The Asian Studies Conference Japan (ASCJ) was held on 19th and 20th in Waseda University. I joined it to sell books there. This kind of coference is the good chance for me to see many scholars. The books about Asian studies, especially Japanese study, is one of the most sold publications in Japan. So, it's important for my job to meet the scholars joining the conference.
A female scholar coming from Hiroshima looked at and checked many books exhibited there for a long time, and bought just one book. She wanted to buy more, but, to be honest, the scholar studying Asia is not rich. They need many books for their study, but they can't get enough budget from thier institution and the government.
That's why our business in the conference was not good.
But it's okey. To meet many interesting people itself is a fun job. I and other stuff enjoyed there.
It was surprising that I met Colin there. He studies the wildlife in Japan. Unfortunately I couldn't listen to his presentation, but his study of Takeshima (Take-island) sounds interesting.
The image of scholar might be a high-class image. But, they are ordinery people. Like us, they went to drink after the conference, and watched the World Cup. In front of their students, they are strict, but among their peers, they are very loose. It's funny. I like such customers.
