Steady efforts are essential, such as thoroughly notifying visitors about etiquette and rules before they come to Japan via information websites for overseas.

Why not ban foreigners from Japan so as not to offend Japanese sensibilities.....

Nobuko Akashi, president of the Japan Manner and Protocol Association, a nonprofit organization.

I bet she's fun to be with.

There are some that tourist that don,t read the signs but I have assumed they have read the signs but refuse to understand the reasoning for protocol. There is a lot protocols I just ignore but some protocols I up hold and let you know about it. The most important one I follow is washing before entering the Onsen and washing after saunor before entering the Onsen. I see locals and tourist breach this protocol and up them for doing so. But some protocol that don,t need signage like keeping to the left on Tokyo,s escalators and right in Osaka. I never use to worry about reversing into car parking spots until recenty. I now do after realising the logic for doing so. So I have pick up three daily practises since living here which I will take home. that is washing before entering the onsen keep to the correct side of the escalator and reverse parking.

'Omotenashi' at it's finest!

Dear Nobuko Akashi,

Your efforts might be better served trying to reeducate a large proportion of Japanese people who seemingly lack the manners, etiquette, and understanding of the basic rules of their own country. Also, a serious effort to combat the various -'hara's (power, seku, mora etc.) would help make the work place in particular better for everyone. Posters in corridors isn't really an effective solution is it?

Finally, I challenge you to provide specific examples of 'breaches of etiquette by foreign tourists becoming a problem in tourist spots nationwide', because I guarantee I will be able to visit the same tourist spots and find more than one Japanese person also making 'breaches of etiquette'.

In fact, I invite you to spend a couple of days with me as I go about my work. I see dozens of examples of bad manners, breaches of etiquette, breaking of rules, and harassment, every single day. Maybe I can open your eyes to what is undoubtedly a bigger problem than foreign tourists.

Yes, I see rude behavior by the natives daily. Educate them first.

Brilliant sense and hollis; brilliant responses! tip of the stetson to you both!