i rushed in to tampopo for lunch at 3.30, sans reading material, so i picked up a japanese news magazine that was lying around and began perusing that. the lady in the shop was nonplussed. i have been going in for lunches for a year, and she always sees me reading english books at lunch. but i was clearly reading this magazine, because i took time over every page and seemed totally absorbed. but why do i always speak english to her, if i did know japanese? finally, two-thirds way through my meal, she couldn't resist and came up to me: you read japanese? me, paisehly: only the kanji, and she completely cracked up. and did every time she came to refill my tea. and when she brought the bill. well i'm glad i amuse her. but i mean, if you can read "overseas election" "above 20 years" "consulate" and "overseas address" in a two paragraph item you pretty much have an idea what it's all about, don't you? a bit like doing a cloze passage in reverse. mm.