An Overview Of Japan For Travelers

An Overview Of Japan For Travelers
For such a tiny total landmass, Japan has left an undeniable stamp on human history. If you are considering Japan as a destination, here is an overview of the country.
An Overview of Japan for Travelers
Extending along the eastern coast of Asia, Japan is a country consisting of a collection of islands. The mainland, as we think of it, is the island of Honshu. There are three other large islands, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and roughly 3,000 much smaller islands comprising what we call Japan. Put together, the total land mass is slightly smaller than California. The geography throughout the islands is mountainous, best exemplified by Mt. Fuji at 12,385 feet. As you might expect, the island country is inherently recognition of a volcanic are and Japan experiences earthquakes fairly frequently, some on a large scale.
Japan is an extremely urbanized country with most people living in major cities. The two prominent religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. The belief systems are harmonious and often share the same temples.
Per legend, Japan was founded by Emperor Jimmu around 600 BC. The current emperor is a descendent of the first.
The first interaction with the West was in 1542 when a lost Portuguese ship landed in Japan. Over the next century more Westerns came, but they were not trusted. The Japan shoguns eventually banned all foreigners and the country was isolated for over 200 years. Not until 1854 did Japan open its doors to the world under the Convention of Kanagawa with the United States. Once this occurred, Japan quickly evolved from a feudal state to a more modern approach.
World War I was a boon for Japan. Fighting on the side of the victorious Allies, Japan repeated new respect as an economic and military power following the defeat of the Axis. Alas, the emperor of Japan went in a different direction after the war, seeking dominance of China and Asia in general.
In 1937, Japan became an ally of Nazi German. This eventually led to its decision to pursue an attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Following four years of war, the loss of 3 million Japanese lives and two atomic bombings, Japan surrendered to the United States on September 2, 1945. It was stripped of most of its territorial holdings and was ruled de facto by General Douglas MacArthur, designated the Supreme Commander.
Following World War II, Japan turned to a democratic system through reforms. The U.S. and allies returned complete control to Japan on April 28, 1952 via the Treaty of Peace. Although its days as a military power were over, Japan once again became an economic giant. Despite its relatively tiny land mass, Japan has the second biggest economy in the world.
Modern day Japan covers 145,902 square miles. The capital is Tokyo. The terrain is best described as rugged, mountainous islands with varying temperatures.
The people of Japan are called “Japanese.” The total population is just over 127.4 million people, but the population is decreasing slightly in size. Japanese is the primarily language spoken and literacy rates are 99 percent. Japanese males have a life expectancy of 77 years while women live to 84 on average.
With its mountainous island landscape, Japan is a hot destination spot for travelers. It is expensive, but a visit to Mount Fuji alone makes a trip worthwhile.

Bowing In Japan

Bowing In Japan
Americans or other Westerners doing business with the Japanese often ask me if they should bow rather than shake hands during a first meeting – and if so, what is the proper technique?
Please allow me to get slightly philosophical before I give you my answer…
First, whenever you are dealing with human beings from any culture there is never one “right” answer that will be consistently true. We should not deal in absolutes.
Second, know that you can learn to work much more effectively with Japanese (or people from any other culture) by doing two things:
1) learning useful “concepts” from others who have a great deal of experience and insight into the culture, and
2) using your own powers of observation and good judgment.
In my book, The Least You Need To Know About Doing Business With the Japanese, I give useful, practical advice on how to communicate more effectively with Japanese, thus helping you with item one. If you internalize these concepts and then apply your own observation and judgment to your situation, I guarantee you will improve your relations with the Japanese you work with almost immediately.
Having said all that, here is my view on this specific topic…
Traditionally, throughout most of Asia, people bowed to each other as a form of greeting, and did not involve human contact similar to the handshake used in the West. The historical reason for this was to show deference and trust. A person bowing in front of you was essentially giving you his neck, trusting that you would not cut his head off with your sword.
Lest you think this is a silly concept, you should know that the historical reason for the Western handshake was for both parties to prove that they were unarmed, and offered greetings of peace – which is why we still shake using our right hands (most people were and still are right-handed).
Obviously no one thinks about these things anymore. If you find yourself in modern-day business situations where you are concerned that the other party is carrying a weapon, or might lop your head off mid-bow, perhaps you should find another line of work!
The point is that both simple methods of greetings, the bow and the handshake, have historical significance and modern application. They also have many subtle (and some not-so-subtle) variations. Imagine shaking hands with someone you have just met and will be playing basketball with. Now imagine greeting the President of the United States with a handshake. Next, imagine giving a high-five to a friend you haven’t seen in a while. These are all variations of the handshake.
Similarly, in Japan, there are many variations of the bow. Some are very formal, some are very informal. Being introduced to the president of the corporation in which you are employed would command a much more formal bow than the one you’d give to the McDonalds employee who just served you a teriyaki burger!
Here are some general guidelines:
For the most formal version of the bow, used in formal business or political settings:
- Face your counterpart with your feet close together and your hands at your sides
- Do not put your hands in your pockets
- Divide your body into two parts: upper (above the waist) and lower (below the waist). Bend at the waste and remain in the lower position for a short period of time before coming back up.
- Do not bend your neck to look up at your counterpart while bowing (ignore the Karate Kid advice that says “always look at your opponent”. You are not in a competition that involves striking.)
- If you are exchanging business cards, be sure to give and receive with two hands, if possible. Make sure you look at the card for a moment or two, even if it’s in Japanese and you can’t read it (I explain why this is important in my book)
For less formal situations, you will basically mimic the formal version of the bow, but with more relaxed rules. Therefore, it is less important that your feet are together, that you stay in the lower-bow position, etc. In fact, you may just give a very slight bow rather than a full, bend-at-the-waist bow.
Westerners doing business with Japanese will often encounter those who are very familiar with Western culture. In International settings it has become more common for Japanese to combine a bow and a handshake.
Consider the difference in how you would shake hands with the CEO of your company, versus a handshake you give to a friend of your friend at the bar. The “rules” are the same; some of them are just more relaxed. Since this is hard to explain to someone, I always recommend that when Westerners travel to Japan, they carve out about 20 minutes to sit in the hotel lobby to observe people bowing to one another. During a busy period you will witness over 100 “exchanges” in that time. These guidelines and your powers of observation will be the keys to better understanding and learning the Japanese culture.

Japan Casinos

Japan Casinos
Japanese people love gambling and all kinds of games of chance, and although Japan casinos are not plentiful due to governmental regulation, gambling is very popular with Japanese and foreigners alike. The Japanese have a long history of gambling, often involving traditional games that are not known outside its borders, and furthermore, they love to bet on sporting events such as horseracing and baseball. Consequently, current political moves to liberalize the Japan casino industry are likely to place Japan at the forefront of the Asian gambling market.
One of the most popular games of chance in Japan is called pachinko, a game like pinball, which is played by millions of Japanese in "pachinko parlors" all through the country. Pachinko machines offer lucky winners the chance to exchange their tokens for goods or money on the premises, and trillions of yen are spent every year on this most popular of pastimes. Indeed, it is estimated that more money is generated by this game than several of Japan's top car manufacturers combined.
Due to tight government legislation prohibiting casinos as such, Japan casinos are currently obliged to operate online, an industry which is fast growing into one of Asia's biggest, and also on cruise ships and boats operating in international waters, thus circumventing the restrictions on land-based gambling. There are moves afoot to change the rules on gambling to allow Japan casinos to be established throughout the country, offering not just basic gambling facilities, but also operating as entertainment and retail malls in their own right. This will generate extra revenue and provide customers with a more satisfying leisure experience. Furthermore, many proponents of casino reform in Japan feel that liberalizing the rules on gambling would make the country even more attractive to tourists, especially considering the number of casinos operating in other countries in the Far East.
In addition to traditional forms of gambling, Japanese people love to wager on sporting events, and in particular on horse racing; big races can regularly attract huge crowds, sometimes in excess of 100,000. The Japanese also gamble on cycling and other sports such as soccer, and in addition, there is a government lottery that offers maximum prizes of around a billion yen. Consequently, there is already a thriving gambling scene in Japan, and with the anticipated changes in the rules, it is surely not long before Japan casinos find themselves at the forefront of the Asian gambling industry.

Baseball In Japan

Baseball In Japan In recent years, the arrival in the United States of players like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui has enlightened Americans about the popularity of the sport in Japan. But most Americans don't know that Japan has almost as long a baseball history as the United States.
The exact date that baseball was introduced in Japan is not known, but it is attributed to American professor Horace Wilson sometime between 1867 and 1912. The Japanese people were immediately intrigued by western baseball, seeing psychological similarities between baseball and their native sports of sumo and martial arts.
In the 1930s, a team of famous American baseball players including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig toured Japan and played games against Japanese college players. Even though the Americans won every game they played, the series helped build interest in baseball throughout Japan. The first Japanese professional team was formed in 1934.
During the years of World War II, as more men joined the military, baseball fell into disfavor and many baseball fields were turned into ammunition dumps or used to grow food crops. However, after Japan was defeated, Allied commanders assisting in the rebuilding of Japan turned to baseball to boost morale and build stronger ties with the west.
In 1950, the Japanese league took on the form it still holds today; two leagues of six teams each. The introduction of television in 1955 brought baseball to a wider audience in Japan as it did in the United States.
There are a few differences in the style and rules of play between modern American and Japanese baseball. The ball used in Japanese baseball is smaller and lighter than the ball used in American baseball. Also, unlike American teams, Japanese teams are only allowed four foreign players per team, two position players and two pitchers.
Stylistically, Japanese coaches focus more on the fundamentals of bunting, base running and fielding whereas American baseball has come to rely heavily on pitching talent and long ball hitting. Because of these differences, Japanese baseball games typically have closer and lower final scores than American baseball games.
In recent years, Japanese baseball teams have been hit hard by players defecting to American teams. The Japanese league and Major League Baseball have an agreement requiring the payment of fees by American teams wanting to recruit Japanese players, but the rules do not apply to free agents. Japanese people today are far more likely to watch an American team on television than they are a Japanese team. Players like Ichiro Suzuki are wildly popular in Japan and are considered national heroes.

The Myths Of Japan

The Myths Of Japan

You know how you always hear so much about Japan, there are countless reasons why people want to, or suggest you visit Japan though much of it is in fact either untrue or very vague in its reality.
I’m here to clarify what Japan is really about and why or why not you shouldn’t visit. As well I’ll touch on some little known and interesting facts about Japan.
First off whenever I heard about Japan in North America people would associate this country with cheap electronics. Everything is made here so it’s cheaper.
Wrong, very little is actually made in Japan and the items that are (Camera Lenses for example) retail for very large sums of money. Many items are in fact designed here and the companies themselves are situated in Japan but most of the actual construction is outsourced to China and Taiwan much like North American goods.
Prices are just as expensive if not more-so and the language barrier (if you can’t read Kanji) makes many items that would be fantastic to own much less useful.
JAPANESE WOMEN.
This is a topic that contains much controversy and differing opinions.
The main stereotype would be that they are very interested in foreign men and that it is easy for foreign men to date Japanese women.
From my experience here I would say that is true but situationally different. Like anywhere there will be a certain amount of people that fulfill any stereotype, otherwise said stereotype would not have a basis to begin with. I think the trouble with this stereotype regarding Japanese women is that.
A: Japan has a very large, dense population so with so many people packed into such a small area it is easier to find the stereotypical examples.
B: there are places known as “Gaijin bars” (Foreign people bars) where Japanese women go to specifically meet foreign guys.
So yes overall it is easy to date a Japanese woman if you are foreign (especially a visible minority) but at the same time not all Japanese women are interested in foreign men, quite the contrary many Japanese women are either scared of Gaijin or avoid them if possible.
Also I find that if I bring up the topic of how easy it is for foreigners to date Japanese women with Japanese people they resent it and think that it is a very negative element of Japan and they will not openly discuss it. I tend to agree that it is a very negative way to look at a countries female population but unfortunately don’t make the stereotypes, I just comment on them.
STEREOTYPE: Japanese schools are very disciplined and strict
False. Absolutely totally unfounded and false. Perhaps years ago the school system was in fact strict and disciplined with corporal punishment and rules in place but by today’s standard it is a mad house.
I grew up in Canada where I attended school from Kindergarten to University and I while there wasn’t always a harsh discipline system in place, kids generally didn’t act up or get in trouble all that often. I mean it happened but it was quickly brought under control and the class was resumed.
Lets say the teacher is talking and explaining an assignment that all the students are expected to do. Now in Canada the class would stop even their slight whisperings and pay attention because they recognize this part of the class to be important and they need this information. In Japan at this point I’d say there are an average of 3 or 4 students sleeping and probably 2 - 5 students speaking loudly.
What does the teacher do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. If it gets completely out of control to the point where in Canada the entire class would face a detention then the teacher will tell everyone to be quiet, which only occasionally works and for a very brief period if at all. I’ve seen students go so far as the punch a male teacher in the nuts… yup right in the beanbag, what did the teacher do? He made a noise as if in pain and slapped the kid in the back of the head.
Now these kinds of kids exist in Canada and America but they aren’t the responsibility of teachers, they would be put in a separate class for kids with emotional or social problems until they learn to co-exist with the rest of the population. Even students who have mental disabilities are right there alongside the rest of the class, I’m standing up in front of everyone trying to teach English and while I know half the class if bored and sleeping because they know all of this already, I know the other half is completely oblivious to what I’m saying and is either talking to their friends or just off in a world of their own.
It’s a problem that is acknowledged by Japanese and Foreigners alike but yet none of these issues seem to be addressed. It’s a strange state of affairs.
I’m not saying that the class doesn’t ever pay attention or that they aren’t smart and don’t learn its just that there is no disciplinary system so when some student decides he doesn’t want to learn, the entire class is then forced to halt or degrade as a result.
Maybe if I could speak more Japanese this would make more sense, but somehow I doubt it.
FACT: almost every Japanese student goes to school after school. This is called Juku, and it is basically a cram school where they probably learn 85% of what they know, I’m sure there is a rigid disciplinary system in place and I’m sure its horribly boring and dry but it is necessary because the classes they take during the regular course of the day are wasted from lack of discipline.
STEREOTYPE: Japan is a very tech based society where everything is crazy and new.
To a point I would agree, there are bright flashing lights every two inches and the gadgets you can get and the toys they offer are at times far beyond the current norm in other countries. The problem is this general acceptance of cool gadgets doesn’t translate over to the realm of computers. From my experience while the average Japanese person can easily manage everyday tasks on a computer, the mentality that they are “uber” computer users seems exaggerated. I would say the average North American would be much more proficient on a computer than a similar Japanese citizen, the cause being the delay in computing being able to handle the Japanese language. Computers powerful enough to integrate Kanji (an alphabet of 5000+ characters) were established long after computers had flooded homes throughout North America. I’m pretty sure my old 486sx with its 4 Megs of ram would not have been able to handle the complexities of Kanji and the Japanese language.
So while the cool gadgets and toys run amok in the streets of Japan I would say that the average user is less knowledgeable than a North American consumer. We’ve just had more exposure to computing though Japan will certainly catch up in a few years.
FACT: Almost every school in Japan has some sort of Uniform or strict dress code. As a result once students are out of the bounds of school fashion takes a turn for umm well it gets a little crazy. Go to a Japanese university and its like a fashion war zone, everyone has competing and conflicting styles, I think that’s why places like Harajuku are renowned for their unique take of fashion, being restricted to a skirt and jacket for the better part of 20 years can do something to you. For further proof look at Japanese citizens aged 60 - 70 and older, for some reason it is perfectly normal and acceptable to, at this age, Dye your hair PURPLE. I don’t know… I suppose they are rebelling in their eternal wisdom that comes with age, speaking out against the injustice of having spent all those years in the same repetitive clothing. Or perhaps they just all like the colour purple. It’s basically straight out of a wrinkly, slow, humpbacked anime. Next thing you know they’ll all have purple contact lenses too…
STEREOTYPE: Japan is safe! No crime or vandalism.
I would primarily agree, for the most part this country is very safe. Unfortunately with the population as high as it is there are bound to be some bad apples, and with so little happening crime-wise, when something does happen it is showcased and spread like mad.
I’ve had one occurrence with a strange man coming to my apartment building and harassing the female foreigners that live there, I’ve heard of several bikes stolen that were located the next day sometimes with an apology note and I know that everyone, myself included sleeps on all forms of public transportation.
So overall it is a very safe place to live, though as a foreigner you will be a target for police and just general criminal categorization. I have been stopped by the police once to be questioned and my white neighbor has been stopped twice to verify that his bike was not stolen.
That’s all for this segment of Japanese Stereotypes.
Check back for some more interesting facts and looks at the differing elements of Japanese society in comparison to North America.

Please feel free to leave comments or e-mail me with any suggestions or questions. (brad.crawford@gmail.com)

Do You Want To Learn Japanese Easily?

Do You Want To Learn Japanese Easily?

Let's start by giving a good number of reasons why learning Japanese might be of interest to you. ** You may be about to travel to a Japanese speaking country ** You have an opportunity to occupationally train some colleagues who only speak Japanese ** You want basic Japanese for business reasons and want to become more valuable at your job by being bilingual ** You are a fan of Japanese animation films, video games, manga comics and want to want to enjoy them more fully without relying on subtitles ** You would like to read books, magazines, and web sites written in Japanese ** Enable you write to and email Japanese speaking people ** Feel more confident and comfortable around Japanese speaking people ** Allow you to get hired by a multi-national business firm and possibly even work and live in Japan ** Japanese fluency definitely stands out on a college/university application, resume or curriculum vitae ** Just enjoy the possibility of making tons of new Japanese friends Besides that, it would be pretty impressive to be able to tell your family, friends, and members of the opposite sex that you "speak Japanese". Your goal should be to learn to read, speak, and understand modern Japanese. Obviously this can't be done from just a book. One of the better proven ways of doing this with less effort is utilizing "picture learning". This method appears to better lock the language into your brain. Some computerized courses feature this approach to build vocabulary in terms of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese. This system makes the whole process more fun and can have the student mastering hundreds of words in a matter of days. Make sure that whatever course you take covers both the Hiragana and Katakana Japanese alphabets. The better courses utilized a "game" type approach to reduce boredom, stimulate interest and improve speed of results. Once you gain the competence in Japanese, you will open up many personal and business related opportunities. For example, the U.S.A. does more business with Japan than any other country. You will be a valuable employee if you speak the language of the customer. Japanese is among the top 10 languages on Earth and spoken by over 130 million people. "Speaks Japanese" looks great on a resume or curriculum vitae, no matter what your line of work. In Japan especially, language has been grooved by culture. So as you study Japanese you also discover and learn more about their wonderful culture. Stepping outside your own culture and language will give you a fresh, new perspective. In addition, Japan has lots of great music that can be appreciated so much more because you can now understand it.

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Learning the Japanese Language

Learning the Japanese Language
"IMPOSSIBLE," you say? Not necessarily. Why, if you think about it you may already know some words in Japanese, such as kimono and sake (rice wine)! Did you know that if you say the English pronoun "I," it sounds as if you are saying "love" in Japanese (ai)? Or that if you say "cow" in English, the same pronunciation means "to buy" in Japanese (kau)?

Some claim that a person can learn Japanese overnight merely by poring over a 'How-to-Learn' book. Though it is not quite that easy, one can quickly master enough Japanese to have an enjoyable time visiting Japan as a tourist.

From Where?

Even more complicated than the Japanese language itself are various ideas regarding its origin. Two decades ago, Leptcha, a language spoken in a valley of the Himalaya mountains, was found to be closely related to Japanese. Others claim that Japanese bears greater affinity to Korean than to any other language.

What is the relationship between Japanese and Chinese? Due to the use of Chinese ideographic script, which we call "Kanji," Japanese is often thought to have close connections with Chinese. But the differences are considerable. Chinese is a "monosyllabic" language, containing words of only one syllable. Japanese, however, is "polysyllabic," having numerous words of two or more syllables. In Chinese, word meaning is conveyed by pitch and word order, while in Japanese the meaning is conveyed by the words themselves and by the word endings.

Nearly 2,500 years ago, the Japanese language had, basically, the same grammar as that used today. But by the end of the ninth and tenth centuries, changes began taking place. This made it necessary to know one set of words for reading and another set for speaking. The result was that until the end of World War II, one had to know 3,000 to 5,000 Chinese characters and two sets of syllabaries of 50 characters each in order to read any weighty material.

Since 1945, however, the essential Kanji have been somewhat simplified and reduced to a little less than 2,000. The language also has adopted many English words. Nowadays, besides these Kanji characters, schoolchildren are taught two sets of romanization. This requires hours of work at memorizing as well as writing practice until, by the end of grammar school, children have learned 881 Kanji, and, by the end of high school, 1,850. Reading college textbooks, however, requires knowledge of about 3,000 Kanji.

Let's Say Something in Japanese

Perhaps you are anxious to test your ability at speaking Japanese. The pronunciation is easy enough, as there are, basically, only 50 different sounds possible. What presents the biggest problem is grammar. But for now, we'll stick to simpler matters.

To begin with, there are five vowel sounds, all pronounced as in Italian: A as in far, I as e in me, E as in nest, O as in old, U as in push, when the U is a short vowel; when long, the U is as oo in soon. It is very important to learn the short and the long vowel sounds. A rather frequent mistake made by missionaries is confusing so shi ki (organization) with sM shi ki (funeral). Not a few audiences have been shocked at hearing about God's great heavenly funeral, rather than God's great heavenly organization. Another easy mistake is that of calling a young girl shM jM (orangutan) rather than shM jo (young girl). Clearly, both the learner of Japanese and the listener are benefited by having a sense of humor.
Often the same vowel, or phonetic sound, is used consecutively, as in a ta ma (head), ko ko ro (heart), or to ko ro (place). Sometimes a phonetic sound is lost through contraction when saying certain words. For instance, when pronouncing kM fu ku (happy), one drops the middle u and slurs the f and k together. This results in the pronunciation kM f'ku. Practice saying it several times and you will see how easily the Japanese rolls off your tongue! Another basic word is the pronoun "I," which in Japanese is wa ta ku shi. It is pronounced correctly wa ta k'shi, with the loss of a u and the slurring of the k into the shi sound. In recent years "I" has been still further abbreviated to become wa ta shi.

Consonants can be tricky too. For example, the single-consonant "k" in the word kM ka gives us "school song," while the double consonant in the word kok ka makes it "national anthem."

Are there any rules as to which syllable should receive accent? Authorities differ, but some agree that it is better not to accent any syllable than to accent the wrong one. For example, the city of Numazu is pronounced nu ma zu, with equal emphasis on each syllable.

Especially since the seventeenth century, Japanese has borrowed many words from European languages. For instance, the Portuguese word "pao" (bread) becomes pan in Japanese. The Dutch "blik" (tin) is bu ri ki. "Butter" in English becomes ba ta. Another English word, "strike," expands to five syllables, with two different meanings. It is su to ra i ku in baseball jargon, but when some want better pay or working conditions, the word becomes su to ra i ki.

Other Things of Interest

One must realize that Japanese word order differs from that in most other languages. On a visit to Japan, you might say in English: "I would like to visit Mount Fuji." In Japanese you would say, "Watak'shi wa Fuji San o hMmon shitai desu." The literal word order is: "I Fuji Mount visit want." In Japanese the verb always comes at the end of the sentence. As noted above, verb endings are also most important. To know whether an expression is in the present or the past tense, or whether it is a positive or negative response to a previous question or statement, one must listen to the very last syllable of a sentence.

An unusual feature of the Japanese language is its system of honorifics or keigo. All conversations must take into consideration three things: the speaker, the one spoken to and the person spoken about. Besides these, the speaker must consider the respective positions, ages, belongings, families, friends and social groups embraced by the conversation. These factors affect-to name just a few-vocabulary, suffixes, prefixes and verb endings used in conversation. The pronoun "you," for example, is represented by many different Japanese words, according to the status of the person addressed. The polite way is often to use the person's name instead, or to omit the "you" altogether. One making one's residence in Japan should be determined to learn the various forms of address. The visitor on a temporary basis, however, will be forgiven blunders of this type. The Japanese, as a whole, are delighted to hear people make the effort to speak their difficult tongue.

Let's Read Kanji Even though you may not know the correct pronunciation of a Kanji character, you often can know its meaning. Do not be afraid of what may appear at first sight to be "chicken scratches" all up and down a page. Although opinions vary, there is a fairly easy way to learn to read Kanji. This system of writing has, basically, 300 "building blocks." By combinations of these, all the thousands of Kanji are formed. Shall we try a few? The character for ka wa (river) comes from the flowing river [Artwork-River Drawing] and looks like this [Artwork-River Drawing]. Now, if you squeeze that river [Artwork-River Drawing], what do you have but the character for water [Artwork-Japanese Characters], mi zu? A traveler in Japan will find it helpful to know the characters for "entrance" and "exit" that are in train stations and other public places. First take a mouth [Artwork-Mouth Drawing], form it into [Artwork-Japanese Characters] and pronounce it ku chi. Now picture a small river running into a large river [Artwork-River Drawing], square it up [Artwork-Japanese Characters], and you have hai ru or iru, meaning "to enter." Put the two together [Artwork-Japanese Characters], smooth out the pronunciation, and you have the word for entrance, i ri gu chi, or, literally, 'enter mouth.' To leave the station, you must know another character. So think of a flower growing out of the ground [Artwork-Flower Drawing]. Shape it up a bit [Artwork-Japanese Characters], and you have the character for de ru (to leave). Put [Artwork-Japanese Characters] with [Artwork-Japanese Characters] and you have [Artwork-Japanese Characters], meaning 'coming out mouth,' or exit, pronounced de guchi. That wasn't nearly as hard as you expected, was it? Many of the characters tell a story, as does the man [Artwork-Man Drawing] [Artwork-Japanese Characters], standing by a tree [Artwork-Tree Drawing], which becomes [Artwork-Japanese Characters]. The two together [Artwork-Japanese Characters] constitute the Kanji for vacation, pronounced ya su mi. How about a man leaning on a shovel [Artwork-Man Drawing], next to his horse [Artwork-Horse Drawing]? Put them together and you have e ki, or station [Artwork-Japanese Characters], as in "Tokyo Eki," where you can catch the bullet train. There are many, many more to learn, and while requiring effort, it is a thoroughly fascinating and entertaining study. Over the years the writing of Kanji is being progressively simplified. As the older and younger generations differ in their way of writing Kanji, often a letter received from a grandmother or grandfather will have to be read and "translated" by someone living nearby who is in the same age group as the writer of the letter. Some Reasons for Learning Japanese There are many reasons that may prompt persons to learn Japanese. With some individuals, it may be simply a hobby that helps to broaden their views of people from a different culture and environment. Others will want to learn Japanese for business reasons. Tourists will enjoy their visit to Japan all the more if they know some basic Japanese. But to gain a real working knowledge of Japanese, one would have to live in this country for some years. If you wish to learn Japanese, you can. Our word of advice is: "Ganbatte kudasai!," that is, "Stick to it!"

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Japanese knotweed removal

Japanese knotweed removal

Development and construction industries face a huge problem with the Japanese knotweed invasion. Eradication is such a large issue and, also, it is one where relatively little is known by many so-called experts; the advice given for Japanese knotweed removal can be confusing. However, the problem of Japanese weed removal is a clear one. It is now thought that Japanese knotweed affects an area roughly the size of London. DEFRA has placed a conservative total cost of Japanese knotweed removal at £1.56bn. The Victorians obviously admired its imposing height and soft, green, smooth, heart-shaped leaves, purple streaked bamboo-like stems and small, white flowers in late summer. Little did they know how destructive the invasive weed would become. For now developers must be ruing the day that the Victorian botanical enthusiasts introduced the knotweed, an invasive weed, as an ornamental plant. As a hardy fast-growing invasive plant, the weed enjoys the climate and conditions in the UK as easily as its original habitats in Japan and China. Consequently, this means that in the UK Japanese knotweed can completely swamp native vegetation. It grows voraciously in harsh, disturbed conditions, and can regenerate from very small amounts of growth. This makes Japanese knotweed removal very difficult and its spread can be rapid. The very real problem with it is the impact it has on buildings. They can easily damage drains, walls, and can even grow through concrete floors; thus meaning the removal of the knotweed is essential before development begins. In the process of Japanese knotweed eradication it is important to take account of applicable legislation and relevant guidance. The main UK legislation for eradication of this weed to be aware of includes: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, makes it an offense to spread Japanese knotweed in the wild. The Environmental protection act 1990, and Duty of care regulations, 1991, make any Japanese knotweed contaminated soil controlled waste. Third party litigation is also important, where you can be sued for costs and damages if you allow Japanese knotweed to spread from your property. The Environment Agency also provides useful advice on Japanese knotweed removal in their code of practice. But advice from the Environment Agency is fairly general; they state that during the removal of the invasive weed, the soil around it should be excavated to a 3 metre depth and 7 metre radius. The result of this would be too large an amount of knotweed waste to be handled cost effectively. However, using expert’s advice and professional experience, Japanese knotweed removal services can deal with the infested material and take a much smaller amount of soil offsite, resulting in huge cost savings.

Paul, is the director of the Phlorum. An environmental agency specialised in Japanese Knotweed Removal and Japanese Knotweed Eradication in the UK. A great way for Japanese Knotweed Control. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Japanese knotweed eradication continues

Japanese knotweed eradication continues

Japanese knotweed is continuing to spread throughout the United Kingdom. Although attempts at Japanese knotweed eradication are quite intensive, weed control is still needed as the knotweed remains a significant problem. The Victorians saw the first introduction of Japanese knotweed. Control of the invasive weed at that time was not considered necessary. However, after many years of freedom Japanese knotweed removal has become essential. As Japanese knotweed thrives away from its original habitat of volcanic and other harsh conditions, the United Kingdom has a perfect climate; consequently, the control of the plant is becoming more and more important. Japanese knotweed eradication is particularly difficult as the nature of the plant means that it grows quickly and weed control is necessary to stop regeneration as the roots will spread quickly; up to three to four inches a day. Japanese knotweed removal is essential because the plant is very threatening as it can grow through parts of buildings, damaging foundations, drains, and even walls. Also, without effective Japanese knotweed eradication, the rhizomes (roots) of the Japanese plant can still continue to grow underground and appear elsewhere. Japanese knotweed removal does not always solve the problem. Weed control is also needed even after a site has been treated to maintain a Japanese knotweed free area. Japanese knotweed spreads entirely by vegetative means. They reproduce through small pieces of stem and root cuttings. Therefore spreading the rhizomes on sites will exacerbate the Japanese knotweed problem, causing the need for further eradication. As Japanese knotweed is such a virulently invasive plant, knotweed control needs to be applied to more than just the ability for it to spread from small pieces of root material. The plant typically springs up in April, when it begins its determined growth in all directions. Thousands of pounds can be added to site costs for Japanese knotweed eradication, it can grow anywhere on all sites across the United Kingdom. Its original habitat is harsh and the climate in the United Kingdom encourages its development, often enveloping our native vegetation. Leaving the problem of even a small amount of Japanese knotweed unchecked is a mistake as its fast growth and high voracity means it will grow to form a new plant from just a fragment of root. Therefore Japanese knotweed is becoming more and more common on sites that are disturbed by human activity including, in particular, many areas where development has been planned.

Paul, is the director of the Phlorum. An environmental agency specialised in Japanese Knotweed Removal and Japanese Knotweed Eradication in the UK. A great way for Japanese Knotweed Control. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

A Japanese Martial Art-Judo

A Japanese Martial Art-Judo

Judo, meaning "gentle way", is a modern Japanese martial art and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking the elbow or by applying a choke. Strikes and thrusts (by hands and feet) - as well as weapons defences - are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice. While throwing opponents to the floor wins most matches, it is the only Olympic sport where submission holds allow choking an opponent or breaking an arm. The Judo Rank System Judo created the system of ranks, now used in most other martial arts, that recognize a person's degree of knowledge, ability, and leadership. There are separate ranks for juniors (under 17) and seniors. Judo ranks are identified by colored belts, and ten degrees of advanced grades for black belts. Regular advancement encourages students to achieve more. Principles and Goals of Judo The principles of Judo, such as "Maximum Efficiency" and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit", can also be used in our dealings with others in life. The ultimate goal in Judo is to develop oneself to the maximum extent possible, always striving for perfection, so that you can contribute something of value to the world. Judo as a Sport In 1964, Judo became the first martial art to be sanctioned as a medal sport in the Olympic Games. Judo competitions are also held throughout the world. Points are awarded for throwing an opponent, holding an opponent on his back while on the mat for a designated amount of time, or forcing an opponent to submit via "tapping out" to an armlock or choke or rendering the opponent unconscious with a choke. A match is won with a "perfect throw" called an Ippon, two near perfect throws called Wazari, holding an opponent on his back on the mat for 25 seconds, a combination of one Wazari and holding an opponent down for 20 seconds, or submitting an opponent with a choke or armlock. Members of the Notre Dame Judo Club are registered as amateur athletes in the State of Indiana through the state judo governing body, Indiana Judo Inc. Members are offered frequent opportunities to compete. However, competition is not necessary for membership in the club.

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What English Teacher Jobs are Available in Japan?

What English Teacher Jobs are Available in Japan?

English teachers in Japan can take advantage of the demand for English teacher jobs. There are many websites now that feature English teacher jobs in Japan because of this.Why demand is highDemand for English teachers in Japan is high because Japanese students, sadly, are not trained in regular Japanese schools to be very proficient in English. If they are taught English at all, the quality of education in English leaves much to be desired. This is why Japanese individuals of varying ages are always looking for English teachers in Japan who can train them to be proficient in English. Some English teacher jobs are at regular Japanese schools that want their students to be good at English. Requirements of English teachers in JapanA person who wants to become an English teacher in Japan may have to learn a bit of Japanese as well. This would help that person communicate English language concepts to his or her students better. However, if you do not know Japanese, all is not lost because there are still openings for people who are only skilled in English. Such people would be helping Japanese students who already have a level of proficiency in English but want to get better at it.You have to be careful, though, about where you choose to teach, as an English teacher in Japan. Some language schools have been reprimanded and even suspended because they do not legitimately teach their Japanese students and even engage in illegal activities just so their students can pass the course.It might be best if you signed up with a language school that has a very good reputation in the international language teaching community. Generally, schools that are affiliated with other language schools in the world have such a reputation so you could apply with them.You might also be able to get a position as a private tutor for Japanese children, particularly those who are of elementary school age. Private tutors have an advantage in that your employer might even permit you to get board and lodging privileges. This is a nice job for people who like children as a rule.If you know your way around Japan, and the Japanese language as well, you could take the greater risk of being a freelance English language teacher. This gives you the advantage of taking on more contracts than an employee position would allow. You could freelance part-time or full-time, as you choose. However, be careful that you don't get into trouble by heading for risky areas of Japan. Not all Japanese are nice people.To lower the level of risk and increase your comfort level, you can look through online sites devoted to English teaching in Japan to get to know the ins and outs of the business before you submit your application and resume.English teacher jobs in Japan offer prestige and an opportunity to see the country up close. Just be sure you are aware of what the job entails so you avoid potential pitfalls.

An online portal to english teacher jobs. Check out this website to find out more about english teachers in japan, and worldwide employer contact information.
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Marketing to women – bigger buyers than all of Japan

Marketing to women – bigger buyers than all of JapanOk - I am the first to admit - I can get very confused on how women think, make decisions and end up purchasing one offer over another.But, I realize how important it is that I learn (especially considering I live with 3 of them! My wife Kari, and my twin daughters Katrina and Hailey). It is become of utmost importance to me to figure out how they think, or resign myself permanently to living and working out of the garage.And you should too - man or woman - you should start researching the how-to aspect of marketing to women.Why?According to the book I am reading right now entitled "Marketing to Women - How to understand, reach and increase your share of the worlds largest market segment" by Martha Barletta.Women make 85% of all buying decisions Women account for 70 percent of all new business startupsSpecifics... Homes furnishings purchases - 94% decided by women Vacations - 92% Houses - 91% Electronics - 51% Cars - purchase 60% and influence 90% Banking decisions 84% Health car - 80%I think you see the point here - by far this is the world's largest untapped market. And if you take the initiate to learn about this market - you will be happily growing your business while others stand by and look confused on how you are doing it.The American Women's market by themselves has more purchasing power than the entire Japanese market!Do I have your attention yet?Think about it. Most advertising, web sites, sales copy, sales trainers etc are focused on techniques that sell to men.Very few... name some... train others on effective marketing and sales techniques to the women's market.This is new to me too!Living with 3 women, you would think I understand this market - nope, I don't... but I want to learn.Women have an entirely different way of making their purchasing decisions... how they read sales copy and advertising... and how they perceive companies and their positioning.It is imperative that you learn this. Me as well.I am not going to get into the details here... for that... go buy a book written by an expert in this field.... but here is a few examplesWomen - like to see lots of information (long copy sells... but most do it wrong to the women's market), want to build rapport first, make internal connections and hear stories that they can relate toMen - are interested in the key points (bullets... not nearly as effective with women), like headlines, status is very important and appreciate facts and features (most high tech gadget freaks I know are menWomen seek the perfect answer; men just want a quick answer. Think about shopping habits of both. Men go to a mall with a specific purpose in mind (an answer), walk quickly through the mall straight to where they are going, buy... then leave.Women on the other hand can spend hours at the mall - seeking that perfect answer.And women will do anything to get exactly what they are looking for.You want raving fans? Learn how to market to women properly... they will treat you like gold in return. If you offer what they are looking for (the perfect answer), they are absolutely your perfect client - they will send endless referrals your way if you treat them right.So, do yourself, your relationships and your business a favor - pick up a copy of this book... start to understand where 98% of the businesses you see out there are doing it wrong... and reap the benefits for years to come.Gotta run - some serious reading and studying to do here!

Troy White, The Marketing Results Mentor and Expert Copywriter helps clients achieve HUGE growth surges in their business in very short periods of time. If you're an entrepreneur in need of quick cash flow surges - here is the quick-hit solution to put money in your bank&. The Wild West Wealth Summit! Make sure you visit http://www.WildWestWealth.com or sign up for the Free Cash Flow Surge Newsletter at http://www.CashFlowSurges.com
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Everyone needs to learn English in Japan

Everyone needs to learn English in Japan

"There were days when your intellect as a Japanese would be measured in terms of how well you knew the different dialects of the Japanese language. All that is slowly changing nowadays. What I hear from Japan is that knowing English is slowly being used as a benchmark to judge a person’s dialect. That is a big sea change for a country that has made a lot of progress in 60 years after the atomic bombings.Now, students are exposed to English at a very early age. The thinking of Japanese citizens is that if they learn English at a very young age, they would not have problems communicating in English when they grow up. It is this thought that forces a lot of English teaching jobs in schools and universities. Please do not be surprised when a kid sings "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or "Mary had a little lamb to you". English teaching has acquired unprecedented popularity in Japan and kids aged 6-12 are one amongst the first to be educated.The teens, who are aged 13-18 are also being a part of the revolution. I am told that there are compulsory English classes in their schools. Though for now, English is not their primary medium of communication for all other subjects, it is learnt as a second language. That in itself is a good change. I am also being told that everyone enrolling in schools must complete tests in English. Without passing the tests, they would not be allowed to go to the next grade.The last set of popular age group that has been taking to education in English quite predominantly is the middle aged people. Quite a lot of these guys are employed with MNC Firms. With most of the firms in the world going global, Japanese have realized that they would need efficient communication in English for them to survive. It is this need that is forcing a lot of these guys to take to English. More importantly, a lot of these guys learn English as an additional skill for them to apply for jobs. A lot of companies in Japan give weight to your resume if you know English.All this tells you that if you are an English Teacher, you have a wide base of people that you can target. It just requires you to be certified and if you are, chances are you could land a high paying English teaching job."

Ms. Mistina Thomson, the author of the article. If you would like to Teach English in Japan start by browsing available English Job. You can also visit one of the many web forums for English teachers.
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Learn Japanese In Japan And Enjoy Outstanding Ski Resorts

Learn Japanese In Japan And Enjoy Outstanding Ski Resorts If you are a ski lover and wish to experience and alternative and unique spot on hearth, you must travel abroad and learn Japanese in Japan.Though unknown by many, Japan offers incredible ski resorts and snowed caped regions excellent for practicing snowboarding, ski and all types of winter sports.If you wish to enjoy snowed peaks as well as outdoor sports and commercial areas, your pick must be Kariuzawa to start with. Have fun in Prince Ski Resort and buy traditional goods on the outlet mall of the city. Learn Japanese in Japan and reach Kariuzawa in just an hour from the centre of Tokyo. The city is also a perfect destination as a summer getaway to practice cycling, tennis, golf and hiking.If you learn Japanese in Japan you must visit Yuzawa, the largest ski resort in the country. It counts with more than twenty options of different slopes and landscapes to practice different winter sports. These twenty areas are connected so that you go around them as you prefer. Also enjoy in Kariuzawa relaxing hot springs and a local museum of Sake typical drink. Another region that offers both, snow and hot springs, is Kusatsu Onsen. Bathe in high quality thermal baths that are believe to cure illnesses and love pains.On the other hand, if you learn Japanese in Japan and wish to be taught about the history and culture of the country in a striking snowed setting, you must go to Nikko. Go around the National Park where Nikko city is found. Here you will encounter a lively shrine framed by mountains, lakes, waterfalls, lush vegetation plus the magical snow. Learn Japanese in Japan and come across Nikko, one of the finest destinations in the country. Another location to learn about the farm past of Japan is Shirakawago. Visit this place that has been declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Discover ancient and traditional architecture specially designed to cope with harsh winters. If you wish to stay in Shirakawago for a weekend you can sleep in one of these typical farm houses.Learn Japanese in Japan and take part in the winter festival of Sapporo city. This worldwide festivity occurs during February and shows giant snow sculptures that resemble local customs. As you learn Japanese in Japan you can't miss sightseeing the numerous miniature and small ice statues too.From Abashiri city during winter you can enjoy an ice cruise as you learn Japanese in Japan. This cruise will take you to incredible white landscapes to observe drift ice along the Okhotsk Sea.Last but not least, the latest winter adventure for those coming to learn Japanese in Japan is Tateyama Kurobe Alpine tour. You will join the cities of Toyama and Nagano in an incredible journey along giant corridors of snow that reach around 20 meters high.Learn Japanese in Japan and find mysterious destinations to have fun during winter.

If you would like to get rid of the problem of learning japanese then just simply visit our site learn japanese.There are lots of people who visit our site and get rid of this problem.
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English Teaching in Japan

English Teaching in Japan"Welcome to the land of the rising sun. This is a country that is known for friendliness and also its prowess in technology. We have all heard of Toyota’s and Nissan’s prowess in the global market. In this country, the importance of English has fast gained popularity than their latest produced technical genius. An English job in Japan is one of the most privileged jobs amongst many others. Why is teaching English in Japan considered to be one of the most important things to do? The fact is Japan like China has never been known for its dominance in understanding English. They do speak and write their national Japanese dialect and mostly, nothing else.The one big plus factor in teaching English in Japan is that the people there are very friendly. The job in itself is viewed so prestigiously that a teacher teaching English in Japan could be treated as a Samurai. The importance of English to Japan as an economy cannot be undermined. With a lot of foreign investors interested in investing in some of Japan’s success stories, Japan can no longer keep their doors shut on people who speak and write English.Why? A couple of decades ago, when you landed in Tokyo International Airport, you would be greeted with signs and symbols that would just not make sense to you if you do not know Japanese. Like Mandarin, the Japanese dialect is pretty hard to understand and write. In fact, if I recollect, before a tourist lands in Japan he is given training to comprehend Japanese.All of this was the scene couple of decades ago. Though, I would not say that the importance of the local dialect has decreased, the increased importance on English as a Second Language makes you feel comfortable. Suddenly, there is a grown perception to tourism as tourists are no longer prone to insecurities when they visit Japan. An English job in Japan pays you well. Being Japanese that they are, the schools that would hire you would also look well after you. Be prepared for a sumptuous treat of hospitality and feel-at-home factor. Apart from all this, also be prepared for the recognition you would get if you would be able to impart good education to the citizens of Japan.Teaching English in Japan is no longer considered to be a taboo. In fact, there are many advertisements of English Job in Japan. All these factors clearly point towards to the growing popularity of English as a second language in Japan. If you are an English Teacher wanting to try your skills teaching English in Japan as a second language, Sayonara! And meet you at the Tokyo International Airport."

Ms. Mistina Thomson, the author of the article. If you are interested in Teaching English in Japan or would like to find an English Job in another country start by visiting web forums for English teachers and browsing job offers on online bulletin boards.
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How to purchase a property in Japan

How to purchase a property in Japan
For a foreigner, buying a property in Japan can be a confusing, difficult and frustrating experience if you don't know how to approach it. This article provides inside tips from an expert on how to go about purchasing a property in Japan from scratch, whether you are a resident or non-resident.General advice for people looking to purchase property in JapanThe type of place you purchase will depend on the reasons why you want to purchase a property. I recommend taking a pen and writing down all the reasons you can think of as to why you wish to purchase a property. This will help you to better understand your own reasoning behind your decision to buy or not to buy.You should ask yourself two important questions 1) do I want an investment property? OR 2) do I want to live in it?Your answer to these questions will influence your decision on what type of property you purchase. If you are purchasing because you want to live in it and stay a while, you have more options than if you looking to purchase an investment property. If you intend to live in the property for a long time, you will be saving on the rent you would have been paying anyway on a rental property so the decision to buy in many respects is a lot easier. If you intend to live in Japan for more than 5 years I generally recommend purchasing a property as opposed to renting.There are personal and market considerations. If you are going to live in it, make sure you live in a place which is suitable now and for the future. If your job is likely to change, make sure you can rent it out or easily sell it. In terms of location this will obviously differ from person to person. For example, one person may want to live in Yokohama near sports facilities while someone else may want to live near Roppongi so they can enjoy the night life. Others may just want something cheap to live in.You don't have the safety blanket of knowing that you are saving on rent if you are only purchasing the property as an investment, so the risk is greater. If you are looking for an investment place and think the property is not going to go up in value then you are better off not purchasing. A simple question to ask yourself is "Can I get a better return than the cost of the loan?". Last year there were some increases in property prices, making it more difficult to achieve positive yield (positive yield means you are making more money from renting your property out compared to the total of your other costs). If one is buying then a longer term commitment is required, so it could be a costly mistake if it doesn't suit your purposes.Is there any law against foreigners buying houses/apartments in Japan?There is no law or legal restriction against foreigners buying a property in Japan, either as a non-resident or resident. The biggest problem for foreigners buying property in Japan is getting the loan. If you have been a resident of Japan for some time (at least 2-3 years) it helps with the loan application. If you have a stable income and have been at the same company for at least three years your chances of getting a loan dramatically increase. Those who are married to a Japanese person will also find it easier than other to purchase a property because they have the spouse visa.
It's important to note that tax treatment is different depending on who purchases the property.How do non-residents of Japan go about purchasing a property? For a foreigner, buying a property in Japan can be a confusing, difficult and frustrating experience if you don't know how to approach it. This article provides inside tips from an expert on how to go about purchasing a property in Japan from scratch, whether you are a resident or non-resident.If you are a non-resident it is necessary to set up a special purpose company through which their real estate properties are held. This used to be done through a Yugen Gaisha (or YK) which are now obsolete. There are several companies you can use which are known as special purpose vehicles for holding real-estate. The costs involved in doing this differs depending on the structure; up to 1/2 million yen for simple purchases and more for complex ones. If you are a resident of Japan it will usually not be necessary for you to do this.

Richie Johns is a long term resident of Japan and runs a site called http://www.bignavi.jp/ , which allows users to easily search for information on housing, classifieds, jobs, travel and has general tips on living and working in Japan. Article source: http://bignavi.jp/news/2008/03/11/how-to-purchase-a-property-in-japan/
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Compact and Cool Cars from Japan

Compact and Cool Cars from Japan

NEW INVENTIONS & NEWS MAKING HEADLINES ABOUT JAPAN AUTOS IN JAPANJapan’s Suzuki RenoSuzuki Reno 2008The 2008 Suzuki Reno is a cool compact car that is gaining accolades due to the number of distinct features it has that is a combination of style, comfort and convenience. This compact hatchback vehicle has a 2.0 liter Inline-4 engine with 16 valves and rack and pinion steering that is speed sensitive. The vehicle's suspension is composed of a front suspension that is a MacPherson strut and a rear suspension that is an independent dual-link. The vehicle also has four wheel disk brakes and comes in either manual or automatic transmission. The Reno can be bought in one of six funky colors.Sassy and Cool InteriorsThe 2008 Suzuki Reno's interior can be described in one word...cool. This vehicle is built for the younger generation and for those who feel young with its cool gray interior design that includes comfort and convenience in its sassy package. Air conditioning keeps the air cool or warm depending on the weather, power windows and power door locks give an added ease of use and cruise control is available for those relaxed longer drives. Safety is also key here with the vehicle's safety features that include air bags, seat belts and side impact beams for all the doors.Why Buy the Japanese Used Car Suzuki RenoWhile a lot of people may argue that used cars have miles and miles of travel on them, Japanese used cars do not fit this argument. Majority of Japanese used cars have very little mileage on their meters simply because they are often used for inner city driving only. Majority of long distance travel in Japan is done by public transport like buses and trains because of the high cost of long distance travel. Add to this the high cost of vehicle evaluation and re-registration that gets Japanese car owners to trade in their slightly used vehicles for newer ones, and you've got a huge selection of Japanese used cars to choose from. Buying a Japanese car import is a wise decision to make since you do get a pretty good conditioned car at a huge discount. Japanese car imports also can be found on online Japanese auctions, used car auctions and from used car dealers.

Lila Ivanova writes regularly for Nexusscars. For import cars from Japan visit http://www.nexusscars.com
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Taking the Train in Japan

Taking the Train in Japan
For new arrivals in Japan riding trains quickly becomes a necessity of life. Taking on the challenge of a crowded morning rush hour train is a right of passage, and foreigners who pass this grueling test are promoted to the ranks of those tenacious individuals able to adapt to this country's major form of transportation. Scenes viewed on television or in magazines of white gloved conductors pushing throngs of commuters into crammed compartments are unfortunately a reality, and anyone bold enough to literally jump into this melee will experience the claustrophobic's worst nightmare. My initial encounter with rush hour in Tokyo was on a Monday morning, and I was due to report bright and early for my first teaching job thirty minutes away by train. With the naivety of a novice rider I patiently waited for the crowd on the platform to disperse, convinced there was no possible way to physically enter the packed carriage. Allowing several cars to pass I realized that if I didn't board the train soon I would be late for my first day of work. Eventually forcing my way into the compartment I was engulfed by a multitude of bodies compressed into one cohesive mass which swayed uncontrollably with each erratic surge of the train, my freedom of movement relinquished entirely. This seemingly endless ordeal continued until the next station, when for a brief moment passengers would frantically disembark, only to be replaced seconds later by another group vehemently intent on entering the car at the same time. I realized I would never survive thirty minutes of this pandemonium, and found myself fighting my way off the train at the next stop. I decided the only solution to the dilemma was to find accommodation within walking distance of the office, or to establish a schedule that would allow me to avoid the inevitable crowded conditions that exist in any major Japanese city from the morning hours of seven to nine. In addition to the horrors of rush hour there are other pitfalls that newcomers should be aware of when riding trains in Japan. The reputation of the Japanese as being polite is very accurate, but in regard to getting on and off of trains this noble trait often seems to vanish. Caution should be exercised as you enter or exit the carriage due to the number of impatient passengers who feel the need to aggressively push and shove. Some of the worst offenders are "gray haired little old ladies" who upon seeing a rare empty train seat make a bee line for this coveted spot with the dexterity and determination of a fullback sprinting toward the end zone. This same inclination to bump and jostle is obviously to be expected in a city of fifteen million, but care should be taken when walking along crowded platforms, especially in late evening when salarymen staggering home after a night of drinking have been known to accidentally nudge commuters off the edge onto the tracks below. Another potentially lethal hazard stems from gaps that can be found on various station platforms. Although trains in Japan are an engineering marvel, oversights were obviously made when designing the tracks in relationship to certain platforms. A number of stations contain very large spaces between the train and platform, and upon entering the carriage you find yourself carefully stepping over them like a mountaineer negotiating crevices. Some of the gaps are large enough to consume an adult or child, as I was witness to one Spring afternoon in Akasaka station. Sitting near the entrance I suddenly heard a shrill scream of panic erupt from a female passenger attempting to board. Apparently as she and her young daughter entered the compartment, the girl inadvertently slipped between the train and platform onto the tracks, the distraught mother desperately pulling her trembling daughter back onto the train seconds before the doors shut automatically.
Women riding trains also have a special concern; gropers known as "Chikans" are famous for fondling women on trains so crowded it's often impossible to determine with certainty who the offender is. Though Japanese women have recently become more aggressive confronting these molesters, the incidence of assaults has been steadily rising each year to such an extent that one of the main train lines in Tokyo has now incorporated a "women only" car to accommodate those wishing to ride without fear of being accosted. Despite the crowded conditions and negative aspects of riding trains in Japan as previously mentioned, the Japanese rail system still maintains a reputation as one of the most efficient in the world. Punctuality is almost guaranteed, and frequency of departures and arrivals is truly impressive, with a waiting time of only a few minutes between trains, and a maximum of only ten minutes on smaller lines servicing outlining areas. Japanese trains are also among the cleanest and safest in the world, and accidents or breakdowns are almost non existent.


Jim Sherard is the author of "Land of the Rising Sun, A Guide to Living and Working in Japan", which can be found at: http://www.escapeartist.com/e_Books/Living_and_Working_in_Japan/Living_and_Working_in_Japan.html
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The Coffee Shops of Japan

The Coffee Shops of Japan
With Japan rated as the third largest coffee consumer in the world, it comes as no surprise that coffee shops (kissatens) abound, with Tokyo alone home to over ten thousand. Shops come in all sizes and styles, but the smaller versions usually include only a counter and a few tables that are often sole proprietorships run by a husband and wife team who are helped by a part time waitress. These establishments also often double as a small restaurant which offer sandwiches or a light meal during lunchtime. For breakfast a "morning set" is often available which usually consists of juice, coffee, eggs and toast. These mom and pop businesses are gradually being replaced by the bigger chain shops such as Detour, Tully's, and Starbucks, which offer over the counter coffee, more spacious seating arrangements, and in the case of Starbucks a no smoking environment. This has proven to be a big selling point in a nation that currently has very few restrictions in regard to smoking in public restaurants and bars. Others have striven to develop a unique theme to distinguish themselves from the competition. Music coffee shops for example featuring jazz, classical, or rock, have always been a favorite hangout for the younger crowd since their inception in the early 1960's. Less mainstream but proving to be quite popular are the manga (comic book) coffee shops that have sprung up in recent years in Tokyo. Coffee is served gratuitously, and the customer pays only for the duration of time spent reading the thousands of manga provided on library type shelves lining the room. On a similar theme, "Maid Kissa" coffee shops feature beautiful young waitresses donned in maid costumes that resemble characters from famous Japanese comics. As the customer enters the premise he or she is greeted by an alluring "welcome home my master". In addition to the verbal role play offered, maids pour coffee and tea for patrons, or engage in a game of cards upon request. Many of these coffee shops are decorated in the style of an English Mansion to simulate feelings of truly being "master of the house". Some shops are subtly veering from the coffee shop image by referring to their place of business as cafes, often reflecting the owners personal taste in interior design and music, and emphasizing a European atmosphere where home style food and a great cup of coffee can still be enjoyed. Despite the various themes employed by owners to attract customers, the main feature of the menu is still coffee. For purists looking for an exotic blend or a special roasting method, a growing number of shops are now offering patrons fresh ground coffee using in house percolating techniques they hope will lure customers away from the instant coffee shop franchises that have come to dominate the market in recent years. Whether you're searching for a temporary sanctuary from the clamor of the city, or a quick pick me up first thing in the morning, coffee shops in Japan have something for everyone.

Jim Sherard is the author of "Land of the Rising Sun, A Guide to Living and Working in Japan", which can be found at: http://www.escapeartist.com/e_Books/Living_and_Working_in_Japan/Living_and_Working_in_Japan.html
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Travel Japan – Enjoy the Adventure

Travel Japan – Enjoy the Adventure Japan is one of the Asian cities that must be seen. It is simply breathtaking to behold in its scenery and full of fun and exciting things to experience. Many come to the Islands of Japan and find they have so much to do, it is impossible to pack it all in to one vacation. From the large amount of attractions, the rich colorful history, and the beauty of the land itself, there is something to appeal to every traveler. You can still see the past traditions mingled with the new ways of today. There are so many cities in Japan that one might find it hard to decide on an exact destination. Each city has its own special personality to consider. Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, and Fukuoka are some of the more polar cities most world travelers have heard of. Tokyo is the most up to date city in Japan and has sites to see such as the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Imperial Palace, and Disneyland Tokyo.Other sites around Japan include the Nijo Castle, The Golden Pavillion, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and The Museum Of Kyoto. Hiroshima is, in itself a historical place as it was the area to be destroyed because of the first atomic bomb. The list continues on and on of great places to see and great things to experience while here in Japan. For those who want a more detailed list of thing you can do, the list below should give you a pretty good idea. • Try meditating at one of the many Buddhist Temples in the area.• See Sumo Warriors wrestle it out in this ancient sport.• Be a part of a tea party which is tradition in Japan.• For the adventure seeker, a climb up Mount Fuji might be the right activity.• Smell the Cherry blossoms on the tree.• Fish in one of the great waters here.• Have some authentic sushi and wash it down with real sake. • Take part in one of the many festival through the city. There are too many great things to do on your vacation in Japan. The best thing to do is to plan in advance. But if you’re the adventuress type, you can simply buy your tickets and set off for your own personal experience to Japan. See what you can find to do in this magnificent area of the world.

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