I'll add one from a Gaijan perspective -- over the last decade there has been a remarkable difference in the usage of English on signs everywhere -- from the highway to products in the grocery store... I credit the Olympics for that -- Tokyo is MUCH more navigable for foreigners than ever.... When I first moved here I couldn't find much English at all in train stations, supermarkets, or department stores -- now it is everywhere! And I can use my phone to ride the train instead of having to recharge my Suica all the time -- so much easier and convenient. Even the taxis are easier -- S.Ride and Go Pay make paying for taxis so much easier as well....