Sure. I think it comes down to simple logistics, ie his kayak is from canada and most of his gear from the washington area.
Someone tell the Japanese guy he can order all his gear on E-Bay, have it shipped to Japan and then do his journey in the correct direction.
He will be fighting the Japanese Current which brings cold water to the West Coast.
Subtle humor in the story: The nuclear legacy shared by the Tri-Cities and Japan is the plutonium for “Fat Man” (Nagasaki bomb) was made here.