I started these web
pages, because I want people to have a better understanding of Japan. I will
give my opinion on many of the topics, as a foreigner understands them, these
are my personal opinions, unless otherwise stated, and also, many facts of
history and modern life in Japan.
If you have any questions about Japan or the Japanese or If you would like to
comment on any of the subjects, then please contact me by e-mail.
I was born in London in
1958, where I spent most of my childhood and young adult life. London has always
been a very cosmopolitan city. I made many friends from different parts of the
world. I consider myself fortunate to have made so many friends, with diverse
backgrounds. Since my early teens, I had a yearning to travel and experience
life in other countries.
I was also fortunate to have a steady stream of Japanese friends. When I was 19
one of my Japanese friends invited me to go and stay with his family in Japan,
for the summer vacation. I jumped at the chance. This was my first experience in
Japan, eating Sushi and sashimi and other exotic food was a novel experience.
Remember, Japanese food was not in vogue in the 1970's. Japan was a place where
few foreigners visited. Except for the American armed forces.
I was one of the few foreigners in Tokyo, it seemed. People would often turn and
look at me, indeed, where I was staying in Saitama, the local children would
follow me, chattering excitedly to each other. Much has changed since those days
in Japan.
I first came to Japan to work in 1988 and have been here ever since. I have a
Japanese wife, whom I met in 1993 and we were married about a year later. We
have two small daughters, both of whom are very "kawaii" (sweet). I
have had a relationship with Japan for over 20 years now, and I expect it will
continue for many years to come.
I decided to start this site, because I would like people around the world, to
better understand Japan. There are many misconceptions about Japan, and bad
feelings. I hope to dispel at least some of them and shed some light on some of
the mysteries of the culture, and show you that Japan can be an interesting and
fun country to work and live in.
My wife will be helping to translate some of the pages, I hope many people will
find this site interesting and a little useful. If you have any personal
questions about, living in Japan, whatever, send me an e-mail, and I will get
back to you soon.
Updated 17th June 2000.
I left Japan at the end of
September 1999, to return to my home country with my family. In many ways it was
a very sad time for me, not so much for my wife. I am left now with fond
memories of my twelve years spent, in a country that I had always wanted to
learn about, and perhaps now, I can say that I have learnt a fair amount, but I
still do not pretend to have all the answers to Japan.
I recently went on a business
trip for ten days to Tokyo, and found that I could easily slip into the life
there, which I was very happy to find, even though I didn't have too much time
to enjoy myself, with my family remaining in England. I will go back as often as
possible, I'm sure that I will see Japan again before too long, next time with
my family, as my children get older, they will want to learn more about their
'other country', as we always remind them that Japan is their home as well as
England, which is a little confusing for them at the present time.
Simon
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