ABSTRACT
Globalization implies increased local diversity influenced by human contact across cultural boundaries as well as speedy exchange of commodities and information. Japan is no exception to this trend: in 1999, over sixteen million Japanese people travelled out of Japan and close to five million non-Japanese people entered Japan (Ministry of Justice 2000a). The number of non-Japanese residents in Japan is larger than ever before. Reflecting an ethnic boom, a variety of ethnic foods is readily available at restaurants in Japanese cities.
