When I wrote An open letter to Asian people from a weeaboo, I wanted to apologize for my unprompted and enthusiastic interest in everything Japanese.

However, I never considered they’d find my obsession entertaining.

That’s exactly what I discovered last night when I was contacted by a Japanese television producer—Kaoru Inagawa of the show Wafu-Souhonke. Aired online and in Japan, Inagawa’s show features people all over the world who love Japanese culture and products.

Here’s an episode shot in Los Angeles. I don’t know any Japanese, but it looks like the camera crew is walking around Hollywood, asking people about their interest in Japan and whether they own anything from Japan. If anyone can translate, help me out!

Inagawa said she contacted me because I live near Washington DC and own a kotatsu. How did I even get a kotatsu, she wanted to know. I bought it at Ginza, a Japanese furniture store in Dupont Circle. What brand? I never checked—it’s a Morita. She wanted to know about my yukata, my bento box collection, and my interest in Japanese cooking, too.

Inagawa wasn’t fazed by my anime or manga collections, but she definitely surprised by how I, a white American, was so invested in her culture.

“Surely you are half-Japanese?” she asked.

“Nope, just really, really otaku,” I replied.

She was especially curious about whether I have any friends like me. I talked about my friends volunteering at Sakura Matsuri later today, everyone at Anime USA, and bringing onigiri to Kevin Bolk’s holiday party—she was intrigued by onigiri as a party food.

After our chat, Inagawa followed up with an email, part of which she’s given me permission to post on my blog:

“If you find some people who really really love Japanese culture and collect something from Japan or are into unique Japanese traditional things at the festival, please let me know. For example, who does Japanese painting and uses brushes from Japan, or who are into Shodo (Japanese writing) or Japanese archery… something very traditional and unique is what we are looking for. Let me know if you know anyone, so I can convince the director to do a show in your area!”

Otaku in the DMV area: do you fit the bill? Please write to me about your love for Japan. You know we’d all look great on TV dubbed over by peppy Japanese voice actors. Let’s make it happen!

P.S. Also if you’re around DC, see you at Sakura Matsuri today!