Archive for September, 2007
Keeping Pace with Japan IN SPACE! - interview with an aerospace engineer
On September 22, 2007 in Interviews
This is a continuation of our interview with Turner from KeepingPaceInJapan.
Today we are talking about Japan… IN SPACE! space space space *echo* 
For those “out of the loop” here is a quick update:
The year is 2007, private space companies are already booking tickets and unveiling plans for the world’s first tourist spaceport. And Japan and China are in the middle of a new space race*. Lost?
Luckily for you, you have an rocket scientist at your beckon call 
Daily J: I noticed in your Japan vs. China space race article you mentioned that you have a background in aerospace? (or did I read that wrong?) This is getting off the topic of Japan, but what do you think of the private space sector (Richard Branson and friends)?
You read correctly; I have a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
I’ve believed from the moment of choosing my studies that the private sector will ultimately determine the future of space travel; in my opinion, organizations like NASA and its counterparts are too dependent on government funding and administrative procedures, we saw a good example of this after the Challenger disaster. People forget just how easily this could have occurred prior to 2003. Unfortunately, in order to recover, NASA had to effectively put all operations on hold until a subcommittee of a committee of a branch of another committee could say with 89.6% certainty that the problem was “patched”.Companies like Scaled Compositions and those that competed for the X-Prize are doing the real pioneering work, simply because well, commercialism is quite a motivator, and space truly is an unexplored frontier in that regard as well as others. By putting the industry in the hands of more individuals (not necessarily the rich), we can expect to see more competition, better technology, and as such, more results.
Ultimately, I’d like to go to law school and get a degree in the as yet undeveloped field of space law, but we shall see what the future holds.
If you do, best of luck. And let us know!
*In the time since we had this conversation Google and the X prize offered a purse of $30 million to the first private company to land a robot on the moon. In response to this, JAXA (Japan Aerospace) announced plans to privatise and compete for the prize.
My question is, will China follow? I don’t know. But I think that you should read Turner’s post. Then be sure to join us again tomorrow to hear about some of his adventures in Japan!
Tell us about TV in Japan
On September 22, 2007 in Interviews we'd like to do
Japanese TV is one thing that we definitely hope to see more of online. Ok, a lot of it is probably mindless drivel. But at least it is mindless drivel in Japanese, which means a non-native can learn something from it.
That being the case, we would very much like to interview TVinJapan.com. Only one problem with that, we have yet to hear a reply from him. Either he is super busy, on a holiday, or he hates us despite our cute little puppy dog faces…
So if you want to read an exclusive interview with the site that brings you great Japanese tv clips (like the one below), then make yourself heard in the comments section. Then I will send him a link to this post. I bet he can’t resist all of our puppy dog faces
“The truth about AEON” - interview with KeepingPaceInJapan
On September 21, 2007 in Interviews
As those who have worked (or moonlighted) as teachers in Japan know, language teaching can be a mixed blessing.
As promised, today we are back with Turner (from KeepingPaceinJapan.com) discussing his English teaching experience at AEON.
Here is what he had to say:
DailyJ: You mentioned that you taught at Aeon for a contract period. Could you tell us a little about the experience? What was the best/worst part of it? (Also please give me the link to your posts about the experience so that I can include them with the interview).
I’ll try to be succinct, but I believe my posts explain it best; read them first. I worked with AEON from June 2006 - May 2007, my first employment period in Japan. Although I had heard concerns about the corporate nature of this particular company, I didn’t have too many other choices if I wanted to pursue a life in Japan. In short, I had a bad experience (due in part to cultural differences, but mainly due to my own behavior and a terrible manager). The worst parts about working at AEON are the deception and behavior surrounding sales and campaigns; the best parts about working at AEON are the student interaction, and the means to come to Japan. I still maintain, despite my experience, that these eikaiwa schools are the best way to begin your journey to this country (see part VII).
http://www.keepingpaceinjapan
.com/2007/06/truth-about-aeon -part-i.html http://www.keepingpaceinjapan
.com/2007/07/truth-about-aeon -part-ii.html http://www.keepingpaceinjapan
.com/2007/07/truth-about-aeon -part-iii.html http://www.keepingpaceinjapan
.com/2007/07/truth-about-aeon -part-iv.html http://www.keepingpaceinjapan
.com/2007/07/truth-about-aeon -part-v.html http://www.keepingpaceinjapan
.com/2007/07/truth-about-aeon -part-vi.html http://www.keepingpaceinjapan
.com/2007/07/truth-about-aeon -part-vii_08.html
A big thank you Turner for sharing these articles with us. For anyone interested in teaching in Japan these posts will shed some light on the good and bad of being a teacher, and (among other things) the frictions that can arise between management and the teachers.
Be sure to check them out and then be here for the rest of the interview tomorrow, when we will be keeping pace with Japan IN SPACE!
Oxygen Bars… for Dogs?!
On September 21, 2007 in Uncategorized
That last article was posted much later in the day than I had planned. I’ve been so busy handling all of these interviews. I could have definitely used the “pick me up” of a good oxygen bar.
The good news is, Japan not only has oxygen bars and canned oxygen available at convenience stores, it also has oxygen bars for man’s best friend. I know, I can’t believe it either! And yet…
Thanks to RisingSunofNihon for pointing this out.
Why KeepingPaceinJapan is a perfect site for Japan-enthusiasts
On September 20, 2007 in Interviews
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.
Japan, are foreigners stupid?
On September 20, 2007 in Uncategorized
I think this video is:
xenophobic
ridiculous
frustrating
condescending
Not to mention that the production must have cost tens of dollars 
Don’t want to be fingerprinted?
KeepingPaceinJapan is doing something about it
A great interview coming up! Why this rocket scientist needs your support
On September 19, 2007 in Uncategorized
Our next interviews here on Daily J will be with an aerospace engineer, a marathon runner, an English teacher, an adventurer, and an activist for foreigners’ rights in Japan.
Believe it or not, that is ONE person!
Turner from KeepingPaceinJapan.com.
So stay tuned for all of the exciting details!
But first,
Find out why he needs you:
Daily J: I noticed your recent post about fingerprinting (click to read full). Do you mind telling us a little about it here and also about your efforts to counter it?
Turner: Certainly. Beginning in November 2007, all foreigners entering Japan will have their fingerprints taken and stored by immigration. The reason cited? Terrorism. Ironic, since most major “terrorist” activities in Japan have been committed by Japanese themselves.
Naturally, I heard the story from Debito first, but after browsing the blogosphere, I noticed there wasn’t any resistance other than written dissent. I thought back to the days when the Gaijin Ura Hanzai File was still on the shelves of Family Mart, and just what we did exactly to get it removed. The answer: present a request written in Japanese to managers of Family Mart across Japan, a calm approach that used logic over anger, and resulted in the eventual removal of the magazine.
I’m proposing the same action here. When immigration authorities begin scanning foreigners’ fingerprints in November, we should present them with a similar letter in Japanese, stating that although we will comply with this action condoned by the government, we do not agree with it, and are only going along with it to reenter the country; hopefully this will at least give the matter greater attention in the press, or bring to light the ignorance surrounding the cause.
Check out Turner’s site for more information about fingerprinting. And be sure to join us tomorrow for some more Q and A!
Here on Daily J
TAKE YOUR VITAMINS - Highlights from our launch interviews
On September 18, 2007 in Interview Highlights, Interviews
Have you had your daily dose of vitamin J?
It has only been ten days into the launch of this blog and already we have built some great relationships through it. Hopefully those relationships will eventually translate into a better web for Japan-enthusiasts.
Now for those highlights -
#1 Launch! Slash! Burn! (click me)
To start it all off we interviewed writer and Japanese film connoisseur Adam Douglas of SlashandBurn.
Highlight
Daily J: If you had to pick, what would you say is your favourite Japanese film?
Adam: The Seven Samurai, but everyone says that. Eli Eli Lema Sabachthani? is up there, as is Ozu’s Late Spring.
(Adam has a thing for Setsuko Hara )
#2 Gaijin Tonic - A drunken, I mean, exclusive interview (click here @ own risk)
Highlight
Daily J: In short, what is the vital mission of Gaijin Tonic?
Merely to provide a glimpse of the drinking/social culture in Japan, with a focus on the fun and quirky side of things. And this, of course, conveniently justifies my own drinking and socializing- I can put it down to research for my site!
Daily J: 
You crack me up! Research, right….
Yeah, I’ve already dedicated a lot of time and energy into that “research” so i won’t be running out of material anytime soon.
Daily J: So if you had to pick, what is your favourite place to conduct, er…, “research” and why?
Well there are too many cool bars in Japan to count. My favourite is probably “Kagaya” in Shinjuku, simply because the man who runs it is such a lunatic, always putting on surreal costumes and bringing out crazy games for the customers to play.
#3 Jamaipanese - Interview with an “otaku” (click here, geeky)
Highlight
Daily J: What is the mission of Jamaipanese?
Kirk: My site’s mission is to share my interests with the world so that I can meet people with similar interests………and then together we can plot our conquest of the world, with Tokyo as the capital ^_^
Make sure to read the second half of the interview to find out why Kirk will be joining us.
#4 RisingSunofNihon.com - Why Bill Belew is my hero (click me, I’m a prince)
Highlights
The best part was when Bill promised to dance for us
Daily J: Where do you see RSON in the future?
I want people to think…I wonder what/if RSON has anything to say about this topic.
Make sure to check out those posts in full (some funny stuff!) and give our interviewees a big hello on their blogs!
It has been great talking to all of these bloggers and we want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their interviews and helping us with the launch of this blog. Thanks guys!
Our next blogger is KeepingPaceinJapan.com, so be here for that tomorrow.
Daily J
Random idea and a word about goals
On September 18, 2007 in DailyJ Mission, Uncategorized
Word about goals …
Japan-Enthusiasts:
This blog, and everything Nipponster, has been built with the “Japan-Enthusiast” in mind. I figure that term (Japan-enthusiast) is likely confusing to some. To be fair, it is ambiguous. We use it as a blanket term for anyone with an interest or vested interest (ex: expats, etc.) in Japan.
Why we care about Japan-enthusiasts (and my background):
I was an exchange student and later an international student in a Japanese university (Jouchi “Sophia” U.). I was the typical culture-shocked/mesmerised foreigner. It was a great experience. But I was also overwhelmed (like many are) by the difficulties of trying to live/succeed as a foreigner at any level in Japanese society. It was that frustration which led to the desire to try to make things a little easier for others. Eventually that turned into Nipponster and its mission. I do not know if we are succeeding at making things easier for Japan-enthusiasts, but we definitely want to.
Random idea - Why we may start a mailing list
We will send out short clips of interesting content so that you can keep up with what we are doing.
We will also share interesting Japan-related content that we find for you. We’ve spent countless hours scouring the net for interesting but hard to find content and we want to share it with you.
(SIDENOTE: No interview post today. Needed a break. Stay tuned tomorrow for KeepingPaceWithJapan.com)
Cute girls vs. Business and Culture - Which will win on RisingSunofNihon?
On September 17, 2007 in Interviews, Uncategorized
As promised, today we are continuing our discussion with Bill Belew of RisingSunofNihon. It’s time to find out a little more about RSON, it’s most popular posts, and aspirations.
So without further ado, here is the interview:
Daily J: what motivated you to start your site?
Bill: Long story…the short version is I get paid to maintain the site www.risingsunofnihon.com
Can’t argue with money! Wish I was getting some. Btw, here is the “long story”
Daily J: What was the most difficult thing starting out with RSON?
Finding my rythym…finding good sources to read then write/comment about.
Daily J: What part of running RSON is the most fun for you?
Trying to come up with creative ways to say something and still be understood.
Daily J: What is the most interesting project, etc. that you are current working on for RSON?
Still trying to find that ‘pillar’…that might distinguish me from all others.
Daily J: Where do you see RSON in the future?
I want people to think…I wonder what/if RSON has anything to say about this topic.
Daily J: What would you say is RSON’s mission?
Bill: Covering the economic and industrial might of Japan…and getting off topic quite often, because I think understanding the culture will help a person do better business there.
We asked Bill about his favourite / most popular posts. Like most Japan-related sites there is the struggle between getting readership through “cute girl” content and staying true to the focus of the site.
Sadly…the most popular topics are when I touch on the stars, think girls of Japan. Kind of lets us know what most/many people on the Net are looking for. I am happy to say that I have not compromised my content for the sake of readership…though at one point I did have to reel myself back in a bit.
My all time most read post is Miss Universe - Riyo Mori If you look at the date, I wrote it several months before she won. Then when she won… I had some 99,000 visitors in one day.
I wrote follow ups
Miss Universe Japan - Ballet Dancer, Mori Riyo - Learns Lessons …
Miss Universe Japan - Ballet Dancer, Mori Riyo
Riyo Mori’s 10 Steps to Becoming Miss Universe
As I mentioned above….I have an incentive…the more page views the better. So, I will try to ‘milk’ a hot topic for all its worth. Make sense?
We’ve decided never to compromise here at Daily J. So sorry guys, no cute J-girls. Wait, where are you all going?!!! No!!!
Daily J: You mentioned that one obstacle at the start was “Finding [your] rythym…finding good sources to read then write/comment about”. I think I understand what you mean but could you elaborate a little more on that?
Bill: I now have a quite a few Japanese news sources bookmarked. I read though them every morning and tab what I want to write about. Until I hit on the idea of using Mainichi News, Yomiuri News, Asahi News and some of the other news aggregators, I struggled a bit to come up with topics, 5-6, each day to write about. Now I have more to write and say than I have time or post allotment for. ( I am limited to 150 posts per blog per month.)
As a last note, we have an inside scoop for you about a new blog, kind of a Bill Belew Unplugged. (I’m sure that if there will be any Dancing Bill video clips they will show up there )
I have just started a new blog…a personal one that I own and I can control the content…..you can see it at www.wispid.com
I enjoy this blog and in less than three weeks, I have had several days with more than 1,000 page views…I’m just getting warmed up.
What I like to write about is…look what’s going on here…is that interesting/stupid/great/fun/ridiculous…what can we learn from it? That is the style I prefer and to a great extent the style I use in my blog at RSON, PAB, TBOK and especially at WISPID.
A BIG thank you to Bill and RisingSunofNihon for letting us interview (and poke fun at) you.
I hope you, loyal reader, have found these posts fun and useful. Be sure to check out RisingSunofNihon and say “hi” to Bill.
And remember, we always appreciate feedback or a little comment below, so “give us some love.” (hey, we’ll even settle for hate)
As always,
A good day
From Daily J
