Destined to Remain a Traveler

Tomooki MatsudaMr. Ishikawa, "travel" is a recurring theme in your life, isn't it?

Jiro IshikawaI'm 66 now, but it seems my life is inseparable from travel. I graduated from university in 1964, the same year international travel was liberalized. It's hard to believe now, but at the time, the government's policy was to discourage foreign currency use, so ordinary Japanese couldn't travel abroad. Then came the era of "500-dollar travel," where you were allowed to spend up to $500. I graduated at such a pivotal moment and intuitively felt that travel would soon become a major industry. So, I joined a newly established travel agency specializing in overseas tours.

MatsudaHow long did you work at the travel agency?

IshikawaJust over two years (laughs). I was made to work as a tour guide. On my very first overseas trip, I guided over twenty obstetricians and gynecologists to a conference in Stockholm. And it lasted 45 days! I somehow managed to fulfill my duties while struggling, but the moment it ended, I decided to quit. It was frustrating to be so close to fascinating cities but unable to explore them freely. I intuitively felt it wasn't for me.

At a restaurant in Laos

Then, Heibon Publishing (now Magazine House) took me in. It happened to be the time when "Heibon Punch" was looking to conduct its own overseas reporting. They thought, "Ishikawa has experience, he can do it." Of course, I couldn't, but they made me an editor in the overseas reporting department. From then on, I've continued with overseas reporting, just on different magazines. What's more, before I left the company, I was in charge of the international travel magazine "Gulliver." It's almost uncanny how connected I am to travel. I'll continue to travel extensively. It must be my destiny.

Witnessing Asia's Dramatic Transformation

MatsudaYou currently host the program "Asia Kenbunroku" on BS Asahi. Do you primarily travel within Asia?

IshikawaYes, I recently traveled to Thailand and Laos. Asia is truly fascinating. It's changing at an incredible speed, and there are new discoveries with every visit. I feel a strong desire to witness this transformation.
Even when I was appearing on "Tonight 2," I used to travel to Asia. I had to be on air from Monday to Thursday, so I'd leave on Friday and return Monday morning (laughs). With such a tight schedule, I couldn't go far, which naturally led me to Asia more often. The producer would say, "What if the plane doesn't fly, it'll be a disaster, so stop it!" But I insisted, "Weekends are my time!" In the end, I never missed a show.

MatsudaWouldn't most people want to relax on Saturdays and Sundays if they had a regular TV show (laughs)?

IshikawaFor me, I feel better when I'm traveling than when I'm just lounging around in Tokyo. Come to think of it, I feel better traveling in Asia than in Europe or America. When I thought about it, I realized that Asian cuisine has an overwhelming amount of vegetables. Since then, I've consciously made an effort to eat more vegetables.

The Act of "Recording" Has Become Essential to My Travels

MatsudaIs there anything you always bring with you when you travel abroad?

IshikawaA notebook. Whether for work or personal reasons, I can't help but take notes. For example, if I stay in a hotel with an interesting layout, I'll sketch a floor plan. It's useless, but without doing it, I don't feel like I'm traveling. I also take a lot of photos. I feel compelled to record things. It's probably a habit formed from years of reporting.
Also, as soon as I arrive at my destination, I get a map. I need to know where the airport is and where my hotel is located to feel settled. This is also a work habit, I suppose. I dream of having a trip where I do "nothing," but I've never done it. Or rather, I can't. I think being an editor is a peculiar profession (laughs).

MatsudaHave there been any countries where you've thought, "I'd like to live here"?

IshikawaI like them all, so I can't pick just one, but I do want to live in a country in Asia someday. Wherever I go, I feel a sense of kinship, thinking, "It's still Asia, we're all in this together." Realistically, socialist countries present various challenges, so perhaps Thailand or Indonesia. Vietnam is also a wonderful country, though.

Jiro Ishikawa (3)
The Future of MediaTo be continued

At a temple in Laos

Profile
Editorial Director
Jiro Ishikawa

Born in Tokyo in 1941. After graduating from Waseda University in '64, he joined a travel agency specializing in overseas tours. He left after two years and joined Heibon Publishing (now Magazine House), becoming an editor responsible for overseas reporting for "Heibon Punch" magazine.
After working on "Made in USA Catalog," he was involved in the launch of "Popeye," "Brutus," "Tarzan," and "Gulliver," serving as editor-in-chief for each. In February '93, he left Magazine House and established an editorial production company.
From '94, he served as a caster for TV Asahi's "Tonight 2" for eight years. He currently appears on BS Asahi's travel program "Asia Kenbunroku."