the Capitol Tokyu at all or that the Tokyo Hilton International had moved into the beautiful new building in Shinjuku, The rest of the material on Japan was just about as outdated.

When I talked to the publisher, a Swiss in the “paper products” business who published the book as “just a sideline,'” I was told the editor was a “very artsy German who was hard to control.” I doubt very much if the readers of the book who paid $100 for the little leather-bound publication could care less about the editor’s personality. For $100 you want and should get the best and latest info available.

National Day celebrations in April are as follows: the 3rd, Guinea National Day; the 4th Hungary’s Liberation Day and Senegal’s Independence Day; the 13th Chad’s National Day; the 16th, The Birthday of the Queen of Denmark, the 17th Syria’s Independence Day; the 18th, Zimbabwe’s National Day; the 26th Tanzania’s Union Day, and the 30th the Birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands. 

Irish in Japan celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a big way

I attended the mid-day reception when most of the guests were members of the diplomatic corps, government of and business leaders from both the Japanese and foreign communities. Once guests greeted the Ambassador they moved into the main reception rooms where they relaxed, talked and enjoyed the buffet lunch. It was a casual, relaxed affair with Ambassador Ronan and his staff circulating among the guests and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves and got to meet other guests they might not know. Our Irish friends are very thoughout that way.

I especially enjoyed meeting Wakako Hironalia, a member of the Hous of Councillors. Her husband is one of Japan’s top mathematicians and teaches at the University of Kyoto. She herself. first gained national prominence when she translated the book “Japan As Number One” into Japanese. She was very thoughtful that day as she had dressed all in green for the Irish celebration.

The only thing missing at the mid-day reception was the Ambassador’s wife, Brigid. She had a very busy schedule and was getting ready for the evening party for the Irish community here. The Ronans are great people and our congratulations to them and the rest of the Irish community on that very special day.

Prince Sidi Mohammed in Tokyo

From Delta’s offices in the Kokusai Building, we drove to the residence of the Moroccan Ambassador in Aobadai where, thanks to Ambassador Abdelaziz Benjelloun, his family and his staff, we had the honor and privilege of meeting HRH Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed and a delegation of top government officials and business leaders from Morocco. Prince Sidi Mohammed, just 23, made a tremendous impression during his visit here. We’ll be covering that in detail in the column soon. 

The Benjellouns have really been busy. On the 3rd, they hosted a magnificent reception at their home to celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of HM King Hassan II. Their son, Karim, broke his leg skiing he’s making a fast recovery. 

I really appreciate the opportunity to meet Prince Sidi Mohammed at a small reception Moroccan Ambassador and Mrs. Abdelaziz Benielloun held in his honor at their home. Guests were members of the Prince’s delegation, members of the Moroccan community here and. :a few Japanese including the always colorful Masao Ohya. Masako’s on in Morocco many times and hay met HRH King Hassan lit Prince Sidi Mohammed and other members of the Royal family when she visited Rabat.

I felt very privileged talking ith. the Prince about my visits to his great country. He’s just 23, but is a truly impressive symbol of his country. His visit did a great deal to further already excellent relations between Japan and Morocco. His country is just a few hours’ flight from most of Europes capital cities and, believe me, is a place you should visit at least once in your lifetime.

I had hoped to spend Easter in the Philippines, but several things I really wanted to attend got in the way. First there was a big party to celebrate the second anniversary of Shochi ku’s working with CBS Video on the 16th. That same evening Warner Brothers held a premiere of the Oscar-winning film “Platoon” at the Pantheon a.nd one of the. stars—Willem Dafoe—flew in from Bangkok whore.. he’s on location with Gregory Hines we on a film with the working title Saigon

Talk about a tight schedule, Willem arrived at Narita at 7:30 p,m.„ came directly to the theater  Acre he was interviewed after the screening of “Platoon” (what a powerful movie!). Later that night hei joined us at the Lexington Queen where the Askew family, the Askew models and the stars of “Singin’ in the Rain” where helping Nicola Askew celebrate her birthday..

The next morning Willem, caught the first flight back to Bangkok and was back on location the same day., in costume, makeup and working, No business like show business? Right!