Will this fly?

As many people have noticed and commented on, Japan is a nation of interesting dualities. Specifically on the mixture of old and new, nature and concrete. Most, that I've ready anyway, have been all "Oh, it's so neat!"

One other duality that I've noticed in the J-Land is this:

The Respect versus Disrespect of the Aged

Yes, it seems that in Japan, that respect for the elderly seems high. That their wisdom is shared much more than in many other cultures. One reason may be this, that there are much more old people in this country than young. Another reason may be that culturally, children become responsible for their parents after retirement. Very often, there are two, three, or even four generations living together under one roof.

Another theory that I have is that the young respect the old simply because the old can continue to stand on their own. This isn't to say, the young are like, "Our healthy culture shows how strong our lives in Japan are." I think it's more like "Wow, granny, it's amazing you haven't keeled over yet."

It's especially hard for women over 25 years, because as well all know, here in Japan, once you're a lady of 26, you should retire to a nursing home. I mean, the general though, it seems is this, "Why should I want someone that old, when I can fantasize about the bikini-clad 12-year-old on the magazine cover."

This brings me to Harold and Maude a wonderful tale of a lonely and bored teenager of 'high-standings' finding his soul-mate in a poorer, but much happier, eccentric old woman. I can see this working with the older-woman crowd that are the ones who truly circulate around the theater scene here, but if this were to reach more of the general populace...what would their reactions be like? Especially the bedroom scene. If the Japanese weren't so apathetic, I suppose this play could change everything...