Bananas rank first among fruits in Japan by consumer spending, but most of those sold domestically come from overseas. Known online as Makoyan and the Banana Uncle, Hayashi wants locally grown bananas to develop into an Okinawan industry comparable to sugar cane. Hayashi cultivates Apple bananas, a variety used mainly for processing that is known for its high sugar content and moderate acidity. Okinawa's subtropical climate is suited to growing bananas, but the prefecture is also vulnerable to typhoons and other natural disasters. "I also want to use bananas to make Okinawa yellow and happy and bring smiles to children's faces."