The word is not "HI", it is actually "HAI". In spoken Japanese, that means "YES". Apart from it's roots and general linguistic complexity, the oddest thing about the Japanese language is that there is No Word for "NO". Doesn't exist; no direct phrase or expression to state refusal. The closest they come to actually expressing refusal is by making some reference to the degree of difficulty that they suggest exists. So, summarily, if you are speaking with a businessman or manufacturer's representative at a trade show, or maybe SEMA, and, in response to your question or inquiry, you receive the response, "That would be highly difficult", or "That would be most difficult". You have just been told "NO". only they are being diplomatic about it. The why of no NO goes all the way back to the era of the Shoguns and the Samurai and the early Emperors where enthusiastic obedience was demanded and obstructions to progress usually solved by removing the head of the obstructionist in question.
Nick
