Obama is not the imperialist legacy type, I agree. But the way he dealt with Hatoyama does not appear policy-based; it seems to represent something personal (arrogance maybe). Also, he relies too much on Gates, from Afghanistan to DADT, Gtmo, etc. Gates seems one of those Americans who love tough talks.

You are absolutely right. It is the question of dignity. Quite a few mainstream Japanese individuals have a strong sense of dignity, only towards Chinese, and Koreans. To Americans, only the people of Okinawa have it. Let me give you an example. In 2003, I kept fighting rightwing Republicans over the Iraq war on Slate. When I talked about it with friends in the government, they were appalled, "How dare you say such a thing to Americans?!"

I will become a patissier, God willing.