The truth about American Oyaji

[Ketou]

He's dead now. Dead at 54. Never got the chance to make peace.

Sorry to hear that dude.
54 is way too young.

[Maths Dude]

I'm sure stress took 10 years off his life. He loved to booze so I guess he would never have made it to 75. On the other hand he and ma had the problems - parents are shit somtimes for laying out their crap onto the kids. The old man never abused us, though he was far from being a saint - they shouldn't have even married really, but in those days it was expected. Funny thing now is divorce and stuff is getting worse, even though we are free to 'try before we buy' so to speak .

My advice to any man in a similar situation - force your way into your kids life and prove that you ARE a decent bloke. DONT BRIBE them with 'things', you will get ZERO respect. Man, I feel so shit now thinking back to all the crap I did to my old man. Even though he is gone now, atleast I can try to make it better in spirit.

[Big Booger]

Skip the country sounds good to me. The kids have been poisoned by the mother, it's all over. I know, I was one of those kids.

And how, after realizing that, do you view your father?

I'm keen on hearing this myself.

[Ketou]

My advice to any man in a similar situation - force your way into your kids life and prove that you ARE a decent bloke. DONT BRIBE them with 'things', you will get ZERO respect. Man, I feel so shit now thinking back to all the crap I did to my old man. Even though he is gone now, atleast I can try to make it better in spirit.

Poignant advice.

[Tequila]

I think Booger said best, AO should come back to Japan in a strong position, not a weak one, and THEN try to put the situation together with his kids. Getting your degree, taking Japanese lessons, calling your kids, sending money, and constructing a plan to come back to Japan for your kids...shit, I think you are doing good man. You have my best wishes and moral support.

Exactly. Don't go back to Japan prematurely, before everything you need is ready.