A message from Elio
Amici miei,
I have been living in Japan for a long time.
In fact, I have spent most of my life here, and I truly appreciate that I have been warmly adopted by this country. I truly feel at home here.
Many of you have expressed your concern about the health of my family in Italy due to the Coronavirus. And I must tell you that I greatly appreciate your warm caring hearts. You make me feel loved and your affection is a blessing. Fortunately, my family is safe in Calabria, far from the epicenter up north.
Unfortunately, the overall situation in Italy is not good. What's happening there is like something out of a terrifying movie. I deeply respect the Italian people's inner strength and applaud their courage and dignity, in the face of this tragedy.
In Japan, my family and staff are fine. Thanks to the Japanese way of living, including regularly washing hands, wearing masks and bowing in greeting, etc., the virus is under control. I really love this country, and for all it has taught me, this gives me confidence that everything will be just fine.
Over my 30 years here, I have, along with you, endured the Kobe earthquake, the Lehman Shock, and the Tohoku tsunami. All of these events were terrible, but also proved the resilience of the Japanese people. And, as in those difficult days, if we support each other and stay united, we will also survive and not only win the battle against this latest threat, but become stronger from it.
I am confident that Italy will overcome this pandemic and I look forward to being able to travel there again with some of you to eat the delicious Italian food and drink some good Italian wine.Until that time arrives, however, for those of you who choose to stay home, I have prepared a special family set for you to enjoy at your casa with your loved ones.
Salute and good appetite!
Elio
Amici miei,
I've been living in Japan for a long time now! I've spent most of my life here and I'm really grateful to this country for accepting me. I'm also really grateful to the people of Japan for their concern about my family in Italy and the situation in Italy.
But unfortunately, the situation in Italy is not good. We can only see what is happening through the images. I am really proud of the courage and dignity of the Italian people who are bravely facing the reality without turning a blind eye to it.
Thanks to you, my family and staff in Japan are all healthy. I think the virus is under control thanks to the Japanese way of life and the national character of following social rules and manners. Everyone in Japan taught me to follow social rules and manners. I am truly grateful to this country.
In the past 30 years, I have faced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the Lehman Shock, the Great East Japan Earthquake, and more. These events cannot be summed up in a single word, but we have overcome them by helping each other and working together. I strongly believe that we will overcome this time as well. And one day, let's go to Italy together!
With the current situation of various events being postponed, we have prepared a special set for you to enjoy at home with your loved ones and family. Please feel a little bit of Italy!
Salute and good appetite!
Elio