Rene Girard comments

Producers and sellers make profit of those people rich enough to buy "perfect" cherries", and the buyers are happy to show off... Like square melons that foreigners like pubish on internet. Fun for a few. Behind the glittering appearence of Japan, many people do not have enough to live decently. Go to the back streets and have a look. I have family there, so that I know what I am speaking about. In many parts of the world, people can buy vegetables and fruits for them and their children at lower price, local or imported products, at more reasonable price because they are NOT "perfect". This is true also for many things. I wonder if Japan is able to adapt to the next century. I have known Japan before the industrial and commercial revolution after the second world war, making the country one leader on the international scene. Then, China followed the same path. What can change to bring Japan to the former successes? Europe is on the same trend, with a major risk of loosing its culture. Behind the laugh or criticisms the real question is there for this county and the children studying hard and expecting jobs and better life.

I do understand the concern and reasons of many employers to widen the gate for foreign workers as these comanies lack quantity and skilled employees.

I am french in my 80', and I remember the same needs and requests of the french companies back to the '70's. The french governments, as well as many governments in Europe did the same, hiring skilled and unskilled people from many countries outside Europe. The immediate sodisfaction of companies and governements masked progressive and unsovable problems. Depending of the languages, origin and culture, it was difficult for the people to adapt, then, impossible for them to come back to their home countries. The companies also did not try to cope with the lack of workers, reasulting in a progressive lack of competitivity. For the populations in touch with very different cultures, it resulted also in a clear confrontation of cultures and way of life. The worst result is the feeling of being invated by foreigners, particularly when religion of immigrated workers turns to be against the roots of the countries, as some religions wants to eliminate the other religions, the roots, the culture and impose their law as the percentage of foreigners increased widely. This is the photography of the the consequences of short sighted policies. My wife is japanese. I wish that Japan looks at the european situation, thinks twice about opening the borders and considers the approach of careful countries like Australia.