Regarding the Oct. 7 article " 'Gaijin' mind-set is killing rural Japan": The author (Debito Arudou) seems to be forgetting that people in Japan, a democratic country, are free to associate and speak with whomever they wish, even if it is to their detriment. If someone does not like living in a certain area of Japan because they feel like an outsider, he or she is not forced to stay in that area or any other part of Japan.
No matter how hard it is to change jobs, commute or move to a more distant area, or even another country, we have the choice to find a place that makes us feel more welcome or to stay and learn to live with the existing conditions.
We might not like the "gaijin mind-set," but I am not about to tell others how to live their lives just because I disagree with their attitudes. Just because someone believes differently doesn't mean he or she is wrong.
Should we start telling Japanese people to only use soy sauce with less MSG because it is "better" for them? Are we going to tell people they can't go to those stores that sell items from a country known for poor working conditions such as China?
How far does Arudou plan to take his arguments with the "gaijin" issue? His article is essentially an argument for curtailing basic freedoms and liberties.
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