Japanese Music. AKB48

Continuing my series on music, I thought I would get the inevitable out of the way.

AKB 48.

AKB 48 has been classified as a social phenomenon, and I would have to agree. These girls have, and continue to be, almost everywhere since I returned to Japan. The group has a massive 88 members ranging from early teens to mid twenties, although there is, arguably, a core group of about 12 girls who seem to have the most exposure.

AKB 48 were named after the Akihabara district of Tokyo, home of electronics, otaku culture and maid cafe and founded by Yasushi Akimoto. Akimoto`s idea was to create a girl group that didn`t just play occasional concerts, but had their own theatre and would play daily, increasing their interaction with the fan base.

The band has sold over 20 million CDs and raked in over $200 million in 2011.

To be honest, their music is awful eurotrash/bubblegum pop with awful lyrics and they have been criticized for overtly sexual imagery (check out the video for their most "famous" song, "Heavy Rotation, and see for yourself).

On the plus side, they have been used to promote Japan overseas, donated around 1 billion yen to the Red Cross and raised 1.25 billion yen for the Tsunami and Earthquake relief fund.

Exploring Tokyo on the Yamanote Line

The Yamanote line is a circular train line that runs through Tokyo.

Myself and my friend, Evan have spoken about picking out some of the more obscure stops on this line at some point in the future.

However, here is an excellent video from Gaijinpot, that highlights the more major stops and how diverse Tokyo can be.

A Sunday. Open.

Every now and again, I have to work on a Sunday, as AEON opens it's doors for those unable to make it during the week, or those who wish to make up classes.

It's usually just one teacher and one member of staff with most of the lessons one-to-one affairs, usually with the usual suspect of "Sunday students".

The atmosphere is relaxed, which allows me to get outstanding chores done, banter with the staff or get ahead of schedule.

Also the pay is pretty good and bumps up my salary.

Yes, today was one of those days where I forsook lunch and taught 3 lessons, caught up on typing up Student counselling, met with a rather interesting guy who walked in looking for school information, and prepared some kids classes for next week.

Now my stomach hates me !

Japanese Music. MONO

Mono - Hymn to the Immortal Wind.

One of my great loves is music. With this in mind, I thought I would present some top Japanese acts, some I like, some I don`t and some I am too embarrassed to admit I like.

First up, Mono.

Mono are an experimental rock group in the vein of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, that came together in 2000 and consists of Tamaki, Yasunori Tadaka, Taka Goto and Yoda. Mono have no vocalist and instead focus on creating atmospheric, classic-inspired rock songs.

Enjoy!

Life in a Day of an Eikaiwa Teacher

I have been an Eikaiwa teacher for around 7 or 8 years now. I have been very lucky with the schools I have been assigned to, both with NOVA in Hiroshima and Marugame and with AEON in Motoyawata. I think this can make or break the Eikaiwa experience, as I have read many negative experiences with both NOVA and AEON.

Personally, I have been fairly happy and content in all of my positions in Japan. Yes, the schedule can be tight, the Japanese staff seemingly clueless to what the life of a teacher actually is and the over-riding need to hit the Yen target that outweighs the educational needs of the student. I have experienced all of these things and probably many more things that could be deemed frustrating.

However one has to look at it from the perspective of a business (which is what the Eikaiwa system is), the cultural differences and that a little bit of understanding from both sides can make life at your school a hundred times easier.

Of course, I prefer to focus on the needs of my students, what is happening in their lives and improving myself as a teacher. But, I do understand, no matter how much I may not actually like it, that we need to line the tills with yen.

I think to those of you, or anyone reading this blog, who is thinking of coming to Japan as an Eikaiwa teacher then there are several things you need to consider.

1. Are you ready to work hard ?
Some teachers are straight of university and have had no experience of full-time work. The shock of the demanding nature of Eikaiwa teaching can be overwhelming and isn`t for everyone.

2. Are you adaptable/flexible ?
This is VITAL for working in any Eikaiwa environment. Last minute trial lessons, additional students you didn`t know about and working on your day off are all things that can and will happen.

3. Are you patient and able to appreciate a huge cultural difference ?
Japan, despite being a modern democracy, is a million miles away, culturally, from what most new Eikaiwa teachers are used to. Being patient and learning the working practices of the country you are in, is vital if you are to feel happy in your job.

A beginners guide to Japan. Part I

Part I. A brief overview.

Japan, or Nihon or Nippon, is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean. The Kanji, 日本　mean "Sun-Origin" which is why Japan is referred to as "The Land of The Rising Sun."

Japan consists of 6,852 islands, with 97% of Japan`s land mass made up of the four largest islands, Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku. A 2010 census revealed that Japan had the World`s 10th largest population, with 128,056,026 people, and the Greater Tokyo area is home to 30 million people, the world`s largest metropolis.

Japan consists of 43 prefectures, one metropolis (Tokyo), one territory (Hokkaido) and two urban prefectures (Kyoto and Osaka). Each prefecture has a main city, and each prefecture produces different food, culture and the like.

Japanese society is culturally and linguistically homogenous, with 98.5% of inhabitants ethnic Japanese, or Nihonjin.  Japan is also home to small groups of foreign workers such as Brazilian, Filipinos and Peruvians.

Snap Happy

Jrbinchiba's photostream on Flickr.

Pictures from around Japan!