OSAKA — He seems to have it all. A tenured university professor in the Kansai region, fluent in English and partially conversant in Chinese, he is consulted by senior local business leaders seeking advice on doing business in the United States and Europe and has served on local government committees promoting international exchanges.
But the professor, who didn't want his name revealed, has a secret — he's an alcoholic. His addiction has nearly cost him his secure university position, forced him to cancel media appearances and, once, prevented his attendance at a conference in Paris, where he was due to deliver a keynote speech.
"Alcoholism is a disease. But Japanese society as a whole still doesn't see it that way, and few people I work with know that I'm an alcoholic," the 63-year-old educator said, adding he attends a Kansai chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous.