Did I said the "promise" word in my last time-line chapter, concerning the time at which my next message would come out? Hmm, well, I can remember, it's been too long since I wrote it ;-). So much as happened, this "extended" message has kindof been on hold for awhile. Unfortunately for everyone out there, no publisher is going through what I hack up, so you get to read/scroll through everything that I want to write for prosperity's sake.
Ok, Ok, enough of the hyperbole. To recap, Theresa's been in the states these last couple of months, I've been shuffled into employee married housing, and a whole bunch of other stuff in between. But before I jump in, I'd just like to inform people of my new address, and to re-confirm my EMAIL address.
EMAIL: vandy@nwc.nttdata.jp
New Address: (not like anyone's really going to stop over for tea or
anything)
Central Garden Soga #205
Imai 1-19-10, Chuo-ku
Chiba-shi, Chiba-ken 260
Japan
Phone +81.43.261.2440
So give me a ring, or send a post card.
As I had mentioned in the last message, I'll be heading home October 5. Which, right now, is in about 2 days!
1) The Japanese mind, do I really understand it?
2) New place/Driving in Tokyo... is it like Route 128?
3) Sports
4) don't go to Italian Restaurants..
5) Work
6) Japanese Language
7) Weather
Where do I fall in the opinion polls? Nowhere... I'd say any differences the Japanese have to other countries/people, particularly in reference to their economic success, is due solely to their environment. I'm afraid I've been handicapped in using the word "culture" for two reasons. One, there seems to be too many shades of meaning. Two, a Japanese political science professor I had at the University of Pittsburgh always went into convulsions whenever this word was used to describe the Japanese.
Well, to overly simplify my explanation. If you have a country, that for several hundreds of years operated in a feudalism system, people are bound to work well together in groups, or to at least follow in groups. Now, upon subsequent exposure (or opening) to the rest of the world during the Meiji Restoration(late 19th century), at a time when America was practicing gunboat diplomacy, Japan as a nation, was just a little bit concerned about it's place in the world. (As far as I know, Japan was the only nation in Asia that had not been colonized by American or European powers of the time.)
Unfortunately, during the 20s and 30s, when the Japanese military leadership decided to make a greater Japan, and use the emperor as a tool to rally the population, Japan herself, as everyone knows(except maybe the Ministry of Education), was a major aggressor of WW II. After the war, the Tokyo area was literally flattened by bombings. This was described to me by my Japanese language teacher, whose family roots extend back into W.W.II in the Tokyo area. The people literally had nothing, and the future looked quite bleak.
Therefore, in this setting, the population of Japan, with some good government planning and some generous restructuring help from the United States(which was motivated by the cold war), worked their asses off.
The workers in my group average my age of 26. They are the 3rd generation of the post W.W.II workforce. Typically, they work about 9-9 1/2 hours per day. They have grown up with many of the luxuries that Americans of my age, generation X, have grown up with. I try to work hard so they I may have a better future for myself, and my family. During this time that I've been here in Japan, in the way that I have seen my co-workers act, and in some of the questions I have asked, much of their motivation for work is also related to individual improvement. Yet, for the most part, they seem quite content and comfortable to work together as a group. As a software engineering student at Northeastern, and then later at Digital, one of the most important facets of the working environment that had always been emphasized, was how important it was to work well within a group. Have I see many differences between them and myself, certainly not.
Actually, this has probably been one of my biggest surprises in working for a Japanese company. That being, how similar we are. So, whenever I hear references about "the Japanese mind", I try to ignore it. The best advice I have for understanding the Japanese, and the Japanese business environment, is to learn how to effectively communicate, and simply learn the customs of the country.
Well, since we're on the subject of my surprises, I might as well talk about another of my surprises. That being the influence of American culture here in Japan. While in the states, I have never see anyone walking around with a Rising-Sun bandanna. Here, I have seen many Japanese wearing US-flag bandannas, T-shirts, bags, you name it. While listening to radio stations, I continually hear English mixed into the DJ's-speech, as well as English music itself. Probably 3/4ths of the foreigners I've met here in Japan, teach English. Additionally, movies from Hollywood continue to be the top ticket sales(even when a move ticket goes for around $20)
Why all this interest in American culture? Well, I'm sure Hollywood has a lot to do with it. Perhaps too, the life style of Americans are greatly admired by the Japanese (see the "New Place" section for details)... Perhaps too, the perception that the US is the only true superpower. Well, while Hollywood, the cramped living quarters, and the superpower theory may all seem like default illustrations, the following conversation I had with a middle-aged Japanese fellow may provide other reasons why some Japanese admire Americans, and the way they live.
Izakaya, which, I guess for the non-Japanese speaker, might sound like some lethal Russian weapon, was established after WW II as a cheap eatery for people pinching pennies(or yen). It soon became a gathering point where workers returning home from the daily grind, would relax, have a beer, and release their troubles among friends.
In the new neighborhood that I've moved into recently, Izakaya's are liberally sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. They are so widespread, that it seems like the people that operate them, simply placed the traditional Izakaya red lantern/curtains on the front door of their house, inviting people in to eat. Some are so small, they contain only 2-3 stools. There truly seems to be some special relationship between customer/owner, since I always notice the same people hanging out in the same Izakaya's every night.
Well, I landed in one of these neighborly Izakaya's one night while returning to the restaurant that had served my favorite lunch-time Yakiniku that I had munched on while working in Kawasaki. At night, so I was later told, it becomes an Izakaya.
Now, there's seems to be 2 types of Izakaya's, ones that are more commercialized, and function more like a normal Japanese restaurant, and the other type, where everyone seems to know one another. This latter type, as evidenced in my neighborhood, are more likely to be found in purely residential areas.
Anyway, as I entered the Izakaya, I was of course welcomed by the normal chorus of "Irrasyamase", or welcome, that seems to be the most used word here in Japan. As I sat down, I actually "felt" multiple eyes staring down upon me, and started to wonder if I had entered the right restaurant. Then, as the next customer entered, I heard all the workers welcome the customer by name, and then hear one of them ask how the customers daughter and family was doing. It was then I realized, based on what I had heard about the family atmosphere of Izakaya-type restaurants, that I knew I was in a traditional one. After I had ordered what I recognized as chicken on the menu, a beer, and some rice, I suddenly heard an "excuse-me" from a fellow 2 seats away from me. This was soon followed by a "where are you from" question in Japanese. It was obvious that this fellow had at least a couple of brews, since he seemed abnormally forward and candid for a Japanese guy. We soon entered into a discussion that was half Japanese/half English, so it was quite interesting to say the least.
At first, we entered into a discussion of foreigners. He seemed truly amazed at the diversity of people in the US (which he referred to as foreigners). I tried explaining to him that they weren't "foreigners" as such, but were Americans. It was a hard concept of him to grasp, given that Japanese people are defined as being Japanese based on their blood and family register. His next question, which came as a mild shock to me, was whether or not I liked foreigners. Yes, this dude must have had several drinks.
Now, trying to explain to him in Japanese, how I felt that foreigners coming into the United States can bring both bad and good elements into the country, is no easy feat. But I think that he eventually got the idea. When asking him this same question, he said the only foreigners that he liked were Americans! Hmmm. After asking him why he disliked foreigners that were not American, he stated that they were lazy, and didn't know how, or want to work. His outward expression of a dislike of foreigners was quite a surprise to me.
When on the subject of politics, I eagerly asked him many questions, given all the turmoil that has been going on within the government here. He seemed quite ecstatic that Prime Minister Murayama, from the Socialist Democratic Party(SDP), was voted into the top position of government by the cabinet. He said that, given the fact that he is a middle-class laborer, the new Prime Minister will be the best one ever for the average people of Japan. The Liberal Democratic Party(LDP), was, and is only concerned about business, without regard for the people. When I asked him how he felt about the LDP and SDP going to bed with one another in order to form a coalition, he said it didn't matter, since Murayama was for the people. Of course, like any true democracy, the guy sitting next to this fellow, totally disagreed, and thought it was terrible that Murayama had taken office. And that the past prime ministers from the LDP, were the best. This was countered by the opinionated fellow in saying that this man was a typical business salaryman. All in all, the conversation was quite enjoyable.
During the whole conversation, most of the other customers, as well as the waitresses, seemed to have their ears bent to our conversation. As it started getting late, I kept being asked why I would want to come to Japan to work, when living in Japan was probably not as enjoyable as that in the states. Well, of course the default truthful answer was used. That being one of experience, meeting new people, traveling, etc. As I prepared to depart, my new found friend kept thanking me for coming to Japan. Additionally, he kept saying that I "must" try to travel Japan, and make sure to visit Izakaya's wherever I went, so I would have a chance to talk with the middle-class people. I said that I would try.
As I actually did start to leave, all the waitresses, and the guys I had talked with, told me top come back again. Since I really did want to visit there regularly, I said that I may try to come every other week. Unfortunately, since I've now moved to Chiba, it is impossible to visit this Izakaya on the commute home, since I now commute in the opposite direction.
So now, when I see ads in the paper advertising a new restaurant that has a huge neon ceiling light that is the shape of the US flag, and hear products advertised on the radio with specific mention that they come from American, and see people running around in US T-shirts, I can start to understand how and why Japanese people hold the US in such high regard. But because of this culture, and it's history, in return I have come to respect Japan.
If you think of a badly warped elongated horse-shoe, then you might start to get an idea of what Tokyo Bay looks like. Now, by looking straight down upon this horse shoe, Tokyo, or pretty much the central part of Tokyo where the Imperil Palace is located, resides to the left of where the horse shoe starts to curve. On the left side of the horse shoe, is Yokohama, where Theresa and I had lived separately. My work place is located at about a 10 minute subway ride from the Imperial Palace, at about the center of the horse shoe. The new location of where Theresa and I will be living in married housing, is in Chiba, very roughly, on the right hand side of the horse shoe, across the bay from Yokohama.
It kindof of peeved me when the news came in on where our married housing was located, although I was told many times that couples have no say in what the company decides. Nonetheless, given the fact that the friends we've made here, live in Yokohama, and that Yokohama definitely seems to be a more lively place then Chiba. The news wasn't received all that well. Plus, since I've started taking private Japanese lessons in Kawasaki twice a week(in between Tokyo and Yokohama), I now have to deal with a 2 hour commute on those nights I have class... ugh.
Well, it's not all bad news. Everyday I get to ride pass Tokyo Disneyland. Sometimes on the commute home, if I'm early enough, hordes of happy people with Mikey Mouse balloons board the train, on route to somewhere within Chiba. Then of course there's Makuhari... Or the "New Town" city that is located 4 train stops from were we live. This city is quite amazing. It has about 5 hotel skyscrapers, with the tallest being about 52 stories. It has the Makuhari Messe, a huge convention center, an aquarium, a traditional Japanese garden, many business towers, high-tech virtual reality entertainment, etc. Walking around this futuristic city, one can easily tell how carefully it was planned and developed. It is certainly quite a departure from the chaotic-type of planning that seems so prevalent throughout Tokyo. There is ample space between buildings, scores of parks/trees/ sculptures/etc. For the visitor to Japan, especially ones actually staying in Makuhari, it highlights all the modernity, high-tech/good-living of Japan. But, to me, makuhari is more like a rare 4 leaf clover, then an actual representation of Japan.
Two stops from where we live, is a shopping center/supermarket, that has truly convinced me that indeed, in regards to Japans closed market, things are changing. While prices are more expensive then those in the states, it is not by much. Some examples are in order... A regular can of Soda, when buying a 6-pack, goes for about $.39/can. A 1/2 lb. of Hamburger goes for about $3.00, and one can even buy Skippy's peanut butter, 12 oz, for about $3.00. (I don't think the engineers in my group have ever seen anyone eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before... :-) What's more, I picked up 2 single black medal framed beds, made in Taiwan, for about $50/piece (on sale from $60). And then my last example, I bought a 4-cup coffee maker for about $18 (the one I brought from the states broke).
These discount stores are typically located near large concentrations of housing complexes, and mostly near train stations. And indeed, there are large concentrations of housing complexes that run up and down, about several miles inland, from Tokyo Bay. These exist to house the workers for the huge exporting/importing companies that are located on the seashores of Chiba. I believe reading from a source that I cannot remember, that most of Japan's output flows though these ports, and on land that is owned by large corporations like Tokyo Steel.
These housing complexes are truly vast. If you can imagine, and I'm guessing here, a 15-story, 450-unit housing complex, then multiple that by maybe 30 buildings, you can start to get an idea of the concentration of people that one company may house on a certain parcel of land. During the ride to work every day, these housing complex are easily visible from the train. I'm still truly amazed that people live, and raise their family in that type of environment. These building have large numerical markings on the side, like, 1-10-1, 1-10-2, etc. Otherwise, they'd be indistinguishable from one another. An engineer in my group that was helping me move a refrigerator, and some other items into my new place, described their living conditions as that of bees in a bee hive. Given this environment, it is no wonder that Japanese people admire the living conditions of Americans. It is certainly not like the plush hotels that are located in Makuhari.
Well, our new place is also not comparable to Makuhari, but it is quite livable. It has a living room, dining area/kitchen, and 2 bedrooms(one of the bedrooms is a 6-tatami mat style room, with 1 tatami mat having dimensions of 85cm-by-75cm), small deck, and combination shower/bath/toilet/laundry area separated from each other. The building itself is 3 stories, and, as far as I can tell, has been recently built. Surprisingly, and this is amazing given that this is Japan, it is the biggest place Theresa and I have lived in. While working at Digital, I rented a very small second floor abode, then in Pittsburgh, Theresa and I lived in a studio. So, it's not that bad making the adjustment to the living quarters here in Japan.
The good aspects of its location, apart from its distance to Yokohama, is the distance to Tokyo! It now only takes 45-50 minutes for my morning commute via the semi-express. Since I am on the 1st stop, I can always get a seat heading towards work. Additionally, the trains are not packed to 400+% capacity like they are in Yokohama. What's more, it is only a 6-7 walk to the train station. To Narita airport via car, 30 minutes, via train, 45 minutes. Yes, life has gotten better.
Also down here in Chiba, there seems to be more available space to do things like, imagine this, drive. So much so, that I have even considered purchasing a car. But, as described below in my drive to Tokyo, in addition to the cost of maintaining a car, I don't think we'll be getting one. Used cars here in Japan are really inexpensive. You can purchase a decent, low-mileage one for about $1000. But there are hidden maintenance costs. A shaken, or inspection fee, runs at about the same cost as the used car, $1000, and is good for 2 years. Then of course, there are the monthly parking fees, which could get you a studio apartment in the states.
OK, yes, the drive to Tokyo. As I had mentioned in the last Time-Line message, apartments come with nothing, including company apartments. So, as I arrived at the new place, I was faced with not having such things as lights, a refrigerator, stove, etc. Getting these things, especially without a car, is not an easy task. Although it wasn't all that bad, since I actually did come down with many things that both Theresa and I had gathered in the last 6 months. So much so, that 2 cars were needed to get all of our stuff down here from my old dorm. Needless to say, I was very thankful to the guys in my dorm that gave me a hand. All in all, the trip took the entire day, with one-way driving time of about 3 1/2 hours(probably about 60 miles total distance).
Once here, I figured I'd try to purchase the used household items from foreigners that are leaving Japan. These "Sayonara" sales are advertised every Sunday in the English Yomiyori newspaper. My initial concern was getting the things that would allow me to cook, clean clothes, and store food. Well, I finally found a New Zealand fellow that was heading home, and purchased his refrigerator, Japanese stove, washer, and A/C - heater. So, now, getting it to my place...
There are numerous delivery services, as well as moving companies, but it probably would have cost about as much as the items themselves to follow that route. So, time to rent the moving van. After asking an engineer in my group to call a couple of places, on the recommendation of another foreigner that said you'd probably get either rejected or be charged an unreasonable amount, I decided on a 1-ton Toyota rental truck for 1 day, cost: $100.
OK, at this point you could probably say that I was a wee bit concerned about the prospect of driving into Tokyo. This guy lived right smack dab in Shinjuku, which would require me to drive straight though the city. So, with the manic-drivers, using the opposite side of the road, as well as the road signs in Kanji's(I later found out that the major ones were in Romaji), I was beginning to wonder about what exactly I thought I was doing.
I had definitely over prepared. In buying a bi-lingual road map of Tokyo, a Japanese road map of Chiba, and studying them for about 2-hours(kanji's etc.), I thought that I still wouldn't make it.
The day came. One of the engineers from work(Shinji), really came through for me by offered to help. Unfortunately, he lived quite far from me in Yokohama. So I insisted that I drive alone to Tokyo, since I did not want him to get up at 4am in the morning just come to Chiba to help me drive.
Right when Toyota Dealership opened at 8am, there I was with my road maps, my international drivers license, and my yen. The sales clerk did all the normal things one would expect when renting a car or truck. He told me when I should have the truck back, and went through several points about insurance details, and what I should do if there was an accident. Most of which, I didn't understand, so I simply said "wakarimasu", or "I understand", and he would then go onto the next point.
Then, he told me to wait a little bit, came back in about 5 minutes, and told me to follow him. There was the truck. Already started, and sitting right at the exit of the Toyota dealership. It had been running so that the cab was a nice cool 68 degres, with outside temperature of about 80 degrees. The service here in Japan still surprises me.
The first thing I did, was to turn on the right turn signal....Nope, that's the windshield wiper Russ. From that point on, I must have turned on the windshield wiper about 20 times, when intending to switch on the turn signal. The next problem I had, was the stick shift. It sure seems to me that ones left arm is just not made for shifting gears... This, at least, I got used to as the day progressed. I only wish they didn't have the damn truck waiting at the entrance, I could have at least tried to get my senses together.
To cut it short, I only got lost once on the way up by accidentally merging into the expressway. It was quite strange I might add, since it seemed more like an elongated tunnel with the roof open,then a major highway.
After getting off the highway and eventually back to the road that would lead me to Tokyo, I was somehow able to arrive at the guys place in only 2 hours. Once there, there was a big hassle with the air conditioner/heater, since the guy I bought it from thought we could de-install it ourselves. Nope, after trying to find the right tools to de-install, and then realizing that one needs a professional in order to do that type of thing, 5 hours were wasted. I should have worried more about that, then the actual drive. Once we got the truck loaded with the goods, we headed off to Chiba at about 4:30pm.
The morning traffic and evening traffic, at least in Chiba, is really different. We literally must have moved maybe 1 block in about 1/2 hour. The traffic was terrible. We then had the bright idea that if we took the side roads, we might make some progress.... think again. We banged a left, went up that road about 30 meters, and I suddenly found myself at a point in the road that was so small, curving to the left, that I really didn't think I would make. Sh*t, what to do... OK, lets back up... Ok, I don't think there are any cars back there... Reverse... after about 1 meter, I realized that, indeed, there was a car back there. So I had no choice but to attempt the curve. Well, somehow, after shaving the concrete wall around the curve, we found ourselves at the road we thought would be empty... Again, nope, same driving conditions.
Well, as we were waiting to make a turn into the traffic, the guy in the car behind me came up to my window... Opps, I must have hit his car back there. Well, as I saw him coming, I rolled down my window in anticipation. Gaijin alert... At least sometimes it's nice to be a foreigner, upon seeing that I was, he quickly uttered that I should be careful, and escaped back to his car... Well, I don't think there was any damage anyway.
Finally, at about 7pm, we arrive home. After quickly unloading the goods, we rushed to return the Van. On a surprising note, gas cost only $10. We were both mildly shocked. It turns out that the new van takes diesel, and with good mileage, the price was a lot lower then we expected. At 7:30pm, we dropped the truck off at the Toyota dealership. I was still alive, and I vowed that if I were to purchase any other big things, they would be either brand new, or at least located close to where I live.
If I could give any advice to couples planning on relocating to Japan, make sure that part of the package for accepting a job offer, is to have your living quarters already fully stocked. It is really not worth the hassle doing it yourself. Unless of course, it wouldn't take an entire day to complete.
In regards to Nagano, it turns out that Japan will be hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics in this Prefecture. They certainly seemed to have picked a very nice location to host the games. With beautiful mountains surrounding flat plains, the stage seems set for an exciting Olympic experience. From Tokyo the area is easily accessible by the bullet train, as well as several other express and semi-express trains. I certainly hope I'll be here in 1998.
In other sporting news, I was happy to have a chance to play basketball with some other people from NTT Data. Now, at 5 ft. 10", I am not exactly a towering human, and this still holds true here in Japan, although I'm probably slightly above the average height. But I tell you one thing, basketball it sure a lot more fun when you can reject the basketball, as I had several opportunities to do :-).
Then as we were waiting for our food, I was asked if I knew what I ordered. I said no, and was quickly told that I ordered spaghetti with sardines! Yuck! The crowd had a good laugh at seeing my expression change as I came to realize what I had ordered. Well, when the spaghetti came, I quickly pushed aside the little fishes, and ate the fishy tasting spaghetti. Oh well, live and learn.
Well, it hasn't been all free wheeling, the word came down that they wanted an Initial Project Plan written in about a week! Thankfully, I was told that I could write it in English. Later, I presented it to my manager, and 2 of the other Engineers, verbally in about 3/4's Japanese, 1/4 English. In the meeting, I basically discussed my concerns in regards to timing issues, as well as some technical problems. Most of which relate to memory management on the PC.
Of the other concerns I had, was a lack of customer feedback, graphical interface design(no graphical artist support), and no market analysis. I was told that it will be shipped with the translated Unix portion of the software, along with the translated PC run-time library. The customer will get what we give them.... Hmmm... I'm just a little bit worried.
Based on my plan, I'll have 10 weeks to develop the software, and about 1 week to test. The user should be able to graphically traverse a data schema, and have the ability to enact class level modifications, as well as attribute level changes to the schema. The next biggest concern I have now, is how to make this tool intuitively very simple for the user. No time to evaluate other similar software packages, as well as getting customer feedback.
Well, in my opinion, as I stated in my report, this design would have the functionality of a prototype. I was told it would be viewed as an Alpha release. Hmm, The battles I have before me, the learning curve of C++, the learning curve of the UniSQL API, and basically, new PC software development. Well, I'll give it my best shot.
Other notes on Japanese, I've started to at least try to become more independent in what I do, instead of asking some else to do it. For example, since I've bought the used AC/heater, I've called several places to get price quotes on installation fees. Actually, really only 2 places.
Once I decided on who would install the thing, I scheduled an appointment for when I wanted it installed. Well, unfortunately, the day right before I was to have it installed, the "denki-san", or I guess you could call him an electrician, called and said that it now cost me $300 instead of the $140(a price other people had confirmed was average) Rip-off alert. I canceled, and then set up an appointed at another place. I just wish there was something like an Attorney General here in Japan, the guy was obvioiusly trying to take advantage of the fact that I was a foreigner.
On other language-related news, I signed up for the level 3 Japanese proficiency test to be held in December. The first level is the hardest, and the fourth level is the easiest. I'd figured that I would probably land around level 3.
So, now I'm told that we are in Typhoon season, where big tropical storms come up and pound on Japan's seacoast, inundating the inland with water. This, I can definitely say is true. Just these last couple of weeks, it has been raining on and off, with some heavy, windy downpours mixed in between. We must have gotten more rain at this time, then during the entire rainy season.
Well that's it... I'm off to the states in 2 days... strangely enough, I actually feel kindof ackward in returning. I believe these last eight months have really changed me.
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I'm back in Japan! Wasn't that fast? I sent this message out the day before I left, and later found out in the states, that it didn't get through. Oh well. That's life, ce la vie, shiyou ga nai.
Upon arriving in the states, straight from Narita airport to Los Angles, the first thing I did was to order a pizza! Yes, a $5 Pizza Hut special, without the fish! Oh was it nice. While I was eating, I suddenly had this horrible feeling that I never left Japan, because I looked up, and saw a restaurant whose name spelled out the Japanese characters of a traditional Japanese noodle shop. But, the delicious pizza quickly brought me back to me senses.
I was truly amazed to clearly notice several differences between Americans and Japanese. First of all, of course, appearances. Americans are so big!(jeez had I been in Japan too long) Well, I quickly got over that. But also, Americans, myself included I still hope, just seem to express themselves naturally. I don't know, it's hard to describe. It is just that, you never quite know what Japanese people are thinking. Americans seem more sincere, and outright with there actions, good or bad. There are, of course, tons of exceptions.
And the service! Wow, the Japanese truly realize that their customers are actually contributing to their pay checks. Sometimes, I think Americans in the service industry forget this fact. This was evidenced by a Hertz guy who was making Theresa and I wait to check in our car while he was making a personal call. Jeez.
But, life is definitely better in the states. Without the crushing crowds everywhere, low prices, space, affordable homes (several of my college buddies bought houses, this is a dream many Japanese never reach), freedom to drive without having to sit in traffic all the time, I can see why so many Japanese people relocate to the states, and why so few foreigners relocate to Japan.
But, of course, there is the crime. There is so much in the states. This is one attribute that makes Japan a livable country. There are very few guns, very little proliferation of drugs, and basically, very little crime. Reasons? Well, one reason may be that, within communities/neighborhoods, everyone seems to know everyone else. If one member of a family commits some crime, everyone would know, thus bringing shame onto the family. There are no drug turf battles, and younger generations respect life. In the US, while reading the local paper, I was pointed to an article that described a story about how 2 very young children pushed another young child out a window to his death for some petty reason. After being in Japan for 9 months, I find it truly shocking to read about things like this.
OK, back to some more pleasant experiences.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip. My sister had gotten married on a picture perfect New England fall day. With the trees in full bloom and the sun shining off of the Wachusett reservoir(the wedding was held at the old stone church in Bolyston). The day seemed to have been made for a wedding.
Somehow, Theresa and I made the trip back with 8 pieces of luggage, with 3 of the suitcases probably weighing about 200 pounds! Thank god for delivery service from Narita airport. We brought back air mattresses(no more sleeping on the tatami mat floor!), special rice(Theresa goes crazy with special foods), gifts, new clothes, medicine, etc., etc., etc.
So now, it seems like we're now starting out for real in Japan, finally being able to live with one another, in a place that feels like home.