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Jun 21, 2026

Public figures, artists, authors with foreign roots you admire?

One that comes to mind is the late C.W. Nichol. Born in Wales, formerly a Canadian, he became a Japanese citizen. Nichol was a journalist and writer who championed the preservation of Japan's natural environment and wrote fiction and non-fiction books. He was a regular columnist in the Japan Times. I regret that I never met him, though some of my martial arts colleagues did. Which foreign resident (or Japanese citizens with foreign roots) do you respect? What are they noted for?

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

Living between the Tone and Edo Rivers in Higashi Katsushika area of Chiba Prefecture.

4 Answers



Best Answer

  • BigfamJapan

    on Jun 24

    @TonetoEdo that's the one! I was at an event in Dublin last year and he was the main guest speaker. Afterward my friend and I got to talk to him and get our photo with him - pity I can't upload it in comments! I thought about writing a City-cost post about it but ultimately decided against it. Maybe in the future. He was very different, in a good way, to how I always imagined him to be. Excellent speaker and about as knowledgeable about rugby as they come. I could have listened to him for hours. Spoke about his Japanese mother, who is 94 and going strong, with great respect too. She is also a fascinating lady. Phil Davies - head of world rugby - (among others) spoke at the event too, also a formidable guy, but Jones stole the show.

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  • BigfamJapan

    on Jun 24

    Having met Eddie Jones last year, he is the first one that comes to mind. He made an indelible impression. Officially, he is "hafu," but doesn't seem to consider himself Japanese.

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  • TonetoEdo

    on Jun 24

    @BigfamJapan The rugby coach, Eddie Jones? How'd you meet him?

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  • genkidesu

    on Jun 25

    @BigfamJapan Would love to read a blog about your experience meeting him if you do get the chance!

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