Toshiko: Hi, Romeo! I heard you’re from Italy.

Romeo: Yes, I was born and raised in Rome. I moved to Japan a few years ago.

Toshiko: I’m wondering if there’s anything Japanese that is famous in Italy.

Romeo: Oh, there are quite a few! Do you know Hidetoshi Nakata?

Toshiko: Of course! He was a famous Japanese soccer player, wasn’t he?

Romeo: Yes! He’s already retired, but he used to play for several Italian clubs, like AS Roma and Parma. Many soccer fans in Italy still remember him. He was very popular.

Toshiko: Wow! He was really popular in Japan, too. He was one of the Japanese soccer players who succeeded abroad.

Romeo: Yes, he contributed a lot to Italian soccer. And I think he also helped introduce Japanese culture to Italy. He made it more popular there.

Toshiko: I guess Japanese food is popular as well, right?

Romeo: Yes, it’s very popular. There are many sushi restaurants in big cities like Rome and Milan.

Toshiko: Really? Do Italians like raw fish?

Romeo: At first, some people thought it was strange, but now they enjoy it a lot!

Toshiko: That’s interesting! I’m glad to hear that.

Romeo: Speaking of culture, Hokusai is very famous. His wave painting is widely known in Italy.

Toshiko: That’s one of the most famous traditional Japanese paintings! We appreciate Italian culture in Japan, too, but I’m so happy that people in Italy enjoy Japanese culture as well!

Romeo: Yes! Many Italians love Japan. Maybe you should visit Italy and see for yourself!