1 9 1 0 2 5 2 5 3

ISSN 1348-7906

11

November
2007 No. 253

390

Japan Fever Stirring

Among Young
Americans

University Professors Welfare Inventions

Helping Disabled People

Professor ISHIMATSU Takakazu,

Nagasaki University Faculty of Engineering

University Professors Welfare Inventions

Helping Disabled People

n line with the effects of Japans aging society, the number

of people requiring care is increasing throughout Japan.
These disabled people often have wishes that many people
living normal lives are unaware of. For example, a wife who
has been forced to live her life in a wheelchair had a small
wish to be able to look at the outside from upstairs. However,
it is not easy for even a small wish like this to be granted for
those in wheelchairs as it is obviously very difficult for a
physically handicapped person to navigate a stairway.

As a student Professor Ishimatsu studied robotic engineering before entering the field of industrial robot development.
One day his mother died. This was the day when he was supposed to make a business trip to Tokyo to attend an important
conference. Although he departed after he had seen her pass
away, on the plane he pondered what was more important
his work or her death, and this made him reconsider what he
was doing. These thoughts were the beginning of his studies
into welfare robots.

But this lady badly wanted to realize her wish, so she asked Professor
ISHIMATSU Takakazu of the Faculty
of Engineering at Nagasaki University
for help. Fortunately for her, Professor
Ishimatsu has devoted himself to creating inventions that will give dream
and hope to handicapped and elderly
people. After a continual process of
trial and error, he at last created a
product that could help people like
her. The trial elevator he invented can carry a person upstairs
slowly, step by step. When the woman saw it, her eyes shone
brightly like a childs. What a great invention!

Later, he was asked by a group

of medical professionals in
Nagasaki to take part in the setting up of the Nagasaki Hillside
Association. The group hoped
to make good use of the robots
that Professor Ishimatsu had
studied and designed. Nagasaki
city has many hills and flights
of stairs. Subsequently, handicapped people used to have a
lot of difficulty visiting their
rehabilitation facilities, and because this made them hesitant
to go out, it reduced the possibility that they would be able to
recover.

Accepting of Any Kind of Request

The devices Professor Ishimatsu has invented for welfare

purposes are not only for use on slopes he has created many
inventions for handicapped people including an automatic
device to open and shut doors and windows without the aid
of a care worker, and a device that, via a personal computer,
expresses the users intentions by the use of any part of their
bodies even those parts that can barely move. These devices are adaptable even for those who have serious diseases
according to the degree of the symptoms.

Professor Ishimatsu says, It is now possible to operate

e-mail and an air conditioner just by using ones fingers,
wrists, eyebrows or chin. Handicapped people express their
thanks to me and I feel that my work is very well worth doing.
However, on the other side of the coin, giving a person the
ability to express their intentions means that they can express
their complaints and problems, too. Sometimes, this may
impose a burden on families who are exhausted caring for
their loved ones. This shows that his
work does sometimes create complications.

For one bedridden patient who is barely

able to speak, the above-mentioned invention allowed him to show his wishes and intentions by simply
moving his fingers over a computer screen positioned beside a
bed. The device is operated by him simply pointing at a word
board, suspended over his chest, that is connected to the
computer. This device allows him to communicate with his
care giving wife, and also allows him to call his wifes mobile
phone when she is out.

How much are people likely to pay for such welfare devices? In the case that the government recognizes and subsidizes
the invention, a patients burden is only 10%. In the case it
is not supported by the government, they will be asked to
pay the full cost, but that is only a small amount of money,
say, between a few thousand and tens of thousands of yen.
Sometimes, these devices are rented for students educational

experiments. In this case, the devices are provided free of

charge.

I feel it is a challenge to facilitate desperate calls for help from patients families, says
Professor Ishimatsu, who accepts any kind of
request. He visits patients who are unable to
move, finds a part of their body that can move,
and then creates a customized device for them.
If the patients condition gets worse, he visits
them again and adjusts the device, and
he often encourages the patients to go
out. Professor Ishimatsu is also anxious
about patients mental health and sometimes sings songs at their bedsides.

The hardest time in my work is when any part of the patient

s body stops moving completely then my role is finished, he
says. Professor Ishimatsu also attends funerals of his patients
and mourns over their deaths. I think what defines whether a
society is good or bad depends on how easily the poorest people
can live in it, says Professor Ishimatsu heartfully.

He adds quietly, In many underdeveloped countries, elderly people are respected and handicapped people are supported
by local people in the respective areas. It used to be like this
once in Japan. But Japanese have gradually come to live more
self-centered lifestyles. Once again we should strive to focus
on underprivileged people and improve their quality of life.
Furthermore, we also have to learn from underdeveloped
countries about how we should treat elderly
and handicapped people.

Professor Ishimatsu has

received many letters requesting consultations from not only
people in Nagasaki but from
all over Japan. I have received
such a large number of requests, my replies tend to be late
but I will never refuse their requests. Although I sometimes
ask other robotics researchers in the area for assistance, I
am doing my best to answer all of them. Through Professor
Ishimatsus achievement of these great undertakings, we can
see his humble and gentle nature!

Interview: TANIGAWA Kyoko

ts Saturday night in Shibuya, Tokyo. As the elevator

rises, the roaring sound of a base guitar hits you in the
stomach. Tonight will be a blast! shouts DJ Mike
McKENNA, welcoming us into the restaurant that has been
turned into a nightclub for one night only. He is not only
deejaying for tonights dance party, but he is also the main
producer of the whole event.

DJ DJ

Mike is known as one of the best club DJs in Japan at

the moment. Aspects of his job range from deejaying both
in and outside Japan, to coordinating music for events and
composing remixes of club music. His original remixes are
used for software games and large scale events as well as for
promoting his business in tie-ups with major corporations.

DJ

DJ

Mike glances at the dance floor and checks tonights

customers while deejaying. On his cue and with a swing of
his arms, the crowd on the floor roars and erupts in cheers,
in response to Mike. DJs must always be keen and sensitive
to the crowd on the floor and lead them, he says. We must
always be dressed in clean clothes and be happy, too! Mike is
very serious when working.

Mike was born and raised in Stoke Newington, north of

London. When he was growing up, there were clubs for
kids, called kids discos, that he often used to go to. His
mothers inclination for music also had a great influence on
him. She gave him Ray Charless all-time hit record, Hit
the Road, Jack, which had a huge impact on him. Mike then
started to deejay using his own jazz music arrangements,
turning them into club-style music.

DJ

DJ

DJ

Topics & Events

British DJ Rocks in Japan!

DJ

Mike had wanted to become a lawyer for a long time,

but after graduating from university his desire to see the
world become stronger and he decided to come to Japan.
He worked as an English teacher during his first year, but
once he began to do some DJ work, he found he wanted to
prolong his one-year stay. He then started composing music,
and his DJ activities in Japan began to widen. In fact, DJ
Mike has become increasingly recognized in the club scene
during his 13 years in the country and often flies around the
world to London, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Holland, Italy and
other countries in the course of his work.

DJ

DJ

DJ

13

you compose remixes. I feel so down when I dont feel

inspiration to do this.

DJ

Because I always want my customers to get the

maximum enjoyment from my performances, my mind
is always preoccupied with work, Mike says. When I
create music, I express the sounds as I feel them. But the
sounds go through various steps until they are released as a
product. Because people have different tastes, the concept
of the sounds is not understood by everyone concerned.
After all, in the music world talented people are not always
successful.

DJs must compose music rather than just play music,

says Mike. I hope there will be more DJs like that in
Japan. Mike composes and mixes three remixed club music
sets on average each month and uploads them onto his
website. He also says, Inspiration is very important when

DJ

Mike McKENNA Disco Science www.discoscience.net

Topics & Events

The 5th Performance of NOHGAKU

The Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity

The 5th Special Performance in

Commemoration of the Proclamation by
UNESCO: NOHGAKU The Masterpiece of
the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity,
will soon be held in Tokyo. The performance will
consist of performers representing current noh as
well as kyogen (comedy), and attractive plays. To
enable attendees to become more familiar with
noh, explanatory lectures will also be held. Both
noh lovers and first-time viewers will be able to
enjoy this theater and the performance will be a
good opportunity for people to experience classic
Japanese culture.

November 5 Starting 1:30

National Noh Theater, Tokyo
Admission: 4,000 yen
11 5 1:30

4,000
For inquiries:
The Association for Japanese Noh Plays

Tel: 03-5925-371
Japanese only

www.nohgaku.or.jp/
Free invitation for 2 couples (4 people).
2 4

No reservation or registration required.

1,000

Party held twice a month. Check our website for details!

2
WEB

Write your name, address, sex, age, nationality and the top article(s) you enjoyed in this issue and send by postcard or e-mail. Competition
closes Oct. 25. Winners will be selected by lottery and receive presents directly.

E-

10 25

Topics & Events

in
Sukeroku Daiko (drumming)
in Asakusa

10 16 1.

2. 3. 4.

5. E-

25

350

Edo-Yoshiwara Oiran Festa

10 27

11

11 16 20 3

: 500

Foreigners can enjoy the experience of beating a Japanese

drum on October 27th. This is a program aimed at helping
foreigners learn about an aspect of Japanese culture through
seeing and experiencing the Sukeroku Daiko (drumming).
After the drumming experience, you can take a walk in
Sensouji temple, a building filled with an Edo period
atmosphere. Those who are interested in participating are
required to send a postcard, e-mail, fax, or call the Suginami
Association for Cultural Exchange by October 16th.
Application forms must include 1) Name (written in furigana),
2) address, 3) nationality, 4) telephone and fax number, 5)
age and sex. Participants are limited to 25 foreigners only. If
more than this number applies, a lottery will be held to select
participants. Participation cost: 500 yen.

Yoshiwara, near Asakusa in Tokyo, has been well known

as a red-light district since the Edo Period. 2007 marks 350
years since Yoshiwara came into existance. There used to be a
status system in the world of prostitution, in which oiran were
ranked top. An oiran was required to become a cultured
prostitute, and in the process she improved her skills by
learning about tea ceremony, 31-syllable Japanese poems,
calligraphy, shamisen, etc. In this performance, oirans and
samurai warriors dressed in the costumes of that period will
gather and participate in a parade. Traditional Japanese art
performances will also be held. By attending this event, you
can catch a glimpse of Japanese history and culture. Held on
November 11th from 16:00 to approximately 20:00 at 3~4
chome, Senzoku, Taito-ku, Tokyo.

www006.upp.so-net.ne.jp/suginami/

www.asakusa-yoshiwara.com/

November Issue Contents 11

Cover Story  3-5

Working in Japan

Entertainment & Trends  6-7

Visa Q&A Q&A 25

Topics & Events  8-11

Business Spotlight  26-27

Clever Japanese Products  12

The International Couple Scene  28-29

Services for Non-Japanese  14-15

Parody Talk  30-31

Insight into Japan  17-24

My Japan 32

Japanese Practices

Japanese Pop Culture

Close Up Japan

 33

Do as Japanese do

Japan Viewed From Abroad  34-35

Japan Watching

Hot Spot  36-37

Japanese History Makers

Chindougu Series  38

The unauthorized reproduction, photocopying or copying of articles or photographs appearing in this magazine is strictly prohibited.

Publisher & Editor: HASEGAWA KatsuyukiAssistant Editors: Jonathon WALSH, SHIBASAKI AkemiIllustrations: YOSHIDA ShinkoDTP: NAKADA Natsuko

Topics & Events

3rd Yakumo International Theatre Festival

CM 2007
World CM Festival 2007

CM 500

50

2,000 11 21

CM CM CM

CM

10 27

4,000 11 23 24

25

This is a theater festival that involves exchanges between

some of the worlds top level theatre groups with the aim of
overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers. Theater groups
coming from Canada, Syria, France, Korea, Singapore, America,
Venezuela, Belgium and Japan will perform over four days. All
performances have been created to be enjoyable and easy for
families and people without knowledge of other languages to
understand. At the opening ceremony each performer will march
in wearing their national costume and carrying their countrys
flag. Visitors can also enjoy themselves at the welcome party
(admission fee charged) and farewell party. Admission per
show: Adults 2,000 yen. Held from November 21 to 25 at
Yakumo-cho, Matsue city, Shimane prefecture.

This CM Festival, in its 9th year this year in Japan, was

born in Paris and will feature the screening of 500 masterpiece
CMs from 50 countries throughout the night. This years
recommended commercials are those that promote cigarettes,
discredit tobacco, as well as clips about making CMs produced
by Japanese companies targeting overseas customers. By
watching a range of films including those that provoke you to
those that make you laugh, the event will come alive for you
and you will feel a sense of unity with other viewers. To add
to the atmosphere, live-performances by various guests will
be held. On October 27th at a Festival Hall in Nakanoshima,
Kita-ku, Osaka. Daily entry fee: 4,000 yen on the day. Also on
November 23 and 24 at Shinjuku Milano l, Tokyo.

www.yitf.org

www.cmfestival.com

10

Please keep in mind that articles printed in Hiragana Times may be published without notice in PDF format,
on the Hiragana Times website, in other media related to Hiragana Times and possibly by third party media approved by Hiragana Times.
PDF Web Hiragana Times Hiragana Times

Topics & Events

Tokyo Morning Fair, Earth Day Market

Japan Has Hooked Me!

10 20 21 10:00

17:00

13

2006

Present for five people

See page 8

www.earthdaymoney.org/market/index.html

At this fair, many kinds of vegetables cultivated without

using chemical fertilizers or agricultural chemicals, as well
as products made from vegetables, will be on sale. The fair
has been taking place every month since 2006 on Keyaki
street in Yoyogi Park. In the larger cities, there are very few
opportunities for producers and consumers to meet and talk
directly with one another. However, at this fair, consumers can
buy fresh vegetables directly from farmers and producers in
the Tokyo and Kanto areas. Producers will also provide you
with information about environmental issues as well as sell
related products. October 20 ~ 21 at Keyaki street in Yoyogi
Park, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Time: 10:00 ~ 17:00. Fair will
remain open in light rain, but will close if rain is heavy.

580

This is a diary written by a funny Latin man from Argentina

while living in Japan. The author happened to be selected as
an exchange student and came to Japan. He found a job with a
Japanese company and lived in Japan for more than 13 years.
He is so Japanized now that he even bows while talking
on the phone. One day when he worked as an interpreter,
he mistakenly translated a customers sentence: I would
like to export Kudamono (fruit) to Japan to He says that
he would like to sell Kedamono (wild animals) in Japan
instead. The book is filled with many essays describing his
misunderstandings, failures and incidents that will make
you laugh out loud. Written in Japanese by Fun VOLGA,
published by Chukei Publishing Company. Price: 580 yen.

11

Clever Japanese Products

Ruler Engraved with Japanese History

1 10

1600

Important events that have occurred in Japan over the last

3,000 years are engraved in a 30 centimeter ruler. At first, you
may consider this as a kind of chindougu (weird gadget), but
actually this ruler is very practical. Inscriptions about historical events are engraved on the ruler from left to right. With
each millimeter representing one decade, you will be able to
visually grasp the time between incidents. By looking over
the 3,000 year history shown on the ruler, you will feel that
the famous Sekigahara Battle of 1600 took place only very
recently.

Whenever you look at the ruler, you will become very

aware of your place in history. This is an amusing tool and
you will be happy just owning one. Foreigners may feel
an exotic flavor while using it since historical events are
described in Japanese, and it is recommended as a souvenir.

History Ruler

1,050 yen 1,050
Hino Koubou
Tel: 042-544-5694

30

hinokobo.jp

New COLOCOLO that can be Used for Floor Cleaning is Now on Sale

Many people have used Scotch tape or wrapping tape to remove particles from their desks
or clothes. The effective principal behind this
process has been applied to COLOCOLO,
a cleaning product that is well known among
Japanese. COLOCOLO is a very useful product
that makes it possible to remove particles and dust
by simply rolling the shaft-mounted sticky roll along a
surface.

COLOCOLO floor-clean1,680 yen

Spare tape 2 rolls735 yen
Spare tape 3 rolls998 yen
1,680
735
998

The new COLOCOLO floor-clean product that

comes equipped with double stick tape (strong and
weak) can be used in all situations including cleaning
wooden floors, carpets, plastic sheet floors, and tatami
mats. In addition, COLOCOLO has other useful features including an adjustable shaft that can be adjusted
Nitoms Inc.

12

to fit into the area being cleaned, and a one touch openingclosing case that conveniently stores the COLOCOLO.

Tel: 03-3544-0615
www.nitoms.com/

EN
FLAT TOKYO
03-3288-2355 info@mmtl.jp www.mmtl.jp
No key money, guarantor, agent fee required.
Utility expenses included in most rooms.
Fully furnished and internet access.
Apartment: 115,000month
Guesthouse: 59,000month

Yotsuya (easy access to Shinjuku and Tokyo.

Waseda House (near Waseda university and Shinjuku )
Waseda Residence (near Mejiro sta. high grade apt.)
Yoga apartment (11min from Shibuya to ya sta)
We are an apartment and guesthouse agency,
providing accommodation the center of Tokyo since 2003.

13

Job Support Service

for Non-Japanese Launched in Japan

Solver Network Co., Ltd.

he size of Japans labor pool is decreasing. The combined trends of a shrinking birthrate and an increasing
number of elderly people have now become a serious
issue. According to a survey carried out by Nikkei Shimbun
(newspaper) in 2006, 40% of Japanese companies answered
that they are short of workers. On the other hand, there are
more than 120,000 foreign students in Japan and this number
is increasing every year. The government has stated that If
there is a shortage of Japanese workers, we should consider
accepting foreign workers, and subsequently began to deal
with the issue by easing visa regulations with the aim of
securing high quality foreign workers.

2007 10 J apanC areer

President ABURAYA Koh

Against this background, Solver Network Co., Ltd.

launched the Japan Career Support Service in October 2007.
The company is providing job information from Japanese
companies that hire foreign students and recent graduates currently living in Japan or overseas who want to work in Japan.
Furthermore, the company provides information about job
hunters to hiring companies. In fact, the service provided by
Solver Network is a combination of a Web-based matching
service and a free job information magazine.

12

studying in the Japanese

language department
at Auckland Technical
College were able to
obtain positions, however, all the jobs were
assistant English teaching
positions at junior and
senior high schools.

2006 40

In addition, although graduates of the Japanese Language

Department at Moscow University are members of the elite,
only ten percent of them obtained positions where they could
use Japanese. In Japan, only 20~30% of foreign students
find employment in spite of the fact that 80% of them want
to work in Japan. On the other hand, medium-sized Japanese
companies have for a long time experienced difficulties
obtaining high quality foreign staff no matter how badly they
have wanted them, he says.

2 3

Solver Networks initial service helped connect individual

company owners with enterprises. So, why did they also start
a business for foreigners? I went to New Zealand to investigate, says President ABURAYA Koh. Half of the students

Everything Including Registration to

Employment are Free of Charge

14

Solver Network aims to reduce the number of mismatches

in the supply and demand of foreign workers so that they

will be able to provide better matching opportunities for both
workers and companies. On an annual basis, 530,000 foreigners take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT),
among which 450,000 candidates take the examination overseas. Consequently, in 2006, 30,000 candidates passed the
Level 1 examination. There are many foreigners who would
like to work in Japan if they are given a chance.

53

45 3 2006

Dont you think we are wasting the talent of foreigners

who are interested in Japan and yet have passed the JLPT?
asks Director Aburaya about the employment mismatch situation in Japan. We want Japanese companies to become
more competitive by using foreigners like these.
The companys free magazine,
called JapanCareer, is going to
be distributed to 30 major Japanese
universities that accept foreign students as well as 2007 universities
in 22 countries that have a Japanese
language department.

We hope that candidates

will have language skills
at JLPT Level 2 or above,
says Mr. Adachi about the
preferred level of Japanese
Executive Vice President
ADACHI Tetsuo
of registrants. However,

there must be some people
who have acquired an ample amount of specialized knowledge even though they are not so good at Japanese. There are
various hiring companies including those that set conditions
such as that applicants must be able to understand the Nikkei
Shimbun, and a company that allows an applicant to learn
Japanese after coming to Japan as long as he or she specialized in IT, merchandising, and so on.

JapanCareer

30

22 2007

If you register as a member through the site, you

will be able to view job data on the site and then
apply for desired positions. Everything from registration to employment is free of charge. Members
may receive an e-mail from a company about scouting, says company vice president ADACHI Tetsuo.
We are willing to consult with members about
questions regarding employment in Japan, and in
addition, we are able to discuss visas, housing, and
opening bank accounts.

IT

JapanCareer. The magazine features stories about seniorlevel foreigners working in Japan, difficult Japanese words
expressed with furigana , and some pages are also written in
English.
J apanC areer

Mr. Aburaya offers the following advice to

students who want to work in Japan. One key
step to success lies in choosing a company
that will help you
achieve your goals,
instead of sticking
to a big company.
He continues, I will
be glad to hear that
people who have
already returned to
their home countries
are considering coming back to Japan to
Interviews with staff members of personnel departments of
major companies featured in the free job information magazine
work.

Japan Career Support Service JapanCareer www.japan-career.jp/

15

16

No. 020

Set Greeting Phrases Difficult to Translate into English

When you go into shops and restaurants in Japan, the

staff will welcome you with the set phrase Irrasshaimase!
Overseas, staff will say Hi or Hello to a customer,
but they do not have a set phrase in such a situation.
Irrasshaimase! is often translated into English as May I
help you?, but it has a different nuance. It also has a slightly
different meaning from You are welcome.

stores or

restaurants

when entering staff

as

with greeting

irrasshaimase

welcome

when enter

in foreign countries

or

set phrase

customer

such as

speak to (customer) but

(they) do not have

irrasshaimase

May I help you?

as

is translated

often but

You are welcome

different

nuance is

also (it is) slightly different from

There are certain typical Japanese expressions that are used

in daily conversation, however there are some difficulties
when translating them into English, too. When people leave
home, they say Itte-kimasu, and those who are staying at
home will say Itte-rasshai to see them off. When people
come home, they will say Tadaima, and those in the house
will welcome them with Okaerinasai. These phrases are
often also expressed in the office.

in English difficult to translate but

daily

used

such

Japanese peculiar

expressions

itte-kimasu

some

saying as

there are house

when leaving

saying as

see (them) off

people who stay at home

itte-rasshai

when returning home

tadaima

(they) enter home

starting meal

before

itadakimasu

those in the house

okaerinasai

finishing meal

gochisousama

(people) say as

generally

after

at home and somebody's home

when invited

say

but

when having meal outside

few people say

God Bless you

itadakimasu

person who cooked for

is sometimes translated as

but

gratitude

heart

contained but

religious meaning

it has not

Foreigners who are not yet familiar with Japanese culture

may be hesitant to use these phrases. However, it is a Japanese
custom and an aspect of etiquette to use them. As the proverb
Do as Romans do says, it would be better for foreigners to
say these set phrases in the appropriate situations.

Japanese

culture unfamiliar with

speaking out

this

hesitant

such

greetings

(they) may be

Japanese practices

for foreigners

phrasses

Do
as Romans do

saying as

HiHello
shop

Itadakimasu is a phrase used before beginning to eat

a meal, and Gochisousama is said after finishing a meal.
Generally, these phrases are spoken at home and when invited
to someones house, but few people say these phrases when
they go out for meals. Although Itadakimasu is often
translated into English as God bless you, it contains an
expression of gratitude for the person who cooked the meal,
however it does not have any religious connotations.

etiquette

foreigners also

as proverb

however

is also

such

at respective situations

would be better to say

saying as

welcome

also in the office

same words

(they) speak

often

17

Asashoryu s Dignity as a Yokozuna

has been Questioned

Due to a bone fracture, Yokozuna, or Sumo Grand

Champion, Asashoryu handed in notice to the Sumo Wrestling
Association of his nonparticipation in the 2007 summer
provincial tour that takes sumo wrestlers all over Japan.
However, later it was learned that he was playing soccer
in his home country of Mongolia. The Sumo Association
announced that they had banned Asashoryu from participating
in two tournaments held in September and November as a
punishment. After coming back to Japan, it was reported that
he was mentally sick and had shut himself up at home for a
long period of time. Sometime after that, he left for Mongolia
for treatment. The mass media went into an uproar.

2007

Yokozuna Asashoryu bone fracture due to all over Japan round

summer tour

to

however

home country

(he) was playing

later

soccer

submitted

year

non participation application the Sumo Wrestling Association to

in Mongolia

(it was) discovered

the Sumo Association

11

to Asashoryu September tournament and November tournament of banning entry

including punishment

announced

Asashoryu

was reported and

mentally unstable

was shut himself up

after returning (to Japan)

for a long time

sometime after

at home

in Mongolia

treatment

mass media

went into an uproar

is Japanese national sports and baseball and

sumo

soccer

1,000
(it is) popular sports

the roots

together with

years more than

ago

go back

however

Japanese

training required

sumo world

years

severe

entering young people year after year

2007
have decreased

get richer

Nagoya tournament

newcomer examination

60
entry applicants

18

at last

became zero

on the other hand

from Hawaii

Takamiyama entered

since

from foreign countries

applicants

have continued to increase

Among these foreign wrestlers, increasing numbers of

Mongolian fighters are becoming involved. One of them,
Asashoryu, had advanced to the top rank of Yokozuna and
had 21 tournament victories until the announcement of his
nonparticipation in the summer tour. There are only five
wrestlers who have won more than 20 tournaments since the
six-tournament-a-year system was launched in 1958. This
current scandal is taking place at a time when Asashoryu
is in a position to surpass former Yokozuna Taihos historic
winning record of 32 tournaments, if he can maintain his
present form.

among them

one of them

Sumo is one of Japans more well known national sports

and is very popular together with baseball and soccer. Its
roots go back more than 1,000 years. However, as Japanese
get richer, fewer young men are willing to go through the
harsh training regime to become sumo wrestlers, and in 2007
at the Nagoya tournament newcomer entry examination, for
the first time ever, no one applied. On the other hand, since
Takamiyama from Hawaii debuted in the Japanese sumo
world in the 1960s, there have been more and more foreign
wrestlers participating.

recent years

from Mongolia

applicants

increased

(he was) to get

in the 60s

Asashoryu

climbed up and

up to Yokozuna

till participation ban

21 1958
times

won

20
since

people

times more than

are only

Taiho's

winning

wrestlers

in - year six-tournament-a-year system becoming

this power

if continued

the most winning record of

Asashoryu

32

times

including

former Yokozuna

even surpass

it is possible to

seemed

at the period

it was the scandal

Yokozuna has to be More than Strong

In Mongolia, people are saying that the participation ban
imposed on Asashoryu is a ruse to prevent the Mongolian a
foreigner from breaking the record. On the other hand, there
are still many people who look at the situation from a different
angle and claim the Sumo Association has spoiled Asashoryu,
since he has been the only Yokozuna for a long time until
another Mongolian, Yokozuna Hakuho, came on the scene.
It is often said that Asashoryu is strong but that he lacks
dignity. Part of the criteria of promoting Yokozuna includes
the following statement: Yokozuna must be outstanding in
dignity and ability.

in Mongolia

participation ban punishment

to foreign wrestlers

the most victories

on the other hand

to prevent

is a ruse

there was voice

same

Mongolian coming from Hakuho Yokozunna became

till

for a long time

only one

Yokozuna (he) had been

that

Asashoryu's

selfishness

has been allowed

many (people) see

Revolving Sushi
Restaurants Made
Sushi for Everyone

Asashoryu is strong but

Yokozuna's dignity

lacking in

often it is said in Yokozuna promotion criteria

dignity

ability

are outstanding

it is described

The Yokozuna is the highest position in the sumo world

and as an icon of the Sumo Association, a fighter holding
that rank is expected to behave in a decent and honorable
fashion. Asashoryu had some problems in his past and people
used to have doubts about his decency. Traditional Japanese
sports including judo and kendo also sumo have a culture that
demands dignity in addition to strength.

Yokozuna sumo's the highest position Sumo Association's icon

decent and

honarable behavior

is expected

in Asashoryu

in the past

some

there were and decency

troubles

has been doubted

judo

kendo

such as

Japanese

traditional sports

in

strength besides high

spirits

sumo and

Sushi is one of the most well known Japanese

dishes. Until a few decades ago it had been regarded
as a high class Japanese dish. Except for set sushi,
the price of sushi was the so called current price,
or market price. Therefore, it was common that sushi
customers did not know how much it would cost
them until they saw the bill.

are asked

culture

Tokyo Olympic Game's judo competition final at from Holland

Anthonius

Geesink

Japan's

Kaminaga

competitor

defeated

overjoyed

Dutch

spectators

to ring

went up

but

Geesink

stopped and

it

quietly

bowed

raising

joy

express

sports

in

but

joy

save

winners

absorbed

Geesink

Japanese

admiration

got

however

in Asashoryu

it

cannot be seen

However, the situation has completely changed

since kaitenzushi (revolving sushi restaurant)
became widespread in Japan after the 70s. Now at
many kaitenzushi restaurants, customers can choose
various types of sushi on small dishes carried by a
conveyer belt in front of them. And they can also
place an order for their favorite sushi through an
interphone. Each plate usually containing two
pieces of sushi typically costs around 100 yen.
Due to the simple charging system and low prices,
kaitenzushi shops are thriving. As a consequence, the
number of traditional sushi restaurants for high-class
customers is gradually decreasing.

70

this beautiful philosophy

bushido-like Japanese traditional

even winner does not become arrogant and loser considerate and

hands

1964
year's

there is

In 1964 at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Anthonius Geesink

from Holland defeated Kaminaga from Japan in the judo
competition final. The overjoyed Dutch spectators ran up to
the ring, but Geesink kept them from entering and bowed
politely. Winners are apt to express their joy by raising their
arms, but, on the contrary, in traditional Japanese sports like
Bushido, a winner is never arrogant and contains his joy in
order to be considerate to the loser. As Geesink had learned
about this bushido-like spirit beforehand, he has since been
praised by the Japanese. However, behind the recent sumo
scandal, it will likely be pointed out that Asashoryu had not
learnt about this trait.

problem in the background there is it is pointed out

2 100

19

Beautiful Female Customers in a

Fashionable Restaurant

by Hiragana Times editor-in-chief

Having lunch is one of the more enjoyable times of the

day for many working people. In recent years, increasing
numbers of office workers have been purchasing take-out
lunches from convenience stores and eating them at their
offices.

for working people

recently

are increasing

people who eat out

there are not a few

purchasing

for change of air

is

food

on the other hand

one of

people who eat

enjoyment

take-out

at office

of the day

at convenience store

On the other hand, there are people who go out for

lunch for a change of atmosphere and to get some fresh
air. This is because it can be fun to chat with co-workers
over lunch. At a restaurant people will be able to see the
other side of office workers that is not usually on display
at the work place.

lunch

also

with co-workers

while having a meal

chatting

(is) fun

this is because

at restaurant

at work place that can not be seen

their

real self

(you) can see

One day, I went with Mr. A., my business client, to a newly

opened Italian restaurant, which had been recommended by
one of our female staff members. On entering the restaurant
I saw it had a fancy environment that most women would
likely love.

one day

of business client

Italian

by female staff

with Mr. A

newly

opened

restaurant

went

the restaurant

was advised

on entering

(it is) very

fancy and

indeed

females

loving

We ordered Pasta
Lunch, as I was
advised by the female
staff member that it was
very delicious. When
it was served, it indeed
looked delicious with
soup and salad served
beside the main dish.

female

staff

we

pasta lunch

ordered

from

delicious

as I heard

soup

and

salad

because

served

dish

to

also are accompanied and very

delicious

it looked

Glancing at the seats next to us, I noticed there were four

ladies, all beautiful and dressed in the uniform of a department
store, who were adding to a gay atmosphere. All of them were
having the same lunch set as ours.

20

restaurant

our

wearing

seat

next

glancing at

all

uniform

4
people of ladies there are and

beautiful

atmosphere

department store

they

all

with us

gay

same

lunch set

were having

Mr. A. was in high spirits due to the tasty meal and the nice
atmosphere of the restaurant. However, while we were having
coffee after lunch, his mood suddenly soured. Smoke from
cigarettes had begun wafting over us from the ladies at the
next table.

A
meal

also

tasty and

restaurant atmosphere also good and

Mr. A

were high spirits

however

while

Mr. A

table

suddenly

after meal

having coffee

bad mood

ladies

from

to our table

wafting over

became

next

cigarette smoke

Mr. A. doesnt smoke and said he hates cigarette smoke.

So do I. When I looked at the women, they were smoking
heavily while enjoying their chat. You would never imagine
those ladies who bow and smile at their work place being
engaged in such an uncharacteristic act.

A
doesn't smoke and

Mr. A

smoke

hating

as

I am same

said

young

women

recently

smoking

often

(we) see

fashion

a part of

are they thinking?

no smoking

now

international norm

has become

but

Japan

for smokers

is too generous

(I) think

when looking at them

enjoying

chatting

while

all

heavily

smiling and bowing

are smoking

at work place

from them

(you) can never imagine

unexpected

act

it is

While we became more irritated by the cigarette smoke, a

waiter delivered the women pudding as dessert. Under these
circumstances we thought there was no other solution except
to quickly finish our desserts and leave.

As we were offended we stared at them. But, they were

so busy chatting that they did not notice us at all. They just
continued to enjoy smoking. The more they smoked happily,
the more irritated we became.

we

disgusted and

at them

stared

however

they

chatting busy with

satisfactorily

us

do not notice

cigarette

(they) continue to smoke

the more they smoke happily

we

near

passing by

waiter

to them

cigarette

stopping

to say

asked

said this way

sirs

I can't do it

more and more

quickly

leave

were disgusted

eat and

dessert

However, the waiter did not bring desserts to us. When we

asked a waiter for the desserts, he replied coldly, The dessert
is a service offered only to women.

however

waiter

to us

desert

did not bring

so

(we) asked then

waiter

cooly

(we) were told

dessert

only for ladies

is service

In Japan, many restaurants like this one have begun

offering special services such as desserts for female customers
only. This is with the expectation that if there is an increase in
the number of female customers, then more male customers
would come. Dear gentlemen! Dont you agree that this is not
a service for women, but discrimination against men? Since
then, I made up my mind never to go to this restaurant again.

in Japan

like this

only for ladies

dessert

such as

serving

restaurants

are increasing

These days I often see young girls smoking and wonder

whether they think that smoking is part of being fashionable.
Not smoking is becoming the norm internationally and I think
Japan is too generous to smokers.

we

have no choice but

is not

served

the restaurant

no smoking

irritated

pudding

we

dessert's

restaurant

under these circumstances

waiter
this

then

to them

we

waiter

by cigarette smoke

the more irritated we became

I asked the
passing waiter to
ask the women to
stop smoking. He
replied, Sirs, Im
sorry I cant do that.
This is not a nonsmoking restaurant.
We were disgusted.

if increased

male customers

dear gentlemen

against men

female

customers

this

it is discrimination

also

would increase

it is from expectation

service for women

is not but

don't you think?

since then to this restaurant

never

go

made up my mind

21

The Most Respected Yakuza Boss in Japan

SHIMIZU no Jirochou

Until a few decades ago, if Chicago was mentioned, it

would remind many people of the infamous gangland boss,
Al Capone. Similarly in Japan, there were Japanese who were
reminded of SHIMIZU no Jirochou (1820 ~ 1893) whenever
they heard the name of Shimizu city in Shizuoka prefecture
mentioned. In fact, although Jirochou was a yakuza boss at
the end of the Edo period, his name is still familiar to citizens
of Shimizu city even now. In Shimizu, a road Jirochou
street has been named after him and a bronze statue
has been built. The house he was born in has now become a
tourist attraction and visitors can purchase products related to
the former yakuza kingpin.

a few decades ago until

Chicago

if mentioned

notorious

Al

Capone

name

Shimizu city

if mentioned

name of

reminded

similarly

Shizuoka prefecture's

Shimizu no Jirochou

Japanese

1820 1893

remind

gang

Jirochou

Edo period in the end of

is gang's big boss

the name

there is and

Jirochou street

even now Shimizu citizen

(he) has been familiar with in the town

but

statue

named after

there is also

the house he was born

at present sightseeing spot

is being

Jirochou goods

are sold

When Jirochou was 20 years old, a traveling monk foretold

his future and said his life would end at the age of 25, so
he cursed his destiny. He left home and began to live in
the yakuza world. Jirochou spent those days fighting and
gambling. While he was brave and strong, he had a keen
sense of duty and took good care of people. Gradually he
distinguished himself from other members and became a
big boss. He led subordinates who had unique characters
including Oomasa, Komasa and Mori no Ishimatsu.

20 25

Jirochou (was) years old when

traveling monk from years old

till

only

that (he) can not live (he) was fortold and

own

destiny

(he) cursed house

jumped out and

gang

world

entered

Jirochou (who) fighting and

gambling

spent every day

(he was) brave and

strong

in addition

very dutiful and

then

took good care of

Jirochou

to big boss

gradually distinguished himself

climbed up

and

Oomasa

Komasa

Mori no Ishimatsu

etc.

unique

subordinates (he) lead

Since his death, many tales about his brave exploits have
been passed down from generation to generation in the form
of dramas, movies and books. Among them, a Naniwabushi style recitation called A story of Shimizu no Jirochou
by a famous star called HIROSAWA Torazou has become
renowned among Japanese. When Jirochou was alive, Japan
was in the middle of a historical period of change called the
Meiji Restoration. This was a time when the Emperors
faction and the Shogun s faction were fighting. When he was
nearly 50, Jirochou changed himself a great deal to live for
the society and for the people.

the brave exploits

movies books etc.

in

after Jirochou's death

till have been passed down from generation to generation

among them naniwabushi style recitation

big star

in the age of Jirochou

Meiji Restoration

in the middle of

Hirosawa

Torazou's

to all Japan has been known

historical

and

called

Japan Emperor's faction

excellent narration a story of Shimizu no Jirochou

many samurai dramas and

today

period of change

Shogun's faction between

50
fighting

it was when

years

nearly reaching

when

Jirochou

for the society

for the people

himself also

greatly

changed

Jirochous Other Life as a Humanitarian

One day, the Shogun s warship was attacked and sunk by
the Emperors faction in Shimizu harbor. Thousands of corpses
and injured soldiers from the Shogun s faction were floating
and needing rescue but barely anyone helped them for fear
that Emperors faction would keep them under surveillance.
Jirochou let the soldiers of the Shogun s faction escape secretly,
collected the corpses, held a memorial service, and buried them.

one day

22

not a few

warship of Shogun's faction

in the Shimizu harbor Emperor's faction

was attacked and

sunk

floating and

Jirochou

corpses

rescue

watched

were needed

but

soldiers

afraid of no one

can help

Shogun's faction's

soldiers'

by Emperor's faction

Shogun's faction

the injured people

many

secretly letting escape and

corpses

collected and held memorial service and

buried

This was noticed by the Emperors faction and Jirochou

was subsequently questioned about his actions. He answered
by saying, People will die and all will become like Buddha.
There will be no Emperors faction or Shougun s faction in
the afterlife. If it is wrong to bury Buddha, I am willing to
be punished. This kind of remark could only be made by
someone like Jirochou who had lived in the yakuza world
where members live on the edge between life and death.
Jirochou was subsequently not punished. YAMAOKA Tesshu,
one of the heroes of the Meiji Restoration, was very moved by
Jirochous actions and became friendly with him.

by Emperor's faction that knew

Jirochou

was questioned

for that

when died

there is no side

all (become) Buddha

Buddha

burying

if it is wrong

any punishment

willingly

(I) accept

answered as

when to die

uncertain

gang's

world

in

Jirochou that has lived

because of

can be said

the words

after all

(he) was not blamed

Meiji Restoration's one of heroes

Yamaoka Tesshu

by Jirochou's actions moved and two people association

became to have

Jirochou, who reciprocated the friendship with YAMAOKA

Tesshu, did various kinds of voluntary work including
cultivating wasteland at the foot of Mt. Fuji with his
subordinates. Green tea produced in Shizuoka is well known
all over Japan and Jirochou played a part in converting these
cultivated fields into green tea plantations. On the other hand,
as he had the wisdom and power to see the future, he set up an
English language class and a shipping agent for steam ships. It
is said that he spent his days when he was older giving sweets
to children, and giving money to those who were in financial
difficulties. He died at the age of 74. His real name was
YAMAMOTO Chougorou.

with Tesshu

relationship

deepened

Jirochou

subordinates together with

Mt. Fuji

at the foot of cultivation including

various

social activities

did

Shizuoka's tea

cultivated land

as

converted into

on the other hand

by steam boat

the wisdom to see the future also

Jirochou

tea plantation

English language class and

nationwide famous is and

shipping company establishing

(he) had

after (he) became old

to children sweets

every day

offering and

to poor people

money

offering

74
it is said

died at

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Your Questions Are Welcome!

Please send us your questions regarding the Japanese text

and article content of "Insight into Japan" in English to the
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Also note that we may publish your questions and our
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Insight into Japan:

Edited & Produced by Hiragana Times. Recorded by Succeed, Inc.

years old real name Yamamoto Chougorou

23

Neatness and Tidiness will Create a Good Impression

at Interviews

When attending a job interview, it is important to be aware

of your clothes and hair style. In Japan, it is common for
newly graduating students to dress in so-called Recruit Suits
for job interviews. Generally, males wear black or dark blue
suits, and females wear black or grey suits. During the job
hunting period, you will likely see many young people dressed
in recruit suits around town.

at interview

what you have to be aware are

in Japan

newly

clothes and hair style

graduating

students

so-called

recruit suit

as said

with clothes

go for interviews

it is common

generally

male

black or

black or dark blue

suit

suits

female

gray

these

suit

wear

during job hunting season

wearing young people at many places it can be seen

Speaking of hairstyles, in order to create a good impression

with interviewers, many male students have their hair cut
short, and many women have their hair cut short or done up in
a bun. This is because Japanese company management usually
prefers their employees to look neat and smart. Students who
enjoy dressing in their own style and wearing their hair long
like they may have done during their college days will adjust
their style and dress more conservatively during this jobhunting period. Also, many people who are looking to change
their jobs will also dress in a simple style.

speaking of hair style to interviewers good impression

hair cut short and

female

hair

give

cut short

male

or done up in a bun

many people

Japanese enterprises

clean

fresh

are in favor of

this is because during college days

free as they like

wearing clothes

outlook

with long hair

they also during job hunting activities

show conservative outlook

also when changing jobs

simple

24

among foreigners

to show uniqueness

showy

clothes or

bizarre

hair style

there are also people but

hair style and

simple

clothes

in Japan

clean

are safe

at the interview

politeness

also

crossing legs and

evaluated

folding arms

doing

etiquette

against

are taken as

you should be careful

and

to questions

briskly

precisely

it (you) answer good impression

(you) can give since

expected

questions

answers

beforehand

prepare

it is better to

Foreign staff are expected to operate in areas where their

peculiarities are required. Taking this point carefully into
account, it is important to prepare documentation beforehand
that clearly supports your qualifications and abilities.
Furthermore, it is also very important to note that Japanese
companies place a lot of importance on their newly hired staff
being cooperative, and that they will consider it in addition to
your abilities. In fact, they may well ask about the occupations
of your family members including your parents and siblings,
and so on. A reference from a Japanese person in a good
position would be to your advantage.

clothes wearing people many

Some foreigners try to wear showy clothes or sport unique

hairstyles, but here in Japan, a clean hairstyle and simple
clothes are recommended to increase your chances of success.
At the interview, your politeness will also be evaluated and in
this regard, it is important to be aware that crossing your legs
or folding your arms is not considered to be good etiquette. In
addition, since briskly answering questions will create a good
impression with the interviewer, it is recommended that you
prepare and memorize answers to questions you expect to be
asked.

to foreign staff

what expected are

can be used

area

the certifying documents

taking carefully into account

preparing

Japanese enterprises

one's ability

(it is) important

in addition to

cooperativeness

is also placed importance actually parents siblings such as

this point

peculiarlity

foreigners'

family's occupations also

are sometimes considered

recommendation letter

and etc.

from a certain level of position

Japanese

if provided advantageous

it will be

Immigration Lawyer
Overseas Law Firm Training in England and Germany for two years
Office: 3-15-14-302 Higashi Ikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo

What procedure should a

Japanese-American family

follow in order to live in Japan? 2
3-15-14-302
TEL: 03-3985-4661FAX: 03-3985-4662

E-mail: kurokawa-office@mbg.nifty.com

In your case there are two big problems. One

is whether you can prove your husbands status
as a Japanese-American. The other is whether
it is possible for you to obtain a visa under
these circumstances considering that you do
not know your relatives in Japan who may be
able to invite you to Japan. I will explain a solution to the first
problem here, and about the second problem in the next issue.

www.kurokawa-office.com

Im an American living in the United States. I have had two

children with my Japanese-American husband. His maternal
grandfather moved to Hawaii in the early 1900s. We dont
have any information about his family except the name of his
grandfather and his mother, their dates of birth and the prefecture where his grandfather came from. We also dont know the
kanji characters for their names. We are not in contact with our
Japanese relatives and we are not sure whether they are still
alive. Please advise us about whether we can obtain visas to
come to Japan as Japanese-Americans?

KUROKAWA Koji

1910

room in Japan stocked with data about people who immigrated to Hawaii. Regarding the legal domicile it may be difficult to specify this, but there is one method: investigate the
areas in the prefecture your grandfather came from and where
lots of people immigrated to Hawaii from, and inquire at each
town office. In order to ask city offices to cooperate with you,
it is recommended that you consult with an expert as sufficient preparation is necessary.

First of all, please obtain either a copy of your grandfathers

family register or deleted family register. In order to do this,
you will need to find out the kanji characters of his name and
his legal domicile. Regarding the characters of his name, there
is a possibility you will be able to find them in a reference

25

Large Leap of Faith to Set up

Specialized Ski Site

t takes a lot of courage to give up a good job and follow a

dream, but that is exactly what Neil RILEY did when he
swapped his finance job in Tokyo for an entrepreneurial
life in Echigo-Yuzawa.

2005

WeLoveSnow

WeLoveSnow.com

the only Western-owned member of the Japan Association of

Travel Agents to have attained a Category 2 Travel Agents
license, while in recognition of WeLoveSnows work Riley
has been elected as a spokesperson for tourism in Niigata on
behalf of the Japanese government.

Riley is Managing Director and

co-founder of Japan Worldwide KK, the
company behind WeLoveSnow.com, an
online travel agency set up in 2005 that
promotes Japanese ski and snowboard
holidays to overseas markets and which
offers real-time online booking for everything from trains and hotels to ski passes
and equipment.

Neil RILEY,
Managing Director of Japan Worldwide K.K.

From the 2007/8 ski season,

WeLoveSnow will be expanding its
operations to cover the Hakuba and
Nozawa onsen resorts, making it the only company of its kind
covering both Niigata and Nagano. Now that the business is
bearing fruit, does Riley think all the effort and risk has been
worth it? Without a doubt, yes, he says. Apart from the
professional experience gained, there is a great feeling of personal fulfilment in having taken a project from the planning
stages to a fully fledged company.

Among its achievements, the company can boast being

2007 8 WeLoveSnow

WeLoveSnow.com and skiing/snowboarding in Japan www.welovesnow.com

26

The first time I ever went skiing or snowboarding was

December 2003, whilst I was working at a bank in Tokyo,
Riley says of the New Years holiday in Yuzawa spent with
friends from his time studying at Fukuoka University. I was
hooked and went every weekend after that. By the summer
of 2004 he had bought a resort apartment in Yuzawa and was
regularly taking friends to the area.

2003 12

Setting up a company is exactly what he and the four other

co-founders of WeLoveSnow did, but the process was not
entirely a smooth one. There is a lot of red tape involved in

By way of advice, Riley points to the importance of hiring

the right people and having people around you who can lend
support, and says that without the support of the other founding directors and the companys hotel and ski resort partners,
WeLoveSnow would not be enjoying the success it is today.

Text: Rob GOSS

As Riley explains, this was where the initial business idea

was born. Many friends loved Yuzawa the ski resorts,
beautiful countryside, and snow and were amazed that it
was so close to Tokyo, he says. This made us think that we
should set up a company and introduce the area to customers,
rather than just bringing friends.

2004

WeLoveSnow 4

setting up a business in Japan particularly if any directors

are resident abroad. It was also very difficult to navigate the
bureaucracy involved in acquiring our Travel Agents license,
Riley says. For the company establishment and licensing,
we were lucky that a co-founder could take on this part of the
business preparation I dont think that I could have done
this by myself, and certainly not on time.

WeLoveSnow

27

The International Couple Scene

Philip & Chiemi

After Missed Meeting

at Disneyland ...

eet Philip, a New Zealander who first came to

Japan to work and study in 1990. At the end of
a season working at a pension at Kurumayama
ski resort in Nagano actually the day before I went to start
working at Tokyo Disneyland my foreign coworkers and I
all went to a party at friends house in Suwa, he recalls.

1990

28

Unfortunately, I was backstage so she didnt find me,

Philip says. Then, entirely by
coincidence, I called her the next
day and I was blown away to
hear she had come all the way to
Disneyland for that purpose! he
exclaims. The couples relationship then began to blossom.

Chiemi, who was working at an English

school, was also there, and the pair started
chatting, and kept chatting well into the
night. She gave me her contact information, but as this was in the days before
e-mail, she had no way to contact me until
I found a place to settle down, Philip says. While he didnt
call Chiemi for a couple of weeks, little did he know just how
much he had entranced her. She had actually gone all the way
to Disneyland from Nagano to search for him.

Looking back over some of the bigger issues they have

faced since their marriage in 1997, Philip recalls when he and
Chiemi started their own English school. That was a challenge as is any business, but the biggest challenges have been
trying to balance work and family, says Philip, who is now a
busy father of two.

The other main challenge was making ends meet.

Although we have managed to expand our school to 3 locations and hire 12 staff, I dont think anyone expected the
recession to go on for 14+ years, and especially since 9/11
the market has been very tough. However, it has been a useful experience in terms of learning the importance of trying to
stay positive, being innovative and flexible.

1997

12

14

9.11

On the flipside, they say the high points have been the birth
of their two children, and the realization of a dream in 2006
when the couple managed to build their own house overlooking beautiful Lake Suwa. Planning and deciding everything
together was certainly
taxing at times, but the
sense of achievement
was wonderful, and it
has certainly helped
stress levels, Chiemi
says.

This has meant having a baby bed in

the office, taking turns working while the
other looks after the kids, and other babyrelated chores. In one case, 10 days after
our second child was born, Chiemi and I
were called in to give a presentation for
an English course at a company, which
involved heavy corseting on her part to fit
into her business suit.

10

2006

Text: Jonathon WALSH

29

by Hiragana Times CIA

TheDon
t Go on a Diet!Diet
Diets are again booming in Japan. In particular,
one of the more popular weightloss programs
is the army-style exercise program, Billys
Boot Camp from America. Hiragana Times
CIA interviewed Professor TAINAKA Keiko to
learn more about the reality of dieting.

Hiragana Times CIA

CIA: We heard that you are publishing a book titled Dont go

on a Diet! soon. What is it about?
Prof.: One out of every seven people is starving somewhere
in the world. Japanese people used to be thin because there
was not enough food available after the war. Magazines
during that period contained many advertisements promoting
ways that people could gain weight. People longed to include
fat in their diets. But now everyone has successfully gained
ample amounts of fat. What happy people they are!

CIA

CIA: You mean dieting is not necessary? But when you get

30

CIA

too fat, you may risk suffering from metabolic syndrome,

right?
Prof.: Being too fat is a different story. Obesity is a kind
of disease, and people suffering from it need to be cured.
They take it seriously and usually have already started doing
something to lose weight. Most people who want to go on a
diet are only slightly overweight anyway. In fact, those people
who dont have to go on a diet are creating a diet-boom.

CIA: What do you mean by that?

Prof.: Various statistics clearly show that people tend to

CIACynically Insulting Agency

begin dieting seriously if they have gained 10kg over the

standard weight for their height. Those who are less than 10kg
overweight usually go on diets not for health reasons, but for
beauty. Thats why they tend to select simple dieting methods.
Although they purchase many new dieting packages, they
usually do not use them to the full extent required and tend
not to last long with any of them since they dont take dieting
seriously. As a reaction, they flocked to the high impact
Billys Boot Camp program, but .
CIA

10

cm

100

30

CIA

CIA

CIA: You said that it is very difficult for dieters to stay with
the program they are using, right?
Prof.: You see, more than 30 years have passed since dieting
became an issue in Japan. If everybody had been going to
fitness clubs or had used diet-related products seriously,
there would have been very few people who would need to
be on a diet now. Those dieters were just playing with their
diet programs to get some kind of relief. Did those who had
not gone on a diet get sick? No! On the contrary, the average
Japanese life span has increased during those 30 years.

CIA: Well then, does it mean that we

dont have to do anything if we want to
diet?
Prof.: As you know, there is a famous
senryu (comical haiku or the shortest
poem) that reads, I will surely be on a diet
after eating this, which indicates that a
wish and a will dont always agree with
each other. Even if you make up your
mind to go on a diet, a human cannot
Makiko
remain serious about losing weight as
long as they are driven by necessity. Actually, it is almost
impossible to tell whether people are on a diet or not. In fact,
most people dont have to be on a diet. Just by adopting the
following method for calculating standard body weights so
that it reflects the realities of today: Height minus 100
kilograms most people will stay within the standard body
weight for their height.

30

CIA A comment from CIA

Congratulations, everybody! You can now be happy with the
weight you are now. However, this standard is only for the
Japanese. Dear foreign readers, sorry, this standard does not
apply to you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO HIRAGANA TIMES

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No. 252

390

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Slices os by Taki t
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What things do you like about Japan?

What things do you dislike about Japan?

Japanese Ambiguity

Japans Four Seasons

Japanese do not express themselves

clearly and use many vague expressions. It
is difficult for me to deal with. I also dislike
the small houses in Japan.

People are kind and polite. And I like the

four seasons since we do not have them in
Cambodia. It is also very nice that guests
can eat seafood in their rooms in ryokan .

Nationality: Cambodia
Job: Housewife
Stay in Japan: 14 years

Name: FUKADA Navy

14

Traditional Japanese Culture

and High-tech Culture

Communication

As English is not spoken much in Japan,

it is difficult for short stay visitors to communicate with locals.

In Japan, one can experience both cultures at same time. If you want to experience high-tech culture, you can go to
Akihabara, and if you want to experience
traditional culture, you can go to Kyoto.
Name: David BEAUFAYS
Nationality: Belgium
Job: Company staff

Stay in Japan: 1 month

Professor Ishimatsu, who is featured in this

months cover story, is a really wonderful person, isnt he? We wanted to tell the world about
him. The interviewer, Ms. TANIGAWA Kyoko
Editorial
from Nagasaki city, was so impressed by the

professor that she became a member of the
Nagasaki Hillside Association.
Starting from last months issue, new English Furigana is
being used in the Insight into Japan section. We have received
many letters welcoming this new format. However, some readers have said that it is not such a good idea since the meaning of
words can be understood before the reader can guess them.

32

YUKI Releases
Greatest Hits Album,
Single Collection
five-star
YUKI
five-star

Epic Records Japan Inc.

UKI is one of Japans most well known pop stars

known for her amazingly original pop videos, her
uniqueness, and her dance moves. YUKI first found
success as lead singer with the highly popular rock band
JUDY AND MARY. Her unique and attractive voice was a
prominent reason for the bands success.

Y UKI

JUDY AND MARY

It wasnt until 2002 that YUKI set

out to find success on her own as a
solo artist. With her first solo single
the end of shite, which was highly
provocative and sexy, she immediately assured her place as a singer in
her own right. She has everlasting
popularity across generations and her unique fashion influences not only ordinary people, but also professional entertainers.
www.yukiweb.net

Text: Allan COOK

the end of shite

YUKI 2002

To celebrate YUKIs prolific

career, October 3rd saw the release
of her greatest hits album, single collection called five-star, which is a
great way for foreigners to listen to
one of Japans most prominent popstars.

five star 10 3

Single Collection five-star, 3,059 yen

Bottom two are limited editions
3,780 yen

3,059

3,780

Japan Fever Stirring Among

Young Americans

ow, young American

people are very
interested in Japan,
s a y s A O I Yu k a r i , D i r e c t o r o f
American Homestay International
in Irvine, California. Japan fever is
also high in my town. My daughter
Sarah, who was raised in the United
States, reads ONE PIECE and
Detective Conan in Japanese and
English.

AOI Yukari

Even in ordinary bookstores, young people flock to the

piles of translated Japanese manga. The other day when
I went to the manga corner of a neighborhood bookstore
with Sarah, I was spoken to by manga enthusiasts Karen
and Bob. Karen used to watch Sailor Moon and Dragon
Ball every day on TV when she was a kindergarten pupil

34

and subsequently came to love Japan. She is now studying

Japanese at university.

Bob loved Pikachu from the Pocket Monsters when he

was a boy and also became a big fan of Japan. He has never
been to Japan, but he learnt Japanese by himself and speaks
Japanese well now. He says he won at a Japanese speech
contest last year.

Karen and Bob, who have been raised on Japanese manga

and animation, became Japanese lovers and have come to

respect Japan since the time they discovered that all the
popular animation was made in Japan. The number of this
type of young American is rapidly increasing. As both
want to come to a better
understanding of manga and
animation in Japanese, they
are learning Japanese every
day and planning to visit
Japan next year.

I know the number of Japanese who want to be host

families is very limited. I believe the main purpose of
Japanese students who stay at American homes is to learn
English, and the purpose of Japanese host families is also to
have an opportunity to learn English, rather than using it to
earn an extra income. I took this into consideration when I
created the program.

1 1 1

The homestay period is

scheduled to be 1~3 months and
an English lesson is expected to be
given for about one hour per day.
American Homestay International
will select guests and host families,
paying most attention to the
backgrounds of both. Japanese
family members will be able to use
this opportunity to learn English
and culture from an American.
The scope of this new concept of
Japanese homestays is likely to
be expanded to include guests from other countries
including Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

12 2,500

Ms. Aoi has introduced more than 2,500 Japanese

students to American host families over 12 years.
Using the experience she has gained, she is
launching a new program to enable Americans who
are enthusiastic about Japan to experience home
life in that country. She is now looking for Japanese
host families.

New Style of Homestay Expected to

Develop in Japan

In other words, it is a program that American

Japan-enthusiast can enjoy Japanese home life, while
Japanese can experience Jitaku ryuugaku (Home
English), which is more advanced than Ekimae
ryuugaku(English near a train station). Of course,
it will be a good opportunity for Americans to learn
Japanese and about
Japanese life, Ms. Aoi
says passionately.

www.america-homestay.com/Tel (Japan): 03-3341-8689 YAC Planning Inc.

35

Enjoying a French-born "Forest Adventure"

TARZANIA

Nagara-machi,
Chousei-gun, Chiba-ken

A popular European outdoor Forest Adventure

has become the biggest park of its kind in Japan.
Opened in July 2007 and called Tarzania, the
park has two kinds of adventure course that takes
advantage of naturally growing trees in which
people can actually fly from tree to tree. Falling
out of trees is extremely unlikely as long as people
follow the rules and wear the mandatory special
safety harness. There are lots of enjoyable activities
including the exhilarating 90 meter Jip Slide
flying fox, a Tarzan Swing rope bridge that takes
you into the air, and other exciting facilities. You
will definitely have loads of fun with the various
activities together with your family and friends.

2007 7

90m

36

Admission fees: Adults (over 18) 3,500 yen,

People under 18 and above elementary school age
Adventure course (for people taller than 140 cm): 2,500 yen
Discovery course (for people taller than 110 cm): 2,000 yen
Opening hours: 9:00 ~ 18:00
(Open from 8:30 until sunset during summer)
Closed: Generally on Thursdays
During the summer (July and August) open every day,
and in winterDec, Jan, and Feb.open on Saturdays,
Sundays and national holidays.

18 3,500
18
140cm 2,500
110cm 2,000
9:00 18:00 8:30

7/1 8/ 12/1 2/

Inquiries: Forest of Life Resort, 1067 Higashidai,
Mishou, Nagara-machi, Chousei-gun, Chiba prefecture
297-0202 1067

Tel: 0475-35-0071
www.tarzania.jp/

37

Th

Mo

re you Use

it,

Since the September 2007 "Cover Story" was so popular, we will introduce more Chindougu here.

the More Incovenient it Becomes!

Chindougu Series
(Weird Gadgets)

Best for Busy Businessmen

2007 9

Moving Cafe

Portable Desk

The desk you can work at while moving around town. It

comes equipped with stationery and a light.

The caf where you can take a break for a cup of coffee
while staying on the move.

Japan Chindougu Society www.chindogu.net/

JAPAN QUIZ

1. Rice paste balls that are skewered

and then barbecued and dipped in a
thick soy-based sauce, or have sweet
bean paste spread over them.

These sweets are familiar

to Japanese. What do you say
in Japanese?

2. Azuki beans with sugar are kneaded

and made into a rectangular block.
Some contain chestnuts.

JAPAN QUIZAnswers: October issue 10

1. NTT NTT DoCoMo Building2. Tokyo Gas Building

38

Wonders of Kusatsu Onsen From a Foreign Journalist s Eyes 4

4

Tourist Supporters Enhance Kusatsu Experience

A trip to a region is made infinitely better if you are

with people who know the area and who can explain key
information in your language. This is one of the great benefits of touring Kusatsu with a Tourist Supporters one of
a number of Kusatsu locals who are more than happy to
show off their town to foreign visitors.

Made up of housewives and people who work in the

town, the Tourist Supporters give their time to inform visitors in English and guide them around their town. This
journalist was treated to a guided tour around the central
town, the play zone and the forest, and was given ample
background information about the people of the town,
local legends and even onsen tamago (eggs cooked in
onsen water).

As opposed to company tour guides who often want you

to use their services or buy products from shops they work
with, the Kusatsu Tourist Supporters are biased only in
favor of Kusatsu, so you can expect your experience to be
pressure-free. The great thing about the Tourist Supporters
is the sheer enthusiasm they have for their town. Despite
the work being unpaid, their reward is the enjoyment they
see on visitors faces and the opportunity to share information about the town they love.

Inquiries: Kusatsu Onsen Tourism Association

www.kusatsu-onsen.org/
www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp/

Text: Jonathon WALSH

39

Hir@gana Times 253

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5 25 3
Publisher & Editor: Katsuyuki Hasegawa

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