How I made friends in Japan

On my first sojourn in Japan as a JET Programme assistant language teacher (ALT), I didn’t know anybody already in Japan. In my cohort, there was only one other person I knew, a fellow English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor from my hometown making the jump. Some of our former colleagues at the ESL schools had told us about the enrichment they experienced - learning a new language, navigating a very different culture and lifestyle, and picking up new interests. We were excited about the promise of adventure and learning. But would we make friends?

You can meet people from everywhere here... photo Mikael Blomkvist

So close and so far

At the orientation in Tokyo, we met many fascinating participants before our send-off to our contracting organizations - city halls and prefectural governments. And we never heard back from them. I and my former colleague never met in that first year. We were all immersed in different work and regional environments at great distances in an era before social media, YouTube, and video calls.

No (wo)man is an island

Unless that island is Tsurushima (an alias), tightly wedged between mountains and the Seto Inland Sea. In that high-density town, I met a dozen non-Japanese people working in local governments and running businesses. I also made local friends at the station-front pub, and a Buddhist temple, and found commonality with my Japanese coworkers. I was never lonely.

But it was tough as much of the time, I was far away from family and friends back home. All the same, the year was a massive growth experience, learning a new language and adjusting to a different culture while meeting people with whom I could commiserate.

A Second Try

On my second sojourn after some years teaching ESL back home, I took a dispatch ALT job. Once again, I was buoyed by the energy of a Tokyo orientation for newly arrived ALTs. However, this time I wasn’t a rookie and had a community already in the country - former students ESL students, and a handful of professional contacts from home who had preceded me to Japan. Even then, we were geographically separated.

How to broaden your community

It takes time to settle in, and while I stayed in touch with those old hands, I also met new ones through various means. I participated in 国際交流 kokusai koryu associations that host events and Japanese language lessons. This led to volunteering at 涯学習センター shougai gakushu center, a lifelong learning center where I met learners and educators. In turn, I got involved in education associations such as ETJ, JALT, and ALTTO. While I don’t see members often, I know they are there when I have a pressing question about work and life.

Share a passion

Gradually I made more connections who found their passions here in Japan - a Nihon Buyo dancer, a ceramics artist, a videographer for avant-garde films, and talented photographers. For me, the never-ending source of learning and camaraderie is martial arts. I learn as much as I get to teach about the discipline that I train in.

How did you meet your friends in Japan, either local or international?