““Ippiki Ookami (Ee-pee-kee Ohh-kah-me) Japan’s Lone Wolves Some years ago in Osaka, I was introduced to a young Japanese entrepreneur who had established a small chain of shops selling cowboy clothing and accessories imported from the American southwest. When we exchanged name cards, I was immensely amused to note that he had replaced his Japanese name with “Lone Wolf.” I asked the young man if that was in fact his name, and he assured me it was, and that he not only used it in his business contacts, but that his friends also called him “Lone Wolf.” I didn’t have to ask him why he had chosen this popular American term as his name. I knew that it was a total repudiation of all of the attitudes and customs making up the traditional Japanese way, and represented everything he wanted to be.””