'Having majored in Japanese language “for no particular reason” at the University of London, he came across an ad for a job... in Japan[.] “I wasn’t thinking about it at all... I didn’t even think... when I married my wife,” said Barakan, who prefers to give his job title as “[experienced] broadcaster.”
...
Barakan refuses to accept any job at which he believes he cannot excel or give his best.
...
Barakan... leave[s] for home soon after finishing his work in order to protect his private time.'
- The Japan Times, 'Job taken on a whim leads to 35 years in Tokyo'