Here's a somewhat morbid link that really hit home how far these Tokyo-area trains can travel in a day (suburban express to urban and back again, times four):
Beef and tofu go very well together. As an ex-vegetarian (from my childhood) it took me a while to get used to seeing tofu (successfully) mixed with meat.
If you frame it as an abbreviated form of "Aside from the money, why do you want to work for us?", it makes more sense. Sure, the answer might be a lie but it can also be an opportunity for the interviewee to demonstrate interview preparedness.
"Music of chance" I'd say, it's a good ride, easy to read, also showcases a lot of his qualities and has a place in my mind forever.
Edit: "Moon palace" is similar in a way. I think those two left the biggest impression in me. They both are probably not the critique's favorites, but perfect as an intro I think.
"Mr Vertigo" was my intro and I think it was a good one as well.
"In the Country of Last Things" is also great, but a bit short for the story arc iirc.
I read the New York trilogy relatively late but these are arguably his most well-received books and I enjoyed them a lot as well.
The other books I mentioned he wrote later, if I'm not misremembering.
I haven't read all of his books, but my personal favorite was "Invisible". I really loved the style and that the book is told from the perspective of three different narrators with sometimes wildly different interpretations of the same events.
Living in Japan for the last 25 years or so, I with the BOJ would have a bit of a lower trigger. The weak yen is not very fun to live with at the moment...
When I was very young, maybe kindergarten, I was given permission to walk outside across a field to watch some kids playing ice hockey on a piece of ice (not a rink, just frozen water). This was in Ottawa, Ontario. I had to cross a ditch to get there. Water was flowing underneath and there was a thin layer of ice on top. I stepped on it and "fell" into the ditch water. It was probably under 12 inches of water, and I panicked and screamed. Luckily, one of the kids (probably grade 3 or 4) walked over and used his hockey stick to save me. I thanked him and walked one minute to my aunt's house, telling my family that I'd almost drowned. I don't remember their exact reaction but it was muted. I am almost positive I would have actually drowned if that boy hadn't decided to wander over and help me. It was over 50 years ago and I'll never forget it.
https://soranews24.com/2024/07/03/man-passes-away-on-tokyo-t...