This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Many of Japan's mountain communities suffer from aging, shrinking populations. Karl Bengs is a German who moved 20 years ago to one such community, Takedokoro. Bengs is an architectural designer who specializes in renovating old Japanese houses. He has rebuilt several homes in Takedokoro so far, attracting new residents and breathing fresh life into the village.
