This is a personal site of Akio & Anne KAWATO, Japanese ex-diplomat and his wife (a Dane). They extensively travelled and lived in many parts of the world: Japan, Denmark, China, South Korea, Taiwan, South-East Asia, India, Uzbekistan, the Soviet Union turned Russia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Mexico, Canada and the U.S.A. Please enjoy this kaleidoscope of world civilizations now and past. Viewpoints are vertical (historical), horizontal (comparison with others), diagonal (unorthodox interpretation) and inverse (go into opponent's position).