There's a gas station across from our hotel in Sendai. After some calculations, I found the price is about $6.50/gallon. Ouch! This further explains the plethora of pedestrians. At yesterday's lecture, the Sensei from Meiji University said electricity prices have doubled since the disaster. This has been because the government has shut down all but one of 500+ nuclear reactors. Businesses have had a hard time absorbing the costs.

Vending machines are the mascots of Japan. Anything from soda to hot chocolate, or tobacco to beer, they have it. I have heard legends of many more interesting machines.

As you may know, taxes are included with listed prices in Japan. It is a simple thing that makes everything better. Convinces stores are present every few blocks around here, especially in Tokyo. Their economy seems to be centered around small, quick purchases.