NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo Pref. -- Back when Daisuke Inoue was a youngster banging drums with a local lounge band, he didn't think his invention for singalong soundtracks and a portable microphone would amount to much.
He certainly had no idea of applying for a patent.
Three decades later, karaoke is a household word worldwide and Inoue hardly sees a yen. His closest link to the business is selling cockroach killer for karaoke booths.