A topic such as impressions is perhaps even more personal than experiences encountered, so I’ve placed it at the very end, even beyond anecdotes, easily overlooked if the reader is so inclined. One of the most common questions I am asked about Japan is why I went there and stayed for so long, eight and a half years. Of course there are many who have stayed much longer, for much of their adult life after completing university in their home country. For all of us, I believe there’s a turning point, or watershed time, after which a permanent return to the home country, prior to retirement at … [Read more...]