Yes, I guess you are ignorant.
MSG was invented in Japan, afterall. It is included in almost every sauce in the store as well as added to food in most restaurants. Here it is called aji no moto, as per the kanji and kana I posted above.
It has had wide spread use here in japan since the 40's. America stole it after 45, when the GI's realized that the Imperial Army's rations tasted signifigantly better than the American counterparts.
So, can anyone help out here? Perhaps a list of "health food" restarurants in Kanto?
PS to MMM
Of course if you get nice kaisekiryouri or anything made from scratch here, or eat sushi, you will probably avoid MSG, but I can't afford that everyday.