Red, White, and...well that's it

Another kind of odd thing I've noticed while being over here is that there are no Japanese flags displayed anywhere. Especially considering just how nationalistic and isolationist they are over here one would think that they would prominently display their national colors as often as they could, but so far I have seen all of two flags, both of them in Kyoto. I don't know if this is an after-effect of WWII or if they Japanese are simply more subdued in displaying their national pride or what exactly is the reason behind the lack of flags, but I have to admit it intrigues me. Especially since in America one sees them everywhere; porches, car dealerships, post offices, classrooms, on pick up trucks, hats, t-shirts, really just about any open space. However as I mentioned earlier I personally believe that the Japanese don't like to openly flaunt their view of themselves as the most superior Asian country, instead they prefer to crush the opposition with superior goods and businesses, but always in the most polite way. That sounds terrible, but from my experience the Japanese are for the most part an extremely driven people, both in their personal and business lives. Almost all of them are busy 24/7 and when I sometimes ask my housewife, childless, rich students why they are so exhausted from their non-working lives they tell me that if they take the time to just relax or be bums they feel guilty. Craziness. But sadly I'm starting to feel the same way, like lazing around all day isn't as fun as it used to be. I think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so...da da da da