This is from my brother, Dan, who went to Japan last summer. Hey all, I went walking with no apparent destination and, about 6-10 miles there and back later I found myself home and with impressions of Japan that I figured I’d share. Pretty much, I’m gonna take myths about Japan and debunk or support them. Here we go… Myth: Everyone in Japan knows English. False! Everyone in Japan knows English about as much as everyone in the States knows Spanish or French or Italian…they might be able to understand what you’re saying, but most can’t speak it to any degree of proficiency (at least in Okinawa). Luckily, with Okinawa’s large American base presence, road signs are in English and most restaurant menus in Japan have pictures on them, have English, or both English and pictures. Don’t expect the locals to understand too much of what you have to say though, especially if it isn’t rudimentary.