cshenk wrote:
> "MtnTraveler" wrote
>
>> As I said in another post, the government practices of this country
>> is, let us say, not conducive to to information sharing. I consider
>> myself lucky enough just to have internet access at times.
>
> Ah, one of them ;-) There were things I couldnt have in Japan too
> althopugh in general I could legally have a friend mail them to me, just
> not buy them off the internet. It wasnt like foodstuffs that could be
> dangerous, more like protect the local farmers from internet prices.

I would imagine that this is the most likely scenario. (I doubt mustard
is dangerous.) Licensing agreements, protection for local markets, etc.
As you know, in Japan, the shoe industry (and much leather curing) and
the automotive recycling industry are restricted to a certain class of
people now in reparation for generations of discrimination.