Picture the world's busiest television presenter, and imagine yourself squinting through the glare of high-wattage celebrity, struggling to breathe in air perfumed with pampered showbiz egos.

But fresh from hosting Japan's most popular afternoon talk-show, Monta Mino arrives in a reception lounge at the broadcasting giant Nippon TV with nothing more elaborate than a crinkly-eyed grin and the faint whiff of high-performance after-shave. With no entourage, minders or PR types in sight, the dapper 64-year-old oozes bonhomie and easy charm from his permatanned pores.

It's been another busy year for the self-confessed workaholic, who has a place in Guinness World Records for appearing live in front of TV cameras more than anyone else on the planet. In 2008, he topped his previous record by 18 minutes, clocking up 22 hours and 5 seconds in one week — then wondered aloud why he couldn't work Sundays as well.