[MMM]

I don't think there is a polite way to say that.

It depends on the situation, but what if you try it and don't like it. It's one thing to say "I don't eat squid." No one would be offended by that (and this is anywhere in the world, not just Japan), but to say "Let me taste it first" and then say "Oh, I don't like the taste" really isn't going to fly. You might be OK, if it was something a little exotic (like squid or octopus or horse), but staple foods in Japan aren't spicy, so unless you are allergic, there is no reason not to eat it.

The effects of the war are still felt, and food is something that isn't wasted at near the rate it is in the USA. We just don't appreciate it as much.

Kids don't have "tastes" as much, as they are taught to eat what is put in front of them, so the idea of not liking something is a little more foreign, there. But they do understand that Japanese eat things that aren't eaten in other parts of the world, and are forgiving if you don't like a certain food.