Japanese and American Cultural Differences

A few talking points to ponder:

1. When it comes to customer service, the Japanese are the hardest to please and may be the most demanding customer in the world. My wife worked in the tourism industry for a year in Los Angeles and dealt with Japanese tourist on a regular basis and can confirm this. They expect things to be done on time and completed in a first class manner. Quality is the trademark of Japanese products in the US.

The exception to the rule is the lack of quality when it comes to Japanese homes. For example, poorly insulated homes with no central heating with a life expectancy of about 20 years. It is not uncommon to see a half fallen in home next to a modern building in urban Japan. Also, you either freeze you butt off in the winter or sweat it off in the summer. I’ll go into the details more about the sorry excuse of Japanese houses at a later time.

2. In America, you can go to any restroom and in most cases there will be two kinds of water, hot water or cold water. Then after washing your hands, there will be some sort of paper towel dispenser. Then guess what? You can throw the soiled paper towel in a trash can. Imagine that.

In Japan, cold weather really sucks especially when you have to wash your hands. You have to whip out the handkerchiefs as if you are 90 years old or “Goober” of Mayberry checking the oil in your car. Trash cans? They are about as rare in Japan as finding a Santa Claus in a shopping mall. It’s OK to have all of the decorations and more and more department stores like Toys R Us at the shopping malls in Japan, but no Santa at Christmas time.

3. Have you been to a Japanese restaurant lately? You don’t necessarily need to be in Japan to experience this since I first noticed this while at a sushi bar in Redondo Beach, CA. On this particular evening, I ordered combination of sushi items from the sushi bar, while my wife ordered some broiled fish from the kitchen. In the beginning, we were happy about the dinner, enjoying the rare Okinawian beer, Orion and an appetizer. Then my order comes out and I wait a moment so that the waitress could return with my wife’s order from the kitchen. Nearly 15 minutes go by and then my wife’s order comes out. Had it not been for the delicious food, I would have complained to the owner. But, they were new, and so close to our place and serving my favorite Japanese beer, I let it slide. The next time, I made an effort to tell them, “Bring our food out together.” Not too long after that, I was listening to radio talk show host, Tom Leykis, who was ranting about a terrible dining experience he had at a sushi bar in Beverly Hills. He wanted to know why the food couldn’t be brought out at the same time. It was the same one that Madonna was a regular at.

I remember two years ago at a Jonathan’s (café similar to Denny’s) I ordered a club sandwich along with about a dozen other foreigners and the waitress brought out each person’s order one person at a time with about 3-5 minutes between deliveries. Guess who was last? I remember a colleague from the UK, who was tickled to be at Jonathan’s since he had the same name turning to me and asked, “What kind of sandwich is that anyway?”

4. More on restaurants...In Japan, when you are ready to place your order, you have to holler out in a loud voice, in Japanese the equivalent of “I’m sorry!” In Japanese, it’s Sumimasen. Maybe push a button at the table informing the waitress that you are ready.

5. At one of the junior high schools that I worked at, there was a carpet in front of the shoe changing area. So, you change your shoes, then walk across the carpet with your shoes in your hand and then put your shoes on. I don’t mind but need a shoe horn (kutsu bera) in order to put them on properly. The shoe horn is located in the spot that I just left. If I put the inside shoes on, then I will have to walk across the carpet to put the shoe horn away. It is like the guy who is painting the floor and finds himself painted into a corner and then having the sudden urge to take a leak.

6. Back in 2002, my buddy from my Navy days in San Diego met up with my wife and I while we were visiting in Japan. He wanted to experience the nightlife of Roppongi and as soon as we get out of the subway in front of the Almond shop, he turns to me with a look of grave urgency and says, “I need to pinch one.” And I don’t mean one of those girls with the nice hips either. We get into the club, Gaspanic, and he comes back from inspecting the head and says, “I noticed a public toilet out front, I’ll be right back”. Then he leaves with a hand full of napkins from the table. He returns to the club and then says, “How do they take a sh*t in a hole in the ground with out falling? I imagine his backside got chapped since it was in January.

7. If you have spent any considerable time in Japan, you will notice how people walk around with “tunnel vision”. You could be walking on your side of the road and a person will cross the street and you will have to get out of their way to avoid bumping into them. Then at the train station, a person will run past you and then get right and front of you and slow down. Then they are fumbling around for their train pass and holding up the line in the process. In Korea, they are pushing you from behind but in Japan they are stopping in front of you.

8. Not too long ago, I was at the gym and conversing with another foreigner from China. Lucky devil speaks Japanese like a native but since he isn’t Japanese, he doesn’t have a complex about talking to me. Anyway, he was complaining because he is so skinny. I replied, “How many fat old people do you see still alive?” He then went on about how the key to long life was having a positive outlook on life, not necessarily maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine.

I wrote this in December 2006 in one of those "bah, humbug moods".

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

A Cynical View of Foreigners in Japan

I recalled seeing an American in front of Roppongi Station back in 2004 holding a tin cup and a sign stating, "Spare change." As Van Halen said in their 1991 video, Right Now, "Right now, somebody's got the wrong idea."

Japan, known for it's "hammer down the nail that stands out" basically takes foreigners and either conforms them to a degree to the Japanese way or sends the disillusioned home wondering if sleeping on a futon and reading manga was cracked up to what it was suppose to be. How relevant can a gaijin (foreigner) be if he is to be different by becoming more Japanese? Isn't their uniqueness in terms of culture why they are in Japan to start with?

So, are you thinking of going to Japan for work? Here's what you have to look forward to in terms of options:

English as Second Language Teacher- basically whoring out your native English tongue (you can speak English as second language as long as it is better than the Japanese nowadays having been replaced by a Filipina at my favorite JHS my third year in Japan.

Financial Sector- I knew a guy who worked for Goldman Sachs who was working 80 hours a week in Roppongi. By the way, this was before the financial meltdown of '08. Many companies like Goldman Sachs pulled the plug on their overseas' presence leaving many foreigners in this field up shit creek without a paddle.

Commission-only head hunter- I've seen too many former English teachers get fired/quit since they couldn't make the cut in this profession or show their asses as the resident know-it-all. Basically snake oil salesmen.

English-language journalist- is viable but considering how tight the market is (newspapers becoming more and more obsolete), it is safe to say that you better have a pretty darn good and extensive portfolio and connections.

One question that I raised before returning home was, "Is Japan that special of a place where a gaijin (foreigner) feels like they are relevant since if they go home they will have to be accountable, responsible and unable to float under the radar?" The sad thing is that too many Western expatriates living in Japan forget what defined them and will do anything to stay in Japan, even if it means flushing their education, trade or experiences down the toilet.

It was around the time that I left Japan in July '07, the eikaiwa (English conversation) sector was shaken when the largest English conversation company in Japan, Nova, basically stranded 4000 employees from abroad due to their shady business practices. Now, I've met some of these employees either at a local watering hole in Omiya, Saitama, The Hub, or at the local university where I studied Japanese in Koshigaya, Saitama. They were nice enough people but the main thing that came from our conversations was how they regretted not getting accepted onto JET like I did therefore made due with the next best alternative. Don't get me started on JET rejects who ended up in Japan as members of the OSET (Ohio-Saitama English Teacher Program).

A stepping stone is what a stepping stone is. See the Forest for the trees while living and working in Japan.

Today's picture is what a ESL teacher does when visiting an elementary school.


The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Japanese Customer Service, Part 2- More on the Differences between Japanese and American Customer Service

A waitress prepares my meal in Japan, January 2005.

Originally written on March 15, 2007

Part 1: The Japanese Way

Prior to my recent trip to the US, my wife and I had a discussion about the things that we will miss about Japan. One of those things was customer service.

Back in 2005, my wife and I returned to California and after dining at our favorite seafood restaurant on the Redondo Beach Pier, we left without leaving a tip. In Japan, there is no tipping.

Later that year, my wife, mother-in-law and I flew from Japan to South Carolina for Christmas with a transfer in Chicago. To make a long story short, we missed our connection flight to South Carolina due to weather. Prior to finding this out, we checked our luggage to be picked up upon arrival in SC. After about six hours waiting to learn our fate, we checked in to a nearby hotel and called it a night. The following morning, we checked-in for our connection flight which was an indirect flight thru Philadelphia. Upon our arrival into South Carolina, we discovered that we were separated from our checked luggage. My wife had a fit. After settling down and explaining this to her mother, my mother-in-law was speechless. My wife asked how we would managed and the United Airlines agent told us with 100% confidence a blatant lie. "Spend up to $50 per person and keep your receipts and the airline will reimburse you." Being extremely pressed for time, we did this and drove four hours to meet my sister and her family in historic Charleston.

A few days later, in the process of leaving Charleston, I called to find out the status of our bags. The agent on the other end told me with 100% confidence that my baggage was waiting for me at the airport we flew into which is 20 minutes from my parent's house. I had my brother-in-law make a special trip to the airport only to find out that my bags were scheduled to arrive from Washington DC via truck the following morning. I told the airline of the phone call and even gave a name explaining why I came today. The airline didn't have anything further to say. The following morning, I made another trip to the airport wearing the $50 voucher clothes for about the third day. United Airlines still didn't have it together and tried to give me the runaround but I was fed up and told the agent to find my bags. He did with a scowl on his face. I ended up with the scowl on my face. My mother-in-laws bag had one of the wheels knocked off. It was a loaner bag from my sister-in-law who is very territorial over her belongings. I complained later on while we were in Atlanta and finally my mother-in-law insisted to speak to someone in Japanese. After all, United Airlines is operating in Japan and needs to make things right. We got a Japanese-American agent on the line from Hawaii. It satisfied my mother-in-law but there was no recourse or compensation. The cute little story about buying up to $50 was nothing more than a lie. Upon our return to Japan, my wife and mother-in-law left a week before I did. Their departure from South Carolina was very chaotic and the perfect ending to a miserable customer service experience. My wife and mother-in-law had to speed walk at the Chicago airport in order to make the flight to Japan. A week later, after calling to confirm my early morning flight was on schedule with an agent located at a call center in India, I arrive to the airport only to find out that the flight was delayed due to crew rest. I managed to make my connection flight to Japan by sprinting through the airport like OJ Simpson. I recalled finding my seat, dropping my stuff off and making a bee line to the airplane toilet to relieve myself since this was not possible at the airport due to the delay out of South Carolina.

Six months later, we managed to get reimbursed but it was from United's Japanese office since the American office didn't feel the need. I continue to fly on any other airline but United.

In March 2007, I spent my first night at a hotel in the Atlanta area. The place was not so easy to find and called from my dad's cellphone since mine was a Japanese cellphone (keitai) to get directions. I was puzzled since I was thinking that it would be off of the 285 freeway but found out that it was off the 75 freeway. That was all the hotel front desk could tell me and when I asked her if I crossed or went away from the freeway, she replied, "I'm from New York and am not good with directions." and repeated herself with the name of the freeway and its exit number. I then drove past the hotel twice due to it being behind some buildings and no sign on the road pointing me in its direction. I then called back and was told that it was behind a Waffle House (WH) restaurant. Waffle Houses at freeway exits in the southeast US are like McDonalds next to train stations in Japan. I found one WH with a parking lot behind it and had to go inside to find out if there was another WH in the area. Lucky for me I speak English but found the ordeal frustrating none the less. Once I got to the hotel, the New Yorker confirmed that she had been in Atlanta for nine years which would suggest that you have been in town long enough to get someone from the freeway to your hotel without the runaround.

A few days later, I was in SC I went to the same Arby's that my dad would take me to after basketball games as a kid. I ordered some Beef n' Cheddar sandwiches to take home and after paying for them and filling my large to go cup with sweet tea I returned to the counter and was able to watch the kid make my order. Once he finished the order and bagged it, he took it to another counter about 5 feet in front of the main counter where I stood. For about two minutes I stood and watched my order get cold while the same kid made the next order which was a order for the drive thru. The cashier began taking the next customer's order while another kid prepared the curly fries. Another two minutes pass and the cashier gets finished with the order and sees me standing there and asks, "Have you received your order?" I nod "NO" and he rushes over to the order and sees that kid who was making the curly fries just standing there and looks at him as if he wanted to say, "Give the man his order!" I ended up warming up the sandwiches in the microwave and was still satisfied with the meal despite the wait.

Lastly, I went to the nearby Wal-Mart and did a grocery run on some provisions that we can not get in Japan unless we make the trek to the nearby Costco Wholesale about 90 minutes away by train. After getting everything that was on the list, we went to the checkout line. To my surprise, there were only two cashiers open and the other seven lines were closed. My mom and I pick the line with the least amount of people and waited. Waited some more. Then waited some more. It wasn't the cashier's fault so much but more of the customer's fault. This young girl had an American size cart filled to the tip with all kinds of snack foods, ice cream, sugared cereal, Twinkies, etc. When it came time to pay the bill, she had to use three different cards to pay for it. It finally got done by having the young girl remove a few items from her order after the girl's older sister with two young children and pregnant with other saying what to leave out. I had forgotten, but later realized that we could have done the self-check and pay with a debit/credit card but my mother was against it.


The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

NEW- Japan Fix: South Carolina

Please read my latest contribution, Japan Fix: South Carolina.

A recent picture turned up on Facebook when I was in Japan. Here, I'm at a Sayonara Party in '06 with (L to R) Kendall, Mika, me (holding a beer mug) and Paul. All JET teachers representing America, Canada and the UK.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

My Last Time in Yokosuka

Originally written on March 1st, 2007.

Disclosure: This article does not tell the reader where to go to get a massage in Yokosuka, merely discusses my last time in Yokosuka and the experiences that came from that visit. If you are interested in information on massages in Japan, you'll have to look elsewhere.

These days, whenever I'm in the Yokohama area, I always try to make it down to Yokosuka since that was my first home in Japan back in 1993-95. So, at the recent conference in Yokohama, I made sure that at least one night was dedicated to the place that introduced me to Japan.

One of the first things I noticed on this visit that the streets were empty. I wasn't sure that a curfew was put in place or the area was prohibited. I did see a few military guys walking around but it could have been likely that the Kitty Hawk was deployed. Navy’s version of the military police, Shore Patrol with their “SP” armbands was walking around Yokosuka’s Honcho area.

I made a stop by the "Honey Comb" stand and ordered a corn dog, aka "stick dog". I asked for the corn dog in Japanese and when I used the correct counter for long slender object "i-pon", she smiled and saw that I was nicely dressed. I then told her in Japanese that I was stationed down in Yokosuka 13 years ago and then she wanted to know what I was doing now. When I told her I was teaching, she replied in English, "You must make alot of money." In comparison to the Navy boys, yes I do. I'm glad to be moving in the right direction.

I had a disappointing meal at a Chinese restaurant, Bamyans. It was disappointing because the portions were small. I did notice a few military guys who knew the deal and had a big bowl or ramen. I was glad to see that the guys were experiencing something that they would not find back home.



In Tsunami’s, I drank Corona’s for 400 yen during Happy Hour and had one last one after Happy Hour for 600 yen. Back in the day, this would have only been done on a payday since a $4 beer was big money, and to be honest, it still is. As I drank and listened to classic rock and heavy metal from the bartender’s i-tunes that he managed to hook up to the bar’s stereo I chatted with him in Japanese about the good ol’ days down in Yokosuka. He told me that the bar is about three years old and then wondered were I was living now. When I told him that I was up in Saitama, he remembered getting his driver’s license in Kumagaya which is about three hours away from his hometown of Zushi, Kanagawa (south of Yokosuka). These guys in their early 20s were big in to American heavy metal. I left when they were watching a Slayer DVD.

As I left the pool bar, Tsunami’s, a string of unusual things happened as I trekked back to the Yokosuka Chuo Station.

1. As I was walking through the covered street alley near Yokosuka Chuo Station, I noticed a younger serviceman in civilian clothes walking towards the base wearing the head phones that are usually worn by a guy who is working as a DJ at a party. Then, out of the blue, he stops and starts dancing a jig next to a group of middle-aged Japanese women with the lady in the front exclaiming to her friends, “Daijobu!?!?!”(Are you OK?) As she turned with her exclamation, she saw me shaking my head in disappointment in this fool. One rule of thumb to keep in mind when you are in Japan is never behave in a way that you would not behave in back home and it is not necessary to draw extra attention to yourself. You already are getting more than necessary attention since you are a foreigner.
2. Since I was down from Saitama at a conference in Yokohama, I was packing light and staying in a capsule hotel. I was hoping for mild weather and only brought my blazer which I wore with a black turtleneck shirt at night instead of the shirt and tie in the day. So, in Yokosuka, I was over dressed to say the least since back in the day, I usually wore jeans, t-shirt and windbreaker when I was out in town on some precious liberty. So, to my surprise, I see an Asian guy hanging halfway out of a window yelling, "This is one crazy place!” In broken English. I nodded in is direction to acknowledge him and then I am passing a parked car next to a building where two women are standing.
3. The one closest to me blurts out something in my direction that I do now understand. So, I turn and look at the two women and they are talking to each other as if nothing was blurted out. I had to pause for a second since I wasn’t sure if the woman blurted it out or not. So, I break the ice and say to them in Japanese, “Nani?” (What is it?) Then the lady who blurted out the incoherent message turns from her friend and then says, “You want a massage. I’ll give you a massage for 3000 yen (US$30). I’m then walking away from them shaking my head "NO!" and then I notice to my right a poster advertising a Japanese hostess bar and next to it a night club named “Russia House” written in katakana. With the woman still behind me but now has her hand on my arm, she is still saying, “I’ll give you a massage for 3000 yen.” I turned and said to her in Japanese, “Tsuma ga imasu yo!”(I have a wife.) She then pauses and retreats and then responds, “Only a massage!”

Just as the classic movie, Smokey & The Bandit goes, Jackie Gleason`s character pulls into a rest stop and invades a camper only to arrest the captain of the local police department. As he orders his numb skull son to remove the handcuffs, he turns to the captain and says, "If you are going to hang out in these kinds of places, you should wear your badge on your tidy!"

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Eating Out in Japan （和食）

This is my first video that I made from still pictures. Backing music WAS J-Pop from the artist, Shale Apple and Tomoyasu Hotei and Brian Setzer. Brian Setzer's record label cried foul due to not being given permission and YouTube took this video down. I switched the original mix with some generic stuff provided by YouTube to keep things going.

This video is of Japanese food as it is back in the motherland. Please note that there are no knives being thrown, 3 lbs. of fried rice being taken home in a Styrofoam box or fire being squirted out of a volcano of onions. Authentic Japanese cuisine only found in Japan. Pictures were taken while living in Japan from 2004-07.


The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Great Journeys in Japan and around Asia Series, Part 3

Foreign Food Supermarkets in the Saitama/Tokyo area

Originally published in the Summer 2006 Issue of Saitama MemoRandom An English Quarterly Publication by The Saitama Prefectural Government, International Division in Saitama City, Urawa Ward, Japan.



What is a "foreign food supermarket"? It is defined as a supermarket that imports and sells 75% or more of their products that are on their shelves. These outlets also sell non-Japanese food that is made in Japan. Currently, there is a growing trend of Japanese food and beverage manufacturers producing "non-Japanese food" as well as foreign food and beverage companies establishing a joint-stock corporation(Kabushiki Kaisha) office in Japan. Take Nestle Foods for example. This Swiss food manufacturer lists their point of contact in Tokyo with a "free-dial 0120" number on the back of their products in Japan. Of course this is more cost effective and time efficient than having to deal with transporting from abroad to Japan and the associated duties, but there is a tendency that these products come out a little off in comparison to the imported original. Take the American snack food manufacturer, Doritos for example. The Doritos made in Japan taste different than those found in the US. As a foreigner residing in Japan, it is important to remember that when it comes to foreign food and beverage products, they are made and sold with the Japanese in mind.

As far as retail sales of food and beverage products go in the Japanese market, it has been within the past 15 years that foreign food and beverage products have been found in large quantities in Japan. In the beginning, these products were found in department stores such as Queen's Isetan in central Tokyo (http://www.queens.jp/english/english_index.html). In this setting, a small bag of Lays potato chips was sold at an exorbitant price. Establishments such as The Foreign Buyer’s Club have found success in Japan by importing directly from the US and distributing to their customers in Japan by avoiding the retail outlets altogether. Japan’s distribution system of the 21st century is nearly the same as it was in the Meiji Era of the late 1800s with products changing hands several times forcing the cost of unnecessary expenses to be passed on to the consumer. When it comes to imported products and the duties that are associated with it, the price is much more expensive. Around the same time of the emergence of foreign food and beverage products in Japan was the collapse of the Japanese economy known as "The Japanese asset price bubble". This forced distributors to eliminate several of its layers of distribution which resulted in products being available at a much more reasonable price.

Today, it is possible to find imported foods and beverage products in Japan at reasonable prices with a wider degree of variety. Here is a list of where you can find foreign food supermarkets in the Saitama/Tokyo area:

Listed in Alphabetical order:

1. Cook Y (Shinjuku Gyoenmae, Central Tokyo)

Internet: n/a

This outlet is geared towards food service professionals and restaurant owners selling imported products in bulk and large quantities. Keep in mind that the Japanese are known for selling a six-pack of beer as if you bought each beer individually. I managed to get in bulk large flour tortilla shells which are good for making breakfast burritos.

2. Costco Wholesale (Various with the closest to Saitama in Makuhari, Chiba)

Costco's Website: http://www.costco.com/Warehouse/Location.aspx?country=Japan

Flying Pig's Website:
http://www.theflyingpig.com/tfp/Shop.ASP

This retail outlet was established in Japan in 1999 and requires a membership like most “Club Stores” in the US. Since I was already a member prior to my arrival in Japan, my membership was rolled over to Costco Japan and can be used at any Costco in the world. Costco uses it own shipping fleet to get its imported products into Japan. Costco specializes is selling its products in bulk therefore if you are a food service professional, restaurant owner, have a large family or have adequate storage at your home, Costco would be beneficial to you.

However, the closest one to Saitama is in Chiba so a round trip train fare will cost around 1600 yen. The online store, The Flying Pig.com has been established and sources many of their products from the Costco outlet in Fukuoka. Their services eliminate the need of having a car to get all of your big bulk items back home and expensive train fees by allowing their customers to shop online and have their items delivered to them in a timely fashion.

Also worth mentioning, the Costco in Chiba has clothes in US sizes plus school supplies and English books which come in handy for those English teachers who work for employers with no budget for supplies or have any material for elementary school visits.

3. Hanamasa (Yotsuya Station, Central Tokyo)

Hanamasa's Website: http://www.hanamasa.co.jp/company/sm/index.html

This outlet is geared towards food service professionals and restaurant owners. Most of their products are similar to Costco’s format of selling in bulk, large quantities but at reasonable prices. I managed to get a 1-2 kg. portion of salami which is used at sandwich shops such as Subway. If only I had one of those electric slicing machines to slice the meat evenly. I managed with a butcher knife and left out in the refrigerator a portion and froze the rest and transferred from the freezer as needed.

4. Jupiter (Various in Tokyo and Japan-wide)

Jupiter's Website: http://www.jupiter-coffee.com/

My impression of this outlet is that I was back in California at a Von’s or Ralph’s due to the range of foreign products and the affordable price. For example instead of only having Campbell’s chicken noodle and tomato soup, they also have about four other flavors or soup along with the rest of the products on their shelves. The only problem with this outlet is that there are none in Saitama and the closest is in Oji, Tokyo’s Kita Ward. The two Jupiter outlets that I’ve been to were at Hiroshima Station and Sapporo Station.

5. Kaldi Farm (Kawaguchi City, Saitama Shintoshin, Akabane Station and many more)

Kaldi Farm's Website: http://www.kaldi.co.jp/english/index.html

This outlet is similar to Jupiter but has a presence in Saitama. It is possible that this outlet has a relationship with the Ario shopping mall due to many Ario shopping malls list Kaldi Farm as one of their stores. Aside from the one that is at Saitama Shintoshin, many of their outlets are located at places other than train stations.

6. Kinokuniya (Various in Central Tokyo)

Kinokuniya's Website: http://www.e-kinokuniya.com/cont/index_e.html

One of the first foreign food outlets in Tokyo, this outlet has a wide variety of premium quality imported foods. I have never been there but have been told that many of the celebrities that are seen on Japanese TV frequent this outlet. In my opinion, this indicates that inflated prices are likely to associated to the products at this outlet.

7. Meiji Ya (Roppongi and Hiro-o, Central Tokyo)

Meiji Ya's Website: http://www.meidi-ya.co.jp/

Along with Kinokuniya, Meiji Ya is one of the first foreign food outlets in Tokyo. This outlet has a wide variety of premium quality imported foods however not considered the most affordable. A rare find that I thought was interesting was Chili Beer from the US. It’s a draft beer with a chili pepper in it. I was told that during the 2002 World Cup in Japan and S. Korea this beer made its debut in S. Korea with overwhelming sales.

8. National Azabu (Hiro-o, Central Tokyo)

National Azabu's Website: http://store.yahoo.co.jp/national/index.html

Along with Meiji-Ya, this outlet is considered one of the first foreign food outlets in Tokyo. Personally, I found the food selection to be the best-rounded of all the foreign food outlets in Tokyo but at the same time the most expensive. However, this supermarket came in handy last year when I did a home stay in Aichi and I wanted to get some omiyage from America but couldn’t since I had been in Japan for nine months at the time. I managed to get some premium Hershey chocolates and Chips Ahoy cookies.

Their deli is probably the only place where one can find sliced chicken. This outlet is probably the best source for turkey which comes in handy for us Americans when Thanksgiving rolls around. They also have a point card and I receive in the mail advertisements regarding their current promotions. For those of you who have Yahoo TV, maybe you have seen their commercial?

9. Seijo Ishi (Omiya and many more)

Seijo Ishi's Website: http://www.seijoishii.co.jp/

Many of their outlets are found at several train stations throughout the Metro Tokyo area with Omiya being the closest for those who reside in Saitama. This outlet is a good source of premium imported foods without having to venture to central Tokyo.

10. Yamaya (Shinjuku and many more)

Yamaya's Website: http://www.yamaya.co.jp/en/core.htm

This outlet is mainly a premium wine shop. Nearly any kind of foreign beer can be found as well at this outlet. This outlet prides itself in keeping the cost down by buying directly from their suppliers abroad.

Sources:

1. www.wikipedia.org

2. Marketing in Japan, 1999, Ian Melville

3. Tokyo Japan Living & Traveling Guide,

http://www.kananet.com/japanguide/link05hiroo.htm

4. Import Distribution Symposium 2005, Manufactured Imports and Investment Promotion Organization (MIPRO), Subject: “Review of the Japanese Distribution Market from the Customers’ Perspective”, October 7, 2005

Today's video clip was taken in Tokyo of Marusho sign located in Yotsuya, which was not listed.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

The Morning Erection

The Japanese word, Getemono, literally translates to" bizarre or unusual" in English. Recently, on the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods", an American host recently ate at a restaurant called Asadachi. "Asa" means "morning" and "tachimasu" means to stand, therefore what could possibly be standing on a man in the morning after a good night's sleep?

In the Shinjuku District of Tokyo, there is a place called "Omoide Yokochou" translated to "Memory Alley" in English. This place has several "Getemono establishments" anchored by the jewel, "Asadachi". Also, there is the place called, "Tsurukame" known for down home Japanese cooking which is on the complete other side of the spectrum. My mother-in-law would frequent "Tsurukame" years ago when she lived in that area. To get to "Memory Alley", exit the mother of all stations in Tokyo, Shinjuku Station from it's West Exit "nishiguchi". Then go right and walk no more than five minutes. "Omoide Yokochou" will be on the right about one block over.

At "Asadachi" regulars have their favorites, however, the American host referred to the chef who served him pig testicles, in a bowl of raw egg, and what appeared to be a generous splash of soy sauce, and sliced green onions. Later, the chef skins a frog, cracks open his chest and removes his beating heart which was served to the American host. With the heart still moving as if was ready for a heart transplant, the American host tossed the organ into his mouth and commented that it had a neutral flavor. Then he moved on to the establishment's most requested dish, frog sashimi. This dish is recommended for those wanting to improve their stamina (sexually as well as physically) as well as good for one's skin. Sashimi, is chilled, sliced, raw fish or seafood item, or in this case, reptile is dipped in soy sauce. The leftovers of the frog that can not be served as sashimi, are consumed as a soup. For an after meal refreshment, the American host is given a tall glass of lizard sake. This is a glass of premium sake that has the garnish of a lizard in the glass. The American host commented how this is more authentic that the cheesy pink umbrella in most Western cocktails.

After eating at "Asadachi" the host had his next meal at the 51-year old king of "Getemono establishments" in Tokyo called "Yakihama" meaning "broiled clam". The signature dish of "Yakihama" is "fugu" which is the poisonous blowfish. The simile for blowfish is globefish. Inside "Yakihama" one sees an aquarium full of creatures. Once seated, one places their order and observes the chef retrieve their request from the aquarium. Then the dish is cooked at the table in front of you. The American host had a snail which is grilled at his table. Moments earlier, this snail was attached to the side of the aquarium's window. Other dishes that this place is known for is the deer penis and snake sake. Of course, most come to this place for fugu, the poisonous globefish. The American host broke down the dish as the owner brings it to him. He had the fillet portion of the globefish, the egg sack, the liver, and the fish's skin presented in a fancy bento box. To wash it down, he had sake with grilled fins from the globefish. The delicacy is then dipped in a red maple radish mixed with ponzu sauce. In the flesh of the fugu, there are natural toxins that numb out the mouth like Novocain when eaten. Bear in mind that the poisonous sack is removed and this dish will still numb out your mouth.

Later, the host visits Hibari revolving sushi bar in Tokyo, a sushi bar for the serious, with no frills, kind of like this blog. Here, the American host ate octopus sushi and other fresh out of the sea dishes of of color-coded dishes determining the price. Japanese, eats octopus raw whereas American sushi enthusiast cook this dish at sushi bars.

Did you know?

Lastly, did you know that 1/3 f all seafood in the world is consumed by the Japanese? Did you know that the Japanese drink soup whereas us Americans eat soup? Did you know that nearly 100 people die of fugu poisoning each year despite all chefs that prepare this delicacy being required to have special training and certification when handling this dish. Did you know that the Japanese word kaiten in English means "revolving" and a kaiten zushi bar will allow the customer to sit in one place and have the dishes brought to him on a conveyor?

Today's entry was sourced from the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Food" show hosted by Andrew Zimmer airing on March 16, 2009. Today's footage of a squid changing colors on the dinner table was filmed at a restaurant in Kyushu, Japan in January 2006.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Community Involvement for Departing JETs

Community Involvement

Introduction
Serving as an ambassador of goodwill on the JET Program was a fulfilling experience and am very thankful for the opportunity. While the program is not perfect, I spent most of my time in Japan treated with kindness and generosity and I credit this outcome due to my involvement in the community. Getting involved with the Japanese community was my ultimate goal which I set prior to boarding the plane in Atlanta back in July 2004. Having a taste of Japan in the early 1990s as a member of the US Navy in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa, I regretted not having a better chance to interact with the Japanese while in the Navy. Throughout my time on JET, I discovered that by having a positive attitude, optimistic approach and good intentions coupled by the willingness to simply try anything at least once that the strange and unfamiliar went by without even knowing it. Because of these things, getting along with your Japanese host while serving as a guest on the JET Program can be done without putting forth much effort.

Volunteering

As an American who was treated well at the elementary and junior high schools that I visited, I had the urge to give back to the place that was making my dream come true. I found ways to pay it forward by volunteering my services of English conversation (Eikaiwa). Every Wednesday, the city would host free Japanese lessons based on your ability. Afterwards, members of the community who were interested in English conversation or other languages would come forward for a foreign language lesson. Since there were people from China, Philippines and the Middle East also learning Japanese, they would teach their mother tongue to the Japanese who were interested.

Also, there was a local independent operator of an English conversation lounge who always appreciated a native English speaker who was punctual and would not cancel at the last minute for her Sunday morning lessons therefore; I managed to assist this person on a monthly basis. While I enjoyed having the opportunity to volunteer my free time, I had to ensure that there were boundaries for my time so that I could have time for myself.

Getting involved with the culture

One thing that seemed to repeat itself, thus the main reason to establish boundaries when I would volunteer is being invited afterwards for lunch or other social outings by the adult students. I managed to have one of the ladies that I led at the conversation lounge who practiced the art of tea ceremony (sadou). She managed to secure space at the nearby culture center which had Japanese style (washiki) rooms and gave me a one-on-one lesson. Prior to my return to the US, the same lady invited me to attend a kimono session where I was able to take pictures of the members of her group wearing their winter kimonos at their annual luncheon.

Getting involved with the social scene

Another thing that I seemed to struggle with were the fans (picture the old footage of the Beatles getting off the plane upon their arrival in the US) that I would make at my weekly encounters at the local university where I studied Japanese and from the people I would lead at the English conversation groups. To my surprise, during my first year, I witnessed a group of children going Trick or Treating being led by their foreign day care leader which planted the seed of something that I was able to do my third year. Give the Japanese an authentic Halloween party. In true Japanese fashion, a group of Japanese office ladies from English conversation lessons on Sundays, myself and a few other foreigners had a group session where we arranged for a costume party at a Japanese-style pub (izakaya).

Find a focus of Japanese culture

Japan and its uniqueness is the birthplace of many things. What better place to learn judo, aikido, karate, Japanese calligraphy (shodo) tea ceremony (sadou) or flower arranging (ikebana) than the place where they were invented.

Most importantly, study Japanese! By studying Japanese, you are taking burden off of your contracting agency and schools since you will be accelerating the time when you will be semi self-sufficient. You will need to know Japanese to operate the washing machine, air conditioner, wall heater, TV and even to take a hot shower. The best way to learn a language is by immersion, so here’s your chance. I studied Japanese at a local university two towns away from where I lived and while the commute required two transfers and took about an hour one way, I was glad that I did it. The structure was necessary for achieving my goal of passing level III of the Japanese proficiency exam in December 2006.

Americana in Japan

Lastly, there are ways to introduce America to your Japanese host while living in Japan. For example, at most major train stations throughout Japan, there were at least one international grocery store. This was where I would take my Japanese friends to shop for the evening’s food and beverages. Outside of Japan’s major cities is the American club store, Costco Wholesale. The same rules apply with entry for members only. This is where I would take my favorite JTE to shop for English books, teaching supplies and more importantly, clothes in US sizes and styles which intrigued my Japanese friends.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Culture Shock for departing JETs

Introduction

Due to the differences between the US and Japan, members from one place living in the other place will experience feelings of disorientation, confusion, surprise and even anxiety. For example, not being able to tell the difference in what is appropriate or not due to having difficulties in assimilating coupled by strong dislike and disgust about certain aspects of the new culture will take place.

Phases of Culture Shock

Honeymoon Phase- In this phase, every little thing about your new life in Japan will seem romantic and intriguing. For example, eating sushi at a conveyor-style (kaiten) sushi bar, seeing salarymen being shoved into overcrowded trains by sharply dressed train conductors, riding in taxis with plastic seats being driven by well manicured drivers wearing white gloves may initially seem amusing or appealing at first.

Negotiation Phase- In this phase, the desire to have things as you did in the US will take place. For example, you may long for the chance to go to a restaurant that serves beverages in glasses slightly larger than a shot glass, getting to work without having your personal space violated on the train or would give anything to walk down the sidewalk with open space in front of you. The thought of eating white rice at school five days a week or little old ladies walking down the narrow and crowded sidewalk on a sunny day holding a big and bulky umbrella may annoy you.

Everything is OK Phase- In this phase, the new life that you started months ago begins to be part of your daily routine. For example, taking off and putting on your shoes several times a day may have seemed inconvenient now is a done without even thinking. Eating dinner off a low table and sitting on the floor may have been uncomfortable at first now is the preferred method of dining at home. Lastly, being stared at while riding the train at first may have made you feel uncomfortable now is managed in a more subtle way.

Reverse Culture Shock Phase- In this phase, you have become accustom to life in Japan and now are back in the US. The idea of being able to eat a pizza without squid or seaweed is greatly appreciated and finally getting behind the wheel of your car is like the time when you first received your driver’s license. Then, you get use to idea that mass transportation in the US is a farce where in Japan you could set your watch to it. Finally, you come to the conclusion that when it comes to customer service, the Japanese are the best in the world and the idea of walking behind the counter to grab the curly fries at your hometown Arby’s so that you can finally sit down does cross your mind but thankfully you do not act on it.

Coping with Culture Shock

I found that the more I prepared for Japan prior to flying out, the better I was able to detect a situation of disorientation, confusion, surprise and anxiety before it was to happen. Your predecessor and contracting agency would know better than anyone about your future home’s work setting, living arrangements and expectations. One thing that I struggled with was letting comments and questions roll of my back. You will be asked certain things because of the differences in the cultures. Once I realized this, I was able to dismiss it and moved forward. The biggest thing that helped was taking time out. I returned home for my grandmother’s funeral on bereavement leave and took several excursions with my wife to the different regions in Japan. Giving myself this break was similar to a summer back home between semesters. Lastly, the more open-minded I was and the more that I embraced the Japanese culture; the more the Japanese seemed to open up to me. If all else fails, determine who your allies are when you first arrive at your contracting agency and schools and partner up with them on your outings to deflect and control attention that you will bring being a JET.

Communicating Effectively

Although your team teaching partner and contracting agency supervisor speak English as a second language, establishing a communication relationship with them is best by putting your issues and problems in writing. Depending on the situation, you may find it difficult to communicate with these people on a regular basis. By putting your communication in writing, you are avoiding strong feelings and preventing misunderstandings.

JET Support Services

JET Participants- These are your peers either at your contracting agency or nearby agencies. Use these people when you need assistance in coming up with a lesson plan, or need to talk to someone in your mother tongue, or need a like-minded person to relate to your situation.

Contracting Agency Supervisor- When problems arise, this person is the best person to start with. This person is your boss, not your parent, therefore it is your responsibility to maintain a professional relationship with this person at all times. This person is responsible for making out your work schedules, organizing training seminars for the JTEs and elementary teachers, and approving your paid vacation (nenkyu) and absence from work due to illness (byoukyu) as well as informing your schools about your time away from school on business trips (shucchou).

Prefectural Advisor (PA) and Self-Support Group Leaders (SGLs) - While PAs have received training, they are not professional counselors. SGLs also provide counseling and support in seven different languages. You can receive their contact information from CLAIR.

AJET Peer Support Group- This group consists of JET volunteers and is available toll free at 0120-43-7725 from 8pm to 7am 365 days a year. Conversations are confidential and anonymous.

CLAIR Program Coordinators (PCs) via JETLINE/JETMAIL- PCs consist of former JETs and are available via JET Line during business hours (9am-6pm), Monday thru Friday. PCs specialize in counseling and providing information and can provide assistance with workplace relations, mental health counseling and referral, culture shock, harassment, contractual inquiries, conferences and general information. JETLINE number is 03-3591-5489 and JETMAIL is jet@clair.co.jp.

Counseling System Committee- If your problem requires the assistance from a professional English speaking counselor by phone; the CLAIR Program Coordinator can provide this information.

Sources: Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock
JET Program- http://www.jetprogramme.org/documents/pubs/GIH_e_08.pdf

Source: My contribution for the 2008 JETAA-SE Q & A Session for Departing JETs.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

A foreigner in your own country

When we were living in Japan, my wife was telling me about a sandwich shop run by foreigners a few blocks from her high-rise office in the Tameike-Sanno area of Central Tokyo. Since I had Japanese class on Fridays, I usually eat a light dinner since it is late at night. My wife was interested in what kind of sandwiches they have to offer and since they either deliver or you have to carry out, my wife used me as the ginny pig in case their food wasn't up to par. So, Friday before her lunch break, she gave the sandwich shop a call to place my order for a pick-up. After ringing the place up, my wife was greeted with a hearty "HELLO!" My wife continued speaking in Japanese (it may be gaijin-friendly Central Tokyo but it is still Japan) but the guy on the other end interrupts with a second "HELLO!". My wife switched to English and placed the order. Later she stopped by to pick-up the order and immediately felt like she is in a foreign country. All of the workers were foreigners. She did notice one Asian who didn't use any Japanese.

Upon my return from Japanese class around 9:15, my wife had dinner waiting for me and then tells me of her experience. At first I thought that it was a bit rude for these group of expats to operate in Japan using only English. After all, I`ll never forget the time when I was helping my friend move in San Diego and before the rental van was ready, we stopped by the nearby Burger King for some breakfast. We placed the order at the drive-thru window and the girl who took our order spoke English with such a thick Spanish accent that we had to park the car and go inside. The girl kept asking us if we wanted juice after we told her clearly that we didn`t. Also, when I was up in Los Angeles and was a handling agent at the LAX airport, I would get frustrated when passengers passing by and would attempt to converse with me in Spanish. They acted like since it was Los Angeles that I was expected to speak Spanish and when it became clear that I didn't, they left with a chip on their shoulder. I'll never forget a couple flying from Miami and transferring in LA to catch their flight to Australia. They guy walked up and is spoke loud and slow (a dumb habit that Americans make when talking to foreigners). Once the guy realized that I was a native English speaker, he exclaimed, "Wow! Somebody in this airline industry can speak English!" He went on and on about the horrible experience he had checking in at Miami.

But to the contrary, my wife said that the environment made for their food to be even more authentic. Granted, the place was near the American Embassy and made daily deliveries to the Australian Embassy and so forth. Also, my wife isn`t your typical Japanese woman with eight years of studying, working and living in the US.

In closing, I summed up the conversation by getting a better assessment of the place by asking my wife about her mother since her mom lives in Tokyo and appreciates foreign cuisine due to her time spent with us in California and even in my home state of South Carolina, "Would your mother feel uncomfortable if she walked in to place an order?" She replied, "She would'nt be able to place an order with the staff unless she pointed to the menu and indicated by a show of fingers how many she wanted."

Isn't that how I got my order in at McDonalds back in 2004 when I first went to Ikebukuro?

By the way, the wrap that I ordered was delicious. My only suggestion would be, if you are going to behave like this is not Japan, could you make your portions non-Japanese sizes? I ended up having to scrounge around for some leftovers after inhaling the ordered food.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Japanese Cook Books

From a youtube viewer:

Your videos are fantastic. I would LOVE to go to Japan. I have done alot of traveling around Europe but there are so many other places I want to go. This may be a crazy question, but ...can you recommend any cook books that truly capture real japanes cooking? I LOVED your comments about the 3 lbs of fried rice in a to go box. UGH, I KNOW they don't eat all that fried rice and fried this or that. I want a book that will show true japanese cooking the way it was/is in the kitchens of japanese people before the dawn of fast food and take out. Thanks...8-).

My response:

We recommend the following book by Harumi Kurihara: Harumi's Japanese Cooking: More than 75 Authentic and Contemporary Recipes from Japan's Most PopularCooking Expert (Hardcover)

Funny that you ask about Japanese cookbooks. I'm considering putting together a Japanese cookbook as I find a suitable self-publishing distributor.

To see the video, please visit my December 2008 article, Eating Out in Japan My article on Japanese food at home in the US can be found by clicking here:

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Studying Japanese and Eating at Yoshinoya's

Today, I had a chance to use my Japanese aside when I converse with my wife and mother-in-law via Skype when I was out doing my temporary job. The Japanese woman informed me that her husband works for a textile company in the area. She seemed happy to have someone talk to her briefly in Japanese.

When I lived in Japan, I studied Japanese religiously at Bunkyo University located about 15 minutes by walking from Kita Koshigaya Station in Saitama beginning in 2004. A year later, I lost my way and became burnt out due to the distance. In 2006, I've resumed my studies in a structured and controlled environment. The commute was an hour with two transfers by train. I also went back to Japanese classes by using the subway from Kawaguchi Motogo to Higashi Kawaguchi. The first time I did it, I was disappointed because the fare was so expensive and I didn't think that it saved me much time. This time around I felt better about using this route.

Outside of the station near the school was a Yoshinoya's. I began eating there before class was was a welcomed return. At the time, the restaurant's signature dish, beef bowls were off the menu due to Japan's ban on American beef. Without their beef bowls due to this, I kind of lost interest in that place. By the way, Yoshinoya operates in the US in places like California.

Back in October '06 for the first week, the Beef Bowl were brought back at Yoshinoya's and then for good in December. I recalled eating those several times a week with an abundant amount of shouga (thin slices of ginger).

Today's images are from top to bottom: Japanese language, Yoshinoya's beef bowl and shouga.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Japanese Customer Service, Part 1- American Exports- The Real Version

Part 2, American Customer Service

This past Memorial Day, I needed some gas and was pressed for time, therefore, could not make it to the local Costco. I went to a mom and pop convenience store which I had never been to before. The gas area was empty due to the holiday and I feared that the place was closed. It was not. A local girl was behind the register, talking on the phone and in her own little world. It took more time than necessary for this girl to recognize me, then more time for her to get her call to a stopping point. She placed the phone down on the counter and just stood there looking at me. Not a word was spoken. I handed her my debit card and said, "Fill up on pump two." She then hastily rang the order up, gave me my receipt and immediately returned to her phone call while I signed the slip. She managed to not breathe a word to me. This reminded me of the time I would commute by bus and train to some of my schools near Kawaguchi Station.

Kawaguchi Station was two stations away and the hub of the city. Several buses departed and arrived at this station with the city's only train line heading to and from Tokyo. As you can imagine, a busy place. Some days, my schedule would not permit the school lunch, therefore, I would either bring food from home or buy lunch at the local convenience store at Kawaguchi Station. There was a Japanese man who worked there who was the most diligent worker I had ever seen. He was all business and his top priority was serving the customer. My limited Japanese ability impeded me from conversing with him. He would bow when I came to the register, expeditiously scan my items, look at me when he told how much I owed, accept my money then bow again, give me my change and bow again. What would take an average cashier in Japan, he would do in half the time plus bow three times. He did this for everyone. He must have done this a thousand times every morning.


My friend from North Dakota met us in Japan back in '02. We had flown on Qantas from Los Angeles to Sydney, then to Cairns. After a few days in Cairns, we flew to Tokyo. My friend drove from San Diego to Los Angeles and few on Thai Airways. Upon his return in Japan, he did the customs and immigration procedures that comes with international travel. Somewhere along the way, he lost his way to the baggage carousel. He and a few other international travelers couldn't find their bags. A Japanese girl wearing an airline worker suit came to them and said in broken English, "Can I help you?" One traveler indicated that they couldn't find their bags. Within moments, this girl weight about 105 lbs ran 100 yards in high heels to a nearby office holding their bags. The time from when their plane docked till they cleared customs and immigration were longer than the Japanese travelers and their bags were already off the carousel. She started bringing the bags to them since there was only a handful of passengers.

When was the last time you went to a McDonald's and ordered a Big Mac and when you opened the box, found the product appearing as it did in the picture above the counter? The patties stacked neatly on top of the buns with just the right amount of dressing and toppings. Even the cheese was placed on top of the patties correctly.

For me, the last time I experienced this was in 2006. This was when I was living and working on the other side of the world, Japan. I was on summer hiatus from work and just found out my new work schedule. I had to visit a new school in a week and after going to this place by foot and bus, I returned to Warabi Station. Outside this station was a McDonalds. I ate a late lunch of a "Big Mac Set" which is the equivalent of#1. Aside from dodging the smoke clouds that the Japanese are notorious for, I had a very enjoyable experience.

Well, you may be thinking this is because the Japanese are mimicking what was created from the original. Aside from visiting a McDonald's in Tijuana, Mexico, every McDonald's that I've been to outside of the US had better service, cleaner facilities and a better attitude towards its customers and knowledge of what is going on than what you find from the original in the US.

Why is that?

I'm not just picking on McDonald's. KFC is another American original that has pathetic service but does things right in Japan. Nearly every Monday for three years in Japan, I would eat at KFC at the Diamond City Shopping Mall in Kawaguchi City. I would usually get a "Chicken Tonkatsu Sandwich Set" which is a local dish. If not this, I would get a "Twister" which you can find at a US KFC, but the ones at Japan KFC have a wider variety of flavors. BBQ, Sweet n' Sour or Spicy to name a few. I refuse to eat at another KFC unless I'm back in Japan due to the poor customer service and dealing with workers who think that they are at a high school pep rally instead of earning a paycheck. There is no good reason for not knowing what is going on when you are on the clock. Eating at a KFC in the US is like playing Russian Roulette. You might get good service, you might not. If the service is bad, imagine what they are doing in the back with your food? Does anyone remember the convenience store, 7-11? These chains of stores are alive and kicking in Japan and have fresher and tastier food than you will find at the deli of a Whole Foods Market. The Japanese put the "Convenience" in Convenience stores by allowing people to pay their bills at the register among other things. The variety of snacks, drinks and other things found at a 7-11 in Japan can only be compared to the Georgia Visitor's Center at the SC/GA border minus the food. Clean spaces, friendly people and if these volunteers who are donating their time and hospitality don't know the answer, they will pick up the phone and find out. As far as American service providers go, only one could stand on its own outside of the US without going through a major overhaul. That place would be the chicken sandwich chain, Chick-Fil-A. The only issue that they would have to address if they were to enter Japan, for example, is whether they could remain closed on Sundays. Do you know of any other American service providers that you would recommend based on the sheer pride that you have from your past dealings? I'm ashamed of how bad the service is in the US after spending time Japan.

Recently, I went to a KFC and workers refuse to accept valid coupons. At the very same store, the same register this was fine not even a month ago. I went to a McDonald's and thought I was in a foreign country due to all of the workers in the kitchen speaking Spanish. I felt sorry for the one Caucasian girl since I had been in her shoes. The only difference was, I was working for a Japanese company.

Have Americans become too tolerant of lesser results and forgotten our principles? Why not demand that the people taking your order do it with courtesy? Why not expect what you order to appear as it does in the picture above the counter? Why not expect for staff to speak to where you understand them? That is if you are in your home country. When you visit the restroom why not expect the soap dispenser to work, paper towel holder to work and the other facilities to be cleaned on a regular basis? If the floor is wet, why not expect to see a worker on the case in a timely fashion? This approach needs to be extended to outside the storefront. Stepping of empty bags of half-eaten food is unacceptable.

Better yet, if you can't get this service after making voicing your concerns with management, just not waste your money at these places that are inconsistent with your expectations? With the way the economy is, these service providers should be treating us customers like royalty.

After coming back home, I'm saddened when I see my favorite Arby's and Burger King closed. But, if you can't do the basics, you should be forced out of business to rethink why you can't even do the basics.

But, the approach Japan is the way it should be. Why is that?
Today's picture is the menu of KFC in Japan. The top right item is the Chicken Katsu Sandwich Set. The bottom middle and right items are the Twister.
The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

The Tale of Two Memories

In November 2006, we went to my wife's hometown, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. This place is located near Shibuya Station which was first introduced to me from my Navy days. I remember walking near Shibuya Station in the early 1990s with a Navy buddy and our dates looking for a place to put down stakes and call it a night.

At Shibuya Station, I saw the old bus stop where my wife would ride the bus with her sister as an elementary student. I also saw the first bank my wife had an account with and in its same place, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation was still there.

We also went to her kindergarten which was the same as it was in the pictures of her from back in the day. The old neighborhood was a walk down memory lane with my wife and mother-in-law saying natsukashii (dear, fondly, etc.) every other step. The walk by the old house was nice and the neighbor two houses up had a delivery and as the lady received her package, my mother-in-law recalled her from back in the day. The two of them talked for 5 minutes. Of course, the lady didn't recognize my wife since she was a toddler. My wife remembered the time when the lady's father (now deceased) would greet my wife in the morning, "Konbanwa" (which means "Good Evening") and in the evening, "Ohayou" (which means "Good Morning"). A thing that older Japanese men do. Kind of a "Oyaji Gag". Afterwards, we saw the bridge and fountain which was in its same condition from back in the day.

We found our way to Odaku Umegaoka Station and traveled to Shinjuku Station and eventually returned to Saitama.

Fast forward to August 2007, a mere eight months after this trip down memory lane. I was still jet lagged back in South Carolina and came back to a faded memory, and tried to connect to my boyhood experiences as a 34-year-old man. Taking a damn trip down memory lane when I should have been moving forward with making memories. I tried to be all things to all jobs that I applied for and paid for it dearly. People that have no interest in things outside their immediate geographic area could care less about a guy who has spent time in Japan and married to a foreigner.

A few months later, I ended up working in what my 4-year degree was in which was redemption in a way since I was working in my chosen field of study. This field of study was the “shortest bridge to cross” which allowed me to meet my goal of graduating before I turned 30 and ran out of GI Bill funding.

My wife, true to herself managed to find work using her Japanese ability in one of the most non-diverse places in the US. We are fortunate and at least ½ of the vision that I had imagined prior to the intercontinental move solidified that the move to South Carolina was not a mistake.

As it is often said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I’m glad to have the experiences in Japan as well as the past 23 months in the US as a part of me and back at the current place in time.

To all of those who are contempt with mediocrity, lack the guts to take a leap of faith, I leave you with this. Prolonging the inevitable will only make things worse later on. The right road is often the hard road but nobody owes me anything and better yet, I don’t owe them either.

Today's picture was taken outside of my wife's kindergarten. Little has not changed from the time that my wife attended there in the late 1970s.

Today's entry is a combination of two entries made in Japan and in the US before and after the current economic downturn. I like the rift between the two entries which signifies the bumpy road that we have traveled and have still managed to maintain our integrity and move forward with our plans and dreams.

Japanomics 101- Japanese Culture in a Nutshell

There are three basic things that I tell people when asked about Japanese culture. They are the senpai-kohai relationship, kaizen and "on" and "giri".


The senpai-kohai relationship

First, the senpai-kohai relationship is the backbone of Japanese culture. The seniors, upperclassmen and the like are the senpai and their juniors, underclassmen and the like are the kohai. As early as the seventh grade, Japanese people act on this relationship. The senpai are expected to show the way for their kohai and the kohai are expected to follow. Like anything, there is abuse of this relationship when senpai dumping excessive amounts of work on the desk of their kohai at the end of the day. Just as there was a time when I never said "no" to my father, the same can be said in general when the senpai asks something of their kohai. One thing to note is that this relationship is strictly for Japanese as Westerners simply can not follow this kind of mentality on a long-term basis. On that note, in the early 1990s, there was a movie, Rising Sun, staring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes.


The older Connery refers to the younger Snipes as "kohai" as the law enforcement duo investigates the death of an American call girl found inside a high rise Japanese business complex in downtown Los Angeles. This movie shows how mighty Japan was prior to their economic bubble bursting. Snipes disregards what Connery tells him and fumbles the case. At one point during the movie, Connery says to Snipes, The Japanese fix the problem, not the blame instead of the Americans finding someone to blame for the problem." This leads to my next point.


Kaizen
Next, there is "kaizen". This is an improvement, a change for the better or a betterment. This is the basis of the Japanese auto giant, Toyota. The method of carrying this out is first to plan, then do, followed by check and lastly action. Approximately 80% of the time is spent on planning while 20% is spent doing by the Japanese. It is the opposite with us Americans. This explains why the Japanese have far more meetings than us Americans and why us Americans get frustrated and misread the Japanese actions as pussyfooting. Unfortunately, American products and services often lack the quality, diligence and superiority that Japanese products and services offer leading one to believe that the American way has room for "kaizen".

"on" and "giri"

Last, there is "on" and "giri". These are the two forms of obligation that take place in Japan. "On" is the long-term obligation of the two. It is easiest to remember by thinking that "On" goes on, on, and on. I currently know of a situation in Japan where a man is in jail and his senpai from 50 years ago checks on his jail bird kohai's family and takes the wife to visit his kohai in jail. The drive is three prefectures away. Often, expensive property is purchased in Japan and is paid off not in 30 years but in three or more generations.


"Giri" is when the obligation is met equally. For example, the Japanese do celebrate Valentine's Day, but it is more or less a formality. Japanese women give the men in their life chocolate. In general, it could be their boyfriend, husband, co-worker or even their English teacher for example. Then, exactly 30 days later, there is the manufactured holiday in Japan known as White Day. The boyfriend, husband, co-worker and even the English teacher (if he is at the school)returns the favor by giving chocolate back to the person who gave them something. Then, the obligation is met equally.

This past Christmas, my wife was persistent about giving movie tickets to a few people that were good to her in her first full year in South Carolina. One was a couple who have been friends of my family since the 1970s who would visit her on a regular basis when she was working part-time at the neighborhood library. Then, there was my brother-in-law's mother and her husband. When my nephew got baptised, we went out to eat after the church service. They paid for our meal which really impressed my wife. As a result, we gave them some movie tickets. My wife felt that my friend from childhood should also get a pair of tickets since he had been very helpful with all of the trials and tribulations that I went through at my former job.


In conclusion, I believe that if a Westerner can gain a basic understanding of these concepts, they will go a long way when dealing with the Japanese.


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