One of my favorite stories from my time there has to do with my Christmas shopping. I wanted to get a Captain Santa shirt for my sister, so I went to one of the big department stores in Shinjuku to look for one. The store I went to first turned out not to carry the brand, but I didn't know that when I went in, so after a few minutes of wandering the store fruitlessly, I stopped and asked a salesgirl.

The first woman I talked to turned out not to speak English, but she went over to another department, and found someone who did. She was able to tell me that they didn't carry Captain Santa products in that store, but then went to find the manager. The manager got out a phone book, made a few calls, located a store in the area that did carry the brand, and drew me a very detailed map to guide me to the right place.

Given that experience, I have a hard time believing the hospital scene in Lost in Translation. It's not just that it would be unlikely for a doctor or hospital receptionist to not speak any English at all, but that it would be unimaginably rude for them to just jabber away at an uncomprehending American without a hint of embarrassment.

Again, I understand why it was done the way it was, but it did a number on my suspension of disbelief. That, combined with the slightness of the plot, means that I'll just have to root for The Return of the King to win Best Picture. But you knew that already...