Japan's Lost Generation: Freeters, Net Cafe Refugees, Satori Generation, Parasite Singles, and Monster Parents

When the Japanese "bubble economy" finally popped in the early nineties, Japan experienced a massive shockwave to the their economy and overall, society.  The economy was in turmoil.  Companies lost almost of all of their value.  People were losing jobs or working long hours of overtime in order to compensate for the reduction in the workforce.  This was a major change for the Japanese people to deal with.  Prior to the burst, people were accustomed to lifetime employment schemes that their companies had employ.  The main tenet of this scheme was that you would work long hard hours at the company and the company would reciprocate by providing their employees a stable job with good pay and benefits. 

In the turmoil of the 1990's, sociologists and economists have termed this period "the lost decade".  Japanese companies and its workers were struggling to once again find their footing in the global market.  While Japanese economy is slowly recovering, there are some in Japanese society who are not feeling affects of these changes.  These people are part of the "lost generation" of Japan.  This generation mainly consists of young Japanese people who are struggling to find their place in society and older Japanese people who after years of slaving away at their works have given up and left the Japanese corporate rat race.  The changes that these individuals were experiencing in the "lost decade" were detrimental to their lives.  The people who fall in this categorized as "freeters", "net café refugees, and the "yutori and satori generations". 

Freeter (フリーター) are the underemployed or unemployed people of Japan.  This term was first used in the late 1980's to describe people who deliberately chose not to become salary-men.  The freeter supposedly comes from to two words: "free" which comes from freelance in English and "ter" from the German word, arbiter, or laborer.  Freeters are people who lack full-time employment.  They usually work as low-skill temp workers.  According to the Japanese Institute of Labor in 2000, the average salary of a freeter who works 4.9 days a week earns on average \139,000 a month.  They earn a little more than the poverty line in Japan that is set to 1.22 million yen a year (about \101,667 a month).

Why would someone want to become a freeter?  The Japanese Institute classifies freeters into three categories.  First, there are "moratorium" freeters who wants to enjoy life and deliberately chooses not to pursue the Japanese salary-man's lifestyle.  The second category of freeter is the "dream pursuing" freeter.  These people hold specific dreams and ambitions that are not compatible with the standard Japanese work-styles.  The last category is named "no alternative".  Individuals who fall into this category could not find a decent a job after high school or university.

Also, there are a plethora of problems that come with choosing the freeter lifestyle.  These individuals are unlikely to start their own households and starting a household.  If you are middle-aged Japanese person, it can be difficult to find a decent paying job because most companies are looking to hire young Japanese who came out of high school and university because they are easier to mold into the company frame of thinking.  These individuals also cannot continue their family line.  This is problematic in a society that is structured around the family.  The last problem that these people will face is that they will be forced to work in the "age of retirement".  Most freeters are unable to pay into the pension or pay little amounts towards retirement. 

Freeters who fall into the "moratorium" and "no alternative" categories are most likely to become net café refugees (ネットかフィ難民).  These so-called refugees choose to live in Internet cafes instead of trying to find a permanent residence for various reasons.  Some of these "refugees" work as day laborers or on short-term contracts.  Since many of these people receive low wages, it would be a daunting task to find affordable housing especially in large cities where housing costs can be extremely high.  There are other refugees who that trying to find an apartment and a good paying job is troublesome.  There is a lot of pressure and stress that is associated in working as an office worker in Japan.  Long hours and high housing costs will cause many people to break down in stress.  In addition to these individuals, there are people who feel that having this lifestyle is refreshing and life changing.  Many of these refugees worked in large Japanese companies in which they had to work long hours of overtime and had to a lot of stress to complete their projects on time.  Many of these net café refugees are walking a fine line between destitution and being productive members of society.

 

Some young freeters nowadays are part of a recent new phenomenon called the "satori generation" (悟り時代).  The "satori generation" is made up of young who do want anything or hold any ambitions.  These individuals typically do not drive, refuse to wear brand name clothing, don’t dream for a better life, don’t travel, aren’t interested in sports, and don’t fall into love.  They have given up on the social pressures of life (employment, courtship, and family).  They turn away from materialism not for spiritual reasons but because they can.  They want to lead to an un-stressful and unremarkable life.  They feel that they are enlightened in some fashion.  Afterall, satori can be translated to enlightenment in English.

The term "satori generation" has its roots in the popular Internet chat site "2channel".  Members of that site were discussing the book, "Hoshigaranai Wakamonotachi (欲しがらない若者たち)" by Taku Yamamoto.  The title means "The Young People Who Don't Want Anything" in English.  In the book, Taku Yamamoto traces the "satori generation" to the "yutori" education model in the 2000's.  Yutori education (ゆとり教育) means "pressure free" education.  Students were encouraged to not take their exams so seriously.  Also, there was a lot leeway given to them in the classroom.  Also, these same students saw the economic conditions of the 2000's.  Many companies were not hiring and the economy was still tepid.  So, there was no ambition for these students to care about their future.  There is a similar situation happening in South Korea in regards to the "satori generation".  South Korea has created its own "sampo generation".  The "satori generation" and the "sampo genration" are very similar in terms of their outlook on life.

Besides people who are struggling to find a hold on society and those who have given up, there are people are bringing struggles to the life of the Japanese family.  Traditionally, the Japanese family structure was a strong and vital to society.  However, we are beginnings to see tears in the family dynamic.  The Japanese family like most families around the world have had gone through hardships before, but these new problems that are affecting families are related to the collapse of the bubble economy and the onset of the "lost decade".  During the bubble economy, parents spoiled their children.  If the child wanted something, they would get it.  The children were not expected to help in the household chores.  A lot of the meals were eaten outside the house.  Now, these same children are grown up and having problems that are associated to their upbringing.  There are the "monster parents" who are very overprotective of their children and are a bane of Japanese homeroom teachers.  Also, there are the "parasite singles".   After graduating university, these individuals move back home and live off their parents. 

Parasite singles (パラサイトシングル) are single people in the 20's and the 30's who live with their parents in order to enjoy a carefree life.  At first, this term was primarily used to describe young unmarried women.  More recently, men and women have become parasite singles.  The term, parasite single, was coined by Professor Mashiro Yamada of Tokyo Gakugei University in his book, "The Age of the Parasite Singles" (パラサイトシングルの時代).  The vast majority of these adult children do not help with the household chores.  Some statistics have shown that 85% of parasite singles do not help with the shared living expenses.  Also, 50% of these individuals receive some sort of finical assistance from their parents. 

Being a parasite singles allows these adult children to either save their income or spend it on luxury items or travel, while, they enjoy the social interaction with their parents.  Also, many parents feel that this support will be reciprocated in the future when the parents get older.  For some Japanese women, they feel that being a parasite single is a type of rebellion against the traditional roles of woman in Japanese society: wives and mothers.  Besides these reasons, the rise of parasite singles can be linked to the high costs of living in the city and the effects of the collapse of the bubble economy.  There is a similar situation in America when it comes to parasite singles.  In America, these individuals make up the "boomerang generation".

Besides parasite singles, there is another subsection of society that is affecting the Japanese family.  These people are called "monster parents".  In the West, these parents are called "helicopter parents" because they hove and swoop over their children's lives.  Monster parents are the bane of every school and teacher.  These parents are known to call teachers at ungodly hours (think late night).  If the child is in trouble at school or gets a lower grade, these parents will complain to the teachers that it is the fault of the parents.  These are just few of the things that monster parents will do.  In 2008, Professor Morotomi Yoshihiko wrote a book on monster parents called モンスターペアレント！？親バカとバカ親は紙一重 (Monster Parents!? Parent Stupid and Stupid Parent A Fine Line).  In his book, Morotomi gives many examples of monster parents.  One of the examples that he illustrates is that one school is going to hold a musical.  The teacher has to decide which student will get the lead role.  Many parents complain to the teacher that their child should be the main lead in the play.  The complaining goes on for days and nights.  At the end, the teacher gives in to the parent's wishes.  So when the play is being performed, there are several main lead characters.  Make that all the same character with the same clothing and lines.  Morotomi's book actually becomes the basis of a Japanese television drama called モンスターペアレント (Monster Parents).  

 

Morotomi explains in his book that the monster parents are the children who grow spoiled and well looked after during the bubble economy.  These children now want to spoil and overly protect their children because that is what they learned from their parents.  These same parents who complain to the schools and the parents also have a hard time raising their children.  Many of these of the parents are often clueless when it comes to basic household chores and easy recipes to make for their children. 

In 2007, Ishikawa Yuki wrote a book about monster mothers called モンスターマザー世界は「わたし」でまわっている (Monster Mother The World That is Around "I").  Ishikawa describes many situations that many parents would find disturbing.  There are children who are constantly asking their mothers to read a book to them.  However, the mother suggests to the child that they should watch TV instead.  There are mothers who give their kindergarten-aged children snacks like chocolate, rice crackers, and ice cream for breakfast.  Also, she talks about izakayas (Japanese style pubs) that have a children's room complete with toys and a TV showing cartoons.  Why do they have these rooms in a bar?  Parents will bring their children out drinking with them and put them in these rooms.  After a while at the izakaya, the child tells his mother that he wants to go home.  Instead of going home, the mother tells the child to go back the room. 

Scenes like this were uncommon for a long time in Japan.  The Japanese family is going through a hard time.  The children who were spoilt by the parents during the bubble economy are now having children and we are now seeing the repercussions.  It should be noted that not all families are seeing these problems.  However, these problems do cause a strain on society as a whole.  The Japanese government and the media are trying to address these sensitive issues.  This is a major obstacle to overcome because people rarely talk about their family issues in public.  People are becoming more aware of these issues through news stories and books being published on how to cope with these issues. 

While these groups of the "lost generation" can seen as a burden on Japanese society, these groups also showcase the some of the shortcomings that exist in society.  It is also important to note the "lost generation" is not constrained to Japan.  This is not a Japanese problem.  This is a human problem.

The Rise of the Protesters in the Land of the Rising Sun!

Recently in Japan, there have number of large protests and demonstrations against the government.  There were smaller protests in Japanese cities and in front of the Prime Minister Abe's office.  There were around 120,000 people protesting against the Japanese Diet.  What were these people protesting?  They were protesting the proposed changes to Article 9.  The government for a number of years had been trying to circumvent the Japanese government in order to change the wording of Article 9.  The government knows that formally amending the Japanese constitution in order to remove Article 9 would be impossible.  There are many people who see Article 9 as an instrument of peace.  They want to show the world that Japan is a peaceful country.  However, the conservative right wing of the Japanese government sees it different.  The LPD and its leader Shinzo Abe see Article 9 as a weakness because Japan would be unable to defend itself from attack.  There are growing tensions with the Chinese, North Korean, and South Korean government.  These tensions have been growing for many years.   So now, the LDP is trying to reinterpret the constitution.  There have been countless numbers of protests against the government.  For many years, the government had ignored these protests.  However, can the government really ignore the screams and chants of 120,000 protestors outside the Diet Building and countless numbers across Japan?  We have to wait and see.

Many people are surprised by these protests.  Japan is not really known for holding protests and even talking about political issues on a grand level.  However, that is not entirely true.  Japan has a long history of protesting and demonstrating.  Most of these demonstrations are not mentioned in the international media.  The local media on occasion will show these demonstrations.  I have been to countless number of demonstrations in Japan.  There is a yearly anti-poverty demonstration.  People are asking for a livable wage and a higher standard of living.  There are demonstrations against having American military bases in Okinawa.  After the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, there were anti-nuclear protests.  Those protests are still happening because the government is considering re-opening shut down nuclear power plants.   Political activism and discussing political discourse is not common to see in Japan.  Japanese people tend to shun away from discussing politics.  However with Article 9, the masses are showing that they have a voice and they know how to use. 

It is great to see Japanese people voicing their frustrations against the government.  They want Japan to be a peaceful and prosperous government.  They want the government to help the people by helping to grow the economy and improve the standard of life.  There are number of social issues that the government has to address. 

However, there is a problem brewing.  Labor unions and leftist community groups have a tradition have a tradition of holding protests and demonstrations to voice their views.  They try to encourage others to go their rallies and support their cause.  They pass out fliers outlining the main issues.  When people eventually go the demonstrations and read about the issues, they get filled with a lot of activist energy.  However, they do not know how to expend this energy into a useful cause.  The leaflets that are traditionally distributed at rallies and protests have a plethora of overwhelming information to the casual reader, but there is a problem with the leaflet.  Majority of the leaflets do not contain information on how to go forward with the changes.  There are no calls for telling people to write to their government officials.  There are no writing campaigns.  That I believe is a major obstacle in going forward with political activism.

The other major problem with a lot of protests and demonstrations in Japan is that there is no clear leader or leaders leading the charge.  At your typically demonstration, there are a number of labor unions, community groups, and concerned individuals speaking out.  There is a massive clutter of noise.  In order for these demonstrations and protests to have their staying power, there must a leader or leaders who will take the concerns of the groups involved and speak on their behalf.  There needs to be a hierarchy of leadership.   

If we look at the successful social movements around the world, there is one thing in common.  There is a visible hierarchy.  Some of the most famous leaders are Caesar Chavez, Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, and Susan B. Anthony had one thing in common.  They were the main spokesperson for their particular movement.  They had the charisma to lead their followers and convince others to join their cause.  When you start looking at Japanese protests and demonstrations, there are hardly any leaders who are taking the loudspeaker and leading their movements with passion and charisma.  I think for these demonstrations to have an effect on the government there needs to be a leader.  There needs someone from the crowd of protestors to take that extra step and lead.  I think that how you show the government that you care about the issue at hand.  There has to be dialogue with the people in government.  The government cannot ignore the will of people any longer.  The Japanese people need to show their government that they are concerned with policies that they are putting in place.  The people have to show that the government works for the people and not the other way around.  The government has to support its people.  This is how you build a strong country.

From "Stinky" and "Strange" to Trendy: The Evolution of Asian food in America

In the Chicago Tribune Commentary section, writer Ruth Tam wrote an article called "You shame my culture's food - and then make it trendy."  Here is the link:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-food-gentrification-asian-cuisine-20150901-story.html  After reading the article, I decided to make a blog post about it.  I am interested in food and culture.

Right now, Asian food is considered trendy and cool.  There are countless sushi bars, authentic Chinese restaurants, and a growing selection of food stuffs from Asia in the supermarkets.  People are now starting to enjoy the countless culinary traditions that Asian countries bring to the table.

However, this was not always the case.  The author points several cases in which Asian food was once considered strange and off-putting to Americans.  This passage from the article brings more light to this point.

My childhood home in suburban Chicago always smelled like whatever we were cooking. Visiting us meant cloaking yourself in the scent of haam daan ju yoke beng, a dish of steamed pork and salted egg, or the perfume of mapodoufu, tofu and minced pork with a spicy chili and fermented black bean sauce.  I didn't mind the smells growing up because I wasn't aware of them. That is, until a high school friend declared my house smelled of "Chinese grossness."

For most Americans, their experience of Chinese food is usually the Chinese takeout place that is down the street from their house or a trip into Chinatown.  Most Asian restaurants cater to Western tastes by adjusting their tastes to the Western palate.  A very good example of this is Panda Express and orange chicken.  Here is a clip from a popular YouTube channel called The Fung Bros. that talks about the creation of orange chicken.

Creating Asian dishes that are suitable to Western tastes is nothing new in America.  In the earlier 1900's, Chinese restaurants created dishes like chop suey.  Also, Chinese restaurants were considered trendy because they offered live jazz music and were elegant in style.

Asian food is now considered trendy.  The article mentions many examples of this.  I am happy to see this change in attitudes when it comes to Asian food.  I have been a fan of Asian food ever since I was a child.  I can remember the countless number of times my father would take for Thai food or Chinese food in Chinatown.  I still remember my father teaching me on how to extract the periwinkle from its shell by using a toothpick and the number of times he would try to eat the spiciest dishes in a Thai restaurant.

However, there are many people that still hold many stereotypes of Asian food.  Some of these stereotypes that Asian people eat dogs and cats.  There are some people who eat these animals in Asia, but they are the minority.  Also, some people have mentioned in the Chicago Tribune's comments section that this article is food shaming.  It is a racially motivated article.  Well...it is to certain point.  The author makes an interesting point by writing

In the United States, immigrant food is often treated like discount tourism — a cheap means for foodies to feel worldly without leaving the comfort of their neighborhood — or high-minded fusion — a stylish way for American chefs to use other cultures' cuisines to reap profit. The dishes of America's recent immigrants have become check marks on a cultural scavenger hunt for society's elite.

This is certainly true to a certain degree.  There are chefs out there who are creating fusion cuisine in order to make a profit.  Look at P.F. Changs and Asian Bowl for example.  The author points to interesting example of how some restaurants are trying to do this.

"When you travel in Southeast Asia, you have two experiences: the cultural experiences with the temples, food, and people, and then a phenomenal traveler's culture, too," chef Alex McCoy told Washingtonian. "That's the inspiration for this place. We want to introduce people to Thai cuisine, but frame it in the eye of a traveler."

This cultural appropriation stings because the same dishes hyped as "authentic" on trendy menus were scorned when cooked in the homes of the immigrants who brought them here. Fashionable food from foreign cultures may satisfy a temporary hunger, but if you're trying it for shallow reasons, you'll be culturally unfulfilled in the long run.

The author brings up an interesting point: why do people choose to eat certain foods?  Do they eat it because it is the trend thing to do?  Do the diners want to experience new dishes and restaurants?

Should we shame the diners who want to try these dishes for shallow reasons?  No!!  I think we should use this opportunity to share cultures with others.  Living in Japan showed me ways to do this.  Many Japanese have images of American food.   Their images usually include hamburgers and pizza.  However, there are countless number of times in which I will try to show that American food is more than those dishes.  After discussing food in America, my students want to try to these dishes.
Trends come and go.  We should use the trends as vehicles of cultural exploration and eduction.  Then, they will no longer be trends.  Instead, they will be mainstays.  Just look at the sushi boom in the West.  20 years ago...sushi was still considered exotic and trendy in the eyes of your average Americans.  Nowadays, sushi is a mainstay in the American diet.  Why?  People became educated and accustomed to sushi.  The "soft power" of Japan is working in the West.

Happy 4th of July!! Songs for American Independence Day!!

Happy 4th of July!!  Happy Independence Day!!

Even though I have been living in Japan for almost 11 years now, I am still from the United States of America and an American.  I am first generation American.  My parents immigrated to America from Eastern Europe.  We are living the American Dream.  We are living our own lives.  

The USA is an interesting place.  It is a place where you can speak your mind to a certain extent, listen to many different points of view, and be yourself.  

So on this Independence Day, grab yourself a beer, a burger, and blast your speakers.  

Here are some songs for this 4th of July!

                              Stand up and listen to the Star Spangled Banner by Jimmy Hendrix

Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

American Jesus by Bad Religion

Leaving Jesusland by NOFX

American Idiot by Green Day

                                              We're From America by Marilyn Manson

Amerika by Rammstein

American Oxygen by Rihanna

White America by Eminem

Made in America by Toby Keith

American Ride by Toby Keith

Jesusland by Ben Folds

American Girl by Tom Petty

R.O.C.K. in the USA by John Mellencamp

Banned in the USA by 2 Live Crew

American Bad Ass by Kid Rock

America by Neil Diamond

Made in America by Jay Z Feat. Frank Ocean and Kanye West

Glory by John Legend and Common

American Woman by Lenny Kravitz 

America by Simon & Garfunkel

                                                   American Pie by Don McLean

Immigraniada (We're Coming Rougher) by Gogol Bordello 

American Wedding by Gogol Bordello

Dojo Travels: Sex Machine and Miller Special! (first time eating out experiences in Japan)!

I was reading an interesting webtoon that was created by Dom and Hyo, an American man and Korean woman website that shows living in Korea in a fresh perspective.  The webtoon told the story of Dom ordering his first dinner in Korea.  Take a look at the webtoon: http://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/dom-hyo/my-first-meal-in-korea/viewer?title_no=1984&episode_no=6.

When reading this story, it brought a lot of memories of me ordering food in Japan for the first time.  I have been living in Japan for almost 11 years, and I love eating at Japanese restaurants.  Most Japanese restaurants that I eat out now tend to have non-English menus.  Nowadays, this does not pose much a problem for me because I am able to read and decipher most things written on a Japanese menu.

However when I first came to Japan, this was not the case.  About 11 years ago, I was living in Osaka.  Osaka for me was a large interesting Japanese city with a boundless number of eating options.  (I still love to go to Osaka on occasion and dive into the local dining scene.)  Prior to living in Japan, I used to eat out at a lot of Japanese restaurants.  I started learning Japanese when I was in university.  I would go to Japanese restaurants and try to practice my poor Japanese.  Eating at a Japanese restaurant in Chicago is totally different from eating out in Osaka.

On the first night of living in Japan, my roommate took me to a outdoor bar in Namba called Spats.  (By the way, the bar is still there.)  We met some fellow English teachers and started to drink.  I asked my roommate what was good to drink.  I had Japanese beers in the past, but I wanted something new to try.  They suggested me to try the Miller Special.  I was very familiar with Miller products, but I never had or even heard of this beer.  I gave it a try.  It was not bad.  It was similar to MGD.  Then, I decided I wanted something to eat.  I looked at the menu and was trying to read it with my poor Japanese skills.  Some of the expressions I was unfamiliar with.  My roommate helped me by answering my numerous questions.  I am grateful for him assisting me.

Another time when I was living in Osaka, I decided to go to a yakiniku restaurant that I kept on seeing.  After work, I would occasionally walk from Namba to Shinsaibashi.  On the street, I was constantly looking at the different buildings and trying to decipher what type of establishments were housed there.  I came across a sign that I can still remember to this day.  It said "Sex Machine". (For those living in Osaka, think of the Dotombori Hotel (the one with the huge head statues.  This is the street that I am referring to.)  I was very curious what was the "Sex Machine".  I decided to go in the place and see for myself what was the " Sex Machine".  It turned out that it was a yakiniku restaurant.

I had yakiniku for a few times in Chicago, but it was a while ago.  I sat down at the counter and saw the menu.  The menu confused me.  I saw the offerings and the prices.  I thought one item was for a large piece of meat.  So, I ordered some kalbi.  When the kalbi came to my table, I was taken a back by the size of it.  It was not what I was expecting at all.  I grilled and ate the meat, and it was delicious.  However, I was still hungry.  I started looking around at the other patrons of the restaurant to see what they were eating.  I noticed large platters of meat.

I knew I wanted to have one of large platters.  I looked at the menu and saw that these large plates were about 5,000 yen for one plate.  I was still hungry and getting a little drunk from the beers that I was drinking.  So, I decided to order a large plate of meat.  When I was saw the sheer size of the platter, I became giddy with excitement.  I started to tackle the large platter.  I could barely finish all of the meat.  I learned a very important lesson on that day.  If you go to a good yakiniku restaurant, be hungry and have a considerable amount of money.

Dojo Fights: Undisputed (Prison Boxing Movie)

Just watched a boxing movie that took place in prison starring Wesley Snipes and Ving Rhames.  If you love boxing movies and prison movies like me, this is a great movie filled with a lot of action and prison politics.  Enjoy!!

Dining Fights: Top 20 Submissions in the UFC

I am huge fan of the UFC and, also, am a student of BJJ and judo.  I love learning submissions and getting my opponent to tap out.  It makes you feel alive.  Here are the Top 20 Greatest Submissions in the UFC.

Dojo Sounds: Workout Playlist for the week of 05/11/2015

These are the songs that will be in my playlist when I am going to gym, working out, and coming home.  These songs always get me ready for combat.

Pantera: Walk

Hammerfall: Hector's Hymn

                                               Hatebreed: In Ashes They Shall Reap

                                                  Hatebreed: I Shall Be Heard

                                                      Survivor: Eye of the Tiger

                                          Rage Against The Machine: Killing In The Name Of

                                                       Sepultura: Refuse/Resist

Slipknot: Heretic Antemn

                                                         Soulfly: Jump Da Fuck Up

Motionless in White: Devil's Night

Dining Dojo will be expanding into new things!!

To all the Dining Dojo readers out there, Dining Dojo has been always about food, drink, and the martial arts.  This will never change.  However, Dining Dojo will be striking new ground in providing you with different information ranging from teaching in Japan, travel, music, and other things.  I have many different interests.  I am constantly learning about new ideas.  I am constantly in the dojo.

A dojo in the traditional sense is a place where you study the martial arts.  While this will be true when blogging about the martial arts, I will also introduce other dojos to this blog.  A dojo for me is a place where you enrich your mind and body.  I want to show my passions to the world.  Also if you any ideas that you want to share, please share in the comments section, the Facebook page, the Twitter page, and Instagram.

Here is a brief introduction to the dojos that will be making an appearance on this page:
・Local Dojo: exploring the local social scene
・Dojo Drinks: reviews of local drinking establishments (for those wanting to learn 　　　　　　　on how make cocktails, check out The Dojo Speakeasy)
・Dojo Eats: reviews of local restaurants and cuisine
・Dojo Shops: reviews of local shops
・Dojo Fights: showcases the local martial art gyms and fighting leagues
・Dojo Sounds: music
・Learning Dojo: brings new ideas to the forefront (think TED videos)
・Dojo Cooks: recipes to encourage your inner chef to come out
・Dojo Works: all about teaching in Japan
・Dojo Travels: exploring Japan and the world!

　And Some Others!

Worker's Dojo: May Day!! Happy National Worker's Day!!

Happy May Day!  Happy National Worker's Day!!

To all the people who are continuing to fight for worker's rights (including myself), do not give up your struggle!! Here are some songs to inspire you during the fight!!

                                Bob Dylan: These Times They Are Changing

                              Rage Against The Machine: Bulls on Parade

                                 Pennywise: Fuck Authority

                               Lisa Simpson: Union Strike Folk Song

                              Gogol Bordello: Immigraniada

Also, check out this great list by Peter Rothberg from The Nation:
www.thenation.com/blog/167574/top-ten-may-day-songs

Solidarity!!

English Teaching in Japan Rant Videos!!

If you are looking to become an English teacher in Japan or a teacher in Japan looking for some new perspectives, you will probably watching some videos on Youtube from other English teachers that are living in Japan.  WARNING!! Do not watch videos like this.

Ryan Boundless made this video for his Dreamcrusher series of videos.  He goes on rant on being an English teaching in Japan.  For a person like myself who has been teaching in Japan for more than 10 years, there are some points that I can agree with, but this video is unbearable to watch.  Many of his complaints about English teaching have some truth to it, but it really depends on the type of person that you are.  He has some major complaints about Japanese students pronouncing some English words.  I do not know whether or not he can speak Japanese and to what level.  If you have studied or are studying Japanese, you will notice the differences in the phonetics of the two languages.  The other complaints have to deal with the system of English teaching in Japan.  If you are an eikaiwa (English conversation school) teacher, you can be treated like a monkey, but that really depends on the school and how willing you are trying to put your best foot forward whens it comes to teaching.  You have a choice: be an eikaiwa drone or be an English teacher.  The choice is yours.

The next series of videos are from a Youtuber called Tkyosam.  This individual is somewhat well-known for his rants because most of his videos are rants.  His major complaints are when he was an ALT (assistant language teacher) working for a dispatch company.  Many of his complaints have to do with the nature of Japanese schools and their relations with their ALTs.  I have been an ALT for about 7 years now.  A lot of his complaints have some truth to them.  However if you are working for a dispatch company, you will be screwed.  I know from experience.  The dispatch company in my opinion does not have your best interests.  His other complaints have to deal with his appearance when he is at the school.  Japanese people are very conservative when it comes to their appearance.  If you want to be treated like a outsider, then dress like one.  If you cannot accept the changes that the school and/or company, please find another job.  You have been forewarned.

This video from kanadajin3 is interesting.  She has some good points.  However, take with a grain of salt. 

Teaching English in Japan is not for everyone.  Some people are well-suited for teaching, while, others will tend to complain about their jobs.  If you are flexible and willing to take a chance, try it out.  Also, it would be a good idea to look the various labor laws in Japan.  Japanese teachers will take advantage of you because they assume that since you are foreigner, you would not know your rights.  Prove them wrong.  Take a look at the General Union.  They have some good information on your rights in Japan.  Remember: knowledge is power.

Being an English Teacher in Japan: The Sitcom!!

Four years ago, a sitcom was launched that detailed the life of an English teacher in Japan.  Primarily, this series focuses on eikaiwa (English conversation school) teacher.  If you are or were an eikaiwa teacher, you will recognize and relate to many of the situations that are shown in this series of shows.  For those who are looking to become English teachers in Japan, this can provide an interesting perspective on life in Japan.

Now, Enjoy the Show!!

Happy St. Patricks's Day!! from Dining Dojo

Daily Inspiration: March 17, 2015

Rockin Music for St. Patrick's Day Playlist!!

Looking to for some new songs to listen on St. Patrick's Day (or anytime for that matter).   Here are some my favourites!!

                                                       The Rumjacks: Irish Pub Song

                                          Flogging Molly: Drunken Lullabies

                                          The Dubliners: Whiskey in the Jar

                                           Dropkick Murphy's: The Warrior Code

                                          The Cranberries: Zombie

                                         The Pogues: Whiskey you're the Devil

                                         Boondock Saints Theme

                                          Flogging Molly: Irish Pub Song

                                          Dropkick Murphy's: Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya!

                                         U2: Sunday Bloody Sunday

                                         Brian Cullen: An Irish Song!!

Daily Inspiration: March 16, 2015

Daily Inspiration: March 15, 2015

Food Labels in Japan!!

If you have been living in Japan or thinking of moving to Japan, reading food labels will become an important issue for you.  Food labels can vary.  However, they must contain the same content in terms of nutrition information.  Japanese food labels contain a lot of information.  Going to a Japanese grocery store can become an adventure if you cannot Japanese.  Do not worry though.  There is an excellent source on the web that you can use in order to decipher food labels.  Check out Surviving in Japan's post on food labels at http://www.survivingnjapan.com/2012/04/ultimate-guide-to-reading-food-labels.html

I do have some issues with Japanese food labels, though. 

First, Japan is nation that uses and eats fish and seafood product extensively.  However, most labels in Japan do not mention whether the fish was line caught or farmed raised.  If you want to support sustainable fishing and have health concerns. this should a little worrying for you.

The second problem that some people face in Japan is that the label does not include all of the ingredients in the product.  This can be problem if you are a vegan in Japan. Isitveganjapan.com did a great article on this issue.  Check it out at http://isitveganjapan.com/the-basics/reading-food-labels/

The third major problem when it comes to food labeling in Japan is the mislabeling of products in Japan.  Recently, this is a concern for many consumers because some companies were mislabeling their foods in order to make more money.  There was a really good article in the Wall Street journal about these concerns.  Here is the link to the article: http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304672404579183553783395392

Please be aware of these issues when going shopping at Japanese supermarkets.

Daily Inspiration: March 13, 2014!!

Asian MUNCHIES!!

Munchies, an offshoot of Vice Magazine, recently has been releasing videos on food and drink in Asia.  These videos are well produced.  To people living outside of Asia, they can provide a glimpse into Asian cultures that some people may not see on a regular basis.  With that being said, those of us who are living in Asia can appreciate and even relate to these videos.  If you want to know more about the culture that you are currently living in, these videos could be a good starting point.

For the first video, Munchies introduces us to the increasingly popular craft beer bar culture that has been rising in Japan.  This video takes place in Tokyo.  For a person that is not living in Tokyo, it makes me want to explore my own area for my own craft beer finds.  (To those living in Central Japan (Chubu), check out Craft Beer Chubu)  It is great to see that people are slowly realizing the plethora of craft beers that are being produced in their area.  The major Japanese breweries have a large share of the beer market.  Let's hope this craft beer revolution gives them a run for their money.  At least, they may start on thinking on how to improve their own brews.  This is slowly starting to a certain extent.  Just look at Grand Kirin as an example.

Are you a fan of Japanese sake?  I am a huge fan of nihonshu (日本酒) expect for the hangover.  Sake is a quite refined drink that many people compare to wine.  I could certainly see the comparison.  Sake has a few distinct styles and grades to choose from.  In this video, Munchies takes us on an introductory tour of sake in Tokyo.  After watching this video, I learned a little more about my favorite drink.  So before drinking your next glass of sake, watch this video and then you even further appreciate what is in your glass.

For those of us who have been to Korea or have Korean friends, you are quite aware of soju, Korea's firewater.  Soju is the liquid cement that binds Korean culture.  Soju is everywhere in Korea, and it seems that people are either drinking it or experience the aftermath of a soju drinking session.  For those are interested in Korean culture, soju and drinking culture at large is very important to understand.  Drinking is a major component in Korean society.  Also, there are many social rules when it comes to drinking in Korea.  If you really want to impress your Korean friends, learn up on these rules, and then you will fit in.  The social pecking order is important in Korea.  This even holds true when it comes to a night out on the town.