July 2007 X-Pat Files

The X-Pat Files - July 2007

(Brought to you by H&R Consultants)

  The X-Pat Files Community E-Newsletter provides a forum for the spread of information useful for English speakers living in Aichi. You can use the newsletter as an informational resource, and of course you can send in information you would like to share.
  This newsletter is a community service from The Japan Real Estate and Relocation company, H&R Consultants (www.japanhomesearch.com), and is edited by Sue Conolly (http://web.mac.com/conolly).

Special Note for This Edition: This month's X-Pat Files contains some letters in Japanese script. If your computer reads only English, please download a Japanese language tool, or check this edition of the X-Pat Files on another computer at http://www.xpat-files.com/

  Contents for This Edition

  1. Summer Fun
2. English Speaking Clinical Psychologist
3. Confusing Food
4. Summer Day Camp for Kids
5. Parenting Method Seminar
6. Travelling with Friends/Volunteer Guides
  7. Meet and Greet Lunch and ACCJ Chubu Summer Events
  8. Your Air Conditioner
9. Summer Accommodation Specials
10. Know Yourself and Find Out More!

  **************************************************

   1. Summer Fun

Summer is a wonderful time in Japan. Sure, it is VERY hot and VERY humid, but the Japanese have found several ways to enjoy the hot weather. Whether it is an ice-cold kakigori or a swim in the local river, there's no good excuse to feel miserable this summer. Check out past copies of the July 2006 and August 2006 X-Pat Files for lists of swimming pools and other places to go, and don't forget to check the weather forecast before you set out!

In Nagoya, the summer is really special as it brings the Sumo Federation's Nagoya Basho (Tournament). Lasting from July 8th to July 22nd, this is a great chance to see the big boys up close and live. For those who want to start their sumo viewing on TV, NHK Digital and BS has a bilingual presentation of all the later matches. The commentators are not just translators of the Japanese commentary - they are really good commentators in their own right and watching them can really get anyone interested in the ancient art of sumo. To get tickets for the Nagoya tournament, you can order online or by phone on 052-962-9300.

One very traditional way to celebrate the hot evenings (which are at least a little cooler than the days) is to attend a local summer festival. These range from very small affairs in the community (ask your neighbours - these smaller festivals can actually be a really fun way to meet new people), to larger scale festivals that were designed to boost visitors to a particular area. Many of the festivals are linked with the ultimate Japanese summer pastime, fireworks ranging from the hand-held to the sky-high.

Festival Calendar:

14th of July - Ise Shrine Fireworks Festival - more than 9000 fireworks over the river (0596-24-1111)
20-22 July - Toyokawa Shinyu Natsu Matsuri - featuring massive hand-held fireworks (0533-89-2111)
20-21 July - Toyohashi Gion Matsuri - another display of great big hand-held fireworks (0532-53-5528)
21st of July - Nagoya Port Marine Day Festival from 7:30 to 8:30 with huge fireworks display (052-654-7894)
25-29 July - Enshoji Tanabata Matsuri (web in Jp) - 5 min walk North from Int. Center (052-562-1002)
28th of July - Horikawa Matsuri (web in Jp) from 1pm - 9pm - glowing lanterns on boats (052-682-5008)
28th of July - Kasugai Festival and Fireworks (web in Jp) - in Ochiai Park from 6-8:30 (0568-85-6616)
28-29 July - Nagoya Natsu (Summer) Matsuri in Hisaya Odori Park - 4:30pm - 9pm (052-241-8118)
28-29 July - Owari Tsushima Tenno Matsuri - floating of danjiri boats and a firework display (0567-24-1111)
28-29 July - Toyohama Tai Matsuri - Gigantic sea bream made of bamboo and cloth go on parade (0569-65-0004)
29th of July - Toyota Oiden Matsuri and Fireworks - over 15,000 fireworks starting from 7pm (0565-34-6642)
29th of July - Gamagori Festival - 90 minutes of fireworks from 7:30 over the sea at Gamagori (0533-66-1120)
4th August - Nagoya Fireworks Festival - Over 10,000 fireworks over Yada River
4th August - Okazaki Fireworks Festival (Web in Jp) - Over 20,000 fireworks over Okazaki Castle (0564-23-6217)
4-5 August - Goyu Festival Toyokawa (Web in Jp) - Festival at Goyu Shrine with floats and fireworks (0533-89-2206)
10th August - Nihon Rhine Summer Festival - about 3000 fireworks over the Nihon Rhine (0568-61-6000)
11th August - Tokai City Fireworks - in Oike Park, take the train to Otagawa and walk (0562-33-2811)
13-15 August - Asuke Natsu Matsuri - lantern festival at the riverside in the beautiful Korankei Gorge (0565-62-1272)
16th August - Utsumi Beach Fireworks - 1000 fireworks light up the sky over the ocean
18th August - Kariya Wansaka Matsuri (Web in Jp)- 7000 fireworks over Sogo Undo Park in Kariya (0566-23-4100)
18th August - Onsai Minokamo 2007 (Web in Jp) - Bon Dancing, Taiko Drums and fireworks!
18-19 August - Hirokoji Natsu Matsuri - Bon dancing, dragon floats, water play and more (052-962-7143)
24-25 August - Toyokawa Tezutsu Matsuri - hand held fireworks in the breathaking finale (0533-89-2111)
24-26 August - Nippon Domannaka Matsuri (Web in Jp) - Dancing in the streets! Hisaya Odori in Sakae and other locations (052-962-7143)
25-26 August - Tokoname Yaki-matsuri and Fireworks (Web in Jp) - pottery and fireworks... call for final fireworks date (0569-34-3200)
25-26 August - Kakuozan Natsu Matsuri (Web in Jp) - dances, games etc, first 100 people in summer yukata get free fan, 2pm-9pm (052-751-8686)
26-29 August - Ichinomiya Tanabata Matsuri - one of the three biggest tanabata (star festival) displays in Japan

  **************************************************

2. English Speaking Clinical Psychologist
(submitted by Jenny Elsby)

Living in Japan can be a life changing experience. There are a multitude of new experiences and new faces, and whilst for the most part these are positive, for many, there are also challenges to face. At times, living here can be very frustrating and lonely, and it helps to have someone to talk to. Friends whilst supportive are not always the easiest people to turn to. Sometimes, talking to someone who won’t judge you, and who is professionally trained is the best way to help you make the most out of your time here.

In Tokyo this is easily done. However in Nagoya, we have never really had this option, until now. Susan J. Newton, PhD is a licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Tokyo, and has been helping expats enjoy their Japan experience for the last 8 years. In order to serve the growing number of expats in Nagoya, we are looking into the feasibility of bringing Susan here once or twice a month to have consultations with Nagoya based expatriates. We are presently investigating starting this service from September/ October.

However, in order to know whether there is a demand for this kind of service, I would be grateful if you could pass this information on to as many of your acquaintances as possible. (For more information about her training and orientation, please see her profile in the directory of therapists at www.imhpj.org) If you are interested, would you kindly email Susan on the following email address: nagoyacounseling@gol.com.

Please rest assured that all contact will strictly be between yourself and Susan. Neither I nor any other person shall be privy to the information contained in your emails, it will be confidential.

If you have any comments about this please do not hesitate to let me know on jenny_elsby@hrconslt.com or jenny_elsby@relojapan.com

  **************************************************

3. Confusing Food!
(Thank you to Helen Braithwaite for information contained within this submission)

One thing about coming to a country where the main language is not English, you're either tied to the food that you can read or recognise, or you have to learn to read a certain amount of packaging to avoid sugaring your coffee with baking soda! Japanese courses like this one (starting on the 22nd of July) are a really good idea, but in the meantime how do you recognize what you need?

This very basic website from Aichi Prefecture, and this one from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, have information about the correct labelling procedure for food that you buy in the supermarket.

For instance, did you know the kanji for "use by date" (消費期限) which is used for perishable food like meat and packaged lunches, is different from the one that is better translated as "best before" (賞味期限) used for canned or frozen goods which last a longer time without deterioration? However, both share the last two kanji, 期限 meaning limit, and so this is one that you should absolutely be looking for when you buy your food.

But how does this help you when you just want to buy cooking oil but you come home with mirin (rice wine)? Here are some common supermarket brain-teasers and how to solve them - print out the relevant kanji or write them on word cards for handy reference as you are shopping:

pork (豚) & beef (牛)

This is a common quandry, especially when much of the minced meat you see at the supermarket is a mix of both. However, if you can read the labels, you'll see that the percentage of each is clearly labelled. This has come into question lately in the news, but it was just an isolated incident and it has focussed the authorities back on strict quality checks, so you can pretty much believe what you read.

pork 豚 buta
beef 牛 gyuu

salt (塩) & sugar (砂糖)

These are kanji that you will see often, on the backs of products where they list the ingredients (原料). The most common ingredient is listed first, so you can tell whether something will be salty or sweet from the main ingredient listed on the back of any snack package. Sometimes you will not see the whole word for sugar, but other sugars will be used. In this case the second kanji (糖) will be used somewhere.

salt    塩     shio
sugar 砂糖 satou

corn flour (片栗粉) and icing sugar (粉砂糖)

The kanji for powder (粉) is used in both these products, the powder sugar and the corn flour. In fact, all flour has this kanji in it somewhere - for example regular flour for making cakes is メリケン粉 (Meriken-ko - it originaly meant "American flour") and rye flour is ライ麦粉. You'll notice that the second two kanji of the icing sugar just mean "sugar", and then the powder kanji makes it icing sugar. Other forms of powder include curry powder (カレー粉) and talcum powder (滑石粉)

corn flour   片栗粉　katakuriko
icing sugar 粉砂糖　konazatou

All Those Sauces!

A trip to the sauce section is either a great adventure or a big headache, depending on whether you're an optimist or a pessimist, or whether or not you have children in tow!

Soy Sauce     醤油　    shoyu
low salt         低塩      tei-en
reduced salt   減塩       gen-en
oyster sauce オイスターソース　oistah sousu
Worcester sauce ウスターソース　ustah sousu
steak sauce   ステーキソース　sutehki sousu
Okonomiyaki Sauce お好みソース　okonomi sousu
Yakisoba Sauce 焼きそばソース　yakisoba sousu
Yakiniku Dipping Sauce 焼き肉のたれ　yakiniku no tare
Sukiyaki Dipping Sauce すき焼きのたれ　sukiyaki no tare

mirin (みりん) & cooking oil (油)

You will find these in slightly different sections of the supermarket, so look around you. Do you see soy sauce and other sauces also lined up? You're probably holding mirin, sweet rice wine used in Japanese cooking. By the way, you can buy 100% mirin, or mirin taste (みりん風味) so if you're looking for the pure stuff, avoid those last two kanji. If you're in the cooking oil section, not only will you see the vegetable oil but you'll also see olive oil and all the other types of cooking oil with their attractive labels (many in English) on the shelf. The above kanji might be used in conjunction with other kanji, such as 食用油 (cooking oil), or サラダ油 (salad oil), or if you're looking for something healthier, look for the kanji 健康 (healthy).

mirin みりん　mirin
oil      油　　　abura

Tales of Tuna and Sea Chicken

Is Sea Chicken (シーチキン) really the Japanese word for tuna? Well no, not really. What you see in the supermarket as "Sea Chicken" is actually a brand name of Hagoromo Foods and is really a tinned tuna (まぐろ) or bonito (かつお) mix. It's either canned in oil (油漬け) or in water (水煮) which is more often referred to as having no oil (オイル無添加) or as being "ingredients just as they are" (素材をそのまま), or as having 1/3 of the calories (look for the 1/3 on the tin).

tuna     まぐろ　マグロ　鮪　　maguro
bonito かつお　カツオ　鰹        katsuo
in oil    油漬け　                             aburazuke
no oil   オイル無添加                  oil mutenka

One of the most successful expatriate shoppers I ever met, carried little word cards from the 100 yen shop wherever she went. She started with the basics for the words, and every time she found a product she liked she took cuttings from the labels to make more cards as she went along. With a little help from her Japanese friends, she was able to refine the cuttings from the labels specific to her own dietry and taste needs (low salt, gluten-free etc), and her vocabulary just kept growing and growing. When she was unable to find what she wanted, she always had something to show the staff in the shop.

Milk, Milk, Milk

There is a nifty little website by TetraPak about Japanese milk, but it doesn't tell you how to pick which kind of milk you like best. Of course it's just a matter of buy and try, but there are a few words that will help you on your way if you're looking for certain qualities in your milk. For a start, the Japanese word for milk is gyuunyuu (牛乳) and so when you are seeing something called "Miruku" (ミルク) it may or may not be real milk. If something is 100% milk, it will always be labelled 牛乳, and anything else is most likely labelled with 乳製品 (milk product) or 乳飲料 (milk-drink). Next, you will want to look at fat content. A regular Japanese brand of milk is about 3.6% fat, so you will see this number somewhere on the carton (if only in the details section on the back). A really creamy version might be for example 4.4%, and then a low fat version might be something like 1.8%. Low fat milk is most often labelled like this: 低脂肪牛乳. You can also find milk fortified with extra calcium (カルシウム) and iron (鉄).

milk                  牛乳             gyuunyuu
low-fat 　      低脂肪            teishibo
milk product 乳製品            nyuu-seihin
milk-drink      乳飲料            nyuu-inryo
calcium         カルシウム　 karushiumu
iron               鉄                     tetsu

  **************************************************

4. Summer Day Camp for Kids
(Thank you to Erin Sakakibara for this submission)

Staying in Japan for the summer? Don't know what to do with your kids during the long, hot days? Check out 'English PLUS' Summer Day Camp and let them enjoy summer camp in English.

About English PLUS Summer Day Camp:

For ages 5 -13, English PLUS Summer Day Camp is a great way to keep kids active over the summer break. The kids will participate in weekly team projects, sports, and other themed activities that are tailored to expose them to new ideas. Our curriculum combines English instruction with meaningful, hands-on activities that will encourage children to develop their English skills, stay active, and become well-rounded individuals. Our programs are unique in that they offer children an exciting and challenging way to maintain their English abilities in a stimulating setting outside of the classroom. Join us for a summer of fun! Children from all backgrounds and English levels are welcome!

Hours: Monday - Friday 10am -4pm; Daily Extended Care hours: 9-10am, 4-5pm

Location: 29 Higashi Tomisuka cho, Seto, Aichi 489-0059 (At the JKO Seto Karate School facilities)

Choose from the different themed weeks:
Session 1 Art and Dance Week: 7/23 - 7/27
Session 2 Music Week: 8/6 - 8/10
Session 3 Olympics Week: 8/13 - 8/17
Session 4 Earth Week: 8/20 - 8/24
Session 5 Carnival Week: 8/27 - 8/31

Tuition and Fees: ¥24,000 per child per 1 week session (sibling discounts available)
Extended care: ¥3,500 per week session

Registration Deadline: 7/7/07 (late fee of ¥2,000)
All payments due in full by 7/14/07

For more information and/or registration forms, please call (0561)85-8686 or visit the website at www.englishplus-japan.com

**************************************************

5. Parenting Method Seminar
(Thank you to Jennifer Demitruk for this submission)

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Teachers,

Parent educator, speaker and author, Elizabeth Crary, will be visiting Nagoya on July 18th. She will give an introduction to her STAR Parenting method and you are invited to attend. The event is sponsored by St. George Academy and Tree House Early Childhood Education.

Seating is limited, but all who are interested are encouraged to join us. If you know of teachers or other parents who would be interested in coming, please forward this email or send a link to the information. View information here: http://www.tinyurl.com/2twcjc

Date: Wednesday, JULY 18th
Time: 1-3pm
Location: Urban Rafure Hoshigaoka, Community Centre
Entry fee: Sponsored
Childcare: Details to be announced, possible small fee

For an invitation, RSVP as soon as possible to:
Jennifer Demitruk
052-783-3553 home
jenny4jean@yahoo.com

Elizabeth Crary's website: www.starparent.com, to read more about STAR Parenting and her material.

She teaches parents and educators in the Co-op Preschool system in Seattle, has written many wonderful books in English on early childhood education, three of which have been translated into Japanese (Love and Limits: Guidance Tools for Creative Parenting; Without Spanking or Spoiling; and Dealing with Disappointment: Helping Kids Cope When Things Don't Go Their Way.) Spanish translations are also available. She speaks all over the US and several locations in Japan. Her presentation here will be in English.

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer Demitruk
052-783-3553
jenny4jean@yahoo.com

  **************************************************

6. Travelling with Friends and Volunteer Guides

Recently I have had a lot of visitors staying with me. The best tool I have had at my disposal is http://www.hyperdia.com/ which will calculate train times and distances, as well as prices... this will help you decide how far you want to travel in each day and whether it would be worth advising your visitors to purchase a Japan Rail Pass (only available to those on a tourist visa).

This is how you use Hyperdia:

1. Click on the English button
2. Put two station names into the boxes, where you will start and where you want to go.
3. If you are trying to calculate travel time with your visitors using the JR Pass, then you have to check the box that says "Except Nozomi", because the JR Pass excludes use of this faster shinkansen.
4. Make sure you give it a date and time you want to travel (even theoretical). It will default to whatever time it is when you are checking, so if you are checking late at night it may include the wait for the first train in the morning, in the travel time!
5. Hit the "Start" button below, and all will be calculated giving a choice of routes.

Another invaluable service for tourists is the large system of Goodwill Guide Groups all over Japan. Comprising mostly of students, housewives and retirees, the guides volunteer for groups in different locations throughout Japan using their (varied levels of) English language skills. I recently enjoyed the services of one such guide in Matsumoto, and even though I understand Japanese I was very glad of his thorough explanations as we climbed to the top of Matsumoto Castle.

Each volunteer guide group is different. Some have a pre-set walking tour for which you only need to go to a pre-established place at certain dates and times to join, while others make arrangements to meet tourists' requests. There is no charge for their service as they are volunteers. You are only expected to pay for their travel expenses and admissions to tourist facilities as well as yours, and to pay for their meals if you eat with them.

The list of volunteer guides around Japan can be found here:

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/list_volunteerGuides_a-n.html

A few volunteer guide groups that can be accessed in a day trip from this area are:

Aichi Goodwill Guides Network (AGGN)
Guide Area: Aichi Prefecture
We can take you around at your request.
Recommended sightseeing tours are:
1) Nagoya Castle, 2) Atsuta Jingu Shrine, and 3) Tie-dyeing and Arimatsu district.
Apply to AGGN office by phone (0561-75-6977) or e-mail (aggn@heartful.or.jp) at least a week in advance.
URL: http://nagoya.cool.ne.jp/aggn/

AGGN tour of Nagoya Castle
The 1st & 3rd of Saturday of every month
Starts at 1:15pm from the East Gate of Nagoya Castle
¥500 Nagoya Castle entry fee per person
Booking is not necessary
Optional Tour (booking required): Tokugawa Art Museum and Garden (2 additional hours)

AGGN tour of the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
The 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month
Starts at 13:30 at the museum reception
See museum website at http://www.tcmit.org/english/index.html for details about access and entry fee to the museum.
Booking is not necessary
Optional Tour (booking required): Noritake Garden (2 additional hours)

Chita Peninsula SGG Club
The Chita Peninsula is not just home to Centrair International Airport. It's also a wealth of real-Japan experiences. Here are some of the tours that we offer:
- Handa Sake Museum
- Vinegar Factory
- Handa Dashi Museum
- Tokoname Pottery Path
- Konya Kaido
- Morning Market
- Fish Market
Apply by phone to Ms. Hiramitsu (0569-73-7285) or by e-mail (kteatime@zpost.plala.or.jp).
URL: http://www.netnfu.ne.jp/lec/sgg/sgg/sgge.html

Iga SGG Club
Guide Area: Iga Area (Mie Prefecture)
We can take you around at your request.
The recommended sightseeing tour is:
Ninja Yashiki - Danjiri Kaikan - Ueno Castle.
Apply at least a week in advance by e-mail (tutamaru@fine.ocn.ne.jp).
URL: http://www.searchnavi.com/~hp/iga-sgg/e

Alps Language Service Association
Guide Area: Matsumoto City and suburbs
We can take you around at your request.
The recommended sightseeing tour is Matsumoto Castle town route.
Apply at least a week in advance to Mr. Kenzo Ichikawa by phone/fax (0263-57-8601, 8am-5pm).
URL: http://npo-alsa.com/

Matsumoto SGG Club
Guide Area: Matsumoto City
We have a preset guided tour of Matsumoto Castle and Japan Folklore Museum.
Come to the Management Office of Matsumoto Castle between 10am-4 pm Sat, Sun. and national holidays.
The tour takes place mid-Apr. till mid-Nov.
For arrangements, apply to Mr. Masahiko Saito by phone (0263-32-7140, 8am-12noon) or to Matsumoto Castle (0263-32-2902,8am-5pm)

Ikaruga ICES SGG
Guide Area: Horyuji Temple and Nara City
We can take you around at your request.
Recommended sightseeing tours are:
1) Horyuji Temple, 2)Ikaruga Three Ancient Pagodas Course (Horyuji, Hokiji and Horinji Temple) and 3) Horyuji Templeâ†’Nara City Area.
Apply to the office by phone/fax (tel:0745-74-6800, fax: 0745-75-9090, 9:00am-6:00pm) or e-mail (ikaruga@kcn.ne.jp).
URL: http://www1.kcn.ne.jp/~ikaruga/bra/icesindex.html

Nara SGG Club
Guide Area: Nara Prefecture
We can take you around at your request.
Recommended sightseeing tours are:
1) Nara Park Area, 2) Nishino-kyo Area and 3) Horyuji Area.
Apply to Nara S.G.G. Office by phone/fax (0742-22-5595, 9 am-5pm).
URL: http://www3.kcn.ne.jp/~narasgg/

Nara Student Guide
Guide Area: Nara Prefecture
We can take you around at your request.
Recommended sightseeing tours are:
1) Kofukuji Temple â†’ Todaiji Temple â†’ Kasuga Grand Shrine and
2) Toshodaiji Temple â†’ Yakushiji Temple â†’ Horyuji Temple.
Apply to the office by phone (0742-26-4753, 9am-5pm) or visit Nara Sarusawa Information.
URL: http://www.narastudentguide.org

Nara YMCA EGG (NARA YMCA English Goodwill Guide)
Guide Area: Nara City and Nara Prefecture
We can take you around at your request.
The recommended sightseeing tour is:
Kofukuji Temple - Isuien Garden - Todaiji Temple - Kasuga Shrine - Nara-machi - Horyuji Temple - Yakushiji Temple - Toshodaiji Temple.
You can meet us at JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station.
Apply at least one day in advance to Nara YMCA office by phone/fax (Tel: 0742-45-5920, fax: 0742-47-6459, 9:30am-8:30pm, Mon thru Sat)
URL: http://eggnara.tripod.com/

Kyoto (East) S.G.G. Club
Guide Area: Kyoto City
If you would like a guided tour of Kyoto, our members would be happy to assist you.
Apply two weeks in advance by e-mail (kyotosgg@maia.eonet.ne.jp).
URL: http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~kyotosgg/

Kyoto (West) S.G.G. Club
Guide Area: Kyoto City
We can take you around at your request.
Recommended sightseeing tours are:
1) The Path of Philosophyâ†’Ginkakuji Temple (2 hours) and 2) Kinkakuji Templeâ†’Ryoanji Temple (3 hours).
Apply a week in advance to Mr. Susumu Hisayama by phone (075-861-0540).

Kyoto guide Jelly Beans
Guide Area: Shiga, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara
We can take you around at your request.
Apply at least a week in advance to Ms Tawaratani by e-mail (embryo-jelly-beans-2006@zeus.eonet.ne.jp).
URL: http://www.geocities.jp/jellybeans_no_nakama/index.html

Good Samaritan Club
Guide Area: Kyoto
We are all university students in Kyoto city and willing to guide you.
Please see our website for more information.
URL: http://www.geocities.jp/kyoto_samaritan/

  **************************************************

7. Meet and Greet Luncheon and ACCJ Upcoming Events
(thank you to Helen Braithwaite and Noriko Kato for information contained within this submission)

The Meet and Greet Luncheon, now legendary in this area is a long-standing casual lunch-date where you can meet with new friends and old. It's the first stop for anyone who has just moved to Nagoya...

Meet and Greet
Date: Tuesday, 10th July
Time: 11:30am
Place: Shooters Sports Bar and Grill, Fushimi (http://www.shooters-nagoya.com)
Price: 1500 yen for buffet lunch and a drink.
RSVP: to Helen Braithwaite at helenjbraithwaite@gmail.com or phone on 090-2186-3717 as soon as possible but by Saturday the 7th of July at the latest.

For those of you who are new to Nagoya please come and join us for lunch. Meet and Greet lunch is the ideal place to make new friends, have a chat and find out what is going on in Nagoya. Shooters has a relaxed atmosphere and is closed during the day except for our event, so we have the run of the place. This means that it is a VERY easy event for mothers with babies or small children. It also means, however, that I must ask for an RSVP so that Shooters can cater for the correct number of people.

-=-=-=-

The ACCJ - American Chamber of Commerce in Japan organizes events in Japan and in Chubu for business-minded expatriates and their families. Come along and see what it's all about...

ACCJ - A Fun Day at the River
DATE: Saturday, July 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
VENUE: Asuke, Aichi-ken

Staying in Japan this summer? Join us for a fun day at the River on July 14th from 11 am - 5 pm. (if it rains, the event will move to the following weekend.) There is no charge so please bring your own food and drinks. The spot on the river has a nice sandy beach with shallow waters for the young ones, and for the more daring, there are boulders and cliffs on the other, deeper side for jumping and diving. If you have a canoe or kayak, bring it too, as their are gentle rapids either side of our swimming spot.

COST: Free for members and guests
SIGNUP: http://member.accj.or.jp/
STAFF CONTACT: nkato@accj.or.jp (Noriko Kato)

-=-=-=-

ACCJ Independent Business Committee Meeting
DATE: Thursday, July 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
VENUE: Nagoya Kokusai Center

Speaker: TBA
COST: Members: 3,000 yen, guests: 4,000 yen   DEADLINE: noon, July 19
SIGNUP: http://member.accj.or.jp/
STAFF CONTACT: nkato@accj.or.jp

-=-=-=-

12 Non-cash Ways to Motivate Salespeople
DATE: Tuesday, July 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
VENUE: Nagoya Kokusai Center

"Show me the money!" The famous line from Jerry Maguire will always ring true for most salespeople. If you want to hire and keep the best salespeople, you definitely need a competitive compensation package. But what else can you do to generate more business, liven up your sales teams, and create that sparkle in their eyes that magically wins over more (and better) customers? Andrew Silberman, President & Chief Enthusiast for Advanced Management Training Group (AMT Group, K.K.) will share his insights in an interactive session on June 4 at (location). Andrew brings 15 years of sales successes and "learning experiences" in Japan and has distilled them down to 12 of his favorite ideas that you can use to grow your company's sales this summer. Bring your ideas, questions and an appetite to learn.

COST: Members: 3,000 yen, guests: 4,000 yen
DEADLINE: noon, July 24
SIGNUP: http://member.accj.or.jp/
STAFF CONTACT: <nkato@accj.or.jp>

  **************************************************

8. Your Air-Conditioner

Air conditioning in Japan is different from the central-air conditioning heaven that is the west. However, the room-by-room style of air-conditioning is actually a lot better for the environment, although sensible use of windows and doors is advisable! I once knew an American family who turned their room air-conditioners up to full speed and then opened the windows for the nice breeze! Follow the following advice, and eco-friendly coolness will be yours!

Curtains: Get the thickest curtains possible, especially ones that are sun-blocking (遮光 - shakou). Blocking the heat at its source makes it easier for the air conditioners to do their job, and even if the curtains make your house look dark, having them closed even just when you are not going to be home makes a lot of sense.

Windows: Make the most of the breezes when you get them, but remember to turn the air-conditioning off when the windows are open. Conversely, close all windows and doors when the air-conditioning is turned on. It is much easier to cool or heat a smaller space.

Make use of timer function: Do not leave the airconditioners in your house turned on when you are not home. Make use of timers to turn the airconditioner on half an hour before you come home (remember to close the curtains and close the door to the room) and to turn the airconditioner off a couple of hours after you go to sleep (it is not healthy to sleep with airconditioners on all night, particularly for children).

Know your remote: To make the very best use of your air-conditioner, it is essential that you know your remote control. All those little buttons marked in Japanese letters are there so that you can choose the right function for the right day. When you first start using your remote, make tiny little stickers to put under the remote control buttons so that your whole family can get used to using the different functions.

冷房　    reibou       cold   - this one cools the room on a very hot day
ドライ    dorai         dry    - this dehumidifies the room which also has a cooling effect
除湿　　joshitsu    dry    - exactly the same as "dry"; great for days when the towels won't dry
暖房       danbou      hot    - don't touch this one in summer! Strictly for winter use!
送風       soufuu       fan - this does not alter the air, just moves air around the room.
自動       jidou         auto   - automatically senses what your room needs
運転       unten        working - turns it on and off or in conjunction with....
切替       kirikae      switch - 運転切替 switches the functions
タイマー　            timer - either an on, or an off timer
入            iri             on - look for this symbol for the "on" timer
切            kiri         off - look for this symbol for the "off" timer
おやすみ oyasumi goodnight - this is another word for the "off" timer
風向                        wind direction
風量                        wind speed
ソフト                  "soft", this is sometimes called the Eco or エコ function

If there are any other buttons on your air-conditioner you don't understand, ask a Japanese speaking neighbour or friend. It is very difficult to wait for an electrician to come and fix your air-conditioner over the summer when they are so busy. Correct and sparing use of your air-conditioning unit will ensure that you stay cool all summer long!

**************************************************
9. Summer Accommodation Specials
(Submitted by Steve Burson)

Oakwood Worldwide, one of the most internationally well-known serviced accommodations, is offering a summer special at its Shinjuku location in Tokyo. For just 8,500 yen per night, you can stay in a fully furnished studio room and enjoy the facilities of a top-of-the-range serviced apartment. Unlike hotels, the rates at Oakwood are per room, so divide those rates per person and look at the value! Of course you have a kitchen and clothes washing facilities too!

Call Reiko Natsukawa of Oakwood on 03-5338-3131, and mention the X-Pat Files and H&R Consultants to claim this offer!

Closer to home is Japan Residence, brought to you by H&R Consultants. Japan Residence is the Oakwood of Nagoya, and allows short-term travelers all the benefits of a hotel with more space, a kitchen, washing facilities, and most importantly; privacy. Come home to Japan Residence!

For more details on the rooms, layouts and services please see www.japanresidence.com

Summer Offer

Get to know Japan Residence for just 7,980 yen per night! The first night is free, and there is a free transfer from the airport! Great, for your friends or family if they are visiting you this summer! This is a limited offer until August 31st, 2007 (bookings will be subject to room availability). Like Oakwood, our rates are per room and not per person, so this is great value!

Call Junji Watanabe on 052-973-3957 or email us on contactus@japanresidence.com to claim this offer!

**************************************************

10. Know Yourself, Then Find Out More
Sue Conolly

The theory goes like this: There are four sections to the box called "Things to Know About Me". The four sections are:

1. Things known to you and to others (your name and nationality, the fact that you like bananas, your crankiness in the morning)

2. Things known by you but not by others (the embarrassing fact that you are scared of puppies, your thoughts on certain issues, your darkest secrets)

3. Things known by others, but not by you (the fact that when you are thinking about something seriously your eyes shift to the right, your habit of changing the subject quickly when talking about certain things, your strengths or weaknesses that you are too close to see)

4. Things unknown to you, and unknown to others (we'll get to this one later).

The deal is, that the more true and honest information you have about yourself and how you typically deal with the world, the better decisions you can make about what to do next. The first two categories of information are already OK, because you have the information that you need. However, the latter two categories are your treasure trove for missing pieces of the puzzle that is you.

How then, would you go about accessing information that other people have about you? One obvious solution is to ask questions, but finding someone you trust is an essential part of that equation. A good friend, a counsellor, a family member, a respected teacher... these types of people will hopefully provide you with honest feedback about yourself. Don't take everything to heart, but do open your heart to listen. Even if something they say to you stings at first, you may find a small grain of truth you can work with later. One thing about living in Japan, is that every little thing that you did before and took for granted, now is in an open spotlight on a great big stage. You never knew that you had a particularly loud way of blowing your nose? Just wait until you do it in a Japanese supermarket! You never saw yourself as pushy? Wait until you see yourself trying to get a seat on the subway!

One way of getting good, honest feedback from someone that you trust, is trusting them enough to give them a little of the secret information that you have about yourself. If you told a good friend that you have a morbid fear of talking in public, it might lead them to tell you that they were impressed by the way you introduced yourself in class (something you didn't think you had handled well at all). What information you give to whom, is part of the eternal question. However, when you find yourself opening up bit by bit to other people, those people will also open up to you, giving you valuable feedback you never had before.

Now, once you've got all the information about yourself you ever thought you would have, push the boundaries! Again, being in Japan is very helpful here, because your comfort zone has very hazy boundaries in a foreign place. Do something that you wouldn't have thought you could handle, and your unexpected success will pull some information right out of that "Unknown Zone". Make it into a game - deliberately do the things others wouldn't expect, surprise yourself and the world. You don't have to live up to any expectations others may or may not have of you. This is Japan - you are free from an enormous about of societal expectation that existed in that other place where you grew up.

Once you start to get to know yourself, you'll find more and more ways in which you are pleasantly surprised. Who knew that you could survive in a foreign country for more than ten years? Who knew that you could actually enjoy Japanese TV dramas and learn a new language at the same time? Who knew that the little boy who hated all things athletic at school actually would turn out to enjoy riding a bike through the Japanese countryside? Make friends with whoever that person turns out to be, and that will free you up to experience great relationships with others.

**************************************************

That`s it for this edition of the newsletter. We hope you found it informative - please let us know what you would like to see in future editions, and we will attempt to address your issues.

If you need to find some information from a previous edition, please try the search function on http://www.xpat-files.com. Carrying out a text search with key words will take you directly to previous editions of the newsletter in which information appeared.

  A disclaimer - While we do try to check submissions when they come to me, we do not take responsibility for the accuracy of any donated information. Nor do we take responsibility if your experience of places and services you find through this newsletter are not as rewarding as they were for the person who originally sent in the information. Obviously everyone`s experience is different.

  If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please do so online at http://www.xpat-files.com, where in the future we would like to archive information contained in this newsletter.

  If have some information you feel might be of benefit to the Expat community, please send as much information as you can to info@xpat-files.com.

  The newsletter will be as good as the contributions made to it, so please send in ideas and materials!