Tokyo meets the world: Greece

My first encounter with Japan was through a book at the age of eight, and I started judo three years after that. I’ve had a connection with Japan ever since. So when I arrived here, it was like coming to a place I know. Still, I’ve discovered many things I didn’t expect – all positive things. The atmosphere of utter politeness was particularly astounding to me. Japan has beautiful temples, advanced technology and all that, but those you can find elsewhere too. It’s the people who make Japan special – their politeness and softness. The first time I saw someone bowing here, I thought it was like a flower closing and opening. The dedication to every movement, every action, is an everyday characteristic of Japan that’s striking to me.

Before Japan, I spent six years in China. When I first came to this part of the world, it was like discovering a new planet, mainly because of the [character-based] writing system. It comes with a different way of thinking. It was a new discovery for me, and something I’ve come to love. In Japan it’s even more interesting, because a phonetic alphabet is used alongside Chinese characters and that affects the way people structure their thoughts. That’s extremely interesting to me.

It’s stressful because the city is so organised [laughs]. Life is predictable, which is good, but sometimes I’d like some happy surprises. Tokyo is a very livable city, thanks to its people. Strangers will leave everything else to come to your rescue, and will not let up until they’ve helped you. Japan might be one of the worst places in the world when it comes to earthquakes, floods and tsunamis, but it’s also one of the most beautiful places in the world to live in – because of its people.

I’d say that wherever I go, Japan heals me. It’s the country of details, where you can step into a garden of five square metres, put yourself in the moment, and that itself helps you decompress. You go out, bow to somebody and they bow back – simple things like that. Rather than a specific place, I just like watching people being nice to each other. They’re stressed, they have their own problems and are probably running behind schedule, but it doesn’t show in their interactions. At Arisugawa Park, you see fishermen fishing the same fish again and again ­– they always release their catch – and it clears your mind. [In moments like that] time becomes irrelevant.

In my opinion, the closest you get to a real Greek atmosphere is at Taverna Milieu in Azabu-Juban. That restaurant is run by a Japanese chef who used to cook for one of the previous Japanese ambassadors in Greece. He can duplicate Greek dishes to near-perfection. [Milieu] would be my first choice, but there are others too: Apollo in Ginza, Restaurant Fili [in Asakusabashi], and in Yokohama Sparta and Olympia – those two are obviously Greek [laughs]. 

Comparing Japan and Greece, there’s a difference in approach when it comes to cuisines. In Greece, it’s extroverted: my late grandmother used to say that if your neighbour doesn’t know what you eat – by the smell of course – your food is no good. In Greece, you have to go directly to the senses, but that’s not the case in Japan. Here, the cuisine is more about things like texture and presence. It’s very low-key and you have to ‘go for’ the taste – it won’t come to you. In Greece, the food comes to you: it smells, it’s got a strong taste, it’s in your face. In Japan, you have to understand the texture of the food, admire the presentation and the colours, and look for the taste. That’s true of both comfort food and the most expensive and elaborately presented dishes.

The Olympic spirit is not primarily about the athletic side; it’s about using sports to bring people together. At the Olympics, raw competition is harnessed to promote values such as fair play. As for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, I’m extremely proud to have been here to witness this moment, to see what Japan is doing. [Holding the Olympics] embodies the Japanese spirit: against all odds. These could be one of the most important Games in a long time, considering the circumstances, and Japan is ready to do whatever it takes to deliver. Cancelling the Games would have been easy, but that’s not the Japanese way, and I’m looking forward to seeing the Olympics and Paralympics end in success.

Generally speaking, the well-off part of the world should come to the real rescue of those less well off by giving them the means to fulfil their needs. This is very difficult, because you have to do things in a way that makes sense for those being helped. That’s true regardless of a specific country’s capacities, whether they’re large like in Japan or smaller like in Greece. [Solutions to sustainability challenges] have to be adjusted to how the people of specific countries think and go about things. Interview by Masashi Takahashi, coordination by Hiroko M. Ohiwa