Q: Is it difficult to get by in Japan using only English?
Most of the Japanese population will have studied English at some point as part of their school education. As such communication can be carried out without knowledge of any Japanese. Furthermore, in almost all major centres (department stores, airports, museums) there will generally be someone who is fluent and can help you in English.
Q: I try to speak English, but either I am ignored or they do not understand what I say. What should I do?
Some people may be hesitant to try their English especially when they are not confident about their speaking skills. Try to speak slowly and use short sentences. Some times people will find reading easier than listening. Writing may help get your idea across more quickly.
Q: How will I be able to get around without being able to read Japanese?
There will be challenges of course but generally speaking this will not be a problem for short-term visitors. Almost everywhere in Japan, there are signs written using the Western alphabet. In big cities like Tokyo, instructions in public places are written in both Japanese and English. Train stations, street names and even shops will also carry signs in English.
Q: Is tipping normal practice in Japan?
No. The tip is already factored into the price and does not have to be paid separately.
Q: Is Japan prohibitively expensive?
Studies have shown that visiting Japan (and in particular Tokyo, where it is more expensive) is no more expensive than visiting major metropolitan cities like New York, London or Paris. It is also possible to get by in Japan quite cheaply with a few tips.
Q: Do my coauthors also have to be ISP members and be registered for the
meeting?
No. But if they decide to attend the meeting, they will need to register
at the meeting.
Q: I can't download files (sample article, etc.) from this website. What can I do?
If there is a problem downloading files just clicking on the links, try
to right-click and choose Download to disk, Save As... or similar command
(Windows). Mac users may have to control-click the link to get a menu where
you can choose a download command, e.g. Download Link (Netscape). To view the file, you may also have to open the document in a word processor.