Konnichi wa everyone, and welcome to the fourth edition of The Foreigner - Japan! We've got quite a good line-up this month, with stories from our roving reporters in Japan, Christy Wyatt and Rob Wakulat, as well as a photo essay from a new contributor to The Foreigner, Gabriel González Maurazos.

Rob Wakulat took in the Fuji Rock Festival last month, and sent us his report, entitled "Fuji Rock: One Big Wet Love-In," with interviews and photos of the various folks attending this ever-growing summer bash. And he still had time to do a bit of digging into the effect the scares of the world have affected travel in and out of Japan in the past year. SARS, has taken its toll on the travel plans of both Japanese and foreigners alike, and you can read all about it in this week's news feature: "SARS Inflicting Tourism Losses."

Ms Wyatt continues her correspondence with "Fools Gold Abroad?" a look at opportunities for teaching English in Japan, and the various pitfalls that young men and women have encountered while trying to make their fortunes.

Our photo essay this month comes from Gabriel Gonzalez Maurazos who found inspiration and escape from the rigours of Osaka's working class in beautiful Kagawa prefecture. Join him in his quest for tranquility as he displays what his lens saw during his travels.

Or if you've climbed one too many hills this summer, and you prefer to get your rest with a good foot massage, take a look at my column this month, "Got as Sore Foot? It might Be Something Worse." Of course, some of us don't use our feet much when doing the touristy thing. Some people, like Harry Young, prefer a much more stylized form of transportation. Mr. Young is searching for a Harley Davidson rental shop in Japan, and he's hoping one of you fine folk can help him out. You can read his interview called: "Oh Brother, Can You Spare a Harley?"

If you have any comments or questions about this or any other article on The Foreigner - Japan website, please contact me.

Matt N. Goerzen
Editor