Jakusui: That sounds like a dream. But why did you want to study agricultural economics instead of music?

Priest Danjo: My major at university in Kyoto was economics. I studied subjects that interested me, like banking theory, statistics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. Around that time, a book on global environmental economics came out and became a bestseller. They addressed themes like how food and the environment must be properly managed for the economy to function well. It was a time when environmental issues were prominent in America.

Right after I learned from that book that agricultural economics existed, I wanted to study it. A professor of agricultural economics just joined the university and I ended up taking that professor's class and became interested in environmental issues.

That's also what led me to visit the central market. My graduation thesis was about the flow of food in Kyoto, leading me research the food supply chain in that area.

Back then, I wanted to study environmental issues, the economic problems related to agriculture providing truly safe and secure food—the new field known as ‘agricultural economics’. When I shared this desire, he encouraged me, saying, “You can learn more by going to America.” That California university was a pioneer in agricultural economics, and thanks to him, I was able to spend a year there.

Around the time I arrived in America, he was transferred to the Thai embassy and I lost all contact with him. I knew he was somewhere on this planet, but I had no idea where he was. However, after the internet age arrived, I managed to reconnect with him through social media!

He was probably around 33 when he worked at the American embassy, so he should be about 75 or 76 now. He seems to have received gifted education from a young age and can speak six languages. He's also as full of humor as ever, and we joke around with each other.