Living and Working in Japan - Without Breaking a Pocari Sweat

I first came to Japan in 1992 after graduating from college in Seattle, Washington. I decided to come to Japan for several reasons, but the main reason was that I had a strong interest in Japanese culture, society, language, and, of course, technology! Before coming here, the only personal experience I had of Japan was visiting museums and seeing news stories about Japan on TV. My first impression of Japan was that the traditions of the past must be extremely important. I remember thinking that it must be difficult for people, and especially children, to live in such a serious and stern society. I was very curious to learn more about Japan because it seemed like such a different way of life than what I was used to.

I studied Japanese history and culture at college, and it was there that I learned to appreciate the differences between Japan and America. I felt like I could learn a lot about the world and about myself by living in a society so different from mine. I knew that it would be a challenge, especially since I was going alone, but I thought the experience would be extremely valuable for my life.

When I first arrived here, I didn’t know much about Japanese food. I knew that rice, fish, and seaweed (海苔) were common foods, but I didn’t know how many different ways these foods could be cooked! In Nagasaki, I lived in a little seaside town called Tabira-cho, across the bridge from Hirado island. Sushi and sashimi were very popular there, and very delicious! There was no McDonald’s nearby, so I decided that I had to get used to Japanese food quickly, or I would starve! ;-)

One thing I missed while living in Nagasaki was Starbucks coffee! As a ‘Seattle-ite’, I drank two or three Starbucks lattes every day! I had to get used to life without it when I moved there. Sure, tea(お茶) is good, but coffee (“COFFEE!”) is my favorite! I was surprised to see ‘Pocari Sweat’ in the local vending machines(自動販売機). At first I thought, “Ha!?, Pocari Sweat?! They drink sweat?! No way!”・・・but the name was interesting, so I knew I had to try it! It tastes very good!

More than the food, however, I like the temples (お寺) and shrines (神社) that dot the Japanese countryside. Although I come from a ‘Christian’ country/culture, I love the architecture and atmosphere found in these buildings and the grounds that surround them. If I could, I would LOVE to live in Kyoto where I could visit a different temple everyday! My favorite temple is Sanjyuusangendou(三十三間堂)! The ‘Thousand-armed Kannon’ (千手観音) and the long hall filled with bodhisattvas(菩薩) are truly beautiful to behold.

Finally, I want to say that my experience working here at Mitsue Links has been extremely valuable to me. Of course, working in a Japanese company for the first time is difficult sometimes. My Japanese ability isn’t very good and the office culture is different from what I’m used to, so it is sometimes difficult to know how to act or what to say in different situations. I know that I do not always do the right thing, and sometimes even do the wrong thing (!), but the important point is to try to adapt to the situation. This is true for all of us I think: even though it can be difficult to get along with people who are different from us, or who come from another culture, in the end, we are all just people, human beings! Everyone here has been very good about adapting to having me in the company. They have been careful to treat me, as much as possible, like a regular employee and I appreciate it! Even if some employees are not comfortable with having me here, or may not even like me, they treat me well and do their best to get along with me. I am extremely proud to say that I work for Mitsue Links!

私が初めて日本に来たのは、大学を卒業したあとの1992年でした。日本の文化、社会、言語、技術にとても興味がありました。日本に興味を持ち始めたころは、日本の伝統はきわめて重要なものなのだろうと考えていたので、そのような几帳面な社会である日本で暮らしているということはとても大変なことだろうと思っていたものです。

大学では日本史と文化を学び、自分の生活環境と全く異なる文化に身をおいて暮らすことで、世界のことや自分のことについて非常に多くのことを学べるはずだと感じました。単身渡航は大きなチャレンジですが、私の人生においてはかけがえのない価値のあるものだと思ったのです。

日本の食文化については、米、魚、海苔がよく食されるということ以外はあまりよくわかりませんでした。私が初めて暮らした長崎の田平町では、寿司や刺身がとてもおいしかったです。マクドナルドがなかったので、日本食に早く慣れないと飢えてしまうという感じでしたね。（笑）

長崎での生活でまず苦労したのが、スターバックスのラテが飲めなかったこと。大のコーヒー好きにはつらかったのですね。それから、「ポカリスエット」は非常に興味深かったです。名前が面白くて、日本人は「汗」を飲むのかと非常に驚いたのですが、これは飲んで見なければ、と思いましたね。もちろんおいしいと思いますよ。

それから、日本のお寺や神社がとても好きです。私自身キリスト教の文化で育っていますが、お寺や神社のかもし出す雰囲気や建物がとてもいいですね。できれば京都に住んでしまいたいと思うくらいです。

最後に、ミツエーリンクスでの経験は私にとって非常に価値のあるものだと思っています。日本の企業で働いたのは初めてのことでしたので、苦労は多々ありますし、私の日本語も十分ではありません。しかし、どの文化において暮らしていても、結局は人間なんですから、状況にあわせて適応するということが大切だと思います。ミツエーリンクスの方々も、親切にしてくださり、できるかぎり他の従業員と同様に扱ってくださっていることは、とても感謝しています。とても誇りをもって言えることがあります。私はミツエーリンクスで働いているんだ、と！