A tattooed college professor in Japan?

Question:

I am going to be finished with graduate school in about two years and wanted to apply to work at some international schools (K-12) and international universities in Japan. I know that tattoos are generally considered taboo in Japan and I am afraid that having a visible tattoo will make finding and keeping a job difficult. I already have a cherry blossom on my foot (which is not visible when I wear shoes) but I am planning on getting another tattoo on my wrist. I used to live in Japan, so I am aware of the social stigma--would this also exist at an international school/university?

Answer:

Society does a pretty good job of creating stereotypes on people with tattoos when it really has no bearing on ones intelligence. I have been dealing with this my whole adult life since I have sleeves of tattoos. If you feel it's going to hinder you from progressing then just cover them up during work hours and let it loose during your off time. It is almost impossible to beat the stigma that has been placed upon us. Good luck! I also lived in Japan for 6 years.

Japanese can someone correct this?

Question:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t186/…

Answer:

I found 3 answers wrong, others are correct.
4. というより
7. 抜き
9. というより

Do you come to Japan?
These questions might be difficult for non-native.

In Japan what are their requirement to graduate?

Question:

Is it similar to U.S or completely different

Answer:

I think it's very different. But you have to be more specific.

Is Tokyo safe to go to?

Question:

Is Tokyo safe to travel to right now? Any threat of radiation?

Answer:

Yes. It's possible.

Go to Tokyo for a week?

Question:

How much do you think it would cost to go to Tokyo for one or two weeks from NY?
It would be just myself. Hotel? Hostel?

Answer:

Air fare: You need $1000-1500 if you are departing from US

Hotel: Usually, you need $120 per night if you want to stay at a hotel.
If you want to save money, you need to stay at a hostel which will cost $40-60 per night.
If you want to stay at a luxury hotel, you need $250-300 or more.

Food, transportation and others: You need $60-120 or so per day. If you want to enjoy shopping, you need more.

So you need $120 for hotel and $90 for others per day. If you want to stay in Japan for 2 weeks, the total cost will be $2940.

Where can I find some more information on the ferret show taking place in November of 2011?

Question:

I live near Japan and want to go to the show but I can't find any specifics anywhere. Does anyone know the date or the place or where I could find the information?

Answer:

Did you even REMOTELY consider using Google.

No, wait, don't get up.

http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/ferret…

Date: Nov TBA

Japanese folks who watch dramas?

Question:

Can you tell me some excellent japanese dramas i can look at? I haven't seen any as yet but i am interested in seeing one. I already have viewed 1 korean drama and i am on my second one so i would like to see a good japanese one. I like romance types. I am not japanese or asian for that matter. I am of Indian heritage so i don't really want any historical ones.

Answer:

While I am not Japanese I am an avid dorama watcher (or was, at least). Here are some of my suggestions:

Hana Yori Dango (a very popular romance that I can promise the bulk of native Japanese viewers would suggest)
Hachimitsu to Clover (aka Honey and Clover; multiple love triangles/squares/geometric shapes)
Kimi wa Petto (kind of comedic; features a younger male/older female relationship)
Sapuri (aka Suppli; same as above)
Koizora (the movie's very good but sad, however I cannot speak for the show)

To start out with Hana Yori Dango is probably your best bet.

I want to learn Japanese writing system. What are some good mind tricks and resources?

Question:

I don't want to waste my money on lessons, because I just want to know the alphabet. Don't ask why...Where are some good sites, or games, or something to help me memorize it? Which alphabet should I learn first?

Answer:

Hello.

Well, contrary to what most people will tell you there ARE some very powerful tricks you can use to learn the Japanese alphabets faster than just doing it through rote memorization.

First learn the Kana (Hiragana + katakana). Get a book like "Kana Pict-O-Graphix" or "Dr. Moku" in order to learn the Kana by using pictograms. You can also try a book called "Remembering The Kana", but the first ones are better in my opinion.

Then download a piece of software called Anki, which is free:
http://www.ankisrs.net
Use it to review the Kana.

Now, for learning the Kanji I suggest you check out this resource:
http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-learn-kanj…

Read it and follow the method outlined. It involves something much more powerful than just "memorizing stroke orders".

I wish you success! :D

What do Japanese think of 'Otaku' white guys?

Question:

I'm friends with this guy, who's an Australian, blonde hair, blue eyes, very tall and he's obsessed with Japanese culture. He's 20 and he's never even been to Japan but all he does is watch Anime, read manga, go to cosplay conventions and collect Anime action figures. He is even studying Japanese.
He's only interested in dating Japanese girls but he's never had a girlfriend (I'm not surprised).
But what do actual Japanese people think of white 'otaku' guys like this? would a Japanese girl actually like him with that obsession?

Answer:

He's not going to have much luck. And the girls aren't going to like him because he only wants to date them for the sole fact that their Japanese. Not for who they really are. There's nothing wrong with liking anime/manga but when you say "obsessed" that gives me the impression that he's kind of a dork. And "Otaku" is not really something to be proud of. Most people like him don't realize what it means. In harsh English, it basically means "nerd". And to people like him, Japan is "AnimeLand" Which it's not. He just needs to realize that he's not Japanese and never will be. Again, there's nothing wrong with liking Japanese culture, but he still needs to keep in touch with his own. Australia is a beautiful continent.

How to say this is Japanese?

Question:

How does one say,
"This looks so cool! I would love to join"
In Japanese?

Answer:

よさそうですね! ぜひ参加したいです。
yosasou desune! zehi sanka shitai desu.　 <-- this is more like "sounds good! i'd love to join"


if you really want to metaphrase the word 'cool',

かっこよさそうですね！ ぜひ参加したいです。
kakkoyosasou desune! zehi sanka shitai desu.


hope this helps!

Would Gatsby Blackish Brown Hair Dye work on European Hair?

Question:

Or would it not set right, as it is only for Asian hair?

Answer:

It should work. I don't think there is much of a fundamental difference between European hair and Asian hair.

Trying to locate husbands mothers family in Tokyo, Japan?

Question:

Family name is "Fukuyama", mothers name was Toshie. Do have Toshie's parents name but that's all

Answer:

You can't find a person or 2 in the city of more than 12M people just by asking here.

Where can I cute japanese erasers in stores and not online?

Question:

I was thinking about collecting japanese erasers since there soo cute! I wanna know where i could buy them in san diego near la mesa. Thanks!

Answer:

Try to find (toy) stores that carry "Sanrio (Hello Kitty's)"

Is there anywhere online or anyway way i can watch Japanese tv online?

Question:

if any methods require downloading please let me know if it is safe >_<

Thank you

Answer:

mysoju.com
dramacrazy.net
aznv.tv (though you need an invitation for this and it streams directly to you)


For downloads you want to go directly to the source (that is, the subtitlers), like:
sars-fansubs.com
timelessub.org

Or try:
d-addicts.com (torrent uploads)
silentregrets.com

You can also find many LiveJournal pages that are either the subbers themselves or a collection of subs (like ourhour, jdramas, or asiandoramas).

Can someone translate this into English for me? thanks?

Question:

日本はアメリカの属国とか植民地とか、いずれも間違いです。
実は反対にアメリカこそ日本の番犬と言うのが正しいのです。
その根拠は？を説明しましょう、日本の米国債の保有高は600兆円。
これは中国に次いで2位の保有高です。
アメリカの国家予算が300兆円ですから、
もし日本が大量に売りに出したらアメリカは経済危機になると言われています。
アメリカが最も恐れていることです。
それに比べてアメリカは日本の国債を殆ど保有していません。
しかもアメリカの製造業の機械や部品は日本製品が無ければ成り立っていきません、
現に今回の震災でGM工場は止まってしまいました。
アメリカの命運は日本が握っていると言われています。
確かに軍事力は日米安保によって守られていますが”
思いやり予算”によって米軍駐留費の多くを日本が負担しています。
これも考えようによってはアメリカは餌をもらって
日本に飼われているいる”番犬”とも考えられます。
このようなアメリカは日本依存から抜け出せないのです。

Answer:

This is an anti-Japan political post.

I doubt Japanese people here would give you a response.

EDIT: To all my peaceful Japanese friends in the Japan section, please do not be offended, this was originally posted by someone who are overly obsessed with CCP.

Does this mean anything in japanese?

Question:

does this mean anything in japanese? "anta mi tai nano ga" あんたみたいなのが
Because there are no spaces in hiragana, i'm not even sure i seperated the words correctly. If it makes sence, could you explain it? Thx

Answer:

あんたみたいなのが
"someone like you" but offensive expression <---> あなたのようなかたが (respectful)

Which girl name sound the CUTEST?

Question:

IF you HAD to choose, keep in mind, they're all Japanese, please dont be rude :)...look for the sound not how weird or ridiculous the name spelled:)..like u can imagine it on a nautral asian beauty, long hair doll face white pure dress :)

Misaki
Miyuki
Mitsuki

Answer:

Miyuki :)
they're all beautiful names though!

Were can I buy Japanese sweets online?

Question:

I want some Japanese sweets. I would like to try all different kinds. I really want to try Dango, because I see it in anime. I've already looked at asianfoodgrocer.com for Dango and they don't have it. Please can you help me?

Answer:

Why don't you try making your own dango? It's just rice flour, water, and sugar. You can buy the rice flour from asianfoodgrocer if you're buying from there anyway. It's very simple to make.

Otherwise, you can buy other popular candies from jbox.com or veryasia.com.

Are these japanese words correct?

Question:

Please go to this url http://www.studystack.com/flashcard-6434… are the words listed (scroll down) correct japanese?PLEASE DO NOT JUST TYPE THIS INTO GOOGLE TRANSLATE THEIR TRANSLATIONS ARE WRONG-ONLY ANSWER IF YOU KNOW THE LANGUAGE!!thank you!!!
-sam
(if possible can you tell me where to find a web page with good kanji lessons?)

Answer:

All of them are basic words used often in our life. So most of them have more than 1 meaning.

They are correct. But each word has more meanings.

How do I buy shoes online if I am living in Japan?

Question:

men's size 12 1/2

Answer:

Try this site. I have used them before and it went pretty well. I also have large feet (13US).

http://global.rakuten.com/en/

Youtube videos/blogs about foreigners living and working in Tokyo,Japan?

Question:

Can anyone recommend me some video blogs made by the foreigners living/working in Tokyo, Japan. I am very interested in the daily life down there. :)

Answer:

Culture, history, festivals:
http://www.youtube.com/user/RoninDave

Language, social issues, and other J-vlogger info:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Gimmeabreakm…

Living in Tokyo:
http://www.youtube.com/user/toddatron

Living in Kobe:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BusanKevin

Although he passed away. Rodger Swan has a lot of good videos on Japan and on J-Horror Films:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rodgerswan

Japanese girl living in Tokyo:
http://www.youtube.com/user/thatjapanese…

How to say in japanese?

Question:

i have lots of pink furniture and sanrio toys.
sometimes its like living in a big pink cupcake.

Answer:

うち（私の部屋）はピンクの家具やサンリオ製品であふれています。
ピンクのジャンボ・カップケーキみたいに見えるときがあります。

How to get from the Narita Airport to Tokyo City Air Terminal?

Question:

I plan on flying to Tokyo soon. I need to find out the best & most affordable way to get to Tokyo City Air Terminal (which is right next to my hotel). I have heard about the Limo Bus service & the Narita Express train, but I'm not sure if those are the best. So, what do you think is the best way to get to where I need to go?

Thanks for your Help! :)

Answer:

If you don't speak much Japanese, learn some of the common words to ask question or just write them down and show the question. People in Japan are very friendly and will point you in the right direction, you wont have to worry about someone trying to set you up, with that said...

By JR (Japan Railways) Trains:
Take a JR train from Narita Airport Station (Terminal 1) or Narita Airport Terminal 2 Station. JR rapid trains (kaisoku) take you to Tokyo Station in about 90 minutes for about 1,300 yen.
If you take a JR Narita Express (N'EX) train, it takes about 1 hour to Tokyo Station and costs 2,940 yen. Go to the JR N'EX counter and reserve your seat.
JR East NEX Information
Time Table
*The Japan Rail Pass and JR-East Pass are valid on the Narita Express trains and other JR trains.
By Keisei Railway Trains:
Keisei Skyliner runs between Keisei Ueno Station and Narita Airport Station in about 40 minutes for 2,400 yen. If you take a Keisei limited express train, it takes about 80 minutes from Narita Airport Station to Keisei Ueno Station.
*It takes about 1 hour 50 minutes to Haneda Airport from Narita Airport Station by Keisei limited express trains.
By Bus:
The Airport Limousine buses take you to Tokyo City Air Terminal in 60-70 minutes for about 3,000 yen. There are many destinations other than TCAT. Go to the Airport Limousine Bus counter in the lobbies of Narita Airport Terminal 1 or 2.
Airport Limousine
Taking an express train is the fastest way to get to Tokyo, if you don't have so much things to carry.
If you have a lot of luggage or want to go directly to your hotel, taking a limousine bus is a good choice.
After you validate your JR Japan Rail Pass at the JR service center at the airport, you can take the NEX or JR rapid trains free. (You still need to reserve your seat if you take the NEX.)

If you get lost, remember the question you learned or wrote down and just ask. Good luck on your trip

What are some bands like SuG?

Question:

Im new to Japanese music, so some suggestions would be great!

Answer:

Versailles
Alice nine
Girugamesh

I need spare part for my Japanese car. Is it safe if the part is imported from Japan nuclear disaster area?

Question:

Will the spare part be contaminated by radiation? How dangerous it is if my car is fitted with contaminated parts?

Answer:

Parts, clothing, and just about anything you can think of (other than pieces of the reactor that some enterprising soul might sell as a souvenir) are perfectly safe. You are more likely to become contaminated by your cellphone or microwave oven. Most of the radiation leaked (about 80%) is iodine-131 which has a half-life of about eight days. The no-entry zone is a whopping 8 km (about 5 miles), and the precautionary evacuation zone where there might possible be a risk is all of 16 km (10 miles). Really, it's just not a problem. Note that the disaster was the non-nuclear tsunami which killed over 10,000 people. The power plant problem has injured no one and isn't expected to.

If anything, the situation shows how safe nuclear power is. Consider that forty year old plants were hit with an earthquake five times the strength they were designed for and yet they still shut down safely. The generators came on like they were supposed to when grid power was cut. Then the tsunami hit and the generators were wiped out. However, the battery backup still worked for the designed eight hours. The problem happened when no new generators could be put in. Even so the problems have been minimal--media scare mongering for ratings not withstanding.

Here is an informative article describing the situation:
http://bravenewclimate.com/2011/03/13/fu…

And here is where you find current, factual status information:
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsun…
Historical status:
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2011…

And a slide presentation that describes the effects:
http://www.slideshare.net/iaea/radiologi…

And here is a chart that helps make sense of the numbers:
http://www.xkcd.com/radiation/

What are the most "interesting" traditional Japanese foods that you would recommend?

Question:

If I ever go to Japan, I would like to really experience the best of it. I would like to eat such foods that I could never forget about them. I have seen in Japanese recipe books that many of them look very interesting and use unknown ingredients. So, what do you think?

Answer:

There are so many that it would fill a good size book just to name them all.

For people outside of Japan, the word sushi usually conjures up either a roll with raw seafood or a block of rice topped with raw seafood. However, this is only one style of sushi call Edo-mao sushi, and it was invented (so the story goes) in Edo which is the feudal name of Tokyo. Other parts of Japan have different styles of sushi. For example, in and around Kyoto the sushi is made with cured fish and a variety of vegetables and tofu.

But, you also need to understand that even the Edo-mae sushi you get outside of Japan is very different in terms of the kinds of fish or seafood that is used. There are many many kinds of ingredients that is not available in the US or at least very rarely served. For example, shakko (mantis shrimp) sushi is not easily found.

And it's not just sushi. The flavor of even the lowly ramen is very different and such everyday dishes such as katsudon-donburri are just soooo good. It's like the difference between Chinese food in the US and real Chinese food. When you go to Japan, try out something you had in the US and you will not regret it.

If you really want to go for it, the most "high class" and expensive Japanese cuisine is call Kaiseki Ryori. This is style of cooking originated from the ZEN monks would lived frugally in terms of quantity but very evidently never gave up quality. It is a multi-course meal and like everything in Japan, done with a flare and style that is very unique.

There are also fugu and Kobe beef, but personally I find that the only reason visitors to Japan eat them is to have the bragging rights that they did so when they go back home and not because the food itself are all that tasty.

How do you say this in Japanese?

Question:

"The Braider Company wishes Mr. Sato a full recovery and all staff members the best of luck in the future."

Answer:

このたび佐藤さんに、心からお見舞い申し上げます。今後ともBraider Companyをよろしくお願い申し上げます。

Konotabi Sato-san ni, kokoro kara omimai moshiagemasu. kongo tomo Braider Company wo yoroshiku onegai moushiagemasu.

Is it required to change your screen name on Travel/Japan?

Question:

Do you have to change your screen name on Travel/Japan on a regular basis? You know, like Prada Returns changed to Branden Lee? I just want to follow the protocol on this forum.

Answer:

Not required, but recommended. Then when you ask questions about whales you can answer your own question, and then give yourself the best answer.

Send a parcel to Japan?

Question:

Hello everybody,
I have to send a parcel to a japanese friend that sent me a package some time ago on which she wrote:
Haruko Tanaka
X-X-X-X Name of the zone
Name of the ward, City
Japan
What do I have to do if I want to send her something. I just have to copy this address or something else? What can I do to find it on Google maps?
Thank you and sorry for my poor english

Answer:

I'd copy it just as she wrote the return address on her package.

What are popular Japanese sweets?

Question:

I like white rabbit, pocky, mikado.

I like berry flavors, milky flavors, pinks and blues.
Not so much into chocolate.

Answer:

Some of my favourites are

Collon - a cream filled biscuit
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

Kinoko no Yama - a biscuit shaped like a mushroom with a chocolate top
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

Fran - chocolate biscuit stick similar to Pocky but much better made by Meiji

What are popular items for Japanese girls?

Question:

My style is quite kawaii, cutesy, very harajuku and emo inspired.

What do young girls in japan love?

I have tenshineko and akumaneko bags.
Hair bows and slides.
I wear long knee socks with Mary jane shoes.
Shortish skirts and cute tops.
Cutesy dresses.

What are they into?

Answer:

It depends on each girl. There is no unified trend among all girls in Japan.

Japan tsunami!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Question:

Ok, we pretty much all know that there waz a tsunami in japan,, this year. but i wanna know WHEN exactly, WHERE in japan and WHAT TIME like am or pm and that thank to anyone and everyone <3

Answer:

The tsunami was caused by an undersea mega thrust earthquake which struck just off the coast of Japan, at 2:46pm JST, on March 11 2011. The tsunami greatly affected the region of Tohoku in North Eastern Japan, including the city of Sendai and many coastal towns including Tagajo and Rikuzentakata.

Does Amazon Japan ship to Canada?

Question:

I'd like to buy some stuff from Amazon.jp

A couple of CDs, Photo book, and a mask.

But I'm not sure if Amazon.jp ships out of Japan. Anybody know?

Answer:

They ship books, CD and DVD internationally.

Do you think Yakuza are patriotic?

Question:

Even though they do illegal things, at the end of the day, do you think they are patriotic?

Answer:

Very much so. Yakuza after WWII lay claim to helping people to keep from starving while getting an economy going thru the black market.

If you ever go to the Imperial Palace on the Emperor's birthday and/or Jan 2, you will see many well-dressed Yakuza loudly shouting "Banzai, Tenno!"

You can see some here at the Imperial Palace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTcLlsBz-…

Many of them will go to Yasukuni Shrine on Aug 15th the day of Japan's surrender to shout at peace demonstrators:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY-umRc1n…

How much do canvas and oil-paint coast in Japan? (Is it an expensive hobby to paint)?

Question:

Answer:

Although I don't know exact figures, I don't think it'd be any more expensive than what you're already paying at home. Hobbies are very popular in Japan, and places like Akiba in Tokyo have expansive hobby departments full of paint and brushes and other bits and pieces to craft models or water color or any other kind of painting, and although I've not knowingly seen canvases there (wasn't something I was looking for), they probably sell them, too. So, I'd say that the prices are probably pretty much the same between where you are and Japan.

Why does Yamaguchi-gumi drive Mercedes?

Question:

Saw a YouTube video of the Japanese Yakuza attending a funeral and another initation ceremony, a lot of the members drive Mercs, any particular reason?

Answer:

Because they have the money. Status symbol.

What are the top 3 most famous brands in Japanese households?

Question:

Or top 5 if you can think of

Answer:

Looking around the house:
Our TV, stereo, dvd are Sony, but that is because we like the quality, and paying too much.
The fridge is a Mitsubishi, the rice cooker is a Sanyo, the toaster and the doorbell/monitor are National (Panasonic), the A/Cs are Toshiba, the phone is a Sharp, the stove is a Toto, the cars are Toyota and the computers are HP and Sony. An anecdotal answer I know but the question is so vague that anecdotal is pretty good. In other households the best answer could be Uniqlo as the top brand.

Who is the hottest person in all of Japan?

Question:

Answer:

It's a three-way-tie between singer Nami Tamaki, adult film star Riko Tachibana, and sumo wrestling champ Hakuho Sho.

How to make a project on japan tsunami 2011?

Question:

help needed to make to make a project on tsunami in japan 2011?

Answer:

you should write reasons, destruction caused, disaster management related to tsunami, shortcomings observed