I was Lia's interpreter when she came to Tokyo to represent American non-profit organizations. She made a presentation in English and I interpreted her speech into Japanese. After the occasion she and I went to a restaurant along with others who were invited by the organizer. She and I became friends then and have kept our friendship since then.

The friendship between us has never stopped and she and I frequently talk on Skype. Because of the physical distance between us, Lia being in the U.S. and I am being in Japan, we do not worry about our words being spread into unwanted directions, and we often confide in each other.

When she told me about her promotional chances and dilemmas, I was in deep thought for the entire day the next day and decided to send my thoughts in writing, partly to encourage her and partly to organize my thought.