NEW: TOFU SANDWICHES (!) AT MCDONALDS

Well, OK, it's McDonald's Japan. But as I've pointed out before, what happens at the biggest non-US franchise of McDonald's Corp. is sometimes a harbinger of trends for the company at large. I mentioned the Japan unit's recent tailspin and how it was a bad sign, and Businessweek seems to concur: "Given that the Japan operation generates nearly $2.7 billion in sales... the troubles there made the folks back at headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill., a bit edgy." So... tofu sandwiches! Let's get 'em over here!