TIME
September 28, 2009

A New Direction in Japan

RE "SPOTLIGHT" ON JAPAN'S ELECTIONS [Sep. 14]: With its new government, Japan has the opportunity to break with the past and become a model world citizen. I lived there for 11 years and directly experienced the limited opportunities offered to immigrants. One way the country can increase its workforce and tax base – and stimulate creativity in its population – is to change its immigration laws. If these policies were liberalized to coincide with those of the U.S., Japan would become a wealthier country, materially and culturally, and receive more respect internationally.

Don MacLaren, ELMHURST, N.Y.