I like that site for the information it provides on Shotokan and the JKA, but that's about it.
The description of his trip to Japan is just ridiculous. His Japanese instructor tells him he doesn't need to learn how to read Japanese, so he takes his word and neglects it. When he gets to Japan, he can't read the signs. Who does he blame? The Japanese.
I believe his trip was taken in the nineties. Their information on the country seems to be primarily based on books written in the eighties, when Japan's economy was much stronger. They took the books at their word when they indicated Japanese employers were staking out airports to find English speaking employees. Lo and behold, they get there and the reality smacks 'em in the face like a smelly halibut. No jobs. They struggle to find work. The information they got from their books was incorrect. Who does he blame? The Japanese.
Basically, the guy had a lot of preconceptions on the country that he got second- or third-hand, and when they turned out wrong, he blamed the Japanese people.
Furthermore, the USENET group he started for Shotokan is a joke. If you say anything that disagrees with him, he chastises the hell out of you. Basically, I think he's a jerk.
However, for information on Shotokan karate, the JKA, and reviews of Shotokan related literature, the site is invaluable.
Just don't ask me to buy the guy a beer.
Cthulhu
