Anyone here worked in Japan?

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Just got sort of interested in Oriental Languages and Culture.

As luck would have it at University, maths being an easy and not too time consuming subject for me, I signed up for all sorts of other stuff and a few units of, as luck would have it, "Oriental Languages and Culture", and learnt Japanese.

Japanese is not so hard if you take it with culture context, but just learning the language on its own means it can be really easy to say something offensive to someone who wants to be offended, which some are. You get funny bugg3rs all over the world. For example depending on who you are, who you are talking too, phase of the moon etc. verbs end differently. The highest honorific level "Keigo" went out of educational fashion for a period, so you'll find many japanese baby boomers doing it wrong, but everyone else doing it right, and baby boomers are now at that age when they begin to change status within the context of a Kiego conversation. Can be a little confusing.

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Im gradually picking up some of the language through conversing with my friend, whose brother is actually a translator and is more than happy to help me out...

I realised very quickly that it would take real application to get to any usable level of Japanese... im intrigued as to how you started to learn the language, Threaded...?

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Even a little bit of Japanese will help and the difference between Kanji, Hiragana writing and sometimes you'll even see signs in Chinese and Korean. You'll probably find the signs in Romaji easiest to understand, well apart from the ones that are in English of course.

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Howdy MilanB.... I did a bit of permie work for an MS owned consultancy, but im now back contracting (got my MCSD.Net, working on Web Services, C#, all the usual, luvverly jubbly). Moved to Edinburgh 15 months ago....

Ill admit that I have met a half Brasilian / half Japanese lovely - who happens to be a recruitment agent! Always been fascinated by Japan but this has quite naturally increased my interest in Japan based work to see if it works out...

Guys, any advice about language requirements are welcome - ive been told that even basic Japanese will increase my chances, however there are also those that say it wont be a problem in the major cities.... espcially if working for an American company. Apparently certification is well regarded...

japan

I did a 4 month contract in Yokohama in 2001. It was a fantastic experience, absolutely loved it. If you have half a chance to go there I would certainly recommend taking it.

feck me,

blast from the past it's good old MaquiggD !!!

How's it going in Norfolk Mac ?

Milan.

> Driving backwards in the dodgems ... one of the few things I learnt in the army that I have found a use for.

Absolutely amazing what facilities they have at Sandhurst.

Do other ranks like shaunbhoy get training in this essential military skill too or is it only for you officer types? If so perhaps you could pair up with him for a celebrity driving backwards in dodgems exhibition - possibly Geldof could fit you in at one of the Live 8 concerts.

mmmmmm...why do I think this thread could eventually become quite long with a lot of urine extraction going on.

We shall see....

fiddly: Yeah, I have been working there, several times. One of the parts of my comul is DBCS I18N enabling stuff. I am also a project co-ordinator on the Earth Simulator. I do occasional consultancy for the Foreign Office and various development agencies whenever they want some educated/upper class/computer/petrol head type who can speak Japanese. I have helped bring many jobs to the UK.

The dodgem picture's one of my faves too. Driving backwards in the dodgems is one of my great joys, and I am very good at it. One of the few things I learnt in the army that I have found a use for. :-) That was taken at the town where my Dutch companies are registered. I just love Queens Day in Holland, great fun.

All the pictures in images are used in the site. Although I guess you are not able to access the entire site. Clue: try clicking on the hyperlinks (they're the ones in blue & with a blue line under)

So you were actually working there then threaded?

And there was me thinking you'd taken a holiday there in a desperate attempt to get laid.

For those keen to see more of threaded's very own pictures (as opposed to the one's I discovered and published) try browsing www.threaded.com/images/ which contains far more than actually appear on the site.

This is one of my favourites...

Yes, I've worked in Japan. Have some pictures on my website. Really nice place. Sometimes feels like the nearest place not England to England, mainly due to the bureaucracy.

At first try not so much joking etc. at work, especially in a technical context, they can fall quite flat. The sense of humour can be quite different. Once your colleagues get to know you then all gets better.

Remember to a Japanese our "round eyes" make us look constantly surprised.

In a cubicle farm the cubicle nearest the middle, furthest from the windows, has the highest status. If you get moved to a cubicle near the window it can mean they want you to leave.

They tend to work in teams and work by concensus, i.e. meetings (bleh) generally I find I interface with two youngsters and an older chap. The older chap generally will not talk to you at work, but socially will make up for it. Don't be put off by this. It is just their way.

Go for it!

Im currently in contract, but a friend of mine in Nagoya has held out the possibility of some work there... as you only live once id certainly consider the opportunity to see a bit more of the world, but if anyone has experience of the IT sector, etc, out there id love to hear it....