More about Japan

Now for some more talk about Japan.

After being here in Japan for 8 years, I see different truths to those who have been here for a shorter time. I could be falsely modest and call them opinions, but someone else who has been here as long will know exactly what I mean. I couldn't say these things to the ears of someone who has been here a shorter time. They simply couldn't believe the things I would say- the extremities of positive or negative perceptions.

Now when I leave my school I feel a surge of emotion in response. Real love in many cases. Some anger that the relationship won't be continuing as before. Although on the outside they are masks with a robot-like approach, inside Japanese people are very emotional. This helps explain their sometimes extreme responses, even to small things- the emotion is coming out. It doesn't always happen in a healthy way- notice the moments of rage or despair that can even lead to suicide or murder (quite different to the gangland killings more prominent in Western countries and here with the Yakuza, in that these involve everyday civilians, sometimes children).

So Japan is very repressed. Yet also there is a kind of innocence in their affection, especially with a foreigner. They do sweet things like giving unsolicited presents. Their smiles are sincere and their enthusiasm likewise- if only to sweetly say 'hello'. Some of the girls in my High School would sit very neatly, arranging the things on their desk and getting ready with their friends. Sometimes they would sing the songs we practiced together with their friends, swaying with the music- generally treating the class like a fun time to look forward to and making me feel welcome in 'their world'.