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ALL ALONG THE COAST of Japan are fishing boats. Hundreds of thousands of them. All sizes and shapes. Fishing is a major industry in the small country. And in the fishing villages mama-san helps papa-san drag in the catch.

When fishing or working in the field in the blazing sun of summer, propriety gives way to practicality and the women do as the men. They shed their clothes from the waist up and slice their clothes to a minimum from the waist down. Except for new-to-Nippon servicemen, no one is much impressed.

Fish reigns supreme in Japan. Not only by keeping the fisherman in the chips (not fish 'n chips) but also by highlighting every menu. Fish is cheap and that is the main reason why it is preferred to meat. Meat is expensive and many of the Japanese simply cannot afford it.

Fish is also a popular food in the States, but the summer dress for fishing, a la Nippon, is not likely to become very popular--at least not as far as the women are concerned.

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