July 2024 (VOL.201)
Mélanie Labrosse
- Home country/state/city： France / Lyon
- Occupation： Creative Producer / Translator
- Duration of living in Japan：5 years
- Why do you live in Japan?： For Work
What do you do in Japan? Can you talk about your job in Japan?
I work as a creative producer at Gaku inc. Our service, PeakJapan helps Japanese creators and artisans to make their crafts and products known to the overseas audience through crowdfunding projects. My role is to put together the project from the content to the design, but also to give input to Japanese creators to help them cater to overseas backers better. It can also involve some occasional translation work!
You can check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/PeakJapanProject
How do you think about working in Japan?
Working in Japan is definitely very different from working in my home country! Team members are expected to hang out at times outside of work to build some team spirit, which is not a thing in France where people tend to put a strong distinction between professional and private life.
My work involving mostly a large part of communication with Japanese clients, I would say Japan also takes the “customer is the king” spirit to a whole other level, for better or worse! I would say the expectation that you should be able to provide services out of your job description without additional compensation sometimes is also something I have a hard time wrapping my head around.
What is the distinctive difference between France and Japanese lifestyle?
In Japan, it feels like people live to work, while in France we tend to work to live.
What do you miss about your maternal country living in Japan?
FOOD. Japanese food is exquisite no doubt, but I do miss the taste of home, especially cheese! I also miss the more direct communication and not being able to have open conversations and debates with people about sometimes touchy subjects.
Which places in Japan do you recommend that foreigners see?
I have a soft spot for Tokyo if you’re looking to visit some big city.
But I would also greatly recommend visiting Kurokawa onsen in Kyuushu, and Okinawa is one of my all-times favorites! Yamanashi prefecture during autumn is also a sight to see.
What do you appreciate most about Japanese culture?
The customer service here is impeccable and people can really go the extra mile to provide help, which is always appreciated! The number of times I have lost my phone or other belongings and they have been brought back to me is impressive.
Are there any aspects of the Japanese culture or its people that you find bizarre or unique?
There are lots of things that find a little special here! For example, Japanese people can be very contradictory, going to great length to return lost belongings or providing with information if you’re looking for the way, being in general very considerate and polite. But when they see an elderly person or pregnant woman on the train, no one will attempt to leave their seats. This shocked me and I still find it unsettling, but I understood now that Japanese politeness can be very situational.
What parts of Japanese culture do you recommend that foreign people try to experience?
Onsens. They are incredibly awkward to experience at first, but once you realize no one is looking at you because no one cares, you might be able to relax and truly enjoy the experience! In the same vein, sleeping at a Ryokan is a great experience you can have in Japan.
What are your favorite Japanese foods?
Soy sauce flavored Yaki Dango have to be my favorite!
Would you like to continue to live in Japan for the rest of your life, or you think you will return to your home country? If so why?
I do not believe I will stay in Japan forever. I will move somewhere where it is easier for me to build relationships with people. Unfortunately, My Japanese is not enough to get closer to people and I’d like to eventually live in a place with people with whom I can at least share a sense of humor!
What is your dream?
I’d like to live in a nice, sunny place, close to the beach if possible, and have a small circle of friends, and spend my free time dancing and learning new things, and never be deprived of cheese ever again!
Writer: Minobu Kondo
Photojournalist in Tokyo, writing for Japanese and American magazines. Publishing an essay “101 of green stories” with the other Japanese artists such as Kosetsu Minami. Languages: Japanese, English and French.
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