Following are three more readers' mails in response to both Gerry McLellan's May 24 Hotline to Nagatacho column "Japanese adults need an education in dealing with difference" and other letters published on the subject on June 28.
In response to Gerry McLellan's letter, I would concur that yes, Japanese people do need more education in dealing with foreigners. But so do Americans, British, Australians and just about everyone else.
How many waiters, hairdressers and store clerks in your country can carry on a perfectly politically correct conversation with a foreigner without ever asking about their country of origin or what foods they like? I know a lot of "regular Joe"-type people in my country who unapologetically confuse Japan, China and Korea, not to mention South American countries, Middle Eastern countries, European countries and pretty much everywhere else.