Dr. Ken Atchity is an American movie and TV producer, writer, author, columnist, and has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Yale University. He has had nearly 50 years experience in publishing, and 25 years in entertainment. His passion in life is to find great storytellers and turn them into bestselling authors and screenwriters. One of his companies, The Story Merchant, helps and guides writers to take their career to the next level.Movies he has produced include The MEG starring Jason Statham, Eraser with Aaron Eckhart, Hysteria with Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Life or Something Like It starring Angelina Jolie, just to name a few.Recently he has co-written, with his Japanese father-in-law, a Japanese/English phrase book. The easy-to-use Japanese In-Law pocketbook is written for those who’ve fallen in love with Japanese. Its simple goal is to help you communicate from morning until night with household words and phrases. It’s divided into sequential chapters to get you through the day and has a glossary of “Everyday Words & Phrases” that rarely includes words you wouldn’t normally use in a family setting. This rough-and-ready, little book is meant to bring families closer through the wonder of language.Sponsors:Bearfoot Bar. 12 different types of Japanese made craft beers, both bottles and on tap. A range of whiskeys and basic cocktails also available. Tapas style menu and burgers. Friendly English and Japanese speaking staff. Open 7 days a week. Located in downtown Sapporo, walking distance from the subway station. Why not pop in for a drink if you are in town!https://www.facebook.com/bearfootbarRed HouseLocated in the heart of Rusutsu Ski Resort, just cross the main road and it’s behind the Seicomart Convenience store. The restaurant features a mix of Japanese, Asian fusion, and western Style dishes, including shabu-shabu with wagyu beef and Hokkaido wagyu beef steak. Open winter and summer, 12-3pm for lunch, 5-9pm for dinner, with prices ranging from under Yen 1000 to about Yen 5000.https://theredhouse.jp/Rusutsu LodgesOpen all year round. Located 5 minutes walk to the main Rusutsu Ski Resort Gondola. There are Japanese, Western, and apartment style rooms with breakfast packages available. There’s a Japanese sento (public bath), two convenience stores less than a minute walk, ski room and tune up tables, free pick up available from the bus stop, plenty of free parking space, and summer BBQ packages available. Check out the website for more information and availability.http://rusutsulodges.comUse our Buzzsprout affiliate link to start your podcast today!Website:https://www.voicesinjapan.com/Follow us and check out our other content:https://twitter.com/voicesinjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/voicesinjapan/https://www.instagram.com/voicesinjapan/Get in touch: voicesinjapan@gmail.comSupport the show