My Japan Experience by Bruce Medler

            My experience in Japan has been one of learning from the beginning. Every way I was taught to act instantly became the wrong way even with very basic things. For example, taking one’s shoes off when entering a home and bowing when meeting instead of shaking hands. These are common sense for Japanese people but are not for foreigners. These very noticeable now, culture differences created several communication issues while I have been living in Japan while not serious it was still awkward and embarrassing. I have also had many good experiences and had the opportunity to travel to several different places in Japan for example I have been to Sapporo and Tokyo. Also before I go home I was able to participate in the Hirosaki Neputa.

            Japanese is very vague culture that has an extremely high context base. This is felt in almost every conversation. Where an American will say what they mean a Japanese person will hint at what they want. For instance if an America wants to eat at a certain restaurant he will say “let’s eat at that restaurant” however a Japanese person will probably say “I heard that restaurant is good from a friend” without forcing his choice onto the group. As an American it took a while for me to realize that my friend was not giving information but was telling his desire. I have now adapted myself to recognize even the slightest of subtilities in Japanese speech.

            Taboos are in every culture and what makes them difficult is that people cannot tell you them unless you break them. When I began working as an English teacher for children there was a new thing to learn every day. Some are similar however, many are very strange. One time we had been just about finished the lessons for the day and out of habit I checked my cell phone to see the time. This probably appeared as if I was checking my emails but after the class was over I was scolded for it by senior teacher. Then the next time I went to work I had not shaved the day before and had a 5 o’clock shadow showing. Again I had a different senior teacher tell me to shave before I come to work and again reminded me of the cell phone policy which I had put my cell phone in my bag to avoid another misunderstanding. Another example happened while I was walking out after work and my boss wanted to give me something as I was putting on my shoes. So, I grabbed my shoes and walked with them in hand to get the item and my boss looked at me carrying my shoes and gave the “forbidden” look to me. I had several frustrating situations while working but they helped me to understand Japanese culture so, I feel that it was worth it.

            For an exchange student coming from America the biggest change was in the teaching methods. Japanese teaching is very different from American teaching. In Japan the class time is just one third of an American class time. So the time spent in class is used entirely for explanation and not really used for application. I often felt that the class time is so short in Japan that I would never be able to explore the new material or find my own mistakes. Instead I had to learn to do it out of the classroom which in beginning was a hard change to make. Probably because of my limited Japanese I was unable to communicate efficiently.

            The most difficult culture nuance for me was the lack of eye contact. In America constant eye contact instills trust. When not making eye contact it feels like someone is lying or not telling all of the truth. It also insures the speaker that you are listening however, constant eye contact feels aggressive to Japanese people and often will make them feel uncomfortable.

            I had the opportunity to travel to Sapporo in February. This is a great month as it is the time of the famous Sapporo Snow Festival. This is truely a unique festival. There were huge ice sculptures and many exciting events. I was also able to go into the Sapporo Tower and look down on the festival which was an amazing site. From the top of Sapporo you can see all of the snow festival and at night it looks like something from a Disney movie. One place I was fortunate to go is the famous chocolate factory where I was able to eat lots of candy and chocolate from the source. I also had the experience of riding a train overnight to and from Sapporo which was the first long trip I have made on a train.

            My second trip was to the city of Tokyo. I had been to Tokyo before this trip however, it was the first time being in the city and being able to speak Japanese. This greatly increased the quality of the trip. I could always see a Japanese person relax when I would start a conversation in Japanese instead of English. This made getting help and directions much easier. While I was Tokyo I visited several places I had always wanted to go like The Big Site, Akihabara, Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Disney. All of which were amazing places but I felt The Big Site was the most amazing of them. Tokyo is one of the most crowded and clustered cities in the world. At The Big Site I felt like I was free and had the ability to move without bumping into people. In fact, at certain points in the day you cannot see anyone. It was an experience I will never forget.

            Recently I was able to participate in the Hirosaki Neputa festival. I had very little knowledge of this festival until I had participated in it. It was an energetic and exciting event involving lots of large floats and drums. Both of which are pulled by hundreds of people shouting and chanting. This felt different from the normal Japanese culture I have experienced which is usually very reserved. Even my Japanese teachers were participating and chanting at the top of their lungs. Then seeing the floats moving through the street as they turn and twist was unlike anything I had seen before. This was the most enjoyable of all the festivals I have been to while living in Japan.

            My time in Japan has taught me a great deal of Japanese culture and given me unforgettable experiences. I have made lots of friends that have greatly influenced my life and that I will continue contacting. The Japanese business environment differs greatly from the American style and I was able to experience some of the difference while I worked at the English school. During my exchange I have learned something new everyday that I will someday use for my future. I have very much enjoyed my time here and wish to come back one day.