Japanese Affairs

apan. An English Language Teaching conference in Tokyo, and a major feature film production in Kyoto which is taking place at the same time. Hollywood action hero Donny Kavenagh is starring alongside award winning art film star, Zen Sierra.

The mysterious Junn is an English teacher from Kyoto who dresses in traditional Japanese costume and is a reluctant visitor to the big Tokyo conference, as well as a recruit as a film extra. The film production, set in the Shogunate, is a major part of the story.

Many of the Greek Affairs group are here. Roger Fleetwood is in Japan to cement his teaching guru status (but so is his ex-wife). Graham Donaldson has just completed American Intercourse which is merely the title of an English textbook. Their old boss Malcolm O’Reilly is another on his first visit to Japan. So is Roberta, just promoted from Area Manager for United Universities Press in Greece (in Greek Affairs) to Deputy Sales Director worldwide. Cosser Grace-Pitleigh is also checking out the Japanese branch of Truman Education.

The Americans contrast with our British party. Hiram is the local publisher’s rep and is a professional Southerner. Then there’s the elderly and foul-mouthed linguistics expert, Aphra Mosconi, from Chicago, Elaine, Graham’s American editor and Hazel the clearly Canadian conference organizer. Debbie, the Aussie backpacker, turns out to be a karate expert.