I am very glad to know that the word "hospitable (omotenashi)" is a very popular topic now in Japan because of television presenter Christel Takigawa's impressive speech last month to invite the Olympic Games to Tokyo in 2020.
In Japan we perform the Japanese art of tea ceremony, a tradition that respects human closeness. This means that the host meets the guest as if it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. An expert on the tea ceremony, after he has sent off his guest, will then make tea for himself and drink it calmly to remember the guest.
Needless to say, sports will unite the world at the Tokyo Olympic Games. However, I really hope, as a Japanese, that the omotenashi Olympic and Paralympic Games will be truly hospitable ones so that people will know Japanese hospitality and not just the sporting events while visiting Japan.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.