BEST for the Group

   Japan is a group-oriented culture. People spend most of their time together as a group: eating, working, playing. If we make plans with one student, it is guaranteed that he or she will bring friends. Japan is a small country; it is approximately the size of California, but 80% of its land is uninhabitable because of mountains and volcanoes. So there are 127 million people in a very limited space. Not to mention that Japan is a series of islands, so the country is separated from much of the outside world on a regular basis. This reinforces the people to be dependent on one another.

    These reasons explain much of why the Japanese are so kind and helpful, valuing harmony, respect and service. I've seen this take many forms since I've lived here. People will wear masks to cover their mouth when they are sick so that they will not infect others. When we get together as a group, someone always provides food or snacks. Everyone will contribute yen for community meals. I've also observed that when we open a bag of chips at one of these events, unlike Americans who dig out a handful, Japanese will politely take one at a time.

   As you ride down the street, you notice that it is so clean in Japan! I have seen several people sweeping the sidewalks already and no one litters here. Japanese take pride in their nation, in their culture. They also take very good care of children, elders, and disabled. On most sidewalks, there is a raised yellow line so that the blind can follow. We had a scare last weekend when one of our students was severely sick. We thought she might have appendicitis, so we rushed her to the hospital. I was amazed at how kind the doctor and nurses were and how efficient the service was.

   This week, our team experienced just how helpful and kind the Japanese really are. We traveled to downtown Utsunomiya for our team day, searching for the Shinto Shrine and a place to have dinner. Not surprisingly, we got lost and had to ask for help from passersby. We asked one man for help and he was unsure, but instead of blowing us off, he asked an older woman if she could help. Not only could she help, she offered to lead us there herself! We followed her (and picked up another guide on the way) for another mile through downtown to the shrine. She continued to bring us to the shopping and restaurant area of town and introduced us to some of her friends who worked there. All this, without speaking any English! We were able to figure out she lives just down the street from us and gave me her phone number!

   I love these people. I love how they care for one another, and for us as gaijin (foreigners) this summer. All of our student friends are eager to help us learn how to do things around here. I am so thankful for them! They are the BEST :)