Japan - March 31, 2008
Just arrived in my new home of Japan. The first night or two will be in a hotel. Im already in awe of the civility of the Japanese people compared to the Korean people. We will also be in a somewhat small town of 140,000 people, so our experiences might be quite different than the big cities. Tomorrow I will be able to see our new apartment for the next couple years.
First off, I am in awe of the technology and our visas. We are able to reside in Japan for three years with this kind of visa (professors visa). I must also apologize that I cant find the apostrophe on Japanese keyboards, so I may be typing without them for awhile. Anyhow, our visa is good for three years and you can easily change jobs without any problem whatsoever and still be legal. In addition, you can teach private lessons legally. Back in Korea, anything you did that wasnt connected to your employer was illegal. Korean immigration would try to do busts of ESL teachers who taught anyone private esl lessons. If you had a problem with your employer, you were also unable to change jobs without permission from that same employer. In addition, your employer could put you in a real bad situation and you couldnt change jobs as that was illegal and could get you deported. Here in Japan, they have nothing like that. I was sponsored by my employer for a visa, but I own the visa and can work extra or change jobs or teach privates or work elsewhere, and without hassle or problem. That will be worlds different with just that alone.
On our first night, we ate at a beef noodle restaurant. It was interesting to go into Japanese restaurants and see people just eating and reading in there by themselves (reminds me of back home in the States). In Koera, usually restaurants are social affairs and drinking-related, and nowhere youd ever enter into by yourself and bring a book. Intersting seeing such drastic changes right away.
Going through immigration included two separate photographs. One of which is through the immunizations department, so I think they do a quick scan to see if you have any high temps or whatever. Once we were with the immigration officer, its another photograph and then electronic fingerprints (no ink involved). Pretty cool stuff.
Now we are at the hotel. The toilet seat is heated and has a lot of extra gadgets. We just went for the hot sauna, very nice as well! I feel very pampered and instantly relaxed. I can really feel the differences between Korea and Japan right away. Back in Korea, everything is high stress and in your face. Here in Japan, everything is just so normal and relaxed and feeling very stress-free.
Tomorrow, I will be meeting my employer and going through all of what will be required of me, and where I will live and everything else. Finally its the day that is my first day in Japan. I hope to continue to record everything on the Japan Journals just as a mental reminder to myself years in the future. Hopefully Ill have that apostrophe thing figured out soon as well!
NEXT JAPAN JOURNAL ENTRY:
April 1, 2008
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Wintermoon2@yahoo.com