Very interesting article in the New York Times about the former Japanese hostages. There is something amazing about the Japanese culture which, even though it considers itself classless, does have a strong sense of what is proper. Unlike any American hostages, who would be treated as 'heroes', or at least victims, upon their release, the Japanese government and regular citizens seem to have nothing but distaste for what they see as the 'trouble and embarrassment' these three (and two other Japanese citizens released earlier) brought on Japan.