Nozo's blog

2007-01-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

The central issues that have been discussed in this chapter were the difference between American and Japanese sexuality such as the view of sex and love and style of sex relationship.
In the textbook White said that in the United States, it is thought the same children who engage in sex are also engaged in drugs and other criminal pursuits. On the contrary, in Japan most children especially boys are interested in sex, however it does not relate to the criminal things. I think this difference comes from the amount of information. In Japan, people can get the information about sex easily. Nowadays people can access obscene cites and see animations on the Internet. However, the criminal things like drugs and guns are hidden from society. People usually do not know where they are. Therefore, children are not fascinated with them.
Moreover, I was surprised at a group video. It said an average of the age of the first sexual intercourse was 16 among girls. It is not so different from America. Also, I cannot believe that the “casual sex” is popular in Japan. Statistics showed that girls go to bed with not only their boyfriends but also more than another three people (I forgot the exact number). However, recently many girls from 16 to 18 sit near the station or square at night without going home. There are many reasons, but parents are to blame for it. Their family is often fatherless or their parents do not care about them. They earn a living by dating with a man. Sometimes they go to hotels (It is like prostitution!). This problem is taken up on TV.
In my experience, I was in girl’s school for six years, so we do not have opportunities to contact boys. Therefore, a girl who only went to festivals in boy’s school was rumored. Some my classmates go there and communicate with boys by e-mail, but not all of them associated with them. Of course they did not make love. For me, I was filled by girl friends or club activities and enjoyed daily life without boys. I never went to festivals because I did not like to be rumored. However, after entering SILS, I have seen many form of love. Some people make love easily, but I think it is best that couple make love after many processes and knowing each other.

2006-12-14T07:28:00.000-08:00

In this chapter the article was focused on the Friendship in Japan and United States. We discussed such as the Japanese boys’ or girls’ group in the class.
One example given in this chapter was the tatemae and honne of personal identities and human relationships. In my experience, one of my group members and I did not agree with almost everything. However, I often disguised myself even if I did not like her character and understand her viewpoint. This is because I did not want to quarrel with her and go bad in the group. I pretended as if I agreed with her and sometimes I praised her. Therefore, I was very tired in talking with her and got annoyed. Then, I spoke ill of her with other member of group behind her back. I should have said what I really thought.
In addition, in the text White mentioned that as people get older, they think the importance of their close friends instead of increasing the number. I think this is true. When I was in junior high school, I tried to make friends with many people as possible. I wanted to be known to the classmates, and also I was worried to be alone between classes or in lunchtime unless I did that thing. I was succeeded in known in the classroom, but I could not fill because they knew only my surface. Thus, when I was in high school, I put an emphasis on friend who knows all about me. Fortunately, I can say I have close friends. I feel relaxed when I am with them and sometimes meet though we chose the different way. I am glad to have a good relationship with them.
In my opinion, friends are essential in people’s life. As a Japanese girl mentioned in the textbook, I cannot live without friends, either. I always get energy when I only talk with friends. Moreover, I can consult things that I cannot tell my family with them. When I do, they can give me good advice and it encourages me. Furthermore, their viewpoints are completely different from me, so there are many things I learn from them. Good friendship needs considering others each other. I believe this friendship also exists between different countries.

2006-11-25T22:28:00.000-08:00

The central issue that has been discussed in this chapter was modern material culture as a recently targeted market. Especially teens in the United States and Japan both participate in it.
According to the textbook and lecture, in Japan many industries use a popular stars or athletes when they try to set the fashion for their products. For example, I think Yuri Ebihara, the most popular fashion model in girl’s magazines, appears on a lot of commercial messages or advertisements this year. Girls, especially our generation, want to become like her and buy whatever she wears (This is called “Ebiure”). Also, companies try to collaborate with famous people and shape trends. As far as she is concerned, she designs wedding dress and makes stockings. It is said that all of them are sold out in any shops.
Another example of companies’ strategy to influence teenagers is using characters. According to the text, there is the kawaii culture in Japan. It is said that the kawaii culture spans not only children but also teenagers or adults. The author also said that the marketing of cuteness has created endlessly. I think most people have the cute character items. In fact, many of my friends like Hello Kitty or one of the Disney characters. In addition, recently, Japanese people need relaxation. The company connected relaxation and cute character so that they created new character, named “Rirakkuma”. It came into fashion among teenagers and adults.
The last thing companies try to influence teenagers is that they make use of events and seasons. Japanese people, especially youth like events. When one event comes, things are decorated and there are many advertisements about it. Industries often do limited sale. For example, they sell cosmetics that change to event’s version during that event. Moreover, there are chocolates or ice creams that are seasonal tastes. They are usually sold only in that season. Many young people including me like limited edition, so we tend to buy these things although it is a company’s strategy.
After reading this chapter, I thought there are many materials in Japan. For instance, people get the information from magazines and books and buy such as clothes and goods. They always repeat supply and demand. People cannot live if it had not been for things. At the same time, many people are not satisfied even if things are around them. In my opinion, this is because there are too much things around us. Many things deceive us so that we cannot distinguish whether we really need a thing or not.

2006-11-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

The central issues that have been discussed in this chapter were the difference between American and Japanese school such as hours of classes and relationships between teachers and students.
According to the lecture, in America club members do not absorb in club activity like Japan. I was very surprised to hear that. When I was in high school, I belonged to English club and we practiced for five days in a week. Therefore, club members are all good friends after we graduated. Furthermore, senpai-kohai relationship is soft in my club so that we communicate by using mimic board and often have a dinner. It is not too much to say that all my high school memory is my club.
Another example given was rules (“kosoku”) in Japanese schools. My junior high and high school were strict and there were many rules, for example, students have to wear black stockings from December to February, use bags that are provided and, of course, they cannot dye and perm hairs. By making these rules, teachers seemed to keep up appearances. In my opinion, it is not good to make too many rules. In fact, some of my classmates quitted the school for them. Also, terrible accidents may occur like a girl in a textbook. If there are no rules, students must be responsible for their freedom and it means they can develop themselves greatly.
Finally, the issue I was interested in was a relationship between teachers and students. In a textbook, Japanese students think a good teacher is “like a friend”. I agree with it. When I was 2nd and 3rd grade in high school, my class teacher was very popular among many students. In junior high school, I thought I could not talk my private things because teachers were too strict. However, she was different. She listened about my course in future seriously and gave good advices. She was like a mother or friend. Now I sometimes send email to her. I am happy to have a good relationship with her.
After reading this chapter, I found it interesting there are so many different things about schools between Japan and America. I think this is because the difference in people’s principles about education. I think both countries should praise good points about ideas of education and adopt them each other.

2006-10-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

The central issues that have been discussed in this chapter were the difference between American and Japanese family (e.g relationship, role, battle)
According to the reading, some young Japanese do not like spending time with their parents. Recently teens, especially high school students do not go home and spend their time in the street or comic book center (“manga kissa” in Japanese). They say parents are not worried about them. For me, it is important to be with my family. It is difficult to spend together, but I talk my family at least once a week and sometimes have time to talk over my trouble.
Another example given was “working mothers”. I was surprised that working mothers could use their daughter’s help at home. In the case of my family, my mother is working, but she does not want my and my sister’s help. This is because my mother believes that education is the most important to become a good adult. Thus, she does not need our help instead of study. However, after reading the textbook, I thought I should help her with house working.
Finally, the issue I was impressed most was sex discrimination. One Japanese girl noted that her eldest brother is treated like a king though she is like a handmaiden. I do not have brother, so I asked my friends. They said they are not treated like her. However, one of my high school friends who has a younger brother told her mother spoiled and did not scold him though she did her. Even if he clearly did wrong, she always forgave him. With the exception of that, gender discrimination seldom occur in Japan now.
After reading this chapter, I felt it was an old-fashioned. Except three things I wrote, there is something we do not see today. For me, family is essential in my life. I owe what I am today to my parents. My sister is the best confidant. When I am with my family, I can get myself together. I hope such good relationship will exist in the future

2006-10-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I learned the difference between Japanese and American family in class.
Japanese students are usually different time schedule in a day from parents, so we cannot have enough time to be with our parents. I don't know how about Americans.
Also I was very surprised that there was an American mother who killed her child's rival because she wanted to take the rival out of the competition. I feel sorry for her child because her mother became a criminal for her. I learned the extreme love causes the worst. I want to ask Colorado students what they think if their parents do wrong for them.

2006-10-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hello☆ I'm Nozomi Saito, 18 year old girl. About 10 months have passed since I entered Waseda. I'm from Yokohama. It takes 1.5 hours to go to Waseda (too far!!), but I'm used to.
I belong to ESS club in Waseda (called WESS). Now we are making a drama. The title is "The Foreigner". A man who is poor at communicating pretends to foreigner so that he changes his character and be able to make friends with others. It's a funny story. As I mentioned in my profile, I like acting, but I belong to sound section in this drama. I don't have knowledge about sound, so everytning is new. I'm really enjoyed it. I hope this drama will be succeed!!