Wrapping it up in Japan, heading out to China Tuesday morning (we're 13 hours ahead of East Coast time here).  Some observations. This is my third visit to the land of the rising sun.  Stable society, not very different from USA economically. Gasoline about 5 bucks a gallon, food costs in line with us.  Much smaller homes and expectations.

The big difference is diet.  Only about four percent of Japanese are obese, not counting Sumo wrestlers.  Approximately 40 percent of American adults are seriously overweight.  Two reasons: the Japanese don't drink sugar all day long, and peer pressure admires the slender.  In general, the Japanese care very much about what their neighbors think about them.  They eat in moderation.

Life expectancy for the ladies is around 88, the men 82.  Generally, Japanese society respects the elderly, unlike many Western countries, including ours.

As previously mentioned, social order is a top priority here.  The Japanese don't approve of troublemakers.  I've been on my best behavior.  

China is a very different situation and I will check in with regularity.  Enjoy Memorial Day.  Explain it to the urchins.