==JAPAN: Saitama==

Today, young people tend to avoid mixing with others deeply. They get along with other people only superficially, because they don't want to be hurt. In short, people who are afraid to face each other seriously are increasing. This tendency is found among what we call "Berutomo", who communicate with others by means of pocket bells and "Mailing friend", who communicate with others by means of personal computer. Both communications are done without knowing each other's face. What does such simple communication give us? As a rule, we ask friends to join us for having a good time together. If you take only enjoyment into consideration, such communication might be one of the means of friendship. Even if we exchange only simple letters, it seems that pleasure comes across easily. For instance, when your favorite team wins, you exchange messages of pleasure with "Berutomo". Those short messages would make you happy. And to talk with "Mailing friend" on personal computer about a common hobby is also interesting. But we can't be fully satisfied with such communication, can we?
Our life isn't made up of only pleasure. It contains many hard affairs. Under such circumstances, we are anxious for someone's help. Maybe it is help from our father, our mother, our brother, or our sister. However. it goes without saying that friendship is a greater support for us. Nothing can substitute for a friend who hears your troubles and gives you some advice kindly. That is to say, such a friend is your best friend. "Berutomo" and "Mailing friend" can't be called best friends, can they? According to a certain questionnaires, it seems one person has two or three best friends in general. But some have no best friends. Why don't they have any best friends? I think that they must have a lot friends, but they get along with their friends only super- ficially. Therefore. they aren't able to make a best friend. How can we make a best friend? I think that real friendship comes into existence from mixing with others deeply and seriously. Not only do best friends have a good time together, but they also have hard affairs in common. And to exchange feelings with each other on occasion is very important. I think. Maybe, to keep up with each other is difficult. But it is important that you try to understand a companion.
Most of all, we just have common friends who have a good time together. We go to "Karaoke", and take a "Purikura" with them. It is simply interesting. We are proud of the number of our friends by means of comparing "Purikura". But I want to say we should have best friends who can understand us and whom we can understand.