Tokyo and tech through the eyes of a split pea

Spreading Japanese

Interesting Yomiuri article on renewed efforts to spread Japanese, be it language or culture. I think it’s an important effort, but am reserved in my enthusiasm for its means.

“This isn’t just the case in the United States and China,” Ogoura said. “In the Middle East, almost no one has an accurate understanding of Japan. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Japan is unknown out there.”

Japan is not just “unknown out there,” it is unknown “in here” as well. I’m only part way through it, but I have a feeling John Nathan’s Japan Unbound will be referenced a lot in the near future…