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Category: Japan

Christmas Abound

Christmas Abound

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A Very Japanese Christmas

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“Mary-sensei” my favorite 7-11 cashier in Niigata sweetly called my name. “How about a Christmas cake? We have so many flavors; chocolate, white and strawberry–and look at all the sizes! I think you would really enjoy having a cake to share with someone special on Christmas day.”

“I have no one special to share it with,” I reply, looking through the cake brochures. “And in America it’s a day spent with family, not a boyfriend.”

“Soudesuka…” the cashier looked hurt, and I felt bad for being so blunt and mean with my favorite cashier lady. She’s just doing her job trying to up the sales of Christmas cake and making small talk with me–I shouldn’t take my Christmas blues out on her. I cave in. read more

China and America are One and the Same

China and America are One and the Same

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blogphotojapan

The Diagram

“Hey Mary-san,”  Takada-san pokes me in the shoulder.  “Look at this, it’s pretty funny.”

Takada-san is reading a 190 page JETRO report about how to deal with the “China risk” crisis happening with Japanese companies investing, and failing, in the Chinese market.  First I think: Holy god that’s a long report.  Secondly, I take a long glance at the chart to see what exactly Takada-san is giggling about (which I have translated as below): read more

11.22 … In other words, Couple’s Day

11.22 … In other words, Couple’s Day

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So just ten days after Single’s Day in China (and pocky day in Japan/Korea), you can imagine my surprise when I listen to my daily dose of NHK news on 11.22 to hear the announcer say:

“今日は良い夫婦の日”

“Today is Couple’s Day”

While 11.11 tells us just how single we are, I guess the combination of 11 plus 22 shows how 1 can become 2 and.. .well.. that equals to “be a good couple” day.

According to NHK news, Couple’s Day is a holiday much like Valentine’s Day in the sense that, well, it was created by the industry in order to reap in profits.  Basically, Couple’s Day was designed by the apparel industry for promotional purposes and to give a boost to their quarterly saves revenue. read more

Multilingualism: Just Another Diagnosis for Split Personality Disorder?

Multilingualism: Just Another Diagnosis for Split Personality Disorder?

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japanesemaryblog

Winter has descended on Shanghai.  I’m wearing four layers of pajamas, snuggled underneath two sets of comforters, and sipping on a piping hot cup of Jasmine tea.

As I burrow myself deeper underneath the covers and try to escape the force that is winter in Shanghai, I browse various articles online..  While reading the Economist I skimmed this interesting little read on Multilingualism: Do Different Languages Confer Different Personalities?

Before reading the article, I’m sure all of you bilinguals out there have “no duh” echoing through your head.  The article’s main focus is in regard to how these various personalities can be attributed to cultural differences rather than linguistic ones; and how, depending on the culture and customs of your language, you yourself also change. read more

The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises

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The movie poster for “The Wind Rises,” the latest and ‘last’ movie from Hayao Miyazaki (I think this is his 3rd ‘last’ movie?) was posted not too long ago.

I LOVE this poster.  Reminds me of Howl’s Moving Castle , yet still has a fresh and new feeling, luring you into yet another world created by the lovely Mr. Miyazaki.  Just from looking at the poster alone, I already know this film will combine the best elements of Studio Ghibli: Fantasy, Romance and the beauty of youth. read more

Conversations at a Japanese Ad Agency

Conversations at a Japanese Ad Agency

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I chewed my hair.  Started reading the torture that is a contract in Chinese, trying to find any unfair conditions or some loophole where our company could score some mega points.  Actually, I was just trying to read the first sentence and got frustrated, thus the hair chewing.

Takada Boss: “Mary, you always nibble on your hair,” said my ultimate-cool-canprobablyruletheworldandkickyourass-woman-boss that sits next to me.

Mary: “Yeah, I know.  I’m sorry.” （すみません） read more

What the Japanese Deem Romantic

What the Japanese Deem Romantic

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Japan and the Moon

blogphoto3K and I were walking through the streets of Beijing.  We were with a loud, rowdy mix of foreigners and Chinese, and the feeling of summer was fresh in the air.  The district we just passed through was famous for Sichuan cuisine and outdoor eating.  The whole road was lined with red lanterns and hundreds of tables on the sidewalk, each filled to the brim with steaming hot fish, boiling red pepper hot pot or stir fried vegetables and meat.  The floor was littered in peanut and sunflower seed shells, the official snacks of China.  The street was loud, but in a good way, the way that makes a city feel alive.  Whole. read more

Singing the Same Melody

Singing the Same Melody

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Courtesy of Strait Times
Courtesy of Strait Times

What the Chinese think of my Job

I was on a flight to Beijing to attend a big-wig meeting for ad executives and be the live-interpreter for my CEO.  The flight was early, my eyelids were heavy and all I really wanted to do on that flight was nod off my head to sleep.

But Chinese people tend to be quite chatty on planes, especially with foreigners, and the young man next to me was no exception.  He introduced himself as Chang, we’ll call him, and said that he was a lawyer and represented the online video goliaths youku and tudou.  Wow, I said, and gave him a firm handshake—it’s great to meet you. read more

Hanzawa Naoki: The Japanese Salaryman’s Dream

Hanzawa Naoki: The Japanese Salaryman’s Dream

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A new sensation is taking over Japan.  No, it’s not the herbivore man （草食男子）or another man marrying his digital girlfriend that lives in his Nintendo DS.  No.  It’s something much better.

半沢直樹

Hanzawa Naoki

Gonna F U over so bad, you won’t be able to walk for a week

Hanzawa Naoki is THE drama that is wrecking havoc all across that island we call Japan.  Everyone and their Japanese dog is talking about this show.  I’ve heard my Japanese friends rant and rave about it for the past few weeks, and last night the finale (10th episode) finally aired on TV. read more