Back in 1991, I was offered a tenured position at a university in Kyoto. Needless to say, this was a big step for me and my family, who were all looking forward to settling into Kyoto life.

I went to the home of the professor friend who had first proposed me for a position. It was done and dusted. Or so I had thought.

We were about to leave in a taxi to meet the president for the handshake, when the phone rang. My friend came back into the living room with an exceedingly glum expression on his face.