日本語
English
नेपाली
Mr. Tao: Originally from China, he came to Japan in 2018 and started working for a Japanese company after graduating from graduate school. On his days off, he enjoys reading, studying, and practicing archery.Mr. Yumoto: He works in the finance industry, and his hobbies include reading, language learning, and exploring Japanese culture.Please share how you learned about OFP and why you decided to participate.
Mr. Yumoto
I had been studying English for a long time, so I was looking for volunteer opportunities where I could use my English skills. That's when I learned about OFP, and I thought it was great to be able to help foreigners living in Japan, which motivated me to participate.
Mr. Tō
I started my life in Tokyo after getting a job in 2021, but I had no opportunities to interact with Japanese people outside of work... It was during this time that a friend told me about a platform where I could talk about everyday life with Japanese people, not just work-related topics.
What was your impression when you first met online before pairing up?
Mr. Tō
I got the impression that you were speaking while considering my feelings, and I thought you seemed like a serious person.
Mr. Yumoto
I thought it was amazing how much you have studied Japanese culture and history.
There are aspects in which I know more about Japan than Japanese people do, and I may not express this perfectly, but I find it fascinating how someone born in China has become so knowledgeable about Japan. I feel that with this person, we share similar interests and could have some interesting conversations.
Please tell us about the methods and frequency of communication after pairing.
Mr. Tō
We first met at a restaurant near where I live. Mr. Yumoto came all the way here to meet me.
Mr. Yumoto
I think we spent the afternoon at the restaurant that Mr. Tō chose, chatting about trivial things.
Mr. Tō
That's right. I was curious whether Yumoto-san was interested in the topic of the conversation (laughs).
Mr. Yumoto
There were a lot of niche topics discussed, haha. After that, if our schedules aligned, we would meet up and go to museums together. Even if we couldn't meet in person, we decided to keep in touch by having online conversations once a week, and that has continued until now.
This is my opinion, but I believe that without conversation, relationships cannot deepen, even if there are no specific matters to discuss. Regardless of our individual schedules, we have decided to talk every Saturday night if our timings align.
Please share any memorable experiences or stories from your interactions.
Mr. Tō
What stood out to me the most was the day we visited the museum. I felt like we were able to learn about each other's interests that day. As we explored the museum together, we discussed Japanese aesthetics and history, and I gained valuable insights from Mr. Yumoto. It can be quite challenging to understand art on your own, so this was a great opportunity. I truly appreciated it.
Mr. Yumoto
I used to have a hobby of collecting antiques and owning art pieces. Since Tao can read Chinese, he understands the characters on the artworks, which makes it a great learning experience when we go together. I also find it interesting to see the differences in perspectives between Chinese and Japanese people.
What stands out to me is Mr. Tao's rich vocabulary. There was a moment during our conversation when he reacted to the term "Right Minister," a word that even most Japanese people don't use in everyday life, and it made me realize how much he studies. Talking with Mr. Tao inspires me to think, "I should study more too," and it has been a great motivation. I started learning Chinese as a result of this exchange.
Have you ever faced challenges or difficulties during your activities?
Mr. Yumoto
The coordinator introduced me to someone who shares similar hobbies and interests, so I didn't have much to worry about. Sometimes I wonder if I'm imposing my hobbies too much on Toh-san, but overall, I didn't have any major concerns or issues.
Mr. Tō
I haven't really struggled with anything in particular. However, there was a time when I couldn't talk to Yumoto for about a month during a busy period, and I did wonder, "I wonder what Yumoto is thinking?" But after that, we were able to chat comfortably again, which put my mind at ease.
We would appreciate your feedback and comments regarding the support from the coordinator during the period.
Mr. Tō
I receive feedback every month, but it feels a bit too frequent for me. The content is almost the same each time, and I sometimes struggled with what to write in the later ones (laughs).
Mr. Yumoto
Every time I write my monthly feedback, I feel a renewed sense of responsibility to do my best. I felt that someone was genuinely looking at my work from a third-party perspective.
However, in the case of Mr. Tō and me, the coordinator initially paired us up based on our feelings and preferences, which allowed us to start off well, so I think it ultimately wasn't a problem even with minimal support.
How did you feel about the 6-month exchange period?
Mr. Yumoto
In my case with Mr. Tō, I feel that a longer period, maybe around a year, would be fine. However, I think it varies by pair, so six months seems appropriate. We continue to communicate without being restricted to the six-month timeframe, chatting and connecting whenever our schedules align.
Mr. Tō
I feel the same way as Mr. Yumoto. Depending on the situation, I think it might be okay to extend or shorten the six-month period.
Mr. Yumoto
That might be a good idea. We could consider extending it in three-month increments.
What discoveries or insights did you gain by participating in the OFP?
Mr. Yumoto
I have always liked English and watched American news, so I was exposed to Western ways of thinking through the internet. However, I didn't fully understand the perspectives of neighboring Asian cultures until I participated in OFP. Even though I had opportunities to talk with people from Asia in my work, we rarely spoke candidly. I'm really glad I had the chance to participate this time and share our honest thoughts with each other.
Mr. Tō
I have come to understand the nuances of language and the subtle meanings of Japanese as I navigate life in Japan. I've also learned how to convey sincerity when apologizing in a professional setting. Additionally, having only known the Chinese perspective due to the long historical relationship between China and Japan, I can now discuss the differences in our ways of thinking, which has broadened my horizons.
Please leave a message for those who will be participating in the Otonari-san program.
Mr. Yumoto
Even if you attend Chinese or English conversation classes, it can be quite challenging to build a relationship where you can openly share opinions one-on-one with foreigners. However, OFP is a private setting where you can speak your mind freely. I really hope that Japanese participants will join for their own benefit. For foreigners living in Japan, it can often be difficult to fully understand the conversations happening around them, and they may face many challenges. Therefore, if you feel the need to seek advice, I encourage you to join with courage.
Mr. Tō
When I came to Japan, the biggest challenge I faced was understanding the social rules and public perception, which can be confusing and difficult for foreigners to grasp.
However, by using OFP, I gradually began to understand these things. I became aware of the cultural differences with my hometown and learned how to engage with those around me, considering my own position and the aspects I should pay attention to. I believe this has helped me adapt better.
Mr. Yumoto
I don't fully understand all aspects of Japanese culture either, but I think it's often difficult to grasp what Japanese people really think, especially when their opinions differ between public settings like work and private situations.
Therefore, I hope that understanding how to interact with Japanese people as members of their culture and society will make life in Japan a little easier.
However, no matter how well you know your partner, I think it's difficult to fully understand what they are struggling with. In fact, I don't know what Toh-san is struggling with either. His Japanese is excellent, and he uses complex terms like 'social standing' just like a native speaker.
Personally, I recommend staying in touch regularly, even if there's nothing specific to discuss. I believe it's important to build a relationship where people feel comfortable reaching out for help when they really need it. To foster this connection, I make time to talk openly about trivial matters and deepen our relationship.
I think it might be difficult for Mr. Tō to suggest, "Let's have a meeting," so I believe it's very important for the Japanese host to take the initiative and set it up first.
How do you honestly feel about your partner right now?
Mr. Yumoto
I know I can be a bit difficult to deal with, but I believe I'm someone you can talk to about anything.
What I always want to cherish is respecting the opinions of others. How someone thinks is their own freedom; Tō-san has his thoughts, and I have mine. I believe that's perfectly fine. I want to maintain that kind of relationship.
Mr. Tao is a very important friend.
Mr. Tō
I'm glad to have met Mr. Yumoto.
As I mentioned earlier, I feel fortunate to have someone I can talk to about my interests, who understands me, and whom I want to meet. Thank you very much.