My Japanese WIfe’s Shopping Trip

Well, my wife has gone back to Japan, having spent a nice two weeks with me here in San Diego as I prepare for the summer anime conventions. As usual, before her return flight she had me drive her around town to pick up various things to take back to Japan, some for her but others as omiyage (oh-me-YAH-geh), or souvenirs for the J-List staff or other friends. Just as otaku love wonderful candy from Japan, the Japanese staff of J-List appreciate unique snacks from the States, and my wife selected some nice Ghirardelli chocolates to take back. Some American products have excellent reputations with Japanese consumers, and my wife made sure to buy several boxes of Ziploc baggies and two rolls of Bounty extra-strength paper towels. Another item on her list was American toothpaste, which supposedly has more fluoride in it than in Japan, and she had me reading the boxes so she could be sure to buy the toothpaste with the most fluoride in it.

I had no idea American toothpaste was so good.