"I hope so, for the sake of the Ryder Cup, " he told BBC Scotland, when asked if he would like like to be up against Woods in Wales.

BBC: Colin Montgomerie plans Sergio Garcia 'pep talk'

So whether you see the blossoms or the vomit, a half full cup of sake or a half empty can of beer, the future of Japan is in the hands of the Japanese, not the New Economy gurus we read about in TIME, Newsweek and Fortune.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | Letter from Japan: Economic Binge