While acknowledging one does not see around the Japanese capital anything about his arrival, and noting she is personally indifferent toward religion, she notes: “His strong statement on nuclear weapons struck the people.”
She was speaking to ZENIT, whose Senior Vatican Correspondent, Deborah Castellano Lubov, is following the Pope’s 32nd Apostolic Trip abroad to Japan and Thailand, Nov. 19-26, from the Papal Flight, in a populated intersection of Tokyo. She didn’t seem to mind the ambush as she was returning from school.
“On our news, they say how yesterday in Hiroshima he called use and possession of nuclear weapons immoral and a crime, and after the tragedies which have hit our country, even if before my time, this is very significant. I was glad to see the news reporting this all around.»
“We are glad he recognized the dangers of nuclear weapons. Many people here want a stop to them”
Despite her atheism and youth, I still ask: «But what do you think of a Catholic Pope?»
“I think he is the greatest,” she said to my surprise, “everyone welcomes him.” She noted that in the news she saw today he was going to meet the Emperor Naruhito and would meet with the Prime Minister.
“When he goes back to France [she likely meant Rome], I think he will probably plan another trip to Tokyo.”
She also reflected a bit on being a young person in Japan, noting that while school is very intense and rather competitive, she added: “However, my friends help me always and all the time, and that makes it a lot better. I want to be a veterinarian.”
“I think he probably liked Tokyo and will come back again soon,” she said.
By chance, I came across a lovely family who spoke English, Juan and Maria Barriera, and their little boy Santiago, who enthusiastically with a big smile announced to me he was three, and Amelia, six, who must have switched places with her younger brother in the stroller.
Living in Houston, but by chance, originally from Argentina, they noted that they were in Japan for three days, but were disappointed that they had not known or realized the Pope was going to be in the country.
“We love him,” they told me. When asked if their being Argentinian had any influence on their view, they smiled and said, «no, not only for that,» laughing.
“I like Franciscans,” Santiago said, “their humility, lack of dependence on material things, their care for the environment, and simpleness, in my opinion, really show a holy, good life, and example.”
“Pope Francis,” he said, “is bringing in a fresh air.”
When I recalled how today there is the Mass at the Tokyo Dome, they frustratingly said: “We could have gone if we knew!”
“We happened to be in New York when Pope Benedict came the last time,” he recalled, noting: “there was no way anyone could have missed that. It was all over the place. Here, we really had no idea.”
While in a very busy intersection in Shibuya Crossings, near the metro, I tried to speak to some other individuals. Yet it seemed most people were rushing so much that they deliberately told me they didn’t speak English, even if some of them, I observed, did. 
There was, however, a 44-year-old producer at Warner Music Japan, who was traveling from work, was willing to stop a second and gave me his thoughts.
He grew up in a Shinto family, and went to Christian schools, but “my religion is my heart,” he says.
When asked how a Pope or Christianity is viewed in the country, he said: “We like other religions. We are peaceful. We like Buddhists, Catholics. I have Christian friends. We appreciate Christianity. The sexual harassment is a shame, but we like Christianity. We are open.»
“We are soft,» he continued, adding: «we are not like some Muslim countries. Shinto, Buddhist, or indifferent toward the faith, we sort of like different things and celebrate different holidays. We like Christmas and other festivals. We have no borders for religions.”
Lots of Babies and young families around #Tokyo. One notices too how in public places there are many facilities to help mothers and fathers with babies and little ones #PopeinJapan (📸 by Zenit's @DeborahLubov on the Papal Flight) pic.twitter.com/N2Aq4lzv6H
— ZenitEnglish (@zenitenglish) November 25, 2019
“And the Pope?” I ask him.
“Yes, we like him. He seems to be a great person, who wants peace.”
«Did you know it was his dream as a young Jesuit to be a missionary in Japan, but then his superiors had other plans for him and he didn’t come until now…?» I asked him.
“No, I had no idea. That’s great,” he responded.
When asked about the challenges in society, especially the high suicide rates, particular of the young, he observed: «Asians tend to be closed. They stay in their heart…They are secret.»
What is #Tokyo like? Here is a glimpse of its energy #PopeinJapan (📸 by Zenit's @DeborahLubov on the papal flight) #PopeFrancis pic.twitter.com/xiFHYXK8oL
— ZenitEnglish (@zenitenglish) November 25, 2019
On competition in Japan, he noted: «I think this is more of an Asian thing, than it is a Japanese thing. It is widespread.»
Young schoolgirls traveling without parents (who are busy working) to & from school on the city's public transit, in group or sometimes even alone, is common practice in #Tokyo
(via Zenit's @DeborahLubov on papal flight) pic.twitter.com/752yC46gOv— ZenitEnglish (@zenitenglish) November 25, 2019
Reflecting on how Japanese view Chinese people, he recalled the influence of China on Japanese history, and observed: «Now they are becoming much bigger and advancing.»
«We are sort of jealous of that…»
Japan does have a reputation for being very technologically advanced. Hence, one shouldn't be surprised to see robots — even talking to you– when there #PopeinJapan (via Zenit's @DeborahLubov on the papal flight) pic.twitter.com/SqZyztW3wY
— ZenitEnglish (@zenitenglish) November 25, 2019
