Tried to send you a contact via the CONTACT button, but I guess you already know it’s dead…

Anyway, just wanted to wish you and your’s great tidings and a successful and happy year ahead.

>>Orbus
Japan has its quiet moments of racism, but they’re primarily directed at other Asians and South Asians (Chinese, Koreans, Pakistanis, Iranians, etc.) and to a lesser extent at Brazilians and Africans. Americans tend to have fewer problems; I personally hadn’t encountered a situation before this where I was barred from participating in an activity strictly based on nationality. David Aldwinkle details some of these civil rights issues on his personal page.

In my particular case it’s not too surprising, as the apartment building is supervised by JA, the Japanese agricultural cooperative that is one of the biggest conservative forces in the country. As foreign presence in Japan grows I expect this sentiment will grow along with it, though – the “not in my neighboorhood” feeling runs strong when it comes to “undesirable” elements.

>>Agent Wax
It sells wacky items from Japan, and also produces English versions of eroge. I’ll be working on the latter…

>>Dashu
a) yes
b) yes, though more a than b.

>>Basroil
I’m thinking you’re thinking right, as I don’t know of any other companies in Isesaki that do anything like this. :3