JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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Azrael
Thanks Ms. Cleo ^^;
Posted in: Foreign women in Japan sometimes remark how hard it is to get a date with foreign men. What are your views on this?
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Azrael
When I was in my second year at the MSc. studies, one of our sensei would take us to Karaoke on the weekends, and all we'd sing was Enka. I liked it, and Enka is somewhat similar to 1970's music from Spain and the Caribbean, specially Boleros. In Latin America, some young singers are reviving Bolero as well, so reviving Enka by young singers sounds good. I would like to listen to Jero's songs sometime. I'd like to get some Enka CD's, but I don't know any names. I might just go to a CD store and ask. I guess Jero's look may appeal to young people. My mom was kind of wary of the young singers singing Boleros, but now she likes at least one of the new singers. I'd like to know if people from the Enka generation like Jero's work.
Posted in: American singer Jero to appear in TV ad
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Azrael
Illsayit, that's the typical speech one gets from older Japanese women. You don't like it, go home. I think that is beyond the point; I am simply telling my analysis of the things I have seen here in Japan. I am not waiting for anything. I simply enjoy life as it is. I've been in Japan and experienced long enough to assure you, my previous assertions are not based on hearsay.
As I mentioned before, I am a scholar; I am here for my studies only. I already found the middle ground I like in Japan, and it's great fun. What brought me to Japan is the technical skills and a scholarship program; not prospective partners.
I am confused by your worry about my stability. I am financially secure, and I have a stable environment where I study and work. I have met nice people and nice men, but I simply not met my type. Maybe I am just a little picky when it comes to men. Thanks, but you don't need to worry.
Posted in: Foreign women in Japan sometimes remark how hard it is to get a date with foreign men. What are your views on this?
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Azrael
Illsayit, I will give you an answer from my perspective, which is not necessarily right or wrong in all cases:
Japanese men are attractive for ladies; I never said they are not. However, there's a subtle communication problem. Being a foreign woman from the West and a Latin woman, I am used to being flattered by men. Men come up to you and in different ways by usually verbally, they tell you nice things (and vulgar things too, but it depends on where you are and other details). Men that flatter you are NOT necessarily trying to pick you up. Simple friends also have nice words. Japanese men don't say ANYTHING to flatter ladies, and that may be confusing. I used to think I was very ugly here, because many would stare and immediately avert their eyes if I noticed! Different body language is another language barrier.
When you see someone you like, you look at them (NOT oogling, that's rude) and they look at you. Sometimes, conversation may be initiated (like the oldest break-the-ice pick up in the world; they pretend they don't have a watch and ask you what time is it). Here if you look back at them, men get flustered and 80% of the time, disappear.
Japanese men have a mind-preset that Western women are pushy, determined and strong-willed - characteristics which in Japan have negative connotations. While you learn to speak Japanese, lady teachers emphasize the use of "feminine Japanese" and subtle ways to show men you are not a threat and you walk behind them. That is... interesting, but after trying one generally finds a middle ground and stay in it. That keeps your sanity , however does not attract Japanese men.
Men that come up to you are too shy to openly say anything. Thus a relation with a typical Japanese guy may take years to flourish. My visa is not that long. My Japanese girlfriends say, one has to chase the guy because they don't make up their minds by themselves. Where I come from, I am the one that gets chased. It's a bit of a punch to one's pride, to chase men, really. Japan is on the other side of the Looking Glass!
All the above are deterrents. Many Japanese guys say, Western girls don't look at them, but that is not really the case. My best guess is, Western girls are perplexed, then confused, try but get tired and turn away.
Western men on the other hand, are open and direct; they walk up to Japanese women and bewilder them with their "openness." Many heart magazines online say, Japanese girls like the fact that for Western men honne and tatemae tend to be one and the same. However, they also get hurt sometimes because their subtle signals of affection go ignored (because Western men are not culturally trained to read those).
Ijou-desu. To finalize, my perspective is that of a female scholar, moving in scholar circles. I don't frequent Roppongi (just an example). In my field, I am considered more of a young man than a young woman; amazing, isn't it? I voice my professional opinions, I ask when I need to ask and I speak about my ideas; I have strong opinions. It's my job. On the other hand, I turn heads in Japan, but I am intimidating. I try to find a middle ground, but for example, one of my sensei glared at me when I tried to serve a round of tea; he says I am not Japanese and I shouldn't acquire submissive ways. Others can serve the tea. So you see, I am still trying to decipher life in Japan.
Posted in: Foreign women in Japan sometimes remark how hard it is to get a date with foreign men. What are your views on this?
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Azrael
I am somewhat surprised by the comments above. I am a foreign woman, but I came to Japan strictly to study (two years left till Graduation now). Due to the Hague Convention regarding International Child Abduction which Japan won't ratify any time soon (my most powerful reason) and irreconcilable cultural differences (mainly, I am not willing to be submissive) I am not interested in Japanese men. Some have potential, but... I wouldn't have the heart to pluck them out of Japan; they could wilt and die. I've not found ONE that after some sounding was not expecting ME to adapt to his needs without him conceding one bit towards mine. One guy trying to woo me told me once, he'd never be able to eat anything for breakfast but Japanese style food. Was that a subliminal or what? How about speaking my language? That's a basic (if you think long-term); I have a family and a nice culture behind me to share, too. As for dating foreign men, the situation is rather similar. "Foreign" men here would also be "foreign" where I come from, so I don't see any advantages they supposedly hold over Japanese men. I don't have anything against international marriages, but I simply have not seen anything I like enough here. Besides, men around here (Japanese AND foreign) want the girl to accommodate THEIR needs. They have a preset, typically based on an "Asian" stereotype of woman whipped up by Hollywood, requiring ladies to fit a certain curriculum: they mistake stammering, indecisiveness and ruffly dresses for femininity, they ask for a range of BMI below 20, and a anime-esque adoration towards their male mightiness (ie, they always have to be right and always make all decisions; including who may their girl befriend or not). I know every country has a "female type" they adore and exaggerate; but it is a stark truth that most of the men that come to Japan on their own, and are not here by work or study, are here to fish for Asian girls. Women that come to Japan on similar conditions are not looking for Japanese men (mostly). I think that is the main reason why there's this perceived "difficulty" for foreign ladies to date foreign men. I think the same applies abroad. You usually get these men saying "I love the local women!" as a pickup line in a fetish-esque way in MY country as well.
I am aware not all foreign men in Japan are so shallow, but most of them in visible places are. Dating depends also on where you look. Like someone mentioned Roppongi and partying areas, well... what would a woman expect to find there? A fling, nothing more. That is not dating.
Posted in: Foreign women in Japan sometimes remark how hard it is to get a date with foreign men. What are your views on this?
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Azrael
Beautiful bird!
It seems like the bird spotted the photographer c.c;.
Posted in: Black kite
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Azrael
Thieving is thieving. Give back the treasure of Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes and all remains! I'd rather see it in a museum, properly investigated and displayed - it's part of Ibero-American history. The US would do well in giving back the booty from excavations in Peru and other countries as well.
Posted in: Spain claims 500 million in sunken treasure from Florida deep-sea explorers
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Azrael
I am also a PhD student on my second year. To put it bluntly, Japan selected me from the top students of my country, brought me here, taught me Japanese and has sent me to fine Japanese universities will all costs covered (regardless the fact that the scholarship grants shrink every year, I am not starved yet). I don't have money for luxuries, but I came here to study, not to enjoy the sights.
However, I am a woman. As such, I don't see how I would stay in Japan. Academically speaking, the environment has its rough spots but being a foreigner has actually helped me out. I am not expected to be a submissive wallflower, yet to my female colleagues it's different in range of hues. Professional women have it so rough here, why would I want to fight the Japanese women's fight? Indeed, just for continuity and to strengthen my professional network, I'd like to work a year or two in Japan; but after that I would go back (to the Future) to my country. Is that egoist to the Japanese taxpayer? Perhaps it is, but from the Japanese government's perspective, it is not.
I am a valuable asset, but I think the main idea of granting these type of scholarships to talented citizens of other nations is, to enlarge Japan's global reach. I am supposed to go back to my country and keep professional ties with Japan - that is all. I am not expected to stay. It's a good deal for me. The system is designed to eject us from Japan as soon as we have our diplomas, under threat of deportation if regardless of visa extensions we are found in Japan three months from the day of the graduation ceremony. Doesn't that make you feel appreciated? DEPORTATION. There's a copy of that law pasted on the wall of the Foreign Students Center in my university.
Brotokyo's view is similar to that of many young Japanese who feel we elite students funded by Japan are getting life for free; they feel we are "stealing" things they never had in the first place. I think it's very natural to feel that way, but also very naive. Funding foreign students is geopolitic business for every nation in the world. They take the best from a country, polish an outer layer and send them back to said country as a representative of the competitiveness of Japan; we are not intended to stay. However, a little more friendliness in terms of policies towards skilled foreigners graduated in Japan (and invited by Japan, even) would make the whole deal way better.
That's professionally speaking. In terms of private life, I don't find the Japanese education system from pre-scholar to high school desirable for my future children. I think, in order for anyone to study in Japan and come out with their spirit and will intact, they must be past 19 years old at least. Also, the whole "racial purity" and calling children of multi-cultural background names like "hafu" and "nikkei" is a powerful deterrent.
In the professional aspect though, I would like to work here for a year or two - no more than that. I have to get back home and work there on the things I came here to learn in order to take back to my country, and start paying Social Security (or find me a good retirement savings program)!
Posted in: Gov't looks to immigrants as population shrinks
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Azrael
In Spanish, "kick the bucket" is "patear el balde" which as an expression is used as much and means the same as "liar el petate," "estirar la pata" or "mudarse de barrio," all of which mean, to pass away. Rather literal, actually.
Posted in: Movie titles in Japan: Jack, we understand your frustration
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Azrael
Awesome photo~!
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Azrael
Actually, "Howl's Moving Castle" is the title of the book by Diana Wyne Jones on which the movie is VERY LOOSELY based. It's another case (like "Gedo Senki" movie was Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea series) of utter destruction of a beloved book at the hands of Studio Gibli. Indeed, not only titles get mangled; books get distorted, too.
http://www.ursulakleguin.com/GedoSenkiResponse.html
On other things, English dubbing is too harsh sometimes.
Posted in: Movie titles in Japan: Jack, we understand your frustration
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Azrael
I also heard that margarine is worse for you than butter.
Butter makes my potato puree marvelous. It adds magic to my guacamole, and tastiness to my homemade tomato salsas. I make wonderful garlic butter, adding herbs, garlic and a dash of salt. Butter goes well with pancakes. It brings out the taste of pork and chicken better than oil. If I had an oven, I'd tell you about cakes, turkey and chicken.
Hokkaido Snow Brand butter is actually, pretty good. A small box of it lasts about three months for me, since not much is needed and I don't use it everyday. It's not salty and has excellent texture. Today at the supermarket, I saw several ladies approach the butter shelves, but there was only margarine boxes and ONE type of butter that is 100yen over the usual price. The ones that decided to buy bought butter, despite the cost.
Posted in: Japan running short of butter
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Azrael
It's so sad. I wanted to see Lingling sometime. At least Lingling passed away peacefully, I hope.
Posted in: Ueno Zoo's giant panda Ling Ling dies
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Azrael
I LOVE Jack Nicholson's smile. His smile is so Machiavellian, no one could give an evil, mischievous smile like him!
Posted in: Jack Nicholson
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Azrael
Yep, murder-suicide.
Posted in: Two women, tied together, leap from apartment to death in Maebashi
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Azrael
Tied up? Maybe it's a murder-suicide. If it were a suicide pact, why would the ropes be needed? Perhaps one of the two had an obsession over the other, fangirl style. The crazy one was the one grabbing the hand of her victim, maybe. Then a suicide note to cover her tracks, and voila.
That's my wild guess of the day.
Posted in: Two women, tied together, leap from apartment to death in Maebashi
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Azrael
That's awesome. Indeed, there's a wide gap between classroom Japanese language and street, real life Japanese language. Only three years after coming to Japan (my scholarship program only provides 6 months of Japanese language course) I am able to hold conversational level with confidence.
They should come up with the viceversa for Japanese learning other languages. Needless to say, Engrish comes to mind. A book like this in Japanese high schools, to read and listen to Real English Essays, would boost the confidence of the students regarding their English capabilities, no doubt.
Posted in: Read Real Japanese Essays
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Azrael
Nutsagain, just read my previous post again. You missed the entire paragraph below my quote to your post.
Posted in: Woman arrested after trying to flush infant down toilet in Nagoya
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Azrael
This is a rare, but not unheard of case. As dreadful as it is to recall, I can remember a few stories overseas of women giving birth in toilets. Suffice to say these people are seriously demented and probably beyond all help.
You were still asleep when you wrote that, didn't you. Do you know the birth canal is between the legs and gravity is a powerful force? Most women who have given birth in toilets did so by accident, not by choice. Once the baby gets in the birth canal, it's incredibly painful and extremely difficult for a woman to bend her body to get up, not to mention the fear of hurting the baby.
There is an important difference between giving birth in a toilet and trying to flush a baby down a toilet. Indeed, there is.
Posted in: Woman arrested after trying to flush infant down toilet in Nagoya
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Azrael
Haruki Murakami, as everyone else, has to put food on the table. Unfortunately, not all the works of a person making a living from writing will be works of art; those are the product of time and inspiration, not of a pressing editor and bills chasing you.
No one should be a "professional writer." That defeats the purpose.
Posted in: Japan’s best-known novelist fails to deliver—again