Lynfa Phillips is still feeling overcome by her welcome to the Tokyo headquarters of Asahi Beer. "Crossing Izuma-bashi bridge, I saw flags hanging limp at the approach to the building. One was the company flag, the next the Rising Sun, and then I saw a hint of white, red and green."
"Oh," she thought, "now what other flag in the world has those colors apart from the national flag of Wales?" Suddenly there was a gust of wind, and the Welsh dragon took flight. Asahi had hung out the Welsh flag in honor of her visit.
Lynfa, who plans to work until she is 80, is managing director of Import Agencies Ltd., based in Pontyclun, south Wales. She imports six sakes into the U.K., for distribution to the Embassy of Japan in London and selected hotels and restaurants. Also she imports Asahi beer, made under license in the Czech Republic, selling it on to the international catering company that is part of Japan Airlines. "If you fly to Japan by JAL from London and drink Asahi beer, it's mine."