Why Japan?

Unpublished - March 15, 1997

If I had a dollar (or even a 100 yen) for every time this question has been put to me, I would have been rich by now. It was asked again yesterday at lunch, and someone suggested I publish the answer on the Web, which I thought was a good idea (so next time I can just answer like this - "see www.oocities.org/Tokyo/7210/why.htm"). ^^;;

(1) The "Canned" Version: (This is the one I usually tell since it takes less breath and thought - e.g. like a 'recorded answer' by now). When I was in tenth grade, a friend took me to see a movie called "Revenge of the Ninja", starring Sho Kosugi. Although there was a lot of Hollywood influence, I was fascinated by the sheer mystique portrayed by the ninja, who seemingly could accomplish anything through the disciplined culture from whence he came. It was a suitable enough sort of hero worship for the teenage mind anyway, since it went beyond a single person or event - it gave me a whole culture to explore!

So, I read every book in my high school library on Japan (total number = 8), started taking Japanese lessons, making Japanese friends, and eating Japanese food (which my parents say I hated when was a kid - unbelievable!!). Being as given over to goal-setting as I am, I just realized, from about 12th grade on, that this "side hobby/ interest", if combined with college studies in business would be a good foundation for any future career. So, I based my college selection pretty much on two things - the level of scholarship received and the opportunity for continuing studies on Japan. A local Atlanta university (Oglethorpe) won out, and it was a wise decision in the long run since I had the opportunity to compete for several Japan scholarships on behalf of my school, which ultimately resulted in five years of studying in Japan and a Master's degree from a Japanese university in Nagoya.

(2) The "Thoughtful" Version: (This is the one that has probably never been told since it is the "thoughtful and reflective" response to the question) The fact is, to my young mind, Japan seemed to be the absolute polar opposite, in every respect, to the US. Therein lies the fascination. The sheer difference is what attracted me because of the challenge it represented. Anything less would have just been too easy and boring.

So I think it is a combination of the perceived difference and the perceived challenge, especially given the fact that I have always been most interested in cultures that are most different from the West, such as other Asian and the Middle Eastern cultures. Europe has never held any appeal, probably because of the perceived similarity with the US or Western cultures. Somehow it seems as if the best opportunity for broadening the mind, as well as presenting a substantial challenge to oneself, is to pursue an understanding of that which is most different from one's own environment or culture or that of which you are most lacking in knowledge.

Of course, in my case, I have pursued an understanding of Japan so far that a sometimes joke is that I'm "more Japanese than a Japanese" (so maybe it's time to study the opposite - the West - again?) Nah. That's still too easy (=boring). The best challenge is always to choose a subject one knows little about (=interesting). So the latest challenge is to increase understanding of server-side Web technology. Although it's not a culture, per say (except for the 'cyberculture' aspect), the mystique lies in the fact that while I have some knowledge of the Web (just as I had some knowledge of Japan when younger), I also realize the great challenge that lies ahead in truly understanding that field (fascinating!).

The greatest power for fascination lies in those concepts that present the greatest challenges to the mind and imagination....because the learning never stops.

Back to