Mathieu Jobin's Life and Thoughts

Why Japan ?

Posted by Mathieu Jobin Wed, 10 May 2006 14:24:00 GMT

Many people are asking me why did I chose Japan ? Why did I come to Japan ? As much as it seems obvious to me, it is not as quite easy to explain.

The problem is, I got about fifteen thousands reasons to have chosen Japan. And when someone ask me, I'm not sure he wants the short answer or the long answer. So I'm gonna try to write a bit about it so I have it handy at hand to answer people.

Well, there is reasons I know now and reasons that pushed me before.

First Japan is an island where people lived separately from others humans and thus developed their own, totally different evolution. like they did pottery before agriculture around 10,000BC while in most culture we think pottery requires agriculture knowledge. they only start trading with other countries very recently so, they have a very different and attractive culture.

Although separate, Japanese people always tried their best to become better at what they do. You'll tell me: "just like everywhere". But Japanese people had different way of thinking while getting better. And I really admire the way they are trying to do everything properly.

but this is stuff that I learned just recently or in the past few years. what about before ? well, as far as I could remember, learning a Asian language was a challenge that attracted me. I had a piece of five yen that my aunt gave me. I thought it was Chinese at the time, I could not make the difference. but the hole in the coin was really impressed me. And I choose a kanji (without knowing his meaning) to represent myself as a signature when I was drawing stuff in my agenda for example. but i thought learning Asian languages would be so hard. It was only one of those dreams I would probably never get through.

another thing I remember from my childhood. If now everything you buy is from Chinese or Taiwan, in the 70's: it was all Japanese. And I used to hear old people in Quebec saying things, like: "Japanese people comes on their boats; take our garbages(steal/iron) home and come back to sell us cars built out of our garbage thrown away by wasteful North Americans we are.". Actually I don't think it was too far from the reality. and I heard that many times. I always kept that in mind. and all I could think was: "wo, these people are very smart". and smart they are.

then years past, and I got in contact with all these fresh Japanese culture coming from America. Anime, electronics, video games, and more recently Ruby ;)

really there is quite of bit about japan that kept me going toward it. Oh? did I talk about the beautiful woman... well, you know :)

then later I heard Japanese language could be easier than most Asian language. and after all, they are part of the G8, so with my technology addiction I would not feel so lost.

When I got to university, my english level was not good enough for me to bypass english. I had to take english class. but stubborn as I am, there were no way I could spent bucks on english classes. I never learned anything from stupid english class. its not at university this is gonna change. so I thought. OK I am not passing the test now, but I'll pass it later. and now I want to learn something else. so I took Japanese class. several friends of mine thought I was crazy, but to be honest. the fact that people think I am crazy is actually highly pleasurable.

well, this language rocks. from a programming language point of view. its close to perfection. (like ruby is). I loved it. and learning other characters was also highly exciting ? oh, did I mention me and my friend created our own characters to write secret letters when I was like 10 years old or something ? anyway.

the teachers was awesome (my first contact with real Japanese person). oh did I also mention I did some martial art when I was kid but was a bit disappointed we could not find native Asians giving classes in Quebec? anyway, My Saito-san at Universite Laval was nothing else but awesome to me. and opinion not entirely shared, but I still respect him very much. and he gave me the base I needed.

so from this first class. I really had japan in mind. but my english sucked ;) so we bought a car and left for Calgary where I got my english problems sorted out.

then I continued traveling west (toward japan), going to Vancouver. enjoying Vancouver's beauties, winning more money, having more fun and meeting my Japanese girlfriend among with many other Japanese friends. did thing slowly and properly and I flew here.

and now I think I am never gonna leave. people are very respectful. not arrogant at all. things makes sense. and there is bit of technology in every little things. ( I'll write about Japanese unpredictable technology later. )

I was very tired of selfish Caucasian actually. I found here what I needed.

ok did I help myself ? do I know my short answer or long answer ? I for sure had pleasure writing this. I guess I'm gonna sleep on it and think about it later ;).

sayonara