COMMUNICATIONS

I plan to visit Korea in early September. I have been invited by Hallym University to deliver a lecture. The same event will feature an academic debate, which I also willingly agreed to participate in. This is all in line with Nichibunken’s mission, and therefore makes me the man for the job, I thought.

Recently, however, I have begun to worry. This is not because of any issue with delivering a lecture in Korea; far from it. The problem is the Hanshin Tigers. I have long been a fan, and am pleased to say that the team is doing well this year. They are on a roll, and it looks like they will win the championship in early September.

It would be tough if they were to win while I am in Korea. If possible, I would like to celebrate this in Japan, in Kansai, and with my fellow fans.

However, this is hardly a reason to turn down my Korean hosts. I am also a responsible member of society, and will, of course, go. But what if I get injured and end up hospitalized at the end of August? Will people be suspicious? They might think I deliberately injured myself so I could watch Hanshin win the championship…