Learning a third language through a second language
Following the trend of last two posts about speaking English/Japanese more proactively in the workplace, I would like to offer a third perspective on learning a foreign language, specifically on learning a language that is not emphasised as much as English/Japanese.
Strengthening office relations through language
As a foreigner, living in Japan has its difficulties and challenges: notably, working for a local company. Understanding the lifestyle, customs, and culture, including learning the local language, (which comes above all else) are just a few things to keep in mind in trying to fit in.
あなたは何語で仕事しますか？
このWorking Japanブログで初めての日本語投稿になります。
これからは、日本語でもe-Janネットワークスの個性的なカルチャーと日本で働く外国人たちの日常をお伝えしますので、よろしくお願いします。
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今回は、職場で使われている言語についてお話します。
e-Jan Vegetable Market
Recently, e-Jan Network’s Tokyo office started an ‘e-Jan Vegetable Market.
Japan’s rainy season, the early signs of summer
With the rainy season announced last week for western, central, and eastern Japan, summer can be said to have officially begun. While a large part of early summer in Japan is centered around the transition to stay cool in the increasing heat (see the last blog on Cool Biz), Japan’s summer is not merely oppressive heat. Japan’s rainy season brings with it an unstable pattern of unpleasant weather, which some non-Japanese people may be unaccustomed to.
What is 'Cool Biz'?
As the weather gets warmer, a buzzword that crops up in the professional sector of Japan is ‘Cool Biz’.>>Read more
Impressions: Information Security EXPO 2017
Every year, e-Jan Networks presents a booth at Japan’s largest event for information security, Japan IT Week’s Information Security Expo.
>>Read more
入职三周后的一些小“抱怨” (Before and after: working in a Japanese company)
[This post is an essay submission by a guest writer in the company, ‘E.']
The author talked about her experience of doing job-hunting in Japan.
It was definitely not easy for a foreign student to getting an job offer here in Japan; it became even harder when she wanted to have a good work-life balance, rather than simply working for survival.
The author also mentioned how she got to know some small and middle scaled IT enterprises in Japan, and talked about her feelings on her first month working here at e-Jan, and about the culture shock that she received before and after joining a Japanese company.
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Training courses, workshops, and on-the-job training
April is the beginning of the new work year, and therefore a time when many young people enter the workforce. In Japan, many medium to large companies hire college graduates from many different majors and fields of study, and most new employees within the company receive the same basic training. Japan is a country with many social traditions, and since these skills are no longer common knowledge to many young people, these new employees typically undergo training to learn basic social and/or business skills.
Cherry blossom viewing
In Japan, the number one marker of spring time is, of course, the cherry blossoms.
Cherry blossom viewing, hanami, is a popular activity when they are in bloom; because the window of time that the cherry blossoms are in bloom is short, it is important to set plans accordingly so you don’t miss out.
Cultural exchange: Chinese night
At e-Jan Networks, there is a significant number of Mandarin Chinese-speaking employees. As a result, in 2015, the company began sponsoring an annual ‘Chinese Night’, a cultural exchange dinner. >>Read more
Impressions of Japanese working hours
Today's post comes from guest writer 'M.A.', a new employee, on his impressions of Japanese working hours and the stereotypes surrounding them.
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Lunchtime at the workplace
Styles of lunch at the workplace vary from person to person, company to company. While some companies may provide lunch for their employees, many do not; here we’ll explore some of the common lunch options.
Trip to Sumida Aquarium
Today's post comes from guest writer 'R', about a weekend event he organised.
e-Jan Networks provides a subsidy program for weekend events organised and attended by employees. These events provide an opportunity for employees to interact and bond outside of the work environment. The subsidy program also provides an opportunity for the employees planning the event to grow as leaders and organisers.
'R' organised the trip to Sumida Aquarium, and described the event below.
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What is the communication barrier between Foreign and Japanese employees?
[This post is an essay submission by a guest writer in the company, ‘Z.A.']I had a get-away trip with my high school friends (who are now living in Japan) to Nikko, among them are some who have educational backgrounds or working experiences in Europe or the United States.
It was the very first time for most of us to have the chance to have a decent talk with each other since we graduated. As a person who has been staying in Japan for over 6 years, and has no working experience anywhere other than Japan, I am curious about how different the Western corporation culture can be, and how the Japanese one is observed or thought by people outside Japan.
>>Read more
Workplace terms of address
Japan is known for its seniority culture, where levels of respect are dependent on seniority (age, experience, etc.), and this appears in the language of workplace culture as well.
Commuting to Work with Public Transportation
Cities in Japan have very good public transportation systems, which makes it fairly easy to travel both in and between cities. Local public transportation is also facilitated by the use of IC cards, which store money to use on public transportation, such as trains, buses, and even taxis, but can also sometimes be used with vending machines, convenience stores, etc.
>>Read more
The Monster in Hibiya Park
This category contains anecdotes of how some non-Japanese employees spend their leisure time to experience Japanese culture.
This post is a submission by a guest writer in the company, ‘M’.
5 Tips to Overcoming the Language Barrier
An obvious question posed by non-Japanese-speakers when thinking about a job in Japan: what about speaking the language? No matter what kind of job you are looking for, Japanese will become necessary at some point in your career.
About Working Japan
Welcome to Working Japan, a blog presented by e-Jan Networks Ltd. for and by non-Japanese employees. This blog aims to serve as a resource for other non-Japanese individuals who want to work in Japan, and are curious about the realities of Japanese work-life.
>>Read more