A View from a Distance

2011-09-14T04:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday Update

2011-04-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

I thought it was time to check in and provide an update. Not much has changed since I last posted here a week ago. The nuclear situation in Fukushima remains unresolved. What I have read this week, and perhaps many of you have as well, is that the radiation levels remain very high around the plant; the US and France have sent in more experts for consultation; the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recommended a larger evacuation zone and appears to be at odds with the one recommended by Japanese authorities. I have also read about more attempts by Tokyo Electric Power to conceal information from both governmental agencies and the public - but I am not surprised. Whether it is bankers in the US or energy corporations in Japan, profits and reputation seem to prevail over the public's right and need to know. I think many folks are inclined to blame government first, but in this case, I would lay the blame squarely at the doorstep of the corporation that manages these plants. Granted, the earthquake and tsunami that struck were unprecedented, but, the company has a poor record of transparency and has been sanctioned in the past for its behavior. The government has been considering a partial and temporary takeover of the company's plant operations and as far as I'm concerned the sooner the better.

How are we? Well, we seem to be doing fine. We have enough food to eat, water to drink and are able to wash clothes and bathe. We have been spared the blackouts thus far as well. I did receive a letter from one of the universities where I teach informing me that if the blackouts are scheduled to hit the school, classes will be cancelled on that day. Apparently, we all need to check the school's website the night before when the schedules for the next day's blackouts are announced. We will have to make up all cancelled classes at a later date. But, as I told a colleague, this inconvenience is nothing compared to what others up north continue to deal with and we can surely work around these small adjustments in our schedules and, I am grateful to have work.

Shuai starts 4th grade next Tuesday. We have heard there will be no lunch service in April so will have to pack his lunch for a few weeks. It must be due to continuing shortages and I guess schools and other larger institutions are going to have a hard time securing goods in bulk. Some items remain difficult to find at the supermarkets - yogurt and other milk products. Fruits and vegetables seem to be stable though lettuce is frequently hard to find and bottled water is mostly gone from shelves.

That's all I have for now. I need to start preparing for work as I start teaching on April 11, but I will try to post here at least once a week. This has certainly been a spring break to remember.

Blessings, love and peace to all.

A Beautiful Sunday

2011-03-26T17:36:00.001-07:00

It is a beautiful Sunday here -a bit cold but gorgeous rays of sunshine warm my spirit. Not much to report or update as we have been close to home for the past two days and haven't been out and about shopping. The last time we were out was Friday PM and we were so thrilled to be able to find a quart of low fat milk - what exciting lives we lead : ). We don't drink milk, and prefer soy milk for cereal and coffee, but we do use it for cooking and needed some to make certain recipes work. Milk and yogurt (and bottled water of course) have been hard to come by this past week. We use a Britta filtering system and don't generally buy bottled water, so we weren't too concerned - but we sure miss our daily yogurt. Fortunately, we found some yogurt drinks in various flavors and Shuai loved them. They had plenty and so I bought two of each flavor.

In the paper this morning, I read that the radiation levels in our prefecture remain low and have not increased. We also learned that the water supply in our city is fine and we were not part of the earlier warning concerning increased levels of radiation and the caution to not let babies drink from the tap. That is indeed good news.

I also received the following from the US Embassy this morning via email:

U.S. Embassy Warden Message to U.S. Citizens: March 26, 2011

Availability of Potassium Iodide Tablets
As a precautionary measure, the U.S. Embassy is continuing to make potassium iodide (KI) tablets available to private U.S. citizens who have not been able to obtain it from their physician, employer, or other sources. We do not a recommend that anyone should take KI at this time. There are risks associated with taking KI. It should only be taken on the advice of emergency management officials, public health officials or your doctor. For more information about KI, see this fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control, http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp, or contact your doctor.

While I am sure it is simply a precaution - I do not think there is any need to hand out these tablets in the greater Tokyo area at this time and I found it a bit alarmist. I am sure we can get these from our local clinic if necessary. But you know, these are the types of warnings that send people into frenzy and then the rumors start: "The US Embassy is handing out Potassium Iodide Tablets! There must be a crisis!" We just don't need anymore of this piling on - at least I don't.

That's all to report for today. Thank you for keeping Japan and all of its inhabitants in your thoughts and prayers.
Things are bound to get better, one day at a time.

**I have been meaning to add a link to "Second Harvest Japan" on this blog. They are a wonderful organization and provide meals to the homeless as well as families in need. They also have an active role in distributing food to those in the earthquake and tsunami region. Check out their website: http://www.2hj.org/index.php/eng_home

There is also a link in the column to the left on this blog.

And so it goes...

2011-03-23T23:48:00.001-07:00

I would like to be able to come here and continue the narrative that things are getting better, yet I don't feel that way today. I know we are safe and have food and are not living in a shelter - I am indeed grateful, we all are, but - and here it comes: the aftershocks are getting old, the out-of-stock markets are back; and now there has been a run on bottled water due to the latest radiation scare. I am beginning to wonder if this is a new way of life.

While the radiation levels that are reported in the daily paper are still quite low - under the exposure levels for a single x-ray; they have risen each of the past five days. Now, we are told there are higher levels detected in the Tokyo water supply and, the district where it was detected is right over the border from our city in Chiba - we could be there in six minutes on the train - two stops away. A colleague of mine, also from Seattle, lives there; I am sure he will have plenty to share on the issue when we start classes in a few weeks. I just wish there would be a significant breakthrough with the reactors up in Fukushima - the Japanese government hasn't really provided any real guidance in a few days and I really have no idea where the situation stands. Perhaps I am so tired that I have shut it out to maintain my sanity.

The good news is, Shuai finished 3rd grade today - yeah! He is now on spring break and will start 4th grade on 4/5 - the school system is a bit different here as there is a small break between academic years, which start in April - and the longest break (about six weeks) is in summer. We went to the local bakery to buy a celebratory cake - but there weren't any whole cakes (of course ; ) ), so we settled for three individual pieces. I am really proud of him, especially this year - as many of our friends and family members know, he has been undergoing treatment for a medical condition and that has made him more tired than usual and a bit distracted at times. In spite of this, his marks on his final report card were solid. Again, I am really proud of his accomplishments this past year. That's all for now.

Signing off from Japan...

An Update for American Citizens in Japan

2011-03-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

Please find below an actual update from the US Embassy in Japan for folks interested in reading what kind of information they are providing to Americans in Japan - it is quite lengthy, but I thought some of you might find it informative.

We are well here and I will post another update here in a day or so.

(Updated March 22, 8:30 p.m. JST)

We all recognize the enormous impact that the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, as well as the resulting dangerous situation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, has had on Japan. The United States is continuing to do everything it can and should do to support our close friends, the people of Japan, as they respond to this disaster. This includes providing humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, technical expertise as well as equipment as requested. The American people have also opened up their hearts. Many have given generously to support the ongoing relief efforts. As President Obama said on March 17, we are confident that Japan will recover and rebuild because of the strength and spirit of the Japanese people.

At the same time, this disaster has had a significant impact on the lives of Americans residing in Japan. The Embassy is working to provide the best possible guidance to U.S. citizens in Japan.

Guidance to U.S. Citizens in Japan: With regard to the nuclear situation, which we know is of concern to U.S. citizens residing in Tokyo and other regions relatively close to the Fukushima power plant, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recommends that U.S. citizens who reside within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant leave the area, or remain indoors as much as possible if departure is not practical. That recommendation is based on the steps that the NRC would recommend if a similar situation had occurred in the United States, in light of the scientific and technical data that the NRC, the Department of Energy, and other technical experts in the U.S. Government have obtained from the Japanese government and from U.S. collection assets in Japan. Outside of that 50-mile area, we are urging American citizens to carefully monitor both our guidelines and the guidelines of the Japanese government.

Departure of Embassy Family Members: Given the extraordinary circumstances, the State Department and Department of Defense (DOD) on March 16 authorized the voluntary departure of eligible family members and non-emergency DOD civilians from Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama and the prefectures of Aichi, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Iwate, Kanagawa, Miyagi, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizouka, Tochigi, Yamagata, and Yamanashi. Separately, voluntary departure was authorized for eligible family members at Misawa AB (Aomori Prefecture). We took this step out of an abundance of caution, and in order to enable U.S. government officials and the uniformed military to concentrate on the tasks at hand. Our employees remain in country, and we are absolutely open for business – in fact, the number of people working at the Embassy now is much larger than before the earthquake due to the number of experts who have arrived from the United States to augment our operations in these difficult times.
We look forward to our dependents returning to Japan once the situation has eased.

Concerns about Radiation: The situation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Site has naturally raised concerns about how far radioactive contamination might spread, and to what degree. As stated above, the NRC recommends that U.S. citizens who reside within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant leave the area, or remain indoors as much as possible if departure is not practical. Available data indicates that levels of radioactivity at the reactor site itself are variable, but remain very dangerous. Within the 30-kilometer perimeter established by the Japanese government, aerial measurement data shows the degree of radioactive contamination at ground level varying considerably by location, with the most affected areas thus far stretching to the northwest of the reactor site, well within the 50-mile recommended perimeter.

Farther from the reactor site, radiation monitoring by the Japanese government, U.S. government assets, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) all indicate that levels of radiation measured in Tokyo as well as Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures remain at background levels, well below levels which are dangerous to human health. The Japanese Ministry of education, Science and Technology is providing regular updated radioactivity measurements by prefecture, available online at http://www.mext.go.jp/english/radioactivity_level/index.htm . This data appears consistent with measurements generated by WHO, the IAEA and the U.S. government. WHO information is available at www.wpro.who.int and IAEA data at www.iaea.org . U.S. government experts have also continuously monitored radiation levels on Embassy grounds since March 14, using sophisticated radiation detection meters including high-volume pump samplers that collect inform
ation on a 24-hour basis. We have consistently observed normal background levels of radiation.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Health Precaution as of March 19 states that "At this time, the risk of exposure to radiation and the risk of contamination from radioactive materials are believed to be low, especially for anyone outside a 50-mile radius of the nuclear power plant." See www.cdc.gov for details. The United States government will continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise its citizens of any significant developments.

Potassium Iodide: U.S. citizens can consult CDC guidance on the use of potassium iodide (KI) in the event of a radiological emergency, available online at http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp U.S. citizens are also encouraged to monitor information provided by Japanese authorities regarding the use and availability of KI. On March 21, consistent with NRC guidelines that apply to such a situation in the United States, the U.S. Government decided to make KI available as a precautionary measure for U.S. Government personnel and family members residing in the areas of Japan for which voluntary departure of family members is also authorized. The recipients of the medicine have been told they should consume it only after specific instructions from the U.S. Government. There is no indication that it will become advisable to take KI, but it has been provided out of an abundance of caution to be used only upon direction, if a change in circumstances were to warrant. In the event
of a radiological release, sheltering in place or safely departing affected areas remain the most effective means of protection.

For private U.S. citizens seeking information about KI, we advise you to contact your doctor or employer. Should you need further assistance contact the Department of State by emailing JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens are also encouraged to monitor information provided by Japanese authorities regarding KI.

Radiation and Food Safety: Japanese government entities have reported elevated levels of radioactivity found in certain foodstuffs, including milk and certain vegetables, produced in areas relatively close to the Fukushima reactor site. Specifically, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced that radiation levels that exceeded legal limits were detected in milk produced in the Fukushima area and in certain vegetables in Ibaraki. The ministry has requested the Bureau of Sanitation at the Fukushima Prefectural Office, after conducting an investigation of the relevant information, to take necessary measures, such as identifying the provider of these samples and places where the same lots were distributed and banning sales based on the Food Hygiene Law. We expect Japanese authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely and continue to share information publicly, while taking any necessary remedial action. Some useful information on food safety a
spects as well as other related topics in available from the WHO online at http://www.who.int/hac/crises/jpn/faqs/en/index.html .

The Situation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Site: As has been widely reported in the Japanese and international media, the Japanese government is dealing with a significant crisis at the Fukushima reactor site and is putting utmost efforts into taking immediate steps to avoid further deterioration of the site, while preparing for a longer-term process of more permanent remediation. The United States government will continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise its citizens residing in Japan of any significant developments that could impact health or safety.
Leading U.S. experts from the NRC, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. military are in place in Japan, cooperating directly with Japanese authorities to help contain the damage at the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactors. They are monitoring technical aspects and engaging with Japanese officials on efforts to cool the reactors at Fukushima, as well as regarding the health impacts of radiation. We are sharing critical expertise, equipment, and technology so that the courageous responders on the scene have the benefit of American teamwork and support. Data and ideas are being shared, and we look forward to continuing to work side-by-side with our Japanese partners in helping them deal with this problem. The situation at the site continues to be fluid; one source of information is press releases from Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency at http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/

Travel within Japan and to Overseas Destinations: Commercial flights have resumed at all major airports in Japan, except Sendai Airport, and commercial seats continue to be available. In Tokyo, most public transportation including trains and subways are operating. Many roads have been damaged in northern Japan, particularly in Miyagi Prefecture where government checkpoints have been established on damaged roadways. In Iwate Prefecture, toll road highways are restricted to emergency vehicles only. Some information on major highways and other infrastructure is available at www.mlit.go.jp.

Electricity Supply: Rolling power outages continue in the Tokyo Metropolitan area and areas in northeast Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Please monitor the Tokyo Electric Power Company website at http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html and local news media for specific information and schedules for the planned outages. Radio stations in the Tokyo area that have emergency information in English include the U.S. Armed Forces station at 810AM and InterFM (76.1FM).

Assistance to U.S. Citizens in the Affected Areas: The U.S. Embassy deployed consular assistance teams around the Tohoku region, where they worked with local authorities to locate U.S. citizens, visit shelters and assistance centers, and help U.S. citizens identify public and commercial transportation options away from affected areas. U.S. citizens requiring emergency consular assistance can continue to contact the Department of State via e-mail to JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or through the emergency contact numbers below. At times like these, U.S. citizens in Japan should be certain to contact family and friends in the United States to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity. Where internet and telephone services are not available, it may be possible to contact people using SMS (Cell text message) or other forms of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

For the latest U.S. Government information on the situation in Japan, as well as the Department of State's Travel Warning, please go to the Department of State's Consular Affairs website - travel.state.gov. Updated information on travel and security in Japan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

Vernal Equinox Day

2011-03-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today is Vernal Equinox Day and a national holiday here in Japan. After a series of gorgeous spring-like days, unfortunately, it is raining today. We are doing well with respect to spirit and health – food to eat, shelter and our family is together. There are still shortages at local markets – paper products and milk seem to be the most difficult items to find and one store where we shopped this weekend was barren – very few items. Yet, across the street at another market there were more choices; I guess it depends on a markets size and distribution system – the larger the chain the more problems. We were fortunate in that we had an order in with a Costco Japan personal shopper service here for the large Kirkland 36 roll toilet paper pack before the earthquake – it arrived via courier a few days ago when we were down to one roll. It continues to be next to impossible to get gas for Tatsuo’s car. He got up at 6:30 yesterday and drove to a local gas station to wait in line. He waited and waited in a line that stretched for several blocks only to discover the gas station hadn’t even opened at 7:00 AM as he thought and so, he came home. He still has around half a tank and decided to wait a bit longer before trying again.

Due to the gas situation, we decided to walk to two large electronic stores – they are similar to a Best Buy in the USA. We usually drive as both stores are a few miles away. The first store didn’t have what we were looking for and so we hiked another half mile or so to the other store – which also didn’t have the item. We walk quite a bit in Japan but don’t usually walk this far – needless to say we were exhausted and tried to break up the trip a but by stopping at 7-11 to buy some drinks and snacks – poor Shuai was exhausted; I sometimes forget he is still a little guy and has a hard time keeping up with his long-legged Papa. Several people were out walking and we also noticed long lines at a few gas stations and a couple that were closed – at times it seems like a flashback to the oil shortages in the 1970s that hit Japan, the USA and most countries. One oil company, Cosmo, experienced a large fire at its Ichihara, Chiba refinery and thus, all of its stations have been closed – this of course puts stress on the other suppliers and hence, the shortages.

We continue to monitor the Fukushima reactor situation closely and while it is certainly serious, we are not as alarmed as we were a few days ago. As many of you may know, special water trucks have been brought in from Tokyo and continue to pump cool sea water into the damaged reactors and it seems to be working as a temporary measure until a more permanent solution can be found. The Japan Times – one of Japan’s leading English language newspapers, has a story in today’s paper: “Foreign media take flak for fanning fears” and discusses the sensationalistic news reports in the US and British tabloid media. As I mentioned in an earlier update – don’t believe everything you hear on the tube. The paper has also started a daily “maximum radiation level” chart for the entire country and thus far, the levels in Chiba are negligible and among the lowest in the country. Perhaps Chiba’s readings are lower due to its extensive coast and winds blowing out to sea. We live in an area a few miles from Tokyo and those readings, while slightly higher than Chiba, are extremely low as well.

Tomorrow, I have to take Shuai to a doctor’s appointment past Yokohama and near Kawasaki. This will be our first longer train ride since the disaster and so I will be curious to see if the train schedules have gotten back to normal. The trip is just under an hour and we take it 2-3 times a year – generally smooth but we shall see.

Let us continue to pray for the well-being of the most vulnerable: the children and the elderly in Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate. An article in The Japan Times today, discusses the trauma that many children are experiencing and will continue to face. Yesterday, I read another story about the aging population up north who were hit hard – many do not have the funds, motivation or stamina to rebuild what they lost and will need support that allows them to live out the reminder of their lives with dignity.

Thank you again for all your support, prayers and good wishes. We feel blessed to have friends and family like all of you.

Leading British Nuclear Scientist Discusses Worst Case Scenario - No Issues for Greater Tokyo Area

2011-03-18T20:39:00.000-07:00

It’s Saturday 3/19 here in Japan. We are all well; have plenty of food and are able to move around freely. Finding gas is still an issue and Tatsuo tried to fill up today but no luck –the lines stretched for blocks and he decided not to wait as he still has about half a tank and hasn’t been driving much. We can walk to the supermarkets and the train station if we need to travel further. Apparently, the trains are now running through our local area and are at 80%. The biggest issue we (or I) had yesterday was banking. Yesterday, salary payments from two of my university jobs were supposed to be deposited directly and were not. My bank, Mizuho, has had system issues for three days now and no electronic transfers, deposits or withdrawals can be completed. They are working over the weekend to remedy the situation. One university had staff call employees who bank at Mizuho and offered to give us all loans if needed until next week – but we would have to travel to the admin office – it was a nice gesture but we are OK for now and can wait until next week. Fortunately, Tatsuo uses a different bank so we have resources and no money worries right now.

Many of you continue to express concern about our safety and potential exposure to radioactive material. Of course we have been concerned as well and there is so much contradictory information out there, which only confuses us more. I want to draw your attention to a transcript of a conference call that took place between the UK’s Chief Scientific Officer Professor John Beddington, and UK Embassy staff in Tokyo. A professor colleague of Tatsuo’s passed this information along. It is reassuring as he states that even in the event of a total meltdown – only immediate areas would be impacted and that Tokyo is too far from the Fukushima reactors to be impacted. Since we live just north of Tokyo – about 20 minutes outside, I assume that we would be fine as well. He is dealing with worst case scenario – and we aren’t there yet. So, if you are up for it, have a read; it’s very informative – the link follows.

http://ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=567559482

For those who don’t wish to read the entire transcript, here is Dr. Beddington’s response to the “worst case scenario” that many are worried about:

“Let me now talk about what would be a reasonable worst case scenario. If the Japanese fail to keep the reactors cool and fail to keep the pressure in the containment vessels at an appropriate level, you can get this, you know, the dramatic word “meltdown”. But what does that actually mean? What a meltdown involves is the basic reactor core melts, and as it melts, nuclear material will fall through to the floor of the container. There it will react with concrete and other materials … that is likely… remember this is the reasonable worst case, we don’t think anything worse is going to happen. In this reasonable worst case you get an explosion. You get some radioactive material going up to about 500 metres up into the air. Now, that’s really serious, but it’s serious again for the local area. It’s not serious for elsewhere even if you get a combination of that explosion it would only have nuclear material going in to the air up to about 500 metres. If you then couple that with the worst possible weather situation i.e. prevailing weather taking radioactive material in the direction of Greater Tokyo and you had maybe rainfall which would bring the radioactive material down do we have a problem? The answer is unequivocally no. Absolutely no issue. The problems are within 30 km of the reactor.”

It's been a week

2011-03-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

Today is Friday in Japan and one week since the earthquake and tsunami struck which then triggered a humanitarian crisis in Northern Japan and a developing nuclear crisis as well. It seems these series of events will remain etched in our souls for years to come. The scenes from Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima are more than many of us can bear to watch - yet as we watch from a safe distance, may we be reminded that many are living the reality up close. Let us continue to pray that assistance flows where it is needed most and that survivors can still be found and that the stranded can be taken to a safe and warm place.

We learned yesterday that the blackouts for our region have been canceled for the time being. However, I read another article that stated blackouts could still come at any time and without warning. So much info we have heard seems to contradict earlier reports and so we just take it as it comes each day. We continue to conserve energy though have to use a space heater from time to time as it has been very cold these past two days. Lots of folks use kerosene heaters here but we don't have one and I would be concerned about fires due to the aftershocks and continuing threat of more earthquakes.

I continue to receive US Embassy emails and alerts. The most recent information warns Americans within a 50 mile radius of the Fukushima reactors to evacuate - that is the same as yesterday's alert. Now, the US Government (USG) is offering flights out of Japan to US citizens. Apparently they have chartered several planes and will drop folks off in a safe country within Asia - at present, Taiwan and South Korea and from there, Americans would have to book flights to the US or other destinations. Of course, those Americans who are coming from the hardest hit areas up north would have priority and I wouldn't even think of placing our names on the list at this point. But, when I read this info, I couldn't understand why the USG didn't plan to have a few flights drop folks off in California or some other location on the US West Coast - even Alaska, or Hawaii which are both closer to Japan and would make further travel much easier for the evacuated Americans. Now, they have to deal with a foreign country and language while trying to book flights, arrange accommodations and get home. Perhaps I should keep my criticism to a minimum as they are offering assistance and who knows, we may one day need that help.

We are still considering travel to Seattle for a few weeks. Shuai is almost finished with the school year here and only has a few more half days left. Today, he has an early dismissal due to the 6th grade graduation ceremony at his school. I resume my university teaching schedule in mid-April and so we have a few weeks to take off if we decide to. I read this AM that the reactor situation, while serious, has not escalated from yesterday. Again, we continue to monitor events and received updates from various sources.

Some reports of hoarding and looting have emerged and that is disheartening, especially after so many reports of folks working together in a respectful and orderly fashion. Tatsuo shared that he read reports in the Japanese media of people breaking into abandoned cars and siphoning off gas. I like to think this is merely for survival and not because these people have ill intentions. What is more disturbing is the behavior of some to the south, in Tokyo. There are many reports of people hoarding and wiping out the stocks in supermarkets and convenience stores, leaving some to wonder what catastrophe directly hit Tokyo. One survivor of the earthquake and tsunami, who is now safe in Tokyo with family, commented that when she went to the grocery store in Tokyo, she was appalled at the hoarding and greed she saw. Sure, there are supply and transportation issues, but come on - take only what you need. A Japanese minister, Ms. Renho, was on TV echoing that sentiment, and pointedly to residents of Tokyo, "Take only what you need." Japanese like to say that, "Tokyo is not Japan." and perhaps that explains this anomaly, as many regions, particularly up north, are doing their part to chip in and help out.

We will continue to keep you updated and as always, appreciate your prayers and thoughts. We feel blessed to be safe today.

Bananas and Bread

2011-03-16T16:30:00.001-07:00

I know we have much more than many folks and so far have plenty of food to sustain us and so I don't want to appear shallow – but, we were finally able to get a loaf of bread and some bananas yesterday at a bakery near our home and a fruit stand near our train station. Does this mean there has been a shift as far as the food supply? Perhaps. The bakery is usually closed on Wednesday and I had a hunch they might be open due to the earthquake and shortages. They had a one loaf per customer limit on bread. Tatsuo and Shuai scouted out another market a few blocks away and were also able to find bananas and as we met and walked home together, we started to feel guilty that we had two bunches – more than we should have bought. Well, we will refrigerate them and make them last for the next week. Interesting that bananas have become a barometer. Many of the shelves in one market I visited were still bare – especially the vegetables and fruits sections. We did manage to get a prepared salad and some meat for dinner. At this point, we are well stocked for the coming weekend. I know folks back home are worried about us and would like to send care packages – but at this point we ask that you hold off. There are folks up north living on a few rice balls, miso soup and tea each day for a family – hopefully the supply routes are opening up and that will change soon. We are fine now, and will be, but thank you all for thinking of us. If you are so inclined, I would suggested making a donation to the Japanese Red Cross. You can find info this page set up by Google:

http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

They are a great and efficient organization and probably the best investment folks can make as it will continue making a direct impact on the lives of those in need.

We watched a moving story yesterday of a group of 6th graders who gathered at their elementary school, which now doubles as a shelter, to receive their certificates of graduation so they can now move on to junior high school. It was very moving. Of course none of the students, teachers or principal were in their usual best dress – just wearing what they could find as many of them likely lost homes and loved ones. The principal was so apologetic that they couldn’t give the students a “proper” graduation and party and everyone was crying. One mother, whom I assume was the PTA representative, gave a speech through tears thanking all of the teachers and staff for caring for their children for six years. It was so very moving and a testament to the beauty and strength of the human spirit. Of course, many graduations and celebrations have been cancelled all over Japan. The ceremony and party I was supposed to attend at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel has also been cancelled due to flooding at TDL and of course out of respect for those who lost their lives and homes up north.

The aftershocks keep coming. They don’t seem as frequent yet they are stronger. Nothing like the earthquake last Friday, but strong enough to make one wonder if it is happening all over again. The difference is they stop within a few seconds. The blackouts continue to be unnecessary in our area but they are still scheduled in case – today, we are scheduled for a three hour blackout between 9:20 – 12:00 AM. We continue to do our part to conserve.

The only update I have on the nuclear reactor situation is an email I received from the US Embassy news list. They recommend the following: “We are recommending, as a precaution, that American citizens who live within 50 miles (80 kilometers) of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or to take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical.” While we remain concerned, especially for Shuai, who is undergoing treatment for a medical condition, at this point, we are safely outside this zone. If anything changes, we will let you know.

Well, I have a previously scheduled doctors appointment this AM and need to get ready – let’s hope the clinic is open and has electricity.

Thanks for your support and concern.

PS I am also posting these updates at my blog:

http://broaderview.blogspot.com/

I used to post musings about life in Japan but it has been inactive lately – have a look if you have missed any of our updates.

Update 5 From Japan

2011-03-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Doing the best we can here. A bit more concern about the nuclear reactor situation up north in Fukushima and we are monitoring it closely. I imagine the truth can be found somewhere between the “sensationalistic” reporting we often see in the US (don’t believe everything you see on TV!) and, the guarded reports coming out of TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power) in Tokyo. I have been trying to gather as much info as possible and at this point, there does not appear to be an imminent threat to our safety. If we feel the situation is bound to get worse, or that there is a risk of exposure over the coming weeks, I would take Shuai to Seattle for a few weeks for spring holiday. We are not there yet, but again, we are trying to stay on top of things. As I mentioned yesterday, I signed up for email updates from the US Embassy here and just received one. They advise Americans to continue following the guidelines already set forth by the Japanese government – the 20 miles (30 kilometers) and of course we live far outside of that region – roughly 237 kilometers away from the reactors. Of course, we can all agree that government officials in any country often practice CYA and are not always forthcoming with info – that is why we are trying to get info from multiple sources and, we are grateful that the US Atomic Energy and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has experts on site as well.

Many of you have commented via email and in phone calls on the dignified manner in which the Japanese are conducting themselves during this crisis. I watched Diane Sawyer and Anne Curry, who are on the ground here, via Apple TV Podcasts, and both made similar observations – orderly, well mannered and a community spirit and strength. All you see is real and part of the cultural fabric here. As I watched their reports I became teary-eyed because I recalled how often I have complained as a foreigner living here and have been critical of the hyper group mentality that often leaves little room for personal expression – and it has often felt smothering. After all, I come from a country that places a premium on individualism and quite often that, in its extreme, can lead to selfishness and greed. Well, without giving a lengthy social commentary, I guess I realized how much I have learned while living here and have a new found respect for Japanese society and am proud to be living here and grateful that our son, Shuai is learning these values as well.

Another thing to note regarding the planned blackouts. Some of you may have seen ABC’s Diane Sawyer report that in many areas, such as Tokyo and in Chiba, where we live, the blackouts became unnecessary. That is because we all voluntarily cut power usage, which took the stress off the system. I had mentioned this to Tatsuo a couple of days ago when the first blackouts were canceled, that perhaps we had collectively conserved enough to avert the blackouts. All over our neighborhood, I could see folks with their curtains pulled back and letting in natural light – and of course we have been doing the same. To me, that is impressive and sums up what others have been observing about Japan from a distance – shared sacrifice, and no government agency intervention is necessary – folks know what needs to be done and do it.

That’s it for now from Japan. As always, thank you for your prayers and warm thoughts; they mean a great deal.

Much love and peace,

Greg, Tatsuo and Shuai

Updates 1-4 from Japan

2011-03-14T21:47:00.001-07:00

UPDATE 4

Hi All,

It’s Monday PM here in Chiba, Japan. The day was not as challenging as expected. First, the AM blackout for our area was cancelled and scheduled for this evening instead. Shuai and I were in preparation mode: gathering battery powered lights, candles as well as filling up thermoses with hot water for coffee and tea, getting the cooler ready – and then, we learned that the PM blackout was cancelled as well – we lucked out. However, throughout the day we have been conserving energy as have most of our neighbors and living by natural light. We all have to make a contribution.

I signed up for the US State Department/Japanese Embassy mailing list and so now receive some important info in English. The list is very helpful and provides links to the power company schedules for blackouts as well as transportation links and train schedules. Tats told me the train is bypassing the local stations – and the one where we live – in order to conserve energy. I am fortunate that I am on break from teaching right now and so can just walk to the market and other places. Tats drives to work but is also on spring break and so can stay home most days. He did have to attend a graduation ceremony today and drove to campus. He has less than half a tank and has been unable to fill up for the third day. He talked about getting a bike, as many folks have been doing. But again, we are on break and he can stay home most days of the week – we start up the new academic year at universities the second week of April. Hopefully there will be more transportation options by then.

Shuai and I are supposed to attend a graduation party for the graduating class of one university where I teach. That party is scheduled to be held at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel on 3/22. I have a hunch that due to TDL being closed, we might not be able to attend. Tats and I are both worried about our students. University students are on break and have been since the end of February. Unfortunately, some of our students may have returned home to those prefectures hit hard and we just don’t have the information yet on many of them. We are praying for their safety and that of their families.

As I mentioned in my previous update, I planned to go to the supermarket today. The market opened at 10AM and I was lined up about 9:50. There were long lines at both entrances and I was about 50th or so back. We got in quickly and it was orderly but many shelves were already bare. I was able to get some bread, but the bread shelves cleared out quickly. Still no bananas but apples and kiwi today as well as some strawberries were available and I bought a few of each. I grabbed two jars of Skippy’s PB and a large jar of strawberry jam for Shuai’s sandwiches – which he never has (but he loved them!), a few more boxes of cereal; packs of mixed nuts; ham and pastrami for sandwiches, a bottle of sparkling water, two packs of yogurt and a few other things. Shuai said he saw a report on TV that pallets of bananas were being sent up north to feed those in shelters – that is as it should be and we can surely do without.

There were a few aftershocks today and one rather large one about 11:00AM. Shuai said his class was in the school’s computer lab and they all got under the tables. It passed quickly, thankfully all are safe.

It is good to be able to write these updates and process a bit. Again, we are not in the areas hit the hardest but nonetheless, we are all affected to some degree and it is stressful and we cope the best we can. Let us continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones and their homes and hope that more survivors will be found.

As always, thanks for your thoughts, prayers and kind words. They mean a great deal to all of us. Also, many family and friends have offered to send food stuff to us if it becomes necessary. At this point, we are making it but if we should need assistance we will let you know – thank you.

Much love and peace,

Greg, Tats and Shuai

UPDATE 3

Hi All,

It is Sunday PM here. We have some new developments to report: rolling blackouts start in our area tomorrow – two 3 hour blackouts are to be expected, one in the AM (7-10 est) and one around dinner time (4-7 est). We received a call from the elementary school emergency phone tree contact and there will be no lunch service because of the blackouts and students will be dismissed at noon until the end of the school year – which is 3/24 here in Japan. So now, we just have to figure out what to feed Shuai as I am sure deli-type foods will be hard to come by at the markets. We will work something out.

Speaking of supermarkets – in just one day since my last update, the shelves are getting bare, at least in the fruits and veggies sections. We ate out tonight at a curry restaurant and then stopped by the supermarket on the way home. There were no bananas, which are always plentiful and cheap, no apples, kiwi, etc. We did have a pack of strawberries on hand and have three bananas left from our last supermarket trip a few days ago. What we have: several large jugs of Kirkland brand cranberry juice; several cartoons of Kirkland soy milk, a few boxes of cereal, a large box of saltine crackers, some frozen food, a few containers of yogurt, lots of rice, 12 boxes of mac and cheese, coffee, tea and a few other things. We also have a Brita water filtering tank that holds a couple gallons so as long as we have water (not sure how electricity works with the water system) we should be able to fill that up and drink filtered water. Now that the blackouts have been announced I am somewhat concerned that we won’t be able to find much at the market tomorrow but plan to head there when they open in the AM while Shuai is in school. But as I told Tats, we will deal with whatever comes our way. We are living in luxury compared to what so many are enduring in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures.

Today, Shuai and I went to the park and played catch, Frisbee and soccer - it was fun and a good way to relieve some stress. I have also been asking Shuai to share some of what he is feeling as one is never quite sure how kids process these disasters and I want him to share what he is comfortable sharing. I asked him some more about what happened in his classroom during the earthquake and he mentioned that his teacher shouted, “If you are closest to the door – open it!” And, Shuai was closest to the door and so he had to run over and open it and was the last to take cover under his desk. He said he was a bit scared but got under the desk quickly. His classroom is on the first floor of a three-story building and the window side has sliding doors that lead to the playground and after a few minutes, they all filed out onto that open space first and then when they were all accounted for the kids either went home in groups or stayed in the gymnasium which is where we picked him up. He also explained in more detail his concern for me – he said he was worried that if we had to evacuate I wouldn’t be able to understand enough Japanese to follow instructions and without help from Shuai and Tats, I would be confused; I am sure I would have been fine but what a sweet kid he is. He has been a real trooper and we have all shared lots of hugs over the past three days – again, grateful for being safe and together.

Also, good news - Tats and his brother both talked with their parents. They are fine and have been home the whole time – just without electricity and water for a day or so. Now, those are both back on for the time being – of course they will have rolling blackouts as well on a different schedule.

We still have aftershocks but they seem to be farther apart and less intense. I read that a large aftershock may be coming in the next 1-3 days and is anticipated to be a 7 in strength. We will do our best to be prepared. Well, not sure when I will be able to write another update with the blackouts coming so I wanted to get this off. We should be able to check email on our iPhones 3G system but our phones will likely not work during the blackouts – just an FYI.

Thanks again to all of you for your support, caring and prayers.

Much love and peace,

Greg, Tats and Shuai

UPDATE 2

Hi All,

I am attaching a short movie clip that I took of Shuai’s room and the mess immediately after.

We are fine here today though of course the coverage on Japanese TV is heartbreaking to watch.
We did have several aftershocks all through the night and we woke up several times. Apparently, there was another earthquake in Nagano (6.1) and we felt that as well. FYI, Nagano is the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics. We had to take Shuai to his weekly doctor’s appointment this AM and drove there. Along the way we noticed some damage such as clay roof tiles in piles along the road and the doctor’s office (an old building) has several cracks in the walls and we couldn’t wait to get done and out of there! A lesson – open cupboards carefully (another aftershock happening now) - OK, open carefully as things shift and I learned that as I had stuff come crashing down on the counter breaking wine glasses and a French press coffee pot – oh well. We got that cleaned up.

Thanks again to all who wrote and checked in on us. Much appreciated.

Blessings, gratitude and love you all.

Greg, Tats and Shuai

UPDATE 1

Hi All,

Thank you for your calls and emails – means a lot to know folks care about us here. The good news is, we are safe.
Also, Tats was able to reach his parents, who live closer to the epicenter up north and they are fine as well.
This was the strongest and longest quake I have ever experienced in Japan – it scared the sh*t out of me – really. I was waiting at the front door and planning my escape. Shuai was in school and the quake happened just before dismissal. After the initial quake, they all got out from under their desks and assembled in the gymnasium – which, by the way, was just reinforced for quakes and the work was completed a month ago, great timing. Tats was at the university and he came home and we both headed to the school to pick up Shuai. Shuai was so sweet and said, “Papa I was worried about you at home.” Such a sweetie.

We have had between 15-20 aftershocks and each time I get up and head for the front door. And here we go again! Right as I sit here typing another aftershock – three + hours after.

Northern areas were hit hard so let’s pray for those who lost loved ones and their homes. The pictures on CNN tell a devastating story – so sad.

Thank you again for caring. We love you all.

Greg, Shuai and Tats

2008: Revisiting Gratitude and Giving

2008-11-16T23:40:00.000-08:00

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare think.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Last week, I saw that my community was once again preparing to hang decorations and lights along the road in front of the train station. Yes, it is time for "Stardust Road" to come alive and brighten up the long and dark winter days. It is hard to believe that it has been one year since I posted the Stardust Road themed, "Gratitude and Giving" entry to my blog. Just today, I logged in and began to contemplate a long overdue update as it has been nearly six months since my last entry. Yet as I scanned some of the past blog entries, the posting below caught my eye and reminded me that the topics of gratitude and giving are timeless - and so as a reminder to myself, I am posting this entry again this year.

This morning as I made my way to the train station I passed an old building that looked as if it had been vacant for quite some time. The windows were dirty, it was dark and vines and bushes were growing up and around the building. And then, I saw a worn neon light hanging in one of the windows that said, "Stardust Road." It made me smile.

I smiled because I immediately thought of the holiday displays on this road to the station that were out last year. Many of the merchants on this street had the same sign in their store fronts last year. I suppose it was the neighborhood association's attempt to create a festive mood and so the merchants got together and decided that the road would be renamed "Stardust Road" during the holiday season.

Now, I know it is a bit early to begin thinking about the holidays, well, maybe not. By next month, the decorations will be up here in Japan and all over the US as well. Holiday tunes will soon be piped into stores and restaurants and all of the KFCs here in Japan will have dressed up and displayed Colonel Sanders in his Santa outfit in front of all their stores - no kidding. I can't wait for the season to begin.

That warm feeling I was overcome with this morning is what I call the spirit of Christmas gratitude and giving. Now, I don't mean giving in the material sense or the consumerism that gets out of hand at this time of year, I mean gratitude for the love we receive each day from our family, friends and even strangers. I mean giving, not to our children, who want that latest Nintendo Wii, or iPod, or some other gadget; I mean giving beyond the ordinary and in an unexpected way. Giving in a way that doesn't ask for anything in return; perhaps giving anonymously, doing someone a favor and not expecting recognition or reward. Giving because you want to contribute to the karma of the larger community - give, because one person really can make a difference.

As the season of giving is upon us, I have put together my own list of giving suggestions for this holiday season and would like to share it with you. Some won't cost you anything; some a few yen or dollars - all are gifts of the heart:

1. Go through your closets and donate good used clothing to a shelter, or a non-profit organization; or pass clothing on to a neighbor who could use it. There are also many orphanages overseas that could really use a box of clothing for their babies, toddlers, older kids or staff and it will only cost you the postage. Do a search on the Internet and I bet you could find lots of international organizations willing to help you in this regard.

2. Think about those close to you: family, friends, co-workers and others. Make a list of these people and write an uplifting or positive word next to their names. It could be a word inspired by something they did for you or someone else during the last year. Have a discussion with each person on your list over the next few weeks and find a way to incorporate that positive word into your conversation. That would be a gift worth remembering, indeed.

3. Go to the website for "Network for Good" and donate to a charity of your choice. This is a convenient way to make a difference and perhaps donate a few dollars to a non-profit you had always wanted to support but never quite got around to doing it. You can even narrow your search for organizations in your state or city. You can also search for organizations by keyword; so if there is a cause that you believe in, there may be a struggling organization that would really appreciate your gesture. You can donate anonymously, or you can share your information with the organization in case you want to be added to their mailing list and stay informed about their work. I have added the link for Network for Good to the left of the post.

4. These days most of us write to each other in electronic format and rarely send out handwritten notes or letters. Give your fingers a workout and sit down and write a letter to someone. What a thrill it would be for someone to receive your handwritten message. Write a special message in all of your holiday cards this year to let folks know you are thinking of them. I bet you have forgotten how beautiful your writing is.

5. Go to Target or Safeway and buy a few gift cards and distribute them to your local churches, or head start programs. Teachers or church staff can always identify folks in need and perhaps go shopping and buy some kids a warm winter coat, or another family would enjoy an opportunity to buy some fresh fruit and vegetables at their local supermarket.

6. Offer an apology to someone and ask for forgiveness. This is powerful and positive gesture that can only bring more calm and peace to your life. Remember, an apology should be specific, not general. Make specific amends for those specific acts that have caused others pain, or sorrow. An apology can set you free and take a great weight off your shoulders. We have all done wrong and surely we can reach out and offer the gift of apology this holiday season.

7. Offer forgiveness. All of us know how hard it is to offer forgiveness to those who have harmed us in some way. Many of us hold on to pain and sorrow and become bitter in the process. Bitterness needs to be released and can only cause us more trouble as it festers and eats away at our spirit. Whom do you need to forgive? Give yourself the gift of forgiveness this season and begin healing.

8. Find a new way of volunteering. Many of us volunteer with organizations we are familiar with, or perhaps it has been years since we volunteered. Perhaps it's time to step away from our comfort zones and volunteer for an organization that is completely outside of our professional or social networks. If you are a teacher, instead of tutoring, perhaps you could work at the food bank this year; if you are a lawyer; instead of pro bono this season; volunteer to read to children. These days, it is even possible to volunteer "virtually" via the Net. Yes, there is an organization that matches folks and many of these opportunities can be done via distance (I will put the link to the left).

9. Thank your public servants and elected officials for their service. This is a tough time to be serving in government. There are so many demands on these folks and many of them serve at great sacrifice to their families. Most of the time we contact them when we wish to complain about a vote or an issue (I know I do!) yet how often do we write to thank them for their service to our country? We may not agree on every issue yet we can agree that being a public servant is a difficult and often thankless job. Send then an e-mail or note over the holidays.

10. Finally, give a gift to the earth. Think about ways that you could conserve energy or recycle resources. How about taking your bath water out of your tub with a bucket and filling your washing machine for the first cycle? That water is fine and can easily be used for the wash cycle. Don't worry, it will be drained and your final rinse cycle will be with clean and fresh water! Mother nature gives us so much - give her a gift today.

I hope some of the suggestions above spark some interest in your hearts this holiday season and perhaps you can consider a new approach to gratitude and giving. For those of you with children this is a wonderful opportunity to involve them in some new and thoughtful rituals while teaching them invaluable lessons. And, I hope that all of you get a chance to visit your own Stardust Road over the holidays.

Many blessings and much joy to all.

Greg

Part 2 - Questions from Friends and Family

2008-06-25T23:36:00.001-07:00

Lots of great questions just waiting to be answered! Thanks to all of you who took the time to submit questions, ideas and comments - much appreciated. As some of you asked similar questions, I have tried to collapse those into one question. Also, please remember that many of the responses include my individual experience and impressions of life in Japan and those vary from person to person. I would also add that while all societies exhibit patterns of culture, there are of course, always exceptions. Japan also has regional differences and many language dialects that influence cultural attitudes and behavior. So, while the image projected to the world is at times that of a monolithic culture, Japan is actually more culturally diverse than is commonly known. Take a trip to Osaka or Nagasaki and you will discover rich cultural differences in language, cuisine and manner.

Thanks again and enjoy!

Can you give us an idea of typical costs for groceries, gas for car, rents in your area, beer or movie out on the town? Everyday kinds of stuff.

As in the US, gas prices are skyrocketing in Japan. 1 liter of gas is approximately 170 yen compared to around 110 yen per liter a year ago. Rents would be comparable to most large North American cities. We pay the equivalent of about 850 US dollars for a 2 bedroom apartment in the suburbs of Tokyo. This is much smaller than the average US apartment - probably the equivalent space of a 1 bedroom in the US. The closer one lives to central Tokyo the higher the rents. A few years ago, we paid over 2,000 US dollars a month for a newer 3 bedroom in central Tokyo. Movie tickets are about 20.00 US dollars; concert tickets range from 50-150 dollars; a beer at a local pub might run you around 8.00 dollars; dinner and drinks for two at a decent restaurant would run between 75-150 dollars. We ate at Denny's last night (3) and the tab was around 40.00 for all of us. So, while some things in Japan are expensive, over the past ten years or so, prices have come way down. A decent bottle of imported wine is around 20.00 compared to 50-100 dollars over ten years ago. We shop at Costco about once every two months and spend around 400 dollars; I would imagine that is similar to US Costco shoppers dropping around 200-300 a month there.

Do the schools offer foreign language for students? If so, which language is most popular?

Students are required to take six years of English language study beginning in junior high and running through high school. Recently, many elementary schools have started introducing English language study as well. Many schools also offer French and Spanish language courses as electives. Recently, due to the emergence of China as a major player on the world trade scene, Chinese is an even more popular language in Japan (and other countries as well) and many Japanese have enrolled courses through universities and language schools. The Korean language is also popular and many universities offer courses.

What is the school schedule - is it all year round?

The school year in Japan starts in April and runs through March of the following year. There are breaks in summer (usually the month of August) and a two week break at the end of the year (last week of December through first week of January) for the New Year Holiday. There is also a spring break at the end of March and just before the new school year begins. So, K-12 students get a total of roughly two months off and attend classes the other ten months. University students have much longer holidays and are generally done with their exams in February and are then on holiday until mid-April, though this varies depending on the university.

Is gambling allowed in Japan?

Certain types of gambling exist here but Japan does not have full-blown casino gambling, though there were recent proposals made by the Governor of Tokyo to allow for casinos in Tokyo. Folks bet on horse and bicycle races; there is a national lottery with "Jumbo Lotto" in the summer and winter; there are also many amusement centers where folks can play games for prizes. There is also Japanese pinball or "pachinko" and these game parlors can be found all over Japan. Folks play for prizes and are not officially allowed to play for money yet all parlors have separate booths outside that will exchange prizes for cash.

Where does Japan's fresh fruit and vegetables come from?

Japan has tried to remain self-sufficient with respect to vegetables and grows most of its own produce, such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, etc. Apples, cherries, pears and other kinds of fruit are grown domestically as well. Certain fruits are imported from Asian countries, such as mango, bananas and kiwis; though the latter is grown in Japan as well. Oranges come from the US and the famous Japanese "mikan" orange, or widely known as satsuma in the US, are grown in Japan. A few years ago, I was happy to learn that Japan had started importing American bing cherries from Washington and that is a big treat for me!

Is there alot of farm land?

Well, I wouldn't say there is "alot" of any type of land in Japan. Japan, a country of 130 million, is about the size of the US State of California. Land for farming is found all across Japan, just outside, and in some cases within, city centers. Many of the farms are small family plots that grow rice, onions, beans or some other produce. There are also many dairy farms on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Is Japan a clean country?

Japan is very clean. Japanese have been described as being obsessive about cleanliness and personal hygiene and that has been my experience. Have I seen litter on the sidewalk? Yes, of course. And, some of the large stations and nightlife areas of Japan are not as clean as the typical neighborhoods but that is true of most large cities. But again, overall, Japan is a very clean country.

My image of Japan is that the people are very friendly and respectful. Is that your experience?

Well, yes and no. It all depends on context, location, relationship as well as generation. Most Japanese are respectful to others within their social network. I wouldn't define Japanese as a "friendly" people as I would for example, Americans, who are known for being helpful to strangers; though younger folks in Japan that I have met or taught over the years seem to be more relaxed, friendly and less formal than their elders. Within close social networks such as work and university, many Japanese are friendly. I also think much depends on where one lives in Japan. I have been told that Tokyo is not Japan and that folks in the countryside are friendlier. I have lived in the countryside north of Tokyo and I am not sure but then again, I am non-Japanese so my perspective is different from the experience of the average Japanese. Back to Tokyo. As I wrote above, if you belong to a social network, you will be treated well by members of that network; however, attitudes towards strangers vary widely. Tokyo, like New York, is a huge metropolis with folks caught up in the hustle and bustle and frankly, I often describe Tokyoites as rude and pushy and not at all friendly. Check out the article on the Kansai region to the left as it provides some good comparisons of folks from the Tokyo area (formal, reserved) and the Kansai region (humorous, pragmatic) Taking all of the above into account, if you were to visit Japan on a temporary basis, you would be treated well and likely leave with a good impression of Japan.

Did Karaoke start in Japan? If so, when did it begin?

Yes, karaoke started in Japan over 20 years ago. Basically, it means "empty orchestra" or, singing with no orchestra to back you up. I have posted a link to the side for more information.

Part 1 - Questions from Friends and Family

2008-06-05T00:44:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for your varied and excellent questions. I have received many and will post a few today and then answer some more next week.

What do you miss the most about living in the U.S.?

Anonymity - blending in to the cultural fabric of the multicultural US. Many of my experiences and observations in Japan have left me with the impression that Japan is not very adept at integrating non-Japanese into the workplace or society and it is at times a struggle for me. There is so much sensitivity, awareness and respect for cultural differences in the US and if there is a problem, there are always those willing to acknowledge or address these issues. On the other hand, many Japanese do not have an awareness of or sensitivity to the barriers that non-Japanese face in this society and that is an ongoing challenge for many of us (see "In praise of diversity" posting below for more in-depth discussion of this issue).

What is something about Japan or Japanese culture that you are surprised to have become accustomed to?

Waiting in lines! I wait in lines all the time here and I am surprised that, unlike the US, I am usually able to stay calm and don't mind it at all as lines tend to move very fast here.

What trait or custom do you admire most about the Japanese people?

The precision applied to almost every task, no matter how menial, whether filling out a form, cooking, or conducting a bank transaction. Also, I am always amazed at the average person's knowledge of food and what it does for the body. The average Japanese seems to have encyclopedic knowledge on issues of food and health - very impressive.

How has your diet/cooking changed since moving to Tokyo?

With respect to my meals eaten at home, lots of rice, fish, vegetables and I seem to be more conscious of getting the right mix when I do the cooking. I think I eat a more balanced diet here. Of course, all of the typically Western-style goodies are here - Starbucks, Baskin & Robbins, McDonald's, lots of goodies to be found at Costco and even Krispy Creme! So, while we have a healthier diet here, the temptations lurk and entice.

How about entertainment in Japan - does the language hamper you in your selections of things you can do, like Japanese language films, TV, etc.?

When I do see a film at a theater, it is always either in English or with English subtitles. I am not a big TV watcher and so I almost never watch Japanese or foreign TV programs, at least not on a daily basis. Sometimes we watch the international cable channels such as, FOX (NOT the News Channel ;-) ), CNN, Disney, BBC and others and we have these mostly for the benefit of my six year old son so that English language programming is available to him as he develops his language skills. We also have access to downloads of US podcasts, shows, movies, etc., from iTunes. My language skills are usually sufficient for daily life and chitchat with my son's teachers or neighbors, etc. but I have never sat through an entire Japanese film or TV program without English subtitles and how much I would understand would depend on the context and subject matter, etc. I have also been to several concerts as many international acts visit Tokyo and over the years I have seen, Madonna, twice, Cyndi Lauper, Vanessa Williams, Depeche Mode, Anita Baker, Erasure, Lisa Stansfield, Bobby Caldwell, Olivia Newton-John, the Pet Shop Boys, the Rolling Stones and many others. But no, I don't really feel limited with respect to entertainment choices on account of language; the choices are ample.

Can you write the Japanese language?

There are three types of written characters used in Japan, "Hiragana and Katakana" are the Japanese alphabets and then Chinese characters, called "Kanji" in Japanese and of course come from China (These would be the beautiful calligraphy images folks have seen from China and Japan). I can write and read the first two and read a couple hundred or more of the Chinese characters and am learning how to write these now. The written language is the greatest barrier to learning Japanese. The grammar and pronunciation are not all that complex but again, the writing. it can leave non-Japanese overwhelmed at times!

I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse into our lives in Japan! More questions and answers will be posted in the coming weeks. If you haven't done so already, send in a question.

UPDATE: Rainy Season

2008-06-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

I have to laugh at myself. At least this year, the rainy season in Japan is proceeding as "officially" planned. It is a bit earlier than usual but it looks as if we will indeed have a June - July rainy season. Feel free to enjoy the blog entry below and feel free to completely ignore it as well; it appears that this year the rain Gods have favored a more official time line! Coming in a few days, your questions on Japan, culture, living abroad, etc...

It's Officially Raining

2008-05-20T01:08:00.000-07:00

June ushers in the start of summer and with it the rainy season, or tsuyu as it is called in Japanese. Rainy season in the Tokyo area officially begins in early June and typically lasts for about a month, but I have experienced it starting as early as April or May several times. There have been years when it rains for the entire months of April and May and maybe once or twice in June. In those years it would make sense to declare that rainy season had visited us earlier. Yet rainy season in Japan has an official start date and I have learned that like most things in Japan, the "official date" for anything is not questioned - that's just how it is. It doesn't matter that June was marked by dry and splashes of sun throughout and that the preceding two months were monsoon-filled puddles of yuck; Japan's rainy season starts in June. Yet I am always hoping to find that one Japanese person who agrees with me that the rainy season has indeed started early.

A typical mid-April conversation with a co-worker:

Me: Gosh, it has been raining almost every day this week, I think rainy season has started earlier than usual this year.

Co-worker: Oh no, rainy season starts in June in the Tokyo area.

Me: But it does seem to start early some years. I always think of the rainy season as a 2-3 month period between April and June. You know, many countries in Asia have a 2-3 month rainy season.

Co-worker: In Japan, rainy season starts in June and usually lasts into July. The government announces official start and end dates.

Me: I see, so it hasn't started yet. I always forget that it starts in June.

I have become resigned to the fact that despite downpours slamming against the office windows and the wind howling through the cracks in April or May; no one seems willing to acknowledge reality - except for perhaps Madonna - read on.

I recall hearing something peculiar while watching the Madonna concert documentary, "Truth or Dare" many years ago. A clip from the film shows Madonna struggling to put on a series of shows during what she refers to as, "the rainy season" in Japan. I should also note that I was at one of those concerts in the Chiba Marine Stadium in Makuhari and was fortunate to be sitting up in the stands and just under the stadium cover. The concert was in the middle of April, too early for the officially government-sanctioned rainy season, though that is what Madonna accurately calls it and I assume was told by someone on her staff, though not likely a Japanese staff member. Madonna's assessment - that rainy season had indeed started in April, was "unofficial" though spot on that year.

A few days ago, I once again initiated the rainy season conversation with a co-worker. To my amazement, she seemed to agree with me. She mentioned that perhaps rainy season was indeed starting in May this year on account of the recent rainy and balmy weather and she shared that the combination of rain and humidity was doing a number on her hair! I assured her that her hair looked fine but that mine could use some styling after a morning of walking through wind, rain and humidity on my way to the station. It's bound to get worse once rainy season officially begins - in June that is.

Tidbits

2008-03-11T00:38:00.000-07:00

I have had several blog ideas on the back burner and have actually started writing on several diverse topics these past few months, from "Women Only" trains in Japan to the city of "Obama, Japan" and other topics as well, but I have never quite gotten around to finishing up most. And so, I have decided to present a couple of these tidbits for you here until I get around to posting a more proper entry - enjoy!

Obama, Japan

Yes, Obama-mania has arrived in Japan - well, actually, Obama, Japan has been around for some time. Here is an excerpt from a Wikipedia entry and more on the Obama - Japan connection:

The city of Obama noted the rise of American politician Barack Obama and decided to use the common name to boost publicity for the town. It began when the U.S. Senator gave a 2006 interview with Japanese television network TBS where he noted that, when passing through customs in Narita Airport, an official looking at his visa noted that he was from Obama. The Obama City Hall heard about the interview and the mayor, Toshio Murakami, sent Senator Obama a set of the city’s famous lacquer chopsticks, a DVD about the city and a letter wishing him the best. As Senator Obama's 2008 United States Democratic Presidential campaign began to grow, more local businesses began to organize primary parties and post "Go Obama!" posters, sell "I love Obama" T-shirts, and produce manjū with Senator Obama's face on them. There are a number of Japanese with the surname Obama, though the American Senator is of Kenyan Luo heritage; it is not uncommon for Japanese and East African names to sound alike.

Senator Obama has since thanked the town for their gifts and support, saying "I look forward to a future marked by the continued friendship of our two great nations and a shared commitment to a better, freer world".

What a small world indeed. I am reminded of how connected we all are. Obama derives from both Japan and Kenya and now of course, part of the American experience. Truly amazing.

Women Only

As seen on Tokyo area trains and subway cars:

This car is reserved for women only between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Japanese women need to be protected from perverts on train cars during their morning commutes. That is a policy decision that has been made by various railways in conjunction with the Tokyo Metro Subway authorities. Apparently, the problem had escalated to a point that some commuters demanded the railways take action. And so, discrimination and segregation in public transportation is now sanctioned in many parts of Japan.

Before I heard of the proposal to designate certain cars for women only during the morning rush hour, I knew of the groping problem on trains through news stories and from anecdotes I had heard while living in Japan. Certain lines were notorious for these problems, namely the Saikyo line. Over the years, I have asked female friends in Japan if they had ever been assaulted on trains or subways and if so, how did they react? Most shared that they had indeed been assaulted and that the circumstances on the crowded train did not afford them the opportunity to fight back or move away from the offender, or even identify the offender.

You see, morning commuter trains are packed - think, a can of sardines. With people crammed in and unable to move, if someone touched you, would you know who it was? Could it have been an accident? Unintended? Who really knows but women have had their suspicions. Yet, when asked, many women have completely unrelated reasons for preferring these male-free trains: odor. Yes, when one reads the newspaper articles covering this issue, inevitably many of the female interviewees will profess a dislike for the male odor and its varieties! I asked one of my female co-workers and she said, "Well, I don't like the smell of many of the men, especially the middle-aged men." I found these responses to be quite common. And so, women get their own cars during the morning commute because they don't like the smell of men, hmm - OK. So much for the original intention behind the policy.

Work-life balance

2008-01-29T23:10:00.001-08:00

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.

Thomas Jefferson

I have always been one to choose family over work - to me, it's a no-brainer - there is nothing to negotiate. Would you choose having dinner with your children over sitting in a smoke filled bar or restaurant with clients or colleagues after work hours? If you regularly choose the latter perhaps it is time to reassess your work-life balance.

The debate over work-life balance is one that began many years ago in the US but has only recently entered the workplace lexicon in Japan. It seems to be a slow process yet folks are discussing the concept with many, including men, incorporating more of this balance into their lives. Over the years, I have often asked Japanese friends about their childhood memories and the time they spent with their parents. More often than not, I have heard these friends reflect on the absence of fathers in their lives: "I never saw my father while growing up." "My father never played with me in my childhood." I have read articles recently about a shift in priorities that has taken place among Japanese couples in their 20s and 30s. This shift seems to place more emphasis on spending time with families and less focus on one's company or workplace, which have historically (at least since the end of the war) often substituted for one's own family. Whereas, in the 80s and 90s, folks felt more pressure to go out with the boss regularly after work (especially males) more seem willing to pass and take the early train home in order to spend time with family. Yet change is hard and the pressure to maintain the status quo remains.

In my own workplace, I am the only non-Japanese working on my floor and the only FT professional of my rank to leave regularly after eight hours of work at around 5:30 p.m. Of course, I have parental responsibilities to my son that my employer knew of at the time I was hired and also, most of the work I do is not subject to deadlines and other work-related pressures, but still, I can't help but feel for my colleagues with families who regularly miss out on the joys of parenting while working well past their children's bed times and many only able to see their kids on weekends - that is, if they are not working. In my view, something is just not right with this situation.

I suspect that part of the problem, at least in my individual workplace, is that family is simply not valued. A few of the partners in our firm, including the managing partner, are in their 50s and 60s and do not have children. Thus, they have been free to live a life without a work-life balance that encompasses family, particularly children. When some of these folks in senior positions are on the hunt for co-workers to go out with after work, they often snag younger staff who cannot refuse these invitations due to rigid rules of hierarchy and status in Japan, especially prevalent in the workplace. So, imagine yourself, a father of two, hoping you might be able to make it home one night a week to have dinner with your family. Suddenly, your superior calls you in and asks you to open the whiskey and have a chat. Before you know it, it is well past 10:00 p.m.; you and your senior colleague are now singing karaoke at a pub; your wife has put the kids to bed and once again, you have chosen your colleagues over your family - you have no work-life balance. You feel guilty because you have let your family down but you would have felt guilty had you left your office at 5:30 p.m. and skipped the social outings with your colleagues. Is there a solution to such imbalance in one's life?

As in any workplace, values are often communicated from the higher ups. If the head of a firm or company values family and encourages staff to leave at a reasonable hour in order to spend time with one's family, then work-life balance is a valued idea. Yet I also believe that change has to come from within and it is an individual responsibility to take a stand and create a new way of thinking and design a new reality that values family. For example, many of my co-workers with children still labor under the old mindset that work comes before family and only after they have finished putting in a 12 hour day can they go home. Folks have to begin saying no - not tonight; I'll finish it in the morning; it can wait; I don't need another bonus. I am often told it is cultural and that perhaps I don't understand the work ethic in Japan - I don't believe that is true. I see both parents picking up their children from daycare and school all the time; many who drop-off and pick up kids at my son's school are fathers; there are many men on the commute home - men who leave their offices at decent hours - men who have made a conscious decision to create a work-life balance and put family needs first. It can be done if one is willing to challenge conventional wisdom.

Gratitude and Giving

2007-10-10T00:14:00.000-07:00

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare think.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This morning as I made my way to the train station I passed an old building that looked as if it had been vacant for quite some time. The windows were dirty, it was dark and vines and bushes were growing up and around the building. And then, I saw a worn neon light hanging in one of the windows that said, "Stardust Road." It made me smile.

I smiled because I immediately thought of the holiday displays on this road to the station that were out last year. Many of the merchants on this street had the same sign in their store fronts last year. I suppose it was the neighborhood association's attempt to create a festive mood and so the merchants got together and decided that the road would be renamed "Stardust Road" during the holiday season.

Now, I know it is a bit early to begin thinking about the holidays, well, maybe not. By next month, the decorations will be up here in Japan and all over the US as well. Holiday tunes will soon be piped into stores and restaurants and all of the KFCs here in Japan will have dressed up and displayed Colonel Sanders in his Santa outfit in front of all their stores - no kidding. I can't wait for the season to begin.

That warm feeling I was overcome with this morning is what I call the spirit of Christmas gratitude and giving. Now, I don't mean giving in the material sense or the consumerism that gets out of hand at this time of year, I mean gratitude for the love we receive each day from our family, friends and even strangers. I mean giving, not to our children, who want that latest Nintendo Wii, or iPod, or some other gadget; I mean giving beyond the ordinary and in an unexpected way. Giving in a way that doesn't ask for anything in return; perhaps giving anonymously, doing someone a favor and not expecting recognition or reward. Giving because you want to contribute to the karma of the larger community - give, because one person really can make a difference.

As the season of giving is upon us, I have put together my own list of giving suggestions for this holiday season and would like to share it with you. Some won't cost you anything; some a few yen or dollars - all are gifts of the heart:

1. Go through your closets and donate good used clothing to a shelter, or a non-profit organization; or pass clothing on to a neighbor who could use it. There are also many orphanages overseas that could really use a box of clothing for their babies, toddlers, older kids or staff and it will only cost you the postage. Do a search on the Internet and I bet you could find lots of international organizations willing to help you in this regard.

2. Think about those close to you: family, friends, co-workers and others. Make a list of these people and write an uplifting or positive word next to their names. It could be a word inspired by something they did for you or someone else during the last year. Have a discussion with each person on your list over the next few weeks and find a way to incorporate that positive word into your conversation. That would be a gift worth remembering, indeed.

3. Go to the website for "Network for Good" and donate to a charity of your choice. This is a convenient way to make a difference and perhaps donate a few dollars to a non-profit you had always wanted to support but never quite got around to doing it. You can even narrow your search for organizations in your state or city. You can also search for organizations by keyword; so if there is a cause that you believe in, there may be a struggling organization that would really appreciate your gesture. You can donate anonymously, or you can share your information with the organization in case you want to be added to their mailing list and stay informed about their work. I have added the link for Network for Good to the left of the post.

4. These days most of us write to each other in electronic format and rarely send out handwritten notes or letters. Give your fingers a workout and sit down and write a letter to someone. What a thrill it would be for someone to receive your handwritten message. Write a special message in all of your holiday cards this year to let folks know you are thinking of them. I bet you have forgotten how beautiful your writing is.

5. Go to Target or Safeway and buy a few gift cards and distribute them to your local churches, or head start programs. Teachers or church staff can always identify folks in need and perhaps go shopping and buy some kids a warm winter coat, or another family would enjoy an opportunity to buy some fresh fruit and vegetables at their local supermarket.

6. Offer an apology to someone and ask for forgiveness. This is powerful and positive gesture that can only bring more calm and peace to your life. Remember, an apology should be specific, not general. Make specific amends for those specific acts that have caused others pain, or sorrow. An apology can set you free and take a great weight off your shoulders. We have all done wrong and surely we can reach out and offer the gift of apology this holiday season.

7. Offer forgiveness. All of us know how hard it is to offer forgiveness to those who have harmed us in some way. Many of us hold on to pain and sorrow and become bitter in the process. Bitterness needs to be released and can only cause us more trouble as it festers and eats away at our spirit. Whom do you need to forgive? Give yourself the gift of forgiveness this season and begin healing.

8. Find a new way of volunteering. Many of us volunteer with organizations we are familiar with, or perhaps it has been years since we volunteered. Perhaps it's time to step away from our comfort zones and volunteer for an organization that is completely outside of our professional or social networks. If you are a teacher, instead of tutoring, perhaps you could work at the food bank this year; if you are a lawyer; don't do pro bono this season; volunteer to read to children. These days, it is even possible to volunteer "virtually" via the Net. Yes, there is an organization that matches folks and many of these opportunities can be done via distance (I will put the link to the left).

9. Thank your public servants and elected officials for their service. This is a tough time to be serving in government. There are so many demands on these folks and many of them serve at great sacrifice to their families. Most of the time we contact them when we wish to complain about a vote or an issue (I know I do!) yet how often do we write to thank them for their service to our country? We may not agree on every issue yet we can agree that being a public servant is a difficult and often thankless job. Send then an e-mail or note over the holidays.

10. Finally, give a gift to the earth. Think about ways that you could conserve energy or recycle resources. How about taking your bath water out of your tub with a bucket and filling your washing machine for the first cycle? That water is fine and can easily be used for the wash cycle. Don't worry, it will be drained and your final rinse cycle will be with clean and fresh water! Mother nature gives us so much - give her a gift today.

I hope some of the suggestions above spark some interest in your hearts this holiday season and perhaps you can consider a new approach to gratitude and giving. For those of you with children this is a wonderful opportunity to involve them in some new and thoughtful rituals while teaching them invaluable lessons. And, I hope that all of you get a chance to visit your own Stardust Road over the holidays.

Many blessings and much joy to all.

Greg

You must be fluent in Japanese!

2007-09-23T03:48:00.001-07:00

I hesitate to post on the topic of learning Japanese for the simple reason that I am frustrated, and frankly ashamed, that my language skills are not at all would they could be after having lived and worked in Japan off and on for over fifteen years. I have all kinds of rationalizations for my lack of skills, yet none can hide the fact that no, I am not fluent by any stretch. So, let me rationalize a bit and make some excuses first, and then I'll explain how I am slowly but surely making progress with the aid of my six year old tutor.

My first tour of Japan was in the late 80s as part of the large influx of English teachers that were being recruited abroad to work in language schools throughout the country. At that time, I was just finishing up my undergraduate degree and had been interviewing for social service type positions. After my second interview for a job as a health services educator, I began to grow concerned that I didn't feel a "passion" for the job I had a chance of actually being hired to do. It just didn't feel like a good fit to me; yet I was still attracted to the field of education.

During that summer after graduating from college, I had a job working on campus as a student dormitory manager and because the campus was quiet during the summer months I had ample time to continue my job search. It was during this summer that I met a fellow student who had just returned from a year studying in Japan. She and I talked at length about her experiences in Kyoto, the ancient city and former capital. I listened intently as she shared her experiences learning Japanese, making friends and even working part-time as an English tutor. She encouraged me to do some research and check out the opportunities and so over that summer I did and in October after graduation I headed to Japan.

That initial commitment to work in Japan for two years as an English teacher turned into just over four years. One would think that four years in a foreign country would be ample opportunity to learn a foreign language - well, yes and no. English teachers in Japan communicate mostly in - you guessed it - English. Students want to speak English with you; other native teachers of English speak, well, English and Japanese teachers of English want to practice their English with the foreign teachers at their schools. Add to this the reality that many English teachers spend their days off socializing with other English teachers - again, speaking English. And, English teachers who date Japanese, often hook up with partners who have studied in English speaking countries and you guessed it - they prefer English as well. So in sum, there is a subculture of English speakers in the English teacher's world and all members generally speak, English. It is what I would terms a cultural comfort zone and when one becomes comfortable in the zone it is very hard to break free from its hold.

Of course there are exceptions to what I have written above and some foreign teachers and other professionals with whom I have either worked or became acquainted with over the years, were diligent learners of Japanese and took regular lessons. They practiced with their neighbors, friends, the local shopkeeper, and anyone else who would indulge them. I didn't meet very many of these folks but again, I hung out with members of the English speaking ghetto most of the time.

Another population of folks that must learn Japanese, are those who come to Japan for the sole purpose of language study with the goal of entering a Japanese undergraduate or graduate program. Many of these students come from the larger Asia region, yet there are quite a few from North America, Europe and other regions as well. These are individuals who study intensively for six months to a year and may also hold part-time jobs that require them to speak Japanese. Needless to say, the Japanese language proficiency of this population is quiet high.

I have come to my own conclusion that one's knowledge of Japanese, or any foreign language for that matter, depends in large part on necessity. English teachers in Japan, most of whom had only planned to work and live here for a couple of years, really had no motivation, nor was there a real necessity to learn Japanese: the schools they worked for found them apartments; set up the logistics for paying their utilities; negotiated with their landlords if there were problems; bought their monthly train and bus passes; set up bank accounts; processed their visa paperwork and assisted teachers with all kinds of daily living concerns. The problem is, once one is outside of this support system it becomes more of a necessity to learn the language and do things for oneself.

A few years ago, I began stepping out on my own when I grew tired of asking friends to help me with apartment hunting; I decided to learn some language targeted to dealing with real estate agents and seemed to do quite well in this area. I went out on my own several times and asked to view apartments; negotiated deposits and fees, somewhat crudely, yes, but I began to feel linguistically self-sufficient for the first time in Japan. But it pretty much ended there - I knew targeted and specific vocabulary and expressions that were limited to that context and it didn't really transfer to other areas of my life in Japan. At the same time, this was a lift to my self-esteem and planted the seeds for my next boost in the Japanese language. Now, in my present professional life, working in the area of international law, I still use English at work but several of my co-workers don't speak English all that well, so I practice my Japanese with them in an attempt to maintain cordial and smooth relations. But, the most important factor that has motivated me to further increase my proficiency in Japanese recently, is having a child enrolled in a Japanese school - where they speak, Japanese of course. It has now become a necessity for me to communicate with the teachers and staff of his school, most of whom cannot communicate in English.

My son has lived in Japan for nearly two years now. He is six years old and a budding bilingual speaker of English and Japanese and will, or already has, surpassed my foundational competency in Japanese. In fact, I now ask him for help when I get stuck. He is actually a wonderful teacher and more than willing to serve in the role as my tutor; though he is a bit strict at times! These days I am studying Japanese faithfully and am enrolled in a correspondence course and also finished six months of private lessons last year. I even passed my first assessment test a couple of months ago and am preparing for my next level test. I can read the alphabets (Hiragana and Katakana) and some Chinese characters (called "Kanji" in Japanese); my listening skills have improved dramatically over the last year and my speaking skills, though lagging behind reading and listening are much better today than they were when we returned to Japan nearly two years ago. So, yes, I am making progress, but I am nowhere near being fluent in the language and every time I turn to my son to ask, "How do I say...?" I am reminded of how little I know.

Revelation

2007-09-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

Anger rained down on them in the form of bombs
Yet, the father didn't know; the mother didn't know
and the child with shrapnel sticking out of her tiny head
and a river of red running down her face, didn't know
Why?

Whose anger destroys my house?
Whose anger kills my only child?
Did I do something wrong?
God?

A mother in Seattle saw her children off to school
today and will tomorrow and the next day and then
they will come home with pictures drawn and books
and lessons to complete from their teachers.

My grandmother died today when her roof collapsed on
her while she slept and crushed her skull, her body and
I know you didn't want to hear that but really,

My grandmother was a peaceful loving soul who made
sure all the children in our small community had food
and clothing and something to wear on their feet.
Why?
God?

Today, on the Sabbath there were prayers for the less fortunate,
the sinner and those who had been led astray by the forces of
evil and as they filed out of the pews, they took up collections
and then on Tuesday vote against gay marriage, health care for
children, and abortionists, because to take a life that is precious,
or to pervert another, is contrary to all that God commands of
us and we should repent.

"Speak out my brothers and sisters! Do God's will - He
commands us to be moral and go forth in this life to speak for
those with no voices."

Each night the father has the same dream and hears a tiny voice
among the sounds of bullets and bombs, struggling to be heard.
"Who spoke for me, Papa? Mama?
And grandma?
God?"

Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Forgive them Lord for they know not what they do."

(Luke 23:34)

In praise of diversity

2007-08-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

In my last blog posting, I wrote a bit about an attractive feature of life in Japan - an excellent public transportation system. In this post, I would like to discuss a topic that many approach carefully and that is frankly, controversial at times - though it need not be. I would like to discuss an aspect of American culture that I have come to value more since living abroad.

The colors, cultures and hues of diversity have become more apparent since I brought a child into my life. In 2005, my son and I lived in Seattle, where he attended a preschool a short walk from our home. The make-up of his class was a mixture of children all representing various populations and life experiences. There was Aliyah, a beautiful African-American girl of four, whose mother I identified immediately by her manners that had obviously been passed along to her daughter. Apparently, Aliyah considered herself my son's "girlfriend" as well and I was surprised one day when she informed me that the two had, "broke up" but, were still friends. These two children were brought together despite the odds they would never meet - he born in China - she in the US; both children of color from different ends of the rainbow.

I adored the twins as well, Luis and Emanuel - often dressed the same and brought to school by mom or grandma, with whom I sometimes had difficulty communicating due to my lack of Spanish and her (grandma's) emerging yet still basic set of English skills. Yet we were able to communicate through smiles, gestures and a few words and within several months, our communication strategies had become quite natural as we grew more comfortable with each other.

There was also, Mason - who can forget active, lively, curly-haired, Mason! He and my son had an on and off again relationship - best friends one day, fighting the next. "Did you play with, Mason today?" I often asked my son, and depending on the mood of each on any given day, the answer would vary. Mason was the product of a bi-racial home and his mother and I had a few chats about the importance of diversity in our children's lives and education and our attempts at investigating and searching out schools that valued our ideals and beliefs and would nurture our children of color and respect their unique realities and contributions.

At times, here in Japan, I become frustrated by what I view as a lack of appreciation for, and awareness of, diversity in thought, race, culture, language and education, yet I do understand the origins of the historical reality of Japanese thought on this issue. Japan, an island country isolated for hundreds of years, has not nurtured an organic awareness, and appreciation of, diversity. There does not seem to be a full awareness of the value that Korean and Chinese immigrants have brought to this country over many years; or the indigenous Ainu population on the Northern island of Hokkaido; or the native Okinawan peoples; or bi-lingual, bi-racial and bi-cultural children; or women, who carried this country through its post-war construction period and made all the advances we see today possible, or gays and lesbians, who are still mostly invisible or stereotyped; or foreign laborers who have taken up the slack and do jobs that many Japanese refuse and yet are often discriminated against and portrayed as "criminals" by the Japanese media - and I am sure I have missed other segments of society. All of these people mentioned above create the fabric of what is Japan yet they are often invisible due to a widely perpetuated myth of homogeneity. Diversity is simply not valued as part of the larger cultural fabric of Japan, the country, as it is in the US and many other countries. There do not appear to be any real attempts at creating a dialogue on issues of diversity here in the larger community, and from my own experience, it is hard to engage folks in discussions along these lines. That is not to say there aren't Japanese engaged in issues of diversity - there are and their voices are just beginning to be heard.

Today, I think about the diversity value inherent in immigration and how it has shaped the cultural fabric of the US. I think about my great grandfather, who left his homeland in Scandinavia never to return. Who shaped his American dream with his hands and the sweat of his brow. I think about my family with origins in Europe, Southeast Asia, China, Japan and the wonderful rainbow that warms my heart. Have there been struggles? Indeed. Are there ongoing racial and cultural issues that have yet to be resolved? They do exist, in both families and the larger community. Yet, in spite of the challenges that are inherent in bringing together folks from different cultures, races and religions, there is dialogue and awareness of these issues in the US. There is discussion and debate - all part of the American tradition. And today, I want to celebrate and honor that.

Public transportation - hands down

2007-08-10T02:12:00.001-07:00

Folks often ask me what I like most about life in Japan - aside from my praise for the universal health care system (see earlier blog) without hesitation, I always respond by citing the virtues of public transportation in Japan. Having used mass transit in the greater Tokyo area for many years, I am sold. It is an efficient, clean and cost effective system and I have heard it praised as among the best in the world - that could be so. I first used public transportation as a child of nine or ten. I was introduced to the King County Metro Transit bus system in Seattle by my older siblings, with whom I would often tag along as they rode the bus downtown to do school shopping, rummage through record shops, see a movie or just hang out. Those bus rides into the city meant freedom for me and I grew to love the sights, sounds and smells of the city. Over the years, I have developed an affinity for buses, trains, monorail systems and most other forms of public transportation and I connect the dots back to those early tag along bus rides.

In the Puget Sound region of Washington state, my other home, we have been debating the issue of boosting funding for a more sophisticated public transportation infrastructure for years it seems. Unfortunately, leadership on this issue was (and still is) lacking and it took several years before the voters in the region finally approved funding for "Sound Transit" and a regional mix of commuter rail, link light rail, buses and other funding for transportation infrastructure. Phases of the plan have already been put in place and thousands of commuters are now reaping the benefits of commuting via rail from the cities to the south and north of Seattle. One of the beneficiaries of this new system is my sister who takes the train into the city each day for work. She drives to the station each morning and after parking her car boards the train bound for Seattle. Not only does she save on gas and emit less toxins into the air while doing her part for the environment, but I am sure she would tell you that it is a much less stressful commute. She can sit back, relax, read a book or even meditate ( In Japan, many morning commuters can be seen catching some shut eye during the commute - even while standing!).

Each weekday morning, I also commute by train into Tokyo from the northeast suburb where I live. After dropping my son off at school, I walk an additional fifteen minutes and board the train at Kita-matsudo station. Trains run every five minutes or so in the morning, so I am never concerned if I miss the 8:20 as I know the 8:25 will be along shortly. The train I ride is a hybrid commuter rail/subway line. Many lines in the greater Tokyo area double as commuter rail once they exit the vast network of the underground subway system. The conductor gets off on the last stop of the subway and then the commuter rail conductor hops on for the next line and the reverse in the other direction (rail conductor off - subway conductor on). This makes life much easier for commuters who need not get off at the last subway stop and transfer to the commuter rail line, but can simply stay on as the subway line extends into the next line. The trains that function this way can of course be used on either set of tracks - above or below ground - basically a light rail model.

I also have several choices with respect to which lines I can transfer to once underground and connected to Tokyo's mammoth underground maze. I can get off first at Kita-senju and transfer to the Hanzomon line - this takes a bit longer so I generally continue on further into the city a few more stops. I can also transfer at Otemachi, a busy subway terminal near Tokyo station with lots of crowds and if I want to avoid these I can ride another stop or two. Next, if I have the choice of transferring at Hibiya station and then onto the Yurakucho line to my office. I often choose this transfer point as this line drops me closest to my office and operates a bit higher above ground with fewer and shorter escalators to ascend once I reach my office stop. Wait, one more choice! I also have the option of riding one stop past my office and then transferring or getting off the subway at Kokkai-gijidomae (It took me years to pronounce this station!). I sometimes use this option when I am in the mood to walk about ten minutes to the office, or stop off at the Starbucks at this station. On the commute home - same choices, same options in reverse.

Is commuting via train hassle-free? Of course not, particularly given the population of the greater Tokyo area and millions of commuters ride the rails each day and so the inevitable crowding and difficulty finding a seat occur and it is always a challenge. During peak morning periods, I usually have a strategy - which car to board, where to stand, where space might open based on past experience, which part of the train has less crowding, etc. It doesn't always work out and in these summer months I often find myself crammed in next to someone sweating profusely, or whose pores ooze with the stink of last night's mix of garlic barbecue and beer! In such cases, I plot my escape as soon as the train stops and more commuters get off and the people shuffling begins. I must be quick if I wish to be part of the reshuffling as a fresh supply of commuters eagerly wait at the door to board, each casing the train for their own strategic purposes.

When I find my own little corner on the train the commute is heaven. Positioned under the air conditioner, reading my newest Haruki Murakami novel or a newspaper and with no cares in the world. I arrive on time, there are rarely significant delays and the subways are clean and well-maintained. Additionally, on those rare occasions when I have to attend a work-related social event, I can have a few drinks and not be concerned as I have a designated driver courtesy of Tokyo's public transportation system. Other benefits include, no car payments, no insurance bills and no maintenance and upkeep worries or expenses. And of course, public transportation is more environmentally friendly and each day I do my part and contribute to the larger community. Don't get me wrong, in August I would gladly drive to work each day if I could - temperatures in the mid-90s with commensurate humidity levels and that walk to the station feels like moving slow motion through a sauna. Sometimes on the warmest days, instead of walking to the station, I drop off my son at school and then walk two blocks to the bus stop and hop on my old reliable friend for five minutes of air-conditioned heaven before being dropped off in front of the station for the commute into the city.

17 days to earn votes

2007-07-31T00:47:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, Japanese went to the polls to vote in parliamentary elections. Half of the seats in Japan's Upper House were being contested and in the end, the governing party - the Liberal Democratic Party (who aren't all that liberal = US Republicans) lost their hold on the upper chamber to the Democratic Party of Japan (somewhat similar to US Democrats). Turning control over to a new political party is likely a good thing for Japan as the conservatives have dominated in Japan for decades but that's not the point of this blog posting. Instead, I want to share attractive and annoying features of Japanese elections.

The election campaign lasted a mere seventeen days - that's it 17 - count 'em (that's the attractive part). The campaign kicked off on July 12 and ended with the July 29 election. Candidates had a bit over two weeks to convince voters in their respective districts to send them to the nation's capital. Why only seventeen days you ask? Well, it's part of Japan's election law. All election campaigning starts and ends on specified dates, usually about two weeks. This applies to both national and local elections.

Campaign season in Japan is a rush to the finish line and a competition to see who can get his or her name into the public consciousness in the brief period. A campaign tool relied on heavily in Japan is the election sound truck - trucks or vans roll through neighborhoods on weekends, often starting around breakfast time and blasting a candidate's "message" through loudspeakers to voters (now, we get to the annoying part), "Good morning everyone, I am Takako Sumida of the Liberal Party and I would appreciate your vote; Takako Sumida, candidate, Takako Sumida, please vote for me, Takako Sumida, I would appreciate your support, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, please vote for me, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, how's your breakfast? Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, I'm still here, Takako Sumida, thank you for your support, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, I really am a nice person, Takako Sumida, vote please, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, are you still listening? Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, Takako Sumida, could I get a cup of coffee?" Did you get the message? No? OK, once more, Takako Sumida, Ta...OK, I'll stop.

Well, you get my point. Instead of being bombarded for months as is common in US elections (though seems like an endless campaign these days), the Japanese get blasted for a mere 17 days, but get blasted they do, "Takako Sumida..." OK, I promise no more. I have asked Japanese friends why they put up with such noise pollution and if they would in fact vote for a candidate who disturbed their Sunday morning peace. Some have shared that it does annoy them and they might not vote for a candidate who overdid it. I have also been told that candidates repeat broken record style in order to reach elderly voters. They know that many elderly voters have failing memories and will get into the voting booth and look at the list of candidates and only recall the name he or she heard over and over for the last two weeks, and that must be how the Takako Sumidas of Japan win elections in 17 days.

Paying the Price: Absence, Fondness and Heart

2007-07-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Last night, I had a dream about two old friends; neither of whom I have seen in many years. I don't recall the exact circumstances under which we met in the dream yet I recall their names and faces and some type of interaction. I miss them both, yet have come to accept that distance and time make it challenging to maintain relationships.

There are many people whose friendships I have lost over the years while living between Japan and the US; I was once told it was a price one pays for living as an expatriate. In fact, an Australian with whom I discussed this issue, and who has lived in Japan for many years, stated bluntly, "We are punished and made to pay a price." Unfortunately for me, it is a truth I live and a price I have paid - and yes, I do feel punished at times.

Even in today's hi-tech, communication savvy world, I often feel I have become persona non grata. It is as if once you are abroad you become the distant relative or friend with whom folks correspond or chat with once or twice a year, but don't push it. It doesn't matter how many times you may remind these friends and relatives that you are truly connected - "I have e-mail! Please, write!" or, "Hey, I now have a LOCAL IP phone number so I can stay better connected with all of you - call, anytime - no really - I have an unlimited plan; I'll call you back- NO COST to you." Few write, almost none call and you (I) still pay the price.

Most days I am fine and stay busy with family, work and life in general. Yet there are moments when I ponder and contemplate giving up the IP Phone - no messages again today, why do I have it; why bother? But each week either my mom or sister do call and it comes in handy when I need to call my US bank or conduct some other business from afar and without the cost of making a long distance call - and so I reason it's worth it.

It is true, I am the one who can't make it to parties or family events; who can't join you for a cup of coffee at Starbucks, or for dinner or a movie; who is, well, just not there. If I am not there - you can't see me; if you can't see me, you can't fit me into your personal universe. I guess that box in which I exist for some, has become comfortable for both of us. If I were to make a bit of noise and try to open the top and peek out once in a while, I might invade comfort zones that don't include me. I have been managed out of most people's daily lives - not forgotten, just placed much further down the priority list. Of course, it conveniently works both ways, "Oh, I forgot it was your birthday! Was it really your 25th anniversary last month? You know living here makes it hard to remember dates! I will write it down and promise to remember next year!" And of course, I never do.

When in Rome, listen

2007-07-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Several years ago as an undergraduate, I read a collection of short stories on the experience of being foreign. The stories chronicled the journeys of immigrants in a variety of cultural contexts. All were struggling with the challenges inherent in learning new languages, social and cultural customs and just simply trying to fit in. They all seemed to have one thing in common - maintaining a sense of self in the midst of tremendous change. At the time I read this collection, some twenty years ago, I never dreamed that many of their experiences would one day be my own.

I have many expectations of myself as a foreigner living in Japan. At times, I am hard on myself, "Why can't you just fit in?" and this one, "You are being too American." I suppose placing such expectations on myself and not being able to meet them a great deal of the time compounds the stress I often feel when my foreign self is very raw and very apparent. After several years abroad, I am still conflicted about when it is OK to just be me. Yet, who am I? Who is this me that I should just simply be?

Cultural traits often attributed to Japanese are cooperative; non-confrontational; humble and afraid of offending someone lest they lose face and are embarrassed, especially in front of others. Contrast that with the traits most often attributed to Americans: opinionated and proud. I have straddled these cultural divides and have experienced the truth in many of the attributes listed above. At times, I feel I am engaged as a facilitator between multiple selves: the American self, proud and opinionated; the global self, culturally sensitive and aware and of course there is my attempt to incorporate a Japanese self, patient, humble and aware of when to merely be. There are compromises made each day and not always the win-win ideal I strive for. The truth is, I am not Japanese and never will be yet I am free to borrow liberally from Japanese cultural attributes and customs and hope that in some way my attempts to incorporate these into my daily life brings a bit more comfort with and awareness of, my surroundings and influences for the better, my evolving sense of self.

Americans are often instilled, or more accurately, burdened with, a "We are number one!" mantra and this can naturally become a component of the cultural self in very subtle ways. We get the message through media and government as well, that because we have had an unprecedented historical period in which we have dominated in economics, entertainment and politics and let's not forget, militarily, no other country can match the depth and breadth of our domination and hence, many believe, superiority. Now, of course many Americans do get out a bit and begin chipping away at this belief and understand that its currency is not worth much to the rest of the globe; yet quite a few Americans remain captive, again in subtle ways, and are unable to see beyond the propaganda from their government and the mainstream media they consume day in and day out. I believe that the best antidote to this cultural inertia, is not that complicated: meet new people whose life experiences and cultures do not resemble your own, listen, ask questions, read and search out other sources of information. Fortunately, from a distance I am better able to do just that.

In Japan, I have listened to Australians rail against American cultural imperialism; Japanese who ask if Americans like war; Kiwis discussing the election of Prime Minister Helen Clark and the historical attempts at reconciliation with the indigenous Maori population in New Zealand; I have talked with a refugee from Eritrea and heard his story of conflict and chaos and how he came to work and live in Japan before he was forced out of his job as a diplomat due to internal strife in his country; I've had dinner with Japanese and Canadians, while sitting across from an Italian television reporter with her Thai date and with whom we engaged in conversation about current events and life abroad; I heard the protesters against the Iraq war outside the US Embassy in Tokyo, a few doors down from my former office and walked by them at lunch, Americans, Japanese, South Americans and Europeans; I have listened to a woman from Taiwan proudly exclaim that she was Taiwanese not Chinese; I have sat across from a weeping Japanese woman, whose aunt perished in Hiroshima and who carried the pain of this memory as told to her by her mother; I have shared a nightclub table with a couple from Pakistan and discussed the fate of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, whose autobiography, Daughter of the East, I had read as a college student, and so much more; so many stories.

Some of the greatest gifts I have been given over the years while living in Japan, have been the encounters as highlighted above, with folks from all walks of life - opportunities that would have been unavailable had I not been here and I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate to have participated. I am still my perceived American self; I am still as opinionated as ever and maintain a strong sense of and connection to, traditional American values and beliefs of justice (and yeah, it's a struggle these days). Yet I am also a better listener and more respectful of realities that do not mirror my own. I am more patient with criticism of my country; less defensive and better able to appreciate the view that is being offered. I guess I am beginning to understand the essence of what it means to have a world view and a more global sense of self.

In praise of universal coverage

2007-07-12T00:18:00.000-07:00

The issue of health care is front and center these days due in large part to Michael Moore's new film. His documentary, "Sicko" shines a light on a dysfunctional health care system that does more to serve the interests of for-profit insurers than it does for the average American citizen. One of the most absurd features of the US for-profit health care system is denying someone access to treatment or a procedure based on a pre-existing condition.

I recall trying to explain the concept of pre-existing condition to a friend from another country. This person could not fully grasp the concept as applied to health care because in his reality it did not exist - a reality where every citizen has access to high quality and affordable medical and dental care and would never be denied treatment based on past treatment, or a present medical condition - isn't that when people would most need care - to treat a present medical condition? Of course it is.

I am privileged to be able to share a view on this issue as a resident of a country that has an excellent universal heath care system, and thankfully NO pre-exisiting condition exclusions. In Japan, where I work and live, I am fully covered under a comprehensive universal coverage scheme through my city office. The process of enrolling was straightforward and painless. I presented myself at the city office, answered a few questions regarding visa status (I hold a work visa), last year's income in Japan (I had none as I had been in the US) and then I waited for a few minutes. The clerk came back with a new health insurance certificate for my family and informed me that I would receive my insurance premium invoice in a few weeks.

Sure enough, in a few weeks I received my insurance premium invoice in the mail. The annual premium was approximately $300.00 US dollars. I had to look again and confirm this with a Japanese friend - there was no mistake. I had the option of paying in ten installments or in a lump sum. At that premium I opted to take care of it all at once and viola, our health insurance was paid up for a year. Of course, our premiums were nominal due to not having any income to report in Japan for the previous year; this year they are higher but still much lower (around $230.00 per month for two people) than what I would pay for a private policy for my family in the US - another excellent feature of this plan is that the premium also includes long-term care insurance for adults over the age of 40.

There is nothing like the feeling of security that comes from knowing that when necessary, you and your family have access to affordable medical and dental treatment. Having been without such coverage in the US and having experienced the accompanying anxiety, I feel fortunate to be able to participate in a system that is, unfortunately, and sadly, out of reach for 47 million Americans, many of whom are children. Stay tuned for more posts on this topic as well as more cross-cultural musings and the view from here.