shocking. and cut off.
there was a few things that I didn't like when I moved here regards my status, but like so many other things I simply put down as societal differences. like the fact I had to carry an ID card everywhere and yuka didn't. the fact that my visa, despite being spousal, was only good for 3 years - the same as many workers. recently the controversial fingerprinting of foreigners law got through parliament but I'm not really sure how this fights terrorism or is even anything to do with it.......
I watch very little TV now - a fact I'm quite happy about. it's good for listening practice but for the most part japanese TV is pretty poor. after hour upon hour of food show's, with some cheap comedy thrown in from the same old faces, I was quite shocked last week to see a documentary on a photographic journalist in Israel. It reminded me of British TV and how Yuka always thought it was pretty serious and educational. I was shocked just to see real life in another country - a spectacle very much alien to the japanese and their media (short of some 'funniest clip' shows, a rare documentary or a blockbuster). I suppose it also reminds me of watching my name is joe and my mother in law commenting that "surely people don't live like that".
the japanese media gives the impression that it's really not that interested in the rest of the world - a fact that I've realised before but that you kind of forget about when the internet gives you a range of news sources. it's thought provoking that a nation that does such incredible amounts of business with the rest of the world chooses to leave the relationship a financial one.
We went to a market today in the village we used to live in when we moved to japan. near the mountains and looking fairly tranquil in the early summer light. I later got this photo though, which kind of shocked me. It reminded me why people stare at me - the distinguished look of blond hair and height. features I don't really spend much time assessing in the mirror. living in japan as an outsider and an immigrant isn't easy but the government and media certainly don't help.
Posted by stupot at May 22, 2006 12:32 AM
hey alex. no worries - and you should definitely come to japan - it's a constant source of inspiration. just some times it's a little frustrating. the blog is a kind of tool to understand the culture here - I mean to actually make a note of things, document them visually and sometimes question them. nothing is that personal. I recommend you learn some language if you come. it will help in many respects. best of luck.
Posted by: stu at May 29, 2006 02:10 PM
Living anyway isnt easy.But we do are best to live life dont we.I'm sorry if this is privte blog or anything.I dont mean to cut in or anything.its jsut im planing to study abroad in japan my self after im done with jr college and i was reading your blogs to get a understanding of how it it is to live in another county,.I dunno if i should say anything but dont let thoes people get to you.so what if their looking at you.If they real belevel the media,than shame on them.but wow i hope someday i can be able to studdy and live in japan my self.anyway..i have to go..take care.
Posted by: Alex at May 29, 2006 08:11 AM