A note from the Kumamoto International Desk of Inappropriate Footwear (we all wear loafers): A survey of our desk members resulted in not a single answer of when these shoes would be appropriate - particularly not on a gravel road. (Note: the victim of these shoes is the new Miss Kumamoto, 20-year old Yoshida Towa-san of Ozu, who plays basketball - presumably not in those shoes - and dreams of becoming a newscaster.) Warning: the shoe photos at the link may be disturbing to some. - William