Is it rude to pick up a bowl and drink the soup or should you use a spoon?

Question:

I usually drink from small bowls like miso soup without a spoon but what about bigger bowls, like ramen? Would it be inappropriate in Japan?

Answer:

Having soup without using a spoon is acceptable if it's Japanese/Asian food, which is considered "bad manners" in Western.
Besides 'ramen' is almost like 'fast food' level which doesn't require much of manners, I guess. And many people (usually male) drink the soup directly from the bowl, while women usually use a spoon or just leave the soup.

What is 'physician assistant' and 'nurse practitioner' in Japanese?

Question:

医師?
看護師 is nurse.. but I'm not sure about the practitioner part :c plz help!

Answer:

Physicians assistant : 医師助手
Nurse pracioner : ナース・プラクショナー 診療看護師

These are not existing in Japan right now.

Did they every fix Japan?

Question:

Back in the old days new stations couldn't wait to report the good news, today it's like just the opposite. Japan's nuclear reactor was news for like weeks and I was just wondering why I haven't heard anything about their Progress or and for that matter if there was any. I want to know, cause I've have always dreamed about working for Square Enix, but I would seriously reconsider if it meant my kid would have the third arm.

Answer:

It's still in the news here. IMHO, not a lot of progress being made. Lots of talk. And they have formed a committee that 'isn't going to place blame, just look for the cause'. If you want more current news, use Google.

Does japan have native reservations like in the usa?

Question:

I was watching a alex jones movie on you tube and they said japan has a native population like in the usa reservations.

Just wanted to check with anyone who knows japan well to see if that's true. Ty in advance

Answer:

Not exactly. The "natives" of Japan are the aborginal people called Ainu and their culture and social structure have pretty much been decimated by over 600 years of persecution by the Japanese. In the US, the native Americans still retain their culture and languages. They have semi-autonomous rule within the reservation. But none of this exists in Japan.

Sadly, the Ainu culture is basically dead although the descendants still exists in Japan. They are more of a tourist attraction then an actual thriving community.

Do Japanese women like Americans?

Question:

I'm about to be based at Yokota Air Base in Japan, and was wondering what y'all or they think of us? I have always found Japanese women beautiful and would like to talk to some.

Answer:

Some of them do. Some others do not.

What does this phrase mean?

Question:

"Yadame dara, yadame!"

Answer:

He's saying "yadane ttara yadane" which means "No and no."

How to spend time at Haneda, Tokyo airport?

Question:

I'm visiting Tokyo, Japan this September. My arriving time around 11.30PM (Tokyo time). It's quite late to take train and check in at the hotel. Is there any place for taking a nap and clean myself? Is there any charge for these facilities?

Answer:

I think it's better for you to go to a nearby hotel.
http://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/en/t…

Help translating this please?

Question:

地下鉄の駅の階段で、定期入れを拾った。駅員さんに届けに行くと、
直ぐに落とし主が現れた。
I picked up the ticket holder in the stairs of the subway.
I went to the station attendant to deliver it and suddenly the owner appeared.

Is that ok?

And what do these verbs mean? 申す and 申し込む

Answer:

Your Japanese seems perfect.

But I would translate (to English)；
I found someone's ticket holder at subway stairs.
I brought it to the near-by counter, where the owner showed up coincidentally (at the same time).

申す humble expression of 言う　
申し込む　apply （申込書 application form）

Any "tropical" beaches in Japan?

Question:

Just curious :D

Answer:

especially Miyako or Ishigaki island in okinawa.
these is part of Okinawa pref island.

Sea is beautiful. but too hot! take care.

What exactly is Harajuku Lovers?

Question:

Is it japanese?

Answer:

A brand by Gwen Stefani, so I wouldn't say it's "Japanese"
BUT the Harajuku style is indeed Japanese.

"あなたへの回答リクエスト," what does へのmean?

Question:

you (something) reply request?

Answer:

Yes, it means "a request (to answer) to you" and へのimplys "a request specifically made to you".

One month stay in Tokyo?

Question:

How much money should I save up? Are there any cheap hotels to stay at near JR Station? Sorry I have a lot of questions because this will be my second time going to Japan but my first time going by myself. Can I get a pass that I use for a taxi, train, and bus? Thanks and again!

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 4 weeks, the total cost will be $5880.

What are the little square boxes on Japanese envelopes/stationery?

Question:

I just recently bought some stationery from online and there's little square boxes on them. There's like 7 tiny little boxes and I was wondering if maybe they are used for postal codes or an address or something?

I can't really find any examples so here's a link to one of the letter sets I bought...
http://www.shopkawaii.com/Q-Lia-Little-Red-Riding-Hood-Fairy-Tale-Letter-Set-p/q-30155-7.htm

Thanks!

Answer:

Those boxes are used for Japanese postal codes which based on 7 numbers.
Bigger 3 boxes are for City code and following 4 smaller ones are for Town code, if I explain simply.

Can you please tell me what this means from Kanji (japanese) to English?

Question:

It is actually kanji- japanese painting. I really appreciate if you can tell me what this mean.

http://www.loonapix.com/images/36084542

Answer:

http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/…

Can Someone Link Me Too Japan's Youtube Channel?

Question:

Answer:

http://www.youtube.com/user/visitjapan?b…

This is the official youtube channel for the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Why does everyone here say that Japan has such nice people when visitors of Japan on You Tube says otherwise?

Question:

I am a little confused on who to believe.

1) The girl in this video seems really nice:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfmF2t8OP…

2) This video indicates that Japanese people display contempt towards a half Japanese girl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkuVHKlfU…

Answer:

People will say "you cannot judge by one or two bad incidents" but i guess they expect you to post every You Tube clip on Japanese hate and discrimination or something because there is an awful lot of them!

Carl The Truth says "No country has 100 % nice people", he's right, but in Japan they have a much higher percentage of people that are not nice to foreigners compared to other countries across the world, don't let him make you think Japan is a country full of nice people either because that is the furthest for the..."Truth".


Alsko Flynt says "You can't generalize people of any culture", but i don't think you are generalizing by posting a couple of links from You Tube, alsko Flynt is right when he says there are nice people in Japan, and there is, but once again there is a a very high percentage of people that dislike foreigners compared to other countries.

Just let some Japanese people come to America and not let them enter to our malls, or our nice restaurants just because they are Japanese and see if they don't get upset about it, i would just tell those Japanese people that "All Americans don't do that", and see if that makes those Japanese feel better!

@threedaypriest, that was unappreciated and uncalled for!

Is it safe to go to Tokyo, Japan right now?

Question:

I mean after the earthquake and tsunami and whats going on with the radiation problem, Is it ok to travel there as a tourist? I mean also how long would it take them to recover? ( I donated :3)

Answer:

Japan was hit hard by the disaster, but only 0.1 per cent of Japan was affected by the tsunami and the area that was affected is not a popular destination for tourists to Japan. Most tourists to Japan either visit the ski resorts in the north island of Hokkaido, which was not affected, or follow the “Golden Route” from Tokyo along the southeast coast to Hiroshima. The route include Hakone, Nagoya, and the traditional cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Okayama. Most tourist attractions in Japan are now open, although some may have shortened opening hours to conserve power. All international airports are operating and this even includes Sendai Airport, which was damaged by the tsunami, and the bullet trains are all running as normal.

Is it Safe to Travel to Japan
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2011…

If japan were the size of australlia would it still be considered part os asia?

Question:

hypothetical question

Answer:

I think it would be Asia as long as it stays around Asian continent no matter what size it has.

I am a u.s. immigrant and i want to visit japan for less than 30 days. Do i need a tourist visa?

Question:

i just want to go with my friends because they are going for about 25 days in japan

Answer:

You knew you needed a visa so why ask this question? go to the Japanese U.S embassy website and download a form and the requirements and take it from there

Wat website i can locate my father in japan?i never seen him since i was born?

Question:

Pls help me to find him

Answer:

No website will help you if you don't tell us his name and other information.

Where does the average japanese think the yayoi come from?

Question:

china or korea?

Answer:

Jomon people: from Southeast Asia.
Yayoi people: Jomon + Eurasian.

Best japanese prefrectures from..?

Question:

ibaraki, tochigi and gunma ??

all 3 are around tokyo, but what are the ups and the downs of each of them, in terms of living there etc, and which would you prefer and why

Answer:

They are all a little far from Tokyo.
Most people don't mind which is best, except the people who live there.

I prefer Tochigi, because there is Nikkou.
But in winter, I'll Gunma because of Kusatsu hot spa.
When I have breakfast, I prefer Ibaraki because of natto.

The Bushido Code help?

Question:

I'm going to get the Bushido code tattoo'd on me, and I'd like to get the correct kanji...but the characters seem to vary in some of them.

Such as in

http://japanese.about.com/library/bl50ka…
and
http://wiki.battlemaster.org/images/Bush…

Why is this? I know english is difficult to translate into japanese because they often mean two different things. But how can I make sure I get the correct translations. Please help.

Answer:

My self, a native Japanese, have never heard of 7 code of Bushido.
However your 2nd. link is listing some obviously wrong use of kanji.
For example: JIN (benevolence) should be 仁. 人　means people.
Gi should be 義. "議 " means discussion or lecture.
人 and 忠議　are also wrong.

Your first link seems to be OK.

Any tearjerking japanese dramas?

Question:

im in a rather sad mood so i feel like watching something that would make me cry - sad right?
any way so far i've seen:

proposal daisakusen <3
tatta hitotsu no koi ;')
taiyou no uta <3 <3
1 litre of tears :'(
and
boku no hatsukoi wo kimi ni sasagu - not a drama but one of the best and most sadest movie i've seen :'( <3

thanks

Answer:

There's a movie kind of like Taiyou no Uta called Koizora. It's very, very very sad.

There's a drama called Hana Kimi. It was horribly sad for me only because I wanted a certain couple to happen that didn't happen. If you aren't into that couple, it's just a heartwarming story. You'll still probably cry, though.

How can i make a japanese email with kana or kanji in it?

Question:

*i live in the US*
i've tried a few different sites to make a jap email and when i get to the part example@whatever.com it won't let me use any kana in it, why? do i have to be in japan to do this or use jap computer?

i really want my email to be either 黒白猫 or シルバーエスケップ@whatever.co.jp (preferably hotmail or yahoo)

can someone tell me a site that will work, or if it can't be done, could someone living in japan possibly make one for me?

Answer:

Stop using "Jap" as an abbreviation. It is a highly offensive racial slur and is not an appropriate abbreviation for Japan or Japanese.

Anyway, things like email addresses and URLs can't be written in anything but the Roman alphabet (and numbers and symbols like ! or ~). That's just the way it is, and it's like that all over the world. The body of the email can be written in any characters you want, in which case you should google how to download or activate you operating system's Japanese typing capabilities.

Where might I find opportunities to work in Japan as a Scientist?

Question:

Hi,

In a few years I will graduate from the U.S with a B.S in Astrophysics and a minor in Asian Studies. My Japanese language skills should be suitable to carry advanced conversation upon my graduation. How can someone of my education find opportunities to work in Japan in my field? I am also an african american which I only mention because I am unsure if being a minority would benefit my chances to find employment as it does here in the United States with affirmative action.

Answer:

You sound like someone who has never been to Japan. You can't play the race card there, and they have no such thing as affirmative action. Anyone not Japanese is a minority.
The only jobs available are those a Japanese can't or won't do. I don't think scientist is on that list. Sorry if I seem too harsh.

Where can I look at Harajuku fashion?

Question:

I dont want a site for shopping, but a site for just showing you picutres of outfits. Something like TokyoFashion.com Thanks!

Answer:

How about this?
http://www.style-arena.jp/street/?langTy…
http://www.fashionsnap.com/streetsnap/

Streetsnap might be a good keyword.

Wasn't japan a bigger landmass 15 million years ago before the sea of japan opened up?

Question:

Answer:

Looking at a globe, it's possible Japan was a part of what is now Russia / China. We'll never know with 100% certainty.

How would you write this in Japanese?

Question:

" If I stop today it was still worth it "

Thank you :)

Answer:

今日死んでも生まれてきてよかった。
kyou shinde mo umaretekite yokatta.

It literally means "Even if I die today I am glad I was born."


I've seen the same exact quote you posted translated into Japanese before. Instead of 今日死んでも生まれてきてよかった it was translated simply as 生まれてきてよかった (I'm glad I was born)

How do 場所、所、場合、場 differ?

Question:

They all seem to mean "a place". What's the difference? Please explain and define each even if it doesn't mean "a place"

Answer:

場所 is literally a place.

所 has many more uses, it is too complicated to explain, sorry =(

場合 is "What if..." kind of thing, you know what I'm saying?

場 is an occasion.

The daily life of a Japanese student?

Question:

I am doing an assignment on the a Japanese Student. I was wondering if a Japanese student or person who has been through the life of a Japanese student, put a general (hourly? 30-minutely?) timeline of your daily schedule. As detailed as possible please and this can be from middle school through to university student<3

An example of what I'm looking for (this is actually approx my daily schedule Mon-fri hehe):

5.30am Wake up
Wash face
Brush teeth
Prepare breakfast (Porridge with apple and honey + green tea or egg on toast or just toast)
6.00am Breakfast while watching TV/checking computer
Wash dishes
6.30am Get dressed
Pack bag
Walk to bus stop
7.00am Catch train

Etc...
Thanks in Advance<3

Answer:

It depends on each person. There is no fixed schedule for all students in Japan.

Can you please explain the word 激動 and 著しい?

Question:

Gekidou has many definitions. Which is right or most common? How does it differ from　興奮と狂騒 ?
Dictionary definition --> "terrible shock; excitement, agitation; upheaval" ??

Ichijirushii also seems to mean a lot. How does it differ from other words that mean the same like sugoi and subarashii?
Dictionary definition --> "Remarkable, conspicious, amazing" ??

Answer:

激動 mainly means upheaval or radical change. It's not used on emotion. So excitement or agitation are not appropriate. Terrible shock is not so bad.

>How does it differ from　興奮と狂騒 ?

It depends on how you understand these. But there are used on emotion, right?

>How does it differ from other words that mean the same like sugoi and subarashii?

These 2 mean qualitative thing rather than quantitative which 著しい means. So these 2 do not mean "a lot". They do not mean the same with 著しい from the beginning.

About what's the pricing of restaurants/eateries in Japan?

Question:

Planning my second trip to Japan (YAY)
Also planning on flying to Tokyo with my friend and last time we went it was such a disaster, because we didn't plan that much in advance so money was really tight. I'm pretty sure we ate mostly bento boxes and lots of instant food from the convenience stores, and after a week we got sick of it fast and our stomachs were hating us for it *shakes fist at 120¥ boxed lunch*.
So this time we've been planning in advance and have worked out a budget spreadsheet including just about everything ranging from airline to hotel to shopping (of course) and also we worked in a rail pass.

So ya I'm not talking about supper fancy 5 star restaurants here or McDonalds (if I wanted McDonalds I would just eat it here). I wouldn't mind going to a sushi bar once or twice but ya can someone give me an estimate of the average price a restaurant would charge in Japan?

Answer:

Prices at regular Japanese restaurants are usually USD$8-$15 a meal, but food can cost you about USD$5-8 a meal if you eat at budget Japanese restaurants like Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and CoCo Ichiban Curry House.

Could someone explain this to me?

Question:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/art…

Take this for example: A Japanese man is attending college in the United States. He meets and falls in love with an American man. They want to get married, and the Japanese man wants to take his lover with him back to Japan when he finishes school.

Would the passing of that law make that situation possible?

Answer:

That's exactly what it seems to say. They don't allow gay marriages in Japan apparently, but they accept the validity of a gay marriage performed outside Japan.

So yes, as long as they marry in the US, the couple will get the legal rights of spouses in Japan. Including naturalization for the American man, I believe.

Can anyone tell me the different types of Japanese fashion?

Question:

For example there is the Gothic Lolita and Gyuru looks. Can anyone tell me the names of any more? What are the names of the Manga inspired looks? Thankyou! :)

Answer:

First of it's Gyaru not Gyuru....

I have a lot so here's a long list

Lolita is a major category and in Lolita there are:
Gothic Lolita
Sweet Lolita
Classic Lolita
Country Lolita
Wa Lolita
Shiro Lolita
Kuro Lolita
ect....

Also Gyaru is another major category that includes:
B-gyaru(or B-gal)
Banba
Ganguro
Ganjiro
B-kei
Himegyaru
Kogal
Manba
Oneegyaru (this is what I wear)
Rasuta
Romamba
Yamamba
ect.....


Cosplay

Visual Kei

Yankees

Decora

Rockabilly

and really there is a giant list..


Manga inspired looks? I really have no clue what you mean by that?
Fruits Basket had a Yankee?
Uhm most manga just use normal street fashion...there really is no category and it depends on what manga you read too.
If you mean if manga inspired any fashion in Japan, then I would say no it didn't....
Gyaru originated from California Girls (tan, blond hair, ect) and had other influences based on different styles. Lolita was inspired from the Victorian Era and the man who 'technically' founded the style Mana-sama. Visual Kei comes from music. Uhm cosplay is self explanatory.

Is Tenshi a good name for a Japanese girl?

Question:

I heard that boys have Tenshi as their name, is it ok for a girl?

Answer:

Tenshi means angel in Japanese. But we do not use it for a name, either male or female.

What is my name in Japanese?

Question:

My name Lim Wan Lynn

Answer:

"Your name in Japanese" does not make sense. Your name will be the same even if it's Japanese.

Or if you want to know how to write in Japanese, it's リン・ワン・リン.

But this name sounds like a Chinese name. In that case, just write it in its original form. Both Japanese and Chinese use kanji.

Japanese and asian girls?

Question:

Japanese girls...........?

Japanese girls in japan?

Is it true that Japanese women do not like Asian men?
My bud says Japanese girls go gaga for Americans stationed in Japan and real available.

Answer:

if u pay me, I will date a japanese girl.

Is it true that Japanese people do not want Americans in Japan?

Question:

A person who lives in Japan but was born in America said they shout things at her in the street. I also hear Americans can't get certain jobs in Japan. On the other hand, I hear that everyone there is nice but they stare a lot. What really happens to foreigners?

Answer:

Well it depends on who you run into which is the same for anywhere else that you go.
I mean it's not just Japan... you could probably go to any foreign country and have the same problem.

Through my experience in Japan, I can seriously count on one hand the rude comments I received which I think they said not knowing I would hear since they probably thought I couldn't understand Japanese.
But out of those few rude comments there were tons of people who were so polite and nice!
Believe me I had to ask a lot of people for directions as I really can't follow a map to save my life, and so many people took the time and stopped to help me. One girl even went so far as to walk me to the train station!

Most people in Japan are really polite and they don't really stare... I mean if you wear something that is a bit out there or have like neon hair than yes of course they will stare xD hah
But no I got a few stares, but no more normal than I would get just walking around in the mall here or something. (I'm fairly normal and I don't wear outrageous clothes)
There were also a lot of people who tried to talk in English but more in the fact that I think they just wanted to practice it more than anything :) It really is no problem at all and they were so considerate.

Also EDIT
Well of course you can't get certain jobs unless you have a work visa which is usually specific about how many years you can stay before citizenship, but even then it can be a long and hard journey to obtain. It's the same for any country really, but I do admit Japan's system is a bit more strict than others. One of the top jobs in Japan for foreigners is an English teacher :)

Please help with writing a letter in japanese?

Question:

A friend of mine had some terrible news, she is Japanese, living in the Uk and I am british living in Japan. I know a fair bit of Japanese already, but just need a hand phrasing these expressions in the best way、preferrably with the help of a native japanese speaker. Its kind of a sensitive subject.

よろしくお願いします

１−　I was so sorry to hear about what happened to ( DAUGHTERS NAME).
2 - It must have been a terrible shock for you as her mother.
3 - If it would help (Daughters name) please know that our home is open to her, if she needs to take a break or get away for a while.

Please help me :D

Answer:

１−　I was so sorry to hear about what happened to ( DAUGHTERS NAME).
娘さんの件に関して、非常に心を痛めております。

2 - It must have been a terrible shock for you as her mother.
母親としてもお辛いことでしょう。

3 - If it would help (Daughters name) please know that our home is open to her, if she needs to take a break or get away for a while.
私達の家が空いていますので、娘さんが少し休息が必要なら、
部屋をお貸ししても構いません。

Please note that I did not save place for "(daughter's name).". But I said 娘さん which means your daughter. I think it's enough.

Could someone please explain to me Japan's same-sex marriage law?

Question:

It says that a Japanese national can marry a foreign citizen of a country that legalizes same-sex marriages.

Take this for example: A Japanese man is attending college in the United States. He meets and falls in love with an American man. They want to get married, and the Japanese man wants to take his lover with him back to Japan when he finishes school.

So... could they get married in, say, NY state, and then move back to Japan, free and clear? I really need someone to explain the mechanics of this law to me.

Answer:

It seems like the people answering this question might not be aware of the fact that it was announced that if a Japanese marries a foreigner who is a citizen of a country where same sex marriage is legal, the marriage will be recognized in Japan. I've read this a long time ago, and I actually read it again last night but unfortunately can't remember the source where I saw it. Whether this is currently true, I don't know, but I do know it was at least being considered.
This probably doesn't help you, though.

Is it rigt that Japan's government want to build a city in the sky?

Question:

Answer:

Maybe, you are talking about Sky Tree?
http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/

Where the best place live in Japan? ♥?

Question:

- Please someone from Japan or Anywhere? can Help Me..

Im gettin Confused and Scared, if I Grow up I'll move to live in Japan for ever( Im 13 Year Old ),but Im scared because there was a Japan Disaster,it was a Earthquake and Tsunami :( tell me more details ( Will It Happen Again ) i don't want to :((

- And if i move to Japan people say's and post in compjuter you need some four year degree and Visa card?what is it? explain more in children way because i don't understand very well English ( Im from Russian )

If i move there how can i found a job do I have to learn Japan language or no? And how much you need pay for House if you live there with furniture? How much does they pay you in Job?

- How can I find a good area and city in Japan? Wye do they wear surgical masks? And if I move there how can i found a love.. Can You Try To Answer My All Questons! I'll be very polite!

Thank You ♥ ♥

Answer:

If you are 13 now, you don't have to ask these questions right now. I think you have to wait for years to actually move to Japan. So ask these questions later after you become better in English.

Is it true in Japan that most apartment complexes don't have the numbers 4 and 9?

Question:

I'm learning Japanese and there are numbers that have two different words for them and in some information it said that most apartment complexes in Japan miss out the numbers 4 and 9 because they are thought to bring suffering and death. Is it true or is the information that I saw is false?

Answer:

It used to be so.
4 is called shi, 9 is called ku in Japanese.
They are the same sounds of lshi = 死 death and Ku 苦 suffering.
So owners of apartment, hotels and hospitals avoided such number.

But now, that is really rare.
Although an apartment close to my house doesn't have 104 and 204.
At that apartment, room 103 is the next of room 105.

What does mew mean in tokyo mew mew?

Question:

I think mew is another form of saying meow? But I don't know because when they say "mew mew mint" or "mew mew lettuce" or power of "mew ichigo" it can't be "meow meow mint" or "meow ichigo" can somebody explain this to me properly please? ;__;

Answer:

It is a form of meow. It's what the Japanese found the equivalent of "nyaa" or "nyan" to be. It's more common to stick cat sounds in strange places in moe culture related things, like magical girl anime.

What is the arrangement of my japanese name?

Question:

my name is Lim Wan Lynn.
Wan Lynn: Kazumi
Lim: Yuka
is it Yuka Kazumi or Kazumi Yuka???

Answer:

I wonder how Yuka Kazumi is made from Lim Wan Lynn.

But anyway, usually, family name comes first in Japanese.

Suggest management steps to recover for japan people?

Question:

Answer:

Well, you are indeed a Stunning Ash. And a deliberate one too, given that you have taken the time to make a brand-spanking new account just to ask this question. So let's get down to it, shall we?

Let's see, how about the government bails out TEPCO using public funds to the tune of 1 trillion yen? And if that doesn't do the trick, let's bail them out to the tune of 5 trillion yen.

Think that dog will hunt?