午夜剧场

You come to the City of Light, Paris, but the clerks don't even crack a smile, they can't understand your language, and as you walk along feeling depressed, you're surrounded by pickpockets... This is the so-called "Paris Syndrome," where you are crushed by the gap between the stylish, wonderful Paris you dreamed of before arriving and the reality. There were many Japanese people like that in Paris when I arrived to accompany my husband for his one-year study abroad program. I thought that since I had experience conveying information full of real-life flavor at an AM radio station, I might be able to convey an unbiased, real Paris, so I launched the free paper "Noisette Press."

At my previous job at a radio station, I was forced to choose between resigning to accompany my husband or staying in Japan. I was pushed to quit and move to Paris by the irresponsible advice of the middle-aged men on my programs: Junji Takada said, "If it's Paris, I'd go," and Makoto Otake said, "Just quit being a salaryman!"

Using the frustration of becoming unintentionally unemployed as motivation, I was busy from the day after I arrived. There were countless troubles: the pot I bought at a flea market had a hole in the bottom, and my phone was stolen while I was chatting with a girl sitting next to me on the train. Not to be outdone, I participated in French karaoke parties and took lessons in chanson, salsa, and cheese, desperately trying to experience everything France had to offer. As a result, I ended up completely falling in love with the selfish yet happy French people and the dirty yet beautiful country of France.

In "Noisette Press," we interview ordinary French people every month who wouldn't appear in other magazines, such as lawyers, former stand-up comedians, band members, and stay-at-home parents. We have also provided information that makes you chuckle and fall in love with France, such as harsh restaurant reviews by Paris-based writers, behind-the-scenes stories of Paris Fashion Week, simple French recipes, and dirty French proverbs.

This March, I published a 10th-anniversary book, (1,650 yen including tax, available on Amazon). It is a substantial read, featuring a special selection of the most interesting articles from the free paper so far, along with newly added restaurant recommendations from gourmet writers. I hope you can see a France that is full of charm and not just "cute."

The Paris Olympics are coming soon. I am excited to catch glimpses of the "interesting" side of France behind the intense competition.