yeah agree with the previous commentator

Louise ? Worldwide, architects tend to use more or less their clients’ projects as a testing ground. Like it or not - in today’s world, this is how architecture progress. Therefore if foreigners do it particularly in Japan it is a great honor for this country. They could just pocket a fat design fee and design unexceptional buildings from the start. Now keep in mind that the vast majority of foreign architects are not even assigned a full architect mission in this country. Because of the specificity of the Japanese construction market, the language barrier (and maybe the deep perception that gaijin can never be really trusted), most of the so called foreign designed projects may contain up to 80% of local design. As available technology in Japan is often years behind western countries, compromises after compromises, projects initially elaborated abroad with panache but without the full knowledge of local specificities, can be somewhat spoiled in the process. Overall and in spite of ...

Dominique - I think you make some good points but you are reading Jun Mitsui wrong. While he is expressing worry about disharmony I don't think he is worried about foreigners categorically. After all, he works very closely with Cesar Pelli and has evidently been influenced by foreign architects. His concern is with the regulatory environment that allows some foreign architects to use Japan as a testing ground. Domestic architects tend to be more careful because they wish to continue there careers in Japan - although I shouldn't imagine he is simply impressed with all them just because they are Japanese. To call him a "nationalist joker" on the basis of this is unfair.

For Jun Mitsui, foreign architects seem responsible for Tokyo ugly architecture. But has he considered how many projects foreign architects design annually in this city? The number is simply insignificant. Japan may certainly be the only developed country in the world where so few foreign architects are allowed to practice. Furthermore, there is much worse buildings in this city than the Dentsu Bldg, the Prada Building or even the Italian Cultural Institute, all designed by foreigners. In my view, a landmark like Omote Sando Hills in Harajuku is the perfect example of irreverent architecture although designed by world famous Japanese architect, Tadao Ando.

Mr. Mitsui is evidently a nationalist joker who should take time to observe the work of its Japanese fellow-members. I believe the greater part of them is insensitive to the damaging impact of their masterpieces on passersby, neighbors, users or even the Japanese culture.

I agree: I think Chinese and Korean tourists will definitely be the biggest money spenders in Japan, especially as many of the ones who come here are very wealthy. However, I think/hope many Japanese residents are acutely aware of the fact that rural areas are struggling with the lack of tourists, especially with growing amounts of Japanese people travelling abroad. Perhaps as more foreign tourists visit the hotspots in Japan (and book up the places), Japanese tourists will experiment and find other areas worth visiting instead.

what a terrific product platform; i need to get more info as soon as possible.

Recently, I have do not have any problems with asking the clerks not to pack my purchases in the plastic or paper bags. I try to bring a re-usable eco-bag every time, and with the global popularity of the eco-bag, and its popularity here in Japan, I am sure the robots will adapt, although it might take a long time.

Have you ever tried asking the typical Japan chain-store clerk not to put your purchase in plastic bag #1, before putting it in paper bag #2 and plastic bag #3?

The young clerks stop completely, and don't know what to do. Japanese under 30 are members of the "Manual Generation" and cannot understand why a customer would want to skip one unnecessary step out of many. If it is not in the manual, they can't function.

I've stopped asking, because the robots can't complete my purchase unless it is in the exact, wasteful order that they have been taught.

For apartments in Tokyo have a look at Metropolis classifieds:
http://metropolis.co.jp/classifieds/biz.asp?action=home&pid=20

I thought the most glaring omission was the impression that most tourists are either European or American. I think in the years to come, tourists from China will completely revolutionise the Japanese tourism industry. In fact, I think it may be the cause of some tension as Japanese are unable to book onsen holidays as the entire onsen has been booked out by wealthy Chinese tourists. They already seem to be a noticeable force, so imagine what the numbers will be like in 10 years.