Sueume comments

You can live by the mainstream media's word, or you can do a bit of investigating. You can support Fukushima by eating their produce, or you can go to rallies and meetings (largely unpublicized, but not impossible to find if you look), as my husband has and hear first hand from Fukushima residents about how they have been threatened and bullied into silence about what they are going through. He sat and listened to women who were shunned by their families, who's husbands were told they would lose their jobs if they didn't keep their wives quiet, told that they were traitors for not wanting to eat the local food, etc.. This exists, and there is a reason you don't hear about it on TV.

I agree with daito_hak. My husband has been constantly following any information he can get outside the mainstream news - reports on cancers, sudden death and heart attacks in younger people, climbing death rates, etc. It's not good, and it's not only in Fukushima. Watch what you eat if you live in east Japan. Very little, If any of that kind of informations has been, or ever will be, covered in the mainstream news - the ones tied to the nuclear industry.

I could never sleep on a regular Japanese futon - way too hard! But, I love my Nishikawa muatsubuton (the really nice egg crate type). Hubby and I use ours on a raised wood frame, and it's really comfortable. And, if you have roach problems definitely get some Combat, or equivalent. I put out new ones all over the house in spring as soon as it starts to warm up. We may see one or two roaches per summer at most, and sometimes make it through with none. Summer in Japan is the time you want to make sure to keep all food put away, and make sure to do all of the dishes before bedtime!

I don't think it's shallow to consider the lifestyle of the person you plan to marry. I doubt anyone would rule out any of these professions across the board, they just rated them as less desirable based on perceived negatives, some of which are true. For example, my friend's son works in the food industry (a patisserie). His hours, along with the hours of everyone there, including the owner, are ridiculous! He works from 6am to 3am the next morning during busy seasons, and is lucky to get home before midnight even in less busy seasons. He gets only one day off per week (a week day) - he is so exhausted that pretty much all he can do on his day off is sleep. And, of course, holidays are mostly work days as well. He has absolutely no time to even think about dating!

I'm married to a teacher, and am always so thankful that he loves kids and has relatively lots of time off, but he works at a private school. Public school teachers get much less time off.

I personally hate cigarette smoke - it makes me feel ill - and, I hate when my kids have to be around it. However, I have to say that I am rarely bothered by it anymore in Japan. Compared with 20 years ago there are so many more smoke-free areas, and I really appreciate that! I think it's great that smokers are more aware of how uncomfortable their smoke makes others, but I see no need to treat them like criminals or idiots.

Standing ovation for Peacetrain!! You said exactly what I wanted to say after reading all of the comments!