1. It has been 11 years since coming to Japan, but what was your occupation in Brazil?

After graduation from college, I worked as a trainee pharmacist for a year. After that, I migrated to Japan, and have done assembly work in Toyohashi and then in Iida.

2. Prior to the N4 course you took the Level 2 course. Please tell us what were your impression of these two courses.

In the Level 2 course, the content of the textbook was outstanding as we learned Japanese that we could use the next day at our companies. Before taking the JICE course, when I talked with my boss or had an interview, I was extremely anxious whether "my speech and dress" were proper or not, but we studied how to handle an interview, and were instructed the right way to compose a resume, so I was able to gain confidence. In the N4 course I am taking now, the hearing comprehension study is helpful, and since I have also gained a grasp of grammar, and the study of both has been effective.

3. What is your impression of the Japanese you have learned recently?

I learned the expression " (Would it be okay if...)." For example, " (Would it be okay of I asked you something?)," I feel this type of conversation when changing the topic of talk is characteristic of Japanese. In addition, it was great that I was able to properly learn phrases that I hear lot but did not know what they meant. Now I can go to city hall or the hospital by myself.

4. How was the employment preparation lecture that you took at Level 2 course?

We studied telephone etiquette, greetings, and manners. It was an opportunity to learn basic Japanese etiquette. Manners and methods of expression were included that I had not had a chance to learn at the assembly job I have been doing, so I believe I will be able to utilize in other future jobs.

5. Tell me about your goals and dreams.

First of all, I want to take the test next December and acquire Japanese qualifications. Then, after that, I plan to get a driver's license. This is a requirement for seeking employment at Hello Work, and most employers are looking for someone with a driver's license, but I still do not have one. Then once I have met all the requirements, I want to work as office worker in a company in the chemical field or in a research institute where I can work together with a lot of people.

6. Finally would you like to leave a message?

Right now, Japan is in a widespread recession, and requirements for being hired by a company are tougher than before. In order to work and live in these kinds of circumstances, we must understand well that companies are looking for those with qualifications like Japanese language, ability to use a computer, and possession of a driver's license. By all means, do everything you can to take JICE courses and find a job in a company with favorable conditions. There are also JICE night classes, so it is easy to find a time. In addition, the teachers are very courteous in their instruction!

1. When did you come to Japan?

Alicia: My parents are from Okinawa and I am a second generation Japanese. My family soon returned to Japan and left me in Peru by myself. However, seven years ago, I came to Japan where my family is.
Monica: I am a third generation Japanese, and came to Japan in 1992. I have now been in Japan for 19 years. I lived for the longest time in Osaka, and am living in Shizuoka now.

2. What kind of work did you do in Peru?

Alicia: I was a dressmaker working at home. I made the white worn for workers in hospitals. I am good at dressmaking. I made my children's clothing and also made my daughter's wedding dress when she married. Since coming to Japan, I have not been in employment, but I would repair clothing of my neighbors. I have once worked as a nurse in Peru.
Monica: I was a student when I was in Peru.

3. What kind of work have you done in Japan?

Monica: I have done various kinds of work. At first, after working half a year at a camera factory in Ibaraki, I worked for three years at a food processing plant in Niigata. After that, I moved to Hamamatsu, and worked in a motorcycle factory, and then worked in a pachinko parlor in Osaka. This has been my longest employment.
Working at a pachinko parlor requires me to know Japanese and it has been difficult, but using the Japanese I have heard and remembered until now, I was able to act as a translator.

4. What made you think about taking the Training Course for Employment Preparation for Workers of Japanese Descent?

Alicia: When I came to Japan, I knew absolutely no Japanese, and I studied Hiragana and Katakana on my own. Still, it was difficult to understand Japanese, and I was sometimes teased, so it was very frustrating. I learned of this training, and decided to attend because first of all I wanted to finish learning Hiragana and Katakana. I have a tremendous desire to learn Japanese and work.
I am being helped by the JICE training. Thanks so much.
Monica: Words are so important. I have not studied Japanese before now, but have learned in my own way. However, it has been very frustrating not to be able to communicate properly what I am thinking, so I enrolled in this course.
I had the impression that Kanji was an annoyance, and did not like it. From the time I was working in Osaka, I have been able to read Kanji to a certain extent, but it was too difficult to write.
However, through studying Kanji in this training, for the first time I have enjoyed it and come to like. Now I want to study Kanji even more.

5. Were you anxious about anything in taking the training?

Monica: Both my mother and I are not very good at Japanese, and we were worried if we would be able to handle the training.
We were concerned whether we could understand the content and keep up with the class.

6. How was it when you actually took the training?

Both: The worries did not strike home (Laugh). There was also a local coordinator who could translate things we did not understand, so we felt we could keep up with the content of the training. It is enjoyable.
Monica: In the Level 3 class I am taking now, we are learning modest and honorific language that I normally do not use. It is difficult, but I always try to learn one new thing every day.
Alicia: I have friends who share the same ambitions, so it is fun. The members of the class are of different nationalities, so we talk in Japanese. It is great for learning. The teachers are also very good.

7. What kinds of work would the two of you like to do in the future?

Monica: I would like to do translation work or a job helping people, as a nurse or something like that.
Alicia: Since I have experience, I would like to work as a nurse. However, Japanese for nursing is difficult, so I am studying hard. If I cannot communicate, I cannot talk to the patients.

8. Finally would you like to leave a message?

Monica: To those who are now taking the training, keep it up. Even if you are able to find short-term employment, you should always have some time, so please use it to continue your studies!
Previously, while working evenings, I continued with the morning training. Now, those studies are now extremely helpful.
Japanese is absolutely essential for living in Japan. If you do not understand the language, you cannot live a safe life. By all means I continue the training!
Alicia: Even at my age, I am not giving up but am continuing to study. No matter how old you are, you can learn. Don't give up!!

1. Why did you come to Japan?

There are no jobs in Peru, so I came to Japan to find work. I was studying to be a travel agent in Peru. I wanted to work at a hotel front desk or department store information counter, but there were no jobs.

2. How long have you been in Japan?

I am of Japanese descent, and my grandfather was from Okinawa. I came to Japan myself for the first time when I was 15 years old on a trip. I stayed in Japan at that time for half a year. The next time I visited Japan was when I was 24 years old, and have been going back and forth between Peru and Japan ever since. With the impact of the Lehman bankruptcy four years ago, the world economy deteriorated, and even in Japan jobs disappeared. I have been busy with many things such as looking for work and have not gone home to Peru these last four years.

3. What made you think about taking the Training Course for Employment Preparation for Workers of Japanese Descent?

Since I had been going back and forth between Peru and Japan, my Japanese was mediocre at best. I decided to attend the training so I could properly learn and improve my Japanese. Kanji and grammar were particularly difficult, so I wanted to study them the right way. If I can learn Japanese, I will be able to find a good job. In fact, recently I was hired for short-term work, but it renews each month and I do not know when it will end. I love Japan, and want to live in Japan. I want to be able to speak and write very well Japanese, and find a steady job.

4. Were you anxious about anything in taking the training?

Since the classes were a half-day, I was worried that my time for looking for a job would be reduced. However, when I actually took the training, I found just the opposite that I was able to use my time more efficiently. In addition, once I found a job, I was no longer able to attend morning classes, but more than anything I wanted to continue to study Japanese. I consulted with the person in charge of JICE and my Japanese teacher, and since there was an evening class at the same level, I transferred to that class and was able to continue training.

5. How was it when you actually took the training?

The teacher was enthusiastic and very good. I was able to enjoy studying. The original text from JICE we have been using this year is easy to understand. It is filled with conversation practice, so for someone like me who does not get much chance to speak Japanese in my everyday life, it is a very useful text.

6. Tell me about your goals and dreams.

My dream is to form my own company here in Japan. For that reason also, Japanese study is indispensable. I want to also participate in the fund-aided vocational training class and vocational training classes. A while back, I consulted with Hello Work, but was told at that time that my Japanese ability was inadequate. Nonetheless, I have continued training, and become able to understand Kanji and grammar a little at a time, and feel my Japanese has improved. Once I improve my Japanese even more, I want to study English also.

7. Finally, please send a message to persons who might be wavering whether or not to take this training.

In order to live in Japan, it is important to thoroughly learn and use Japanese. There was the impact of the earthquake, and Japan is still in a recession. Japanese is necessary and indispensable both in forming good relationships with Japanese people, and also in working in a Japanese company.
The JICE training is lively and outstanding. Please by all means come and take this training.

1. Why did you take the course?

About 18 years have passed since I came to Japan. But I have never had an opportunity to study Japanese language properly. As a result, my Japanese ability is very limited, despite the fact that I have stayed here for such a long time. That fact has bothered me for many years. When I heard about this course from one of my friends, I thought the course would be very good because I would be able to learn Japanese. I decided to take the course, because I thought the better language ability would be useful in my everyday life and work.

2. Were you anxious before taking the course?

No, I had absolutely no anxiety. In fact, I was looking forward to the class because I would take the Japanese language course. In particular, I wanted to be able to communicate well. So I wanted to take the conversation class as soon as I could.

3. Which class was the most memorable one for you? Why?

The Kanji class was the most memorable for me. Each time I attended the class, I learned that Japanese Kanji characters have various ways to read. It was difficult to learn them. But I will continue to study hard so that I will be able to master the various ways to read and write them.

4. How will you make use of the Japanese ability you have learned through the training course?

At work I have to interact with a Japanese boss. I think that Japanese proficiency is a must if you work in Japan. I want to use the conversational skills that I learned through the training course practically.

5. You are currently taking the night course. Is it hard to attend the class?

Right now, I am taking a night course while working in an automobile recycling business. The work starts at 3 in the morning and end at 1 in the afternoon. I take a nap for a few hours after work and then go to the class. It is hard. But I want to continue working hard to reach my dream.

6. How did you get the opportunity to come and work in Japan?

It was my wife who suggested me to work in Japan. I was planning to work here as a migrant worker for about two years. However, while I was in Japan, my two children were born. I thought this was an opportunity to get a steady job in Japan and settle here permanently. I would like to learn more about the Japanese language and culture to lead a stable life in Japan.

7. Will you give a message to those who are interested in the course but are irresolute?

No matter what country you go to, you must know the language and the culture of the country. In order to live in the same manner as the local residents, you must make progress in learning the language and customs of the local region. If you study hard, I think you will certainly be able to learn them. Do not give up. But do your best.

1. How was it taking the follow-up training in nursing?

It was hard, but before the classes those of us in the class would discuss the contents of the class with each other. In addition, my daughter helped me, which was great.

2. Was the training helpful?

I did not know terminology such as “riyosha (user)”, “koreisha (elderly)”, “enge (swallowing)”, and “goen (aspiration)” before I participated in the follow-up training, but I was able to study this specialized vocabulary during the training, and it was very helpful when I received vocational training.
Furthermore, through the subsequent vocational training, I was able to acquire qualification as a home-helper and gained a lot of confidence.

3. Were you anxious before taking this course? And how was it when you actually started the class?

Before the course, I thought that I possibly did not need training, but when I actually started the course, I found out that if I studied I would get a chance.
Without studying, finding employment is difficult, and it is a reality that a good job cannot be found.

4. After completing vocational training, how was the personal counseling you received at Hello Work? And, how was the job you were actually referred to?

At the personal counseling I was asked about the kind of work I hoped to find. Currently, I am now employed at a job that Hello Work referred to me. Initially, I worked only twice a week in the afternoon, but the Japanese person in charge seemed to appreciate my approach to work and after that I was asked to do more work.
When I am at work, though there is not a particular test, I am asked to read technical terms written in Kanji. However, since I studied technical terms during the follow-up training, I can read about 80% of the them. Up to this point the work that the majority of persons of Japanese descent have been doing in factories is mechanical and robot-like, but I feel that nursing is a much more human vocation.

5. Do you have words of advice for any persons of Japanese descent who are planning to take this course?

If you study and improve your Japanese, your potential for finding a good job will expand, and I think that your quality of life will improve. I would hope you would not give up but keep on with your studies.

1. What afforded you the opportunity to think about taking this course?

Since I had almost no knowledge of Japanese to that point, I was thinking that someday I would like to be able to diligently study Japanese, and express myself with the correct vocabulary, and be able to understand what others were trying to communicate, I had been hunting around for various methods. At that time, an acquaintance told me about the existence of the course, and for the first time I learned that this kind of course was being offered. Up to that point, I was thinking that I wanted to study even if I had to pay tuition, but I found out that this course was free, and I was extremely happy.

2. Were you anxious before taking this course? And how was it when you actually started the class?

My number one concern was that even if I went to the trouble of enrolling in the class, I was afraid I would not be able to stick with it to the end. However, as I was taking the class, a little at a time, I started to get excited that getting comfortable in Japanese, and I became even more motivated, and along the way I stopped worrying. And now, I am making efforts to study Japanese at home and making progress by reviewing as well. I want to improve my Japanese, and sometime reach a level where I would be able to study further through the Internet and books. Furthermore, in addition to the language, I want to also learn about Japanese culture.

3. With regard to the courses (Japanese and Vocational), please tell us your thoughts after taking the classes, and what was the class that left the biggest impression on you, and why?

Before taking the courses, my Japanese ability was limited to the level of reading a little Hiragana, but while taking the class, I learned to read not only Hiragana, but also Katakana, and even to understand some Kanji.
The thing that impressed me the most during the course was how good the teaching techniques of the teachers were. Thanks to them, I was able to learn a lot. The vocational classes were all also extremely interesting, and we were able to learn a lot of things necessary to live our everyday lives in Japan as persons of Japanese descent, and that was outstanding. I would like to express my gratitude to the government of Japan and all persons concerned for giving us this opportunity to take this kind of training.

4. How do you hope to use the Japanese that you acquired through the training in the future?

I am of Japanese descent, but since my mother is Brazilian, I have had few opportunities until now to come in contact with Japanese culture, and there were many things about Japanese culture and customs that I was curious about. While I am living in Japan, I have gradually become more familiar, but there have been times when I did not know how to go about understanding Japanese culture. For that reason, I would like to use the Japanese I have learned in this course, and gain a better understanding of Japanese culture and blend in with Japanese society. By doing that, I think that more new doors will open for me in the future.

5. Do you have words of advice for any persons of Japanese descent who are hesitating to take this course?

I would strongly suggest that if you have the opportunity you should take this course. Through this training, even though it was a very short period of time, I was able to increase my ability in Japanese and also I am now better able to correctly express my intentions than before. Continuing to study is a challenge, but if you participate in the training and continue to make the effort, I believe you will certainly reap a reward.