Aiko Yoshino: Blowing Away "Paris Syndrome"! 10th Anniversary of the Free Paper

2024/07/24

I came to Paris, the "City of Light," but the shop clerks wouldn't even crack a smile, my words didn't get through, and I was surrounded by pickpockets while walking down the street feeling depressed... This is the so-called "Paris Syndrome," the crushing gap between the stylish, wonderful Paris I admired before coming to France and the actual Paris. There were many Japanese people like that in Paris, where I had come to accompany my husband on his one-year study abroad program. That's when I thought that as someone who had been conveying down-to-earth information at an AM radio station, I might be able to convey an unbiased, real Paris, and so I launched the free paper "Noisette Press."

At my previous job at a radio station, I was forced to choose between resigning to accompany him or staying in Japan. I was pushed by the carefree advice of Junji Takada, who said, "If it's Paris, I'd go," and Makoto Otake, who said, "Just quit being a company employee!"—both of whom I worked with on their programs—and so I resigned and came to Paris.

Using the frustration of becoming unintentionally unemployed as a springboard, I was busy from the day after I arrived. There were countless troubles: a pot I bought at a flea market had a hole in the bottom, and my phone was stolen while I was chatting with a girl sitting next to me on the train. Not to be outdone, I participated in French karaoke parties, took lessons in chanson, salsa, and cheese, and desperately experienced everything France had to offer. As a result, I ended up completely falling in love with the selfish yet happy French people and the dirty yet beautiful France.

At "Noisette Press," we interview ordinary French people every month who wouldn't appear in other magazines, such as lawyers, former manzai comedians, band members, and stay-at-home mothers. We have also provided information that makes you chuckle and fall in love with France, such as sharp restaurant reviews by Paris-based writers, behind-the-scenes stories of Paris Fashion Week, simple French recipes, and risqué French proverbs.

In March of this year, I published a 10th-anniversary book titled "The Book to Read When You Want to Live in Paris: A Candid Life Guide Based on Interviews with 120 French People" (1,650 yen including tax, now on sale on Amazon). It has become a substantial read, featuring a special selection of particularly interesting articles from past issues of the free paper, along with newly added restaurant recommendations from gourmet writers. I hope you can see the charm of a France that isn't just "cute."

The Paris Olympics are coming soon. I'm excited because I think I'll be able to catch glimpses of the "interesting" side of France behind the heated competitions.