You've read the stories, now see Japan for yourself. I may have mentioned that my friend Amy is a photographer. She has a new web site:
http://amyarvinphotography.smugmug.com/
where you can see and order pictures she has taken in Japan (and lots of other places).
Go ahead. Check it out.
I leave you today with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, "I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers."