The Land of the Never Setting Sun

Being a Malaysian, I should be comparing Japan with Malaysia. There are obvious differences and clear similarities between the both countries. However, I find it more interesting to compare Japan with another extreme in Asia - India.

I was still thinking of the entrance ceremony on the first day I arrived. It was really a feast for the eyes. After coming back from International Development Congress in India about 5 months ago, Japan was like the total opposite of India in every sense. Being sensitized by the issues of the world (ie. the development of the indigenous tribes, the children’s education and health in the developing countries and etc.), I was overwhelmed to see how rich a country Japan is compared to India. I cannot help but wonder how can the development of both countries differ so much. Will India ever catch up? Or will the two countries ever find a balance? And where does Malaysia stand? On the fence?

In terms of technology, Japan surpasses all countries in Asia. From the invention of the shinkanzen (bullet train) to the cute-but-serves-no-purpose-to-the-development-of-humankind robotic puppy, it seems to me that scientists here are able to magically materialize every imaginable invention. ‘Reduce, reuse and recycle to keep the earth green’. This I was taught in school. Even back in the university, my friends and I try hard to sustain the earth. But could this be the reason why Japan is an expensive country to live in? Can other parts of the developing world afford to pay so much for garbage collector, garbage sorter and heavy machineries to melt the aluminum?

One reason why I chose Japan for traineeship is because Japanese are the most polite people on earth! Japanese would always try to avoid saying NO. So in every conversation, the most commonly used word would be Hai (yes). In my humble opinion, I think Japanese finds it difficult to learn English because they express their emotions very indirectly. And therefore, it makes Nihongo (the Japanese language) a very flowery language. This is where communication problems happen between the gaijin (foreigner) and the locals. Gaijin gets frustrated when the locals always try to say everything in a nice way and Japanese get hurt when the gaijin voice out their dissatisfaction as-a-matter-of-factly.

I was trying and still trying to read a book by Yasunari Kawabata, winner of the Nobel Peace for Literature. Probably because it is a directly translated version from the Japanese version, I have to read the same page 3 or 4 times to be able to understand 40%. He is comparable to Usman Awang, the Malaysian writer (maybe better, or a lot better!).

I cannot compare the Japanese work style with the Indians because I have never worked in India before. But base on my little knowledge, a beggar can be considered an occupation. There are people who beg for a living. In Japan, unemployment rate is not very high. But if one is unemployed, he is considered bringing shame to the family. I have been walking a lot around Osaka downtown. Though very rare, there are people who live under the bridges.

Once hired, you will never be fired! If the company decides to get rid of you, they will move you to a different department that you would not like. This way, you will quit on you own. Japanese are very devoted to their work. And when I say devoted, I meant kamikazi (rela mati, Malay language) devotion. Every Monday morning at 8am, all the teachers at the kindergarten gather to read the oath of devotion towards the school. Official working hours are 10am to 5pm. But teachers get to work as early as 7.30am and leave at 7.30pm. Sometimes there are meetings with the principal and it ends around 11pm. The sun just never set here!

Most men work more than one job here and go home very late at night. Sometimes they work 7 days a week, leaving them with little or no time for themselves and the family. Hence, that is the reason why women have to stay home to take care of the children and the house. I was told that there are more Japanese who die of overworked than of suicide. Coming from a developing country, I understand why Asians have to work extra hard to earn a living. This is especially essential in Japan because nothing is free and this is the most expensive country to live in. Is this the ideal balance between men and women that the western countries should adopt? Is this a better way to share responsibility?

Mich
-from the Land of the Never Setting Sun

I rocked JAPAN!

Can u believe it? There seemed to be earthquake everywhere I go. Just before I left, the earthquake hit Sumatra and affected KL. Now in Tokyo?!? Is this a sign? Am I rocking Japan?

To summarise my first week experience here... SO FAR SO GOOD. Only a few bummers here and there. For example -
1. My luggage was delayed when I arrived. But thank God I have extra clothes in my hand luggage and I bought travel insurance, so I should be allowed to claim.
2. The first 2 days was freezing cold for a Malaysian girl who is so used to 35 degrees and summer all year round. Though the weather fluctuates from sunny to rainy every alternate day, it is most of the time below 25 degrees. It is like living in Cameron Highlands everyday!
3. I lost my way home once and late for work twice. I had to take 2 trains and a bus everyday to work and back. The train lines are like the ramen in miso soup... totally confusing!
4. I spent more than RM700 on my first week and was frantically looking for an international ATM on Sunday. 45% was spent on transportation alone! The other 55% was spent on food, a jacket and souvenirs.

The kindergarten is a super high class and prestigious school. During the Entrance Ceremony (first day of school), parents wear Prada and Armani suit to sent their children here with Benz or BMW. Mums carry LV or Fendi handbags, each dad has a digital camera or video camera. I work with an 3 American teachers and the rest of them are Japanese ladies.

The pre-school education system is very different from the way I was brought up back home. There's no reading, writing or homeworks. Children are allowed to play at the playground most of the time and in class, there's a lot of story-telling and singing. I would say it is more fun being a Japanese kid.

On Wednesdays, I also teach in a English Center below my apartment. The dull time teachers are the owner's daughter and an American girl. This center is something like tuition classes I attended while I was in secondary school. All students are from 4-20 year-olds come for English conversation classes. The working environment is relaxed and fun.

The accommodation is FREE! The size of apartment is something like a single room in a budget hotel back in Malaysia. It is fully furnish with a bed with super warm comforters, a table, hot shower, a stove with pots and pans and most importantly... a washing machine! Er... if you are wondering why I am so happy, this is a little secret I share with you... I have never wash my clothes back home in Universiti Malaya :p!

I am used to eating Japanese food in KL but of course they are not the same over here. The sushi has bigger portion and it is 100 yen (RM3.65) per plate. If you have a chance, try raw horse meat and sea urchin sushi! It sounds yucky, but it tastes so-so. Osaka is famous for cheap finger foods and one of them is takoyaki (pieces of octopus meat grilled in flour balls). Besides that, I am still trying to figure out the different types of Japanese noodles - ramen, udon, soba etc.

All work and no play makes Michelle a dull girl :p! I have made full used of my extra time. In Spring, Japan is famous for hanami. I managed to meet up with some trainees and AIESEC members for a 1-day tour around Kyoto last weekend. I will be uploading the pictures in multiplty.com. It was lucky of me to see some Geisha. Some gaijin have lived here for years but never met any before.

On Sunday, I went to church with the American girl at the English Center. There are only about 100 members, 95% are Japanese. There is also a high number of deaf people as well. I was told that there is a Japanese sign language class on every Tuesdays. I think I will try to find time to join it. I attended the Sunday School for youth and the service. Though everything is in Japanese, but the fellowship there makes me feel very welcomed.

If u would like to keep in touch or if you miss me, pls download Skype at www.skype.com and add babyb3113. It's a free online telephone service. All u need is just a microphone and speaker. Till then...

Mich
-from the land of earthquakes!