I have read a few arcticles asking "why do people buy or use Japanese cards"
"You can't read them so you don't know what they do".  I have a few answers.

People buy Japanese cards for the same reason people buy German Magic cards
or why people buy Russian Coca Cola memorabilia or foreign beanie
babies...they are rare in US, collectible in US and fun to watch your
opponents eyes when you lay one down on the table.  I forgot to mention that
they have different art too which means added value to the collectors of say
Picachu cards.

As far as playability, they follow the exact same rules as American Pokemon
cards.  Gust of Wind in Japan means same as it does here.  It looks
different sure but it performs the same action.  And the top magazines like
Scrye and InQuest have come out with translations in their magazines.

And finally, here is the best reason.  Wouldn't it be great to have an all
Japanese deck, keeping in mind different art and laguage barrier but cards
perform the same, your opponent would potentially become confused while
playing you and in turn giving you the edge on the game even though he/she
is the better player with the better deck.  You gain the upper hand with a
foreign deck.

Pete Steinmetz
steiny@ionet.net

Background - Playing Magic since August 1993 (yes, the Dragonflight it was
released).  Have played in, organized many and judged numerous Magic
tournaments in the Washington state area.  Started one of the first, if not
the first, Magic players club in the Seattle area (Upper Echelon - November
1993).  Organized and judged the first officially sanctioned tournaments in
the state of Washington.