Fuck yakatori, I'm making a sign and a bumper sticker!! Just kidding, I think that you did a good thing in going back to the restaurant. I know exactly what you mean about Japanese and American cultural differences. I work for a Japanese owned company and it is easy to let pre-conceived ideas sneak in before meetings, clouding your judgment and listening ability. Your comment about the owner giving you "his amused smile" hit the nail right on the head for me. Our previous President had a habit of doing that when he didn't agree with an idea. I am not sure if he understood the stifling effect that it had on the group and how angry everyone became for being looked down upon. We are required to have training to adapt to the culture of our Japanese management, but they seldom receive any training in American culture.