2023/09/28 13:02

INTERNATIONAL

Let’s have fun in Japan with Jenya!

INTERNATIONAL

Let’s have fun in Japan with Jenya!

　



Hello, everyone! Nice to meet you! Zdravstvuite!
My name is Jenya. I love Japanese anime and I came to Japan 7 years ago to become a voice actress - seiyuu. Now I am working as seiyuu, singer and talent, doing different activity in Japan. 

It was Sailor Moon anime that taught me how wonderful Japanese animation is. Thanks to Sailor Moon, I have my dream job now! At first I thought - I want to watch anime in Japanese, so I began to study it when I was 17 years old.

I was born and raised in Russia, Novosibirsk city, but I was told “I thought you were raised in Japan” lately. That is how much I work on my Japanese everyday. I also got JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) Level 1.

As for my roles in anime,  my debut role was operator from “Neo Genesis Evangelion The Movie: Ha”, and I also voiced Lariska from Japanese version of Russian representative animation - “Cheburashka”. Lately I also worked on Last Exile: Silver Wing Fam - consulting on Russian language and also voicing Viola. I also give my voice to foreign movies and TV shows. I use not only Russian, but English and Japanese too.

I also love to sing, so I made some original CDs, and also member of unit “love solfege” where I sang and write lyrics. I also want to write my own songs someday!
 

soetanto　methods　for　motivation

INTERNATIONAL

 

Getting a job is not a final destination


 
Ms　SAKUMI　SHIMIZU　

How did Professor Soetanto’s class influence your life after you graduated from school?

  Due to the learning experience I gained from his class, I became able to challenge new things at work very enthusiastically. Professor Soetanto’s class, “Motivationand Education” was something really new to me at the time of my university years. I attended his class just for my curiosity on how he teaches "motivation" at first. However, my timid character gradually changed through his class which develops student's originality. 　He made us think deeply about the concept by asking us many questions instead of just providing us with the answers. He also made the class atmosphere very easy-to-speak-out. Many of students including myself became able to speak to the class very actively, and the class became very enjoyable. He shared stories with us about his hardships in Japan and gave us a lot of encouragements. I also had a chance to present to the class on my essay, and although it was challenging, looking back, I really had a precious experience. And now, from his class, I became not so afraid of challenging new things.


To students who are doing job-hunting

I had hard times in job-hunting. There were times when I wanted to quit. However, practice of job-interviews and chat with friends helped me maintaining my motivation, and finally I succeeded in getting a job which I enjoy doing. Now, I am in charge of global sales promotion. I believe my enthusiasm of English composition led me to the current job. However, I never want to satisfy the current situation and stop motivating myself. I like to keep challenging myself to widen my life-learning path.

   I think that still many students are meeting difficulties in job-hunting as I have experienced. I hope that they stay positive and never give up. Getting a job is not a final destination. It is just a transit point. Thus, I wish they will find their own answers to what means to “work and be part of the society.” From the experience involving in the circle called WIF (Waseda International Festival) at my university, I learned that there are many ways to interpret “work/ career.” By exchanging opinions with students from different countries at WIF has helped me widen my view greatly. Thank to the support from many people, I was able to overcome my hardships. Therefore, I truly wish that they will step forward to realize their own dreams in near future by believing their own abilities

 

 

HIMEKA debut at last　

INTERNATIONAL
HIMEKA debut at last, a Cinderella girl
who made her dream come true after her year's stay in Japan

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The one who topped 3,186 other applicants by an outstanding singing ability was a Canadian girl, who has a pure heart, as if she came out of the animation world.

Real Name: Catherine St-Onge
From Quebec, Canada. Mother tongue is French.
She came to Japan for a working holiday and when she was on the Internet, she accidentally found the site "2nd National Animation Song Grand Prix" so she applied for it. Amongst the 3,186 applicants, she won the grand prize. The judges were surprised at her outstanding singing ability and her Japanese expressiveness at the finals.


Her awaited Japan debut became true from Sony Music Japan International on May 27th, 2009. The producer is Shintaro Tokita, a member of Sukimaswitch. "Asueno Kizuna" is her debut song, which is also used as the opening theme song of the animation "Valkyria Chronicles" that is on air since April, 2009.

http://www.himeka.info/


Q: What made you come to Japan?　

A: I have been saving money to come to Japan since when I won the Karaoke Competition at the animation convention in the US. I have always wanted to be a singer.
When I first came to Japan, I could not find a place to work as part-time because I was not able to communicate much in Japanese. I found a job though, at a French restaurant. I have been waiting for this chance to become a singer, studying Japanese and practicing singing at home at karaoke boxes.


Q: Your Japanese is great. How did you learn Japanese?　

A: I became interested in Japanese animation when I first watched "Sailor Moon" at the age of 15. Since then I've been watching animation in the original Japanese version and have been listening to animation songs. That's how I learned Japanese. There was no chance to study Japanese at school and no Japanese friends around so I had to study on my own. But I just loved Japanese songs so much that it wasn't at all tough for me to study the language. Here in Japan, of course I study, too. Even when I have only a little bit of time, I watch TV and try to learn Japanese words. Today, too, I learned many words, for example, "Kamishibai" "Ketsuatsu" "Kyokenbyo", etc. (laugh)

Q: Were you confident of passing the audition?

A: As I am a non-Japanese, I thought it was quite tough to pass. But I believed in myself that someday chances will come to me.

Q: The name HIMEKA was your idea?

A: HIMEKA is my animation character that has been living in my imagination since my childhood. I have made up lots of stories but never wrote one. But she is my ideal image.


Q: What messages are you sending when you sing "Asueno Kizuna"?

A: I want everyone who listens to this song, to "Believe yourself and move on." I am so happy that I can sing a song that will give people who are trying hard even though they have some depressing times, courage and hope.

Q: Any messages to the people from overseas, who came to Japan like you with dreams?

A: I think there will be hard times but don't give up, remember the day you came to Japan, with full of dreams. I will study more Japanese and will keep on singing songs that will encourage people.


I thought her passion towards songs has a single-minded feeling, "Singing to encourage people." I think the judges understood her messages, not just her singing techniques.

Youth Interpreter Volunteer Guide

INTERNATIONAL
The Merit of Students and the Youth to be an Interpreter Volunteer Guide
1. Gain confidence to speak a foreign language
→ Language is "Courage."
2. You can see Japanese culture from the foreigner's point of view.
→ You can rediscover the good points of Japan.

3. You can compare the culture of the participants' countries or themselves and can have a deep, meaningful communication.
→ Developing an open-minded heart towards different culture.

4. Get appreciated to what you have done. You can feel how nice it is to get appreciated.
→ You can feel the true joy of human.

5. You can try very hard to understand what that person wants because the language communication is not enough.
→　Build a warm-hearted feeling towards others. Develop a high communication ability.

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Interpreter Volunteer Guide - A very meaningful experience where "Live Language Ability," "Warm-heartedness," "Communication Ability," and build a basic ability which you will need to become a member of the society.


↓↓↓↓↓
Liaison Meeting for Student Interpreter Volunteer Guides to be Established Soon in Tokyo.　　(We need more Japanese students, exchange students, Student OBOGs!)　　

東京でも学生通訳ボランティアガイド連絡会が発足予定

通訳ボランティアガイドに興味のある方は①お名前②年齢③住んでいる都道府県④学生の場合は学校名⑥英語あるいはその他使える外国語のレベル等を記入の上　



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までご連絡ください。詳しい資料と説明会のご案内をさせていただきます。　（日本人学生・留学生・学生OBOGの方々大歓迎です！！）

Student Interpreter Volunteer Guide　FGC

A Student Interpreter Volunteer Guide Group in Kyoto, which has over 40 years of history.

FGC Free Guide Club

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How is your club like? What do you specifically do?


When we guide, we mainly work individually but when we have regular practice and study groups, we get together and have fun. But the first year students need to borrow all materials and textbooks from the seniors to write everything down, so they really have to work hard.

After you pass the test that we have in our group, you can start guiding. You first start by assisting the seniors but with one or two assistance job, you can guide on your own. You need to ask for permission, whether you can guide the tourists to the temples or shrines where you went for rehearsal training.

It is the real joy of the Interpreter Volunteer Guides' activities that within two or three hours you can be friends. You will know quite well about Kyoto and Japanese culture, and as for English you get confidence in speaking. It is the perfect activity group for us who major a foreign language.

Can you tell us about the Guide Contest that started 6 years ago?


In this contest, you explain one Japanese culture to a foreign person in 15 minutes. It is not a presentation nor a speech. It is "Guiding" so you cannot just explain, you need to entertain that person. That's the key point.

This contest is held every December so if you think you are confident in the English language and Japanese History, give it a try!

Futher　enquiries　for　Free　Guide　Club


翻訳者　：tranlated　by　下野佐紀子

After 3 Years of Interviewing International Couples

INTERNATIONAL
Family units may spread all over the world without limitation.
For the past 3 years, I have met many international couples with exchange students and listened to their stories. Statistically, there were many couples of female Japanese and male Western, or male Japanese and female Asian. However, age, how they came to Japan, and how they each think varies so it is quite difficult to explain "This is how international marriages are." But if I were to say what they are, I can say that family units may spread all over the world without limitation.

For example, kids who have an Australian father and a Japanese mother will have two cultures from the beginning. And I am sure they will naturally tell even to their cousins from their father's side and mother's side the different cultures. And maybe the cousins get interested in people from different nationalities because of this and get married. This is a great influence.

For example, kids who have an Australian father and a Japanese mother will have two cultures from the beginning. And I am sure they will naturally tell even to their cousins from their father's side and mother's side the different cultures. And maybe the cousins get interested in people from different nationalities because of this and get married. This is a great influence.

Actually when I was interviewing the international couples, their brothers, sisters, and relatives also married someone from a different nationality. And further more, there is a high possibility that kids from those international couples may marry someone not Japanese, nor Australian, like the example above, and I would not think that their parents will not say no to their kids if they want an international marriage.

If there are more people who are broad-minded to international marriage, I think mutual cultural understanding will grow more. And it is a fact that the Ainu people originally lived in Japan and various people came over to Japan to live and they have become Japanese so I think it is nothing special.

I thought that if kids of international couples get well-adapted to the Japanese society and if they could feeling something by playing with the pure Japanese kids, Japan will be much more easier for the foreigners to live.

In our next June edition, we will introduce an international couple who have a great relationship, like we always do.

翻訳者　：tranlated　by　下野佐紀子



PAST　ARTILCE　ON　INTERNATIONAL　COUPLES

International　Marriage American and Japanese
International　Marriage　Australian & Japanese

International　couple　Korean and Japanese　woman

International Couple Malaysian & Japanese couple

International Couple　Japanese & Russian

International Couple Iranian & Japanese

International Couple Korean and Japanese

International Couple Chinese and Japanese

International Marriage French & Japanese

Dentist couple who treat their patients by using 4 languages.

International Marriage　Japanese & Vietnamiese

International Marriage Italian & Japanese

International　Marriage American man and Japanese woman

INTERNATIONAL
The number of international marriages has been increasing these days. According to the Health,Labor and Welfare Ministry’s statistics of movement of population, there were 36030 international marriages in 2003 and this accounted for 4.8% of the total number of marriages. One in every twenty couples is an international marriage and it is becoming more and more common around the world.

A couple of American man and Japanese woman
Mr. and Mrs. Saale

Mr. and Mrs. Saale have had a happy life with three kids in Japan for about 14 years.

How did you meet each other?

When I was twenty, I came to Japan for the first time and met her by chance at a restaurant I went to. I think I fell in love at first sight. She was so kind and pretty. After I went back to America, we kept in touch by letter and phone for about half a year. I paid a lot for the international call at that time.
As we wrote to each other many times, I felt our relationship was getting closer. Then, she came to see me in America. We traveled in Los Angels together, where we had a great time.
After that, I came to Japan and stayed here for a year. I went to school to study Japanese during the day and worked at night. It was pretty hard, but I was happy since I was able to see her whenever I wanted.



How was your parents' response to your marriage?

"My mom is from Brazil, so my parents have an international marriage as well. Many people have an international marriage in America, so everyone congratulated us warmly.
Since my brother is married to a Filipino lady, my family was kind of used to it. They seemed relieved as he speaks Japanese although they were a bit awkward at first."

For your kids' education, do you speak English at home?

"They all tend to speak Japanese since he speaks Japanese. Our elder daughter understands what people say in English, but she hardly talks to us in English. When they were small, I used to talk to them in English. However, now they speak Japanese almost all the time since their friends speak Japanese, too.
I want them to study in America, if they like, so they can also experience my own culture. "

Do you have any message for those who will have an international marriage?


If you live in Japan, you need to have an understanding of Japanese language and culture since it is important for you to get used to the environment. It is really great that he loves Japan.

We have different language and different ideas. For example, American people take a shower in the morning, but Japanese do in the evening. It is not a matter of which of us is correct. I suggest what is important is to respect each other.

International　Marriage　No18

INTERNATIONAL
The number of international marriages has been increasing these days. According to the Health,Labor and Welfare Ministry’s statistics of movement of population, there were 36030 international marriages in 2003 and this accounted for 4.8% of the total number of marriages. One in every twenty couples is an international marriage and it is becoming more and more common around the world.


Mr　STEVEN　MARRIOT　（AUSTRALIAN）
Ms　AKIE　MARRIOT　　（JAPANESE）

Q: Where did you meet for the first time?　


A: We met in April 2004 in Ikebukuro station by chance but we both think that it was fate!. We were introduced through a mutual friend ( which since then we have been together since). We went drinking and singing all night long.

Q: What was the first impression of each other?　


A: Our first impression of each other was for me (steve) How she was and still is, so beautiful, intelligent and how she respected me. (Akie) How kind and gentle and handsome he is.
We could tell each other anything with ease.

Q: What made you decide to marry?　


A: We decided to get married for the one and true reason. We wanted to live out our days together, and as well as to stay happy.

Q: How was your parents’ reaction for that?　


A: ( Steve ) My family in Australia was very delighted to hear about the good news especially my mum.
( Akie ) My family too was so happy for this mum began to cry her heart out with joy.

Q: What kind of advantage have you gotten after the international marriage?


A: The advantage that we both got from our happiness is that how close we are to one another, yet we were raised in two very different situations.

Q: Any comment for your husband?


A: From now on in, let's keep helping and loving each other thru any hard times we can do it together.

Q: Give a comment to your wife, please.


A: I want to say thank you for waiting for me...as we get older our love grows bigger together.

International　couple

INTERNATIONAL
The number of international marriages has been increasing these days. According to the Health,Labor and Welfare Ministry’s statistics of movement of population, there were 36030 international marriages in 2003 and this accounted for 4.8% of the total number of marriages. One in every twenty couples is an international marriage and it is becoming more and more common around the world.
Korean　husband　Mr　Yu
Japanese　wife　Ms　Yonezu

Q:Where did you meet for the first time?What was the first impression of each other?　


I　got acquainted with her on a pen pal site at the end of 2001. The first time I met her, I was very astonished. She was just like a Korean actress. I wanted to somehow go out with her.
My first impression of him was that he appeared to be honest. While going out with me, he has loved and respected me.

Q: What made you decide to marry?　


She arranged a date when convenient for me, even if she was tired from working a night shift.
I had seen her how she handled herself, and I became to aspire to get married to her.
When I saw him treat my family members kindly as well as me, I was conscious of the possibility of a marriage with him.

　Q: How was your parents’ reaction for that?　


"I have been fond of Japan and listened to Japanese songs since I was a junior high school student, and my parents understood the way I felt. (husband)
My parents were reassured in the knowledge that he can speak Japanese fluently."

　Q: What kind of advantage have you gotten after the international marriage?　


It grows up with the attitude that we try to understand each other.
I could broaden my allowance range as a person.
As I often hear different views, I try to understand the feelings.

Any advices for those who are thinking of having an international marriage?
If you want to get married to someone, it doesn’t matter what nationality he or she has, I think. The one I wanted to marry happened to be Japanese. If you sincerely love someone, that transcends nationalities.

　Q: Give a comment to your wife, please.


I was kind of selfish, but she has waited, I appreciate it. “I won’t smoke any more.”　

Q: Any comment for your husband?　


It can be tough sometimes to live in a foreign country. I want him to rely on me.

They two make a beautiful couple. I hope that they share a long and happy life together.

Malaysian man and Japanese woman

INTERNATIONAL
The number of international marriages has been increasing these days. According to the Health,Labor and Welfare Ministry’s statistics of movement of population, there were 36030 international marriages in 2003 and this accounted for 4.8% of the total number of marriages. One in every twenty couples is an international marriage and it is becoming more and more common around the world.


Malaysian man and Japanese woman couple


Husband: Chiui Yan
Wife: Narumi Matsumata

Malaysian and Japanese couple

Q:Where did you meet for the first time?


What was the first impression of each other?

As a part-timer, he joined the restaurant where I worked
in the summer of 2001. Then he was not so good at Japanese,
he sometimes made incoherent responses.
While going out to karaoke with our colleagues,
we gradually become friendly.
My Japanese continued improving thank to Narumi.
He knows even what the Japanese don’t know well.

Q: What made you decide to marry?

When I reached 30 years of age, I dared to propose to her.
Shall we marry, Na-chan?
That’s not what you said. You said
“Will you marry me, please?”

Q: How was your parents’ reaction for that?

My mother in Malaysia was so glad.
Actually she will come to Japan to see us soon.

Q: What kind of advantage have you gotten after the international marriage?　

The Chinese have a strong sense of fellowship.
They have ‘compassion’.He is very kind.
He never fail to keep his promises and
he loves and respects me.
Though having so many friends, Na-chan is honest
and works on everything without hesitation.

Q: Any comment for your husband?

He is good at cooking so I’d like him to make fine dishes for me.

Q: Give a comment to your wife, please.　

I have been with her for a long time, and so much happened.
Sometimes she supported me financially,
I appreciate it.Let’s get along together.

They two make a beautiful couple.
I hope that they share a long and happy life together.

Japanese man and Russian woman;

INTERNATIONAL
Japanese man and Russian woman


Mr. and Mrs. Wakabayashi




The number of international marriages has been increasing these days. According to the Health,Labor and Welfare Ministry’s statistics of movement of population, there were 36030 international marriages in 2003 and this accounted for 4.8% of the total number of marriages, that is one in every twenty couples is an international marriage and it is becoming more and more common around the world. It’s not “none of my business” issue anymore! There are possibilities that you will have an international marriage!!? What are the image and the reality of international marriage like!?
Q: Where did you meet for the first time?　

A: We met on the website for international exchange in the February of 2006.
Since then, we just kept keeping in touch only through e-mails and chats.
And the first time we actually met was after a year and it was when we went to a trip to Kiplos Island together.


Q: What was the first impression of each other?　

A: Since we had conversation before we met, there are few things that surprised us and even when we talked nothing, we didn’t feel awkward at all.

Q: What made you decide to marry?　

A: We decided because we just thought we wanted to be together. We think the reason for international marriage is the same as for non-international one.


Q: How was your parents’ reaction for that?　

A: Since our way of marriage wasn’t the one for everyone, people around us were worried about it. They said international marriage is hard but we decided to marry in order not to regret.

Mr. and Mrs. Wakabayashi

Q: What kind of advantage have you gotten after the international marriage?

A: This is not “what I got after the marriage” but “before the marriage”, we had a common hobby though we were born in a different country. Since we had liked Hindu and Buddhism before we met, we never had difficulties in finding a topic to talk about.
After we began to live together, we started meditating. Also we are curious about Yoga. To do something together is the best fun thing for both of us.

Q: Any comment for your husband?

A: Let’s keep understanding each other. If we get together, our power gets doubled. And we can get over any hardships together!!

Q: Give a comment to your wife, please.

A: Thank you for waiting for a long time. We will stay together for good!



Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Wakabayashi!!