On Kondo-san’s death:
I sat with a big tableful of friends from work, all of us eating together, when suddenly there was a phone call saying my dear friend had died in a vehicular accident, and we had to decide what to do with his inheritance in the wake of his death. At this time, no one dared to say anything, until I finally downed my glass of wine and let out a scream. Then we all released our sighs and began to discuss which charity agency to lend a helping hand to.
On the Tohoku earthquake:
In those first moments of this earthquake, everyone, myself included, lost contact with those in the south. I couldn’t reach my own father and uncle down there. I held my breath, sitting at a dinner that no one now dared to touch, until I I finally was able reached my dad, who was safe, over the phone. I raised my glass and wished for no harm to come to anyone else—Cheers!—as everyone sitting at the table did the same.