Mitsui

I haven't talked about work much, but I think it's worth a mention. The Japanese are so incredibly gracious, polite, and eager to speak English to me! I am obviously a foreigner, and they take that as a really good sign that Mitsui is constantly expanding. Unlike their Western counterparts (Americans), it's almost as if they like change!! Here's a perfect example, today I went to Toyota City for an introduction to another Mitsui subsidiary (MBA=Mitsui Bussan America). In preparation for my visit, they translated their entire PowerPoint presentation and Excel documents into English. When my meeting was over, I had to wait for my travel partner (Yosuke Kawakami) who was in different meeting. I waited at a table in the main office, and many people started coming over to bring me things! For instance, they brought out Japanese cookies for me to try and caramel balls (think Milk Duds) and potato chips!! Next thing I know, a cup of coffee appears in an actual china cup and saucer, while everyone else in the office is using paper cups or ceramic mugs. When Yosuke came to get me, he was quite jealous. He said no one offers him snacks or treats him like royalty! Above: You know you've made it big time when you have a 2-sided business card. Below: My full-access ID badge to Mitsui. Also works as a credit card at any Mitsui store or cafeteria, and the money comes directly out of your payroll!

One last item, I rode in my first driver on the right-side car today! Our old TF president (Shin Shimada) gave Yosuke and me a ride back to Nagoya to avoid a rush hour train trip. I also got to experience the Mitsui parking garage, which has an elevator for cars!! It was very cool! Also, Mitsui has about 12 assigned parking spaces, and Shin's was the only car. Just goes to show you that most people prefer to walk or take the train each day.