I'm glad you brought up the sound design because not many have; as I've said elsewhere, I was also quite impressed by it. On the other hand, many have mentioned that one story or another doesn't quite fit the overall mold. I think Irritu, who's already been chastised for connecting a few too many dots, would've overplayed his hand if the Japanese segment had too strong a tie with the rest. It seemed formulated the way it was by design. But the seemingly minor act of the Japanese businessman does carry overt political implications.