Full Version: Chris is teaching, living and laughing in Japan’s Okayama Prefecture

Chris is teaching, living and laughing in Japan’s Okayama Prefecture

[img]http://expatinterviews.com/files/imagecache/thumb/files/christopher-cooper.jpg[/img]
Chris, one of Her Royal Highness’ subjects, gives us his humorous perspective on living in Japan’s Okayama Prefecture – also fondly known as the “Land of Sunshine.” He believes expats should behave properly in the appropriate circumstances, but he finds that the Japanese generally excuse foreigners’ different behavior. Having a bizarre and wacky sense of humor like his doesn’t hurt either!
  
Christopher Cooper



July 5 2006

-Where were you born?
I was born in London, the UK and have always lived in cities.

-In which country and city are you living now?
Presently I live in Japan in Okayama Prefecture. Japanese people call it "rural" and that's before I tell them exactly where I live; it seems all of Okayama has a country mindset. My town is in the north of the prefecture and has recently become part of Maniwa city, the city without a city.

-How long have you been living in Japan?
I've been here for two bizarre and entertaining years and frankly can't imagine living elsewhere. Other than Sweden, of course.

-What is your age?
30 in body, 13 in mind. It's a terrible mix.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Japan?
I'd wanted to visit Japan since I was 13 and when I went to University I had friends who joined the JET programme. It was only after a couple of career changes (being a psychiatric nurse -- punch bag only stays attractive for so long) that I decided the time was right to go for it.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
I was lucky to get on the JET programme as they deal with all of the paperwork for you: they organised Visas and transport to Japan, and we had support here setting ourselves up.

-How do you make your living in Japan? Do you have any type of income generated?
According to rumour I work 35 hours a week teaching English, but the truth would be more that I teach English two days a week at elementary school and then sit comatose at my desk for three days a week at Junior High school. Working conditions on JET vary greatly depending on your schools.

-Do you speak Japanese and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I attempt to speak the language, though frequently making mistakes and sounding like I've suffered a head injury. I think life here is much easier if you can speak some of the language. There are so many unfamiliar things in Japan when you come from the West that having an advantage in one area can make a big difference to your whole life and happiness.



-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I do sometimes miss things about home but I keep in contact with friends and family by phone and email. I also have other expat friends here who understand what the living situation is like and can empathise with problems or difficulties I may have. Sometimes heavy drinking works too, but not on a school day.

There’s also karaoke! Japan's number one invention, in my book anyway, is karaoke. It is marvelous stress relief as you screech out all your anxieties whilst drinking copious amounts. Weekends away are good too, although the bank balance does tend to suffer.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
I plan to stay in Japan for another year and then would like to explore Europe, particularly Scandinavia. Unfortunately to fund this I may have to become a cross-dressing concubine or take on some other similar profession in Tokyo for the next year.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
I rent a luxury apartment with view of the mountains and the river and a heated toilet seat that also washes your bum. It's very nice and all the locals call it “rich mansion.” Except that I'm not rich. My employer pays around 35 percent of my rent.

-What is the cost of living in Japan?
I'm from London, so the cost of living is okay. Roughly translated, this means that if you visit Japan from France, Scandinavia, New York or London you'll find prices okay. But if you come from anywhere else you'll perhaps find yourself a bit stretched. That said, a lot of graduates come here and work teaching English as their first jobs. If you're used to living on a student budget you'll find the money more than adequate, but if, for example, you dedicated two years of your life to becoming a renowned London drunk, you'll find it difficult to maintain that lifestyle.

-What do you think about the Japanese people?
It varies depending on who you are and where you are. I am a white male with blue eyes and an afro that everyone thinks I've paid for. I also have a bum-chin which is a real winner with the kids. But I have friends who are Asian American who have difficulties as people seem unable to accept that they are not Japanese. Similarly they don't look so different compared to non-Asians and thus don't seem to get the special treatment that white people often get.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Japan?
Japan has many wonderful things going for it: friendly people, beautiful countryside, excellent food and snow in winter. But one outstanding aspect of Japan is how the people have continued to observe traditional cultural events within their modern lives. Local festivals continue to thrive and people remain in touch with nature making an event out of enjoying cherry blossoms, celebrating the autumn leaves and going to see fireflies.

On the other hand it has a very inflexible working culture, the rainy season in summer (which hasn't materialised for the past two years - thank God!) and whale on sale in the supermarkets.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Japan?
Every situation is different, so be prepared for numerous surprises! Prepare: figure out what you want to do, speak to people who are already doing it (try a Google search to find out who) and get some idea of what it will be like.

-Do you have any favorite Japan-related Web sites or blogs?
I keep a blog which is more of a personal social diary than anything ([url]www.wronginjapan.blogspot.com)[/url], but there are many, many bloggers who talk about teaching English in Japan whether they discuss the job itself or traveling within Japan. For instance, anenglishmaninosaka.blogspot.com is a very funny blog which doesn't resort to the usual let's-laugh-at-the-Engrish tactic. Also, try Wikipedia for detail on bigger cities and Google for anywhere else!