Rice balls with folded plastic wrappers separating the rice from the seaweed； a dozen kinds of cold tea in a dozen different bottles─enter any convenience store in Japan, and you’re immediately struck by the great variety and quality of the packaging!　　      Japanese companies have been accused of over-packaging； but within the Japanese cultural context, that’s not really true.　The Japanese tend to use more packaging because of a cultural emphasis on freshness and a lack of storage space at home.　Moreover, they believe nice packaging adds value because it’s a strong signal of quality.　What’s more, compared with Westerners, the Japanese are more connected with packaging as a symbol of appreciation, love and care.　Packaging has, therefore, attained an important place in Japan’s economy.　The packaging market is worth over ￥ 7.4 trillion.　New packaging is introduced to Japanese store shelves at a rate of 20 percent per year, the highest rate in the world.　In such an environment, a product has to have more than just a nice graphic design to differentiate it from its shelf-mates.　The product has to speak to the consumer’s needs with both personality and practical value.　In this changing industry, nothing is really certain except one thing.　You can be sure that the goods out there on display on the shelves of the convenience store will soon be looking rather different.
【題組】44.Which of the following is NOT a reason for the Japanese to use more packaging?　　　　
(A) Packaging helps to keep food fresh.　　　　
(B) Packaging helps the Japanese to show appreciation.　　　　
(C) The Japanese consider packaging a symbol of quality.　　　　
(D) Packaging is a way to compete with Westerners in economy.