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U.S. Ambassador wins fans in Japan with his love of local trains…and puns

Oona McGee May 17, 2022
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Japanese train otaku recognise Ambassador Emanuel as a fellow railway geek during his “weekend of firsts”.

People from around the world who’ve visited Japan have often stopped to marvel at the beauty of Japanese trains. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you do for a living, either — when a train ride is this good, sometimes you want to share it with the world on your socials.

That’s what U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel did when he rode his first local train after taking up his post here in January this year.

▼ Emanuel rode his first Japanese train as ambassador with his wife, Amy Rule

Today’s commute to Yokosuka was my first train ride as Ambassador. #Japan’s world-class rail system is worthy of a world-class country. It did not disappoint. pic.twitter.com/e2NU70I2TC

— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) February 17, 2022

Back then, Emanuel’s post caught the attention of railway geeks around the nation, who were pleased to see the high-ranking diplomat share their passion for Japanese trains, with some even dubbing him a fellow “tetsu ota” (“tetsu otaku”), or “railway geek”.

However, Emanuel’s more recent post about riding the rails in Japan has really cemented his status as the Railway Otaku Ambassador. During a business trip to the Kansai region, Emanuel rode a Hankyu line train, and this time he was able to combine his love for trains with a good ‘ol pun — two things that Japan holds dear to its heart.

▼ “Love the really plush seats! Hankyu. Hankyu very much.”

Love the really plush seats! Hankyu. Hankyu very much.　🚃

ふかふかの座席がすごく気に入りました！阪急電車、ハンキューベリーマッチ。 pic.twitter.com/u2vaZGawa0

— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) May 12, 2022

No, Ambassador Emanuel — Hankyu very much! Now you’ve given us all a punny line to use next time we sit on those plush seats with a first-time visitor from abroad.

It’s true, though — the Hankyu line is a great way to travel in Kansai, as the private railway line combines retro luxury with modern comfort, and it connects all sorts of big sites like Osaka, Kobe, Takarazuka, and Kyoto. If you’ve ever visited any top tourist sites in the area, like Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, there’s a good chance you’ve hopped on a Hankyu Line train.

The Hankyu ride wasn’t the only thing to impress the ambassador on his trip to Kansai. In fact, he described it as a “weekend of firsts“, which included a trip to a Japanese baseball game…

In a weekend of firsts, I went to my first Japanese baseball game! Great game. Great fans. Great fun. As great Cub player Ernie Banks said, “let’s play two!” Thank you, @chibalotte and @HAWKS_official! pic.twitter.com/3djFdVV1MG

— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) May 7, 2022

▼ …a taste of local delicacies at Kobe…

Here in Kobe, I had the chance to sample some of the local delicacies and talk to many friendly people at the Minatogawa fresh market, one of the longest shopping streets in Japan. pic.twitter.com/ZsMQ3qfAkp

— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) May 12, 2022

▼ ….and a spot of fly fishing.

Another first this weekend: finally fly fishing in Japan! I tested my skills at the Yozawa trout stream. Beautiful nature, beautiful day. Can’t wait to go again. Thanks to my great guide, Daisuke Akita. Any fly fishing recommendations? pic.twitter.com/qB0GavENAe

— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) May 8, 2022

The visit ended with a trip back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen…and a big thumbs-up of approval from the ambassador.

Thank you, Kansai! Until the next time! 🚅

ありがとう、関西！では、また次回に！ pic.twitter.com/yyvyUeSANf

— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) May 12, 2022

Still, the local trains impressed the ambassador so much that they received two separate mentions during his time in the area.

Osaka's subway is clean, efficient, and commuter friendly.

大阪の地下鉄は、清潔で効率的。市内散策にはピッタリ！ pic.twitter.com/AKc2mG5Oq3

— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) May 11, 2022

People around the country were quick to comment on Emanuel’s rail-related tweets with their own messages of thanks and approval, for both the trains and the Ambassador’s expression of love for them.

Interestingly, one commenter pointed out that the “Hankyu very much” pun also appeared in a Japanese commercial featuring another American visitor — Greg “Boomer” Wells, who played for the Hankyu Braves baseball team in the ’80s.

▼ “Pastime” is used for joint and muscle pain relief.

阪急ベリーマッチhttps://t.co/xuqtkDorna

— 森邦彦 C103 12/30(土) 東U-39a「げんそけん」 (@morikuni_net) May 12, 2022

Regardless of whether Ambassador Emanuel’s pun was an intended callback to that commercial, or whether it was something that just came to him as he sat on those plush seats, this isn’t the first time a foreign visitor has shown an appreciation for the local train — David Bowie was also photographed on a Hankyu line train back in the ’80s — and we have a hunch it certainly won’t be the last!

Source: Twitter/@USAmbJapan via Net Lab
Featured image: Twitter/@USAmbJapan
Insert image: Pakutaso
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