Hey Kids! Win a yakuza-esque trip to Tokyo!

[Taro Toporific]

Jet Set to Japan; Benihana Invites Entries to Win Tickets for 2005 ''GoTokyo'' Tour
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 2005--Benihana (Nasdaq:BNHN), which has five restaurants in the Bay Area, is taking its show on the road with a first-rate cultural tour of Tokyo....
the contest allow Benihana to introduce Japanese culture, which founder Rocky Aoki first helped bring to American diners over 40 years ago, on a more profound level, according to Kevin Aoki, Benihana vice president of marketing.
... Aoki said. "Not only is Tokyo where my father Rocky got the inspiration to open Benihana in 1964, but it's also a cosmopolitan tourist destination."
Benihana will give away a trip for two to the customer who submits their most amazing Benihana experience. "We want everyone to get involved, so we're inviting our customers to share their favorite Benihana experience," Aoki added. "We'll pick our favorite and award two spots to the winner."
....To enter to win a pair of tickets for the 2005 Benihana "GoTokyo" Tour, readers can send an entry describing in 150 words or less their best Benihana experience along with their name, age, phone number and home address to "My Best Benihana Experience," P.O. Box 191089-281, Dallas, TX 75219 by August 1, or visit http://www.gotokyo.jp. Entrants must be at least 21 years of age.

So what is the yakaza connection? Rocky Aoki, was Sasakawa's former business partner, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
See also:
Japanofreak Marketing
Family sues Japanese restaurant for tossing shrimp.
Benihana Launches New Anime Commercial

[Mulboyne]

I seem to recall Rocky Aoki was arrested for insider dealing - he apparently traded on information he heard from former Apple CEO John Sculley.

MSN Money

Benihana, Inc. Announces Guilty Plea of Founder
August 23, 1999 Benihana, Inc. announced that Rocky Aoki, founder of the Benihana Japanese restaurant chain, pleaded guilty to profiting from a tip that Spectrum Information Technologies Inc. was about to hire former Apple Computer Inc. chief John Sculley. The 60-year-old restauranteur was charged last year with insider trading by the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York.

[Kuang_Grade]

[amdg]

[Mulboyne]

PRNewswire: Benihana Rewards Couple With Trip to Japan to Visit Son

Carol Alabaster of Phoenix has won a national contest from Benihana Inc. after submitting her "Best Benihana Experience" about a dinner she had 20 years ago at the popular Japanese steakhouse with her husband Ernie and son Jay. Inspired to enter after reading about the contest in the travel section of the Arizona Republic, Alabaster sent a story about how Benihana's world-famous "eatertainment" turned her son into an avid fan of all things Japan. "Jay has spent his life pursuing Japanese culture, and it was his first trip to Benihana at age nine that initially sparked his interest and drove him to want to learn more and more about Japanese culture," said Alabaster of her award-winning story. "From attending Matsuri festivals and eating at Benihana to joining a foreign exchange program and mastering the language, Jay has loved all aspects of the culture. He is now 30 and lives and works in Japan."

There appears to be a Jay Alabaster working as an editor at Dow Jones Newswires in Tokyo.