Like any American living in America, I wore my shoes in the house.  Shoes on the sofa, shoes on the bed, shoes in the shower, shoes in the backyard, then back in the house.  I didn't think twice about it.  Living in Japan opened my eyes.

Take your

This is the first of a hopefully continuing series of "USA vs. Japan" articles featuring my snap impressions of Japanese things and how they compare to the USA equivalent.  My first chosen topic is a brief and easy one--Subway Sandwich.

Although it doesn't have the mammoth presence that McDonald's has, Subway Sandwich is indeed here in Japan.  Unlike McDonald's, however, it's notably different from USA's Subway Sandwich, making my longing for a real USA sub all the more tender and wistful.  Long story short, Japan's Subway Sandwich totally sucks ass, and USA wins this one hands down.  Here's why...

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Getting on Japanese TV is not especially challenging, but don't expect fame and fortune to follow.  This ain't Hollywood, dude.  Here are a few tips to help get you started in Japanese show biz.

Go to Ginza on a Weekend
TV camera crews abound on the main drag in Ginza during weekend afternoons.  Hang around them, and they may ask you for a street interview.  Not all of them are seeking foreigners, though.  Roppongi Hills and Akihabara might be better bets for us gaijin, but I see far more camera crews in Ginza.

Study Japanese
While there are

I recently started my own IT consulting business here in Japan, and needless to say it was quite a learning experience.  Hoping to relieve others from some of the tedium, I compiled an outline of the process along with some tips for starting your very own Japanese company.

Get a JETRO Library Card - www.jetro.go.jp
JETRO stands for “The Japan External Trade Organization,” and they're a prime information resource for starting your own business in Japan.  Although their free consulting services only apply to foreign companies seeking to start operations in Japan, their free library contains a surprisingly comprehensive amount of information in English, so it's a fantastic place to educate yourself.  In fact, much of the basic information about