Japan -here we come

I am much looking forward to the next 10 days in Japan. The Rust party comprises Sandra, Derek and Tom to report on matters rugby and Nancy, Daffers and myself on everything else.

My rugby playing experience was at my London school where I alongside other myopic, fatties and non-athletes were consigned to the fourth XV section.

It was fairly easy, still a little gang of Spurs supporters made it clear that one person would be singled out – and you hoped it would not be you.

The school teacher referees had no clue what was going on.

The school only ever produced one player of note, the Scottish beanpole forward Peter Stagg. The rugby coach was Don Rutherford famous for missing a penalty right in front of the posts.

Japan is a country that has always interested me.

My investments there have done well.

There is a strong corporate culture, they work hard, are governed by ritual but culturally hard to understand for us Gaijin (westerners).

Part of the joy of travel for me is prepping up on the country.

I bought various travel guides and fiction by Japanese authors but I was most indebted to a book recommendation – Atomic Sushi by Simon May, a British Professor of Philosophy on a sabbatical for a year to Tokyo University.

The picture that emerges from his perceptive writings is a respectful, well-ordered, inward-looking society with customs and practices -not to say language – which is difficult to fathom.

For those whose family suffered from Japanese cruelty in the last war, Japan is a no-go area.

There has been no process of reconciliation or apology but there is a powerful peace movement.

As with Germany, they rebuilt the country with dynamic manufacturing industries like motor cars, electronics and banks and are now the third strongest economy in the world.