In my youth, I longed for art, wine, cars, cameras... and cigars. I asked Tatsuya Tanimoto about the secrets to enjoying these things.

After serving as a member of the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly, he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2000. In the Fukuda Cabinet, which was formed in August 2008, he served as Vice Minister of the Cabinet Office. After retiring from politics, he worked as a corporate restructuring consultant and business executive. In addition to his current position, he is also active as a political and economic commentator.

Name: Tatsuya Tanimoto

"As the cigar turns to ash, I feel a strange surge of energy to face tomorrow."

Busy gentlemen are often adept at switching between work and leisure. Mr. Tatsuya Tanimoto, whom we introduce here, is a prime example of this. Mr. Tanimoto's career is impressive. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, he became a member of the House of Representatives, served as Vice Minister of the Cabinet Office, and currently serves as the Chairman and Representative Director of AirAsia Japan. Although he doesn't need to commute to the company, which is based in Aichi Prefecture, he still travels back and forth from his residence in Tokyo several times a week. While he finds the future of low-cost carriers (LCCs) that are not affiliated with major airlines rewarding, one wonders if the sheer volume and quality of thinking and acting he has to do can become exhausting.

"I don't think it's tiring. I just need time to reset after a day. For me, that's a cigar."

Mr. Tanimoto also serves as the president of the Cigar Association.

"I went to Cuba for the first time when I was 33. I was introduced to the place by a writer I was close to who was very knowledgeable about Cuba. That's also where I first tried a cigar. Back then in Japan, cigars were associated with movie villains. But in Cuba, everyone enjoyed them equally. They enjoyed cigars for all sorts of reasons—as a reward for a day's work, on birthdays and other special occasions. They would slip a cigar into their breast pocket before a big job and light it up if they succeeded. It was like a scene from a movie. I was deeply moved by it."


-- This is an era where smoking is met with strong opposition.

"That's why good manners are so important. In my case, I naturally gravitate towards cigar bars. Smoking has a long history, and it's a part of the culture. It's an important prop in movies and novels. It would be sad to see it disappear so easily. I hope we don't lose places where we can enjoy it."

—What advice would you give to someone who doesn't smoke cigarettes but is interested in cigars?

"Don't flick the ash off like you would with a cigarette; limit yourself to about three flicks until you finish smoking. The thicker and longer the cigar, the longer it takes to enjoy, so keep that in mind when choosing a cigar. In any case, it's best to visit a cigar bar or specialty shop, try out different kinds, and get some advice."

—What's your favorite brand?

"Of course, I prefer Cuban wine. However, just as wine isn't exclusively French, the quality of wines from Cuba's neighboring countries is also improving. I also enjoy wines from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic."

He often enjoys cigars at "Cohiba Atmosphere" in Nishi-Azabu. His favorite cigars are Partagas and Trinidad, both famous Cuban cigars. Mr. Tanimoto has three humidors at home, and humidifying them every morning is part of his daily routine.

—How often do you indulge in it?

"Almost every day. In Japan, Corona-sized cigarettes, which can be smoked in about 40 minutes, are more common than the thick, long Churchill-sized cigarettes that can be enjoyed for a long time."

—What is the meaning of enjoying a cigar?

"As I slowly smoke and swirl a cigar, I can reflect on the events of the day, the things I want to do in the future, and think about all sorts of things. It's similar to savoring a good wine. And strangely enough, when my favorite Partagas turns to ash, I feel a surge of energy."

Do you possess any gentlemanly pastimes that enrich your life?

Filming cooperation
COHIBA ATMOSPHERE TOKYO
■Address: 1F, Imon Nishiazabu Building, 1-14-1 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo ■Phone number: 03-5414-0025
■Opening hours: 6 PM to 4 AM (last order at 3 AM)
www.cohiba-atmosphere.jp

*Smoking is prohibited by law for anyone under the age of 20.
*All prices include tax.

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