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ONE DAY IN JAPAN....... EMBASSY :D

Welcome to the Embassy of Japan! Memorable and fun experience! :)

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LANGUAGE:

Has there been any noticeable difference/change in the Japanese society, culture and economy now that Japanese are learning English?

- English is not the only thing that changes the Japanese culture. However, the younger generation who are learning the language and are the ones exposed daily to popular English websites such as YouTube have changed by ways of their own lifestyle, thinking. In terms of learning English, Japanese give more emphasis on reading and writing rather than speaking for the fact that Japanese are very good readers and writers.

JAPANESE ENTERTAINMENT:

Do Japanese dramas and films have an effect in understanding the Japanese culture? Are there any studies to prove this?

- Traditional dramas such as Kabuki, a stylized traditional theatrical drama for noble people shows the real traditional culture of Japan and their way of thinking, this type of drama still exists today and may sometimes run for one whole day. Most of the actors are men. Another form of drama is Noh which is open to the general public and involves more movements and words. Both of these are used by the Japanese to introduce their own culture to the foreigners. What are actually shown in the Japanese dramas and films are reflections of the current Japanese culture and mentality.

Japanese dramas and music are very popular in several countries in and out of Asia. Apart from that, there is a fast growing number of non-Japanese who’ve grown fond of the Japanese culture what do you think are the reasons behind these?

- It is something new to the non-Japanese. The Japanese dramas do not veer away from the popular themes such as love, family and life. Their dramas are very much focused on the realities of life. According to Mrs. Tomodo, the production team of the dramas created takes a long time in the planning stage, forming the right plot line, creating the right characters and etc. The planning stage lasts even a year before it is finalized and takes a lot of money even if the show will run only in a short span of time. Planning over a drama is a lot of work and is not done in a matter of two to three months. In Japan, the popular stars are the ones who appear in the drama more often as oppose to Hollywood wherein the popular stars are only seen in films. Another reason is that due to the fast rising technology today communication is very easy and anybody from all around the world could get access of the information, Japanese dramas and Japanese music in just a limited amount of time.

JAPANESE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Do Japanese residing or working in other countries still practice the Japanese customs?

- Of course. Japanese no matter where they go or live continue to practice their own traditional customs. An example of which is the taking off of the footwear in the doorstep before entering the house. Another is the bowing to somebody else as a form of greeting.

What is the most important part of the Japanese culture that the Japanese can relate or share with other countries?

- Japanese value politeness, punctuality, trustworthiness, reliability- an important value to make the society function well, pressure, education and right attitude. In business, Japanese treat their customers as gods, they always go for satisfaction of the customers and being able to please people or their customers are important to them. Japanese are also very meticulous people that they do not just settle for less, they go for perfection.

JAPANESE WAY OF COMMUNICATING

What is the most misunderstood practice of the Japanese by the foreigners?

- The taking off of shoes before entering the house. For Japanese it is a form of respect to the owner of the house but foreigners who are not used to such practice find it illogical or odd.

How do Japanese try to connect with foreigners in a modern world, the mere fact that there is a language barrier which prevents effecting communication?

- Japanese use translators to help them deliver their message to the foreigners. Even some Japanese who are good English speakers do not hesitate to get a translator to deliver their message. This is due to the fact that the Japanese want the receiver of their message to get the exact message and meaning of their message to avoid miscommunication.

What are the formal and informal way of communication came about and its difference with other cultures?

What are the different verbal and non verbal ways of communicating?

Non-verbal:

-Bowing is a basic etiquette to the Japanese people. The higher the rank or status of the person, the lower the bow is. Also, the longer the bow, the more emotion and sincerity it evokes.

-Peace or Victory sign- used when fooling with friends and greeting foreigners. It also means success.

-Smiles have different three different uses: Positive smile which indicates agreeing or liking something, Negative Smile indicates light denial or joke and “no comment” smile means refusal to respond to a question.

-In Japan, constant eye contact with the other person may mean that you are aggressive and rude. That’s why it is normal that Japanese look at other directions when speaking to another person.

-In Japan, people must sit straight with feet flat on the floor logs can only be cross at the knee or ankle only.

-going to the communal bath of son and father and bathing each other shows affection and care for each other.

-When one waves her hand in front of her nose that means she’s telling “no”.

-Japanese point at their noses when they refer to themselves instead of the chest.

Verbal

-Japanese do not have words such as “Po” and “Opo” to show respect. Instead, they verbal ways which they use to show respect depending on the status of the person. Songeko is used to call an elderly, it is to show respect to them. Kenjego, is to sit back making yourself humble and subordinate,Then tenego is used during the first meeting.

How did the formal and informal way of communication came about and its difference with the other cultures?

- These things are passed on from one generation to another and has been followed religiously by the Japanese people which is why these customs and traditions are still evident today. However such practices as the popular Hara-kiri, is no longer evident in fact Japanese is no longer one of the countries with the highest suicide rates. Another practice which is the Japanese tea ceremony are no longer observed that much today because of the demands of the modernizing world which keeps the people in Japan glued to work and no more time for such kinds of ceremonies which lasts for very long hours.

When Wrong Decisions are Made

Book Review

Short Summary

For One More Day is written by Mitch Albom, the famous and notable writer of Tuesdays with Morrie and Five People You Meet in Heaven. This is a story about a man named Chick Benetto who had a chance to experience one more day with his dead mom. Because of all his problems in life, family especially with Catherine and Maria Benetto, he decided to give up on his life. He was trapped in a car accident then all of a sudden, he found himself with his mom, Posey Benetto. Posey and her son, Chick, had one day conversation and bonding about their lives as if Posey is still alive. Chick, on the other hand, recalled and reflected on all his childhood memories with his mom. This dialogue with his mom revealed all the secrets his mom had kept to Chick and her daughter, Roberta Benetto. Chick realized how bad he has become to his own mom. The story ended when Chick and Posey bid their final goodbyes. Chick was finally awake and was rescued by the policemen and medical staffs.

Guide Questions:

1. Which character in the story do you clearly identify with? In what ways are you like this character?

Being the middle child in our family, I have this feeling that my parents don’t love me. Since high school, I started to feel this so called Middle Child Syndrome. From that time on, I began to hate my mom and dad because I thought that they only gave all their attention to my two other siblings but never to me. It even made me keep rage to my own siblings because for me, they are trying to get mom and dad away from me. In that scenario, it is the main character’s role, Chick Benetto, that I most likely to see myself. I see in him the way I answered back to my parents, shouting in anger, and the way I run away when I cry because I hate them. For me, my parents made my life as miserable as it can get. My mom would do chores for my Ate at any situation and my dad would call my younger sister’s name where in fact he’s talking to me. Maybe my parents do love me but only about 10% of how much they love their two other kids.

2. What would you have done differently?

The most striking part of the story for me is when Chick Benetto finally knew about the misdeeds of his own dad and when he realized how unjust he had been to his own mom. After this moment with his dead mom, I’d like to clearly show to the readers how he has restored his relationship with his family before he died. Moreover, I want the idea that Chick and his dad would renew their relationship as well. I would illustrate the changes in the way Chick sees life and love. It could have been that Chick wouldn’t die yet and he’ll be able to live out a life his mom has told him during their conversation. And lastly, I want Chick to also experience one more day with his daughter, dad, wife or sibling in such as way that they only reminisce life back without any bad feelings and regrets at all.

3. What is the most important lesson you learned from the story? How do you apply this to your own life?

“No matter how wrong a person has done to us, that’s not of great importance. What matters is when we whole-heartedly forgive them, forget what they’ve done, love them unconditionally and seize life while it lasts.”- Marge Brazal Tuibeo.

I strongly believe that the lesson of the story doesn’t solely apply to mother-sibling relationship. My realization also applies in friendship, love and enemies. Just last Wednesday, we watched the movie version of For One More Day and I almost burst out into tears much more than when I read the book. I was able to really put myself on the shoes of Chick Benetto. Death is inevitably the end of everyone and so I will make it a point not to waste every single day I have with my loved ones. Until now, I’m trying my best to understand my parents and siblings for the way they treat me as their family member. I think it was a misinterpretation on my part that they don’t love me. I will not wait until they’re gone. This is the right time to show them how much I love them and how blessed I am to have them. In my life now, four simple yet meaningful words should be remembered: FORGIVE AND FORGET, LOVE, and LIVE!

Cory Meets Ninoy: A Democracy in Heaven

Ninoy and Cory Aquino with the Filipinos they fought for freedom with.

Could it be that the sentiments of the Filipinos who witnessed the assassination of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino is the same as the grief we’re experiencing right now as we bid our goodbyes to a mother, a friend and a public servant, his wife late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino?

My parents were not even friends yet when Ninoy Aquino died. Basing from the blogs and researches I read and queries I’ve asked my parents, grandparents and older relatives, Filipinos look up to Ninoy Aquino as the contemporary counterpart of Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio who embodies freedom at its fullest, freedom that is whole-heartedly offered to his own country at his own expense. For them, he is an epitome of a good son, a martyr and a servant for the people. Filipinos during that time cannot deny the fact that his death united the hearts and souls of every Filipino who has been yearning for independence since the late President Ferdinand Marcos gained authority over the entire country. Cory Aquino was never wrong when she said this statement, "What is more important is that he did not die in vain and that his sacrifice, certainly, awakened the Filipino people from their apathy and indifference.”

“The Filipino is worth dying for. If it's my fate to die by an assassin's bullet, so be it". - Ninoy Aquino. I thought that statements such as these are more likely to be heard from the mouths of classical heroes and in TV dramas. However, it’s surprising to know, that at a young age, Ninoy has this kind of determination to fight for his country and the people. Although, some of us today already forgotten the real meaning of Ninoy’s death, his heroic sacrifice continues to inspire us today as we face the challenges in our government, economy and family.

Even from Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law, the media has been suppressed. It’s pretty much obvious that Cory’s death is more exposed to the people since media is not controlled by Arroyo’s government. In all media fields, be it on TV, radio, newspapers, advertisements and most especially in the internet (Facebook, Multiply, blogsites), the death of the saint of People Power I flooded every corner of it. Ninoy’s state funeral had a million of Filipinos mourning on his death. Although Cory’s funeral procession only had about thousands of Filipinos who flocked on the streets where the procession passed by, this historical event turned out to be a state funeral. Filipinos lined the funeral way and uttered her name: "Cory, Cory!”. Pinoys have tied symbolic yellow ribbons everywhere like in trees and cars. Hundreds prayed for her soul in ceremonies in honour of her. Individuals from different ages and even from foreign countries like Japan and USA cried their hearts out and raised their hands with the late president’s famous “laban” sign. During Ninoy’s death, people walked all through-out the procession whereas in Cory’s death, there were convoys and vans. The skies cry as everybody brings their humble late president to her resting place.

And once again, just like a dejavu, the death of the late President Corazon Aquino fuelled the hearts of the Filipinos today to show patriotism, love for our nation and not just those who love us too. Back in history, she as well lighted the hearts of the Filipinos to battle for democracy and she promised to preserve the unconditional legacy of her husband. Our religious widow became the life of a moral country that silently suffered for more than a decade of dictatorship. She helped lead the People Power I that regained classlessness at a time of great danger. Her bravery, perseverance and honesty are inspirations to all of us and help live-out the greatest in the Philippine land. “It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for the country”, this was a statement said by the Aquino family. Even when Cory was in a risky situation, she still thinks of the welfare of the Filipinos. Indeed, she is the authentic embodiment of humility, equality and liberty.

Now, let’s give sometime to be more personal. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a love one but how about saying goodbye to your parents who are also loved and looked up to by the society you’re living at? I’ve seen the interviews of Kris Aquino and short excerpts of their eulogy for their mom. Tears almost poured out of my eyes as I listen word-by-word to both the blissful and sad memories each of them have had with Cory when she was still alive. This, I know is twice as much as the pain they felt when Ninoy first said goodbye. Letting go of someone who has dearly showed love and concern for everybody is something difficult to do. “I don’t know how my life would be after this”, said Kris in tears. They lost a mother, a bestfriend and an adviser. They almost lost everything, no dad and no mom. Parents are God’s most precious gifts and no matter how much we rant on them sometimes, when we realized that they’re no longer human beings like us, it is the most painful experience we could ever imagine. I believe that’s what the children of Mr and Mrs Aquino feel right now. Having no parents to run to when they need tenderly hugs and kisses. But I think that the situation can get lighter because of the love and support of the Philippine nation to the Aquino family. Filipinos love Ninoy and Cory so much even now that they’re dead. No one could ever replace them but we hope that sooner or later, a heroic person just like them will be sent by Him and will lead the people to a land free of greed and evil.