Skype English Learning Now More Popular!

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As the Internet grows and social media takes the spotlight, more and more people are discovering new ways to connect online. Living in Japan is a dream for many people and teaching English is one of the basic gateways to getting a job in the Asian country. But if a person is hardcore about teaching (regardless where they live), they might not have to even move to Japan. Let me explain why in more detail.

Japanese English learners are going online! Increasingly, Japanese English learners are looking for English schools online. In the past, the Japanese people studied English at “eikawa” (English conversation schools) located close to train stations, etc. Rent on these pricey locations, plus the expense of paying foreign teachers enough to keep up with Japan’s high cost of living, added to the cost of English lessons. The Internet and Skype have introduced new possibilities. Now, Japanese English learners can go online and have live lessons with teachers overseas. For example, Conversations Direct is an American eikawa that uses Skype to provide students in Japan and other countries with live English lessons.

With small classes, native English-speaking teachers, and live video lessons, the quality is every bit as good as the big English conversation schools in Japan. However, unlike the big schools in Japan, Conversations Direct is affordable and has no hidden fees. It’s also more convenient than traditional schools. Students can reserve lessons up to 10 minutes before their lessons start, then log on to their computers from home, work, or wherever else they are. If students move or travel, they can easily take their English lessons with them.

The convenience and value of online English schools is starting to have an impact. According to data from Google insights, searches for the Japanese keywords for “online eikawa” and “Skype eikawa” are skyrocketing, despite the fact that searches on “eikawa” are flat. (See the tables below.)

Search trends for “online eikawa”

Search trends for “Skype eikawa” (click for larger image)

Trends for “eikawa” in general– no growth!

These trends suggest that English learners in Japan will continue to move online as students discover and become comfortable with their online learning options. What are your thoughts about this?

Japan Airlines Offering Wireless Internet Connection Service Soon

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This summer, Japan Airlines (JAL) will start offering high-speed, wireless internet connection service, the JAL SKY Wi-Fi. The airline is currently in progress in equipping their aircraft across its international fleet using the broadband Ku connectivity solution eXConnect by Panasonic Avionics Corporation. It will be gradually introduced onboard JAL’s international flights. If possible, I think it’s a great time to utilize a VPN service while connecting to their wifi network to encrypt and secure your internet connection.

Airline’s customers in every cabin class will be able to surf and browse the web and access their accounts using their personal electronic devices such as tablets, laptops, and other Wi-Fi enabled gadgets with the use of JAL SKY Wi-Fi. This serves as an alternative option for in-flight entertainment as well as getting some work done if they have.

JAL Sky Wifi

Installation will start on a 777-300ER and JAL SKY Wi-Fi will become accessible on flights between Tokyo (Narita) and New York (John F. Kennedy) on every other days from July 15, 2012, and everyday from early August. Soon after this, by the end of October JAL expects to bring its latest service on flights to and from Jakarta, Los Angeles, and Chicago. And by next spring, JAL expects to deliver its service to Frankfurt, London, and Paris.

A charge for the usage of JAL SKY Wi-Fi is USD11.95 or the first hour and USD21.95 for 24 hours upon activation. Customers who purchase 24 hour usage can continue to enjoy the service on a connecting JAL international flight that has the JAL SKY Wi-Fi system as long as it is within the time limit. Charges are payable through credit card only and if the customers are using JAL CARD, JAL USA CARD, or the JAL Shanghai Pudong Development Bank credit card, they are entitled to the special rates of USD10.75 for the first hour and USD19.75 for 24 hours of usage. Continue reading →

Is Japan Sexist When It Comes To Job Seniority?

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In a survey covering 744 firms of 10 major Asia-Pacific stock markets, only 6 percent of board seats account for women, compared with 15 percent in the U.S. and 17 percent in Europe. It shows that Asia’s leading companies have only very few women in senior jobs. This could mean that vital pool of talent can be missed out that can fuel the growth of the region, with Japan ranking second from the bottom.

Japanese Office Ladies and Salary Men

In the Asian firms, 8 percent of the executive seats are held by women, which is lower than the average of 14 percent in the U.S. and 10 percent in Europe. According to a report titled “Women Matter”, since half of Asian graduates are female, not considering many women for senior positions results in a huge waste of talent. And given the uncompromising shortage of senior managers in the region, it is a waste that Asian companies can ill afford it.

With having female presence in boardrooms, countries that are on top of the list are Australia having 13 percent, Hong Kong with 9 percent, and China having 8 percent in these top jobs, while South Korea, Japan, and India were at the bottom of the list.

In South Korea only 1 percent of women are on the boardroom seats, due to their conservative culture. While Japan, which came next from the bottom, only 2 percent of women hold such jobs due to similar reason where women are the sole caregiver in the family. About 60 percent of Japanese women have quit or change jobs after marriage. In India, the number is slightly higher at 5 percent. Even in recent news… Japanese women flew coach to the Olympics while the men flew business class. (Another article in the Wall Street Journal).

In the three-bottom ranked nations, the dominant reason for women to leave their jobs is double-burden pressure, while in a place like China and Singapore those reasons had far less influence.

5 Tips on how to Order the Right Meal at a Japanese Restaurant

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There are a couple of scenarios where someone might find themselves in a situation where they will need to order a meal in a Japanese restaurant. The first, and the most obvious, if they find themselves in Japan either in business or for pleasure and need to eat something. The other scenario is if they simply prefer Japanese food and find a local restaurant in which to eat.

Either experience can be an adventure, simply because Japanese food is an acquired taste and those who are unaware on how to order the right meal at a Japanese restaurant may come away feeling that they have missed out on something.

Minami Japanese Restaurant in Yaletown Vancouver BC Canada

Obviously if you have knowledge of Japanese food and even eaten some in the past then the whole procedure will be a lot easier. However, if you’re new to it altogether, then you’d be well advised to do some homework before plunging in at the deep end.

Japanese restaurants, whether they are local or international, are well aware that most of the clients will not speak Japanese and therefore make use of visual aids to help those dining with them to understand exactly what they are ordering. If you have chosen a restaurant before you leave home or it has you recommend to you, it’s always a good idea to find out if they have a website. If you succeed in finding one, and it is in English, then you’re dining experience has a very good chance of being successful. It is common practice for the Japanese to provide pictures of the main courses that they serve, along with full list of ingredients and on how the meal will be prepared. That way there will be no surprises.

Japanese Restaurant Food Menu

If an online option does not exist then there’s a fair chance that the restaurant will provide a menu with the same explanations and photographs. There are even are a number of cases, were Japanese restaurants will provide accurate plastic or wax replicas of the dishes they are serving in the foyer of the restaurant.

If you plan to, eat a Japanese meal at a local restaurant then there is a fair chance that the waiters will speak English and communication problems will be at a minimum. If in Japan the chances, while not being exactly high, are not impossible.

In either case, you will always find that the waiters and waitresses, apart from being very well trained, are always, polite and attentive, and will make every effort to ensure that you know exactly what you’re ordering. Not only that, but if the dish is not up to your expectations, they will readily exchange it.

When any barriers or problems have been overcome, dining in a Japanese restaurant can be a tremendous cultural experience, beginning with taking off your shoes, sitting at the traditional low tables, getting to know how to eat with wooden chopsticks are all part of the experience.

If you are eating out with friends in a Japanese restaurant, it is very common practice for everyone in the party to order their own meal, with each member of the party sharing the various dishes.

Japanese food has become very popular throughout the world. While it is an acquired taste for many, those who get to know and love it will always come back for more.

Andrew loves Japanese food and enjoy blogging about it. Over the last 4 years, Andrew has been distributing the sushi rice cooker and has had the chance to travel to Japan on numerous occasions.

Discover Tokyo (A Quick Tour Overview)

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Shinjuku

Shinjuku Streets at Night

The railway station in Shinjuku is particularly big It serves above 4 million people Shinjuku is a very busy area through all day long. At night the neon signs are brightening in shiny Colors that makes the city looks glory.

Harajuku

Harajuku Girls and Their Fashion

When all the young people go out to the city in order to be seen, the fashion there is the last word and there is no end to the styles of haircuts, clothes and costumes they wear, They are aware of their exclusiveness and pleased when tourists stop them to take Photographs worth to visit the temple worth to visit the Temple Meiji at Yoyogi Park as well.

Shibuya

Shibuya Girls Shopping in Tokyo

Popular meeting place among the younger people of Tokyo. Combination of stores, boutiques in front of the station there is the famous sculpture of the dog Hachiko, favorite meeting place among everybody in the city. Aoyama is also a nice place full of stores, designers and cafes in Parisian style cafes and restaurants.

Roppongi

Roppongi - A view of they City at Night

One of the most popular night life areas in Tokyo, There are a great deal of bars, pubs and restaurants It’s a famous meeting place among tourists and foreign residents. The Hard Rock Cafe is located there.

Ginza

Ginza Shopping and Buildings

Looks a little like fifth eve in New York In Ginza are the most expensive stores boutiques,Restaurants and cafes.

Hibiya

Hibiya Park in Tokyo

There you can visit one of the oldest department stores in Japan, Mitsukoshi beside it you can also visit one of the biggest and modest stores in Japan Takashimaya, along with the beautiful Hibiya Park (日比谷公園, Hibiya Koen).

Otemachi & Yurakucho

Yurakucho Bullet Train and Architecture

Impressive area of high sky scrapers built between two architecture Styles the modern and the traditional Japanese.The red brick work build in that was left from the old Tokyo station.The Tokyo stock Exchange and the imperial house is a few min walk from there.

Odaiba

Odaiba Island

This is non artificial island that get wide with are number of malls the time.The most popular building there is Fuji television that looks very impressive with its modern design, There that are full of stores boutiques cafes and restaurants, It’s a place to visit in any weather and In anytime

Asakusa

Asakusa Tokyo Senso-ji temple

This is the down town area of Tokyo. There you can visit the one of the most important historical place in Tokyo called (sensoji) temples. The temple stands behind red big gate, Kaminarimon decorated with two Figures one is the wind and the other One called thunder. Around the temple, There are lots of shops selling souvenirs.

If you are looking for an opportunity to see Tokyo, you might consider using a private guide to enhance your experience, especially if it’s your first time visiting Tokyo and you’re not sure where to go!

View the gallery and photo credits here.

Hiking Mount Fuji (Travel Guide)

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One of the most strikingly beautiful mountains in the world, hiking Japan’s Mount Fuji is an adventure that will create memories that will last a lifetime. The mountain is 3776 meters tall, and a hike even part of the way up the mountain offers expansive views and an experience that is perfect for even novice hikers and families. Japan has declared July and August the official climbing season for Mount Fuji, and anyone who does not have a lot of experience with this type of mountain hike should consider going during this season, when the mountain’s mild weather and lack of snow make it easy to enjoy the trip. Access to the mountain’s trails is available via public transportation, and there are scenic mountain huts to stop at.

Beautiful mount fuji view from the lake

View of Mount Fuji

Hiking Mount Fuji isn’t just a popular tourist attraction, there are also many people from Japan who enjoy the trek and hike the mountain on a regular basis. The busiest week for climbers is in mid-August, known as Obon Week, when so many climbers visit the area that they often form lines at some mountain passages. Those who want to avoid large crowds should avoid this week, but the people who climb Mount Fuji are part of the experience that you wouldn’t want to miss. Hiking Mount Fuji with hundreds of others creates a sense of being part of a unique experience that will become almost as memorable as the trip up the mountain itself.

Tour group hiking mount fuji

Going with a tour group hiking Mount Fuji

If you’re a fan of Mount Fuji and planning a trip to Japan, I recommend getting the Lonely Planet Japan Travel Guide. For those who choose to hike Mount Fuji during the off season, be sure that you truly understand what the trip involves before you start. Some of the mountain huts that dot the trails are open a majority of the year, but it can be difficult to find public transportation to the mountain during the off-season. Mount Fuji is generally free of snow from late June to the end of October, but the weather on the mountain can be unpredictable at best during the winter season and strong winds can make climbing tricky even for experienced mountaineers. Only those hikers with significant experiencing and the right equipment should attempt the hike during snowy and cold periods.

Descending down the Sunabashiri Sand Run Mount Fuji

Descending down the sand run

There are ten different stations on Mount Fuji, with the first one at the base of the mountain and the tenth at the peak. The first five stations include paved roads that are easily accessed by even casual hikers, and there are four separate “fifth stations” on different parts of the mountain. The most popular trail is called the Yoshida Trail, and takes between five and seven hours to hike, with the return trip taking about four hours. There are many mountain huts along the trail, and there are different trails for ascent and descent, giving hikers a different view.

 

The sunrise takes place on this side of the mountain, making early-morning hikes particularly rewarding. The Subashiri Trail takes between five and eight hours to climb, and the return trip is about four hours. The Subashiri Trail connects to the Yoshida Trail at the eighth station. The Gotemba trail takes about nine hours to ascend, and five hours to descend, and is one of the longest trails on the mountain, ideal for hikers who want a slower and less steep ascent. The Fujinomiya Trail is on the southern side of the mountain, and takes about eight hours to ascend and five hours to descend.

Top of mount fuji station 3250 m

Mount Fuji station at 3250 M

In general, the ascent to the summit of Mount Fuji is not considered difficult, with the most challenging areas being those with steep, rocky terrain that is best navigated by experienced hikers or those with an appropriate understanding of the terrain. Since hiking Mount Fuji means that you will be going up more than three thousand meters in altitude, the air does get thin and makes breathing difficult for those who are not athletic or used to higher elevations. Proper preparation and planning make hiking Mount Fuji a good experience for families, couples, groups, and even singles who want to experience one of Japan’s natural wonders.

Photo Credits:
Photo of the tour group and 3250 m check point: flickr.com/photos/imgdive
Picture of Mount Fuji descent: flickr.com/photos/edenandjosh

Get Connected to Other Global Minds in Japan

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In Japan’s megacities, there are expatriates aplenty. This will, of course, hardly be news to the readers of this blog – some of you have decided to go on the great adventure that is life in Japan yourself. But oftentimes, you might just be looking for a good opportunity and a nice setting in which foreigners in Japan can meet other foreigners. After all, meeting others with similar experiences and in situations similar to yours can be an invaluable source of support while abroad.

Unprepared Westeners in particular often have a hard time acclimating to their new surroundings and feel the full force of culture shock upon relocating to Japan. While the Internet is one of the most important sources of information we have today, face-to-face encounters with knowledgeable expats often prove to be most fruitful. Not only will they often be more than happy to help you with whatever question you might have in mind (themselves having been in the same situations before), but might even turn out to become some of your dearest friends abroad. Immersing yourself in the culture of your new home is vital – so is having a network of like-minded expats!

That’s why I’d like to introduce this free social connection website to expats and travelers, so check it out if you’re living here or going to be traveling abroad soon!
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2NE1 “I Love You” (Japanese Version)

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If you’ve been to any clubs lately you’ll notice that Korean pop music and fashion in Japan is growing in popularity. 2NE1′s new single in Japan “I Love You” should be released 2012.9.12 following up on their debut album ‘Collection’ and check out 2NE1′s Official Website Japan at http://www.2ne1.jp/

Here’s a mini mv (music video in Japanese)

Here’s a full version in Korean

Back in March they released “Scream” and debut album “Collection”.

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Wolverine Movie Casts Four Japanese Actors

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The Japanese stars will be showing off their acting skills along with Hugh Jackman on the next Wolverine movie that is going to be released on summer of 2013. Since the new movie is acting as a standalone and the co-stars from the X-Men Origins: Wolverine won’t be showing up, it means that it needs a whole new to cast to surround Hugh Jackman as Wolverine travels to Japan to train with a samurai warrior.

From news sources, the story is based in Japan and the production will take place in Jackman’s native Australia and will also spend some time in Japan. The Wolverine cameras will start to roll next month (UPDATE: See video below) and it will be released on July 26, 2013.

The Japanese stars who are lined up to join the cast of the new Wolverine adventure are Hiroyuki Sanada, a big deal in Japan who has casted in the American films The Last Samurai, Revenge, Lost, Rush Hour 3, and Danny Boyle’s underseen Sunshine, he will be playing Shingen; Hal Yamanouchi, who appeared in The Way Back and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, will be playing Yashida; Tao Okamoto and Rila Fukushima, the two newcomers who are playing Mariko and Yukio.

Mixi vs Facebook – Is Mixi in Trouble as Facebook Users Double?

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If you’re going to compare the Facebook users on Japan to other countries, only 30 percent of Japanese internet users have an account. It’s quite different compared to the U.S. where 67.2 percent uses Facebook and even 39.3 percent in nearby South Korea. It’s comparatively low but 30 percent is a huge increase on May’s figures where just one year ago the figures were around 16 percent using Facebook during the beginning of 2011.

According to a Nielsen/Netratings report, 17.2 million unique visitors from Japan were recorded on Facebook the other month, more than double the 8.2 million in May 2011. On a separate poll, Mixi has seen a loss of about 60 million users at the end of 2011.

Mixi is Japan’s longest dominant social network where most users are anonymous or use nicknames and only reveal themselves to people they know and have met in person and it operates more as an online notice board where they can discuss topics on public forums.Because Mixi allows anonymity, as well as other social networks sites such as Gree and Twitter, has gained popularity in Japan.

Mixi’s Vice President said that he didn’t feel that the rise of Facebook meant the inevitable downfall of Mixi. Facebook is becoming popular in the country because of the social aspect, but it’s still too early to tell if it will surpass Mixi.

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