What I bungled the most

As a professional journalist, I have bungled many times like many other fellows. Some were still too sensitive to tell, however here are several cases I can share with you.

Number 1 : Make Dutch King Oily

I was a member of the Japanese media delegation of ten journalists invited by Dutch King Alexander in October 2014. The King was about to make the first state visit to Japan since his inauguration. So he had tried convey his thinking to the Japanese public before the trip. It was not clear why they put me on the invitation list, but I was always "head of the delegation" simply because I was the eldest.

The official meeting was held at his office (of course one of palaces!). I sit just in front of the king, and reporters from Asahi and Yomiuri sat both side of me. I questioned the first, but forgot what I asked him. It was not important anyway.

The Q&A was boring as you can easily imagine. He was not allowed to talk about political issues. No photo was allowed to take at the palace.

But real interesting item was found on the table. It was a piece of cookies. Nice looking Royal cookies were served in the center of the tale, just in front of me. It should be exciting to bring it back home to show "Here is the King Cookie!."

We all drunk very nice tea during the press conference or meeting, but Japanese polite journalists dared not to taste the cookies. No chance.

The 30 min meeting was over. All stood up and started to leave the office. And of course I sneak a cookie from the basket on the table into my hand. It was oily, but smelled good. Then I walked to the door with the game.

"Oh No." Then I found the King was shaking hands with each participant at the door! My right hand was oily with butter and cream of the cookie. I moved fast, putting it in the pocket and tried to clean up my hand as much as possible with trousers that I had bought just a few days before I left for the Netherlands.

I shook hands with the King. He was smiling. But my hand was still oily even after get out of the palace. I was convinced that he wash hands carefully after the meeting.

Another journalist came to me saying "If it were 17 century, they sent you the guillotine."

Yes, I was relieved indeed.

Number 2 is on the secret activities against the Russian Ambassador. No journalist ever set an IC recorder for 24 hours at Russian Ambassador's office except me. It happened in 2011 when I interviewed Russian Ambassador at his office in Mamiana, Tokyo....

(Photo by YAMADA, Masaru)