When we first set foot on the ground of these new lands at the airport exit, taxis were already waiting for us. But unlike the African countries we had visited, the taxi drivers were not rushing towards us, greedy for money... No, they were simply standing straight in front of their cars with a commercial smile on their lips. The famous cherry trees were already visible, a little further on in the parking lot, framing the blue April sky with their pink lace. It was cliché, but how beautiful it was ! The music, also seemed to say "hello" ! A music that had nothing to do with the K-pop boy bands that my daughter loves to listen to on repeat while reading stupid manga. No, an instrumental music that still enveloped our ears with its sweet traditional scent, even after passing through the automatic doors of the airport...

This music was playing all the way to the sidewalk of exit F12 of the airport, I remember it very well because that's what I told my boss once I had enough signal to call him. He was already on the spot. I mechanically told him about the trip on the phone to be polite and to make him feel that I was still so invested in this mission, that I wasn't giving up, etc. But in truth, I was amazed by the surprisingly peaceful and refined atmosphere of this country, even in urban areas, and I had seen so many before... I already loved this place and this gentle and codified way that they had of introducing us there, of introducing us to this new society, this new world of which we had, until now, only had echoes.

We were even treated to some treats as we got off the plane during a tea ceremony in a private cell at the airport. The room was padded and off-white. Enough to give my eyes, tired after a 15-hour flight, a bit of a rest... Because even in business class, it was impossible to really close my eyes. Not to mention the stress of this kind of decisive meeting... A generous buffet awaited us. Little delicacies, arranged in mandalas on a long, immaculate table, were catching our eye. These fine little constellations were just waiting for us to run our fingers over their salmon, pistachio or walnut toppings. The flavors, textures and ingredients merged into a joyful marriage that knew no boundaries between sweet and savory. As for the tea, it was served separately. Hot, floral and sugar-free of course, so that its aroma would not be overshadowed by anything. Because tea is sacred, just like coffee in Ethiopia.

We had made sure that we could relax a little before reaching our hotel, which was also synonymous with the launch of the hostilities of the negotiations with the meeting that awaited us the next morning, in the offices of our Japanese collaborator. The transition was supposed to be smooth, but this meeting would be less so. Suffice to say that these preludes were a bit like that karate master who greets you respectfully before dealing you the fatal blow ! Because the real estate and investment world, in Australia, India or Japan, doesn't know and will never know respite as long as capitalism watches over us, traditions or not.