A selection of readers' responses to Debito Arudou's Dec. 1 Just Be Cause article, which proposed policy changes to "make life easier for Japan's residents, regardless of nationality":
I'm getting tired of listening to foreigners moaning on Japan. The answer is very simple: You don't like it, leave it. Why do these people want to live in Japan at all costs if they don't like the system? The world is big; go somewhere else. I've been in Japan for 4 years with my Japanese wife and now we have understood it's time to move on for our future, and therefore go back to Europe. We all know Japan is a homogeneous country. It will never become a cosmopolitan society like the West. Who are we to change a deep-rooted, xenophobic culture where Japanese have been living for centuries? It's much easier for Japanese to live in the West than for us to live in Japan. There are big Japanese communities in every Western country. Japan is not an expats' resort by tradition. Foreigners come here either for marriage or overseas contracts, meaning it can be a beautiful place to live for a few years but not to settle permanently. My suggestion to all those disillusioned gaijin is to make the most of your stay in Japan and return home when you think you've had enough.
JOHN TESTORE
Takasaki, Gunma Pref.