INTERVIEWS

We believe that Japan is suited to multiculturalism.

日本語 Interview by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Jennifer A. Hoff (My Eyes Tokyo) info@myeyestokyo.com   Menikaru Rakugo pair Does everybody remember the Swedish rakugo storyteller who My Eyes Tokyo interviewed in the past? At the time, he was performing amateur rakugo by the name “Borubotei Ikeya (Volvo-tei Ikea).” But in July 2016, Johan Nilsson Björk became an apprentice of Sanyutei Koraku, a well-known performer on the Japanese TV comedy program “Shoten” (笑点; English: “punchline”), and entered the professional entertainment world as “Sanyutei Juubee”. After about four years of training, he was promoted from zenza (前座, the lowest rank of performer)

Happy Birthday to the countries!

Happy Birthday to Sweden!

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and the most populous city in the Nordic countries. *Photo from Wikipedia June 6 is National Day of Sweden. This event does signify the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union, so in a sense it is a marking of Swedish independence, though the event occurred so long ago that it does not have as strong of a presence in the social consciousness as does. The tradition of celebrating this date began 1916 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium, in honor of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, as this was considered the foundation of

INTERVIEWS

If I made an unfunny joke, I could say, “I guess it’s ‘cause I’m from Sweden”. Do you know why?

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Johan Nilsson Björk (Sweden) Rakugo Performer   We have introduced to you Kimie Oshima, a Japanese “English-rakugo (落語)” performer before, but now we have another. This time from… Sweden! His name is Johan Nilsson Björk, a.k.a Borubo-tei Ikeya. “Borubo” means Volvo, the Swedish automotive company, and “Ikeya” refers to IKEA, the world-famous Swedish furniture retailer. A professional rakugo performer gave him such a great stage name. Johan discovered rakugo in Japan and decided to settle in the country after going back home once. His reason Because he fell in love

INTERVIEWS

I really wondered when and where Japanese people learned being friendly and caring about each other.

Interviewed by Isao Tokuhashi & Masayuki Abe Written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: itokuhashi@myeyestokyo.com   Tanja Sobko (Sweden) Nutritionist/cooking instructor (She’d been in Japan from 2006 to early 2009) We introduce you to a wonderful lady. Tanja Sobko, a Swedish nutritionist who currently works in Hong Kong. She came to Japan in 2006 after she gained the chance of coming to Japan. It has been her true love since she was a little girl, and she interacted with folks here with boundless love. Japanese people also became big fans of her, too. So she came over to the people like