We're sure glad we read this story (" Pocket knife lands tourist, 74, in lockup") before purchasing our air tickets. Eleven members of our garden club were planning a trip to the gardens of Kyoto in mid-September, but have decided instead to see the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, after reading about this man's horrible experience. It sounds like the Japanese police are just looking for an excuse to arrest foreigners, including the elderly. Americans around here will go where we are welcome — NOT to Japan I can assure you. How sad that some Japanese people are so xenophobic and small-minded.
blanch walker