18 Comments

Deer unaware. You are so innocent.

Trouble coming.

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Hahahah. You have a hunter’s eye.

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You give us clues, Jack. Poor Kyle.

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Oh, intriguing! It's always fun to read about foreigners in Japan before English got more widespread, a Japan even more unsuited to non-Japanese speakers that I never experienced. How exciting but also how much more frustrating! And how is the collapse of the U.S. president related to Kyle's story?

Looking forward to more 90s Tokyo vibes!

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Fabulous. I’m so glad you took the time and had reactions. Hope you will stay tuned!

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An auspicious beginning. Ready for more!

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GOOD! So glad to hear.

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Looking forward to the next installment!

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Perfecto. Two more are already done and in the Waiting file, and I’m plotting out the fourth. This is nasty stuff…serial stories.

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Bravo! I don't think I'd be brave enough to do it like that. I'd be afraid of getting lost in my own planning/plotting. I have no problems with serialising something I've already finished, though. However it's done, I think using Substack for serialisation is an interesting idea.

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Beautiful friendship between Kyle and the ramen dude.

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Thanks!!

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Aug 12Liked by Jack Krown

My first job in Tokyo was rewriting English-language technical manuals at a Second Section TSE-listed Japanese electronics manufacturer.

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Weren’t we all??? Lol!!

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Basic needs the first to learn...sake kudasai!

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You've got me hooked! Although I am a little younger than the fictional Kyle, I was living in a 15 square meter "one-room mansion" behind the Matsuya Department Store in Asaskusa at the same time!

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Oh boy. We ca compare notes someday! Mine had an air conditioner. :)

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Living high on the hog! Just kidding! I seem to remember that mine did, too. Actually, one of the best parts of the experience was being able to hang out in the neighborhood at night after most of the tourists had gone home. I became a regular at ramen shops and other hole-in-the-wall eateries. Being in charge of only 15 square meters certainly made it easy to clean!

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