William The word “citizen” derives from the 12c. Anglo-French “citezein,” meaning “city-dweller.” It was not until modern times with the rise of travel, mass immigration, and democracy that its modern, legalistic term came about. “With citizenship comes responsibility” likely thought the Kumamoto government when considering bestowing the moniker on long-term foreign residents of our city (word has it, mostly to make garbage separation obligatory on heretofore unruly barbarians), but others saw this as a step towards allowing foreigners the right to vote (it didn’t), and a brouhaha broke out. At least it brought us fleeting notice in the national news and some very stern looking faces: