[Jaydelart]

Nice points on the race issue, Housetek.
I also think that some cases of disappointment come from mistaking these things (signs, behaviors, etc.) as racist.

Some people can be wise enough to acknowledge the fact that tourists are notorious for causing trouble or inconvenience... and yet, they can't spot the correlation between difficult tourists and the Japanese that are simply unwilling to deal with them. It's amazing.
... What's probably more confusing is the fact that most people make a big deal over not-20 or 30 signs... but only a few signs they came across -- if not just one.

And, by those signs, they conclude that Japan is racist.