The Best English (and Japanese) Manga Available!

Author Michael Howard joins Voices in Japan again following the release of the hysterically funny manga version of The Salaryman available at thesalarymanbook.com. The digital comic book is a collaboration between Mike and Reina (a Japanese illustrator) that highlights Mike's experiences living in Japan and working as a businessman in the Japanese corporate world. Needless to say, there is plenty of laugh-out-loud humor when cultures collide, and The Salaryman gives both foreign and Japanese readers an inside look on everything Mike had the pleasure and horror of experiencing!

For the interview, we caught Mike during a major transition in his life, where a great opportunity in publishing has him returning to live in his hometown of Chicago, but it will also allow him to frequently return to Japan. Mike opens up about his mixed feelings about no longer living in Japan, the things he will miss about the culture, and the recent efforts he has made with his Japanese in-laws to strengthen their relationship following his divorce a couple of years ago.  We of course also cover some of the great humor in The Salaryman manga as well!

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The Red House Rusutsu
Located in the heart of Rusutsu Ski Resort, the restaurant features a mix of Japanese, Asian fusion, and western Style dishes, including shabu-shabu with wagyu beef and Hokkaido wagyu beef steak. Open winter and summer, 12-3pm for lunch, 5-9pm for dinner, with prices ranging from under Yen 1000 to about Yen 5000.
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Bearfoot Bar
12 different types of Japanese made craft beers, both bottles and on tap. A range of whiskeys and basic cocktails also available. Tapas style menu and burgers. Friendly English and Japanese speaking staff. Open 7 days a week. Located in downtown Sapporo, walking distance from the subway station. Why not pop in for a drink if you are in town!
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Rusutsu Lodges
Open all year round. Located 5 minutes walk to the main Rusutsu Ski Resort Gondola. There are Japanese, Western, and apartment style rooms with breakfast packages available. There’s a Japanese sento (public bath), two convenience stores less than a minute walk, ski room and tune up tables, free pick up available from the bus stop, plenty of free parking space, and summer BBQ packages available. Check out the website for more booking and availability.
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