Some readers' thoughts on the Jan. 3 Zeit Gist column by Glenn Newman, headlined "Japanese must tap their 'inner Israeli' ":

Mr. Newman, I've just read your interesting and well-informed article in The Japan Times of Jan. 3. I especially enjoyed reading the contrasts you pointed out in the attitudes and social culture of the two peoples.

However, I felt moved to write to gently chastise you for being a tad dishonest (Please forgive me!) in the argument you present that "Japan and Israel both live or die on their wits alone."