Taxi service

If you believe Tokyo is not internationally minded, then you haven't ridden in Mr. Kawaguchi's taxi. A Japanese editor friend after a recent late night bout with a deadline happened to flag down Kawaguchi-san on Meiji-dori about 3 am.

Once she had settled into the back seat, Mr. Kawaguchi politely inquired as to what kind of music she cared to listen to. In a small box on the floor of his taxi, Mr. Kawaguchi keeps 100 cassettes of 100 kinds of music. Korean folk music? No problem. Reggae? Of course. Mozart? Charlie Parker? Enka? Sure thing. He keeps this collection handy because listening to one's favorite type of music reduces stress, he says.

Mr. Kawaguchi considers himself Tokyo's personal ambassador and welcome service. He can recite the names of 201 countries in less than 90 seconds. He handed the tired editor, who was now listening to jazz standards, a small checklist printed with the names of the nations. Then with a timer on, he began in a mumbling, sing-song tone to chant out the countries as if reciting a Buddhist sutra. The checklist to make sure he doesn't neglect a nation. He didn't.

Mr. Kawaguchi can also name every American president from Washington to Bush Jr., and every American state and it's capitol.

Mr. Kawaguchi's memory is not a parlor trick. Nor is he a show off. He has sharpened his memory to such a fineness in order to make his passengers feel comfortable. He believes that if a person shows an interest in a traveler's country, the visitor will feel welcome.

And when the time comes to bid adieu, Mr. Kawaguchi can say thank you in 59 languages. No tip necessary.

--mjk