Smith wrote:
>> Come on down to Ehime sometime. Gifu is a bustling metropolis in
>> comparison. Without my car I'd be lost.
> 
> I remember Gifu-shi actually had trams and trains (horribly expensive) 
> in the inner city area. The suburbs were the problem.
> 
> Next time I stay in Japan, I certainly won't be going anywhere with poor 
> transport. If I wanted that I would stay here in Aus.

Which part of Aus? City centre, city suburbs, regional or bush?

> It indeed is disappointing for a gaijin to find Japan such a 
> car-country. (/end of speech)

It might be disappointing but it shouldn't be a surprise. Japan has been 
the world's second largest car manufacturer for quite some time now, and 
exports are not really the reason. Outside the centre of the largest 2 
or 3 cities, almost everyone in Japan wants a car, and in most cases its 
because they need one.

-- 
"A large number of aliens have been applying themselves to studying in 
various areas inclusive of studying Japanese" - Masuda Nobuya, Director 
General, Immigration Bureau.