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This is basically the stuff I have to do for Suzuki Sensei's UEC Academic Skill class (who I am looking forward to having a big drink with once this class has finished). Anyway the stuff here is basically just answering some questions and stuff about my impression of Japan and stuff. Enjoy...

What did I think about Japan before I came?
Well since I had already been to Japan twice before, I already had some idea of what to expect, although I had never been to Tokyo before now. So what did I expect? Well lots of people (who are all really nice), lots of bikes (which are really annoying), lots of buildings, lots of pollution, and that I would be able to see Mt Fuji!!!
What do you feel about Japan right now?
Well right now I'm actually feeling pretty tired, but thats from a general lack of sleep and has nothing to do with Japan. I guess my opinion hasn't really changed all that much, since I've only been here for about 2 months. It's a nice place with a whole heap of nice people, but I dont know if I would want to live here for much longer than a year, maybe you should ask me that question again in about 8 months.
What do you find good about Japan?
There is Tokyo Disneyland, the food, the beer, the people, they play rugby over here, and espescially the beer you can buy from vending machines on most street corners (Go the 1 litre cans!!).
What do you find bad about Japan?
The cost of everything, espescially the cost of beer, food, and Tokyo Disneyland. The bad smells that you come across everywhere, crowded trains, psycho kamikaze cyclists everywhere, and it is impossible to see Mt Fuji.
What do you find strange about Japan?
The fact that it is perfectly acceptable for Japanese businessmen to read the filthiest pornographic comic books on a crowded train. The fact that it is acceptable for people to urinate in the streets (Tymon??), well usually at night when they are drunk (actually that could be a good point). The fact that it is perfectly acceptable, to go into a store and pick up a book or a magazine (comic pornos included), stand there and read it, put it back, and leave the store without paying for anything!!
What do you find unexpected about Japan?
Well apart from things that I have already mentioned... well I was pretty suprised to hear that Japan is winning this years Epson Cup Pacific Rim Rugby Competition. I also thought that there would be more stuff to do around here, but it all costs so much so it kind of limits your options a bit (Dont worry if you plan to come and visit me, I'll find plenty of stuff for us to do when you come).
Compare your country with Japan?
Well where do I start... lets see apart from having totally a different culture, speaking different languages, expensive beer, and a society that is influenced by American culture even more than ours in Australia (you cant really deny that it isnt), well apart from all of that well I guess Australia and Japan are pretty similar. Well all the Japanese people I know who have been to Australia have all said that the people there were really nice, and I guess all the Japanese people I've met have been nice (well they've been nice to my face anyway) as well, so I guess there is a similarity there.
What do you want to achieve apart from your study at UEC during your stay in Japan?
Apart from just sitting around and studying (yeah right), I do plan to be able to speak some Japanese by the time I leave. I also want to get some travelling done, climb Mt Fuji (if I can find it), travel around Kyushu during summer, go snowboarding in winter at Nagano, travel up to Hokkaido during winter as well. I guess I just want to use this opportunity to see as much of the country as I can, experience a bit of the culture, and taste as much of the local ale as possible, although the Crownies at the Aussie pub the other week did go down pretty well (they also came up pretty well!!)

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