Could the Japanese actually be Jewish? The Oniazuma website carries an article which claims that they may just be one of the lost tribes of Israel.

For instance, one of Japan's largest festivals, the Gion festival, is believed by many to be the same as ancient Israel's Zion festival. And the Japanese Shintoist holy day is Yamoboko Junko, or "going atop the mountain to rest the shrine" - a link to Noah's Ark, perhaps.

It may all be nonsense... but it might explain why so many of us love sushi so much.