The Japanese government will hold off raising taxes, funding Defense in its southwestern region but plans to triple the number of Self Defense Force troops in the region. Not far from the action, on the main island of Kyushu, a two-story wooden building was engulfed by flames close to the old Nagasaki Streetcar and Sofukuji Temple built in 1673, whose grand Chinese style entrance gate has lived through more than its fair share of fires, the last of which was in 1849. And with the end of year just weeks away, thoughts are turning to food and O-den, a decision-making dish you eat on the way to eating something else. End-of-year celebrations are fast approaching, and eating O-den is the perfect way to bid this year farewell … soul food for thinking of the year ahead.