Japan

[Zaul]

I dont think I want to go to Japan anymore =( IM learning how wierd most are... apparntly dressing in girls clothes is a cool thing to do over there ( including wearing womens underwear ) that kinda makes me sick @_@ not to mention the school game ' Kancho ' where ur aim is to go stick ur fingers up someones butt

 

[Sybaris]

I dont think I want to go to Japan anymore =( IM learning how wierd most are... apparntly dressing in girls clothes is a cool thing to do over there ( including wearing womens underwear ) that kinda makes me sick @_@ not to mention the school game ' Kancho ' where ur aim is to go stick ur fingers up someones butt

"Weird" people are everywhere, in any country, and the oddities you read about, just like anywhere else, are usually confined to a small segment of society and fade away in time for something more trendy.

 

[Breetai]

"Weird" people are everywhere, in any country, and the oddities you read about, just like anywhere else, are usually confined to a small segment of society and fade away in time for something more trendy.

Exactly. Crazy people are everywhere. In fact, they're probably better in Japan than in most countries.

We have "kancho" in Korea too. It's called "dong chim" here. It's quite a shock when you're trying to talk to one kid, and another decides that it would be a great idea to stick a few of his fingers up your rectum...

 

[Zaul]

Mendo kuseee >.<

 

[Sybaris]

...how about a short essay on the different areas of Japan; outlining the positives and negatives!

I put this together several years ago and just remembered where I had it stored. there's some pictures I've uploaded as well.

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/260a2/ec9cc/

 

[BeamMeUpScotty]

Hello all.

I would just like to say to those considering traveling to Japan (or any other country) via English teaching, do yourself and your future students a favor: get some ESL/EFL training. Too many people come over here just to play/travel around/meet a gf or bf/etc... and really don't care about the job. It's ok to come with just a BA, I did the first time, but be a professional and do your job as such. You can still have a blast outside of school.

I would suggest at a minimum a certificate course such as Cambridge's. I now have my MA in ESL and teach at a university here. I love it, and am glad everyday for my profession. Helping my students is one of the most satisfying parts of my job.

 

[Overtime_man]

Hello all.

I would just like to say to those considering traveling to Japan (or any other country) via English teaching, do yourself and your future students a favor: get some ESL/EFL training. Too many people come over here just to play/travel around/meet a gf or bf/etc... and really don't care about the job. It's ok to come with just a BA, I did the first time, but be a professional and do your job as such. You can still have a blast outside of school.

It would be great if people would think about getting properly certified, but as you said, most people teaching English here could really care less about the job. They're here because they have big debts after graduating college, and after being unable to find a company willing to hire them in their home countries, it's off to Asia to make some easy money with a job in which the only requirement is the ability to speak one's native language.

As you so aptly pointed out, to be a good teacher requires some skill and training beyond the crash course that NOVA and other schools give to their drones. However, people won't invest in that training themselves because they really see no point to it; there's almost no chance of significant advancement at NOVA, and when you factor in Japan's high cost of living, the wages aren't great, either.

Of course I've painted with broad strokes here, and not everybody fits into the above mold. I should also say that I've never actually taught English (I work as a translator here), but I have 4 or 5 friends who work at NOVA, and they've all told me the same thing...they're here to make some quick money and then, 1 or 2 years later, go back home and start their careers.

 

[Breetai]

It would be great if people would think about getting properly certified, but as you said, most people teaching English here could really care less about the job. They're here because they have big debts after graduating college, and after being unable to find a company willing to hire them in their home countries, it's off to Asia to make some easy money with a job in which the only requirement is the ability to speak one's native language.

As you so aptly pointed out, to be a good teacher requires some skill and training beyond the crash course that NOVA and other schools give to their drones. However, people won't invest in that training themselves because they really see no point to it; there's almost no chance of significant advancement at NOVA, and when you factor in Japan's high cost of living, the wages aren't great, either.

Of course I've painted with broad strokes here, and not everybody fits into the above mold. I should also say that I've never actually taught English (I work as a translator here), but I have 4 or 5 friends who work at NOVA, and they've all told me the same thing...they're here to make some quick money and then, 1 or 2 years later, go back home and start their careers.

That's basically spot on.

 

[LadyCoyote_Fin]

Konnichiwa!
Watashi wa LC desu. Watashi wa Finrandojin desu.
O-genki desu ka?

That's all I remember right now.

I'm not Japanese... but I hope I will get there in the future....

*LOL*
If everything goes like we've planned, we'll (= I & my family) leave to Japan for mission work in the fall 2006.

At first we should to stay in Tokyo for 2 years because of the language school. After that the LEAF(the mission organisation), will send us in another place in Japan where they'll need missionaries.

If we get there, I bet we will get know the country pretty well during those 6 to 9 years (even longer if we'd like to stay there).
We had the second interview for mission school today... Now we can do nothing but wait for the end of September until we'll get know if they invite us to the school.

Let's see how things will go on.

Jaa ne!

LC

 

[Dark_Lite]

Now here's a question... Exactly how hard would it be to find a hotel for two 18 year olds and a minor (17 year old) that are not related in any way?

I think getting out of the US is going to be a nightmare itself (if it's even possible). I plan on going to Japan next year for 6 days taking the above two with me. However, I'm not sure it will be possible when you have a minor with you... Much less when you have two 18 year old single men trying to get a hotel room!

 

[Sybaris]

Now here's a question... Exactly how hard would it be to find a hotel for two 18 year olds and a minor (17 year old) that are not related in any way?

I think getting out of the US is going to be a nightmare itself (if it's even possible). I plan on going to Japan next year for 6 days taking the above two with me. However, I'm not sure it will be possible when you have a minor with you... Much less when you have two 18 year old single men trying to get a hotel room!

Not quite clear on what you're asking but I think you're questioning the legality or ability for minors to get a hotel room?

If so the first thing you have to understand is that Japan is not the U.S.. I lived over there long enough to see many Americans become disgruntled because the Japanese didn't do things like we do in the U.S..

A good example is beer machines. You can find them everywhere on the streets in Japan. That just would not work in the U.S. for obvious reasons.

So to answer your question, you will have no problem finding accomodation for your minors.

 

[Sybaris]

Konnichiwa!

After that the LEAF(the mission organisation), will send us in another place in Japan where they'll need missionaries.

Fascinating

Please describe the circumstances in Japan that LEAF deems necessary for missionary presence.

 

[Zaul]

Japan has love hotels ! I wanna see one one day XD

 

[Sybaris]

Japan has love hotels ! I wanna see one one day XD

Actually they're not that spectacular. Yes, in some you can get a room with a specific theme like Tarzan or feudal Japan or some fantasy environment but most are just ordinary rooms. When traveling around Japan I always stayed in them because they were cheaper than the chain hotels. The reason for them is kinda out of necessity. A lot of Japanese still live in an extended family type setting with many generations or relations under one roof ......... doesn't exactly promote a lot of privacy.

 

[Breetai]

Japan has love hotels ! I wanna see one one day XD

They are just a pain in the rear end. If you come to Japan, stay in a "real" hotel instead and save yourself the hassle.

Fascinating

Please describe the circumstances in Japan that LEAF deems necessary for missionary presence.

Are you kidding?

Japan has a low percentage of Christians. Missionary work is not about helping the poor or those in need of physical help. It is about spreading the gospel of Christ. Helping people in need is just extra stuff that goes with the territory.

Christianity's number one priority has never been feeding the hungry and helping the oppressed, nor will it ever be.

 

[Sybaris]

They are just a pain in the rear end. If you come to Japan, stay in a "real" hotel instead and save yourself the hassle.

I never encountered any problems staying in them. What were yours?

Are you kidding?

Japan has a low percentage of Christians. Missionary work is not about helping the poor or those in need of physical help.

No, and I know what missionary's do.

 

[BeamMeUpScotty]

Japan has a low percentage of Christians. Missionary work is not about helping the poor or those in need of physical help. It is about spreading the gospel of Christ. Helping people in need is just extra stuff that goes with the territory.

Christianity's number one priority has never been feeding the hungry and helping the oppressed, nor will it ever be.

It's low percentage of Christians is one of Japan's attractions for me. There is no need for missionaries here (or anywhere imo). Tokugawa threw them out in the early 1600s because he realized that they were there to exploit the people, not help them.

 

[Overtime_man]

It's low percentage of Christians is one of Japan's attractions for me.

If that's the case, why would you spend time at a Christian message board? Not trying to be rude here, just slightly baffled.

Tokugawa threw them out in the early 1600s because he realized that they were there to exploit the people, not help them.

Yes, quite beneficent. And the bakuhantaisei ( &#24149;&#34281;&#20307;&#21046; ) was also for the people?

 

[BeamMeUpScotty]

If that's the case, why would you spend time at a Christian message board? Not trying to be rude here, just slightly baffled.

It's fun to debate, and I'm able to turn off my computer at any time and not be bothered. While as in the states, one is constantly reminded of religion and it's pretty hard to get away from, esp. in today's political climate.

Yes, quite beneficent. And the bakuhantaisei ( &#24149;&#34281;&#20307;&#21046; ) was also for the people?

Sorry, don't know that term. Looked it up, but wasn't listed. I never claimed Tokugawa or any other Japanese ruler was especially kind to the people. I realize they could be excessively cruel. However, they still recognized the missionaries for what they were, imho.

 

[Overtime_man]

It's fun to debate, and I'm able to turn off my computer at any time and not be bothered. While as in the states, one is constantly reminded of religion and it's pretty hard to get away from, esp. in today's political climate.

Ahhh, Ok. It's just something that I wonder about from time to time when I see atheist icons, as I can only imagine that if I were of that persuasion, visiting a board like this would be an unnecessary source of frustration. Anyway, thanks for answering, and thanks for taking the question in the tone in which it was asked.

Sorry, don't know that term. Looked it up, but wasn't listed.

If you can read Japanese, here's a brief summary :

&#24149;&#34281;&#20307;&#21046;&#65288;&#12400;&#12367;&#12399;&#12435;&#12383;&#12356;&#12379;&#12356;&#65289;&#12392;&#12399;&#12289;&#27743;&#25144;&#26178;&#20195;&#12398;&#26085;&#26412;&#12395;&#12362;&#12369;&#12427;&#23553;&#24314;&#30340;&#25919;&#27835;&#31038;&#20250;&#20307;&#21046;&#12398;&#12371;&#12392;&#12391;&#12354;&#12427;&#12290; &#27743;&#25144;&#24149;&#24220;&#12434;&#20840;&#12390;&#12398;&#27494;&#22763;&#12398;&#38914;&#28857;&#12392;&#12390;&#26368;&#39640;&#12398;&#32113;&#27835;&#27231;&#38306;&#12392;&#12375;&#12394;&#12364;&#12425;&#12418;&#12289;&#21508;&#22823;&#21517;&#12364;&#12381;&#12428;&#12382;&#12428;&#12398;&#38936;&#22320;&#12395;&#12362;&#12356;&#12390;&#12354;&#12427;&#31243;&#24230;&#29420;&#31435;&#12375;&#12383;&#32113;&#27835;&#27231;&#27083;&#65288;&#34281;&#65289;&#12434;&#24418;&#25104;&#12375;&#12390;&#12356;&#12427;&#12371;&#12392;&#12392;&#12289;&#31859;&#12394;&#12393;&#12434;&#29694;&#29289;&#12391;&#32013;&#12417;&#12373;&#12379;&#12390;&#24180;&#36002;&#12392;&#12377;&#12427;&#30707;&#39640;&#21046;&#12434;&#12381;&#12398;&#22522;&#30990;&#12395;&#12362;&#12356;&#12390;&#12356;&#12427;&#12371;&#12392;&#12364;&#29305;&#24500;&#12391;&#12354;&#12427;&#12290;&#35576;&#22823;&#21517;&#12434;&#35242;&#34281;&#12289;&#35676;&#20195;&#22823;&#21517;&#12289;&#22806;&#27096;&#22823;&#21517;&#12395;&#20998;&#12369;&#12289;&#21442;&#21220;&#20132;&#20195;&#12420;&#25913;&#26131;&#12395;&#12424;&#12387;&#12390;&#12371;&#12428;&#12434;&#32113;&#21046;&#12375;&#12383;&#12290;&#12414;&#12383;&#12289;&#22763;&#36786;&#24037;&#21830;&#12394;&#12393;&#12392;&#12356;&#12431;&#12428;&#12427;&#36523;&#20998;&#21046;&#24230;&#12395;&#12424;&#12387;&#12390;&#27494;&#22763;&#12434;&#25903;&#37197;&#38542;&#32026;&#12395;&#20301;&#32622;&#12389;&#12369;&#12383;&#65288;&#12418;&#12387;&#12392;&#12418;&#22763;&#36786;&#24037;&#21830;&#12392;&#12356;&#12358;&#35328;&#33865;&#12399;&#24403;&#26178;&#12398;&#38542;&#32026;&#12434;&#27491;&#30906;&#12395;&#34920;&#12375;&#12390;&#12399;&#12356;&#12394;&#12356;&#12392;&#25351;&#25688;&#12373;&#12428;&#12390;&#12356;&#12427;&#65289;&#12290;

And if not, here's an even briefer one in English:

The bakuhan taisei ( &#24149;&#34281;&#20307;&#21046; ) was the feudal political system in the Edo period of Japan. Baku, or "tent," is an abbreviation of bakufu, meaning "military government" — that is, the shogunate. The han were the domains headed by daimyo.

(The above execerpts are taken from the Japanese and English versions of the Wikipedia respectively.)

Anyway, it's certain that not all of the missionaries came with the sole objective of spreading the Good Word...on that point we're in agreement! However we'll have to agree to disagree on the motivation behind the expulsion of missionaries and the slaughter of Japanese Christians that shortly followed.