[MMM]

Actually the east Aleutians were invaded by the Japanese in WWII and a large group of Alaskan natives was taken back to Hokkaido as POWs in WWII.

Gonative, I find your observation about Japanese connection with nature, and how that doesn't translate to INSIDE the house very interesting. I too have noticed that views from Japanese homes are barely an afterthought. When Japanese want to associate with nature, they seem to go outside.