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*The participants of JENESYS-IND 2022 program will not stay overnight at Japanese families. Science and Technology Exchange Group and Japanese Language and Culture Exchange Groups will visit local families (= Home Visit).
Introducing Japan
1) Geography
Japan has four main islands; Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, as well as many other smaller islands. The capital is Tokyo, with a population of 12.8 million people that accounts for almost 10% of Japan’s entire population. There are many volcanoes and earthquake faults across Japan which have combined to create beautiful mountains and hot springs, while small earthquakes may occur because of the earthquake faults.
2) Climate
Japan has four distinct seasons. The rainy season starts in mid-June and lasts for a month or more and is followed by the hot and humid summer. The exception is Hokkaido where there is no rainy season and the summer is mild. In winter there is heavy snowfall in northern Japan and along the Japan seaside. There is also sometimes light snowfall in southern Japan and along the pacific coast.
3) Want to know more?
For more information about Japanese geography, history, nature, culture, lifestyle and basic language you can visit the following sites.
4) Japanese Language: Get Started!
The Japanese writing system comes from Chinese, although the spoken language is completely different. After Chinese writing was introduced sometime in the fifth or sixth century, two phonetic scripts, hiragana and katakana (formed from parts of the Chinese characters), were developed and came to supplement the Chinese writing system.
If you are interested in the Japanese Language, the below e-learning sites will be helpful.
5) Electricity
Electricity in Japan is 100 to 110 Volts. The Type A electrical plug is used in Japan. There are no columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs used in Japan, but 2-flat-pin plugs are used instead.
6) Internet access
Free high-speed Internet connection is available in the rooms of your hotel in Tokyo. Each host family’s access to, and ideas about, the Internet may be different. Be sure to ask your host family which room you can use to access to the Internet, and whether they allow you to use your own PC or theirs. For your attention, please read the page of ‘Rules’ before using the internet in Japan.
Japanese culture & society
1) Religion
Shintoism and Buddhism are the major religions in Japan. They do not have any religious restrictions (about food, praying etc.) and so Japanese people are not accustomed to such restrictions. If you do have religious requirements (food, praying, etc.) you should explain them to your host family. AFS will help you with this.
You will find that many Japanese people say they have no specific religious beliefs, but you will also find that both Shinto and Buddhist customs and rituals are indeed embedded in everyday life by way of traditional events and ways of thinking.
There are also people who practice other religions such as Christianity and Islam.
2) Communication
Language
Being able to speak English is not a requirement for becoming a host family. If you have to use English, speak slowly and clearly and don’t use slang. Writing down the word you are trying to say is a good idea too.
There are different levels and forms of Japanese, which depend on the ages and relationship of the people involved. For example, while “Ohayoo” (Good Morning) is used between friends, “Ohayoo-gozaimasu” is used towards elders and superiors. When speaking with people older than yourself (this includes your host parents, teachers etc.), using the polite form is necessary.
It is not polite to use the personal pronoun “anata” (you) when you speak to older people. You should use “(name of the person) + San” or their title “Okaasan” or “Sensei”.
There are certain words that only men use and certain words that only women use. Mixing these words up will cause people to give you a surprised look.
In Japanese there are many words that have been adopted from other languages and sometimes the pronunciation and meaning has changed and does not make sense to non- Japanese speakers.
In a conversation, “Hai” (Yes) usually means that the person you are talking to is listening to what you are saying, but does not always mean that they agree with you.
Expressing your Feelings
Japanese people do not always express their feelings openly and this can sometimes confuse you. Even if your host family does not smile when they first meet you, that does not mean that they are unfriendly or do not like you.
Saying “No” directly is not part of the Japanese culture. Instead Japanese people use indirect expressions which indicate that you should not do something. Your host family may say “iidesuyo” (it’s ok), but actually mean “dame desu” (No!). In Japan “Yes” is not always “Yes”.
Praising a member of your own family in public is not a part of the Japanese culture. In fact, you often hear parents saying things like “My child is very lazy”. You will come to learn that this is just a part of everyday conversation and should not be taken seriously. Being humble is an important aspect of Japanese culture.
Greetings in the Japanese culture (Aisatsu あいさつ)
Bowing is a polite, and often used, way to greet people. There is no custom of hugging or kissing as a way of greeting, and people do not smile at or speak to people whom they do not know while shopping or walking down the street.
You will hear “Arigatoo” (thank you), “Gomen-nasai” (I’m sorry), and “Sumimasen” (excuse me) all the time in daily conversation, and it is sometimes confusing to know which one to use. Learning what to say and when to say it will help you communicate easier.
Self-assertion (Jikoshuchoo じこしゅちょう) /Self-expression (Jikohyoogen じこひょうげん)
Japanese culture values harmony, and rather than arguing, compromise is preferred even in controversial situations. Debating has only recently begun to be taught in some schools.
As a result, “considering other’s feelings” and “placing yourself in another’s position and acting accordingly” are highly respected ways of acting. Speaking out and pushing your point of view is generally not a part of the Japanese culture, and often gets a negative response.
Self-praise and lengthy excuses (which you may intend only as explanations) are not taken positively. In Japan you will be judged by your actions, not by your words.
Jokes (Joodan じょうだん)
There are jokes in every culture, but the type of joke can vary widely. Japanese jokes take the form of puns and teasing. Sarcasm and other forms of dry humor are not appreciated and may cause serious misunderstandings.
3) The Roles of Men and Women
Although things are slowly changing, the roles of men and women in Japanese culture have traditionally been separated. One example of this is the different ways that men and women speak. Also, don’t be too surprised if you notice that even now, boys and girls tend to socialize mostly with members of their own sex.
4) Giving and Receiving Gifts
Opening a gift as soon as you receive it is now becoming more acceptable than in the past, but you should always ask “akete-mo ii desu ka?” (May I open this now?), to avoid an embarrassing situation.
In Japan a child (remember this includes anyone under 20 years old) who is given something or receives a favor will say ‘thank you’ straight away, and then tell their parents about what they received (this includes material gifts or food eaten while visiting at their friend’s home). The parent then says a simple ‘thank you’ the next time he/she sees the giver at the shops or in the neighborhood. Saying ‘thank you’ on behalf of a group member in this way is one of the most important parts of community life in Japan, so please inform your host family members about any gifts, so that they do not feel embarrassed in front of others for not having said ‘thank you’.
When visiting someone’s house, it is customary to take a small, inexpensive gift such as cakes or baked sweets. Also, when going somewhere or taking an overnight trip, small and inexpensive local products are often given as souvenirs for family and friends when you get home.
5) Foreign Nationals
There are now more and more foreign nationals living in Japan but in some small towns you may be the first person to come from a foreign culture. People who have not met many people from foreign cultures may display an awkward attitude when they first see you.
Sometimes people from foreign cultures (called “Gaijin”), get too much unwanted attention, such as being stared or pointed at. Try not to be too annoyed, since it is likely to be as a result of curiosity rather than dislike.
On the other hand, there may be people in your host family or in your neighborhood who pretend to ignore you or show no interest in you. This is often the result of shyness, so take the initiative by smiling and speaking in Japanese. The sooner you start speaking Japanese, the shorter your time as an outsider will be.
6) Tattoos and Body Piercing
Tattoos and body/facial piercing are trendy among some young people in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, but you will rarely see it in other local areas. Tattoos have historically been associated with criminals, gang members, or organized crime (Yakuza), and even today there is a very negative image of tattoos. If you have tattoos, you will be refused entry, or asked to leave, public swimming pools, public or private communal baths, and golf courses.
Health and Hygiene
1) What to do when you feel sick
Please tell us when you have the following symptom(s):
High fever or feeling feverish/a chill
Frequent cough
Sore throat
Headache
Lack of appetite
Nasal congestion (runny nose and stuffy nose).
General body aches such as joint pain
Severe diarrhea or vomiting
Don’t hesitate to tell us your condition if you feel sick physically or mentally.
2) Influenza
Since Japanese winters are cold and very dry and the population density is very high, especially in urban areas, influenza and colds may spread very easily. In addition to dressing warmly and getting enough sleep, taking the following measures may help you get through the winter without a fever, cough, or stuffy nose.
How to avoid infection
Wash your hands with soap and gargle when you get home.
Avoid large crowds of people as much as possible.
If you are coughing or sneezing, wear a face mask in order to prevent infecting others.
If you do not have a face mask, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and keep a distance of at least one meter from others. Throw away used tissues in a covered wastebasket immediately.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
3) Toilet
Public facilities (including schools) may have Japanese style toilets, while most homes have western style toilets. To use a Japanese-style toilet, squat down facing the hooded end. Most public toilets do not supply toilet paper or towels for drying your hands, so you should carry a handkerchief, a small towel, and a packet of tissues.
Many homes have a Washlet attached to the toilet; please ask your host family how to use it, and which buttons to push. Make sure that you do not leave the toilet seat and floor wet. Also please close the toilet cover.
4) For females only: Menstruation (Seiri)
Don’t flush used sanitary pads/tampons down the toilet because it will block the drain. Usually there is a container for them in the corner of the toilet. Japanese females do not wash the used sanitary pads. They will wrap the used sanitary pads/tampons in toilet paper and discard them in the container. Ask female staff and host family what to do.
Stained sheets or underwear should be washed separately from other garments in cold water as soon as possible.
Before taking a bath during your period, discuss it with your female host family. She will probably advise you to use the bath last.
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