Japan is a rich and varied country and as an island nation has a unique culture, one that is both steeped in its rich heritage and yet ambitiously moving forward with new technologies. Its capital city Tokyo, a global megalopolis, is both calm and frantic at the same time, if that is possible to imagine. Japan is also a nation of immense hospitality and immense modesty.
My experiences have ranged from hosting the sister of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Madame Takako Shimazu to hosting First Lady of Japan, Madame Akie Abe, wife of the Honorable Prime Minister, both for the first time in Pakistan-Japan diplomatic history.
That these ladies graced Pakistan Residence to savour Pakistani food was certainly welcome. Madame Shimazu enjoyed traditional Pakistani food, not the typical banquet food that is so often served. Underlining her connection to the citizens she expressed the wish to eat food that the ordinary people ate. She was surprised to learn that the Pakistani people also ate 'arvis'(taro), especially since it was a traditional vegetable of Japan also.
It was the "Karhee-Chawal" that she tasted for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed. For me to have someone raised in the Imperial Palace enjoyed the simple but elegant food of Pakistan, not an ostentatious meal at the Pakistani Residence was telling.
The First Lady of Japan on the other hand enjoyed the spicy barbeque and the most excellent rice of Pakistan, "Sella". Her visit was in connection with the first ever interfaith event at the Embassy which brought together leaders of all faiths in Japan - Muslim, Buddhist, Christian and Shinto. I was able to highlight the tolerant side of Pakistani society.
Marvelous as these opportunities were, it is the encounters with the ordinary citizens of Japan as anywhere else that reveal a nation's soul. There are many instances where all of us have experienced random acts of kindness all over the world.
One particular incident happened on the Tokyo urban train system which I used extensively since it gave the true feel of the city. My family and friends were visiting Japan. We took an urban train, the famous Yamanote Line, that runs a circle in the city in order to experience the above ground local vistas. One young visually impaired lady was seated in the train.
As with most Tokyo trains it was crowded. However, at one point this lady got up from her seat. We thought that she was going to disembark at the next station. What transpired was truly moving. What we learnt was that on hearing us speak in a foreign language, despite not being able to see, she got up to let the visitors be seated as guests of her country. Such is the hospitality. A random act of kindness that will never be forgotten.