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Taka

Vietnam-Japan ties : Extensive, strategic partnerships

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On September 2, 1945, when Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration, the declaration of independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was announced by Ho Chi Minh. Although Vietnam went through many tragedies such as the Vietnam War after the declaration, it has continued its economic growth and it is one of the leading countries in Asia now.

Diplomatic relations were established between Japan and Vietnam on September 21, 1973, and 2020 marks the 47th anniversary. Japan has supported Vietnam’s development in terms of economy and technology since 1992, and Japan is now the largest investor among the 101 countries investing in Vietnam. Since then, the exchanges in culture, economy, politics, education, technology, and tourism between the two countries have become active. As the relationship of mutual understanding and trust has deepened, the number of Vietnamese living in Japan is increasing year by year.

Vietnamese in Japan

The number of Vietnamese living in Japan began to increase significantly from around 2013. In 2018, it surpassed Filipinos and became the third largest group of foreign residents in Japan after China and South Korea (14% of all foreigners). According to the Immigration Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Justice, the total number of Vietnamese living in Japan as of the end of 2019 was 410,1968, an increase of 24.5% (81,133) from the end of 2018, the highest ever.

Many choose to move to Japan mainly because of study abroad or work, but below are the main reasons behind this movement.

・ Vietnam has many young and skilled people: Average age is 31 years old as of 2018

・ The GDP growth rate of Vietnam was 7.1% year-on-year in 2018, and the market is just expanding (Japan’s GDP growth rate during the same period was 0.8% year-on-year).

・ Vietnam has many similarities to Japanese culture, such as the food culture centered on rice and the emphasis on hierarchical relationships influenced by Confucianism, so it is easy for Vietnamese to get used to Japanese style of living.

・ There are many opportunities to learn Japanese language and Japanese culture in Vietnam

Also, as the relationship between Vietnam and Japan deepens, the number of Japanese living in Vietnam is increasing. According to survey statistics released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, it is reported that the number of Japanese living in Vietnam was 22,125 in October 2018, an increase of 28.1% from the previous year. Vietnam has the highest growth rate of Japanese residents in Asia.

Political and economic cooperation

Investment from other countries is one of the factors that support Vietnam’s economic growth. Japan is the country that invests the most in Vietnam in the world (cumulative total from 1992 to 2015 is about 2.6 trillion yen). Using such support, infrastructure such as Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Can Tho Bridge, and Hai Van Tunnel has been built. In addition, the Japanese government has supported Vietnam’s legislation and accession to the World Trade Organization in the 1990s, after the Doi Moi policy was made that led to Vietnam’s introduction of a market economy.

In recent years, investment by Japanese companies in Da Nang has been accelerating. Direct flights to Da Nang have been established, and the number of Japanese tourists has increased significantly. Many Japanese companies, mainly in the manufacturing industry, have also expanded into Vietnam (1,848 companies in July 2019), and various Japanese products are widely distributed in Vietnam. In particular, Japanese-made motorcycles such as Honda and Suzuki have gained strong support in Vietnam since the 1970s due to their ease of handling, fuel efficiency, and ease of repair. In Vietnam, Japanese-made home appliances are also popular, and the trust of local people in Japanese products and the evaluation of Japanese technology are very high.

With the expansion of Japanese companies and Japanese products and culture into Vietnam, many Japanese restaurants have also made. “Hem”, a downtown / Japanese town in Ho Chi Minh City, is now lined with over 100 different Japanese restaurants.

Going through these changes and cultural exchanges with Japan, Vietnam is now a pro-Japanese country, and Japanese culture, various Japanese products, anime / manga, and Japanese food culture are popular with many Vietnamese. Many Japanese people have good impressions on Vietnamese people because they are honest, have friendly personalities, and lead healthy lives. It is expected that the relationship will continue to become stronger.

ベトナムと日本の関係：広く、戦略的なパートナーシップ

ベトナムは日本がポツダム宣言により降伏文書に調印した1945年の9月2日に、ベトナム民主共和国初代国家主席ホー・チ・ミンによってベトナム民主共和国の独立宣言が発表され、その後はベトナム戦争などの悲劇を経て、今ではアジアを代表する国の一つとして経済成長を続けて来ました。

日本とベトナムは1973年9月21日に外交関係が樹立され、2020年で47周年を迎えています。日本は1992年からベトナムの発展を経済と技術の面で支援し、現在では日本はベトナムに投資している101カ国の中で最大の援助国となっています。両国の文化、経済、政治、教育、技術、観光などの交流も活発化され、相互の理解・信頼の関係が深くなってきており、日本に住むベトナム人の数も年々増えてきています。

日本に住むベトナム人

日本に住むベトナム人の数は2013年頃から大きく増え初め、2018年にはフィリピン人を抜いて中国、韓国に続いて3番目に多い在留外国人グループになりました（外国人全体の14%）。日本の法務省出入国在留管理庁によると、2019年末時点の日本に住むベトナム人の合計は41万1968人で、前年の2018年末時点と比べて 24.5％（8万1133人）増加し、過去最高を更新しました。

留学や仕事が主な理由で日本に移住する人が多いですが、近年日本に住むベトナム人が大きく増えている理由として以下の点があげられます。

・ベトナムには若くて優秀な人材が多い：平均年齢は2018年時点で31歳

・GDP成長率が2018年度で前年比7.1%と高く、市場が拡大している（ちなみに同時期の日本のGDP成長率は前年比0.8％と衰退している）

・米を中心とした食文化や儒教の影響を受けた上下関係の重視など、ベトナムは日本の文化に似ている点が多く、日本社会に来ても馴染みやすい　

・ベトナム国内で日本語教育や日本文化を学ぶ機会が多い

また、ベトナムと日本の関係が深まる中、ベトナム在住の日本人も増えて来ています。日本の外務省が発表した調査統計によると、ベトナム在留の日本人は2018年の10月で2万2,125人と、前年よりも28.1％増加したという報告がされています。在留日本人数の伸び率は、ベトナムがアジアにおいて最大でした。

日本とベトナム　政治、経済での協力

ベトナムの経済成長を支えている要因のひとつとして、諸外国からの投資がありますが、世界で一番ベトナムに投資している国は日本です（1992年から2015年までの累計は約2兆6000億円）。これにより、ベトナム国内ではタンソンニャット国際空港やカントー橋、ハイヴァントンネルなどのインフラが整備されました。また、日本政府はベトナムが市場経済の導入に至ったドイモイ政策の影響もあり、1990年代からベトナムの法整備や世界貿易機関への加盟も支援しました。

近年、日本企業のダナン市への投資も加速しており、日本・ダナンの航空直行便も整備され、日本人観光客も著しく増えています。多くの製造業を中心とした日系企業もベトナムに進出し（2019年7月で1,848社）、様々な日本製品がベトナム国内で幅広く流通しています。特にホンダやスズキなどの日本製バイクが、扱いやすさや燃費、修理のしやすさから1970年代以降のベトナムで強い支持を得ました。また、ベトナムでは日本製の家電製品も定番であり、日本製品に対する現地の人の信頼度や日本の技術に対する評価も非常に高いです。

日系企業や日本製品・文化のベトナム進出に伴い、日本食のレストランなどの飲食店も数多く進出しています。ホーチミン市内の繁華街/日本人街である「ヘム」では、現在では100店舗を超えるさまざまな日本料理店が立ち並んでいます。

このような背景があり、現在ではベトナムは親日国でもあり、日本の文化や様々な日本製品、アニメ/漫画や、日本の食文化などが多くのベトナム人に人気です。また、親しみやすい性格や健康的な食を好むベトナム人を友好的に見る日本人も多く、今後更に関係が深まることが期待されています。

参考：
外務省, JETRO

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time,
Taka

Diplomatic relations between The Philippines and Japan

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2020 marks the 64th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Japan and the Philippines after the Japan-Philippines Compensation Agreement in 1956. Overcoming the tragic time of the world wars, the tie between the two countries is getting stronger. In 2011, a BBC poll reported that 84% of people in the Philippines saw Japan positively.

In 2008, the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement was signed, which promotes the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment between the two countries. Because there are many young and excellent labor forces in the Philippines (average age was 24 years old in 2019, whereas the average age of Japanese people was 46 years old), Japan is hiring many workers from the Philippines especially in the medical / nursing field these days.

Because there is a large gap between rich and poor in the Philippines, there is a culture of working overseas in the Philippines, which is also contributing to the increase in immigrants to Japan. Filipinos working overseas are called OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers), and the amount of money sent by OFW people to their home country accounts for 10% of the Philippines’ GDP. According to the “Employment Status of Foreigners” released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan, 179,685 immigrants from the Philippines were there out of all foreign workers living in Japan in 2019, which was the third highest ratio after China and Vietnam.

About the economic relationship, Japan is the Philippines’ largest trading partner and the biggest investor. Japan’s share of the Philippines’ exports is about 20% (1st place), and imports also account for about 10% (3rd place).

In many ways, the Philippines is a country closely related to Japan.
Let’s learn the history and the current relationship between the two countries here.

History

The Philippines and Japan have been engaged in trade and other exchanges since the middle of the 16th century. Soon after starting the trade, the number of Japanese workers in the trade industry increased, and Japanese town was built in Manila. The number of Japanese residents, which was about 20 in 1570, increased to 1,500 in the 17th century and 3,000 in the peak period. However, after 1633, trade was suspended due to the isolation policy of the Edo period. In the 1910s, after the end of the policy in 1854, a large number of Japanese workers for farm management immigrated to Davao. In 1916, the Japanese population of the town exceeded 10,000, but the good relationship between the two countries changed for the worse with World War II.

During World War II, Japanese troops landed in Manila in December 1941 and occupied it in 1942. The economic turmoil under the Japanese military afflicted the people of the Philippines, and organizations that resisted the Japanese military led anti-Japanese guerrilla wars. In response, Japan made the Philippines independent in 1943 with Laurel as president in order to stabilize control. However, his administration did not take everything that Japan told it to, and he kept the landowners to govern their own districts. The Philippine pro-Japanese factions went against it,  and wars broke out. 1.1 million Filipinos were killed during the war time.

After World War II, as a part of postwar compensation, Japan supported infrastructure development such as transportation network development around Manila, and strengthened living and production bases against natural disasters, environmental problems, infectious diseases, etc. Currently, Japan is the largest ODA (Official Development Assistance) country for the Philippines, and in 2012, Japan’s assistance accounted for 60% of all the assistance to the Philippines.

Then in the early 20th century, when the construction boom such as road construction connecting Manila and Baguio occurred, many Japanese workers moved to the Philippines in search of jobs.

Tourism and cultural exchanges

The Philippines is famous in Japan as a tourist destination. It is warm throughout the year, with an average temperature of around 26 ° C, and there are many resort areas popular with Japanese people, including Cebu Island. The country is also known as a world-famous production area for bananas and pineapples, and more than 90% of the bananas and pineapples exported to Japan are from the Philippines.

In the Philippines, Japanese pop culture such as anime, video games, karaoke and manga, and Japanese food such as ramen are popular. In addition, since July 2013, Japan has started issuing “multiple entry visas” to Filipinos due to the substantial relaxation of visa regulations : Filipinos can visit Japan as many times as you like within the deadline. Furthermore, since 2014, new flights have been made in Haneda and Manila, Nagoya and Cebu, and Kansai and Cebu, and the number of visitors to Japan from the Philippines has skyrocketed.

For Japan, where the birth rate is declining and the population is aging rapidly, the acquisition of young labor forces from the Philippines has become one of the most important national policies, and it is expected that even smoother relationships will be built in the future. I hope that we will continue to deepen our work and economic ties respecting each other’s cultures, and growing together with stronger bonds.

日本とフィリピンの国交関係

日本とフィリピンは1956年の日比賠償協定締結から、今年2020年に国交正常化64周年を迎えます。日本とフィリピンは戦争という過去の悲劇を乗り越え、現在、フィリピンは世界的にも親日国として知られています。2011年にBBCの世論調査では、日本を肯定的に見る人が84%という報告がされました。

2008年には日比経済連携協定が結ばれており、それにより両国間で貿易や投資の自由化・円滑化等が促進されています。また、フィリピンには若く優秀な労働力が多く（平均年齢は2019年で24歳。ちなみに同時期の日本人の平均年齢は46歳）日本では特に医療・介護分野でフィリピンからの看護師や介護福祉士候補者を多く受け入れています。

フィリピン国内では貧富の差が多く、海外への出稼ぎが多い文化があることも日本への移住者増加の一因となっています。海外で働くフィリピン人のことをOFW（Overseas Filipino Workers）と呼びますが、OFWの人たちが本国へ送金する金額はフィリピンのGDP10%を占めています。厚生労働省が発表した「外国人雇用状況」によると、2019年の在日外国人労働者数の内、フィリピンからの移住者は17万9685人で、中国、ベトナムに次いで3番目に多い割合を占めました。

経済面に関しては、フィリピンにとって日本は最大の貿易相手国であり、また最大の投資国でもあります。フィリピンの輸出に占める日本のシェアは約2割（第1位）で、輸入に関しても約1割（第3位）を占めています。

このように、日本と密接な関係にある国フィリピン。
両国の関係の歴史をここで改めて学んでおきましょう。

関係の歴史

フィリピンと日本は16世紀の中期頃から交易を初めとする交流を行っています。貿易関係を仕事とする日本人が増えるに従い、首都のマニラには日本人町も作られました。1570年には20人ほどだった日本人居住者は、17世紀には1500人、最盛期には3000人にもなりましたが、1633年以降、江戸時代の鎖国政策により交易は一時途絶えます。1854年の開国後の1910年代には農園経営のための日本人労働者がダバオに大量に移民しました。1916年には町の日本人人口が1万人を超えましたが良好であった両国の関係は、第二次世界大戦を転機に変わっていきます。

第二次世界大戦中、1941年12月に日本軍がマニラに上陸し、翌1942年中に占領しました。日本軍政下の経済混乱がフィリピンの民衆を苦しめ、日本軍に抵抗する組織が、抗日ゲリラ戦争を行いました。これに対し、日本は支配を安定させるために1943年にラウ㆑ル氏を大統領として、フィリピンを独立させました。しかし、ラウ㆑ル政権は日本のいうことをすべて聞き入れたわけではなく、地主支配の維持を図ったため、フィリピン親日派からも離反が相次ぎ、戦争によって110万人のフィリピン人が犠牲となりました。

第２次世界大戦後、日本は戦後補償の意味合いも込め、マニラ首都圏周辺の交通網整備をはじめとするインフラ整備や、自然災害、環境問題、感染症などに対する生活・生産基盤の安定強化など，様々な支援供与を行ってきました。現在、日本はフィリピンにとって最大のODA（Official Development Assistance（政府開発援助）供与国であり、2012年では日本の援助がフィリピンに対する援助の6割を占めました。

その後、20世紀初頭にマニラとバギオとを結ぶ道路工事などの建設ブームが起こると、多くの日本人労働者が職を求めてフィリピンに移住しました。

観光と文化交流

フィリピンは観光地として日本で有名です。年間を通して暖かく、平均気温は26℃前後で、セブ島をはじめ、日本人に人気のリゾート地が多数あります。また、バナナやパイナップルの産地としても世界的に知られており、日本に輸出されるバナナやパイナップルの9割以上をフィリピン産が占めています。

一方、フィリピンではアニメ、ゲーム、カラオケや漫画などの日本のポップカルチャーやラーメンなどの日本食が人気です。また2013年7月からビザの大幅緩和に伴い、「数次ビザ」をフィリピン人に発給しています。これにより期限内であれば何度でも訪日できるようになりました。さらに2014年以降には羽田とマニラ、名古屋とセブ島、関空とセブ島となどの新規就航が開拓され、フィリピンからの訪日客が急上昇してきています。

少子高齢化が急速に進んでいる日本にとって、フィリピンの若い労働力の獲得は非常に重要な国策の一つとなってきており、今後更なる関係構築が行われることと思われます。これからも労働力や経済的な繋がりを深め、お互いの文化を尊重しつつ、より強い絆で共に成長していくことでしょう。

参考：
外務省
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/pr/wakaru/topics/vol142/index.html
nippon.com
https://www.nippon.com/ja/japan-data/h00676/

Thank you for reading today’s post!
Until next time,
Taka

Brazil and Japan : Far but very close relationship

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Brazil and Japan have been closely connected for a long time. In fact, this year marks 125 years of diplomatic relations. Many Japanese migrants moved to Brazil to engage in the coffee industry and Japan welcomed Brazilians mainly to grow the car manufacturing business.  Cultural exchange through sports like soccer is frequently held, and the relationship has been mutually beneficial.

In 2019, there were 211,677 Brazilians living in Japan, mainly in Kanto-Area (25%) and Tokai-Area (55%) especially in Aichi prefecture where there are many Brazilian towns around the manufacturing industry. On the other hand, there are not many of them living in big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and other areas such as Hokkaido, Tohoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa.

Brazil has the biggest Japanese community outside of Japan. It is estimated that there are 3.2 million of them all together, and Brazil has 1.9 million. 

According to the World Service Poll done by BBC, 71% of Brazilians showed that they were positive about the influence of Japan while only 10% of them were negative about it. In the same research, 40% of Japanese stated that the influence of Brazil was favorable, and just 3% of them showed unfavorable.

For celebrating the coming 125 years of diplomatic relations, let’s learn the brief history upon the international relation between Brazil and Japan. 

History

Brazil is located on the other side of the earth from Japan. Although the distance between the two is very far, we have been respecting and helping each other for a long time. Over 100 years of Japanese community in Brazil is deeply involved in the spread of Japanese culture in Brazil.

The relationship started in 1895, when Brazil and Japan signed a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation. Japan wanted to be one of the most leading countries in the world by growing its economy, and Brazil needed more workforces for producing coffee. In 1908, a ship called Kasato Maru brought the first Japanese migrants to Brazil and they worked in the coffee industry.

The international relation was once closed because of WW2, but after the war in 1954 during the celebration of the 400th anniversary of São Paulo, the relationship between the two started again. Brazil is open to immigration and to this day, over 250,000 Japanese have moved to Brazil.

Later on, Brazil and Japan worked on many international projects together such as agriculture and infrastructure improvement. Above all, in the project called Agricultural Development in the Cerrado Region of Brazil, Brazil and Japan successfully turned the long abandoned barren land named Cerrado into one of the biggest grain-growing districts, and the production of agriculture in Brazil was significantly increased.

In recent years, Japan joined the Science without Borders program, which the government of Brazil is working on, and many universities and research centers in Japan are welcoming Brazilian students. 

Expanding cultural exchanges

・Influence of Brazilian culture in Japan

Japan has 57 sister cities, and there are many Brazilian towns in Ooizumi-cho in Gunma prefecture and Hamamatsu-city in Shizuoka prefecture. We can see a lot of influence of Brazilian food culture in Japan : the number of Brazilian restaurants is increasing, and sugar, coffee, chicken, and corn from Brazil as well as fruits from the Amazon rainforest such as Acai are popular everywhere in Japan now. Furthermore, Samba Carnivals are held nationwide, especially popular in Asakusa.

In addition, Japan is receiving many benefits from Brazil in terms of energy resources : Brazil is exporting a lot of iron ore, bauxite, rare metal, ethanol, and oil to Japan.

・Influence of Japanese culture in Brazil

The Japanese influence in Brazil can be seen a lot in Brazil. Brazil hosts many cultural events like Japanese festivals where people can enjoy learning/experiencing Japanese cultures. Every year in July, the world’s biggest Japanese festival named Festival do Japão is held in São Paulo city. About 180,000 people gather within 3 days of the event. Japanese pop cultures like anime and manga are very popular, and radio gymnastic exercises, which were brought by Japanese immigrants, are well-known. June 18th is radio gymnastic exercises day in Sao Paulo and there’s even a monument there.

Brazil and Japan will continue to enhance the intercultural relationships as great partners to develop together. I hope the strong friendship with long history will last even longer respecting each other.

ブラジルと日本　遠いけど親密な関係

日本とブラジルの交流の歴史は古く、2020年の今年、日ブラジル外交関係樹立125周年を迎えます。多くの日本人がコーヒー産業などに従事する為にブラジルに移住し、日本は主に自動車製造業を活性化させるためにブラジル人を受け入れてきました。サッカーなどのスポーツや文化交流も盛んでお互いにとって良好な関係を築いてきました。

現在日本に滞在しているブラジル人は2019年末で211,677人。主な居住地域は関東地方（25％）や東海地方（55％）が多く、愛知県などの製造業が集まる地域のブラジリアンタウンに集住しています。一方で、東京や大阪などの大都市や北海道や東北、四国、九州、沖縄県にはあまり移住者がいません。

また、ブラジルには大きな日系社会（約190万人）があり、海外に居住している320万人以上の日系人がいる中で世界最大規模です。

2013年のBBCによる世界世論調査 (World Service Poll) によると、ブラジル人の71%が日本の影響に対して望ましいと示し、望ましくないと示したのは10%のみでした。同じ調査で日本人の40%がブラジルの影響力に対して望ましいと示し、望ましくないと示したのはわずか3%でした。

外交関係樹立125周年を迎えるにあたり、ここで改めて日本とブラジルの国際関係について学んでおきましょう。

関係の歴史

日本とブラジルは地球の反対側にあり、距離的には遠い国ですが、お互いを尊重し合ってきた協力の歴史があります。ブラジル社会に日本文化が浸透しているのは100年以上の日系社会の歴史と深くかかわっています。

日本とブラジルとの関係は、経済成長による世界の仲間入りを望む日本と、コーヒー生産の人材、労働力が欲しいブラジルが1895年、日伯修交通商航海条約を結ぶ事で始まりました。1908年には笠戸丸に乗った781名の日本人移民の方々がサントス港に到着し、現地でコーヒー産業の仕事に携わりました。

第二次世界大戦中は両国の交流は途絶えてしまいましたが、戦後の1954年、サンパウロ市創立400年祭をきっかけに交流が再開されました。移民に寛容な社会環境の元、今日に至るまでに約25万人以上もの日本人がブラジルに移住しています。

その後も日本とブラジルは農業やインフラ整備など、様々な分野において国家的プロジェクトを協力して行ってきました。中でも1979年より着手を初めた「日伯セラード農業開発プログラム」では、ブラジル中西部地帯の「不毛の地」と呼ばれるセラード（Cerrado）を、土壌改良により穀物栽培が可能な世界的穀倉地帯へと変身させることに成功し、ブラジルの穀物生産を増大させました。

近年ではブラジル政府が推進している国境なき科学（Science without Borders）計画に日本も協力し、日本の多くの大学や研究機関等では日本への派遣を希望するブラジル人留学生の受け入れを進めています。

盛んな文化交流

・日本の身近にあるブラジル

日本にはブラジルと姉妹都市関係にある自治体が各地に57あり、群馬県大泉町や静岡県浜松市にはブラジリアンタウンが形成されています。日本国内のブラジル料理店も増えており、ブラジル産の砂糖、コーヒー、鶏肉、トウモロコシやアマゾンフルーツであるアサイなどが人気になるなど、ブラジルの食文化の影響も多く見られます。又、浅草や日本各地でサンバカーニバルが開催されていたりと、地方自治体での交流も活発です。

私たち日本人が普段活用するエネルギー資源にもブラジル産が多く利用されています。ブラジルは日本との貿易では鉄鉱石やボーキサイト、レアメタル、エタノールや石油などを日本に輸出しています。

・ブラジルの身近にある日本

ブラジルの人々にとっても日本はとても身近な存在です。ブラジルでは日本文化を紹介、体験する祭りが多く開催されています。毎年7月にサンパウロ市で開催される「日本祭り」は、3日間で約18万人が集まる、世界最大規模の日本イベントです。アニメや漫画などのポップカルチャーも人気な他、日本人移民が持ち込んだ「ラジオ体操」も人気でサンパウロでは6月18日が「ラジオ体操の日」として制定されており、記念碑まで建てられています。

今後とも、共に発展するパートナーとして、日本とブラジルは経済的な関係を強めていく事でしょう。長い歴史で築き上げた友好関係を大切にしながら、尊敬し助け合える良い国際関係を継続していける事を願っています。

参考：
外務省 https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/pr/wakaru/topics/vol115/index.html
一般社団法人日伯協会 http://www.nippaku-k.or.jp/history/history.html
一般社団法人日本ブラジル中央協会 https://nipo-brasil.org/archives/2579/

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time,
Taka

3 things you should know about the Nepal-Japan relationship

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1.The number of Nepalese in Japan is rapidly increasing

The Nepal-Japan relationship is strong, and the number of Nepalese in Japan is just growing. As of 2019, there were 92,804 people from Nepal living in Japan. It was a big jump from 85,321 in June of 2018. It is estimated that the number has increased about 10 times since 2000, especially from 2010. People from Nepal took 3 percent of all foreign citizens in Japan in 2018, which was the 6th place after China, Korea, Vietnam, The Philippines, and Brazil.

Why the number growing?

Many came to Japan to escape from The Nepalese Civil War during 1996 to 2006 (In fact, there were 1,293 asylum seekers from Nepalese, which was the biggest percentage out of 5,000 applicants in Japan in 2014). And nowadays, it is becoming popular to move to Japan to study and live as an international student or work as a chef at a Nepali restaurant.

Study abroad

In Nepal, Japan is a popular place for studying abroad. Many young male students from 20s to 30s come to Japan to study. In 2019, there were 26,308 international students from Nepal in Japan, which was the 3rd largest after China and Vietnam. One reason why young people choose to move to Japan is that Japan is a relatively easy country to go abroad from Nepal. Many work part-time jobs while studying at school to save money for going back in the future or to send money to families in Nepal, but international students are allowed only to work up to 28 hours a week, so their life in Japan is no bed of roses.

Work in Japan

Out of all the people staying in Japan holding working-visa, Nepal is the 2nd largest after China. Many work as a chef either at a Nepali restaurant or at an Indian restaurant.
It is said that as of 2019, as many as 600 Nepali restaurants were in business in Tokyo, especially in the Shin-Okubo area. Others work selling spices, food, phones, daily products and miscellaneous goods. Tokyo and Aichi are the most common places to live for Nepalese, and they take 30% (which is the greatest) of all foreign workers in Okinawa.  

As a side note, it is said that the popularity of Nepali food in Japan is largely because of Indians who came to Japan with Napalese and started Indian restaurants in Japan in the 1980s, when ethnic food was popular here.

People from Nepal have the flexibility. There are many religions in Nepal like Hinduism and Buddhism, and people do not have conflicts with others who believe in different religions. That might be one reason why they can adapt themselves well in countries overseas like Japan.

2. How the Nepal-Japan relationship started

There are a lot of Japanese schools in Nepal now, and many people are learning Japanese.

The Nepal-Japan relationship started in 1899 when Japanese Buddhist Monk, Rev. Ekai Kawaguchi first came to Nepal on his way to Tibet in search of holy Buddhist scriptures.

In the 1900s, the prime minister of Nepal was interested in technologies in Japan and sent 8 students to study how Japan developed. Together with 17 staff members, they stayed in Tokyo and attended Tokyo-Teikoku University, Tokyo-Koutou-Kougyou school, and Nouka University and studied Military engineering, Mining, Agriculture, and Mechanical engineering. One of them brought Japanese persimmons, chestnuts, chrysanthemums, and wisterias back to Nepal and successfully cultivated them in Nepal.

In 1937, the prime minister Juddha Shamsher planned to send another group of students but it never happened because of WW2.

After the war, the formal establishment of diplomatic relations was made in September 1956, and Nepal established its embassy in Tokyo in 1965 and Japan established its embassy in Kathmandu in 1967.

3. It might be better to refrain from inviting Nepalese to a lunch meeting

If you have a friend from Nepal, it might be better to refrain from inviting him/her to a lunch meeting. Many people in Nepal do not eat lunch and only eat breakfast and dinner, so they might get bothered by your offer.

Speaking about meals, many Nepalese just drink tea or milk in the morning and take breakfast around 9:00am. They eat healthy food like rice, vegetables, fruits, and yogurt and many sleep early. Japan and Nepal share a lot of similarities in terms of cultures and healthy diet. That is another reason why Japan is an easy place to live for Nepalese.

Keeping good international relations is becoming more important than ever nowadays. I hope the relationship between Japan and Nepal will last peacefully respecting each other!

日本とネパールの関係に関して知っておくべき3つのこと

1.近年、日本に住むネパール人が急速に増えてきている

日本とネパールは関係が深く、近年日本で生活するネパール人が増えています。2019年の時点で外国人登録されている日本のネパール人は9万2804人で、前年度6月時点の8万5321人と比べると大幅に増加しており、2000年からの推移を見ても10倍ほどに増えたとも言われています。特に2010年に入ってから急激に増えて来ており、在留外国人数の割合合計では2018年時点で全体の3%で、中国、韓国、ベトナム、フィリピン、ブラジルに続き、6番目に多い国です。

なぜ増えてきているの？

内戦など10年に及ぶネパール国内での混乱があり、日本への難民申請者が増えた事や（2014年では申請者5,000人の内ネパール人が1,293人と最も多かった）、留学目的や調理師（ネパール料理のシェフ）としての来日が人気となっているのが背景にあります。

・留学先としての日本

ネパールでは日本は留学先として人気の国で、20代から30代の男性が多く日本に留学しに来ています。2019年時点でネパールからの留学生は26,308人で、中国、ベトナムについで３番目でした。他国と比べて、留学資格で滞在することが比較的容易なのが理由の一つです。多くは学びながらアルバイトをし、帰国のためにお金をためたりネパールにいる家族に送金したりしていますが、留学資格では原則1週間に28時間までと、アルバイトが可能な時間が限られているため生活は経済的に容易ではありません。

・就職先としての日本

技能ビザでの滞在は中国についで多く、ネパール料理やインド料理レストランのシェフとして働く人が多いです。2019年時で東京に約600店舗ほどのネパール料理のお店があると言われており、特に新野久保辺りにネパール料理屋が集中しています。又、料理に欠かせない香辛料を初め、食材や携帯電話、日用品などの雑貨屋などを販売するお店も多く、都道府県別に見ると、日本に滞在しているネパール人は東京都や愛知県などの都心部に集中しています。また、沖縄県の外国人労働者のうち、ネパール人は3割を占めており、在留外国人の割合でトップとなっています。

ちなみに、1980年代日本でエスニック料理が流行り始めた頃、インド料理屋を経営していたインド人がお店でネパール人をスタッフとして日本に連れてきたのが日本にネパール料理を広めるきっかけとなったと言われています。

ネパールの人はとても柔軟性があります。ネパールにはヒンドゥー教も仏教など様々な宗教があり、他の人がどの宗教であっても衝突することはないそうです。なので日本など海外での生活に慣れやすい面があるようです。

2. 日本とネパール　関係の歴史

ネパールには現在多くの日本人学校があり、沢山の人が日本語を学んでいます。両国の関係は1899年に日本人僧侶の河口慧海がチベットでの仏典収集のため、ネパールに入国したことから始まります。1900年代にはネパールの首相が日本の技術発展に興味を持ち、どのように日本が発展したかを学ばせたいと、8人の留学生を日本に送りました。この8人の学生らは、17人の側近と共に近代ネパール人として初めての外国訪問として日本に到着し、東京に移住しました。東京帝国大学（現在の東京大学工学部）、東京高等工業学校（現在の東京工業大学）、農科大学（現在の東京大学農学部）の3つの国立大学に入学し、軍事工学、鉱山学、農学、機械工学などを学んだそうです。8人のうちの一人は、日本の柿、栗、菊、藤をネパールに初めて持ち帰り、それらの栽培にも成功しました。

1937年、ジュッダ・シャムシェル首相は日本への再度留学生の派遣を提案しましたが、第二次世界大戦のため実現することはありませんでした。

その後、日本とネパールの正式な国交関係は1956年の9月に結ばれ、1965年、東京にネパール大使館が、1967年にはネパールの首都カトマンズに日本の大使館が設置されました。

3. ネパール人をランチに誘ってはいけない？

もしネパール人の同僚や友達が出来たら、昼食を誘うのは少し気を使った方が良いかもしれません。ネパールでは昼食を食べない事もあり、食事は1日2回の人が多いためランチミーティングに誘われると困ってしまう方もいるそうです。

ちなみに食事に関しては、朝起きてからはすぐに食事をせず、お茶やミルクなどを飲み、9時以降くらいから朝食を食べる人が多いようです。食事もお米、野菜、果物、ヨーグルトなど健康に良いものを食べ、就寝時間も早い方が多いそうです。健康的な食生活も日本に馴染みやすい理由の一つと言えそうです。

国際関係や協力が今まで以上に必要となってきている今日、これからも両国の関係はますます深くなって行くと思われます。お互いの文化を尊重しつつ、絆を深めていけると良いですね。

参考
法務省 http://www.moj.go.jp/nyuukokukanri/kouhou/nyuukokukanri04_00081.html
東洋経済
https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/46662
南の風 通巻285号
https://www.shaplaneer.org/wp-content/uploads/kaiho/kaiho_vol_285_tokusyu.pdf
東京教育公論
http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~t-koron/ryu.html

Thank you for reading today’s post! 
See you next time. 
Taka

Online Interview with Haitham-san from Egypt【English subtitles】

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NqAKZBpM0A&feature=youtu.be

Hi, how are you doing?
We had an online interview with Haitham-san from Egypt and asked about life in Japan. It is always fun to meet someone from different countries!
Below is what we talked about:

0:06 Introduction 

0:50 When did you move to Takayama? 高山にいつから移住したの？

1:09 Where in Japan did you live before? 以前は日本のどこにいたの？

1:50 What did you study in school? 学校では何を勉強したの？

2:09 How many Egyptians are there in Japan? 日本にいるエジプト人はどれくらい？

2:23 Is learning Japanese popular in Egypt? 日本語を学んでいるエジプト人は多い？

3:15 Why did you decide to study Japanese? なぜ日本語を学んだの？

3:50 Was it hard to get used to life in Japan? 日本に慣れるのは大変だった？

5:10 Any difficulties after moving to Takayama? 高山に来てから苦労はあった？

5:50 Why did you choose to move to Takayama? 高山に来た理由は？

6:55 Any things you want the city to work on? 高山で改善して欲しい事は？

8:55 Any plans for the future? 今後やりたい事は？

11:14 Advice for new-comers! これから日本に移住予定の人にアドバイス

13:12 After the Interview インタビューを終えて

We will keep on making connections online/offline.
About our organization, Family Planet Japan, please visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/familyplanetjapan

See you next time!
Taka

Washi : Delicate and strong Japanese paper

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和紙/Washi paper is one of Japan’s most fundamental cultural and artistic products. 和/Wa means Japanese, and 紙/Shi means Paper. Washi has formed the backbone of many Japanese artforms over 1,300 years, and it is registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The production of hand making paper was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks from China and Korea. Monks made and used paper to write sacred sutras. Japan learned the technique of paper-making and improved it. Washi is made using fibers of the gampi tree, the paper mulberry bush, or the mitsumata shrub. Until the Meiji Period when Japan was westernized and imported mass-produced paper, Washi was the major type of paper in Japan.

Washi is handmade and it involves a long and intricate process. The production of it usually takes place during winter when water is cold and pure without bacteria. Washi production has been a way for farmers to support their income in the cold winter time.

The most commonly used fiber for making Washi is paper mulberry. Branches of the mulberry are boiled and outer barks get taken off. Then they are dried and boiled with lye to remove fat, starch, and tannin. After that, the spent lye is removed in running water and bleached. Washi makers then get rid of remaining impurities in the fibers by hand.

What is Washi used for?

Washi is tough and used in many traditional arts and crafts. 

Printing and writing: Washi is thick and can absorb inks well. It is widely used for printings and paintings including traditional Ukiyo-e paintings and ritual objects for Buddhism and Shintoism.

Art and Interior design: Because Washi is unique in color and delicate, it is used for many art forms such as origami, wall paper, lantern, indoor screens, blinds, wallpaper, etc. 

Bookbinding and bag: Washi is flexible and often used for book covers adding a warm feeling to the reader. Specially coated Washi is used for making bags, purses and even for clothes. 

3 Famous Washi in Japan

Mino Washi

Mino is an area in Gifu prefecture. The high quality paper was first made in this area in 8th century Japan. It was relatively inexpensive, and became widespread throughout Japan. Many monks and powerful lords would visit the area to buy strong, thin, and beautiful Washi of Mino.

Tosa Washi

Tosa is an area in Kochi Prefecture. A combination of traditional techniques and rich natural resources of Kochi (such as the use of water from the Niyodo river, which is said to have the best water in Shikoku island) make it possible to produce amazingly high quality Washi paper. Famous world’s thinnest handmade paper called Kagerou-no-Hane (dragonfly wing) is made here. It is used for the repair work of ancient artwork all over the world. It is only 0.03mm thick.

Echizen Washi

Echizen Washi is produced in Imadate in Fukui prefecture, and it has a history of over 1,500 years. Imadate is a small town surrounded by mountains. There are about 70 local paper factories and studios along the Okamoto River. Echizen Washi is known as one of the most traditional Washi papers in Japan.

Here’s a movie about Mino washi

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Fundamental 基礎の、基盤となる
・Intricate 複雑
・Impurities 不純物
・Income 収入
・Bleach 漂白する
・Relatively 比較的

Thank you for reading today’s post.
See you next time!
Taka

Wagashi : Beautiful Japanese sweets

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和菓子/Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections often served with tea. The roots of Wagashi can be traced back 2,000 years when Japan’s oldest processed food, Mochi (rice cake) was made.

The introduction of green tea from China led the development of Japanese tea ceremony and Wagashi evolved accordingly. A lot of unique Wagashi were created during the Edo period (1603-1867) when there was a national isolation policy, and peace during this time contributed a lot to the improvement. Later in the Meiji period (1868-1912), exchanges with other countries flourished and new kinds of Wagashi were made using modern ovens and other devices from overseas.

Ingredients

There are no set rules concerning what ingredients to be used.
Wagashi are typically made from plant-based ingredients such as beans, peas, rice, rice flour, wheat flour, sugar, agar-agar, chestnuts, sesame, tea, fruits, etc. Animal products are rarely used (the exception is the use of chicken eggs).

Popular Wagashi

Here is a list of typical Wagashi that can be found everywhere in Japan, and some are even sold at food stands during festivals. Different places have different flavours of Wagashi using local products.

・餡蜜/Anmitsu: Chilled agar jelly cubes (called 寒天/Kanten) with fruits and sugar syrup.

・ぼた餅/Botamochi: A sweet rice ball wrapped with あんこ/Anko (Red bean paste).

・草餅/Kusa mochi: A sweet mochi mixed with Japanese mugwort called yomogi. Anko is inside.

・葛餅/Kuzumochi: Rice cakes made of Kuzuko (a starch powder made from the root of the kudzu plant. It is used in many traditional East Asian cuisine) 

・蕨餅/Warabimochi: A jelly-like confection made from Bracken starch covered with きな粉/Kinako, sweet toasted soybean flour powder. 

・饅頭/Manju: Steamed cakes of red bean paste surrounded by a flour mixture.

・団子/Dango: A sweet Japanese dumpling, commonly skewered on a stick (often flavored with soy source).

・どら焼き/Dorayaki: A round and flat Wagashi. Red bean paste is placed in between castella. 

・今川焼き/Imagawayaki: Red bean paste is surrounded inside of hot fried dough. It has a round shape.

・鯛焼き/Taiyaki: It is similar to Imagawayaki, but shaped like a 鯛/Tai fish/sea bream (sea bream is traditionally eaten at celebrations to bring in good luck in Japan).

・金平糖/Kompeito: Crystal, star-shaped sugar candy available in many colors 

・お汁粉/Oshiruko: A hot dessert made from red bean paste in a liquid, soup form, with small rice cakes in it. 

・八ツ橋/Yatsuhashi: Thin sheets of sweetened mochi folded in a triangle, and a ball of red bean paste is inside. Available in different flavors but the most common is cinnamon. 

・羊羹/Yokan: A solid block of red bean paste, hardened with agar and additional sugar.  One of the oldest wagashi and many seasonal ingredients are added inside.

The names of Wagashi are usually made after poetry, natural scenery, or historical events. It takes a lot of work to make wagashi for its delicateness. A sense of the passing time and seasons can be appreciated by the seasonal changes in the Wagashi offered in shops and at events.
For example, a round-rice cake called 鏡餅/Kagami-mochi is placed at home on New year’s day as an offering to a deity, and 菱餅/Hishi-mochi (three differently colored diamond shaped mochi) and 雛あられ/Hina-arare (bite-sized sweet Japanese cracker) are displayed and served on the Doll’s festival (also called Girls’ festival day) in March.
Such traditions are slowly fading, but still an important part of Japanese culture.

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Confection お菓子
・Isolation policy 鎖国政策
・Surrounded by 〜に囲まれた/包まれた
・Skewered  串焼き
・Dough 生地
・Fade 色あせる、消える

Thank you for reading today’s post.
Until next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Sensu, the traditional Japanese fan

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扇子/Sensu is a folding fan invented in Japan, with the date ranging from the 6th to 9th centuries. In old days, they were simply called 扇/Ougi. Japanese folding fans were originally made as court fans, and only people in high ranks were able to obtain them and they were tools to signify social standing, and often used during art performances like traditional dances. During war times in Japan, commanders would send samurais signals using fans. 

Today, Japanese fans are most typically used to keep cool during the hot and humid Japanese summer times, and they remain as an important artistic tool and stylish fashion accessory as well.

According to the historical record of the Song Dynasty (950-1279), the Japanese monk Chonen gifted folding fans to the emperor of China in 988. Later in the 16th century, Japanese foldable fans were imported to Europe and became popular in Spain and then in other countries around.

Folding fans were typically crafted from bamboo and paper (expensive ones have Japanese 和紙/Washi paper). Japanese cypress known as Hinoki was used for traditional ones, and silk for the fancy fans. 

Sensu were usually made for right-handed people, meaning you can spread a fan by opening from left to right. If you do the other way around, you will break the fan so be careful!

Other fans

うちわ/Uchiwa

Also known as a fixed fan, Uchiwa fans are traditionally circular and made from paper and bamboo. These days however, plastic and paper are common materials. In addition to the regular use, you will often see Uchiwa fans during summer festivals as accessories and also for Bon dance performances.

飾り扇子/Kazari Sensu

Kazari Sensu are folding fans made for the interior decoration, especially for traditional Japanese tatami houses. Fine ones are hand made and have beautiful, flashy paintings on expensive Japanese Washi paper, and sometimes used for occasions like weddings to bring in good fortune. Although the main purpose is to display, they can be used like regular folding fans.

Folding ones are popular souvenirs. If you want to be creative, you could try making one for yourself at home!

Japanese fans are great tools for hot summer days and now that we have to wear masks at all times, using them is a great way to cool down.
Have yourself a portable fan and enjoy the summer!

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Invent 開発する、作り出す
・Signify 意味する、示す
・Fancy 手が込んだ、派手な
・Typically 大抵
・the other way around 逆のやり方で
・Souvenir お土産

Thank you for reading today’s post. 
See you next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Yokai : Legendary creatures from Japan

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Every country has some kind of scary folktales, and Japan is no exception. 妖怪/Yokai, are Japanese supernatural monsters, demons, and spirits often appear in Japanese folktales. They have emotions and personalities, and can also be called Obake, Mamono, Mononoke or Ayakashi. While most Yokai are considered evil for making troubles, there are a few that are believed to bring good fortune to those who encounter them (Good Yokai/Spirits are called Nigi-mitama. They are believed to be the spirits of respected ancestors and animals or sacred objects, and often appear with greenish aura around them. Evil spirits are called Ara-mitama. They could be turned into good ones by calming them down). Yokai usually have spiritual/supernatural abilities and some could possess people, animals, and objects. It is also believed that most Yokai can change their appearance (this is called 変化/Henge).

Famous Yokai

Above is Tengu

鬼/Oni

Oni are demons with horns and fangs. They are usually in red, blue, or green and look musculine like armies of hell. Each of them has a heavy hammer to kill humans to eat.

天狗/Tengu

Tengu are a kind of legendary creature/demon that takes the forms of birds of prey. In many stories, they have a human-like appearance with wings and red faces with long noses. They are dangerous spirits of mountains and forests, and it is also believed that evil people turn into Tengu after death to disturb the peace causing troubles such as attacking humans, robbing temples, and possessing women to seduce holy men.

かっぱ/Kappa

Kappa are human-like turtles living in rivers, swamps, or lakes, and they are excellent in swimming. It is said that they have the powers to control water and can cause river floods. They can be aggressive and may attack humans and eat them. However, if you show some respect by offering their favorite food like cucumbers, they will be friendly.
Cucumber sushi is called Kappa-maki by the way.

酒呑童子/Shuten douji

Shuten douji was a leader of demons and the strongest Oni of Japan that lived in Kyoto abducting a lot of young women. Shuten douji means “Sake-drinking lad”. Knowing that this Oni loved Sake, a hero Minamoto Raiko offered a poisoned Sake and killed him.

玉藻御前/Tamamo-no-Mae

According to a legend, Tamamo-no-Mae was the nine-tail fox that appeared in Japan as the most favored courtesan of Emperor Toba (1103 – 1156, 74th Emperor of Japan). She made the Emperor to be ill and caused chaos (It is also believed that this nine-tail fox first appeared in China as a concubine and ended many dynasties in China and also in India and later came to Japan). An astrologer, Abe no Yasuchika was called there to find the cause of the emperor’s illness and he found the evil fox disguising as the lady. The nine-tail fox acted violently but was killed a few years later in Nasu in Tochigi prefecture.

座敷童/Zashiki Warashi

Zashiki Warashi are good Yokai. If you see footprints or hear footsteps of a child inside or around your residence, that may be because of Zashiki Warashi. They are guardians of the house and believed to bring good fortune. This Yokai looks like a child and it enjoys playing harmless tricks like making noises or music to surprise people, just like a real child playing.

Yokai is said to be created as personifications of supernatural phenomena. In the Edo period, many artists made new Yokai by taking inspiration from tales or using their own imagination. A lot of Yokai were painted in Ukiyo-e art at that time. It’s really fun to enjoy the artworks and study legends about invisible monsters of the past … or maybe there are a lot of Yokai still here living with us. 

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Folktale 民話
・Possess 持つ、憑依する
・Rob 奪う
・Act violently 暴れる
・Residence 住居
・Supernatural 超自然的

Thank you for reading today’s post!
Until next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Karaoke in Japan : History and Where to enjoy

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カラオケ/Karaoke is a type of interactive entertainment from Japan, and it is popular in many Asian countries. You can enjoy singing songs to music accompaniment with lyrics displayed on screen. People of all ages enjoy singing at Karaoke places in Japan. Many places in city areas are open until early in the morning, so some even sing all night long to get rid of stress and enjoy music.

At a Karaoke place, a group or individual can use private rooms called Karaoke boxes. Customers can use the machine to pick the song they like and sing using microphones (You can adjust the echo and the volume. At some places, lighting effects are also available).

Thousands of popular songs (without lead vocal parts) are available including many English songs. Guests can order food and drinks using phones that connect directly to the reception.

Some bars and nightclubs have Karaoke machines inside and customers enjoy drinking and singing. Karaoke is so popular that the global Karaoke market has been estimated to be worth about $10 billion.

History

In the 1960s, music cassette tapes were invented and it became easier to duplicate and edit music. Later in the 1970s, a Japanese engineer Shigeichi Negishi made the first Karaoke machine, and then Toshiharu Yamashita sold an 8-track playback deck. Then a drummer, Daisuke Inoue made a machine that played songs for a 100yen coin each, and it became popular. The machine was placed in restaurants and hotels and then Karaoke boxes, rooms where people can enjoy singing without worrying about making noises, were made. 

In 1975, Roberto del Rosario (from the Philippines) developed the sing-along system and he is the patent holder of the Karaoke machine. Karaoke became popular in many other Asian countries in the 1990s, and as the audio-visual technology gets better each year, the quality of Karaoke has been on the rise.

Popular Karaoke Places in Japan

Karaoke-kan, Big Echo, Joysound, Shidax are major places for enjoying Karaoke in Karaoke boxes. There are a lot more similar places like them, and the price is roughly around 500 yen per hour (the weekend and nighttime cost more. As an option, you can add 飲み放題/Nomihoudai plan by paying extra. With that, customers can have soft drinks as much as they want until the time to leave). At some places, you can even rent some instruments and costumes. Karaoke places are especially popular among young students. It is common to see them sing in groups on weekends. 

Due to the spread of coronavirus, concert halls and Karaoke places are having a really hard time keeping their businesses. Still, the love for music in Japan never dies and many are waiting to be able to enjoy singing at Karaoke places freely. If you are from a different country and have a chance to sing Karaoke, I recommend that you try and enjoy the entertainment from Japan!

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・accompaniment  伴奏
・get rid of    〜を取り除く
・reception   受付
・duplicate    複製する
・be placed   設置される
・be on the rise  上昇している

Thank you for reading today’s post.
Until next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Japanese drinking culture and rules

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The Japanese love drinking. Drinking age in Japan is 20, and most people start drinking right after the legal age. According to a research done by WHO, Japan is on the 63rd (out of 186) of the list of countries by alcohol consumption per capita, being one of the top Asian countries where people drink much alcohol regularly (as of 2018). Let’s take a look at the drinking culture in Japan.

Popular alcohol drinks in Japan

日本酒/Nihonshu

Nihonshu or 酒/Sake is a strong rice wine which is about 15% strength/alcohol content and it has been loved for centuries. Most bars and restaurants have Nihonshu and it goes the best with seafood like sushi. There are many sake breweries in Japan and the taste and the way to make are slightly different from place to place.

ビール/Beer

Beer is loved by people of all ages over 20. There are 4 major companies that make the finest kinds of beer in Japan: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Ebisu, and they are popular overseas as well. People drink lagers more than ales and regional craft beers are gaining popularity these days. Many enjoy traveling and drinking the local beer, and buy it as a souvenir. At 居酒屋/Izakaya, Japanese bar, beer is often ordered as a starter.

焼酎/Shochu

It is kind of a traditional alcoholic drink of Japan. Nihonshu is fermented or brewed, whereas Shochu is distilled. The original technique to make Shochu is said to be imported from Thailand in the 15th century, and flourished in Kagoshima in the Kyushu area. It can be made by distilling potatoes, rice, barley, buckwheat, etc, and there is a wide variety of taste and flavor.

ウィスキー/Whisky

Whisky is popular in Japan just like in many other countries, and there are several companies producing whisky in Japan. Besides drinking on the rocks, Japan has a different way of enjoying whisky: Highballs, which is whiskey mixed with carbonated water.

梅酒/Umeshu and チューハイ/Chuhai

梅酒/Umeshu is a sweet plum wine with the alcohol content of around 10-15%.Chuhai is an abbreviation of 焼酎ハイボール/Shochu Highball. Chuhai is made with Shochu (or sometimes with Vodka) and carbonated water with some lemon. Many different kinds of fruits are used and it is a casual drink.

Drinking with Colleagues is important in Japan

Many Japanese feel that after work drinking parties are an important way to enhance relationships. As people need to switch between Honne and Tatemae everyday, spending some casual time with co-workers will surely be helpful in understanding each other.

There is even a word, Nominication (combined word of 飲む/Drink and Communication), which is a way to build good relationships with colleagues and bosses by drinking together.

When lifetime employment was the standard in Japan, workers would say “You have to do Nominication if you want to work your way up the corporate ladder”. Many older generations worked and established relationships this way. 

However, the time is changing. The economy is unstable and career changes are more common and it’s easier to accommodate the needs of individuals now. Work environment is a lot more flexible than it used to be, and younger generations are more focused on their life and prefer spending less time with colleagues.

Still, a lot of people find that drinking and dining with teammates and bosses casually is important to develop closer relationships to build trust and share ideas and concerns about work and life.

General Drinking rules

1.Pour for others

When out at a drinking party, pour for others around you as you greet them casually. It is also considered polite if women pour men drinks, and workers pour their boss drinks. 

2.Wait until everyone has been served

Just like a formal dinner party, you should wait until everyone is ready for a toast.

3.Don’t drink from the bottle 

Drinking directly from the bottle is often considered rude because it’s against the sharing culture.

4.Say 乾杯/Kanpai 

Say “Kanpai(Cheers)” as you clink your glasses with your friends and colleagues and start drinking and eating.

After the spread of the virus, more and more people are starting to work remotely and drinking over PC screens using Zoom, called “Zoom Nomi” is becoming common. It is an easier way to get together and do Nominication, but there’s a report that people tend to drink more at home because you can drink as long as you want (and go to sleep in your room). 
It’s fun to be together but don’t forget to drink moderately and take care of your health!

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Alcohol consumption アルコール摂取
・go well with 〜と相性が良い
・as a starter 手始めとして
・abbreviation of 〜の省略
・lifetime employment 終身雇用
・tend to 〜しがち

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

What exactly is Yukata and how does it differ from Kimono?

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A Yukata (浴衣) is a Japanese summer robe which is made of cotton or synthetic fabric. It is a casual version of Kimono, and originally was a bathrobe worn after soaking in Onsen as a quick way to cover the body and cool down. If you stay at a traditional Japanese inn, Yukata is often provided for this purpose, and it is common to see guests strolling around town wearing Yukata while onsen-hopping in popular Onsen resort towns. Nowadays people wear it as a summer garment, especially as a casual clothes for summer festivals. Yukata is worn by both men and women.

Customs

A wide variety of colors and designs are available. Just like Kimono, the general rule with Yukata is that younger people wear bright, vivid colors and bold patterns. While older people wear dark, matured colors with less flashy patterns. Yukata for men generally have darker and subdued colors.

Yukata is wrapped around the body and fastened with a sash called 帯/Obi over 腰紐/Koshihimo (a cord tied around the waist). The left side of the yukata goes over the right side. It is said that it brings bad fortune if it is reversed because that is how a traditional clothes is worn for a funeral. Obi is usually tied in a bow and placed in the back. Wooden sandals called 下駄/Geta are usually worn with Yukata. Foldable fan, 扇子/Sensu, and a 巾着/Kinchaku bag may be carried as a summer Yukata fashion.

These are geta shoes

Differences between Yukata and Kimono

Here are the main differences between Yukata and Kimono. If you are thinking about getting one, or trying to wear Japanese clothes, check the things below to make sure you are getting what you want and wear it right.

Season: Yukata is made a lot lighter than Kimono. Yukata is usually only worn during summer while Kimono can be used throughout the year. 

Material: Yukata is usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric and the price is lot cheaper than Kimono. Formal Kimono is made entirely from silk and hand-sewn. 

Collar: A regular Kimono has two collars but Yukata has only one. This is because a white underwear called 襦袢/Juban is used when putting on a Kimono but it is not worn under Yukata.

Below is a video on how to wear Yukata (for female).

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Fabric 布、繊維
・Soak in 〜に浸かる
・Flashy キラキラした、目立つ
・Mature 大人の
・Subdued 控えめな
・Throughout the year 一年中

Enjoy your summer!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

7 useful phrases to cheer someone up in Japanese

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Good friends and families support one another. It’s always good to encourage and cheer up each other especially when we are in a difficult situation. Here are 7 most common and useful phrases to cheer someone up in Japanese. 

1.頑張って!
Ganbatte! 
(Good luck!/ Keep it up!/ Do your best!)

This is one of the most common ways to cheer someone up.
頑張る(Ganbaru) means to try. If you would like to be a bit more polite, you can add ください (kudasai) at the end and say 頑張ってください(Ganbatte kudasai). And if you would like to say “Let’s do our best” to your colleagues or friends working together, 頑張ろう(Ganbarou) can be used.

2.幸運を祈ります　
Kouun wo inori masu
(Best of luck to you/I’ll keep my fingers crossed)

This is a very formal way of wishing someone’s luck. 幸運(Kouun) means good luck, and 祈ります (Inorimasu) means “I pray”. Together, the phrase means “I pray for your good luck/Best of luck to you”.

3.大丈夫ですよ
Daijoubu desuyo
(It will be alright/You’ll be OK)

大丈夫(Daijoubu) means “Alright”. You can add certainty to it by saying よ(Yo) at the end. Another way of saying it is 大丈夫だよ(Daoijoubu dayo), or you could simply say 大丈夫.

4.考えすぎないで
Kangae suginaide
(Don’t think/worry too much)

考える(Kangaeru) means to think, and 考えすぎる(Kangae sugiru) is to think too much. To make it a negative sentence, 〜ない(nai) can be added. で(de) at the end is like saying, “Please”.

5.元気を出して
Genki wo dashite 
(Cheer up)

It is often said to someone who’s feeling down to cheer him/her up.

6.応援しています
Ouen shiteimasu 
(I’m cheering you on)

応援(Ouen) is to cheer. 〜しています(shiteimasu) means “I’m -ing”. The phrase can be used to cheer up your friends and many fans of idols/athletes use this to tell that they are rooting for them.

7.あきらめないで
Akirame naide
(Never give up)

あきらめる(Akirameri) means to quit or give up. By adding 〜ないで(Naide/Do not) at the end, you can get the phrase “Never give up” .

There is another useful phrase, which is 気をつけて(Kiwotsukete/Be careful)

This phrase is often used with 〜に (Ni) right infront to specify what to be careful. For example, you could say 風邪に気をつけて(Kaze ni kiwotsukete), which means be careful of the cold/Don’t catch a cold (風邪 means cold). So if you would like to say, “Be careful of the coronavirus”, you could say コロナウィルスに気をつけて(Coronavirus ni kiwotsukete).

Thank you for reading today’s post. 
See you next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Wabi-Sabi : The Japanese Aesthetics

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What is Wabi-Sabi?

It is very hard to put the exact meanings of Wabi-Sabi into words, but it is basically a Japanese aesthetic concept, which is centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection by acknowledging “Nothing lasts, nothing is complete, and nothing is perfect”. Wabi-Sabi mind is unpretentious and connected to nature.

侘び寂び/Wabi-Sabi is a combination of two separate ways of seeing the world: Wabi is about the beauty in nature and to appreciate it in humble simplicity. Sabi is about the beauty of the impermanence of aging, the flow of the time and the seasons, and the aspect of imperfect reliability acknowledging that nothing stays the same.

For centuries, Wabi-Sabi has been practised in Japan and it is the basic idea behind traditional Japanese art works, architectures, crafts, etc. Things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete like the nature itself has been considered as the most powerful and beautiful. Thus, traditional artists prefered simple images with less artificial effects, and left blank spaces intentionally as you can see in many Japanese scroll paintings. Interestingly, the concept contrasts the classical western notion of beauty, in which something perfect, monumental, and enduring has been considered as elegant.

Influence of Buddhism

The underlying idea behind Wabi-Sabi is the Buddhist teachings called 三法印/Sanpouin, which was introduced to Japan from China. The important three teachings of it are as below:

無常/Mujo, Impermanence: It is to understand and accept that nothing stays unchanged in life. You need to go through the rise and fall in life and even the ones you are deeply in love will have to leave this world at some point.

苦/Ku, Suffering: It is to acknowledge “To live is to suffer”. Life is hard and there are a lot of obstacles out there and within yourself. But at the same time, sufferings can lead to growth if you understand the cause and face it.

空/Kuu, Emptiness or Absence of Self: It is to know that being empty is important as it creates a lot more space and help you see the world as it is without interferences. The idea is similar to the concept of today’s minimalism movement.

Understanding these was honored especially among the Japanese nobilities and it is still practiced widely in Japan.
In a way, Wabi-Sabi is a mind training. The learners practice to find the core, basic beauty in nature and in everyday life, which is also an important aspect of Zen Buddhism. By applying the idea, one can achieve liberation from the material world and transcendence to a simpler life. Wabi-Sabi is on nonverbal terms so practitioners can not reach the genuine understanding of it without putting the concept in practice or making art works. 

We live in a state of constant longings and competitions with others, always being dissatisfied and stressed. It’s hard to take a break or step back and appreciate what we have right now. The Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi can teach us how to sort things out and find what really is important. Wabi-Sabi continues to inspire us today. 

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Aesthetic 美学、美の
・Acknowledge 認識する
・Unpretentious 控えめな
・Impermanent 永久的でない、一時的な
・Liberation from 〜からの解放
・Transcendence 超越

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Ikebana : Flower arrangement in Japan

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生花/Ikebana is a traditional flower arrangement. The word is from the Japanese 生ける/Ikeru (to arrange flowers, have life, be living) and 花/Hana (Flower), and it is also known as 華道/Kadou. Ikebana aims to bring out the inner qualities of flowers and express the harmony between nature and humanity considering colors, lines, forms, spaces, and time.

History of Ikebana

When Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 6th century from China and Korea, offering flowers to statues of the Buddha became common. Unlike India, where lotus was widely used, other native flowers for each season were used for this purpose in Japan. This practice is believed to be the origin of flower arrangement in Japan, though at that time there were no meanings or systems. Later on, central flower arrangement named Shin-no-hana started : In the middle, a huge branch of pine or cryptomeria was used, and 3 or 5 seasonable flowers were places around it.
That was the first attempt to represent natural scenery.

The styles of ikebana we see today were perfected in the Muromachi period (1336-1573) with the development of the 書院造/Shoin-zukuri (a style of Japanese houses used in the mansions of the military, temple guest halls, and as a place to train Zen. Floors in the residents are covered with tattami) architectural style. As the interior decorations, 掛物/Kakemono (scroll pictures) and flower arrangements in vases became popular. The practice of Ikebana flourished with the combination of belief systems of Buddhism along with 依代/Yorishiro (objects that divine spirits are summoned to) of Shintoism.

The flower arrangement became a fine art and mental training for lords and a Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436-1490) spread the custom widely. He was so into art like tea ceremony and Ikebana that he even built a temple in Kyoto known as Ginkaku-ji, where he could focus on his studies.

Soami, a friend of Yoshimasa and a painter, conceived the idea of expressing three elements of heaven, human, and earth through Ikebana and that concept is still practiced today.
Under the influence of Buddhist tea masters, Ikebana has grown over the centuries, and there are over 2,000 ikebana schools now.

How flowers are arranged

Arrangements are often mounted in a vase, though this is not always the case. The surface of the water is considered as the surface of the earth from which plants stand. Ikebana often emphasizes areas of the plant such as its stems, leave, shape, line and form. Ikebana artists express through the combination of colors, shapes, lines, and the implied meanings. To reflect the beauty of the nature, applying minimalism without designing too much is considered to be a virtue.  

Artists need to think about the appropriate arrangements for occasions as well. For example, for a flower offering at death, they should use white flowers to express peace. If they give flowers as gifts, they need to choose flowers in bud, so that the person receiving can enjoy seeing them open.

Ikebana teaches a lot to the one who practices it : He/She can feel close to the nature, relax mind and learn to become more patient. Now that we live in a very hectic and stressful time, practitioners say it provides peace of mind, body, and soul. If you are in Japan, you can find many schools listed on the internet by just searching. If you are not here and would like to learn online, I can introduce a teacher so just send me a message to : [email protected]

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Humanity 人間性
・be perfected 完成される
・Architectural 建物の
・Elements 要素
・Imply ほのめかす
・Virtue 美徳

Thank you for reading today’s post. 
Until next time!
Taka 

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Maneki-neko : The lucky cat of Japan

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招き猫/Maneki-neko is a cat doll and it is believed that it brings good luck to the owner. It gained popularity in the feng shui movement in China, but it originated in Japan. They are translated as “Lucky Cats” or “Beckoning Cats” in English. Each cat has some meanings and there are interesting legends about its origin.

Common features and meanings

Cat dolls we see these days are usually made of ceramic or plastic, but you may find them made of different materials like wood or even real gold. They are traditionally seated with one paw raised in a beckoning gesture (the Japanese beckoning gesture is done by holding up a hand with palm down, and folding the fingers down and back repeatedly). A doll with the left paw raised is to bring in more customers and the right paw raised is to get more money. If both paws are raised, a cat doll is providing protection. It is believed that the higher the paw is raised, the more luck the cat invites.

Some of them hold a Koban coin, a gold coin used in the Edo period with the amount of money written on it. 千万両/Sen-man ryo is often used, which is ten million 両/Ryo (Ryo was the monetary unit used in the Edo period. 1 Ryo was about $1,000). 

Maneki-neko cats come in different colors and the most common color is white.Some of them are battery- or solar-powered and move arms endlessly in the beckoning gesture.

Cat dolls are often placed at the entrance of shops, restaurants, and other businesses so that they can welcome good fortune from the outside.

History

Although the exact birthplace of Maneki-neko is uncertain, It is commonly believed that it originated in Tokyo, (some insist it was Kyoto). And it is most likely that Maneki-neko first appeared during the later part of the Edo period.

Among many legends about the birth of Maneki-neko, the most popular is the legend of Gotoku temple. Once upon a time in the 17th century in Tokyo, there was a monk lived in a small temple. He was very poor but he cared his pet cat, Tama, and did not forget to share meals. Then there came the feudal lord of Hikone area, Lord Naotaka. He was on his way to do some huntings, and a storm came suddenly. He found a big tree near the temple and decided to stay there for a while. He noticed Tama raising one paw as if beckoning him to the temple. He was very curious and followed Tama and went inside of the temple. It was then that a lightning bolt hit the tree where he was and started pouring down. Thanks to Tama, Lord Naotaka was safe and he didn’t even need to get wet. He became the patron of the temple and repaired it and renamed it 豪徳寺/Gotoku temple in 1697 which made the monk happy as well. When Tama died, he was buried in a special grave and a statue of Beckoning cat was made to commemorate Tama. 

Another famous legend is a story of a cat sat in front of the store beckoning customers for poor shop owners and the place became popular. Whatever the origin was, the thing in common is that a beckoning cat brings good luck to the owner.  

Gotokuji Temple

So many cat dolls are placed there!

Address: Gotokuji, Tokyo prefecture 2-24-7

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Beckoning 招く
・Material 材料、物質、教材
・Once upon a time 昔々
・On one’s way to 〜へ行く途中で
・Decide to 〜すると決める
・be buried 埋められる

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.