What is Be Original in Japanese writing?

Question:

Can someone write "Be Original." in Japanese writing for me? thanks.

Answer:

元になる

Going to Japan, Where can I find good clothes shops?

Question:

Im going to Japan this October for a school exchange. I'll be going to Yukiminami Highschool in Hiroshima. I would like to know if there are good clothes shop near there and the tourist attractions.

Also, is there any shops near Hiroshima that sells kpop items?

Thanks.

Answer:

There are some good shops in downtown Hiroshima and you will find all the big fashion names and brands.

The highlights of any trip to Hiroshima include Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Peace Memorial Museum, Genbaku Dome (Atomic Bomb Dome), Hiroshima-jo castle and Miyajima.

Hiroshima Japan
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

What would it be like to work as a biology researcher in Japan?

Question:

I'm American and would like to live in Japan. I will at least finish my bachelor's here; I will probably obtain my Ph.D. here unless it is better in Japan? How hard is it to obtain a research position and about how much would I make?

Answer:

Tanya,

I have done this. In fact, I'm doing it right now.

It is possible, certainly in the short term, harder in the long term. Your degree will have to be followed up by a PhD. In the UK, you can skip the Masters, but in Japan you'd need to do a masters degree, then your PhD. There are plenty of nay-sayers on here, but I personally know non-Japanese who have done both. Certainly it isn't easy, and being fluent in Japanese would be a big help (but not necessary - I know several people here doing PhDs who don't speak Japanese). In my university (Tsukuba), ALL PhD theses in biology are submitted and defended in English. You may be able to get a MEXT scholarship for your masters or PhD (but I don't think you can get both). The MEXT scholarship pays all your tuition, your airfare and about 170,000 yen a month.

Once you get your PhD, you can apply for a JSPS post-doctoral fellowship for foreign researchers. The currently pay 365,000 yen a month or thereabouts (check the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science website), plus airfares and a settling in allowance if you are coming from overseas.

Unfortunately, after your JSPS fellowship it will be hard to get another fellowship. Probably, you would need to find a professor with a research grant that they are willing to employ you on, since you can't apply for another JSPS position.

Another possibility is trying to get a RIKEN post-doc. They pay a lot more, but are harder to get. If I knew more about your research interests and your background I could tell you more. I think NIABS also have a similar PD.

Going beyond that, to Assistant Professor level (where I am now), is very very hard. Jobs at that level are very hard to come by, although admittedly, I was asked only 2 weeks ago if I knew any young, foreign, female PhD holders looking for an Assistant Professor position we are trying to create, so it's not impossible.

Anyway, it is possible. It will take a lot of work. You can email me with more information about what you'd like to do and I'll try and advise you further.

Help me which japanese mobile carrier? NTTDocomo or Softbank?

Question:

I am about to go to japanese for studying for 4 years. I really love nttdocomo's sony erricson smartphone. But when i look over those web for information, softbank's contract say that i can have free call and SMS between softbank handsets and its lowest fee is only half of nttdocomo. While Nttdocomo say i have to pay for my call but they don't make it clear that the fee for my call is applied for what case( for all of the call, or only for other mobile carriers handset). And they also dont say clearly about sms fee. I really don't make sense with nttdocomo's contract at all. Anyone know about this, please help me. Do i have free call and sms betwenn nttdocomo handsets like softbank apply for their customer or i have to pay for it just like other mobile carried handsets. If it's true, then i think nttdocomo is to expensive, who so fool to choose it

Answer:

Docomo does not have free call between Docomo phones. It's a service offered only by Softbank.

Docomo SMS is like 2-3 yen per 100 character or so.

Confused about Japanese history?

Question:

I'm reading on the period between the decline between the Tokugawa period and the rise of the Meiji Restoration, and I'm a bit confused. I know that the Meiji Restoration started around 1868-ish, which signaled the start of the open-mindedness of Japanese towards Westerners. What I don't get, though, is that I've been reading some stuff on the Internet that even during the Late Tokugawa Period, when the Sakoku policy was still adopted, Western learning was still highly encouraged (the Tokugawa shogunate, according to what I've read, even sent some Japanese to learn abroad). Please explain!!

Answer:

Even during the 240-year Sakoku period, Japan kept trading business with Netherlands on the ground that they would not bring Christianity into Japan. (Spanish and Portuguese were expelled from Japan because they were still trying to convert the Japanese to Christians in vain). Through the Dutch East India Company in Nagasaki, Tokugawa bakufu was constantly getting information about Europe and Southeast Asia (Indonesia was Dutch colony back then). Believe or not, Tokugawa bakufu was aware of British, French, German and Spanish imperialism all over the world. They were getting information about western culture and civilization even during the long period of isolation.

As you may know, Japan (the Tokugawa bakufu to be exact) and the United States concluded the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1858, eleven years prior to the Meiji Restoration. Japan concluded similar treaties with UK, France, Russia and Netherlands at the same time. In order to make the treaty effective diplomatically, it must be ratified by both countries. In response to strong pressure by President James Buchanan, the Tokugawa bakufu "unwillingly" sent a diplomatic mission to the US for the ratification of the treaty in 1860. The treaty was formally ratified in the US; however, there was a strong opposition to the treaty back in Japan. The opposition force tried to topple the Tokugawa bakufu. As a result, a bloody internal war broke out (at the same time of US Civil War, coincidentally), which eventually led Japan to the Meiji Restoration.

I want to buy a Blood Stain Child Shirt from Japan?

Question:

I want to buy one of my favorite bands t-shirt, Blood Stain Child. So how much is 3,000 yen in US currency.

BQ: Would a medium size shirt be a little smaller in japan then in the US? Just want to make sure.

Answer:

i don't know about sizes but 3,000 yen is approximately $40 us currency.

What dees this Japanese symbol mean?

Question:

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrbfd8…

Answer:

To win. Victory

Japanese high school clubs?

Question:

I need some information on the manner in which the typical Japanese high school clubs are organized. Specific information is not necessary, since I know that variations are common, but any details that you could offer would be appreciated. Unless it's deemed especially valuable or obscure, knowledge gleaned from anime and manga can probably be left out...

Answer:

Japanese students can start clubs off themselves. Usually, they have a teacher who is a sponsor. The teacher rarely shows up to any meetings or practices though and usually a student is elected to be leader of the club. The leader may also have a few people helping them as well. It's really more like college clubs in this regard.

Depending on what the club is, they may stay afterschool for an hour or quite a few hours. The school I went to had a very dedicated soccer team. They would usually stay at least 3 hours after school ended. I did a tea ceremony club, and that really only took an hour/hour and a half.

Students tend to just join clubs. There is no formality with it, and they don't get school credit for being in the club.

In Japanese, when is it suitable to call someone 'Obaa-chan'?

Question:

It means something like, 'elder woman', but when is it suitable to use it and when is it just plain rude?

Answer:

They do not want to be called "obaa-chan" because it means they are old. So better to avoid it as much as you can.

Can someone explain what the Japanese JET program is exactly?

Question:

I'm looking for the general rundown. It's for adding english teachers to Japan right? So that means that if I got accepted I would be an english teacher in Japan? Who would I be teaching? Any broad information would be nice and you could just copy/paste info here that's clear. Also to add if it's known how many applying actually get accepted? Perhaps a educated guess?

Answer:

General rundown:

It's a government programme aimed at bringing young, university-educated people to Japan, mainly for the purpose of cultural exchange via the English language.

There are 3 positions you could have: sports representative, assistant language teacher, or co-ordinator of international relations. The vast majority of positions are ALTs.

There are very few sports reps. They would be people good at their sport who can go to Japan and help privileged kids become better at their sport.

CIRs will be place somewhere like a local international centre and help with local "international" events. For example, you could organize an Irish traditional dance, or something like that.

ALT's are mostly English teachers, but there are a few positions for other languages. All public elementary, jr. and sr. high schools are required to have at least infrequent visits from ALTs. Some schools have their own ALT(s). The ALT position itself can vary vastly, but it all supposedly comes down to helping students learn English while you tell them about your country and they tell you about Japan.

Talking to different ALTs, I find the differences in actual daily duties really interesting. You get some people who have maybe 2 classes a day, then you've got people who do not have a single class period off. Some ALTs live in a house, heavily subsidized by the city, some pay a fair sum of money to live in a tiny apartment with paper-thin walls. Some are based at one or two schools. Some visit a dozen schools, each day a different school. Some are expected to prepare all lessons, some are expected to do exactly as they're told, with no input.

The programme pays fairly well, and has a huge support system. There are tons of benefits like orientation in Tokyo, free transport to your work city, free seminars, free transport, seminars, and hotel for a huge renewers' conference, free correspondence Japanese courses (high quality), peer support, etc. Also, being a government programme, you're going to receive your correct pay on time. They also do all your paperwork for going to Japan, pay your airfare to and from Japan, and often offer free language and culture courses before and after your time in Japan.

As an American, what type phone do I need to buy if I want one that works in Tokyo, Japan AND Shanghai, China?

Question:

I think all I need is a "quad band, unlocked" phone and just get a sim card when I arrive at each place. However I've learned that Japan doesn't "do" GSM, just "3G". Does that mean I need a "3G quad band unlocked phone"?

Answer:

I cannot speak for China, which is suspect to be a GSM country, but for Japan you'll need something that is WCDMA / UTMS capable on the 2100 MHz frequency.

For Japan (as a tourist) you cannot show up and purchase a sim card (you need to be a resident of Japan to do so). You can however either:
1. Rent a sim card and pay a rental fee
2. Just rent a telephone (you can rent iphones, and other phones at the airport, on daily or weekly plans).

Yellow House, Harajuku. How to get clothes from there?

Question:

Hi, does anyone know some way I could get some stuff out of Yellow House?
I really... REALLY want to get a jumper from there and missed my chance when I was in Japan.
Help would be really appreciated. Is there a website or somewhere online where I could look?

Answer:

I don't think they have an online shopping site. So all you can do is to ask someone in Japan to buy it and ship it to you.

What are some Japanese football clubs of note for junior players?

Question:

By junior players I mean kids or teens.

Thanks! Any help is appreciated.

Answer:

There are many amateur football clubs in Japan, if you mean soccer, not American football.

In Japan, in what ways do the Yakuza affect the local population?

Question:

I hear they don't necessarily commit murders or even crimes such as theft, robbery, or burglary (like in the US). They get money through protection rackets and human trafficking activities.

So does the average citizen in Japan (Tokyo) even have to FEAR the Yakuza?

Answer:

I read recently a reply to a similar question posted ( not quite sure but I think ) in " Japan To-day ". Where a Japanese guy set up a business funded by his bank and where the Yakuza wanted a piece of the action.

This guy stood his ground and refused their, at first, friendly persuasion, probably not realising the consequences. He soon found out.

The guy could not repay the bank loan, sold his house and eventually killed himself.

He was an average citizen too, who thought he would have no fear of the Yakuza. How wrong he was and how wrong of you or any other average citizen would be to have the courage to stand in their way. They would crush you.

Can this japanese image be translated into english?

Question:

Please translate from japanese to english.
http://postimage.org/image/1o9m0ot38/

Answer:

no

Are there weebs in Japan?

Question:

Maybe "weeb" isn't the right word.

Me and my friends like anime, but we hate weeaboos. In case you didn't already know, a weeaboo is someone who isn't from Japan who loves anime and choose to immerse themselves in Japanese pop culture. Often throwing around butchered, mispronounced Japanese words such as "desu", "kawaii", or "sugoi". They dress like anime characters and act like total dunces glomping people at conventions and being a big waste of space. They believe that by doing this, they will one day go to Japan or something, and that all the people there will just accept them as one of their own, because everybody there will be so amazed by their knowledge of "animu".

My question is, is there anything like that in Japan? Are there people in Japan that are extremely immersed in American pop culture to the point that it becomes annoying? I don't see why there would be, but I was just wondering about it and would appreciate it if someone answered.

Answer:

Not so many now.

Which people do u thinks has the more attractive appearance, japan or korea?

Question:

hi i'm interested in these guys, the above two countries.

who do u thinks has the more attractive appearance with their people?

actually both of their woman has the beautiful appearance.

but just wanna make sure bout ur general opinion with them.

i heard koreans has the taller height, but japanese has the style good.

my question is

who the country has the more attractive appearance with their man and woman?

thx

Answer:

*facepalm* First off, questions like these don't belong in Travel Japan. Put this in Polls and Surveys. Second, what kind of question is this? A person's looks differ from another's regardless of what race they are. @Danny, can you really say good looking Koreans only look good because of plastic surgery? Hell, some are even too poor to afford that kind of thing.
@jahon, do you expect to get non bias answers? With if a Japanese person answered this question? Which would you think they'd choose? Japanese, why? Because they're Japanese. Same thing goes for a Korean person. America has the stereotype of having a majority of fat people. So does that mean that British people look better? But to answer your question regardless of it's naivety , I would say both. Now that's a non biased answer.

Can somebody please proofread my Japanese?

Question:

I know there are a LOT of mistakes.
英語の敬語の対等はとても違います。
日本語のはとても形式的です。
日本の丁重な事は語学的です。
日本語で、特定で丁重なワードもフレーズがあります。
たとえば、「ご存じ」です。
でも、英語で、特定で丁重なワードもフレーズが少ないです。
せずに丁重なワードを使う、婉曲な文を言います。
たとえば、「Give me the book」は
「If it's not too much trouble, could you please be so kind as to pass me the book?」です。
これはもっとやさしいだと思います。
そして、敬語が難しいだと思います。

Answer:

英語の敬語の対等はとても違います。
--> doesn't make sense. I need the original sentense.

日本語のはとても形式的です。
-->　日本語にはフォーマルな（or ていねいな／形式ばった if you meant by "formal”）
表現が多いです。

日本語には、ある言葉に対する特有（or 固有）の(if you meant by "specific”)
敬語表現があります。　例えば「ご存知」がそうです。
英語にはそういった語彙（ごい）そのものや敬語表現としての成句は少ないです。
たとえば、「Give me the book」は
「If it's not too much trouble, could you please be so kind as to pass me the book?」です。
--> Not true. I say その本取ってくれる？　その本取って！when I ask my friend/family
----- 大変お手数ですが(If it's not too much trouble) is used when you ask a (big) favor, usually inferior to superior (e.g. a person in service industry to a customer)


これはもっと簡単だと思います。
そして、敬語は難しいと思います。

※敬語 consists of　尊敬語、謙譲語 and 丁寧語
----------- to add:
日本の丁重な事は語学的です --> ???　What does the original sentense say?

verb-せずに --> ?? verb is missing
丁重なワードを使う、婉曲な文を言います。
→ 丁寧語を使ったり、婉曲な表現を用います。
-

Places in japan to live?

Question:

im wanting to live in japan, i like tokyo, but the cost :o, i would like to live somewhere city-like but not to expensive but still has things to do, not like okinawa, maybe kyoto. I am aware of the visas and everything so don't say anything about that, thank you

Answer:

Osaka is considered by many to be just as good as (if not better than) Tokyo. Great nightlife, food, people, etc. It's a lot of fun and there's plenty to do. I haven't lived there personally, but I have visited and enjoyed my time there. They also have a very unique way of talking and its people are much more outgoing than the rest of Japan.

I live in Fukuoka (city) and for me it is perfect (population, things to do, people, food, culture, etc.). I also feel it has Japan's most beautiful women. It's quite convenient for short trips to Korea as well (3-hour boat ride). Check it out on Wikipedia/etc.

Kyoto is nice for visiting and/or staying short-term, but I don't know if I would enjoy living there long-term. A lot of tourists, sight-seeing, etc.

A lot of people like Sapporo, too, but I have never been there.

Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto?

Question:

For a foreigner who has a degree and hopes to teach English and Mandarin in Japan, which city would be better for him in terms of pay, demand for such language teachers, and cost of living?

Answer:

Pay is usually about the same wherever you teach but there would be greater demand for language teachers in the bigger cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka and Nagoya.

In most cases in order to work full time in Japan you need to have a University degree and you also require the backing of a company in Japan to sponsor your visa.

Most recruiters for English jobs in Japan will require the following:

1. Native English Speaker
2. Full Bachelor Degree (in any field)
3. Basic Japanese Ability

The market is really competitive now so they also prefer teaching experience and qualifications such as ESL, TEFL or CELTA.

Salary is usually around 240,000 - 255,000 yen per month depending on experience and qualifications.

Working in Japan
http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010…

Obtaining a job in Japan?

Question:

As of right now I'm a year one college student in a community college. I will get my GPA up while I get my Associates in general studies then after transfer to a better school for an undecided bachelors.
Im also currently studying Japanese (Vocab and Kanji right now) and hope to be done before I graduate.
I've heard that getting a job in Japan for foreigners is a tough experience so I'm looking to get a leg up before I begin. Can anyone offer any advice on how to do get a job? Like what's an ideal bachelor or generally how to look for a job? Its discouraged looking for one on a tourist trip but people still do it? When applying am I aloud to just walk in and ask if their hiring? Also are there any rules on foreigners opening businesses in Japan? Could I open up a shop if I have the money?

Answer:

Generally you just don't walk into a Japanese company and ask if they are hiring, you contact them beforehand or research advertisements.

It depends on what you want to do (what do you want to do?), there aren't many jobs out there other then English instruction for new graduates without any other specialized skills or experience. Looking to get a leg up on English instruction? Get some experience, volunteer doing ESL jobs or similar in your country for example. At least a bit of experience will put you in the que ahead of other new graduates with no experience but below folks who have more experience.

As for opening a business, yes there are some specialized rules in regards to visa status etc. For example a minimum investment of 5 million Japanese yen (plus associated costs) to start the business in order to qualify for a business-investor visa status.

Contemporary Japanese movie recommendations?

Question:

Hi, can you recommend some "new" Japanese movies that are nice? I mean, not horror. I also don't like "weird" ones like..."Love Exposure". I prefer love story, etc. as long as not horror and heavy drama. :)

Answer:

I saw the film Still Walking at a film festival a couple years ago. There is a bit of heavy drama but it's an exceptional movie

Does Suzuran highschool really exist in Japan ?

Question:

They made animes and movies about delinquency in Suzuran high

Answer:

Howeve there are some schools that have similar names.
But there can be no school that has the exactly same name.

If you were the president of real Suzuran high, would you permit animes or comics like that?

How can I tell my family to go to japan for our next holiday?

Question:

Ok I'm 13 coming up 14 and I can't exactly go by myself
So how do I convince them to go?
They think that me being interested in the Japanese culture is stupid!
Plus is it expensive for flights and accommodation?

Answer:

Okay, not joking ..i was in your exact situation. I had alot of interest and really wanted to go from around your age. I kept going on and on about it, and my mum just thought it was a phase i would grow out of...but i didnt (and she realised that). My dad thought it was brilliant that i wanted to learn japanese. So i started up lessons and have showed my dedication and how much i wanted to go over these years and possibly work there in the future if i can. And finally last year, the trip was booked and i just got back a few weeks ago. Yes it was very expensive, but it was amazing and now i know clearly that i want to go uni to study it. Already, im saving to go next year with a friend. Just make sure your parents realise that this trip will change your life! good luck

about how expensive it is. We satyed in nice places- so that might be why. But there are cheap places and options in japan, just do some personal research and show your parents if you find something good (this shows initative). i dont know how much it would cost for flights- cause it depends where you live (im in london)

Could you please give me 3foods in japan that theres no nedd to cook?

Question:

need for my assignment .

Answer:

processed marine products such as
chikuwa
hanpen
kamaboko (crab stick)

If you don't know these, go to Wiki and you'll find them all.

How many school days are in japan a year?

Question:

Answer:

When I was there I saw kids going to school in their uniforms even though they had summer holidays. They also have school on saturday and sunday. -.- poor them.