Writer hopes Japanese step out of "comfort zone" as society diversifies

A Japanese author of a popular essay series about the charms and quirkiness of New York City hopes her readers will take to heart her tips on how to engage with different cultures as Japan becomes a more diverse society due to its changing demographics.In her nine-volume paperback series loosely translated as "Under the Spell of New York," essayist Mitsuyo Okada encourages Japanese to venture out of their comfort zones -- something she has learned to do firsthand while living in the Big Apple since the 1980s.With over 800 languages estimated to be spoken there, New York is arguably the most…READ FULL ARTICLE