Welcome!

Well this will be my blog space since MaryMegan and Jackson have theirs here.

I think this is where I will share my observations and thoughts on Japan from a business or "Salaryman" perspective. I'll also post pictures once I get a small camera to snap shots as I'm out and about during the work week.

My walk to work, I choose to walk when the weather allows, is about 30-40 minutes depending on how I go and if I walk fast or slower to check things out. I usually get to the office between 9 and 10 in the morning. The start of the work day varies depending on your position and company you work for. Here at RIM Japan most people start at 10 and leave at 6 or 7pm. In some companies it is not uncommon to work from 8am to 9 or 10pm!
Its no wonder why Japan's suicide rate is among the highest in the industrialized world. More than 32,000 Japanese took their own lives in 2004, the bulk of them older Japanese suffering financial woes as the country struggled through a decade of economic stagnation. And 12 to 16 hour work days!!!!

I also get to choose whether I wear a suit or jeans and a polo because I am Technical. If I were in Sales I would wear a suit every day, just like the majority of Japanese. My work experience is a little skewed because I am working for a Canadian company in Japan and not a Japanese one. I can see another building across from ours and I can observe some of the truly Japanese way of office life. I will post a picture when I have one.

Keep checking here often and of course check on MaryMegan's blog for more pics and info about us living and playing and coping in Japan. This is SO amazing.


A Picture of Kyoto in the Spring with Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)