Hi, Kenji, (excuse me this is American way, it took me over 10years to get used to call person by first name, BUT still we shall call you as Mr. Fusejima in formal way??). In the USA today, when you are called by last name, usually very good occasion(respected by someone in business occasion etc.) or so bad (police or other authority wants you!).
Well, first of all, thank you very much for your postings in our C-R list. Your comments regarding Japanese collectors and society/culture give us much interesting perspectives/explanations for what is taking place overthere today.
Since I left Japan in 1971, (yet I was back 77 to 80), I have been away from Bicycling for 25 years, and I have no idea(or very little) what took place in Japanese cycling world during the period. What I remember prior to 1970 was; there was no imported high quality frame was available, all Japanese parts which we could afford was copies from European origin, and so poor quality. Campagnolo parts was so great and expensive, every roadrace's dream parts. They had to pay 360 yen to each dollar (some black market dollar was even over 400 yen). Today, Japanese yen worth 3 to 4 times more than then.
There is no wonder that the Japanese economic power is next USA , (no counting PR Chine and Russia), of course, desposable income is one of the highest in the world. The collectors in the little island will pay top dollars for waht they want. This will change US market a bit, and we must be aware what taking place in their market.
At this point, Mr. Fusejima can be our great asset to obtain current infomation on Japanese collectors ideas. I would like to welcome him and his comments in our list, and appreciate his extra effort in English(American English) compositions.
Warmest Regards,
KEN TODA, over the hill rider became collectors of vingate bike in NC, USA