The Imperial Hotel in central Tokyo's Hibiya district is a surprising place. Yes, of course the rich and famous stay there. But how many realize that this famed institution also rents out private office suites. On the fifth floor, for example, is where TV commentator and author Kenichi Takemura hangs out.
A knock brings one of several female staff to the door. Passing through this room into another, here lies the maestro upon his couch. He appears half asleep, and most definitely puzzled. Did he know I was coming? He did. Oh well, he indicates grumpily, pulling himself up into a sitting position, then you'd better sit down.
It would be a rare Japanese over, say, the age of 40, who does not know Takemura's face and name and trademark pipe. Being compared in his heyday to the U.K.'s David Frost, he can lay claim to having interviewed just about everyone who was anyone over the years.