Gaijin Grandfather

Wow, met a fellow gaijin in the community gym today. The guy is 61 years old lived in Japan for 35 years. Father of 2 kids and has 2 grandchildren. Moving from school district to school district he has taught English for the entire time. He has no employer pension and is entitled to a small government pension when the time comes. I got the feeling he is broke. It does not matter where you are - planning for the future is so important.

Traffic can kill

On her 6th day of elementary school a little girl was killed recently close to my house. She crossed the road in front of her bus and was hit by a passing car. The traffic rules in Japan are very loose when it comes to school zones and playground zones. I have seen warning signs but no hard rules. For the lack of rules I am surprised there are not more accidents. Japan loves her rules - I wonder why there is a "no passing school bus" rule.

If you have children in Japan I will tell you what you already know. Supervision is required at all times.

I didn't win the lottery

I have always been suspicious of people who hate the lottery. I love playing the lottery. Every week I go down to the takarkuji ticket booth and drop 200 yen on the loto 6. Payout is around 200,000,000 million yen and chances of winning big are 1/6 million. Besides studying kanji, the lottery allows me the chance to dream of not worrying about my son's future. I just know I will win one day. I have "the" feeling and I am a lucky guy.

Windbag Gaijins

I know two single Japanese women with biracial children. Both deadbeat gaijin fathers returned to the States leaving mother and child to fend for themselves. I have done volunteer work at an orphanage and met a few biracial kids where both parents took off.
The one thing you will find in the gaijin community is the most vocal are usually the biggest windbags. They complain and complain about Japan. Yet, when the wanker is a gaijin, like the deadbeat gaijin dads, the windbags are strangely silent.

Bilingual Education

Every night I read my son an English book and sometimes a Japanese book. My son is still too young to understand but enjoys ripping the book. I worry about my son's English fluency. I use to ride my western friends, with Japanese children, about their children's poor English ability. I realize now, I am a Jack Ass.
Urashima Taro is a good children's book. He doesn't listen to instructions and something bad happens. I will be drilling this into my poor son in years to come.

Film titles in Japan

I was browsing for a movie at Tsutaya when I noticed Pat Morita on the cover of a movie called "Best Kid", written in katakana. I knew the English title was "Karate Kid". The Japanese love to change movie titles. I am okay with it but it is frustrating. I read once it drives Spielberg crazy.

Last week I rented "How to find the best life" starring Jack Nicholson. I prefer the English title, "The Bucket List". I suppose Japanese movie distributors are free to do as they wish. It is all about marketing. Yet, something tells me they are doing a disservice to their audience and the movie industry.

Uyoku look hungry

I saw some Japanese Uyoku today. Wow, did they ever look scruffy. Really, they looked like homeless people. Much different from the Uyoku I met years ago around Shinbashi in Tokyo. I waved and two of the guys waved back. The third, frowned.
I like reading about history. History tell us - when a country's fortunes decline, the crazies come out of the wood work. I'm not worried but I did wonder what I would do if some ultra right wing party or the communists got inot power in Japan.

Stop Complaining

In Japan, I am a minority. It is not a big deal. Of course I am being a bit flippant. I am white, from a Western country. There is no doubt I am granted privileges that other minorities must work hard to earn. I promise you there are Korean, Chinese, Brazilian or a list of other minorities that know exactly what I am talking about. Maybe, I am a token minority.

I just spent the afternoon with group of Brazilian nisei. Dear reader, from any Western country - Stop Complaining.

Trouble Makers

I am not American. My uneducated opinion of the Black Panthers is not flattering. However, I appreciate they were reacting to some real injustices.
Aoki was a field marshal in the Black Panthers.
Learning this shattered some preconceived notions I had about the Black Panthers. The same thing happened to me a few years back when I found out a guy I knew was member of a Japanese right wing group. Listening to him was no different than listening to Michelle Malkin. It is hard fighting preconceived notions.

Yes, Japanese people speak English.

I was renting a movie last night from Tsutaya. I was at the check out counter and the clerk asked me a question. He was using teinei (丁寧) Japanese, I couldn't understand and told him as much. He replied in perfect English, "Sir, you currently have another movie rented, Electric Blue. Maybe you are not familiar with the Japanese name of the movie?"

I was shocked, he was a native speaker. Well not really, but I learned he spent 5 years in Boston. This is the first time he spoke to me in English. His English is better than my Japanese and I thanked him for always using Japanese first. I found out, one thing he hated about living in the States was when otaku type people would try and practice their strange Japanese with him. He said in Japanese "this is Japan, learn Japanese and speak Japanese." I wish more Japanese people believed it and lived it.

The Best House - one..two...three

Growing up, my parents would buy the new edition of 'The Guinness book of world records" every few years. I would read the book front to back. Later, I found out the man with the cool name, Sir Hugh Beaver, working at my dream job, managing director of Guinness Brewery, invented the book.

The Best House 123 show on Fuji T.V is not in the same class but it is fun to watch. It is the only Japanese T.V show I follow. I catch about 10% of the dialogue. Fortunately, it is a very visual show. It comes on every Wednesday night. They show some really incredible things . The choice of content is also interesting as it reflects what Japanese people are interested in.

I went to pick my son up at the daycare today. A few curious boys approached and asked "nani jin deska" (please tell me your nationality). They were young boys and it was a fair question. They could have just as easily shouted "look gaijin". Or make the mistake their parents usually make - assume I am American. I told the boys and that was the end of it.

When I left I heard the teacher scolding the boys. It made me angry. I didn't say anything as it was not my place and my Japanese is too poor to correctly express my feelings. I told my wife about this and she heard there was a western gaijin father the year before that had made a lot of complaints. I am not sure what he could have complained about. I have no complaints. I suspect it is another super sensitive gaijin blowing everything out of proportion.

Dating older men

There is a very attractive girl who worked at my local convience store. She had flirted with me, for about a year. I guess it was recipicol, as I never went to her store with my wife and son. I teased her that I was too old.
I met her by chance today. She ran across the street to share some "good news". She graduated from high school and is working as an office lady - she wasn't too young anymore. I didn't realize she was that young, nevertheless I told her I was married with a son. She knew.
The girl in the picture is Yumi Sugimoto a very famous model. She was born in 1989. I believe she was 17 when this picture was taken. For sure there are beautiful women in Japan. I found it interesting that many Japanese women are willing to date much older men. One of my Japanese friends is married to a woman 22 years younger and they are both doctors.

Japan Starbucks

Living in Japan, it is hard to believe Starbucks stock price is low. There are two locations near my house and they are so busy. I notice most of the clientele are women, of all age brackets. Star Bucks has even hired extra greeters to hand out menu's to people standing in line. Japanese people don't like to make their coffee decision 'till the last moment and only after consulting with the staff. It is highly irritating when I am in a rush but trust, as they get more accustomed to the system, they will change this annoying habit.

I'm a slow Japanese learner

My Japanese is terrible but don't feel sorry for me - I get by just fine. I don't have the "gift of the tongue". Every one has a different learning curve. My curve is flat. I am linguistically challenged but I never give up trying. Simply, I don't study enough and when I do, I don't concentrate enough.

I like it when a pretty Japanese girl tells me my Japanese is good. She is lying but I like the compliment. I like it better when my senpai makes fun of my Japanese and encourages me to study more. I know he cares.

Diversity

During Halloween we decorate the house and carve a pumpkin. Christmas we set up a tree and have Christmas presents and Santa. Easter we paint eggs and hide them. If I had any Jewish friends in Japan I would ask to be invited to Passover. I have one Muslim friend here and we get our families together when we can.

I don't want to screw with my son's identity. He is a Japanese boy growing up in Japan. Yet, my wife and I make an effort to provide a home that is diverse. I don't necessarily want a "diverse" child - just, a happy aware child.

Reinforcing Japanese Stereotypes?

Subconsciously, we see things that reinforce what we already believe. Recently my wife told me she didn't like the movie, Lost In Translation, because it portrayed all Japanese as mindless fools. Ms. Coppala, the director, besides having the coolest father, I believe, is not racist.

Anti Japanese movie? I remembered a funny movie. I remembered Ole' Bill having a one night stand with a Japanese girl and getting "busted" by the (married) women he was "pals" with.
There was chemistry for sure but why was she upset? Was she leading Bill on, was she "cheating" on her husband? What exactly is cheating?

I watched the movie last night and I could see where my wife was coming from. But, hell, it is a movie. That is what most Hollywood movies do - reinforce our preconceived stereotypes.

Linguistically challenged

I study kanji, not because I like it. I study for two reasons. I hate relying on other people to help me and I don't want to embarrass my son.

But I struggle. I am linguistically challenged for sure. But I never give up. Yesterday at the sushi shop I asked the meaning of this kanji - 寿司. The staff rolled her eyes. I should have known there was more than two kanji for sushi. It is just that ( 鮨) and (鮓) are the only kanji I noticed before. Again, I wont give up.

Maybe a useful link here for those of you who might care.

New School, Multiracial - Multicultural

Amazing, everyone in Japan knows Obama is biracial. Very few know Bob Marley is biracial - which I can understand. People don't want to believe, he is half white.

Japanese people know who Tiger married but few know he is part Asian.

Tiger Wood's mother is Thai. And, his dad, a very cool father, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army.

Tiger has a hot wife and a beautiful child. He is a great father and a role model for all fathers.

Panda Action 50 years ago in America

Leon Brazile a trial judge was quoted as saying,

"Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix."

The white black married couple pleaded guilty miscegenation in Virgina in 1959. Sentenced to 25 years in jail. Suspended if they agreed to leave the state. Their case evolved into Loving v. Virginia. Raising humanity in the west a few notches.

Wikipedia

Blame the Grandparents

Every father in Japan knows about Doraemon. That super smart robotic cat from the future that helps the goofy Nobita-kun in his day to day misadventures. Doraemon has been teaching universal moral lessons of integrity, tenacity, honour, courage and respect for mankind for 40 years. Doraemon is a Japanese icon, loved through-out Asia and the world.

The beginning of the Doraemon story line is interesting from a Western perspective. Doraemon is sent back in time by Nobita's great-something grandson so his descendants could improve their future. We are told, his future family's misfortunes are a result of Nobita being a putz. Doraemon is to help Nobita reverse the family's unlucky predicament.

In the west we don't have the same tendency to blame our current problems on our ancestors. We celebrate the individual who "makes" his or her own luck. Of course the Japanese do as well but there is a difference. Sorry, I am not articulate enough to explain.

Handicap People and their Rights.

I wrote earlier that I objected to Porn Magazines being on the bottom shelf in convenience stores. Right at my son's eye level. I love my wife. She told me how, being tall, I was being insensitive to shorter men who wanted to buy Porn easily. I conceded, I was an insensitive bugger.

Today I was at the store with my son and I saw a man in a wheelchair, browsing through the magazines without shame. My wife was correct. That man had a right to browse though the porn just like tall people. Something we forget - in the west. When we demand a "Right" it usually means, an other's "Right" will be taken away.

"Uniqueness" divides us

I often hear that Japan is a unique country. It is unique, just as Australia or Canada is unique. "Uniqueness" depends on the physical position of the person who makes such a claim.

It is normal to make a distinction between yourself and others. Between your cultures and other cultures. This is a human instinct. I believe it is part of our primal survival instinct.

Living in Japan, I don't find the Japanese so unique. They are just people with fears, anger and dreams just like everyone else.

My son loves to sing just like children in other countries. I worry as a father as other father's do. We are more the same than different. When we think too much, about how unique a culture is, we divide ourselves.

Smoking rule #3 for Japan

Over at blog, Japan Probe, I was reading about Japan Railways in Tokyo banning smoking on the platforms. Again, I'm a smoker and am tired of fellow smokers who are inconsiderate.

Japanese people are very tolerant. But everyone has a breaking point. Inconsiderate smokers gave rise to the smoking Nazis in the west. It will happen here as well. It is scary. Intolerance breeds more intolerance. Chill out, have a smoke - just think about others. Don't give people valid reasons to hate us.

Rule#1 Don't smoke in the car with your kids. It does not matter if the window is down
Rule#2 Smoke at the park but not beside my kid and don't leave your cig. butt.
New Rule
Rule#3 Don't smoke in areas used for public transportation. If you need, use the designated smoking areas but try and get your fix somewhere else.

http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=8027

Korean "missile" testing

Today, on the Japanese news, I saw the US Air force is sending some really high tech planes into the air from Okinawa. They are helping the Japanese Self Defence force monitor and defend Japan from the North Korean "missile testing".

I am not American. I am not a fan of US foreign policy. Never liked Bush but stopped bashing him when it became cool. Living in Japan with my family I am thankful the Men and Women in the US air force are helping protect us.

Possibly, the Japanese News is overplaying the threat. People are getting too worried. You know, it must be hard for Korean Families in Japan. Yet, what is the alternative?

The Japanese have to be dilligent. It nice of American to help.

Smoking rule #2 for Japan

I've never met a Japanese smoking Nazi here in Japan. I appreciate how tolerant Japanese can be. Even though I smoke a pack a week, I still think there is room for some criticism of the lack of smoking etiquette. I wrote earlier about my first rule.

Rule #1. No smoking in the car with your kids inside. I don't care if the window is down. Now, I have a second rule.

Rule#2. Do not discard you cig butts in the park. You fools think of the children. Sure, have a smoke but be considerate and stay away from my kid and clean up after yourself.

Our small home in Japan

My family and I live in a small flat here in Japan. Tatami mat floors, futons and sliding doors. Very traditional. I'd like a bigger place with den and backyard. Everybody does. But I've learned something in Japan. The physical home you live in has a real influence on the family.

I can't hide in the den. I work on the kitchen table. We need to make dinner and clean up together in order to play games later. When our child goes to bed, we go to bed.

I don't party as much, as I can't hide in my room and nurse my hangover in the morning. We don't have a yard, so my son and I go to the park almost every day.

I know we will need a bigger place but when I read my son, his night time book "Small House" (ちさいおうち）I think about the monster houses in suburbia, found in the west - I want a bigger place but not much bigger.

Drugs in Japan

Gamu Toys Japan has just put out a new Obama action figure. I think they did a good job. At least compared to other figures that are suppose to resemble foreigners.

I wrote this before. I like Obama. Here is a politician that has not lied about smoking, drinking and recreational drugs. He has made being honest, cool.

I hope conservative Japanese people think about the fact the main man in America has used drugs. I am not an advocate of drugs. I just don't think some young person should lose his education and future for transgressing a law imposed by the Americans in the first place. Peace

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/03/the-best-japanese-barack_n_182645.html

Japanese Passport

We were down at the prefecture office today getting a passport for our son. I noticed the staff seem more friendly than the staff at Immigration, a few floors up. That said, the immigration staff has always been very nice and helpful. I always noticed though, they treat me differently than the Asians extending their student visas or getting spousal visas.

I was thinking about this when I looked at the other 9 children in the passport office. 8 of the 9 kids were obviously multiracial. Japan is changing and will continue to do so. I feel a bit lucky. It is probably much easier to be a father of a multiracial child in Japan today, then it was 20 years ago.

Kochiyama fighting social norms.

Yuri Kochiyama is a cool Japanese-American Activist. We are not sure if she agreed with Malcolm X on everything. I doubt she thinks Martin Luther King is a chump as Malcolm did. (Those were different times)

She did support Malcolm in fighting for civil rights. After Malcolm left the Nation of Islam and converted to Sunni Islam she stayed loyal. Malcolm made a few enemies in the Nation of Islam and was eventually assassinated. Yuri cradled Malcolm in her arms after being shot.

What makes Kochiyama special to me is her willingness to buck societal norms and fight for what she believed in. You just know, it was not kosher for a Japanese woman to hang out with black Muslims in the 1960's. Yet, she said screw you - to the norm. Sometimes, it is social norms that stop us from doing what is right. It is the same for both Liberals and Conservatives.

Lets Play English (英語で遊ぼう）

Every morning my son and I watch "Lets Play English"（eigo de asobo) on NHK. My wife thinks I'm in love with Jenny. She is beautiful but I think Eric is the man. He is the cool "older" hippy, just trying to make a living. He sometimes looks out of it. I wonder what he is thinking. Watching him makes me think about my future in Japan. Which scares me.

A friend of mine has a fancy ESL masters degree and is pretty critical of the show. I think she is wrong. My son likes it and that is good enough for me.

Another nice thing about the show, is the producers have made an effort to include multiracial children. It is done very tastefully. Jenny is also, hot.

Don't bash Chu Hai

Being a father has made me more conscious of saving money. That is why I buy Chu Hai instead of beer at the grocery store. It is almost half the price of my favorite Japanese beer. The problem with Chu-Hai is there are many girlie brands. Fortunately, Kiren came out with Two Dogs, allowing a man to drink girlie drinks in Japan and still maintain some semblance of manhood.

Another great thing Obama did, besides making smoking, drinking and recreational drugs, a non issue - he said he did not want a "girlie" dog in a national broadcasted interview. His wife slapped him down but it is out there. Bashing "girlie" things is now socially acceptable.

Chu-Hai is a great cheap alcoholic alternative to beer. The lemon and grapefruit flavor are not too sweet and are 75% the calories of beer - and half the price

Cool Japanese Guy

Japanese are often stereotyped as sheep or lemmings. Watching economic trends or fashion fads the "bandwagon" effect seems obvious to our western sensibilities. I don't buy it. People in Japan are individuals like everyone else. The difference is, they don't wear it on their sleeves.

Next time you order from Amazon check out if they have any used books about Chiune Sugihara. This guy risked his life and career and saved around 5000 Jews during the WWII. (40,000 descendants)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiune_Sugihara

Short people and Japanese Porn

Except for some Manga I have never really checked out Japanese Porn. I have no problem with Porn. I am a traditional liberal. People are free to do what they wish without restraint as long as it does not infringe on my freedom. Tolerance is the middle path.

Like I wrote, porn is cool. I just object to having it displayed on the lower rack in the grocery store - right at my child's eye level. It is like they are pushing porn on kids just for a buck. Maybe my wife is right. The store is just thinking about the needs of the vertically challenged. Tall people are so insensitive at times. I love my wife.