<mtfester@netMAPSONscape.net> wrote:

> Louise Bremner <dame_zumari@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > Michael Cash <buggeroff@fake.com> wrote:
> 
> >> I think in three trips to Japan, I have been asked for my card
> >> precisely one time...and even that is only a very very vague
> >> recollection. So vague that I'm not even sure it actually happened.
> 
> > As it happened, we did have our cards with us and I would have forgotten
> > about the experience except that I thought it'd be something vaguely
> > interesting to mention at Japanese school the next day. Oh boy was it
> > interesting--most of the other students were asian and had some horrific
> > first- and second-hand tales to tell of being held for long periods by
> > police for not having their ARCs with them. 
> 
> > Elbow was lucky.
> 
> No, he probably just didn't do the right thing. 
> 
> (Of course, the following doesn't apply if you don't speak Japanese,
> but...)
> 
> I've been stopped twice, once in Shibuya on my way to work, and once in
> Sapporo. I think of my four times without the card (including trips to
> the corner 7-11 for ice cream), they got me half the time. Both times,
> it took about 2-3 minutes of me apologizing, telling them the card was
> back in my apartment in Inogashira, and if there was any information
> they needed, I'd be more than happy to supply it. In return, I got 
> a mild admonition, compliments on my Japanese, and some pro-forma 
> questions concerning what I thought of Japan.

Yup. 

But it's possible you skipped over a key word in my post?
> 
> They never even told me to make sure I carry it at all times.


________________________________________________________________________
                   Louise Bremner (log at gol dot com)
   If you want a reply by e-mail, don't write to my Yahoo address!