Gadgets and forms

Japan loves its gadgets. Shops selling electronic goods offer almost anything imaginable. Go into one of these places and it just pulsates with life (and noise!) New models appear with great frequency to satisfy the consumer's needs (well actually people don't need the latest design with the latest features to replace their 'old' model but they buy them anyway). You would think that with all this technology it would be a straightforward matter to get what you want speedily and efficiently. Ah, but that does not take into account all the attendant bureaucracy, not to mention the amount of paper shuffling. Forms abound in Japan. The other day we went to buy a new phone (one of the ones that cost zero yen) which one of our boys could use while he is on a trip next month. He was being added on to our existing contract but still we had to fill in several forms. Today as requested we went back to pick up the phone but more procedures were required. The form then needed to be faxed (still very popular here to deal with all the forms!) and 40 minutes later the matter was still not complete so we need to go back tomorrow (with our piece of paper), sign another form and we will have the phone! It's just amazing that with so much technology around things can take so long and generate so much paper. Just one of those other paradoxes which are so part of life here.