Two things: First, I think fruits and vegetables are overrated in some ways. I am more comfortable eating them in smaller doses, excepting the meals of collard greens and similar treats. I worry people are so concerned with eating things positive, they don't work hard enough on resisting the bad foods. Like sugars.

My other comment is on your Japanese. When I travel, I have a habit of leaning to at least pronounce a foreign language. Greek, for instance. And Korean. Memorize the alphabet, practice a little, and it is invaluable for foods, names of towns, and the few words you know. It doesn't work for Japanese. They use like 3 alphabets and it's nearly impossible to master. I find myself looking at the plastic food displays in front of a restaurant and copying the characters on the display. It is the only way I know to order food there. You are a brave man to try to tackle this.