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Country Living in Japan - Inaka Life
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Where are you at now.

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datagecko
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Re: Where are you at now.

Hi Dave. I had a look at your blog and I can get a bit better feel for what you guys are talking about with country people - resistance to change, looooong memories, stubborn pride, and heavy social responsibilities seem to be the themes when talking about people in countryside Japan. My wife also tells me that the community responsibilities override personal responsibilities, and that this can be a real burden if you want to try to be accepted, or just live your own quiet existence. You will participate or risk being shunned. May be an issue for standard Aussie "she'll be right" thinking way, where people are generally very flexible and tend not to carry a grudge - it takes a lot to get someone's back up. One area of concern is that my natural casual approach to life could unintentionally put noses out of joint, noses that won't ever forget. At least this is the impression I get. For those on the ground there, have you found this a legitimate concern, or is it overstated? In some ways I see the tightness of the community as a future strength, when people will need to work together to survive, but not if people can't see reason beyond the end of their own noses. Dave's' comments below sum it up.

["Although they have moved out of this village their children have continued to attend this village school, in order to not disturb the “wa”, the peace. The reluctance (to investigate another school) is somewhat understandable considering the level of vitriol with in the village and the inter-village…hostility is probably the best word. Simply by going to see, visit, the school in the neighbouring area is seen as an act of betrayal. Technically it is no longer the “village” next door since last year it merged with Nara city"]

Is this typical, and if so how do you guys cope with it? I'm sure the more causal attitude of Americans, Canadians and even some Brits must clash with the locals some times? How do you maintain the 'wa'? This is a little off topic, but I think an essential element to understanding country life in Japan, would you not agree?

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1/4/2008, 1:14 pm

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togei
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Re: Where are you at now.

Hello Gecko,
Interesting post. I guess technically off topic but essential if you want to live in Japan and are not Japanese. I also see the tightness of the locals as a necessary strength. Looking at it through a lens that could see several generations, if there was such a lens, has helped me understand some attitudes. I personally find the people I meet around me and the attitudes, while sometimes not to my liking, all in all better for the goal, which is to preserve the whole be that family or by extension the village although the village comes first in many cases. I think the Japanese have done a very good job of building and maintaining their country. That point is essential. They rightly so are looking out for their own well being. In the context of preserving the village the foreigner is not essential. This land, and I mean that in the literal, mud filled rice paddy sense, was here long before I came and was doing fine(the land that is) and will be here long after I leave. I think the most important part of that is the "after I leave" part. I will leave. That could be because I die or move out because I want a more familiar environment but I will leave. My neighbors won't. Even when they die they will be taken care of by the next generation on the twice yearly visits to the grave site. To not take care of the grave site is unthinkable. I could expand on this theme but the point being I don't think a new point of view is needed if preserving the whole is accepted as the general goal of the village. That is in the macro. In the daily trudge of life yes, a new way of doing things is often welcomed and accepted by the folks around here. I often have found that my neighbors have much more to teach me than I have for them.
I am adamantly opposed to trying to integrate, assimilate. It is not a problem of language. I speak pretty good Japanese and entertain the thought that I know something about the culture here. When I first came to Japan I read a book that contained a series of articles on the Japanese. The one that had the most impact was one on Uchi/Soto. I highly recommend reading up on uchi/soto to get a great introduction to some of the more confusing aspects of the culture. Try searching japanese uchi/soto Sugiura and some articles will come out. I read an interview of Donald Richie who has been here closing in on 40 years or more. I think most of you will recognize his name. He was asked about assimilation and he said unequivocally to not bother trying. Now this is from a Japanologist. Someone who knows Japan far better than I do. Is it a pessimistic view? I think not. It has saved me a lot of heartache.
I don't think the laid back Australian attitude will get you in trouble. I find the Japanese in general far more accepting than the westerners I meet. I am a pretty optimistic, hands on, can do type. The problems I have had here are more related to ....???? I wish I could sum it up in 10 words. What ever they have arisen from it is not that part of my personality. I think that yes, if you don't participate in the activities you could be shunned, IF you are Japanese. If you are not there is a lot of leeway given. I am not a fan of playing the "gaijin card" A little too lazy for my taste. As far as getting someone riled up, all I have to do is turn around twice and I am sure I have offended someone. There are some folks around here who have never said hello to me. There are others who continued to greet me even in the most difficult times, of which there have been a couple of periods. I honestly don't think either group is reacting to me being a foreigner. That is the way they act amongst themselves.
I am interested in hearing others opinions.
Dave

Last edited by togei, 1/5/2008, 5:18 pm

1/5/2008, 3:04 pm

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Johnny LaRue
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Re: Where are you at now.

Very good thought provoking posts on assimilation,

In my old village my nearest neighbors were a communist school principal and a burakkumin, we got along great. Makes me laugh that we were made for each other. I partook in every village custom you could imagine, they really took me under their wing and I feel I betrayed them a bit by moving. That's saying something. I still work in the same place but feel the uchi/soto. It's natural.

I think we all agree on assimilating to a point. To me assimilation means participating in required functions of the village: recycle drives, village clean-ups, festivals, putting up decorations, taking them down, kodomokai, and a million other things that take my Sunday mornings. Also by having our children in the school system, and naturally by socializing with the parents of our children's classmates. I agree complete integration is probably a state of mind reserved for a few tarento on TV. We emigrated as adults to a place with no history of immigration. People back home ask me if I want to become a naturalized citizen of Japan. My answer is that I just don't feel Japanese. Maybe someday that will change. Neither hoping or waiting, just living and enjoying.

1/9/2008, 12:15 am

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datagecko
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Re: Where are you at now.

Absolutely agree. I think these couple of posts may be some of the most useful information an outsider could hope for when considering a life in country Japan, so I really appreciate jt and togei's honest and detailed posts. Thank you!

I will certainly research more about Uchi/Soto. I think my wife tried to explain it, but I understand it much better now. She also made the same comment that for a Japanese person moving to a new location within Japan, they are as much "foreigners" (outsiders) as we are, especially in the country side.

JL's advice sounds pretty good - participate! Its nice to hear that you were accepted so well in your old village. There is hope if you put in the effort.

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1/9/2008, 10:18 pm

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KenElwood
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Uchi/Soto

Nice to read others opinions, expereinces and takes on assimilation and uchi/soto here in the country.

Here's my take on it as a regular (human) visitor to a particular place just over the hill.

The people who reside in rural areas see "newcomers" come and go, and generally the "locals" wish you would have never come in the first place. At least they hold that particular view for an uncomfortably long time.

You are watched.
You have no anonymity.
You are more anonymous in a city by far.

When you first show up in the hinterlands, you are like the sideshow at the circus. Everyone is watching. They are the "ingroup" and there doesn't even exist an "outgroup" for you to be in. A cup of tea here, a few beers there. Forget it. To be accepted, it takes a couple of years at the least for most of them and forever for a few. I reckon apathy is the greatest virtue.

Ken

Last edited by KenElwood, 1/9/2008, 11:17 pm

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1/9/2008, 11:12 pm

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crayon1
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Re: Where are you at now.

Hello again. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner datagecko.

Yes, it is quite exciting moving location although some may tell you I am becoming an old hand at it now! I have moved back to the UK and back to Japan twice now, this being the third time. I lived in Tohoku, firstly in a small town for three years, and after that I lived and worked in Sendai, the largest hub in Tohoku (i.e.the easiest place to find work!).

Motivation for moving to Aichi? Well, my wife and I are newly-weds and due to the fact we were saving pennies for a house we lived at my mother's house. Time went on and it was becoming more intolerable, not particularly family-wise, but also with the ever spiralling cost of houses, rent or bought in the UK. Salaries are not matching it and we felt job prospects and better opportunities will exist in Japan. As for Aichi, we decided we wanted to a new area to match our fresh start in life. Ultimately we want a quiet place in the country and are prepared to go through the short term "pain" of living in or close to the city in the hope that we can achieve our goals in the near future. The wife is not a "country" person (unlike the mother-in-law) but is certainly attracted to the lifestyle. She amazes me sometimes with things she says - suggesting growing vegetables in the space on the balcony - never thought I'd hear her utter the words! emoticon

North Wales is indeed "craggy" and the mountains are slightly bald, if you can call them mountains at all. Icurrently live backing onto the local woods so definitely feel more at ease with "green" around and perhaps it is this which motivates me to find a place like some of the people on here have, and others are aiming for....

1/10/2008, 7:47 am

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togei
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Re: Where are you at now.

Hello,
I have found the responses so far very interesting. I could write a very long explanation but instead I would like to explain my thinking.
I took these definitions from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/

assimilation
4. Sociology. the merging of cultural traits from previously distinct cultural groups, not involving biological amalgamation.
4. to give or cause to give equal opportunity and consideration to (a racial, religious, or ethnic group or a member of such a group): to integrate minority groups in the school system.

integrate
6. to give or cause to give members of all races, religions, and ethnic groups an equal opportunity to belong to, be employed by, be customers of, or vote in (an organization, place of business, city, state, etc.): to integrate a restaurant; to integrate a country club.

There is a little that can be cut out of the definition but I think they define where I am coming from.
When I say I am opposed to assimilation/integration I don't mean one should be an island unto themselves. Too lonely for my tastes.
I help to the extent I am given the chance in my part of the village.
I agree with jt278 when he wrote

"I would say that I do feel that anyone that moves to a new community in a rural setting should try to integrate to a level, because a time will come in the future where you will want or want to do some thing and without the community/local support anything you do will be made harder or impossible."

Absolutely right. To participate in the local goings on is not only necessary but essential in my opinion. A good and positive trait for anyone moving to a new area, rural or not, in Japan.
I wrote I participate to the extent I am given the chance. Given the chance. Important point. I am excluded, as is one of my closest Japanese neighbors, from maintenance of the local shrine. It is viewed as essential to the maintenance of the good fortune of this local area. Since neither I nor my neighbor have a grave site here we don't qualify as having proper reason to be interested in the maintenance of the good fortune of this area. Not my thinking but the local's thinking.
I think this can be parsed and analyzed but that is the way it is for me and for Japanese newcomers to any area in Japan. There are differences in the way indivdual "newcomers" are treated but I think a lot of it can be attributed to language, age and same cultural background. What I am trying to say is not all newcomers are created equal. Some are accepted faster than others. I should point out newcomer status seems to only be shed when someone in the "newcomer" family dies AND is buried in the area. That seems to confer "local" status. That means my ceramic teacher, a Japanese man, who has lived in his area more than 30 years, is still a newcomer.
Lastly, good luck on understanding Soto/Uchi.
A confusing aspect of Japan at best but I think essential for understanding what I consider on balance to be a very livable country.
Dave

Last edited by togei, 1/10/2008, 2:03 pm

1/10/2008, 1:56 pm

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datagecko
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Re: Where are you at now.

Hi crayon1, sorry about the delay too. I've been working on a consulting job thats eaten most of my time the last two weeks.

Fully understand your plans and motivation. We are a little the same in that house prices here are just ludicrous now, so if we want a home of our own, its either live on crumbs for the next 30 years to afford the mortgage, or look elsewhere. I wish you good fortune and hope the move does open a path to your country dreams!

Dave, thanks for your post as well. I think I understand how the 'system' works a bit better now. And I think Ken's view that "apathy is the greatest virtue" sounds actually an honest one really, as in its best to not let it get under your skin and just do the best you can and accept the rest as "the way it is".

Great replies all around guys! Thanks!