Driving Me Crazy (or) Getting a License in Japan and Driving on the Left

After nearly three months and three attempts, I finally have a Japanese drivers license. I was told that this was fast-- let me explain.

A foreigner who had a drivers license for at least six months prior to coming to Japan can convert directly to a Japanese license. However, you must be from a country which Japan deems has a tough enough system to meet its own stringent requirements. Canadian drivers, for example, are accepted-- Americans are not.

Since I have license from the state of Nevada, I needed to take both a written and driving test. The written test was relatively simple-- ten fairly straightforward questions, although some were in rather strangely translated English. Then an eye exam, and I was asked, 'automatic or manual?' I asked for a manual transmission, because, if you test in an automatic your license will be limited to driving automatics.

I failed my first test.

If you've never driven in England, Australia or India, you'll have to focus more intently as you learn to drive on the opposite side of the road. I kept turning on the windshield wipers when I was changing lanes-- so embarrassing. Everything is the opposite, not just the side the driver is on-- the shift lever too. Thank God the clutch, brake and accelerator are the same!

Do you remember the familiar "look left, look right, look left again before you cross the road" chant from childhood? Well, in countries where the traffic drives on the left (right-hand drive) is the opposite. Twenty-five years ago, my second day in India, I was nearly flattened by a speeding bus. I looked left, then began to look right as I stepped off the curb and... WHOOSH! That got my attention!

Even after a couple years in India, I would still sometimes end up on my bicycle in the wrong lane as I pulled out of a roundabout (traffic circle). Of course it wasn't too bad in India, as everyone is used to dodging-- the rule of the road being, 'If it's bigger, it goes first-- Elephants, buses, water buffalo, cars, rickshaws, pedestrians... and, as you can see by this photo I took in 1984, there wasn't usually much space for speeding.

Back to Japan and my second test.

People told me, “Don't worry, nobody passes on the first test-- or the second-- and few on the third or fourth. They just won't let you pass.” I took this to be 'sour grapes' from people who had flunked repeatedly. However, I started to believe them when I went for my second test.

As I waited in the DMV lobby, I saw a man talking to himself as he pretended to drive the course. I struck up a conversation with this West Point graduate and former Patriot missile unit commander. He was there for his fourth attempt, and assured me that it had nothing to do with skill and everything to do with knowing the test itself.

His advice:

“You need to memorize the course and the numbered turns. The inspector will tell you, but it's better if you know what you're doing. You can't go too slow, except in the backstretch, where they expect you to speed up to 45 kph. Be respectful to the person who is giving the test and exaggerate every action, showing that you are checking that the mirrors are set correctly and keep moving your eyes from side to side and mirror to mirror while driving.”

I then failed my second test-- I pulled into a wrong lane due to not understanding the road markings-- and turned on my wipers once-- so I understood why I failed that one.

So I took this young man's advice (by the way, I still don't know if he passed) and poured over the course as much as possible, imagining myself making all the turns-- signals and all. I also watched others take the test while I referred to the course diagram. This probably explains the vivid dream I had several times the night before my third appointment. In the dream, I was driving the course with an examiner who kept telling me to use the right lever for the turn signal and excitedly instructing me which lane to turn into.

It must have been just what I needed, as I passed the third test. Only one other person I've heard of passed on their third try, but maybe I should count the dreams and say I passed on my seventh.

To summarize:

Ask for a photocopy of the course diagram before you go to take the written test and get familiar with it. You could ask for one at the same time you purchase a “rules of the road” manual in English.

If possible, watch others take the test. I suggest that you sit in a borrowed car to practice shifting with your left hand and turning on your signals with your right-- unless, of course, you've been driving with an International license (you can for your first six months) and feel you have it down.

When you take the test, be respectful, relax, go slow, two hands on the steering wheel, exaggerate your safety precautions-- moving your head and eyes.

If you fail, they won't tell you immediately. They'll announce to the entire group who passed first-- a round of applause here-- then tell each one in turn what they did wrong-- including showing you on the course map.

Stay calm. Ask the inspector to explain anything that is unclear-- a Japanese speaker could come in handy at this point. Don't forget to thank him-- He might give you your next test.

That's all-- have fun!

P.S.

If it helps, you could tell yourself that you're getting a mini-course in Japanese culture-- a culture in which taking a test properly can seem more important than demonstrating that you are knowledgeable and skilled.

Links:

Driving on the left or right-- facts and myths

Japan Automobile Federation-- rules of the road, changing an overseas license to a Japanese

Tokyo Rampage-- Japan Asks 'Why?'

This week, a young man rammed a truck into pedestrians on a crowded Tokyo street, then began stabbing people, killing seven and wounding ten-- the worst of a string of five random stabbings this year, in which nine have been killed and twenty-four injured-- besides these, there was also a teenager who pushed a stranger under a train, saying he just wanted to kill someone.

Soon after this latest attack, I visited an electronics store similar to those in Akihabara, Tokyo's biggest electronics shopping district-- where the attack took place-- and also a popular destination for those obsessed with video games and animated characters.

There, as I waited at the service desk to get something repaired, my wife muttered, 'It's horrible!'-- referring to a violet video game demo playing on a large screen nearby. This game, "Metal Gear Solid 4" had its Tokyo premier canceled after the attack. The company cited customer safety. Really!

This kind of entertainment reminds me of the ancient Colosseum of Rome-- where death as a spectator sport covered their consciences with unfeeling scar tissue. To me, the possible connection between these mind-numbing, heart-hardening violent video games and these attacks seems obvious, yet I've seen and heard little reference to them.

I have tried to keep track of the opinions of the many Japanese, as they are struggling to make sense of this outbreak of random violence. Most concerns that I've heard voiced echo those heard in other developed countries in recent years, yet Japanese are even more bewildered-- since they have grown up with an extremely low rate of violent crimes.

Most blame what they see as disturbing trends in society.

High on their lists are Japan's failing families and communities. People fear that the disappearing extended family has made Japan a lonelier place, with little support for troubled youth. There is often with no one to talk to, and relationships become strained.

Next, many sense that a general 'me first' attitude has become increasingly prevalent and that morality is declining. People feel they can do anything-- there are no more restraints.

Japan's sluggish economy is a big issue. In a country where nearly everyone could previously expect to be 'middle-class', companies are converting to low-paid part-time or temporary workers, creating a growing gap between rich and poor. Frustrated, those left out of of the middle-class 'norm'—are buffeted by rising prices, taxes and disappearing work and government benefits.

Finally, they mention Japan's continued obsession with exam grades. Those who can't succeed are treated as losers and their frustration builds. They begin to hate society.

Tomohiro Kato, 25, in Internet postings made before his attack, sounded like just such a person.

"I don't have a single friend and I won't in the future. I'll be ignored because I'm ugly."
A man with hope could never understand this." "I'm lower than trash... I am hopeless,"
"What I want to do: commit murder. My dream: to monopolize the tabloid TV shows...
"I will kill people... I will crash my car and when the car becomes unusable, I will use a knife.
Good-bye, everyone!"

In the northern city where he grew up, Kato was a model elementary and middle school student. However, when he entered his province's top high school, he found himself in the bottom twenty percent of his class. Apparently discouraged, his studies suffered and he became withdrawn-- even violent at home. In a few years, Kato went from studying at a top high school to living alone as a seemingly friendless temporary worker in a factory near Tokyo.

Yes, we are living in stressful times, with 'Men's hearts failing them for fear'. For some insight on the times in which we are living, please read:

The Future Foretold: Part 2 --current world violence, famines and earthquakes forecast two millennia ago with predictions of what is yet to come.

[Bible references used: 1Timothy 4:2; Ephesians 4:17; Titus 1:15; Luke 21:26]

Major Earthquake in Northern Japan

Just to let you know-- sorry we didn't write immediately-- we didn't even feel the large earthquake that hit northern Japan. Strangely, we felt a minor jolt the day before-- perhaps not too strange, since Japan gets 20% of the world's quakes.

Here's a news link: At Least 6 Dead in Major Japanese Quake

Five Sisters and Spring Holidays

In a month when I had so much to write about, I didn't make a single post-- sorry! My excuse is simply, because of all the things happening, that I should have written about, just took so much of my time-- good excuse, eh? I don't think I'd do well as a news reporter-- I'd be fired!

The 'Five Sister' reunion was the biggest event-- with Aiko, Andi, baby Izumi and Erika staying for four weeks. For the last week, Angie and Naomi visited from Tokyo, and Izumi from Australia. Baby Izumi got to meet her namesake and was the center of attention, of course. The photos will be a later post.

Spring also sprang upon us-- after a heavy snowfall the last day of March-- bringing with it Japan's famous cherry blossom (sacura) season, with picnics under the blossoms. We also participated in an international festival and the local Children's day-- photos coming.

The nights are still cold, as we are at 1000 meters, but by Golden Week-- this week-- we're having some beautiful weather-- more photos!

Did I mention photos? Well, another big event, at least for me, was getting a new-- I mean, used-- camera, a Canon Powershot A540. I've gotten along with my cellphone or borrowed cameras for quite a few years now, so I'm very happy to have my 'story-telling' camera-- small enough to always carry with me.

There's more, but those are the highlights.

And to each one who contributed your prayers during this busy time-- a big... Thank you!

A Deluge

We're getting ready for a deluge of family members this month-- two daughters, a son-in-law and a granddaughter from Hungary, one daughter from Australia and two from Tokyo will be with us for varying times nearly all month.

Aiko, with her baby Izumi, husband Andi and sister Erica, will be coming from Hungary on Monday, then after a short visit here, they'll go to Tokyo with Sharon, then return with three more sisters in tow-- Naomi, Izumi (baby Izumi's namesake), and Angie-- for a week or so.

Clockwise from top-left:
Mom, Naomi, Angie, Izumi, Andrew, Andi, Aiko, Erica and friend, and baby Izumi.

It will be the first time that the five sisters have ever been all together at the same time, so we're really excited. I'll be posting more pics over the next weeks.

Here are some news we received from Hungary:

Our work here in Budapest, Hungary began nearly five years ago with five missionaries and their children. We grew until we were nearly thirty living and working together for Jesus with a multitude of projects-- so many people and projects that our team recently opened another center, closer to the center of Budapest, to fulfill the vision the Lord has given us for reaching the youth-- the world's future.

We will be training new missionaries, giving bible studies and conducting outreach at music festivals and universities. We are all very excited! God is already doing miracles with our NOMAD band-- including interviews on radio and television and their CD in being sold in shops throughout Hungary--- and a music video too.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=106188835

http://www.nomadband.hu/

Easter Sunday

Sharon and I hope you have a very special day today and have a chance to participate in one of the many meaningful traditions that celebrate Jesus' victory over death for every person.

With so many images competing to represent this special day, I thought you might enjoy this article on the history and meaning of Easter-- as well as the many ways that Easter is celebrated around the world...

Found here:

The Easter Celebration: What does it really mean?

Easter so Early!

I was surprised how early Easter Sunday is this year- March 23th in 2008- with good reason. The last time Easter was this early was in 1913 and the next time will be in 220 years- AD 2228.

The date of Easter Sunday is set by this formula:

The 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox

This approximation-- a compromise made centuries ago-- was meant to unite Christians who were celebrating Easter on various dates. However, Eastern Churches adopted a different formula-- making Easter Sunday April 27th this year. The Eastern and Western observances do fall on the same day in some years-- for example, 2010 and 2011 both fall on the same Sunday.

Does Easter come even earlier than March 23?

Well, the last one was on March 22, 1818 and the next one will be on March 22, 2285-- So, stick around!

Could you imagine what it would have been like for the disciple Thomas at the time of the first Easter? Well, here's an interesting account of what it may have been like:

http://activated.org/magazine/articles.php?id=90.11.172

or you can look over or even download a pdf file of the March Easter edition of Activated Magazine here:

http://activated.org/magazine/details.php?id=90

White Day

No, White day, March 14^th, is not a Ku Klux Klan holiday. In Japan, it follows a month after Valentine's day, when women give gifts to men, usually chocolates-- nice, huh? I really like chocolate!

However, now, on White Day, it's the men's turn. And, we have to consider the Japanese traditional saying: sanbai kaeshi 三倍返し "return triple". Ouch!

How did White Day originate?

Well, just as Valentine's day promotions of cards, flowers and chocolates popularized that holiday, apparently a 1965 candy company 'Marshmallow Day' campaign-- urging men to repay Valentine gifts with marshmallows-- has since expanded to “White Day”, with white chocolates, other candies or even jewelry or white clothing like handkerchiefs or lingerie.

photo: (c) tipserve.com

Nagano Skiing

We've been snow-covered continually nearly all winter-- with temperatures hovering right around freezing in the day and well below at night-- of course colder in the surrounding mountains.

And that's just were we went two weeks ago. That's Andrew in the photo. He did quite well for his first attempt.

The skiing here is world-class-- impressive and beautiful, even to a non-skier like me. My big dare of the day was to sled halfway down one of the slopes-- the fastest I've ever gone on a sled!

Photos of the resort we went to:

http://www.kashimayari.net/album/index.html

Kashimayari English Home Page

http://www.kashimayari.net/eng/index.html

Intensive Study-- Intensified Experience

A few months ago I started formal Japanese studies-- a textbook, teacher and weekly classes-- after three years in Japan. This was a mistake-- not the studies, but the wait. The best way is to jump into learning a language as soon as you arrive-- as I did with Spanish and Chinese-- but I failed to do with Hindi-- during the five years I was in India-- and now, Japanese.

Trying to make up for my lack with a big push, I'm now past chapter three in my thirty-chapter Japanese textbook. I recently started carrying all my Japanese books with me everywhere to build up my muscles... well, not actually. The truth is that it's to help me to be less embarrassed when I have to face my teacher each week.

Besides avoiding humiliation, I've discovered that when I'm studying, people who would usually not speak to me, often do. On three successive train trips I've sat across from young persons on the train who asked how my studies were going and were glad to help as I struggled to read and pronounce my Japanese assignments.

An older couple joined one conversation-- first the wife, commenting in a mixture of English and Japanese-- and then her husband began making comments to her in Japanese like, 'How many of those 'ABC' things do they have in English?' 'Twenty-six', she told him. 'So few!' he responded, 'It must be difficult for them to learn ours.'

And it is! Forty-six phonetic characters duplicated in two sets-- one principal set and a second set mostly for foreign words and emphasis--like italics. There is also a third set which uses our 'ABC's to approximate the sounds of Japanese.

Besides these, there are thousands of ideographs, each one representing a word-- object, action etc. At the top of this post, the first two ideographs mean Japan, and the third, language.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_writing_system

And the grammar!-- If it wasn't for learning Chinese tones, I'd say for certain that Japanese was the more difficult of the two languages... but back to my conversations.

I gave the first person I met my email address on the back of a small flyer called, 'Professionals'. She seemed especially interested-- saying that she was studying to be an occupational therapist, and adding that her sister is handicapped.

I suggested that life's difficulties can help us to become kinder and more unselfish. I pointed her to the tract, which says that we all want to excel in whatever we do-- be professionals-- and, importantly, that with God's help, we can all be 'love professionals'.

I further explained, 'Kamisawa aidesu [God is Love]' and 'Anatao aiteshiteimasu [He loves you]'. I invited her to repeat a prayer, accepting God's love, forgiveness, His gift of eternal life-- and His power to be a 'love professional'-- which she did.

She then asked for my notebook and pen and wrote a few lines saying how glad she was to have met and had our conversation, and asked me to write her every day-- in Japanese-- so back to my studies! I'll keep you updated on my adventures in Japan and in Japanese-- Mata! [Later!]