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Japan's legendary sushi chef still working at 100

 

 

A famous sushi chef in Japan has decided to continue working, even though he just turned 100. His name is Jiro Ono. He celebrated his 100th birthday on the 27th of October. He is one of around 4,380 people in Tokyo who have reached or will reach the age of 100 this year. Just before his birthday, Mr Ono spoke to Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike. She asked him about his secret to living a long and healthy life. He replied, "To work." He said: "I can no longer go to my  restaurant every day…but even at 100 years old, I'll try to work if possible. I believe the best medicine is to work." Ono-san said he has no plans to retire from his job. He told Ms Koike: "I plan to keep going for about five more years."

Jiro Ono was born in 1925. He started working in a restaurant at the age of seven. Eighteen years later, when he was 25, he moved to Tokyo and worked in a sushi bar. He qualified as a sushi chef in 1951. Fifteen years later, in 1965, Ono opened his own restaurant, called Sukiyabashi Jiro. It was a tiny 10-seat place in an upmarket area of Tokyo called Ginza. He worked for decades trying to make the perfect sushi. In 2007, his efforts were rewarded when he received three stars in the Michelin Guide. In 2011, a documentary about him was released, called "Jiro Dreams of Sushi". In the film, he said: "I haven't reached perfection yet. I'll continue to climb and try to reach the top, but nobody knows where the top is."

 

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Chat  

Talk about these words from the article.  

sushi chef / the age of 100 / birthday / Tokyo / governor / healthy life / medicine /  restaurant / the age of 7 / upmarket areas / rewarded / documentary / perfection 

 

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True / False  

1) There are more than 4,000 in Tokyo over the age of 100.  T / F

2) Mr Ono said work is the secret to a long and healthy life.  T / F

3) Mr Ono said he takes medicine every day at work to stay healthy.  T / F

4) Mr Ono said he would continue working for another 10 years.  T / F

5) Mr Ono opened his first sushi bar when he was 25.  T / F

6) The sushi bar Mr Ono opened in 1965 had just 10 seats.  T / F

7) The Michelin Guide awarded Mr Ono three gold stars.  T / F

8) Mr Ono said he likes climbing mountains.  T / F 

 

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Discussion

1) What do you think about what you read?

2) What is your perfect job?

3) Is your personality suited to working in a restaurant?

4) What business would you like to start?

5) What things do you want to do perfectly?

6) Would you like to see the movie 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi'?

7) How important is it to reach for perfection?

8) What questions would you like to ask Jiro Ono?