Archive for the 'National' Category

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Why I love Iwate

Published on July 11, 2006 in Iwate, National, Nature and Travel. 0 Comments

Monday was a special day for me. I was invited along with the other prefectural JETs to a sayonara and thank you lunch. We received our thank you certificates and we got a nice speech from the superintendent of the Iwate Board of Education. After receiving our speeches, a number of us got Iwate Friendship ambassador plaques. I guess a small number of JETs are chosen every year to represent Iwate when they go back to their home countries. I think it is a nice sentiment. However, I am not going back to my home country right away. But that doesn’t mean I can’t offer all of you some good reasons to come here and visit Iwate. Let me start with some of the reasons I chose to stay here for at least another year:

1. Iwate is simply one of the most beautiful prefectures in Japan. You have jaw dropping scenery and amazingly lush forests. Winters are a frozen wonderland, and spring and fall are simply some of the best times to see colours; more colours than you’ve seen in your life. Also, don’t get me started about temples and shrines. Iwate contains some of the most beautiful Shinto shrines in all of Japan. Not to mention Chusonji temple, which is currently being considered for World heritage status.

2. Nature not good enough for you? Well, Iwate is very affordable. Apartments in the cities aren’t as expensive as they would be in Tokyo or Osaka, and I’ve found that I can get to know all my neighbours. That is something that would be hard to do in a big city. So if you want to visit Japan and save some money, then come to Iwate.

3. Culture anyone? Iwate is full of traditional Japanese festivals and ceremonies. Each town or city has their own respective festivals, and there are the big ones like the Morioka Sansa festival. We are also close to Japan’s largest fireworks festival in Akita, and just above Sendai’s Famous Tanabata festival. Iwate is also a great place to learn Japanese. You actually won’t have much of a choice in the matter. There aren’t as many English speakers here, so you’ll get a chance to flex you Japanese muscle. You will also have plenty of opportunity to live in rural Japan and partake in things the way they were before everything went all industrial.

4. But aren’t you way out there in the middle of nowhere? Not at all. Iwate is connected all major cities by a Shinkansen Bullet Train that runs straight through the prefecture. If bullet trains are too rich for your blood, than we also have buses and local trains going all over the place. Hanamaki airport also offers connector flights and some direct flights to places like Korea and Hong Kong. Seriously, you can’t go wrong.

5. But what is there to eat in Iwate? Well, Morioka has it’s famous Wonko Soba, and I’ve eaten the best Katsudon I’ve ever eaten at Yorimichi in Fujisawa-town(it’s so good I’m planning a future article on it.) I also think the fish is fresher here than it is in other prefectures. But don’t take my word for it. Come and check it out yourself.

If those five points aren’t enough to get you here, I don’t know what is. I am being totally honest here folks. If you are in Japan and want to check out something awesome that many tourists will never see, then get yourselves over here as soon as possible. If you are looking to carve out a unique experience for your trip, I cannot think of a better place than Iwate Prefecture.

What’s Hot in Japan – June Edition-

Published on June 14, 2006 in Culture and National. 0 Comments

I’m starting a new feature here at JLoJ. Every month I’m going to highlight some of the trends that I see coming out of the media in Japan. The content of this piece does not necessarily reflect the opinions of JAPAN. So please take it in stride.

Top five hot trends

1. Nintendo.
2. Pissing off China.
3. Nationalist Sentiment.
4. Work 100+ hours a week for little or no pay.
5. Corgies.

Trends that are dead to Japan

1. Japan’s Soccer Team
2. Foreigners
3. The X-Box
4. English
5. Having babies

Human Rights a Dangerous Thing?

Published on June 12, 2006 in Culture and National. 0 Comments

First of all, I would like to call your attention to this series of translated comics:

Protecting Human Rights is Dangerous

I can only pray that this is an isolated incident. I hope for all of our sakes that the author of these comics is the only one who has this demented line of thought. I have never seen a more blatant display of alarmist ignorance. I’m not even going to give a rebuttal because frankly, it’s not worth my time, and Coal, the man who did the translation pretty much said it the way I would have.

Every country has people like this, but this goes a bit too far. I really hope this opens the eyes of those who think Japan is a wonderland of anime an technology. Sadly, Japan seems to have just as many crazy people as any country. I want to thank Coal and Boing Boing for bringing my attention to these eye opening comics.

UPDATE: I have come to the conclusion that this must be some sort of elaborate hoax. No single human being could possibly be this ignorant. The author of the comic not only launches his flaming poo at foreigners, but at women as well. It’s almost as if he went down a list human rights victims in order to creates as many enemies as possible.

China goes into space again

Published on October 12, 2005 in National and Technology. 0 Comments

So what does the recent launch of the Shenzhou 6 manned space craft in China have to do with my life in Japan? Well for one thing , since we are neighbors to China, it always makes big news here. My Japanese co-workers talk about China’s bold space plans with a hint of Jealousy in their voices. I mention to them that Japan also has a strong space program; but they are quick to point out that they have no manned launch vehicles of their own. Well, I guess if Japan wants it so badly, they could do it themselves. Those jealous co-workers of mine could go out and start their own space agency. Why not, I say.

In other news, I need to decide what I’m going to do after JET next year. Do I want to work in translation, or do I want another English gig? I’d say my Japanese is nearing the point where I could go out there and translate all day(if this is something I actually want to do.) I also need to decide where I want to live. Do I move to another prefecture, or do I remain in Iwate. Questions, questions.

Finally, it looks like Japan has gone ahead with its plans to privatize the post office. There are many things to consider when privatizing a massive institution such as a post office. But with all the issues at hand, the one that has me the most concerned is what will happen to all the excess staff they will downsize? Every small town (including my own) has their own post office. Layoffs are almost guaranteed at this point, and Japan always chooses the employer over any employee grievances. If you think Japanese people have rights in the work places, you’d better think again. Also, I seriously doubt the government will come to the aid of these poor people. I have a bad feeling we are going to see a spike in suicides in the coming months, and that saddens me.

The House is a Rockin’ Tonight

Published on August 16, 2005 in National, Natural Disasters and Other. 0 Comments

I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m okay. There was a very powerful earthquake here yesterday that did a lot of shaking. My apartment felt like it was being torn to pieces. But luckily for all of us, it wasn’t powerful enough to cause any real damage. There were some places in Sendai that suffered damage, but overall, it looks like we are all okay. I will admit, I have never felt an earthquake that large before. It was quite terrifying. I hope I will never have to experience one like that again. If you ever wanted to know what it feels like. Try to imagine your house shaking so much that the heavy books on your book shelf come flying off of it. Yes, I had a lot to clean up yesterday.

I have arrived in Japan

Published on July 28, 2003 in National and Travel. 0 Comments

This is my first meesage from Japan. I`m typing this from the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Having a blast. Tokyo is a huge city. It`s bigger then I ever imagined. Anyways, going out drinking with the people in my prefecture. updates to come. Kanpai!!!

Jason