It was tough having to sort out my business. Lunch boxes, karaoke bars, video rental stores, the yataimura food stand village … I had memories of every single one of them. I first asked everyone in charge of these businesses if they want to take over, and helped them with the transition. If that didn’t work, I asked several of my business companions to take over the business. I had to make sure that my employees and part-time workers at each of the locations received sufficient support. I was progressing with one task after another.

Once I was almost done sorting through all of the businesses, many of my business companions invited me to play golf. “We all wish to play with you, let’s have a competition,” they proposed. I really wasn’t in the mood, but they were the people who had supported me in my businesses, and we had lasting relationships. Some had even taken over my businesses. Companions like this extended their arms to a person who had nothing to his name. I felt really appreciated, and had accepted their invitation to golf.

<<A shock was awaiting at the golf course. There were over 170 participants. >>

Usually golf starts from hole 1 or hole 10, and then continues in order to the next numbered hole. But since there were so many participants that day, the game began simultaneously from all holes in a “shotgun style” game. I had thought that only 20 or so people would be there, so imagine my surprise at my first-ever shotgun game. I felt appreciation as I started playing for the many who came to golf with me on this day.

During this game, I received a call from my wife. She said, “Our bank account is receiving money transfers left and right from a lot of people that we don’t know!” I said “That can’t be, there must be some kind of mistake.” I thought nothing of it, but I got another call from my wife during lunch. “We just got another money transfer, it’s still going on!” At this point I was really confused and I asked who the money was from. It was at that point I found out the people who were sending me money were all here at this golf game. “That is impossible, I’m playing golf with them right now.” I said. But my wife replied, “But that’s what it says on the bank ledger.” As much as I didn’t want to talk about money during a golf game. I was curious and had to know, so I asked around.

The replies I got were surprising. “Hey, don’t worry, you need it, so just use it.” “We know you dream about tuna all the time. We are with you, so do what you have to do.” But why golf? And why today? It turned out that while I was busy sorting out my businesses, my business companions decided to pitch in and support me by sending me money on this day. This must have been the reason for organizing this game. I was overwhelmed with the support my friends, who had already worked so hard alongside me, had shown me at this point.

There were money transfers that amounted to several millions and tens of millions in yen. All of this was money without IOUs, contracts or agreements. Money without a deadline to pay back. These are truly my friends and I will never forget this moment. I knew I had to pay them back. Not only was I grateful, but now my mind was set and determined.

<<I named this financial support the Tuna Fund>>

My business companions understood how I felt toward the tuna business. The first thing I did with this money was to go tuna fishing in Ireland, and share the tuna I caught among my supporters. Also, I paid back all the money they had sent me. Additionally, even my wife was also supportive. She said, I should continue with my business, because I really have huge support. I knew I had to pay everyone back. Along with the gratitude was the return of my desire to succeed.