The Japanese get Imperialistic about their Food

In this weekend's Globe & Mail, I read that the Japanese government's Food Service Industry Office is planning to promote a "seal of approval" for Japanese restaurants outside of Japan. According to the article ("Don't tell us what to do with our SkyDome roll", by Christopher Maughan), the rules don't appear to be completely worked out yet, but the idea is to offer an authenticity recommendation (a sticker) if a restaurant passes tests on the quality and origin of its ingredients, the presentation of its dishes, even decor and service. If the establishment passes, it will be recognized as "authentically Japanese".

Okay, everyone knows that if you're not in Japan, it's not authentic. Just like dining on Italian, Armenian, Greek, French, Spanish - you name it - outside of those countries, it's NOT AUTHENTIC! When have you ever had an "ethnic" meal, even in touted celebrity chef restaurants, that tastes just like the meal you had on a misty-topped mountain somehere in Japan, or in a medieval village in Tuscany? If I want authentic, I book a flight.