– You might be wondering!

As our company has been rapidly growing for the past years, with new hotels and nursing homes opening one after another, the number of foreign employees at Shimada Group has also increased significantly.

Let’s celebrate the sky-rocketing internationalization with this special edition of our blog.

Besides, a large portion of our company has just returned from a fascinating trip to Mongolia, so we are all in quite an international mood anyway!

Alright!

Today, we’re diving into the fascinating and often humorous world of our foreign employees’ experiences in Japan.

We recently conducted a questionnaire to gather their thoughts, and the responses were nothing short of entertaining.

So, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy this light-hearted journey through the eyes of our international　colleagues.

Have you ever seen this viral video of 厚切りジェイソン?

Learning Japanese is like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded, and our foreign employees have had their fair share of “Why does it work like this?!” moments.

One respondent shared her bewilderment over the kanji for “zero” (零).

“1, 2, and 3 are easy, but zero?

Why does it have to be so complicated?” she exclaimed.

Another employee shared the struggle of remembering kanji with multiple meanings and pronunciations.

　　“It’s like the language is playing a never-ending game of hide and seek!”

An employee from Nepal also chimed in, mentioning how difficult it is to master the pronunciation.

　　“It’s like my tongue is doing gymnastics!” she joked.

Another person added,

　　“Kanji, hiragana, katakana —why do we need all three?　Even after 19 years, I still don’t get it!”

Someone else highlighted the complexity of Japanese honorifics.

　　“Respectful language, humble language, polite language…it’s a linguistic minefield!”.

And let’s not forget the classic confusion over homophones.

Why does “hashi” mean both “bridge” and “chopsticks”?

Japanese truly is an ocean of mysteries.

Living in Japan comes with its own set of cultural surprises.

Many of our foreign employees have had some “WHY JAPANESE PEOPLE?!” moments of their own.

For instance, one person was taken aback by the common practice of tapping someone on the shoulder to get their attention.

“In my culture, touching someone like that is considered rude.　It felt so strange at first!”

Another respondent couldn’t understand why it’s polite to slurp ramen loudly but not other foods.

It’s like Japan has its own set of culinary soundtracks!

One of our colleagues found the concept of Christmas in Japan quite amusing.

“Why do people confess their love on Christmas? In my country, it’s a day for family and prayer, not romance!”

There was also a person, who said they find the concept of honne and tatemae (true feelings vs. public facade) particularly confusing.

“Sometimes it’s hard to know what people really think,” they said.

Have you ever felt the same way? I know I have!

Japan is known for its advanced technology and unique cultural practices, and our foreign employees have certainly noticed that.

 The convenience of vending machines and the Shinkansen was mentioned by our colleague from Myanmar.

　　“You can buy anything from a vending machine, and the trains are always on time. It’s amazing!”

Postal system and public transportation were also mentioned as impresive examples:

　　“The precision here is incredible!

In Nepal, we don’t have such efficient services.

Here, everything runs like clockwork, and the mail always arrives on time.”

Anonymous respondent couldn’t get over the high-tech toilets.

　　“Heated seats, bidets, air dryers…it’s like a spa experience every time you use the bathroom!”

One of the hotel department staff found 24-hour convenience stores and automatic doors incredibly useful.

　　“Why don’t we have these back home?” she wondered.

When it comes to cultural impressions, Japan’s festivals, temples, and shrines left a lasting impact on our respondents.

One of them was particularly moved by the traditional aspects of Japanese culture.

　　“The festivals are so vibrant, and the temples and shrines are beautiful. It’s like stepping back in time”.

Tanabata festival seems to be a particularly enchanting event:

　　“The decorations and wishes are so lovely”.

The tradition of bowing and the politeness in customer service were frequently mentioned.

One employee was astonished to hear station announcements apologizing for a one-minute delay.

　　“In my country, a five to ten-minute delay is normal. Here, it’s like the end of the world!”  they laughed.

Another respondent was amazed by the quietness of residential areas.

　　“It’s like a ghost town at night,” they remarked.

Working at the Shimada Group is not just about the job; it’s about being part of a diverse and dynamic community.

Our non-Japanese colleagues have found the company’s culture to be both welcoming and enriching.

Anonymous respondent shared their appreciation for the company’s inclusive approach.

“The Shimada Group involves foreign workers in various activities equally, which is rarely found. It feels like a dream to work here.”

This sentiment is echoed by many others who have found a sense of belonging within the company.

Our colleagues often highlighted the diverse working styles and the ease with which their suggestions are implemented.

　　“The company embraces new ideas, and it’s easy to see your proposals come to life. It’s a very empowering environment.”

One person was particularly impressed by the care provided by the company.

　　“The support here and the way they care about one’s feelings is unbelievable. I always wanted to work in such an environment. I’ve learned so much from the various training sessions.

It’s been an incredible experience.”

Our foreign employees’ experiences highlight the unique blend of challenges and delights that come with living and working in Japan.

From the intricacies of the language to the quirks of daily life, their stories offer a humorous and heartfelt glimpse into the world of international employees at the Shimada Group.

As we bid farewell to our friends’ stories, let’s raise a glass (or perhaps a vending machine beverage) to the unique and sometimes bewildering charms of Japan.

May their adventures continue to be filled with laughter, learning, and appreciation for what makes this island nation so unique.

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more!

Written by Konrad Mikulko