Why KeepingPaceinJapan is a perfect site for Japan-enthusiasts

On September 20, 2007 in Interviews, bloggers

Hello friend. Today I have a real treat for you. We are interviewing Turner from KeepingPaceinJapan.

His site is an admirable effort to bring you information he wishes he had before making the plunge and living in Japan.

Helping Japan-enthusiasts to find information like this is one of the main goals of Daily J and Nipponster.com, so I am thrilled to present you this exclusive interview. We’re going to show you just how Turner is helping you to “know before you go”. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show…

Roll interview:

Daily J: What motivated you to start blogging?

Turner: Most of my research upon deciding to come to Japan was in the blogosphere. I found many people writing personal stories for their families and friends, mentioning places they’d been, but not too many with specific information about living conditions, travel advice, or hard-hitting essays on the culture.

Since I was coming over with one of the major English eikaiwa, I knew there would be plenty of people looking through my blog for detailed information on the experience, even if they ended up staying for only one year. As such, I really wanted to give them my perspective on Japan, letting them experience this country using all five senses through my writing; I’m still working on how best to do that, but I think some of my observations have been very helpful to others.

Stay tuned tomorrow for information and links to Turner’s AEON experience!

Daily J: How can readers get the most from your blog?

Turner: I think all the links I give them in the entries and on my side bar direct them to sources I had never known when I had been learning about living in Japan; of course, there is general statistical information on an area, but I provide sources that connect others and state living essentials, event information, local maps, etc.

Daily J: What part of running KeepingPaceinJapan is the most fun for you?

Turner: I have a lot of variety in my entries. After a long vacation, I can post pictures and travel information. If I’m introspective, I write a personal journal. Then some days I’m right on point, and try to explain aspects of Japanese culture.

Daily J: What is the most interesting project or series you are currently working on?

Turner: My latest series of entries have been in the works for over a year, telling my story about what it is like to work with the Japanese English-teaching company AEON for a contract period. It’s a 7-part series that usually gets the most hits on a daily basis.

I’m still working how best to do it, but I’m also working on an essay describing the impact heroes have on this world, using sources from the movies “Letters from Iwo Jima” and “Flags of Our Fathers” (and even a small excerpt from the TV series “Heroes”, since it has some Japanese actors). This description makes it sound a little shallow, but don’t judge until you read it.

We’re looking forward to it! That’s all for today. Be sure to join us tomorrow when we take a look at Turner’s AEON post (about ESL in Japan). Until then give him a visit at KeepingPaceinJapan and give him a big hello.

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