Japanese Culture

I am Japanese landed in Canada 15 years ago.
I owned and ran a restaurant in Vancouver for several years.
I am looking for serious investors for Japanese catering service (shidahi-bento).
It is like a luxurious Japanese lunch box .

Where can I get an investor for my Japanese bento(lunch box) business?

I

If you have a solid business plan, complete with marketing strategy and projections (and no problems with credit), then start by setting up an appointment with your bank’s small business representative – if your numbers are believable then they’ll probably lend you even more than you think.

I have been on a tour to Japan and have seen plenty of Buddhist temples. Not one of them featured a swastika. I was surprised by this because the swastika is a holy symbol in Buddhism, and Japan does not have the same stigmitism against the swastika that most Westerners have.

Japanese street signs have it.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/3010930372_226f3bfda2.jpg

Depends on what Buddha, mostly in Jodo Shin Shu temples of Amitabutsu will you find the Swastika Buddhas such as here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49337086@N07/4525292043/in/photostream/

Swastika in Englsih and Sanskrit/Indian, Manji in Japanese, and Manja in Korean. In Buddhism the Swastika represents the Buddha himself. The German word for it is Hakenkruez.

Get yourself a Buddhist Swastika Necklace from here:
http://www.ezluxe.com/accessories/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=363

traveling to japan in october..not sure if ill be able to get around without reading/speaking japanese. Worried about food and signs. Please help if you’ve been there

The problem with the Tokyo subway system is that it is comprised of several different private lines. In the stations, there is no one map that shows you everything. (Osaka, on the other hand, is basically one big system and you can see where you are, where you want to go and work out how to get there.) The solution is to get a map of the subway system. This will allow you to figure out where you have to transfer to get on the next train to take you where you want to go. Of course, learning how to say "Does this train go to xxxxx?" "Where is the train to xxxxx?" Where is the xxxxx line?" and such useful phrases will help a lot. Also, there are usually conductors at both the front and rear of the trains. The guy in front drives, so he is basically useless for your needs. But if you ask the guy in the back, does this train go to xxxx, chances are very good if you stand back next to his little area, and you don’t notice that it is your stop, he will point out to you that it is your stop.

As for food, many restaurants have these wax models of the menu in the storefront window. If it comes down to it, take your waiter/waitress outside and point to what you want. Granted, this does limit the number of places you can go to, but it also means you won’t be going hungry.

You’ll also find that the average Japanese person is more than willing to help you out in find stations, taxi stands, etc. When I first got here, and couldn’t speak much Japanese, I had several just give up on giving directions and just take me where I wanted to go.

To summarize, get a map and learn some basic useful phrases. You’ll be fine.

I want to apply for an International Business Studies and Japanese course in University. Having only one year left of 6th Form at school, and no time to study the basics of the language itself, would I be able to apply straight away? Or will they teach the language from scratch, or would they expect me to know the basics already?

You don’t need to know Japanese beforehand to study Japanese. It would be unfair of the university to require this.

I’m about to be a senior in high school and i’ve started learning japanese and I want to learn korean would it be smart to get degrees in those then an MBA in international business?

It sounds very smart!! I completed a degree in Business (International Trade) with a major in Japanese and it was fantastic for my career. I ended up working in Japan for over 10 years and have found that it has been a life changing experience.

I am focusing on a five year business program, but I need to choose a language to go with it. I feel that Japanese would be great because of all the economic relations we have with Japan.

Personally, I’d suggest Japanese, but I’m biased. I’m Majoring in Japanese with a minor in business. To learn enough Japanese in order for it to be useful in business would require at least three, maybe four years plus time speaking it naturally to other people. Same with Chinese. Though the business opportunities in both those countries are great. I love Japanese, but it can be tough. If you think you can handle both, go for it. Otherwise, a European language wouldn’t require learning a new writing system.

This is your key envelope.

This is your room number.

The key is inside.

There is no key you must get it from the front desk.

There is a tour desk. It is open from nine o’clock to five-thirty

There is no tour desk.

This is the number to the Koncha Lounge telephone center. It is open from nine o’clock to seven o’clock, and is located at the DFS first floor.

This is the number in case of emergency.

The staff will now take care of you.

(PLEASE DO NOT TRANSLATE IN JAPANESE ALPHABET. I CANNOT READ JAPANESE ALPHABET)

I assume this is for the guests at a hotel..

This is your key envelope. kochira ga oheya no kagi no fuutou de gozaimasu

This is your room number. kochiraga okyakusama no heya bangou desu.

The key is inside. kagi wa naka ni haitte orimasu.

There is no key you must get it from the front desk. kagi wa gozaimasen node furonto desuku kara uketotte itadakimasu.

There is a tour desk. It is open from nine o’clock to five-thirty tsuaa desuku ga gozaimasu. jyuuji kara gojihan made goriyou dekimasu.

There is no tour desk. tsuaa desuku wa gozaimasen.

This is the number to the Koncha Lounge telephone center. It is open from nine o’clock to seven o’clock, and is located at the DFS first floor.
kochiraga koncha raunji denwa sentaa no bangou de gozaimasu. eigyou jikan wa kuji kara shichiji made de ikkai no menzeiten ni gozaimasu.

This is the number in case of emergency. kinkyuu no baai no banngou wa kochira de gozaimasu.

The staff will now take care of you. korekara sutaffu ga goannai itashimasu.

They might have hard time understanding sometimes so please do remember speak slowly.

Hope this helps.

korean?

most japanese or korean look shorter than other asian,i never know who they are from? and this etiqutte is popular in daily life too or just in airport when saying goodbye to friends?
maybe it’s both japanese and korean etiquette?

i was worried they might hit a pole or a baggage cart or something since they were walking backward. i should start training myself to do this too since i’m planing to study japanese and visit japan one day.

This is very Japanese and a very polite way of saying a formal goodbye. In Japan it is rude to turn your back to someone that is why they walk backwards. Bowing is an action of respect and is usually used in more formal occasions rather than between family and close friends.

I have heard that Japanese culture is sexually reserved- yet ive seen some Japanese game shows that were as hard core XXX as anything ive ever seen. Is Japanese culture sexually open, or reserved?

By western standards, it’s very liberal. In Japan, it’s not uncommon to see men looking at pornographic magazines or to see pornographic advertisements in the newspaper. Be forewarned though, this is acceptable for men only. Japanese women are expected to show more sexual reservations than western women. So, I wouldn’t expect an orgy when you come to Japan. Most western men believe the myths that Japanese women will easily sleep with them. Most western men get a rude awakening when they come here. In most instances, Japanese women will avoid western men. It’s a common Japanese belief that foreigners like to cause scenes or draw attention to themselves. Japanese HATE unwanted attention. If you try to talk to them on the train, they will probably move to another seat.

Do not tip at restaurant or other places.
Do not talk on cell phone on train or bus.
Let passengers exit first when you are about to get on train.