#1 

For about 3 years, I have been in Japan, whenever I visited the bank, I always made sure I went with someone who could assist me with the language. But recently, I realized I needed to try without anyone’s assistance. So, guess what, I went to the JAPAN POST BANK for a personal emergency ALONE.

I attempted to make a transfer using the ATM. I switched the language from Japanese to English with a lot of excitement. To my surprise, the functions displayed did not include the option of interbank transfer. For a few seconds, I was confused. With the numbers increasing behind me, I decided to take a ticket and ask for help at the counter with my somewhat broken Japanese. 

The banker was so nice. He smiled and understood what I meant. So he took out the bank’s iPad and translated his replies. Long story short, he took me to the ATM for another attempt. And guess what, he was surprised by the number of available functions in English when he switched languages too. So we went back to the Japanese, and there were the functions I needed. He gladly walked me through from the beginning to the end. Finally, I did it all alone without anyone’s assistance.

P.S: Want to use the ATMs don’t worry it’s not that difficult. Although there’s an English language option, it’s likely the functions you’ll need won’t appear when you switch the language from Japanese. 

Tip: Don’t change the language. Use your Google Translate app option to translate while you go OR ask for help when using the ATMs at the banks. 

Lesson: it’s okay to ask for assistance at the banks when you don’t know what to do, however scary or awkward that may be.

 

#2

There are many places to charge your IC cards, however, unless absolutely necessary, don’t do it on the BUSES. Why? Why not? Simple! The buses run on a schedule, so not only will you delay the bus schedule, but you are likely to hold the line of people alighting as well. It’s frustrating for everyone - for you, the bus driver, and, yes, the other passengers. I know you’re thinking, who cares? It’s all part of the service provided. Even though true, try being considerate. It doesn’t hurt.

P.S: I have found myself, TWICE, yes TWICE, in a queue trying to alight from a near full bus when this happened. The drivers, on both occasions, looked frustrated and told the individuals to step aside. Seems they need to switch functions to recharge IC cards.

 

#3

When it comes to trains, there are many things we can talk about. So let’s just talk about a few common situations. 

·  Why are people avoiding the seats next to me on the train? Awkward? I know. It’s not always a case of discrimination or racism; just know it’s a cultural thing and that a lot is going on, on the other side, which sometimes has nothing to do with you being a foreigner. Sometimes!

·  Similar to the bus, it’s just appropriate to lower your voice when having a conversation on the train. I guess the conversation wouldn’t lose much if it’s done with a lowered voice.

 

#4

Dear Old and New International Students,
Allow me to share a somewhat interesting cultural bit with you. I promise it will be a short read.
Remember when you were younger, the stern looks your parents would give you in public to prompt you to behave well? Right! Imagine a similar analogy on a social level but without any looks. 

The expression for this in Japanese is "kuuki o yomu" (空気を読む), which literally translates to "reading the air" and refers to the ability to understand unspoken social cues and the overall atmosphere of a situation. It is a crucial aspect of Japanese communication, where direct confrontation is often avoided, and subtlety is valued. 

Someone who can read the air is seen as perceptive and considerate, able to grasp the emotions and expectations of those around them without explicit verbal communication. On the other hand, failing to do so - being "KY" (kuuki yomenai) or "unable to read the air"- can make a person seem socially oblivious or tactless. This concept highlights the importance of social harmony and nonverbal understanding in Japanese culture.

Unless your Japanese proficiency is that advanced, you are likely not to hear this concept mentioned in many of your daily conversations. Similar to the English metaphor “read between the lines, or read the room,” try to understand your environment and know what is appropriate and what isn’t.

Think of this piece of writing as a cultural awareness from me to you.

It’s cold and windy. So stay hydrated and enjoy some hot green tea.

Yours truly,

Prince (a fellow international student).

 

#5 

Okay, so this is a social concept I got to know of quite recently. It may take a different form in different countries across the globe - the Japanese concepts of honne (本音) and tatemae (建前).  

Honne (本音) and tatemae (建前) describe the contrast between a person’s true feelings and the public façade they present in social situations. Honne (think of it as “honesty”) refers to one's genuine thoughts, emotions, and opinions, which are often shared only with close friends or family. Tatemae, on the other hand, represents the socially acceptable or expected stance one takes in public, often to maintain harmony and avoid conflict or arguments. 

Tatemae can go all the way, even into discussions where many people choose not to ask questions or avoid asking too many questions.  This distinction is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, where group cohesion is valued, and direct confrontation is often avoided. While some may see this as insincerity, in Japan, it is considered an essential social skill that allows for smooth interactions and mutual respect.  

I know it’s an interesting concept to know and can be stressful to think about in many daily interactions. Also, I know you are thinking through your previous interactions with different people. Smile, just know you are not alone! We all did when we first heard about this concept. Whether someone is genuine with you or put on a façade is quite difficult to know. Anyway, my advice is to read your environment and use your discretion. You may make some new friends or lose the few you have if you overthink it. Either way, such is life.

Fun fact: Ask for the right pronunciation of “honne” (本音). Depending on how you pronounce the word, you easily can wrongly pronounce it, especially for an English speaker, and what you would say would likely refer to “bone” – “hone”. It took me a couple of tries to get the emphasis right.

 

#6

Kaizen (改善) is a Japanese philosophy that emphasizes continuous, incremental improvement in all aspects of life, work, and business. The word itself combines kai (改), meaning "change," and zen (善), meaning "good," reflecting the idea of making ongoing, small changes that lead to greater overall progress.

This philosophy can be adopted for self-improvement and to increase productivity. Unlike drastic overhauls, kaizen focuses on refining processes step by step, fostering efficiency, reducing waste, and encouraging a mindset of lifelong learning. This approach not only enhances performance but also promotes a culture of teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving. So, applying this philosophy to your personal research could be beneficial.