A friend of mine, a medical doctor who has spent many years in this country, was here during Japan's recent press spectacular, the first official transplant operation. I asked what he thought of the frenzy surrounding this lifesaving achievement. I think his comments should have a far wider circulation than I can provide, but we do what we can. He said:

"The fascination with the transplants is downright embarrassing. This procedure was first done more than 30 years ago, and today, I believe, some 4,000 a year are performed without fanfare. Still, in a country that can focus a camera for 100 hours straight on a collapsed tunnel, it is not surprising. Where elimination from World Cup soccer took precedence over national and world events of significance, it is not surprising. Where a mudslide in Yokohama in which no one was killed or seriously injured was the event of the day (because a U.S. military housing complex was atop it), it is not surprising. The press are selective vultures. Japan should pray for all the lost souls who died with their names on a list that was never taken seriously. We should cry for all the children who will die because a child under 6 cannot receive a heart transplant. In California alone, they routinely save hundreds of these children every year by transplants with great success rates. Shame on the leadership of this country for withholding routine lifesaving techniques while the bickering continues. And shame on the population for denying the gift of life to so many who will die in vain, by not understanding and filling out donor cards. I could go on and on, but I have a plane to catch."

I am not certain he will be back.