Japalaysia

A blog specially set up to heed the government's calling to create ties between Malaysia & Japan ;)

Monday, April 11, 2005

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

5 Comments:

  • At 7:00 PM, Blogger Vkin said…

    babe... no more new posts? :)

     
  • At 10:26 PM, Blogger gnileno said…

    interesting :)

     
  • At 3:56 PM, Blogger Weight Loss said…

    The Land of the Never Setting Sun... I've enjoyed reading your blog. I was searching for work from home pc sites. I have a home based business and I wanted some ideas and tips. I also have a blog, it is www.adminsupervisor.blogspot.com it’s new and it’s getting better all the time. Have a look if you want, but I'm moving house and have not posted in a while. I'll get back to it soon.

    My other site is a work from home pc site. I recently decided to build my own income and I thought I searching for tips would help me become a better mentor.

    Keep up the great work babyb3113, I'll be back soon.

     
  • At 6:17 PM, Blogger Lose Weight said…

    Hey babyb3113, you have a great blog here. The Land of the Never Setting Sun caught my eye and I thought I would put a post on it. I'm looking for help.

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    Anyways babyb3113 thanks for the great blog. I'll just have to carry on my search till I find what I'm looking for. Take care.

     
  • At 6:47 AM, Blogger Weight Loss said…

    babyb3113, why can't more sites be as good as yours!!! You see I am changing my life at the moment and I have decided to start a work at home mums site. I am trying to get inspiration so I can become easier to talk to. You site has given me some ideas. I talk to a wide range of people and I need to relate to everyone I come across so thanks for your posts! The title 'The Land of the Never Setting Sun' caught my eye so I thought I'd post on this one. Cheers.

     

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