CrossCurrents with Masaki Watanabe Archive

  • As we end 2010 and get ready to usher in the new year (how time flies!), I wanted to share a happy topic with readers. “We Nikkei seniors are generally...

    Why Nikkei Seniors Are “10 Years Younger” than Seniors in Japan Things We Can Be Grateful For

    Posted on December 14, 2010 | No Comments
    As we end 2010 and get ready to usher in the new year (how time flies!), I wanted to share a happy topic with readers. “We Nikkei seniors are generally...

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  • After Japan, through her high economic growth period, joined the ranks of advanced nations and after the US and Canadian governments officially apologized and made some compensation in the late 1980s for their suffering in the past, Japanese North Americans have been able to live their lives without worrying too much about prejudice against Japanese culture for some time now. I wonder how many Japanese words still remain in their English, and whether new words have been adopted. There must be many readers who have first-hand knowledge.

    Do Japanese Tend to Think There’s One Standard English?

    Posted on November 8, 2010 | No Comments
    After Japan, through her high economic growth period, joined the ranks of advanced nations and after the US and Canadian governments officially apologized and made some compensation in the late 1980s for their suffering in the past, Japanese North Americans have been able to live their lives without worrying too much about prejudice against Japanese culture for some time now. I wonder how many Japanese words still remain in their English, and whether new words have been adopted. There must be many readers who have first-hand knowledge.

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  • “Many people set age 30 as a kind of time limit by when they want to acquire a skill and find a job,” said a can-do type from Osaka who worked as an office data processor to save money and came to Canada. Finding a “partner for life” by age 30 if possible, would be a reasonably natural objective for a woman—or a man. But such a crucial encounter, alas, cannot be planned the way acquiring English and other skills and finding a job can be. But at the very least, the pro-active drive with which these members of the once-upon-a- time “weaker sex” pursue their various possibilities deserves respect.

    More Young Females Leaving Japan For Konkatsu (Marriage Partner Seeking Activities) Abroad

    Posted on September 3, 2010 | 1 Comment
    “Many people set age 30 as a kind of time limit by when they want to acquire a skill and find a job,” said a can-do type from Osaka who worked as an office data processor to save money and came to Canada. Finding a “partner for life” by age 30 if possible, would be a reasonably natural objective for a woman—or a man. But such a crucial encounter, alas, cannot be planned the way acquiring English and other skills and finding a job can be. But at the very least, the pro-active drive with which these members of the once-upon-a- time “weaker sex” pursue their various possibilities deserves respect.

    Continue Reading...

  • In the Japanese language, the name is pronounced “Japadoggu” Because long words both foreign and Japanese are often abbreviated, “Japa,” as short for Japan or Japanese, is sometimes used. At an international university I attended in Tokyo in the 1960s, students from abroad were officially referred to as “non-Japanese” to avoid using the word “foreigner.” Japanese students and staff found “non-Japanese” too much of a mouthful, so they all said “non-Japa” instead. Pretty soon, Japanese students with mixed cultural and educational background were being called “han-Japa,” meaning “half-Japanese.”

    Does “Japadog” Sound Offensive?

    Posted on July 4, 2010 | No Comments
    In the Japanese language, the name is pronounced “Japadoggu” Because long words both foreign and Japanese are often abbreviated, “Japa,” as short for Japan or Japanese, is sometimes used. At an international university I attended in Tokyo in the 1960s, students from abroad were officially referred to as “non-Japanese” to avoid using the word “foreigner.” Japanese students and staff found “non-Japanese” too much of a mouthful, so they all said “non-Japa” instead. Pretty soon, Japanese students with mixed cultural and educational background were being called “han-Japa,” meaning “half-Japanese.”

    Continue Reading...

  • Looking back over the past half century, one of the biggest changes in the gastronomic life of leading industrialized nations outside Europe like Japan, US and South Korea seems to...

    As Wine Culture Spreads Around the World, Is Sake’s Domain Safe?

    Posted on June 15, 2010 | No Comments
    Looking back over the past half century, one of the biggest changes in the gastronomic life of leading industrialized nations outside Europe like Japan, US and South Korea seems to...

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  • I believe I heard the term “visible minority” (hereafter VM) for the first time when I moved to Canada. Back in the old days, expressions like “people of colour” were...

    Mixed Marriages: Why Are There So Many Among Japanese Canadians?

    Posted on May 7, 2010 | 2 Comments
    I believe I heard the term “visible minority” (hereafter VM) for the first time when I moved to Canada. Back in the old days, expressions like “people of colour” were...

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  • For an old timer still more used to windows one had to roll up and down manually, the array of electrically controlled mechanisms from seat position and height adjustments, seat warmers, and mirrors and the top quality audio system with 6 disc CD player turned out to be a novelty, but not a must. How many CDs can one listen to during a 30-minute ride? How often does one adjust seats? All these little amenities that people who live in big houses with electronic controls and indoor swimming pools might take for granted were in fact superfluous as far as our lifestyle was concerned.

    Egalitarian Canada Kinder to Consumers Than Japan?

    Posted on April 7, 2010 | No Comments
    For an old timer still more used to windows one had to roll up and down manually, the array of electrically controlled mechanisms from seat position and height adjustments, seat warmers, and mirrors and the top quality audio system with 6 disc CD player turned out to be a novelty, but not a must. How many CDs can one listen to during a 30-minute ride? How often does one adjust seats? All these little amenities that people who live in big houses with electronic controls and indoor swimming pools might take for granted were in fact superfluous as far as our lifestyle was concerned.

    Continue Reading...

  • How Did Japanese Visitors and Viewers See Our Community? Now that the Winter Olympics have come and gone, it all seems like a big blur – with an overall impression...

    Winter Olympics in Vancouver

    Posted on March 12, 2010 | No Comments
    How Did Japanese Visitors and Viewers See Our Community? Now that the Winter Olympics have come and gone, it all seems like a big blur – with an overall impression...

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  • So we are finally about to see the 2010 Winter Olympic Games go into action at venues around Vancouver and Whistler. For Canada, it’s the second winter games she’s hosted...

    What About a Canadian vs Japanese Situation? It’s Only the Olympics—or Is It?

    Posted on February 8, 2010 | No Comments
    So we are finally about to see the 2010 Winter Olympic Games go into action at venues around Vancouver and Whistler. For Canada, it’s the second winter games she’s hosted...

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  • Things that can be quantitatively measured, from one’s income to physical strength to one’s metabolic rate inevitably decline linearly. Such is life. Having accepted that, why not continue to reach for seemingly attainable possibilities? That would be my “reminder” for the new year 2010.

    How to Think of Life. As Something Cyclical or Linear?

    Posted on January 17, 2010 | No Comments
    Things that can be quantitatively measured, from one’s income to physical strength to one’s metabolic rate inevitably decline linearly. Such is life. Having accepted that, why not continue to reach for seemingly attainable possibilities? That would be my “reminder” for the new year 2010.

    Continue Reading...

  • Why don’t young Japanese these days want to venture out? Some say it’s because of the economic downturn but then, the Japanese were generally poorer in the old days. The columnist concludes that people would rather go to a hot-spring resort inside Japan where they can relax feeling “mattari.” Having apparently entered general usage about five years ago, the word “mattari” is nowadays even used by elementary school kids.

    That “Mattari” Feeling…

    Posted on December 15, 2009 | No Comments
    Why don’t young Japanese these days want to venture out? Some say it’s because of the economic downturn but then, the Japanese were generally poorer in the old days. The columnist concludes that people would rather go to a hot-spring resort inside Japan where they can relax feeling “mattari.” Having apparently entered general usage about five years ago, the word “mattari” is nowadays even used by elementary school kids.

    Continue Reading...

  • The choice between becoming Canadian (or American) and going back to being Japanese has to have been the critical decision faced by some elements of the Japanese immigrant communities in North America from the time they started coming over around the turn of the 20th century.

    Rather a TCK than a Kikokushijo

    Posted on November 4, 2009 | 1 Comment
    The choice between becoming Canadian (or American) and going back to being Japanese has to have been the critical decision faced by some elements of the Japanese immigrant communities in North America from the time they started coming over around the turn of the 20th century.

    Continue Reading...

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