We can find information gap everywhere but there is no dangerous gap between 'within nation' and 'out of nation'. Especially, in the case of America, this gap can give significant influence to the world. Even if we get marvelous tool for communication like satellite or Internet, this gap will not be able to be complemented, as we expect.

 Here the name of 'America' means US. Originally 'America' means the long continent, which include Latin America and Canada. But now the 'America' as US have special and significant role in our world. Because of this fact, the information gap between this country and others have special meaning to us.

 I was a Japanese teacher of a little college in TX (Jarvis Christian College). I came this college to get a carrier of Japanese teaching but to get English ability is also the reason why I stayed TX. For Japanese, as well as other Asian people, English are important skill for study or business. On the other hand, American people who are native English speaker do not need to learn other languages. Though someone has a chance to learn it, the opportunity to use it is limited except Spanish. But for a foreigner who live in this country it is unfortunate because the people who had learned foreigner language can speak easy English to us. We can not recognize what our language is without learning foreigner language. The study of foreigner language enables to reflect our language and our own position in the world.

 There is a word SHIMAGUNI KONJOU (an insular spirit) in Japan. It means closed mind which is indifference or exclusive to outer people. Through the experience of last War against America and other Asian countries, we, Japanese, deeply impressed how harmful this spirit is. Even if we recognize we are not free from it, we aware of it. If I say American near to fall into SHIMAGUNI KONJOU, some American may deny it. Because they have lots of opportunities to communicate to outer people and, above all, there are many foreigner people in their country. It is sure there is many definite difference between American and Japan, especially old Japan. But I find SHIMAGUNI KONJOU in this country in other sense.

 U.S. is originally independent country and can live without others but Japan is not so. Because of island nation Japanese can not live without other countries. On the other hand, U.S. is a continental nation like China. It has a lot of resources and can produce their food on their own land. And it has large afford to accept others and becomes international. Therefore there is definite difference between America and Japan. American people regard their rule as universal but Japanese as special. Nevertheless, both ideas deny others rule. Some Japanese exclude others rule because they believe Japanese society is too special and different from others. On the other hand, American people insist that their rule is so universal that they have the right to force it to others without considering their particular conditions. Even if American insistence is limited in economy or democratic policy, they do not know how difficult it is for others to accept western civilization.

 It maybe sound strange that Japan had invaded othes countries because the obsession of SHIMAGUNI KONJOU. But is true. In those days many Japanese believe Manshu (the north east area of China) was their essential territory to support increasing population in Japan. They could not notice how it was harmful to other Asian People and, as a result, it caused more isolation that they feared.

 Fortunately U.S. is a continental country and will not fall into this obsession. Even if island country, it is the great island country that has a large afford to accept others. But there is other danger of SHIMAGUNI  KONJOU. As I pointed out, many American people regard their rule as universal. But even if it is universal for others, they do not notice the fact that it needs hard effort to accept the rules. And they do not imagine how they will be, after all people accept their common sense.
 

The embarrassing reality is that Americans seem not at all certain about what kind of nation they want Japan to be. It's embarrassing because they have always imaged themselves to be unambiguous on this point: they want a democratic Japan, the more democratic the better. Do they really? Impertinent question, many will say. But travel 1,000 km south from Tokyo and it will not seem so. If Okinawa is any guide, a more autonomous nation--an idea the U.S. does not yet seem comfortable with.

 Three quarters of the American military facilities in Japan are crammed onto Okinawan soil. They occupy a fifth of the prefecture's usable land. There is much debate over whether these installations are necessary in the postcard War world, but the important point is that Okinawans have opposed the U.S. bases for many decades. They hinder economic development, are noisy and polluting, and bring crime and accidents. Come May, 3,000 landowners will refuse to renew leases o territory the U.S. bases occupy. Anticipating this, Tokyo is pushing hard to introduce a law that effectively deprives the refuters of their property right. (American's Frankenstein: Time April 28- May 5, 1997)
 

 I am terrified to imagine the world in which all people accept American common sense like American without hesitation. If so, the people of Okinawa will desire independence from Japan and demand plenty of money to U.S. and Japan as the charge of American military base. On that day, American domestic problem will became the problem of the world. Basing on the Anti-monopoly Law, some demand the division of American Industries which is already multinational, or may the U.S. itself.

 Many American people hope the whole world becomes like America, especially about free market system and democracy.  But if it is realized, they will be confronted with their own serious domestic problems even out of this country.  But in this case, U.S. will not be able to stand the side of majority already, but of minority.