Behind the Headlines

By Charles Slat
I had a panic attack Sunday on my way to a reception at Pagelli’s Cuchina for the mayor of Hofu and other visitors from the Japanese city.
I forgot to bring along some business cards.
Here I was, trying to remember the few Japanese words I picked up on a visit to Hofu and Tokyo in 1986, and I forgot to remember some of the most important protocol when meeting Japanese professionals — the obligatory exchange of business cards.
I dug deep in my wallet and, happily, discovered two cards squirreled away. Upon meeting Mayor Masato Matsuura, he quickly pulled a card from his pocket. I responded with my own at the ready in my shirt pocket.
My visit to Hofu was to have a look-see at the Mazda plant there, which was the model for what now is the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock. I recall Hofu as an industrial town. Today, it has about six times the population of Monroe.
Once of the big attractions in the city is a Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to worshiping the god of literature and scholarship, Tenjin.
Oh yeah, Monroe might be one of the oldest settlements in Michigan, but Hofu is older. In fact the Tenmangu Shrine was built in 904.
By the way, a photo of the shrine adorns the business cards of the Hofu group.