September 2024 (VOL.203)
Andy
- Home country/state/city： New Zealand
- Occupation： Assistant Language Teacher
- Duration of living in Japan：7 years
- Why do you live in Japan?：Because I enjoy my job and the people I’ve met here.
What is your occupation in Japan?
I am an Assistant Language Teacher in English for the City Board of Education.
Can you talk about your job?
Yes, of course. I am an assistant English Teacher. I help out in the classroom at two base schools and will occasionally go assist and teach at various Elementary Schools.
Can you talk about your activities in Japan?
Yes. I go to work from Mondays to Fridays, and like all other teachers, I don’t have breaks during the seasonal vacations as I am at the Board of Education office, working.
But I do get my weekends and that’s usually when I either chill at home or go out and do something. Either on my own or with friends.
What is the distinctive difference between your country and Japanese life?
Apart from the fact that people speak Japanese here and where I’m from, we speak English; there are a few differences like the working culture. Japan tends to have people who will work overtime or long hours, whereas in New Zealand, once your scheduled time to finish comes up, you clock out and go home with no worries.
Also, socializing in the general public is different. While in countries and cultures like New Zealand, it’s perfectly normal to spark up a random conversation with someone in a queue or a bus, doing so in Japan is met with awkward conversation and not a lot of talk. (In general).
What do you miss about your maternal country living in Japan?
Friends and family, the food, the snacks and chocolate.
What do you find different about living in Japan over the term compared when you first arrived or come as a tourist?
There is a lot more to living here and a lot of hidden costs once you become a longer-term resident.
Plus, you have to work (obviously); and you don’t have the freedom to just pack a bag and go travel to wherever you like for the day.
What do you appreciate most about Japanese culture?
Despite having a quieter culture, Japanese culture has a lot of kind and polite people. While you will meet unkind people, (like elsewhere in the world), Japan has more nice people willing to help you if they can or try to find someone who can.
Which places in Japan do you recommend that foreigners see?
Go to the Inaka areas and don’t just see the major cities. Japan has a lot of beautiful scenery.
I currently live in the Shiribeshi area of Hokkaido and there’s lots of sights to see.
What parts of Japanese culture do you recommend that foreign people try to experience?
Everything, including onsen. Just make sure you research well on what to do and call ahead if you have tattoos to make sure that entry is okay.
And the food, try everything you can without prejudice (unless it’s truly against your ethical code).
Are there any aspects of the Japanese culture or its people that you find bizarre or unique?
A lot of Japanese people are very tatemae, (beating around the bush or avoid speaking their real minds about something), about things, while the younger generation is seemingly moving away from it a bit, but on the whole, it’s still there.
What are your favorite Japanese foods?
Chashu Don, Zangi, Nankotsu Age, Ramen, Chawanmushi, Onigiri, Yakiniku, Yakitori, Jingisukan.
Were you hesitant to relocate to Japan?
Not at all, as coming to the country and teaching English was actually a dream of mine.
After moving to Japan did you have any funny experiences?
Quite a few, especially when I would muddle up words and say things like, “I came to Japan on a sheep” in Japanese as opposed to “I came to Japan on a plane.”
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 honestly want to stay in Japan as I love it here. And while I’ll never get super wealthy, I love my job and my life here and have no inclination of wanting to move. For now.
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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