[Japan Immigration Laws] Changes for 2012
Posted in: Visiting and Living in Japan, Working in Japan | Comments (0)
While in Japan, I had the opportunity to go through the immigration/ visa process for myself, as well as assist others in staying in Japan. If you want to move to Japan or “Try” living there, you really need to do your homework regarding the proper way to stay there. In many countries, you may be able to do a “visa” run, but in Japan you need to get your ducks in a row or you could find yourself being asked to leave with no chance to return.
Beginning on July 9th, 2012 changes to the immigration system, alien registration, re-entry visa will take place. A new [Resident Card] will be issued for those wanting to stay in Japan.
If you want to stay in Japan for an extended period of time, ask yourself what you have to offer to Japan. What do you have that they can’t already find in their country. Do you have a special skill? Do you have a degree? Always remember that visiting Japan is totally different from living there.
Check out this link put out by the Immigration Bureau of Japan, to see how you may be affected by the upcoming changes. http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/newimmiact_1/en/index.html
Good Luck!
HiHo2 @ January 1, 2012
Happy New Year Japan!
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General | Comments (0)
2011 has brought many changes to Japan and the world. With the Japanese economy going down, the Yen getting stronger, exports declining Japan has many challenges ahead. Topping the year was the March 11th earthquake / Tsunami / Nuclear Disaster; an event that will live with us forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are still suffering as a result of the disaster.
HiHo2 @ December 31, 2011
facts-about-Japan
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General | Comments (0)
While cruising the web this evening, I came upon “facts-about-japan.com” website. If you’re looking to gather facts about Japan, then this is a decent site. I like the history link perhaps the best of all the links on the site. Having the Google ads in the center of the web page is distracting and takes away from the sites value.
HiHo2 @ December 12, 2011
JapanNewbie.com
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General | Comments (0)
Don’t quite remember how I stumbled upon JapanNewbie.com, but I do know that it sparked my curiosity enough to want to blog about it later.
JapanNewbie is a cool site for those wanting to learn about Japan. For those of you with preconceived notions about Japan, I would definitely recommend you check out this site. There are sites out there with more information “about” Japan but this site has a variety of information about different aspects of Japan. So, if you’re an up and coming Japanophile, stop by and click around the site.
HiHo2 @ October 30, 2011
Study Abroad [Japan Universities]
Posted in: Visiting and Living in Japan | Comments (0)
As my kids are getting older, more and more I think about sending them to Japan to study. Being born there, they keep telling me that they wouldn’t mind going to school there. Looking at the news today, I stumbled upon a site put out by the Japan Times [Guide to Studying in Japan]The main page list several universities. After clicking on a link, it will take you to another welcome page that contains links to the university’s site as well as information regarding tuition, number of students, address, etc.
A lot has happened since my last post. The prime minister has changed… again. The yen is still too strong for comfort, and central Japan is cleaning up after a typhoon has left 32 dead and 57 missing. Nevertheless, we must always keep looking toward and preparing for the future. So if you’re looking to study abroad, or thinking about sending your child, the [Guide to Studying in Japan] is a good place to start looking.
HiHo2 @ September 5, 2011
Jalpak
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General | Comments (0)
Many years ago, Japan Airlines was king. In the past few years, it has really taken a beating. I hope that one day it may once again regain its status.
I worked for Jalpak in the beginning 90′s. I got to meet some really good people and it was a great learning experience. I recently received an email from a friend of mine saying that Jalpak Bangkok will be shutting down at the end of June. I couldn’t believe it. Jalpak has been in Bangkok since 1979.
As time goes on, we may very well see other major player pull out of certain regions. With the internet, we now have a much more connected world and the need for traditional travel agencies has been dwindling.
HiHo2 @ June 26, 2011
Fukushima Fighting for their Future
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General, Visiting and Living in Japan | Comments (0)
[Click on title of post to see attachment]
When I talked to my friends in Fukushima, they tell me that they are pretty much on their own. Not sure if it is the radiation that is keeping people out, but they tell me that the Japan Red Cross is not around. They volunteer at the shelters and tell me that people are in dire need of supplies and it is only getting worse in the shelters.
The stories they tell me are not the stories that the media will talk about. They are fed up with the lack of actual support. There are a lot of feel good measures and millions of Yen/ Dollars being donated to the Japan Red Cross, but if the money is not being transitioned into actual help for the people it is pointless. They have decided to do their own fund raising in an effort to get monies directly to the shelters.
Please click on the picture below. They are selling T-shirts in hopes of generating money for the children and shelters of Fukushima. If you have any questions you can contact me directly or contact them (contact info on attachment).
HiHo2 @ April 17, 2011
[Help Japan] 2011 Earthquake & Tsunami
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General | Comments (0)
Having lived through one disaster and having stayed in a shelter. I really feel for the victims of this twin disaster.
You tend to long for any degree of normalcy. Even the little things become luxuries.
One question that I always get, is “I want to help or donate, but I want to give directly to people”. I guess there are a lot of us that feel that our efforts will not go directly to the victims.
In this post, I will post links of where one can find information about giving, helping, or general information about Quake/Tsunami stricken areas.
Help Sites posted by Japan Today (A must see site)
*The Japan Red Cross (direct link to send money directly to them)
Emergency info from Yahoo Japan site (great place to get info)
www.city.fukushima.fukushima.jp (Fukushima City home page)
Fukushima Radio Station (Daily updates on radiation levels)
Radiation Levels in Japan Radiation levels listed by prefecture
NHK World (General info and links in English)
HiHo2 @ March 23, 2011
Searching for “Japan earthquake live report”
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General, Visiting and Living in Japan | Comments (0)
If you are like a few hundred million people around the world caught up in the tragedy unfolding in Japan, you may want to bookmark this site: Japan-earthquake-live-report. The site, is a sub site of www.timeout.jp.
They have put up some useful information for those looking blackout times, train schedules, emergency numbers and so forth
Check it out and let me know what you think.
HiHo2 @ March 14, 2011
Earthquake Rocks Japan 2011
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General | Comments (0)
The devastation is just tragic. I called my friends today in Fukushima and they said that their city does not look the same. The coastal areas are trashed. He said that they felt like there was no help coming and to some degree everyone was on their own.
Despite the devastation, northern Japan is still really cold. I asked my friend where he was at the time the earthquake struck. He said that he was at a preschool teaching when everything hit. There were about 50 kids in the after school program. He said he got everyone under desk or tables and then went around to see if the others were okay. When it stopped, he got the kids out of the building and on to the playground… only to have it start snowing. Ouch!
We can never be too prepared for disaster, but chance does favor the prepared mind.
HiHo2 @ March 11, 2011
Japanese Video Lessons ‘myjapanesetube.com’
Posted in: Learn Japanese | Comments (0)
If you haven’t already noticed, one of the things I do on this Jblog site is to take a look at sites that teach Japanese. I came upon a site[Myjapanesetube.com] that I believe is really good and has the potential to be a great site for learning Japanese. When you click on a video in the the “Video Lessons” link at the top, you will notice the enormous amount of effort put into creating these video lessons.
If you are just starting out I definitely recommend you check out this site.
I really hope that they continue adding content, but… due to the amount of effort put into each video lesson, I think it will be really difficult for the creators to keep on adding content on a weekly or monthly basis.
HiHo2 @ February 5, 2011
Print your name [Katsujitai]
Posted in: Learn Japanese | Comments (0)
It is funny how language is always evolving. Over the years, some words are used less frequently and slowly start to fade away. Working in customer service, I have the opportunity of dealing with many retired Japanese customers. I usually need them to fill out a form and have to ask them to “Print” and then “Sign” their name on the paper.
Often,when I ask someone to print their name, I will say, “koko ni namae o kaite kudasai”. They will often ask if they can “sign” in Japanese. Many of them know a good deal of English, so I will usually say ” Eigo de Purinto…”. This will sometimes prompt a “Purinto te nani”? (What is “Print”?)
The younger people will understand “Buroku-tai” or Block style lettering. The older people will understand Katsujitai. So, if you are trying to get someone to print their name, try using “Katsujitai (活字体) to explain yourself.
Note*: To sign your name or to write in cursive is Hikitai. If you are teaching kids, you may want to use “Suzuki-moji”.
HiHo2 @ January 21, 2011
Kuchikomi (Word of Mouth)
Posted in: Learn Japanese | Comments (0)
Have you ever wanted to get some information out or wanted to “Spread the word”? Well a helpful word to know is [Kuchikomi]. With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc. Kuchikomi marketing is a new trend that is overtaking traditional marketing methods.
That’s your tidbit for today.
HiHo2 @ January 9, 2011
Happy New Year 2011
Posted in: Visiting and Living in Japan | Comments (0)
Looking back at 2010 I feel that it was a very interesting year. The Yen kept getting stronger and stronger and finished the year at about 80 yen to the dollar. Ouch. Looking at airfares to Japan, it seems that prices have gone up about $150-$200.
In 2011, I will cross my fingers but don’t feel the economy will get any better in Japan or in America.
I hope you had a chance to watch the Kohaku and Arashi on NHK.
I wish everyone a Happy 2011.
HiHo2 @ December 31, 2010
Christmas Decorations in Japan
Posted in: Visiting and Living in Japan | Comments (0)
If you ever have the chance to visit Kita-Kyushu during the Christmas season be sure to stop by Yahata. Yahata is home to some of Japans best sights. There, you can visit Space World, The Museum of Natural History and Human History, The Environment Museum and much more.
One upcoming treasure of a site is kayoumorodomi.com. This site displays images of the Christmas Decorations put out by Kayou Morodomi. Having lived in the U.S for a short while and with a passion for crafts she started out by helping others put up Christmas decorations. Now, 15 plus years later, her Christmas decorations adorn hotel lobbies and really put the cheer in Christmas.
So if you ever have a chance to stop by Kita-Kyushu in Fukuoka prefecture, be sure to stop by and see some of her works. If you can’t make it to Kita-Kyshu please visit her blog at kayou-m.blogspot.com.
HiHo2 @ November 6, 2010
Haneda Airport International Terminal
Posted in: Visiting and Living in Japan | Comments (0)
After many years in the planning, Haneda is opening up its airport to more international routes. After all these years of flying into Narita, it will be kind of exciting to fly directly into Tokyo.
If you need more information regarding the new terminal at Haneda airport please check out their site: www.haneda-airport.jp
HiHo2 @ October 20, 2010
“Learning Chocolate”
Posted in: Learn Japanese | Comments (0)
I came across this site a few weeks ago but am only now finding time to blog about it. I know you must be asking yourself, “What is Learning Chocolate and exactly what does this have to do with learning Japanese”? Those were my thoughts exactly.
Check it out, Learning Chocolate has got to be one of the coolest sites to help you learn vocabulary words. This site does a great job in covering A LOT of vocab AND as you click on a group and you will also be able to click on that word and have it read back to you by a native speaker. FURTHERMORE… they also provide you with activities such as matching and fill in the blank so you can test your skills.
When it comes to vocabulary groups, this site not only covers the basics but also goes above and beyond to include such groups as Kitchenware, Internal Organs, Insect LIfe Cycle, Land Vehicles and MANY more.
To top it off… if this wasn’t good enough, they also allow you to learn Chinese, Spanish, and English.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
HiHo2 @ September 12, 2010
Rikaichan Revisited
Posted in: Learn Japanese | Comments (0)
So Yesterday I ran into my college professor (of Japanese) and found out that he had retired but was still doing translations. If you plan to attain a high level of Japanese, working in translations, or even doing it as a hobby, will definitely work toward fine tuning your skills and helping you get to the next level.
For reading and translating Japanese, Rikaichan is one of the best tools out there.
In January of 2009 I wrote about Rikaichan. For anyone studying Japanese, this tool is a definite must. Some of the features (as listed on the polarcloud.com site) are:
- Simple to use, just hover the mouse on top of a Japanese word.
- Automatically de-inflects verbs and adjectives.
- Has an optional toolbar that allows you to manually type the word you are looking up
- Detailed kanji view shows meaning/keyword in English, on/kun readings, and other information.
- Hiragana, katakana and half-width katakana are treated the same making it possible to look up stylized/emphasized words.
Original post can be found by clicking here.
Download it , try it out and let me know wheat you think.
HiHo2 @ August 13, 2010
Japanese Vending Machines
Posted in: Learn Japanese, Japan in General, Visiting and Living in Japan | Comments (0)
Anyone interested in learning about Japan should definitely subscribe to “WebJapan”. Here you will find topics on just about everything there is to learn about Japan. This month they have a few cool videos, but I especially like the one on vending machines.
Japan has vending machines for just about everything and anything. In the video you will see a few, but if you ever live there you will be surprised at the vending machines you see; including neckties, flowers, beer and much more.
Check out the videos they have posted this month and let me know what you think.
HiHo2 @ July 24, 2010
Jobs@jp.indeed.com
Posted in: Working in Japan | Comments (0)
Today I stopped by jp.indeed.com to check out their job search engine. I really liked what I saw. Their “Google Style” layout made it easy to navigate and they manage to pull in jobs from other search sites.
So if you’re looking to work in Japan, I’d definitely take time to stop by this site.
Shoot me a message and let me know what you think!
Geoff
HiHo2 @ July 8, 2010
