suburbs cross the ocean.

so i just read an old blog in which i was complaining about american suburbs, immediately the description of the overly pre-packaged world back there in american made me cringe as i realized that i was also describing japan. well at least where much of japan is attempting to go. the overly bright artificial super markets, the clueless people buying useless food (not quite as bad in japan), and the pointless use of technology to make our lives a little less 'boring'. now much of these things are really invasions into japan. they did not originate here and hopefully there is a chance that they will not last here, but i highly doubt it. japan is going the way of the american suburb and it would take much to stop it. what is even more frightening is that i am sure that this is true the world over. a simple life where you are aware of where your food comes from, you know your neighbor's names and you can have a moment of peace to think about things--without the media tormenting you with useless information--is becoming harder and harder to find. my only hope can be that this trend is only that, a trend. and that here in japan it will fall by the wayside and the japanese people will hold on to their kind and generous ways, and even their violent heritage, just because it's theirs. i hope that as i get to travel outside the cities i can enjoy more of japan for being japan, not an imitation of america.