Az, did you write the new handbook?

[JusenkyoGuide]

My kyoutousensei delivered the new JET handbook today. They finally changed some of the essays in the back, but I could swear some of the essays had a familar writing style. Az, did you contribute to them this year?

[jindojim]

I wrote four of the essays in the new JET General Info handbook. Try to figure out which four.
From the "Well...it's early april" thread

[Crowley]

Hah - that's a pretty big compliment. To be recognised by your writing style. Wonder what the copyright policy would be on someone putting them here for everyone else to read?

[Kuri]

Why would there be copyright enfringement.. if you didn't claim it as your own or make money from it

[MNJetter]

heh....we're not even claiming them as our own, we're claiming them as belonging to the original author.

And nobody in CLAIR is making money off of distributing it for free to JET participants in the first place.

Why not ask Az? I'd feel better asking his permission than getting permission from the Japanese copyright authorities, since he's the one who wrote it, and since it's the JET handbook, nobody's making any less money by having the essays distributed.

[JusenkyoGuide]

From the "Well...it's early april" thread
Well, now don't I feel stupid.

But it does explain why a number of the essays seemed like some of the editorials.

I did have to explain why I was laughing so hard to one of my JTEs though.

[mugen]

I command you to scan and post it

[MNJetter]

Man, I wish it would get to me already...maybe it takes longer to get out in the boonies. Or maybe they do the "W"s at the end of the list, as was my life all through grade school. :P

[Azrael]

Resourcefulness is way underrated these days, I feel. (http://jetprogramme.org/e/index.html)

[MNJetter]

Anybody with a hard copy know what pages Az's articles are? I don't feel like straining my eyes through 324 pages of PDF when it's about to be mailed to me anyway. :P

[Xan]

Well, I don't have a physical copy, but I can narrow down the location the the PDF to about 36pages. :P maby that helps? they should be somewhere between 257 and 293 (as is stated by the index for anyone who looked...)

[Crowley]

Possibly Az (or otherwise just quite funny) quotes:

Likewise, students may take an interest in a certain...private...area of your anatomy, and this can range
from asking you embarrassing questions, to actually making a grab for it! As tempting as it is to send the
first kid who reaches for your nether-regions flying out the nearest window, you should practice restraint
here. By all means, protect Your Precious, but at the same time realize that, in Japan this isn't viewed as
weird (it should be. . .), but rather "boys will be boys."

"Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment, young Padiwan learner."

So if
you are freaked out by the M-word (marriage), or the K-word (kekkon), or the other k-word (kids), or the
other other k-word (kazoku) or pork being the other other white meat, make sure you and your Japanese
partner are on the same page.

Bring in your laptop from home to help pass the time. Try to avoid playing The Sims, as this is obviously
not working (unless it's The Sims in Japanese, that might fly. See if you can squeeze another golf course
in between the rice fields).


Many teachers' rooms have at least one public-use computer with an internet connection. As tempting
as it is to jump on and start LOL'ing with your friends back home over messenger, try to limit your use on
this computer as much as possible.

There's lots more, and I'm completely assuming that the "JET of African Origin" is all Az's work.

[Excel-2008]

Keep in mind that space limitations prevent us from including every game and activity submission in the Resource Materials & Teaching Handbook; however, we will do our best to include as many as possible.
Personally, I think more should be done in the field of justification. Explain why I should limit my time on the one computer. Will my pay be cut if I'm not careful? Can I expect pop-up ads beyond my imagination?

[Pierrot le Fou]

Limit your time because other teachers need to use it. Nothing bad will happen other than them asking if they can use it.

[Azrael]

Well, that and the fact that you will be betraying the fact that you are not working, which isn't good. They know you don't have anything better to do, but as long as you're not blatantly throwing that in their faces it's okay. This isn't Japan specific - on any job would you bust out a magazine, or a PSP in front of your boss during slow periods?

[Kass]

Yeah...That would be bad. Kinda like surfing certain websites reading essays that make you giggle.

[gentlemanandscholar]

Would they consider further researching the Japanese language work, or slacking off?

As in, you bring in a kanji textbook or something of that nature.

[Azrael]

Yeah...That would be bad. Kinda like surfing certain websites reading essays that make you giggle.
Really? Know of any? :P

Would they consider further researching the Japanese language work, or slacking off?

As in, you bring in a kanji textbook or something of that nature.
No, actually they eat that shit up. My first couple of months, I kinda screwed up, and spent most of the day playing games on my cell phone. Later I realized that wasn't a good idea, and brought in the study books JET/CLAIR provides. The other teachers would look over my shoulder and be like "Oh, you're studying Japanese? That's great!" When I got bored of language, I'd pull out a book about the culture or something and then when they asked me about it, I could say it was Japanese and still get the "Oh, that's great!" After a while, they stopped asking me about it and assumed that whatever I was doing was Japanese-related. ...In all actuality I was reading Harry Potter or something, but I'd kind of earned the right.

One of my friends was a genious though. He brought in Japanese manga to read. When the teachers asked him about it, he said it was good for his Japanese studies because the kanji had furigana and was easy to look up. I started bringing in manga myself, and I found the teachers awed and amazed that I could actually read it. One teacher pointed it out to a couple of students who happened to be in the teachers room and said "You guys should try reading some American comic books to help you study English."

[Masa the Masta]

Marvel comics ftw!

Actually, there's another thread about who would win in a huge fight...anime characters, DC comics, or Marvel...(my hat goes off to Marvel.)

That'd be interesting though. Have your students read comic books and then have them discuss who would win in a fight.

[Excel-2008]

Which manga?

[Pierrot le Fou]

Using the computer a lot can look like work if you don't go to sites that look non-work related. The first time I visited a forum, I stated that it was a source of lesson plans and teaching strategies, and they never bugged me about forums ever again.

[nemuri]

These are the 4 articles writen by Az :
the male JET
the single JET
the JET as a school teacher in japan
the JET of african descent

I'm positive 100% abou this, and i'll tell you why : they are the only 4 articles with a real conclusion !!

[Crowley]

The Male Jet:

A few weeks after I got to Japan, I felt honored when my coworker invited me over for a big dinner to
celebrate the Obon holiday with his family. I had heard about how kindly Japanese people treat their
guests, so I wasn't completely surprised when his wife insisted on serving my food and pouring my
drinks. But when we had finished eating, my JTE and the other men in the family abruptly got up from
the table and moved into the next room to smoke cigarettes and watch baseball, while the women quickly
scurried to clean up after them. Stuck in an unfamiliar situation, I started to gather up my own plate, only
to be shooed into the next room with the other guys. My coworker boasted, "my wife keeps the house
very clean, so we don't have to help." Nevertheless, I kept looking over my shoulder: back home, if my
father or I had even thought such a thing, we'd find ourselves on the way to the emergency room after
getting a dirty dinner plate chucked into the back of our heads.

In Japan though, this is not a plate-chucking situation. Japan is a country that has well-defined gender
roles. As a result, you may encounter behavior that you couldn't even imagine in your home country. Men
will often get up from the dinner table or from a tea break at work without cleaning up their own place.
Even when having drinks with friends, the guys won't move a muscle when the drinks come, while the
women are scrambling to make sure everyone's cup is full. If you are not comfortable with this situation,
especially among friends, you can clean your own dishes/pour your own drink while explaining that in
your home country, it's quite normal for everyone to look out for themselves. Please remember that this
might be strange for both the men and women around you. To some degree, women here feel a social
obligation to serve men, (particularly men who are older or higher up in the socioeconomic hierarchy).
While you shouldn't exploit it, you shouldn't make it an issue if someone goes to clean up after you before
you think to do it. This is a part of their culture that you cannot single-handedly change overnight, nor
did they ask you to do so.

Being a foreign male in Japan, many people around you will expect that you are a strapping young lad,
blessed with talent in any sport you might play, especially if you have the large frame to prove it. People
may offer you extra portions of food, apologizing that the standard Japanese portions aren't enough to fill
your strong Gaijin Belly. If you are an ALT, you may find your male students take a particular interest in
you, lining down the hallways just to arm wrestle you, or asking you about your hand strength (if you
don't know, many game centers feature a machine where you can measure it-or you can just say about
eighty kilograms to really knock their socks off).

Japanese men may look for subtle ways to test themselves against you, be it through drinking, carrying
heavy boxes around the office, or even an invitation to the onsen or sauna to measure up your manhood.
Likewise, students may take an interest in a certain...private...area of your anatomy, and this can range
from asking you embarrassing questions, to actually making a grab for it! As tempting as it is to send the
first kid who reaches for your nether-regions flying out the nearest window, you should practice restraint
here. By all means, protect Your Precious, but at the same time realize that, in Japan this isn't viewed as
weird (it should be. . .), but rather "boys will be boys." If it really bothers you (and this applies to
everyone, right?) do let your JTE know about it, but keep your cool and don't make it into some kind of
international incident. If nothing else, try to keep a good sense of humor, no matter how odd it may seem.

You may find yourself getting attention from Japanese women. Being an exotic stranger seems to
have some universal appeal no matter what country. Do be careful though - while there are many women
who may take a genuine interest in you, there are also women more interested in free English lessons and
a possible plane ticket overseas. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment, young Padiwan learner.
Leave stereotypes in your home country. In fact, every cute Japanese girl is not actually devoted to neatly
folding your socks and obediently rearing your children. If you do decide to date while in Japan, you
should spend just as much effort as you would at home getting to know your partner and finding out if she
is right for you, especially since you are probably facing a linguistic and cultural divide. Keep in mind as
well that casual dating is not necessarily the norm in Japan. Make sure your expectations are on the same
page before you choke to death on your sushi when her parents congratulate you on your engagement.

Being male in Japan challenges you to think about your gender in ways that would have never
occurred to you in your home country. As a visitor in Japan, you should be careful to respect the Japanese
way of doing things. However, no one expects you to become Japanese - finding that careful balance
between cultural assimilation and staying true to your own culture will be an interesting and ultimately
rewarding experience during your time on JET.

[Crowley]

The Female JET:

The best advice for women coming to Japan is probably, “do not overadapt.” You will find that the
expectations of women are different from your country, but remember that you have a choice as to how
you respond to these expectations. Exercise this choice, and do not let yourself be led along by people
pressuring you to conform to the norm of Japanese femininity any more than you feel is appropriate. The
Japanese are as eager to learn about you as you are about them, and you owe it to yourself and to others to
be yourself

One of the ways Japanese open conversations is through compliments. Prepare for constant comments
about your appearance. Compliments are perceived as an easy way to communicate and will be showered
on you when you are being introduced to your office, your classes, prospective friends, and will even
come from complete strangers you pass on the street. You may come to feel like you are not really in
Japan for grassroots internationalisation, but in a rather superficial way to look good and smile. On the
other hand, advice on your dress and hairstyle or comments on your weight may not be welcome. Handle
these comments as politely and firmly as possible. The trouble is that it is easy to believe the compliments
and get upset at the ‘insults’ when in fact both are probably untrue. Maintain perspective and a solid selfimage;
do not let others define you; you are the same person you were at home, and it’s in your best
interest to subtly but firmly communicate this to those around you.

Most of the ideas of what non-Japanese women are like come from movies and not from personal
acquaintance. This can lead to misunderstandings when people are faced with the real thing. You will
probably receive a lot of attention from both men and women: some will be incessantly curious and others
will seem to be absolutely terrified of you. At first you may despair of finding anyone who is willing to
get to know you on your own terms, but by being yourself most people will eventually treat you as
another human being and not define you as a foreign woman.

There is a fixed hierarchy in Japanese society which determines how people interact from the language
used to the depth of bows. You will be outside this hierarchy to some extent and thus can do many things
that Japanese women would never do and be treated with more respect than your age and gender normally
command. However, women still tend to be second place in the Japanese workplace and you may have
some disagreeable experiences. For example, you may not like the idea of women having to serve tea to
everybody and you may be shocked at incidents which you perceive as sexual harassment. How you react
in these circumstances is up to you, but it is important to discuss your opinions with others while
maintaining cultural sensitivity.

Dating in Japan can be difficult for foreign women as they are often considered to be more opinionated
than their Japanese counterparts. Japanese men often perceive them as threatening and are therefore
unwilling to approach them. This may cause some women to feel unwanted and less attractive than in
their home countries. However, some female JETs do find partners while in Japan and learn to share their
culture with their partner as well as adapt to that of Japan. You may very well find your prince charming
here in Japan, the important thing is to keep an open mind and be true to yourself.

[Crowley]

The Rural JET

The first forty-five seconds after I received the information packet from my contracting organization
in late June went something like this: tear open envelope; dump all contents onto the floor; find the piece
of paper detailing where I will live; get out my World Atlas; flip to index; search; search again; wonder
how they could have mistakenly not listed my town; get out my Lonely Planet: Japan; flip to index;
search; search again; wonder if my contracting organization has spelled my town’s name incorrectly;
confirm spelling; confirm again; feel really annoyed; throw book.

If you’re a JET moving to a rural area — and, as more than half of all JETs do, you probably will be
— this might sound familiar. So, your city, town or village isn’t listed on any map in or any book that
you can get your hands on? Don’t worry, you still have plenty to be excited about. As a rural JET, you are
about to embark on the experience of a lifetime: the roles and opportunities for JETs in rural settings
generally differ quite significantly from those of our urban counterparts, and, unquestionably, offer
wonderful chances to learn about Japanese language, culture, and society that might be available in a big
city.

That said, before your new life begins, there are three things you must know: 1) you will be one of the
only — if not the only — JETs living in your area; 2) everyone in your town will know who you are; 3) at
one time or another, you will think that life in a big city would be a lot more fun.

Dealing with these three facts:

Fact one: you may be the only foreigners with whom most of the people in your town has or will ever
have extended contact. Sound a bit overwhelming? Well, it can be, and it can lead to a lot of strange
activity: from elementary students screaming in shock when they see you, to adults asking to take your
photograph at the grocery store. Prepare to be a superstar. People will want to meet you, learn about you,
and, in the process, many will go out of their way to take care of you. Unlike in urban areas, where gaijin
are a dime a dozen, rural JETs may have a great opportunity to trade cultural information with people who
know very little about foreign culture and have a genuine desire to learn more. Their impressions and
memories will be yours to create.

Unfortunately, this fact does have a downside: at times, the attention may become too much. As a
male, you may tire of the never ending flow of drinking challenges, requests to arm wrestle, and questions
about your shoe-size. As a female, being told how cute you are or being asked if you are married for the
four-hundredth time might make you want to scream. But, it’s important to remember that, for the most
part, the endless amount of compliments and challenges are due to intrigue and cultural difference.
Getting mad won’t make people stop doing it, it will only make them think you’re an ass.

Fact two: everyone will know you. In my experience, there are some wonderful benefits to this fact.
Firstly, as a teacher, you will automatically have the respect of most adults and children in your town —
something that is yours only to lose. Local shopkeepers will recognize you as their child’s teacher and
treat you very well, your neighbors may bring you vegetables during the harvest season, and whenever a
package comes to you in the mail and you aren’t home, the mailman will know to drop it off at school.
You will be invited to all town events and may even appear in the newspaper regularly. Everywhere you
go there is bound to be someone who knows you and is willing to lend a hand.

There is, of course, a major downside to this: everyone will know you. And, for reasons that are
incomprehensible, they will be unbelievably interested in everything you do. Out shopping, old women
will look into your basket in shock, wondering what foreigners buy at the grocery store. Accidentally
stumble into the porno aisle at the video store (oops!), and you can count on students talking about it the
next day at school. Walk through town with someone of the opposite sex and everyone will ask you when
you got married.

As a JET living in the inaka, you will be amazed at how much people talk about features of your life
that are none of their business. Like it or not, it isn’t going to change, and the best thing to do is keep it in
mind from the beginning. Remember, as a teacher, you are a respected member of society and if you are
seen acting in a manner that does not coincide with this title, people will talk about it. Also, a good policy at the beginning is to keep all personal information to yourself. The word “secret” has a slightly different
nuance in Japan. It’s more like: “tell everyone.”

Fact three: you will, at some point, be stricken with an illness that affects all rural JETs: big-city envy.
In your city, town or village, shopping might be difficult — if it exists at all — you may have few
opportunities to dine at a nice restaurant or drink at a bar that stays open late, and, at times, it may seem
like everything is miles away. Dealing with this requires that you keep two things in mind: firstly, there is
usually a lot more going on in your town than you realize. After four months of living in my town and
thinking that there were no restaurants, I was surprised to find four that are quite good. Also, there are
plenty of activities to keep you busy on free weekday nights — karate lessons, calligraphy classes, etc. —
it is just a matter of asking around. Second, every once in a while it is important to get away and enjoy
the benefits of city life. Look into buying a car or learn the train schedule — knowing a route out of town
for your times of need will make all the difference. Whether you choose to slip into urban Japan daily,
weekly, or monthly, it will always be waiting with open arms.

Without question, rural placements come with goods and bads. And, naturally, different degrees of
rural living will offer different experiences. The best thing to do is embrace the opportunity. And
remember, you will have a lot of chances to see traditional aspects of life that urban JETs will most likely
miss-out on.

[Crowley]

The Single JET (Dating in Japan)

Many of us are coming to Japan single or otherwise unattached. If you are so inclined, dating in Japan
can be a very enriching experience. Going out and meeting people can ease some of the isolation that you
might feel from living in a foreign country. A relationship with a Japanese person can help you to
understand parts of the country, the people, and the culture that might be difficult to see otherwise. Your
relationship may even turn into something quite serious.

If you do endeavor to date in Japan, there are some general things to take into account. First, drop the
anime-fueled Japanese obsession. Right now. When it comes to romance, divorce yourself from any
reverence for Japanese culture and Japanese aesthetics, roll it up into a ball, and dump it into the nearest
trash can (unnecessary cultural worship goes in the non-combustible bin I believe). Realize that Japanese
people are human, just like the rest of us, and have the same faults and pitfalls that all humans do. Also,
realize that whatever cultural preconceptions you had about them before coming really only scratch the
surface. Don't let fantasies cloud your better judgment. There are a lot of good people . . . and a lot of bad
ones too. It might not be as easy to tell the difference as you might think. If you fail to reconcile your
preconceived notions with reality, you are bound to be disappointed in your Japanese partner.

You will almost certainly get asked many times if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Feel free to be
honest about it, but realize that "yes" answers mean automatic follow-up questions. It's up to you how
private you choose to keep this aspect of your life, but in general it's best to keep your dating life rather
low-key, especially around your students.

Japanese people are well known for their indirectness and hesitation to show their true feelings, and
this definitely extends into relationships as well. Your partner may not communicate their preferences to
you, and this sometimes leads to problems. You may have an idea that you've done something wrong, but
no idea what or even how to work on fixing it. You might not even realize there's a problem at all!
Given time and understanding, you may be able to get them to open up and be more direct with their
feelings. Do realize though that asking them to be more direct is more or less asking them to go against at
least 20 years (hopefully. . .) of social programming. In the meantime, you'll have to figure out if "But,
isn't McDonalds kind of far from here?" actually means "I'm expecting a home-cooked meal," or "Take
me somewhere nice you cheapskate!"

Moreover, it seems as though Japanese people don't date as casually as some of us foreigners do.
Especially in more conservative areas, many Japanese want to get married around or by their mid-20's. As
a result, they don't date purely for fun-they are often looking for potential marriage partners as well. So if
you are freaked out by the M-word (marriage), or the K-word (kekkon), or the other k-word (kids), or the
other other k-word (kazoku) or pork being the other other white meat, make sure you and your Japanese
partner are on the same page.

Also, the quality of contraceptives here in Japan may not be on par with you are used to back home.
Depending on where you live, it may be nearly impossible to get the pill. Moreover, not all Japanese
people are as responsible about using contraceptives as they could be. So it's up to you to make sure
you've got this area of your life covered. You may need contraceptives sent from home. Bring some with
you before you come, and establish a contact who will send them to you in your hour of need. Find
someone reliable, so you don't end up having to ask your parents to include an extra special something in
their next care package.

For the guys: you may find plenty of opportunities to date a Japanese girl, e.g., you might find ladies
throwing themselves at you. Before you start counting your blessings for having come to such a
wonderful country, take a time out and think about why you're getting so much attention. Sometimes,
foreign men are perceived as being more open-minded and gentle than Japanese men, so girls will go for
that. Some girls are just curious about foreigners-and others are looking for free English lessons. No
matter why you hit it off, ask yourself whether she is interested in you as a person-or in your foreignnessbefore
you allow it to get too serious. On the same note, as a highly visible member of the community,
have the integrity not to take advantage of your situation. A reputation for promiscuity will taint your
experience in Japan. (No, that is NOT what the JET Programme means by "grass-roots
internationalization!")

For the girls: you might have it lot harder than your male counterparts finding a Japanese partner.
While Japanese guys do have an interest in foreign women, they're also a bit intimidated by them. Many
guys talk themselves out of approaching a foreign girl, convinced before they even try that their efforts
will only end in failure. So you're going to have to be pro-active initially (this goes for getting the
attention of foreign men too, as they might be too busy going after Japanese girls. . .). If you find a guy
you like, you may have to guide him through the process a bit. Keep in mind that Japanese cultural
expectations may be different from what you're used to, and that getting him to change his traditional
perception of gender roles could take time. Don't feel like you have to be assimilated into a world-view
that makes you uncomfortable, but realize that you may have to make small compromises - similar to
your situation in a Japanese office.

Dating in Japan can be a very fulfilling experience. As with anywhere, there are certain pitfalls to be
mindful of. Also, inter-cultural relationships do pose special situations that require a bit more patience.
For those willing to try it, you can find yourself with something very special that adds to your time here,
and quite possibly beyond.

[Crowley]

The Married JET

We all have a slightly different experience of Japan, depending on both our background and the unique
situations we find ourselves in after we arrive. Whilst being married while living and working in Japan
has many benefits it can also present some new challenges.

Most of these challenges occur because of the cultural differences between Japan and Western
countries regarding the marriage relationship. The Japanese view of marriage is more traditional and
hence expectations of a spouse’s role within a marriage are quite different than in the West. Whilst, your
tales of your husbands cooking ability may be met with envy by your female colleagues, your male
colleagues may be not be so impressed by the fact your husband does the cooking! Also, a married man
may earn favour at his workplace for hours worked past contract time, however if a married women
works late, she may start hearing comments about her neglecting her wifely duty! As foreigners, you’re
not always expected to share the same views as the Japanese. You can use these situations to highlight
cultural differences.

Married JETs are expected to socialise after work. Since this is considered an extension of their
working time, spouses are rarely invited. In the case of a married man, if he spends too much time with
his wife, he may start hearing comments about being henpecked or controlled by her. Again, this is good
opportunity to highlight cultural differences. You may want to indicate to your work colleagues that your
spouse is interesting in coming to work functions.

Married JETs whose spouses are not employed on the JET Programme face unique challenges. The
unemployed spouse may feel out of the social loop since so many functions revolve around work. Also,
the spouse may face considerable difficulties until he/she settles into private employment or explores
hobbies of interest. Many non-JET spouses use this time productively to explore a certain aspect of
Japanese culture and/or to pursue a personal hobby. Also, it is important for the non-JET spouse to set up
his/her own social network. Making friends in the local community, though not always an easy task, is
also helpful. Especially in rural areas, acquiring a car provides the non-JET spouse with a way to explore
the surrounding areas. Therefore it is important that your spouse obtain an International Driving Permit
before arriving in Japan.

As mentioned in the Pre-Departure chapter of this book, a non-JET spouse cannot work legally on a
Dependent Visa without prior permission from the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau. If permission is
granted, spouses may work up to 28 hours per week. However, please keep in mind that permission is not
always granted.

Undoubtedly the best part of having your partner with you in Japan is the companionship. When you
first arrive and everything is loaded with novelty value, it is great to have someone to share this new
experience with. Also, as time goes by and the novelty of living in a foreign culture wears off, having a
partner can really act as a buffer against loneliness. Just having someone to talk to on a daily basis in
normal English, makes you feel like less of a foreigner. However this can place added stress on your
marriage especially as you deal with the stress of living in another culture. If you are both going through
culture shock at the same time, then it is hard to support each other. Instead this situation can lead to a
spiraling of complaints. It ends up being a bitch session when really you just need someone to listen and
empathise.

Also, because you rely on each other so much it is easy to forget your need for other friendships,
especially same sex ones. This results in added expectations of your partner that often they can’t fulfill. It
is important to form other friendships because no partner can supply all your social or emotional needs.

Forming friendships with others can be difficult as a married couple. In some ways you can feel
socially isolated as a married couple. Sometimes you are thrown into the “Old married couple” basket.
Some social functions you are not invited to on the premise that you will be busy hanging out with your
partner. This is understandable in that you do have slightly different social lives than say a single person
straight out of university with a JET salary ready to burn and potential partners to meet. This is why is
important to establish your presence in the JET social scene as an individual as well as being part of a
couple. A good way to do this is to develop your own hobbies, especially those you can do with a friend.

Since living in a foreign culture can place an added stress on your marriage, it is important to keep on
check on how your marriage is going. Don’t be afraid to get some help if you need it. Your Prefectural
Advisor should be able to connect you to some English-speaking counselors.

[Crowley]

The JET Bringing Children

The purpose of this essay is to provide a small start into bringing your children into Japan, problems
and what to expect. As you will quickly discover it is school that will be the all mighty focus of your
child’s life. For me it was where all of my concerns stemmed from. As a JET with children you will
encounter problems that will tax your energy, patience, and time. But you will be helped along. People
will eagerly come forward to help with little or no asking.

In many rural areas, foreign children are a rare sight and in the beginning you will be the subject of
great interest. Many people will want to touch and talk to your children. They will be given treats, drinks
and presents by total strangers. They will be spoiled.

Before you leave

Before you leave your country; check with the health department about what kinds of vaccinations are
necessary. Out of Canada we were told that nothing was necessary. But with children, the doctor felt that
a “better safe than sorry” attitude should eliminate any possible fears. The important ones were Japanese
Encephalitis and Hepatitis A&B. Bring a record of all vaccinations and a medical record of your child.
Many doctors speak English and they will be grateful for such information. On your arrival it is best to
seek out doctors before you have any problems.

Once you have found out where you are going, send a fax explaining who you are and the age of your
children. Some of the immediate concerns your office will have about placing your children into school
might be: language, diet, use of Japanese toilets, ability to integrate with their classmates, curriculum or
even your child just not understanding Japanese “culture”. In your fax tell them about your concerns to
make your child’s acceptance into school easier. The cost of sending a child to day care may be prorated
to your wage, try to check this and the costs of day-care before you arrive.

Day Care

Our town placed our two boys into a day care centre (hoikuen) near our home. They viewed foreign
kids as a source of excitement for everyone and not as a problem. There was a concern over their ability
to eat non-western food for lunch. The boys picked at their food for several weeks but they soon got
hungry enough. Using hashi (chop sticks) was a constant worry for the teachers. Within six months the
boys were eating everything placed in front of them and using hashi is now normal. Regarding activities,
the day care my boys (ages 18 months and 4 years old) attended taught music, sports participation and
traditional dance.

Kindergarten

You do not have to attend Kindergarten to go into grade one. Many children go right from day care
into elementary school (shogakko). They will be either private or government run. Check with your
supervisor for placement.

Elementary School

The Japanese education system is excellent, but it is in Japanese. Most JETs are far from an
international school. JETs that do have access to an international school may have difficulty affording the
fees. Don’t be afraid to send your children to a Japanese school: it will help them make friends and adjust
to Japanese society. It may be necessary to teach your children English and other subjects of your
country’s educational system at home, however they will probably learn Japanese quickly and may even
end up interpreting for their parents. In the beginning it may be difficult for your children to do the work
at their grade level but it will be a difficult year no matter what their grade is.

Enrolling your children in a Japanese school is not difficult but schools demand money and time from
parents. To enroll, take previous school records to the municipal (for elementary and junior high) or
prefectural (for senior high) Board of Education. The Board of Education will say which school your
children will attend according to the school designated for the region you live in. Ask your supervisor for
help with the forms. You will attend many ceremonies, many meetings with the teacher to explain what
the heck is going on. Parents (okay, mothers) are expected to make things for their children. They will need to make book bags, bags for the child’s gym clothing, sew up cleaning cloths and generally sew. If
you cannot; then people will come forward to help. You will be required to purchase a school bag
(randoseru), a school gym outfit, and hat. Other expenses will include your PTA membership and school
lunch.

After-school facilities are available in just about all elementary schools. A Jidokan or Gakudo club are
after-school centers where kids can go if their parents are both working. Our son went a couple of times a
week because most of his friends did. Most of the time they are free and will stay open until about 5:30.
There is structured play and many of the kids do homework there. If you feel that you might need the use
of these facilities, ask you supervisor and arrangements will be made.

Things to consider
If you live in a rural area a car is in order and the expense is worth the freedom. Trips to parks, friends’
homes, and shopping is just so much easier than dragging the kids around on a bus or train. Diapers are
expensive. You may want to find the discount stores where baby products and clothing are sold. Network.
You’d be surprised who our child’s classmates parents are. More than likely they will want to help you
get things that you need. We had dentists, doctors, car dealership owners, liquor store owners, taxi drivers,
repairmen, and a kimono shop owner in our hoikuen.

About a year after our arrival we asked a woman to help out with our oldest son’s Japanese. He was
learning but we couldn’t help him yet so she came in once a week to talk with him and do math. This
went on for two years and she ended up teaching both boys. You may want to consider this as it will help
your child to learn faster with some one-on-one teaching.

A JET with children will face new and challenging situations that will tax your persistence and time.
These new situations that you face will be a great source of anxiety. From the mountain of “purinto”
(notices) to be translated to never being quite able to understand what is going on will cause heartache
and leave you angry. Sometimes the teacher would translate the important purinto, but many times you
will have to take it to your work to have someone help you out. Problems of name calling will probably
happen. My son was called a “gaijin” and this really upset him. We had never told him what it meant but
just by another child saying it hurt him. I then spent two weeks in that school explaining racism and name
calling. In a simplified way I explained how that name hurt people and it is wrong to do that. Since that
time the name calling stopped. If something is happening that you don’t like; don’t be passive. You can do
something. Then again there may be no problem at all.

Your children, by attending the local school, will do a lot more to “internationalize” than you might
think. It won’t be easy but you will certainly have an interesting time in Japan. There were many more
good times than difficult ones and all told it was a good three years for the boys. They have learned a lot
more in a bi-cultural school than any experience they could have had back in Canada.

[Crowley]

The Non-Native English-Speaking JET

As you may know, the JET Programme is an international programme, with nearly 6000 participants
from 44 nations. But with only 7 countries - internationally recognised as predominately English
speaking countries - representing 95% of the JET participants, the two official languages of the JET
Programme are Japanese and English. Consequently, seminars, conferences and all JET publications are
in English. For those JETs amongst the remaining 5% of non-English speakers, functioning in Japan has
not always been easy or is easy.

In 2001, CLAIR addressed this problem and established the Self-support Group Leader (SGL) system,
with the aim of providing support to JET participants who did not speak English or were non-native
English speakers. Nowadays, their target languages include Korean, Spanish, Chinese, German, French,
Portuguese and Russian. The Self-support Group Leaders attend the same counselling training that
Prefectural Advisors do twice a year.

Some groups like Brazilians, Koreans and Germans are quite well organised and have support
networks. Even if your nationality has not organised itself officially within the JET Programme, or if you
are the only representative from your country, you may be surprised to know that there are probably more
of you than you think. Given that countries like Brazil, USA and Canada are large multi-cultural societies,
many JETs representing the country of their citizenship also represent the variety of cultures that make up
their societies. One example would be the numerous JETs from Canada, which has English and French as
official languages, but has people with good understanding of Chinese, Malaysian and Korean culture as
well.

One cause of frustration or stress for non-native English-speaking JET is that a lot of their work may
involve English, and in some cases, even the teaching of English. Thinking about it positively, you will
see that it is an opportunity to work not only in a Japanese speaking environment, but also in an English
one as well. In fact, many such JETs have commented that one of the benefits they have received from
participating on the JET Programme was a substantial improvement in their English!

Whatever your situation, remember to make the time to surround yourself with your language and
your culture. Rent videos, subscribe to publications in your home country and have them sent to your
Japanese address, access the internet! And more, find people who are also interested in your country and
increase your knowledge not only about Japan but also about your own country.

[Crowley]

The JET as a School Teacher in Japan

A lot of attention is given to how you will interact with your JTEs. This is important, since you will be
primarily working with the JTE in team-teaching. However, it's also important to take into consideration
that you will be working at a school, and this includes many other faculty, not just English teachers.
Japan is a group-orientated society. If you don't get along well with the group, (in this case with the
teachers as a whole) it will cause problems in your working environment, no matter how well you get
along with your JTEs.

Punctuality is very important in Japan. And by very important, I mean crucial. You should wake up
already at your desk and reading the sports section of the newspaper. . . Okay, maybe not, but you should
arrive every morning on time, if not early. Many schools have a morning meeting in the teachers' room -
you should make it a point to be at your desk before this meeting starts. At one of my schools, the
morning meeting started at 8:20, so I always tried to be at my desk at or around 8:15. Some JETs feel it's
okay to come in late, as the other teachers will never say anything to them about it. While the teachers
may not say anything about it to you, it is still negatively affecting their perception of you. It'll just
manifest itself in other ways. Conversely, don't leave early unless you are given permission to do so (or
unless you can manage to find a blow-up doll that looks enough like you to do the trick).

Sometimes it may seem like you have all the free time in the world, but you should always appear to
be busy. This is your workplace, after all. Even if you don't have anything to do, find something to do.
Your Japanese colleagues are doing the exact same thing. Those downtimes between classes are a
wonderful opportunity to study Japanese. This will be a big hit in the teachers' room, as they will be very
impressed to look over your shoulder to see your nose buried in a Japanese book (and yes, they will look
over your shoulder). You can also prepare for upcoming classes, or just work on your own projects.
Bring in your laptop from home to help pass the time. Try to avoid playing The Sims, as this is obviously
not working (unless it's The Sims in Japanese, that might fly. See if you can squeeze another golf course
in between the rice fields). There is an art to looking like you are working, and if you practice long
enough, you might even discover that you ARE working. Even if you have all the free time in the world,
you should at least look like you are working.

Many teachers' rooms have at least one public-use computer with an internet connection. As tempting
as it is to jump on and start LOL'ing with your friends back home over messenger, try to limit your use on
this computer as much as possible. Not only is it obvious that you are not working, you might be
inconveniencing one of the teachers who needs to use the computer for work-related things.

Since the other teachers don't speak English, it may be difficult to communicate with them. Learning
as much Japanese as you can will go a long way towards bridging the language gap. Even just being able
to say things like "It's hot today" or "I have five classes today" will help to make you feel like less of an
outsider in the teachers' room. Sometimes, your JTE may ask you to sit in on one of the teachers' staff
meetings. It might not seem useful, as you may not understand a word of what they're saying (and you
really don't need to), but the gesture is meant to include you as one of the teachers.

It goes without saying that you should always conduct yourself in a manner that is becoming of a
teacher. You may not be asked to dress a certain way, but there is a dress code and the other teachers are
following it. Piercings and tattoos probably aren't going to go over well. When it comes to the way you
act at school, anything that doesn't fly in your home country doesn't fly in Japan either, regardless of
whether or not they'll actually say anything about it to your face. Think back to your own student days:
how many of your teachers wore t-shirts and jeans to class, or took 3 weeks off during the term to
backpack through Southeast Asia? You might not get a lecture or official warning about your behavior,
but the strikes against you will manifest themselves in other ways - like when you don't get an invite to
the office New Year's Party.

Becoming a member of the team will be a lot harder in Japan, mostly because of the language and
cultural barriers. But if you make an effort and do your best to demonstrate to the other teachers that
you're one of them, this will go a long way toward earning their respect as a colleague. It may not seem
like it at times, but the other teachers have an interest in you and would like to interact with you as well.
The better your workplace relations are, the better your overall working experience will be.

[Crowley]

The JET of African Descent

There are very few foreigners in Japan. And out of that very few, even fewer are of African descent.
In Japan, we are the rarest of the rare - for many Japanese that you will encounter, you will be the first
(and quite possibly last) person of African descent they've ever met.

This means that whatever attention foreigners get in Japan, you'll get ten times more. You'll get more
stares, more conversations about you, more "oh!"s and "aw!"s and the like. You'll also stick out like a
whale in the Sahara Desert - not only are you not Japanese, you're not like most of the foreigners around
you either.

Unfortunately, this also means you may be subject to a lot of misconceptions. The Japanese have a
very limited view of foreigners in general, and especially those of African descent. For many, their
opinions are built off the images and stereotypes presented by the media, which sadly aren't exactly
positive. Most people will assume that you have a deep interest in rap and hip-hop. Many will wonder
why you're not wearing "bling-bling". Some may ask you if you've ever been a part of a gang war. You
may also get likened to whatever person of African descent is popular in Japan at the moment, regardless
of whether or not you actually look like that person. Particularly for men of African descent, you may
find people saying that you were "scary" went they first met you, and you may even notice that your very
presence terrifies little children.

It's very easy to get discouraged by these types of things. You should remember though, that these
behaviors are born out of an ignorance that comes from a lack of experience. While some of the things
you may encounter might be downright offensive in your home country, in Japan people may honestly not
know any better. As the awareness of the people around you increases, you will notice many of the
potentially offensive behaviors naturally decreasing.

One of the most important things is to be patient. If you encounter something that bothers you, rather
than becoming upset about the incident, find a way to educate the people around you about it. Don't go at
it from a "what you did wrong" angle, as this will make people apologetic and defensive. This is a rare
opportunity for the Japanese people around you to interact with a real person of African descent, and an
opportunity to break the stereotypes formed by the media. Definitely make the most of it. You may not
be able to reach every person, and you may not be able to stop the staring and whatnot. But you can
make a difference in the lives of the people around you, and that's a wonderful opportunity that should not
be wasted

Additionally, because persons of African descent are so rare here, you may find yourself feeling
secluded in a number of ways. Things like music, food, novels, or even health and hair-care/beauty
products that cater to your tastes may be hard to find, or completely non-existent in Japan. You may have
to prepare to do without them during your time here, or have them sent from home if possible. However
isolated you may feel, the JET Programme gives you a chance to make connections to people with many
different cultures and world views-not just the Japanese. You'll be able to meet participants from all over
the world, and as much as your JET experience will be about teaching your own culture, you also have
the opportunity to expand your own horizons.

While being a JET of African descent can be a very challenging experience, it can also be incredibly
rewarding. In addition to teaching English, you also have the opportunity to introduce the Japanese to a
people and culture they have very little experience with. Doing so will not only increase their culturalawareness,
but it will leave you feeling enriched and satisfied.

[Tenlaius]

Make sure your expectations are on the same
page before you choke to death on your sushi when her parents congratulate you on your engagement.

wow..when did this happen Az?

But ya..i would say his have the best information for all JET people or want-to-be JET's

[Crowley]

The JET of Asian Descent

Participants of the JET programme share a bond through the many experiences we have in common.
Many JETs suffer from culture shock at some point while others become homesick now and then.
However, for JETs of Asian ancestry, the challenges and rewards may be slightly different from other
programme participants. The typical Japanese image of a gaijin (foreigner) is a tall, blonde, blue-eyed
person. Thus, many Japanese have difficulty understanding the JET of Asian descent.

Many Japanese are curious about people from other countries and genuinely want to get to know them.
It is not uncommon for an unwitting gaijin walking down a street to be suddenly welcomed into
restaurants or even bars and be treated to a special meal or a few rounds of drinks courtesy of the owner.
In most cases, the owner is simply curious about these passersby who he deems to be slightly out of the
ordinary. All he wants is to get to know them better. Parties are often thrown in a gaijin's honour or other
events where foreigners receive so much attention it could easily be synonymous with super-star status.
If you look Japanese, you may feel that your "star status" is a bit diminished (or even nonexistent!) in
comparison to other gaijin. Moreover, your students, teachers and even community may seem a little
disappointed at first that their teacher doesn't have blond hair and blue eyes. While it's a bit daunting at
first, once you start telling them about yourself and explaining who you are they will no doubt be as
friendly as they would be to any other gaijin.

Since you look Japanese, people will assume that you are Japanese. Moreover, they will assume that
you can speak and read Japanese as well. When in the company of other gaijin, Japanese people will
attempt to speak to you first because they assume that you are also Japanese. Strange glances are
common if you attempt to speak less than fluent Japanese. In extreme cases, people may even think that
you are mentally challenged! While most cases of mistaken identity occur with Japanese people, fellow
gaijin sometimes suffer the same difficulty deciphering who's who. In a country where everyone has
similar appearances and you happen to possess a few of those features, it's a common mistake to assume
that you are a Japanese person. The person making the assumption doesn't mean any harm so don't
harbor any hard feelings toward him/her. It's a simple mistake that anyone could make. You might even
find yourself making the same mistake!

Feeling overwhelmed with challenges by now? Don't run for the hills just yet. With a little creativity,
you can easily turn any challenge into an advantage. The most obvious advantage of being of Asian
descent is blending in. While "star status" has its perks, there is another side to always being in the
spotlight. As discussed earlier, many Japanese have a curiosity about foreigners. This curiosity
occasionally appears in the form of pointing and staring at gaijin. On those days when you just want to
be left alone, you can easily avoid being spotlighted simply by virtue of your features. Blending in also
allows you the benefit of privacy. When shopping at a supermarket, people won't be carefully watching
you to find out what detergent gaijin use or what kind of food you like.

While some Japanese are eager to befriend all foreigners, others feel intimidated by gaijin. Because of
your Asian features, you may seem less intimidating to them. Thus, enabling you to develop closer
relationships with co-workers, students and the community sooner. Since they feel more comfortable
around you, there may be invites to dinner at home with the whole family. If you remind someone of a
son, daughter or grandchild, you will more than likely be treated like part of the family. Time spent with
a Japanese family makes being away from home a little less difficult. Needless to say, experiencing
Japanese family-life first hand is an invaluable experience.

In the end, your experiences as a JET depend greatly on your own personality and how you choose to
deal with things. If you are outgoing, you will make just as many friends (if not more) as any other
gaijin. Be patient when people ask you to explain where you're from and what your country is like over
and over and over again. Keep in mind that they probably have never met someone as unique as you and
may never have the opportunity to again. Your community is where you can make the biggest difference.
Try to get involved as much as possible. The more you interact with people, the more they will
understand you. Most importantly, have a sense of humor about all the situations you will undoubtedly
find yourself in. When someone mistakes you for a Japanese person, dazzle him/her with your superb
English!

[Crowley]

The JET of South Asian Descent

My city was in uproar when they discovered their new ALT had her nose pierced. I faced a lot of
difficulties and after many arguments won the right to continue wearing a nose stud. I had to make my
city realise that although it was a very fashionable thing to have, it was also a part of my culture. “Oh, is it
English culture to pierce one’s nose?”, “No, but it is part of the Pakistani one!” Like myself, many South
Asian JETs have two or more cultures that they have been raised with, being exposed to Asian culture at
home and western culture outside. There is no way to isolate the part of us that is Asian and the part that
is Western, the two have blended together to form our personalities. It is therefore a surprise to many
schools when their ALT turns up and is not white, and the students feel disappointed for not being sent a
“real” American/Brit/Australian or whatever.

However, it may seem like a waste of time trying to establish yourself as a British (or American or
Australian, etc.) person of Asian descent. There have been various cases when South Asian JETS have
been asked if they eat with their hands in their country, to be greeted with a blank look - “well, only
burgers and pizzas”, or asked if they go home and change into their saris - “do you go home and put on a
kimono?” No, I think not!

A constant source of irritation is explaining that despite appearances, you are indeed from a Western
country. And when soliciting a guess at one’s origins, the answer will almost invariably be India. The
tendency to regard the whole of South Asia as India, is shared not only by the Japanese, but also by some
of your fellow JETs. A tad bothersome if your roots are from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh or
Afghanistan! But don’t take it to heart. Think of it as another chance to put your ethnic roots on the map.

One of the greatest advantages of your background, however, due to your exposure to certain
traditions and cultures from home, will be your ability to understand (but not necessarily accept) much of
the Japanese culture, customs and traditions. Things will appear less ‘strange’ to you than to your fellow
JETs and it will be easier to know how to act with the Japanese, especially in their homes or in a family
situation. This will ease the adjustment for you when you get here. It will also aid you in your ability to
get closer to the Japanese people in your day to day life. I have found that I have been able to make
closer, stronger friendships with the Japanese and can now boast about having two extra mothers, who
have taken me under their wing and treat me like their own.

The above article is based on experiences that I myself, or other South Asian JETs have had, but it
must be stressed that everyone’s experiences will be different based upon their individual situation. A
large amount depends upon where you are, your location in Japan and how receptive (or shall I say
broadminded) the locals are to foreigners. There are advantages and disadvantages to being South Asian
in Japan, but our position as teachers allow us to turn quite a few of those disadvantages into chances for
our students to learn. At times, the bad points may seem to outweigh the good, but it is very rare that
things are so bad. In fact, you may find yourself having such a good time, that you find yourself staying
for another year, as I am.

[Crowley]

The Older JET

Most JETs are in their mid-twenties; however, a few of us are older. Like everything else, this offers
advantages as well as disadvantages. Some people think that a younger JET will be more flexible and
tolerant in the challenge of adjustment. It is also believed that a younger JET is not as threatening to
teachers and members of a bureaucracy, both of whom are accustomed to a rigid seniority system.

There is a measure of erroneous thinking in this. The older JET is not necessarily inflexible, and, in
fact, because of age and experience may be even more flexible and seasoned. In addition, age can
enhance one’s credibility. Of course, individual personality is the determining factor, but in my
experience, age has been an advantage. In fact, my age had a lot to do with my placement. They wanted
an older, more mature JET for two reasons.

One, with regard to the JET’s professional life, the bureaucracy is complex and constantly scrutinized
by peers and public alike. Since age is superficially synonymous with respect, an older JET is an
automatic asset to the system. Two, with regard to personal life, it is assumed that an older person will not
succumb to the bacchanalia that my city can offer. These two expectations are generally applied to all
JETs; however, those prefectures and schools who request an older JET probably have higher
expectations of the JET’s conduct.

There is a distinction to be made here. The older male JET is less threatening than the older female
JET. The working world in Japan is male-dominated, and some men are not comfortable working with an
older woman, especially if she has the status which our position affords. For example, after I’d been here
for a while, my boss confided in me that he’d feared I’d be an over-confident, aggressive female and was
much relieved that I did not fit the stereotype of older foreign women. Women beyond the age of 25, or at
the very latest by the age of 30, are expected to be married. A single woman beyond that age is suspect
and will be subjected to questions from many people about the reasons for her being single. She will also
be urged to marry soon. This can be annoying at times. On the other hand, my age has permitted me a
certain independence, and I’m not treated like a child in the way some younger JETs are.

In the classroom, age does not seem to be particularly significant. Personality and communication
skills are most important. Japanese students respond to the JET as a native speaker of English, and they
don’t seem to consider or even have a basis to compare one foreigner’s age with another.

Ironically, the one area where my age could be considered a disadvantage has been among my fellow
JETs. This is not their fault, nor is it mine entirely. It is a fact of life that interests and experience alter
with age. I’ve realized how ignorant I am of current pop culture. I am suggesting that the older JET may
have to work harder to find deep common bonds of the soul mate variety. And you may find yourself
being asked for advice and succor by those who are younger, but when it’s your turn to ask for advice and
succor, there might not be an appropriate person to turn to. In a foreign country, one’s inner self grows
very rapidly and the direction that it takes in one’s twenties is often different from that in one’s thirties or
forties. The older JET should be prepared for this.

[Crowley]

The Vegetarian JET

If you are worried about living in Japan and being vegetarian, don’t be. It can be done!

General information
• Despite the fact that there are not many Japanese vegetarians, it’s more than possible to maintain
vegetarianism in Japan.
• Most Japanese people don’t really understand what it means to be vegetarian, so you may find
yourself explaining why you are one over and over again.
• The Japanese word niku literally translates as meat, but tends to mean beef, pork or chicken when used
in conversation. So, you will have to specify in detail the types of meat (beef, chicken, seafood, etc)
you don’t eat.
• If you can learn the kanji for meat and fish, it will really help when you are grocery shopping, or
trying to decipher things on restaurant menus.

If you are vegetarian, but you eat seafood
If you eat seafood you will have very few problems, because seafood is more prominent in the
Japanese diet than beef or chicken. You will have lots of menu choices!

If you don’t eat meat or seafood
Tofu is very popular in Japan, and is widely available in the grocery store. It’s also served in various
forms in most restaurants. When you go out to eat you will have to be careful, because many things in
Japan are cooked with tare (fish stock), or garnished with katsuobushi (dried fish flakes). Some
restaurants will adapt dishes for you: for example, you can ask for vegetable-only tempura. Tempura
sauce is made with fish stock, but it’s served on the side. Also, be careful in noodle shops, as udon, soba
and ramen are often made with chicken, fish, or beef stock.

If you are vegan
Again you will have to be careful when you go out to eat (see above) and may find that your options
are pretty limited. Soy products are available in abundance here; it’s just a matter of learning to read some
Japanese so you know what you are buying!

A few general things to keep in mind (for all vegetarians/vegans)
During your first few months in Japan, you will be attending welcome parties in your honor. Be sure to
tell your supervisor about your dietary restrictions beforehand (not the night of the party). My school has
been very respectful about the fact that I’m vegetarian, and always orders special dishes for me ahead of
time. Some schools require teachers to eat the school lunch everyday. Again, advanced warning about
your dietary restrictions is a must. Be sure to say you wouldn’t mind bringing your own lunch (it’s often
easier!).

You may find that your vegetarianism is a topic of interest. My students often write journal entries
asking me about why I am vegetarian. I have also had to explain it at every school party I’ve attended.
You will find that being vegetarian is just another thing that makes you unique in Japan. I view it as a
positive thing, because it gives me yet another opportunity to educate my students (and teachers) about
different cultures and beliefs!

If you are the type that prefers not to explain why you are vegetarian, one option is to say that you
don’t eat meat for religious reasons, or because you have allergies.
Both of these will be accepted without question, and will be taken seriously. While you may feel that
you are being dishonest, it will make it easier to refuse food without offending people. I have been honest
with my school about the fact that I am vegetarian for animal rights reasons, and for the most part it has
been accepted (after explanation of course). It’s really up to you to decide how you want to address your
vegetarianism.While being vegetarian in Japan may be a little bit more challenging than in your own
country, it's definitely doable. So, happy eating!

[Crowley]

The Gay/Lesbian JET

As a 29 year-old woman, two questions which inevitably follow the plethora of “Where are you fromhow
do you like Japan-how old are you-can you use chopsticks-do you eat sashimi?” inquiries when I
first meet Japanese people are: “Are you married?” and “Do you have a boyfriend?” Not having been
asked these questions by many people back in Canada, I must say that I felt totally unprepared to deal
with the frequency of the question when I first arrived. Depending on the situation and my mood, my
responses vary from a simple, “No, I don’t” or “Yes, it’s (insert name of current pop idol here) to “Do you
have a boy/girlfriend?” While on one hand I feel that I am somehow betraying who I am, on the other
hand I feel that I am politely satisfying the inquirer’s curiosity while remaining safely in that vague cloak
which exists in Japanese society.

The Japanese language has two expressions “tatemae” meaning what is expected and “honne”
meaning one’s true feelings or intentions. Often, Japanese will say what they are expected to in a given
situation, while keeping their true feelings hidden. We could roughly translate this concept as “Say what
you have to, to be agreeable and keep your private life PRIVATE.” Of course this is not always acceptable
to us Westerners and many JETs have chosen to disclose their orientation to their colleagues before or
shortly after arriving in Japan. If this feels right for you, it is a legitimate choice, however, be prepared to
have people be very surprised and perhaps initially discomforted by this. However, once they get to know
you and realize that you are not so different (despite your overall foreignness!) they will probably relax.
And to dispel any lingering fears you may have, no one has ever been fired for their orientation. I’ve also
never heard of a JET being denied renewal because of her or his orientation.

While personal questions such as your marital or dating status may seem uncomfortably personal to
some of us, Japanese are, in reality, simply projecting their cultural values on us. The Japanese view
themselves as a “one-race/one-culture” people and within that culture, growing up, getting married and
having children is regarded as the norm. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend is merely a precursor to that
inevitable end.

One thing to keep in mind is that while living in Japan it may be difficult to maintain the same lifestyle
that you had in your home country, especially if you’re going to a rural area. You will have to work much
harder to maintain the same support network. However, there is a special interest group within the JET
Programme known as Stonewall which is run by and for those of alternative orientations. It was set up to
provide support and information to those in Japan.

One positive aspect of coming to Japan is that violence against those of alternative orientations is
practically non-existent, therefore fear of personal safety needn’t be a concern. While our lifestyle is often
not comprehended or accepted by Japanese, it is not viewed with the same negativity which leads to
violence in Western countries.

As for me, I’ve been on the JET Programme for a year and a half and I’m currently contemplating recontract
for a third year. While I am not officially “out”, my orientation seems to be my town’s worst kept
secret. My partner and I often do things together on weekends and everyone knows about “my friend”
that I enjoy spending time with. I have a couple of colleagues that I feel close to and if I stay for another
year, I may choose to come out to them. Part of our job here in Japan is “internationalization”. That can
best be achieved by relaxing and being who you are within the confines of what feels comfortable for you
in your particular situation. Coming to Japan is a wonderful adventure - enjoy the ride!

[Crowley]

Apologies for the spam. Hope no-one minds, but some people don't have the bandwidth to download the massive handbook. Plus the articles are useful here for reference :)