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Hi Marcus ! Thanks so much for the wonderful review. 　Last November, I received an enquiry from Mr Marcus, a plant researcher living in Ohio, USA. He wrote: ‘Wild apios grow in my region, but local farmers do not know how to cultivate them. Whilst researching, I discovered that Aomori in Japan is the largest production area. I would like to visit Aomori to observe the growth of Aomori apios, gain my own understanding of it, and then share the cultivation methods with my colleagues to encourage the revival of its cultivation.’ What is Apios? • The name ‘Apios’ derives from the Ancient Greek word ‘apion’, referring to the European pear, with which it bears a striking resemblance. • Native to North America, it was consumed as a staple food by Native Americans until the 19th century. 　I once tried boiled apios sold by Sai Village at an event promoting and selling agricultural produce from Aomori Prefecture; it had a fluffy texture and was delicious. It is said that shortly after the war, a mother from the Nanbu region, concerned for the health of her daughter who had married into the Kumotani district land reclamation group in Aomori City, gave her apios seed tubers, telling her, ‘Dig these up and eat them when you feel unwell.’ It is also known as the ‘bride’s potato’. 　On this occasion, we visited the field of Mr Mineharu Tateyama, Chairman of the Aomori Apios Promotion Association, with whom we are currently discussing the possibility of hosting an Apios research project, and received his guidance. Chairman Tateyama is Aomori Prefecture’s leading Apios researcher and has been advising farmers in Apios-producing areas such as Sai Village and Shichinohe Town. 　Mr Marcus, visiting Japan for the first time, works at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Ohio. He specialised in ‘climbing plants’ during his postgraduate studies and obtained a Master’s degree. After tasting the sweet, fluffy apios, he exclaimed, ‘Delicious, delicious! I’m absolutely thrilled!