The land of the rising sun is often held in high regard in some circles in the Western world, others not so much. Depending on who you ask, one can often get many different descriptions of someone's views on Japan. It is a well-known place for Anime and Anime culture and has many places that cater to these wishes. To many people, Japan is a land of beauty and historical significance. Many temples and shrines dot the landscape and if you know where to look, you can find some real hidden gems all over the country. Japan has so much history dating back to the popular feudal era and the warring states period, to the more recent WWII if you go to places like Nagasaki. Everyone has a different reason to visit Japan and some even decide to stay for longer than just a quick visit. This is what I decided to do without ever having visited the country before. My reason is rather simple: I simply wanted to see what the “real” Japan is like. The image of Japan that is depicted to the rest of the world through media like games and anime is obviously going to be romanticized but the core elements should still be the same. So was it? Kinda… 

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I have been living in Japan for 5 months at the time of writing so the struggles and difficulties are still relatively fresh. As someone who does not speak a significant level of Japanese, I expected to have many difficulties adjusting to life in a foreign country. Translation apps can get you farther than you think when it comes to everyday needs like finding things at stores and communicating with store clerks. So much so that you don’t really NEED to learn Japanese, especially if you are only staying for a very short length of time. Most people in Japan have to study some level of English at some point in their school lives but the focus is usually only on reading and writing. If you speak slowly enough and use very simple words, even people who say they don’t know English can usually figure out what you’re saying. This is usually only true with younger people however because like every skill, if you don’t use it often, you lose it. Anyone over 40 will most likely not be able to talk with you. 

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The Glitz and Glamour of Japan can bring in a lot of people from around the world but there are negatives like anywhere else that are not discovered if you only stay for a short time. Japan has an almost obsession with order and keeping track of everything. Any paperwork you do with the government usually takes a long time and you often find yourself needing to go to government offices more than you would in most other countries. The same meticulous nature is also true with the legal system. Most petty crimes won’t have a lot of follow up and police are usually pretty understanding. However, if you do get arrested, the legal system is not kind and you can find yourself in hot water even if you are innocent of the crime. There are not a lot of defense lawyers and most of them are not very successful. There is also a big problem with the work culture in Japan. Respect for your elders and seniors at work is strictly followed to a fault. Most employees are often overworked and usually taken advantage of because they are lower on the hierarchy. A lot of work time is unpaid and employees are still expected to work and this is considered normal in Japan. 

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Alternatively, because of all of this, there are a lot of good things that come from it. People are very respectful in Japan and even the less desirable thugs and degenerates still treat regular people with respect and apologize if they do something wrong. Most people are usually very sheltered and shy so talking to people on the street is usually seen as very strange. However, if you go to most bars or other social places where they expect to be talked to they are usually very open to talking with strangers. Everything is very clean and most of the roadwork and any construction is done with everyone else in mind, so they will try to cover up any ugly construction with tarps and get it done as fast as possible. Japan is also one of the safest places in the world to the point where most children, even as young as 5 or 6 are able to go to school alone, even in a place as busy as Tokyo.

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I still have a lot to learn about Japan during my stay, so I don’t know if I can say that my question has truly been answered yet. I wanted to see how most people go about their daily lives and learn what living in Japan is truly like and I can mostly answer that for myself. There is one other aspect of the people of Japan I still want to learn and that will mostly just take more time to learn. I want to see what the people's morals and values are like here in Japan. In time, I hope to be able to answer that question as well. In time…

Does Japan celebrate Thanksgiving? Well, the short answer is, yes. The long answer, however, is a lot more complicated. Unlike in the US and Canada, on Labor Thanksgiving Day ([勤労感謝の日 or Kinrō Kansha no Hi)], Japanese people express gratitude not only for the fruits of the land but also for the hard work and dedication of all workers, including farmers, laborers, educators, and healthcare professionals. On the 23rd of November, the importance of these professions for the betterment of society is emphasized on a national scale. The spirit of gratitude and acknowledgment of labor is an important aspect of Japanese culture. Therefore, Labor Thanksgiving Day is an opportunity for everyone to pause and reflect on the collective effort that goes into building and maintaining a prosperous nation.

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How did this holiday come about? Labor Thanksgiving Day is rooted in the ancient Japanese harvest festival known as Niiname-sai ([新嘗祭). The emperor would make offerings to the deities in hope of a good harvest. Over time, this tradition evolved to recognize the importance of hard work, productivity, and gratitude for the fruits of labor. In 1948, the modern-day holiday was officially established as a national holiday to honor and thank the citizens who contribute to the nation's prosperity. It is an annual reminder of the value of labor and its impact on the well-being of Japanese society.

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Several activities and events are held to celebrate Labor Thanksgiving Day. Commemorative ceremonies are held in schools and workplaces across Japan in which outstanding individuals are recognized for their contributions. Employers acknowledge employees who have excelled in their work, and schools honor students for their achievements. Charitable activities and volunteer work are undertaken by citizens and various organizations to express a sense of gratitude. Museums, cultural centers, and educational institutions organize events and exhibitions that are related to labor and Japanese culture in order to educate the public on the historical and cultural significance of labor in Japan. Labor unions and workers’ associations organize demonstrations or gatherings to raise awareness of labor-related issues, such as fair wages and worker’s rights. Workers can share their concerns and advocate for improved labor conditions. On a personal level, some citizens use Labor Thanksgiving Day to highlight the work and contributions of their loved ones, strengthening the bonds that tie them together.

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This tradition goes beyond the mere observance of a holiday. It's more of a reflection of the cultural ethos that values the efforts and contributions of the individual members of a society. It’s a specified day when Japanese people express their gratitude and acknowledge the importance of labor, productivity, and hard work. In a world where the value of work can be often overshadowed by other concerns, Labor Thanksgiving Day serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of labor.

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When we celebrate this day, whether in Japan or from abroad, we remember the beauty of gratitude and togetherness. In a world where the labor force is the backbone of every nation, taking a moment to recognize and reward the efforts of those who make it all possible is a lesson we can all learn from Labor Thanksgiving Day.

In our current global economy, foreign language learning is becoming an increasingly desired skill, and being able to speak multiple languages is a great way to spruce up your resume and impress your family, colleagues, and friends. However, learning languages comes more easily to some than others, and disillusionment or unrealistic expectations can cause more harm than good if goals are not met. If this applies to you as it does to me, I have some tips that can help you set realistic and achievable goals for language learning and any other hobbies or skills to which this may apply.

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Tip 1: Be as specific as possible. Clearly define and write your language goals. For example, instead of a vague goal like "learn Japanese," aim for "master basic Japanese greetings" or "hold a 5-minute conversation in Japanese." If your current knowledge and conversation skills are more advanced, you can definitely aim higher but do so within reasonable limits. Burnout can happen at any stage of the language learning process, so even a simple goal such as "maintain my current level of Japanese" is perfectly fine.

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Tip 2: Break down your language learning into smaller, manageable tasks. Try focusing on mastering one task at a time, like learning hiragana or practicing common phrases, to build a strong foundation. Check off these tasks as you complete them to track your progress. Having a visual representation of your goal and the tasks involved is a good motivator, so display it in your room or on your electronic device where you can see it. On my Android phone, I use a free app called Tasks that lets me set a customized alarm and use a widget on my home screen to remind me of tasks such as meetings and appointments. Try it! 

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Tip 3: Be consistent as possible by setting a study schedule. Doing regular, shorter study sessions are often more effective than random, long sessions. This way, learning becomes a habit. Habits are the hardest to make and the easiest to break, so don't beat yourself up if you miss a session or two. Life is unpredictable so be as fluid as possible if things happen outside of your control, like a meteor hitting the earth or a surprise karaoke party with your friends. 

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Tip 4: Utilize the language learning resources available such as combining textbooks, language apps, online courses, and perhaps even language exchange partners to keep your learning engaging and diverse. If you are into music, get a Spotify or YouTube Music account and explore the pre-made playlists available. Go to events such as art exhibitions, live performances, and festivals where you can encounter content or materials in your language of interest, even if you won't be able to completely understand. Immersion is always the best way to learn, so any chance to do so should be taken.

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Tip 5: Celebrate your progress by acknowledging the small victories you make along the way. Whether it's correctly using a new phrase (思い出した!) or understanding a complex concept (分かった!), recognizing progress keeps you motivated.  It does not matter if it's simply recognizing a kanji character that you recently learned or having a phone conversation without any issues, celebrate your win!

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I hope these tips will help you as much as they will help me. If they work, let me know! If they didn't, no worries. There is no one way to accomplish something, just find what works for you. がんばって!

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