■ Surely, it improves in any fields. In 2012, you were back in Japan. And you chose Nagano for your basement?

Y: Right.


■ Why did you select Nagano? That is the best place for making bicycles in Japan?

Y: ... I got in Italy and what surprised me most was it was well-balanced among the three; farming, industry and sightseeing. Most towns in Italy showed me so. In Japan, every place uniformly heads for Tokyo. Some failed and finally caused depopulation. That is seldom seen in Italy.


■ It means there are several mid-size towns here and everywhere, and no bipolarization in Italy?

Y: Yeah, and every town has each color. Therefore each town materializes as a sight-seeing area.

■ In Japan, we have to see a group of buildings even in Kyoto besides a part and it is difficult to find the special color.

Y: I believe the provinces should take specialization. It is a lie local areas give you little work. They must try to show its special color in local areas.


■ Going along a standard, no towns get over Tokyo and they cannot help getting down.

Y: Miracle must be it, Nagano is well-balanced as Italy. There are many hot spring resorts in Nagano and it is good for sightseeing. They produce a lot of great apples. Here and everywhere you find small workshops inside Nagano. Moreover, they are so friendly to the inner. When I got in Nagano for the first time, I felt very comfortable and thought it was just like Italy.


■ What made it?

Y: Nagano has kept its original culture since you can do most inside. I think they are not so exclusive. Most of Italians are also exclusive, you know. So I need not feel absorbed in Tokyo. Even if someone gives me a room in Tokyo, I will refuse.