<!-- 416.html -->  <div id="pagebody_outline">    <div id="left_box">      <div id="title_box">      <div id="titie_box_top"><!-- Image --></div>      <div id="midashi">Challenges in Japan </div>      <div id="title_box_left">and his lessons for the ‘game of life’</div>      <div id="title_box_right">        <div id="title_box_right_top"><!-- Image --></div>        <div id="title_box_right_text">             </div>        <div id="title_box_right_bottom"><!-- Image --></div>      </div>      <div id="titie_box_bottom"><!-- Image --></div>    </div>  <div id="bold_text"><strong><font color="#f45702">Joe Bryant, also known as coach or ‘sensei’ to the Tokyo Apache team stands tall at <br />207cm high. As a child, He carved a mark in NBA as Joe `Jellybean` Bryant, a man known for his skills at the hoop and his soft spot for jellybeans. When Bryant named his son Kobe after the famous Kobe beef, his interest in Japan was sealed. To date, Bryant has lived in <br />Japan for 3 years stating his love for the good food and the great service. Unfortunately, <br />shopping was not part of the list, as clothes here don’t seem to come in his size. Warm <br />and friendly, he was ready to field our questions with a smile on his face.</font></strong></div>      <div id="article">        <div id="article_left">                                  <img src="/english/images/feature/416_feature_06.JPG" width="140" alt="feature_06">                                <div id="article_text"></div>                                  <img src="/english/images/feature/416_feature_08.jpg" width="140" alt="feature_08">                              </div>        <div id="article_right"><strong><font color="#0033cc">1) Would you mind sharing with us what made you want to <br />become a basketball player?</font></strong><br /><br />I used to play baseball when I was a kid but since I was tall, <br />I was asked to play basketball instead. Also, I was able to <br />get a scholarship into a university and that was probably <br />the most important thing.  In reality, it is difficult for parents <br />to spend that money to go to college. <br /><br /><font color="#0033cc"><strong>2) Speaking of names, I’m aware that your son Kobe was <br />named after the Kobe beef. How far back have you had an <br />interest in Japan? </strong></font><br /><br />It’s a true story.  My wife and I went to a restaurant and had a <br />steak named Kobe.  The restaurant was also named after the<br />steak so we found that very interesting.  When we asked what <br />it meant, they said it meant tender beef and also the name of <br />the city.We wanted to name our child after interesting names <br />which weren’t like Joe, Tom…  We wanted it to be a little bit <br />different. </div>        <div class="both10"></div>        <div><strong><font color="#0033cc">3) What attracted you to Japan? Is there a favorite part of the Japanese culture that you <br />are interested in?</font></strong><br /><br />I am definitely interested in the culture.  As I get older, I want to travel and experience <br />different cultures.  I had a chance to live in Europe for 8years and when the opportunity <br />came along to come to Asia, it was a ‘no brainer’ and I accepted the challenge.  <br />I think the food is good. Ｔhere are some sushi I ate.  I also like the professionalism and <br />the services here.   I think one of the hardest things for me here is walking through the<br /> subway.  At some of the stations, I keep bumping my head.<br /></div>      </div>      <div class="both10"></div>                        <div id="profile">            <h4 id="profile_top">HC Joe Jelly Bean Bryant</h4>            <div id="profile_photo">              <div id="profile_photo_top">              <!-- Image -->              </div>            <img src="../images/feature/416_feature_12.jpg" width="130" />              <div id="profile_photo_bottom">              <!-- Image -->              </div>            </div>            <div id="profile_text">Tokyo Apache's head coach and former NBA player.  Also is father of Kobe Bryant who is the NBA superstar.<br>Tokyo Apache's coach extremely popular to children </br>always!<br>1954.10.19 H:207cm W: 112kg</div>            <div id="profile_bottom">            <!-- Image -->            </div>          </div>          <div class="both10"></div>          <div id="left_line">          <!-- Image -->          </div>                   </div>  <!-- end of left_box -->  </div><!-- end of pagebody_outline -->