Think Japan is serious about the upcoming World Baseball Classic? The national team held its first practice today in Miyazaki, and 37,000 people turned up to watch. It was also the top sports story on the NHK 7:00 p.m. news. The U.S. team had better get it into high gear if it wants to avoid missing the finals again this year....

Another new lesson learned from painful experience: don't take cold medicine before an important meeting, especially if your every move is going to be watched by the news media. At least the man involved didn't spout off about how Japan's invasion of Asia wasn't a war of aggression.

The latest additions to my CD collection, with a few comments:

Matsutoya Yumi, REINCARNATION (1983, EMI) and VOYAGER (1984, EMI). When I first arrived in Japan in the autumn of 1984, these two albums were on every cassette deck. I realized then that Yuming was a special brand of comfort food for Japanese males of a certain age; it's nostalgic to hear these again now--and more than a little comforting.

M.I.A., Kala (2007, Interscope) Why resist? You know that in the end you're going to buy this to hear "Paper Planes," so just give in already. Resistance is futile.

Atlanta Rhythm Section, 20th Century Masters: Best of (2000, A&M) I always had a thing for these guys back in the '70s when they were churning out hits like "Champagne Jam" and "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight."

Eels, Daisies of the Galaxy (2000, Dreamworks). The last album by E. and company that I didn't have, and it's one of their very best.