New Japan

[Susanka]

I left Japan 20 years ago and never went back. I am planning to go back in a few years, but I feel a little worried. Can anyone tell me what it is like there? Is there anything I should know before arriving there?

 

[Breetai]

Why didn't you just post in the Japan thread?

Seeing as how I wasn't in Japan 20 years ago, I don't know what the changes are. Japan is fine, as far as I'm concerned. We need more Christians though. Do you speak Japanese?

 

[Susanka]

Hi nice to see the response. Yes, of course I speak, write, and read Japanese. Although I have forgotten some, I still speak it fluently. Do you? My aunt came to the USA as a newly-wed (to a second generation Japanese American in California), so I have lots of relatives there. I came to visit her 20 years ago, but I never left. I loved it. Recently, some of my friends suggest that I should go home to Japan at least to visit. So, although I feel a little scared to see the change, I am beginning to feel that I should. If you can tell me something about your experiences I would appreciate it.

 

[Susanka]

Which state are you from, if I may ask??? I only lived in California and Mass.; so I don't know much about mid-west. Compared to the USA, I guess there are fewer Chirstian in Japan, but you would be surprised to know that there are far more christian Japanese in the USA or North America... I think it is because the country Japan is closely tied to non-christian teachings. People are close. In that way, it may be hard to change their belief entirely. Besides, they live longer and are generally healthier... One of my friend and her husband in Canada told me "it is very hard to be successful as a pastor in Japan, because they don't want to change." I guess it would be even harder when they are themselves sort of narrow minded... excuse me!

 

[Breetai]

Yes... I speak, write, and read Japanese. Do you?

No, ma'am. Not yet. I'm trying to work on that.

If you can tell me something about your experiences I would appreciate it.

Sure I can. If you click on my profile, there's a link to my website. I've written quite a bit and taken a lot of pictures from various trips to Japan (mostly Fukuoka and Hiroshima, with a bit of Tokyo thrown in). I've found Japan to be quite western. I've been completely comfortable in Japan every time that I've visited. I think it would be very interesting for you to see what has changed in 20 years.

Which state are you from, if I may ask?

Please don't ask such a question again. I'm not from any state. (don't worry, I'm not actually offended!)

Compared to the USA, I guess there are fewer Chirstian in Japan, but you would be surprised to know that there are far more christian Japanese in the USA or North America... I think it is because the country Japan is closely tied to non-christian teachings. People are close. In that way, it may be hard to change their belief entirely.

That's interesting. I don't know if I've ever met any Christian Japanese people in North America. I can't even think of any Japanese people that I've met in North America. Hopefully, God will pour out His Spirit upon Japan.

 

[Susanka]

Hi, BC!!! That is my dream place. I got to know a lot of Japanese Christians in Canada when I was there a year ago for 5 years. I did not think there were, but I prayed hard before meeting them. I can tell you how I met them only if you are interested enough. I am glad that you think Japan positively. Thank you for that. I cannot say the same for Canada, sorry, but it is premature to say it negatively, either.

 

[Susanka]

I think we should learn other (Japanese) ways of living than Christian and find the way to connect to them. Christian teachings are alive as opposed to most of Japanese or Buddhism teachings. So, there is a way to bring Holy Spirit to the country. If you find one crack and fill it with H Spirit, then you are on the right track. Life is what they or I need. I would listen to someone who accepts us or our way of seeing things first and then add to them. It would not be such a good idea to impose "your" ideas on them as separate ways... We are all human and children of God.

 

[Susanka]

My sister teaches English in a small town. She has TA or something I forgot how she said something like Language instructor abbreviated starting with ... ALT! now I remember. She had them from all over the world. She does not appreciate American especially men since they are very aggressive. She likes Canadian people. She said Canadian people are a little bit like Japanese in that they are polite. But in my opinion since I was there, people, whether American or Canadian, are basically the same. The difference is in whether they show it or not in public. I met really mean Canadian people in 5 years, and I have never met really mean American in 20 years. All the people who helped me or who were friendly were all Americans. I feel they are one compared with individual Canadian. But I like the country Canada. I guess people need to sacrifice to make a good country. A Canadian person said, "No one helped me; so why should I help you?" In American, "people helped me; so I help you." I can say the same thing about Japan. It is a good country, but there are many unhappy people there. I was very shy in Japan, but I can be aggressive. There is a saying in Japan, "we are not afraid to walk when the traffic signal show "red" when others are doing the same." When we become one under God, all will be perfect countries.

 

[Breetai]

Hi, BC!!! That is my dream place. I got to know a lot of Japanese Christians in Canada when I was there a year ago for 5 years. I did not think there were, but I prayed hard before meeting them. I can tell you how I met them only if you are interested enough. I am glad that you think Japan positively. Thank you for that. I cannot say the same for Canada, sorry, but it is premature to say it negatively, either.

BC (British Columbia) is your dream place? Well, I only lived in BC for a few month, but it sure is nice there! There are some absolutely beautiful places there.

Of course, I can say that there's some beautiful places in Japan as well. Miyajima, near Hiroshima, comes to mind immediately.


As for the differences between Canadians and Americans, I don't think I can find anything specific. Someone from Minnesota may act differently than someone from Texas. Likewise, someone from Newfoundland, Canada, may act much different from that of someone in British Columbia or anywhere in America. People are just different. Some people are friendly, while some are not. Some are happy, while some are not. I don't really think it matters where someone comes from.

When we become one under God, all will be perfect countries.

There is some truth to that statement!

I wonder if I'll find a Christian girl in Japan...

 

[Susanka]

Hi, I don't want you to take this as an offensive remark about my own country or people. I think Japanese are a little strange in that they are very simple yet persistent. My friend's son went to Japan to teach English and came back recently. He earned a considerable amount of money; so he is now in a grad program here. He was tall, blonde, and strong-looking boy and more than anything else, was different from us. Girls in Japan are crazy about that type of man. On the other hand, my cousin in California went to Japan to teach English. He did not earn much and could not find anyone. He is Japanese American. He looks basically the same. So, if you look like a Western guy, it is very likely that you will find a nice girl friend. It is also important that you are not going to just play around. Because there are families, relatives, and everyone else. If you are serious about having a family, there you go!

Good luck. So, are you from eastern part of Canada? I am going back to Canada to visit my friend. I wish I could live in BC. The rockies were awesome.

 

[Breetai]

I'll take no offense.

I've already noticed how some girls act in Japan, in my previous trips there. I've noticed quite a bit of difference between Korean girls and Japanese girls.

I'm from central Canada; northwest Ontario. If you look on a map, I've lived in some of the small towns between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay.

The Rockies are awesome.

 

[Susanka]

I left (drove) Boston 5 years ago for Canada. When I passed the border, I started to hear some distinct ways of talking in Ontario close to Thunder Bay (I was there!) I felt as though I was in Europe, although I never visited Europe. I "rejoiced" saying that I was in Canada! When I actually lived there, though, people were not as friendly as I expected. I could not say much and then got sick because I kept everything to myself. When I got sick, though, I found that people were quite compassionate. I liked the way they treated me in the hospital. When I was recovering in my bed at home, I thought "Gee, there is no Japanese, but there must be someone who liked cooking home-made Japanese.." it was very unlikely to fine one, but I prayed hard visualizing my favoriate Japanese food. A few weeks later, a woman I met called me to invite me to her church since the new pastor's wife was Japanese. I thought well she must be a westernized one... so I reluctantly went to her church. She was pregnant... We talked for a while, then she introduced a woman (in her 60s), who loved to cook home-made Japanese food!!! This lady invited me, and I saw the dish I visualized in bed. Isn't this incredible? I was immediately baptized. I became a believer. It must have been God that provided me with all I was asking for so desperately. It was highly unlikely for me to meet them. I still communicate with them very often over the phone... They are angles.

 

[Breetai]

I left (drove) Boston 5 years ago for Canada. When I passed the border, I started to hear some distinct ways of talking in Ontario close to Thunder Bay (I was there!) I felt as though I was in Europe, although I never visited Europe. I "rejoiced" saying that I was in Canada! When I actually lived there, though, people were not as friendly as I expected. I could not say much and then got sick because I kept everything to myself. When I got sick, though, I found that people were quite compassionate. I liked the way they treated me in the hospital. When I was recovering in my bed at home, I thought "Gee, there is no Japanese, but there must be someone who liked cooking home-made Japanese.." it was very unlikely to fine one, but I prayed hard visualizing my favoriate Japanese food. A few weeks later, a woman I met called me to invite me to her church since the new pastor's wife was Japanese. I thought well she must be a westernized one... so I reluctantly went to her church. She was pregnant... We talked for a while, then she introduced a woman (in her 60s), who loved to cook home-made Japanese food!!! This lady invited me, and I saw the dish I visualized in bed. Isn't this incredible? I was immediately baptized. I became a believer. It must have been God that provided me with all I was asking for so desperately. It was highly unlikely for me to meet them. I still communicate with them very often over the phone... They are angels.

You must've drove a long way, as Thunder Bay is nowhere near Boston! Did you cross at the Minnesota boarder, or at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan?

That really was a beautiful story you just told me. Wow! I'm really enjoying this online conversation with you (of course you are doing most of the talking).

 

[Susanka]

Oh, what a beautiful name to hear again: Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. Yes, it was a long ride, but I wanted to see all Canada as I saw all America. First I went to NY (and saw Niagara Falls). Then I crossed the border. (I crossed USA several times, by bus, car, train, plane, you name it from bay to bay from LA or SF to Boston or New York.) It was raining and quiet. It was just so serene that I thought I arrived at heaven.

I came to Los Angeles (5 years) first, and then to San Francisco(5 years). I came to Boston 10 years ago. I went to Canada for 5 years 5 years ago and just came back to Boston (where I had stayed 5 years before leaving for Canada). I feel as though I was on a mission. I always felt that I was doing something for a long-term cause or something like that. When I was baptized, I already believed in God. They just made it public. It is like marriage. I had and have a commitment to this mission.

I really enjoy "talking" with you. I wanted to talk to someone who has something to do with Japan and Canada. After talking in this thread, I was going to the site for Canada. But I don't need to. Thank you for listening, and please share part of your life in you don't mind.

 

[Susanka]

Is your name Blake??? What is Breetai???

 

[Breetai]

Breetai is from an anime cartoon called Macross. I wanted a 'cool' name to use as an internet handle a few years ago. Breetai worked.

I'm tired, so I'll write more in a day or two!

 

[Susanka]

Sorry, I may be asking too many questions. I heard so much about today's Japan, which to me is hard to believe: dying hair, doing things, etc. Is this just a small group of people or young people or is this social trend, I wonder. Well, when you have a minute, and also if you know about anything, please let me know. Thank you.

 

[kaminoko]

Anatatachi tte Nihonjin desuka??
I actually also live very close to Thunder Bay!! I was very surprised about this stories!

 

[Musician4Jesus]

Why didn't you just post in the Japan thread?

Seeing as how I wasn't in Japan 20 years ago, I don't know what the changes are. Japan is fine, as far as I'm concerned. We need more Christians though. Do you speak Japanese?

Konnichiwa. My name is Amy. I'm trying to learn Japanese, all I have down is Hiragana. I'm currently trying to learn Katakana. If anybody could speak with me in simple Romanji I'd appreciate it. If those who speak Japanese could help me with grammar (aka verb conjugation) I'd appreciate it.

 

[Musician4Jesus]

My name is Amy. I'm trying to learn Japanese. If anybody could help me with it, I'd appreciate it. I'd love to communicate with somebody here...feel free to send me an e-mail.