"Aka M.M.," laughed Masumi Muramatsu. In no time at all he introduces a lighthearted note into conversation.

Muramatsu is active in the Japan Society for Laughter and Humor Studies. Last year in Osaka, he addressed the annual conference of the International Society of Humor Studies. This year he will make a presentation at the society's humor convention in Maryland. "Last year I talked about 'Is Japanese humor an oxymoron?' This year I want to talk about how, between different cultures, we can find 'interfaces' of humor, comparing jokes and sharing laughter and merriment," Muramatsu said.

Gleeful, described as Puckish, Muramatsu is well known in international circles and at many levels for his mastery of simultaneous interpretation. In 1965 he helped create Simul International, which organized professional conferences and offered a full range of interpreting and translating services. He served as president, then chairman, and when the company was sold stayed on as senior advisor for two years. He was director of Simul Press, a book publisher. He was also president of Simul Academy, which provided courses in interpreter training and in English.