<figure id="attachment_363474" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1902px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-363474"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="f7362297"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/03/6d800bcdf6517c4f25a8d701ab637187.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-363474" class="wp-caption-text">Even though it was just after opening, the restaurant was crowded with couples and regular customers. Plans to enhance the sake selection with the help of a sake taster</figcaption></figure>
Right after the opening, despite being a short walk from Toyocho Station on the Tozai Line, as I passed through the noren of an izakaya with the name &#8216;Isokou&#8217; written on it, a dark-skinned man with a twisted headband welcomed me, saying, &#8216;Welcome!'&#8221;
Formerly known for his cosplay dance performances as characters like Thousand-Hand Guanyin and Major Leaguers during his days as a martial artist, Genki Sudo, 46, has now transitioned into a real izakaya owner.
&#8220;My parents managed this place, but my mother passed away at the end of last year, leaving my father alone. Next year, the shop will celebrate its 50th anniversary. I decided to stand behind the counter because I didn&#8217;t want to break the chain of history.&#8221;
Sudo keenly felt the need for educational reform during his student days, leading him from being a martial artist to aspiring to become a politician. He admits that he had &#8220;avoided&#8221; taking over the family business of running an izakaya since childhood.
&#8220;As I grew up and tried my hand at business, I realized how amazing my parents were at running the shop. I owe my current position to them, who protected this shop. Even while grilling yakitori and washing dishes, I had realizations. Customers choose dishes down to the last 10 yen. In reality, the daily service item priced at 380 yen is the most popular.
They say, &#8216;It&#8217;s cheap and appreciated.&#8217; That&#8217;s how tough the world is. Huge slush funds of politicians are making headlines, showing how far removed they are from the feelings of ordinary people. I am also a member of the Diet. I want to cherish a grounded sense and reality in both politics and business.&#8221;
He plans to introduce new menus unique to him as a versatile trickster.
<a href="#" data-ident_hash="f45af285"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/03/2fb009a2645a6f542bdac2fdf6291b89.jpg" alt=""></a>
<figure id="attachment_363473" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 1667px;" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-363473"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-363473" class="wp-caption-text">Genki Sudo is now an &#8220;old man at an izakaya&#8221; in Koto Ward, Tokyo!</figcaption></figure>
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<a href="#" data-ident_hash="f7e7d5a7"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/03/7048b47deac88baef4525f1ca52ba846.jpg" alt=""></a>
Genki Sudo&#8217;s book <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%B8%9B%E7%A8%8E%E6%95%91%E5%9B%BD%E8%AB%96-%E9%A0%88%E8%97%A4-%E5%85%83%E6%B0%97/dp/4344042522">&#8220;Tax Cuts Save the Nation&#8221; (Gentosha) is</a> now on sale.
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From the March 22, 2024 issue of FRIDAY
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 Hiroyuki Komatsu

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