Here I was in Japan's busiest commuter station, served by more than a half-dozen train and subway lines and as many as 60 exits, and I couldn't find a sign in English to direct me to where I wanted to go.

Like most people living in Japan, I have been following news of the ongoing relief efforts with great interest and concern and what strikes me as being absolutely wonderful is the extent to which those people in the effected communities have come together to assist one another in their time of greatest need.