Vote
Hey all - just wanted to say that I hope all of you folks out there, Americans as well as those from other countries, vote in your home countries’ elections - if that right is yours. My absentee ballot information has arrived at last, and I will be voting shortly in my home state of South Carolina’s presidential primary election. While I was home over the winter break I also filled out the necessary paperwork for a local government election in summer, and of course the big bad General Election coming up in November. I cannot imagine not having a say in my government, and I urge all of you who have opinions to get educated about things and make a choice - and use this chance to have your voice heard. If you don’t vote, you forfeit your right to whine in my opinion. So, if you’re up to it - make an effort to get in contact with the appropriate authorities, deal with the red tape, and make sure you are counted. And encourage others, too. It’s your right. It’s important. (Having said that, if you are disinterested in politics, ill informed about the candidates, or otherwise suffer from political ennui - a common condition, please don’t vote. Please. The act of voting doesn’t make you a good citizen. The act of voting responsibly and for reasons you strongly believe in does. Make the judgment call for yourself.)
As a side note, I’d like to point out that I was amazed to discover that a ballot arrived in my email inbox. I had no idea that you could have ballots emailed to you when I checked the box on the application form a few weeks ago. I sent a reply message to the lady who sent me my ballot with a few questions. Chief among them: Is there a fraud prevention mechanism in use so that absentee voters can’t just forward copies of their ballots around to their friends and neighbors for extra voting? (If not, I’m bothered by the potential for fraud which seriously degrades the meaning of my vote.) I personally believe that voting should be harder to do than it is at present - it is too important to be lenient with the rules. I support legislation requiring a photo ID for voting, for instance. I want to make sure that my vote is not discounted because of a lousy system.
If you’re able to participate in your home country’s government while living abroad (in Japan), and you’ve got a vested interest in doing so, I really hope you take the time to do it. Ok, I’ve said my piece. 
Enough, already. I know. Ha ha.