I strongly disagree with the reader's opinion regarding police action toward the American tourist.

First of all, a legitimate procedure is not necessarily right. In the case in question, the police's action was totally unnecessary and irrational. Second, even if such cases happen often, the frequency does not justify the actions taken. Third, the article was one-sided, but it is because neither the police nor the prosecutors made comments or disclosed information. I find this to be the biggest problem regarding Japanese police: They do their duty, but they neglect our right to know what, why and how they do it. Even when the tourist was released without indictment, he wasn't informed why. Finally, reporters made up a story using a false statement, and the Japan Times Weekly posed a question from limited facts and statements. These two stories are not the same.

The article "Eastern Europe joins the organic food craze" (Sept. 19 issue) was a great read. I had no idea Eastern Europeans have become so health-conscious, and are looking to organic food instead of junk food like McDonald's and Coca-Cola. That's a great thing, but it's unfortunate that logistics keeps prices high and products are mainly available to only the wealthy.

I think it would increase the quality of life for everyone if there was less disparity between different economic classes in regards to access to food. Why don't the governments of countries that are rich in organic farmland promote the construction of facilities to process food for the health-conscious? More of these factories would dramatically lower the price of organic products and the number of consumers who choose them would increase.

Organic food is a promising industry and building economic activities around it would not only increase a country's wealth, but also make its citizens happier and healthier.

I totally agree with the statements in the article "Few answers for English language-related market" (Sept. 26 issue) that English schools for adults have been on a decline while those for children have been growing.

Fees for eikaiwa English schools are usually quite expensive compared to things like classes for flower arrangement, cooking schools and yoga lessons. Despite these high fees people attend anyway and then find that there's nowhere in their daily life for them to use the English skills they've paid so much for. They end up quitting the lessons, realizing how much money they've wasted learning a skill they can't use. It seems that the trend of learning English as a hobby is over, and only those who find English necessary for work continue to take lessons. This is likely the cause of the "crash" in the adult English school business.

From another point of view, English-language education will become mandatory in two years; many parents have become aware of the importance of English and are desperate to have their children learn it, ready to sacrifice things they want to do to spend money on English lessons. It seems that a child's education is the first priority on a parent's list, even when struggling to make ends meet in the recession. This is why the business of English classes for children is thriving.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 17, 2009
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