It&#x27;s depressing to read all the misguided commentary about Japan in western media. We&#x27;re talking about one of the world&#x27;s oldest continuous civilizations, which currently has the longest life expectancy, and one of the lowest crime rates.<p>Japan will endure, as it has for thousands of years. I&#x27;m more worried about where America and Europe are headed. Prosperity is one thing. Greed, corruption, and exploitation are another.<p>Anyway, in my experience, Japan today is a pleasant place to live. The lack of boom times here has rendered Japan more humble and practical than in the recent past. Most people in Japan ultimately enjoy a middle-class existence that would be the envy of the average American family. There are plenty of people who are struggling here, but Japanese people have endured far worse.<p>Western commentators will tell us that huge bloc of elders are an impossible burden on Japanese society. I see it differently—those people are a treasure trove of hard-earned experience. We can learn from them, and they&#x27;re currently doing an excellent job as stewards of this place. They&#x27;ve seen first-hand the folly of chasing America and Europe on their imperialist fancies.<p>I would rather live in a &quot;poor&quot; Japan than in a &quot;rich&quot; America any day of the week. You can&#x27;t put a price on peace of mind and the general atmosphere of civility and willingness to come together for a common cause.