The questions Terada-san asked in the second paragraph seem to be about the "meaning" of returnees' affecting Japan. I believe that what most of us learn from our encounter to another culture is the ability to think deeply about what we had thought to be "atarimae." Like Mr. Maki's letter in the Ouenseki (in Japanese), we ask ourselves why; why (the hell) did I have to come here? Why do they treat me like this? What is it to be a Japanese?

The influence that retunees contribute to the Japanese culture might incude "outer" things such as their ability to talk other languages, fashion, or favors of music. There are also "inner" effects. I hear often that many returnees are outgoing and speak out. I think that is a good thing. On the other hand, however, there are those who simply hate Japan and the Japanese for being unfair, nasty, and even ridiculous. Some "speak out" about these, making the gulf between the so-called normal Japanese and the returnees even bigger. Speaking out is good, but the whole point must not be about enhancing the inferior complex of the Japanese people (including that of the returnees).

What we have to do is to think and try to understand. We have to go beyond recognizing the difference and cut off easy, shallow ideas like "Japanese people are mean and sneaky" because that is another sort of stereotype.

For instance, don't wear what you wear because that's the trend. Wear it because you like it or you want to look like someone who looked very nice in that style. But please understand that this is different from being selfish. It's about being thoughtful when others don't care; it's about choosing what to do and not doing it if you think it hurts someone's feelings (although this is extremely hard).

The two biggest meanings of being a returnee are the attitude of thinking and the fact that in some ways he or she was shocked and hurt. What this brings to Japan goes back to Terada-san's discussion. In fair eyes, we should eliminate stereotypes and try to understand Japan and other cultures. Think with your own head and use ohashi if you like it better than a fork. Explore Japanese traditions and enjoy them because we might discover astonishing new aspects of "Japan," the culture which we tend to think as if we know a lot about it.

In Japan, I don't usually think about what a "true" Japanese culture is or what it is to be a Japanese. There were not many chances in my everyday life to recognize myself as a Japanese, an Asian, or a member on this Earth. Having come to another country, however, I started to think about the issue of identity because everyday was full of chances, and also, I was forced to think about it.

When I first came to America three years ago, I hated how people asked me about Japanese cultures. I wanted them to look at me as "me," not "a Japanese girl." When I learned to speak English better and became able to talk about other things, I started to avoid talking about Japan because I didn't want to emphasize that I am different. I also hated the idea that one "belongs" to something. I believed that it doesn't matter if you are a "normal" Japanese or a returnee; what matters is you yourself as a person. I still believe so, but there is one thing I have realized: the fact that I am a Japanese and a part of "Japan" exists within myself. If I hide or deny a part of my personality, no one will ever understand the true me.

I met many friends from Asian backgrounds when I went to a summer school. When I suddenly realized one morning that it was Tanabata that day, I told my friends that it's a day of Celebration of Stars. I was surprised when a Chinese American friend and a Korean American friend said that they have heard of a very similar story to that of Orihime and Hikoboshi. That night, we cut paper and made many tanzaku. We sneaked out of the dorm and decorated a tree. Then we sang "Kirakira-boshi" in Korean.

The tanzaku written in both English and Japanese were spinning in the wind of New England. That is when I decided that I want to go to a college in America. I want to go on and meet many people, sharing the Japan in myself as well as other cultures in other people. I have felt the same way as Hiroko Okada-san: "I wanted to change...problems in Japanese systems" and I still do, but I want to stay in America and broaden my perspective, thinking about identities, the meaning of being a returnee, and more....

I want to look at Japan from a distance and try objectively analyzing the "good" and the "bad" things about Japan. I cannot answer the very first question that Terada-san asked: "what is 'Traditional Japan'?," but I will be thinking about it.

I love Japan. And I'm proud to be called a returnee!

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