Volume 13, Number 3 |
by Tim Boyle
The explosion in cellular phone (keitai denwa) usage in Japan, among other factors, is bringing about a revolution in the telecommunications industry. It was only a few years ago that NTT dominated the domestic phone service just as KDD had no competition for overseas calls. Being virtual monopolies, there was little pressure on them to liberalize service and reduce costs. How times have changed!
First, other domestic long-distance phone companies were allowed to compete for the market, and two major competitors to NTT soon emerged. DDI and Nihon Terecomu advertised cheaper rates than NTT, though with the caveat that since NTT still had a monopoly on local phone service, both DDI and Nihon Terecomu had to use NTT lines at both ends of the connection. Thus, a person using their services still had to pay NTT for a local phone call at both ends in addition to the long distance rates to either of the other companies. Thus, everyone still had had an NTT bill, which included their base monthly rate plus one's regular local calls plus the 20 yen per 3 minutes (now 90 seconds) for the long distance connections if you were using one of the other long-distance companies. Since both DDI and Nihon Terecomu's rates were so much lower, however, except for very short calls, it was still somewhat cheaper than straight NTT. A call of only a few seconds, however, would be a minimum of 30 yen, whereas with NTT alone, you might have gotten away with only the 10 yen charge.
Little has changed since this system was first introduced about 10 years ago, except that the local phone charges have gone up while the long distance charges have gone down. What has changed the market in recent years is the rapid increase in cellular phone use. Several companies now vie for market share, with NTT's DOCOMO having the lion's share of about 60 percent of the market. Nevertheless, the competition is fierce and the options often bewildering.
Each company has a variety of payment plans, with options ranging from a high monthly charge with low rates for calls (which is better for those using their phone a lot) to plans with lower monthly charges but higher phone rates. The cheapest plans allow one to place calls only during certain non-peak times. Likewise, some systems can be used nation-wide, while others have much more restricted ranges in which connections can be made. Gone are the days when a lack of choice made the choice easy!
The competition for new customers has likewise meant numerous gimmicks, such as charging only a very nominal fee or sometimes nothing at all for the phone itself if you signed the dotted line. Of course, the phones would be last year's models that hadn't been sold yet, but while they might not have all of the latest gadgets and functions, they still work okay, and so if you want to get a keitai anyway, that's still a good way to go.
Rumors Fly That NTT Will Abolish Expensive Phone Line Rights System
In the good old days, when a short-term foreign resident came to Japan and needed a phone, it involved a great expense to get a line installed. NTT's system required that one purchase the rights to a line for a hefty 76,400 yen plus an installation fee. This amounted to a forced investment in the development of the phone system, though unlike stocks, no returns were paid on this investment. In fact, NTT would not (and still will not) buy the rights back when a person no longer needs a phone. One's only option for recouping the funds was to sell the line to someone else, often at a significant loss.
When I first got my own phone line more than 10 years ago, I paid 63,000 yen to somebody who was leaving, plus another 10,000 yen to NTT to change over the ownership and transfer it to the phone I already had been using (on a borrowed rights to phone line, for want of a better term). Recently, phone lines have been going on the gaijin market for as low as 40,000 yen. Why the difference? Supply and demand, along with the time of year, is part of the answer. (March is when many people leave and so prices are lower this time of year.) Another factor, however, appears to be the persistent rumors that NTT is going to scrap the whole system, which would make these lines worthless sometime in the future.
Is there any truth to these rumors? That depends on who you talk to. As would be expected, NTT officially denies any such plans. After all, if they were really planning on doing that at some specific point in time, announcing it ahead of time would cause chaos in the phone market (more than there already is, that is!). It would seem, however, that continued competition and new options will eventually force at least some change in the system, perhaps a gradual phasing out of the fee over time. In fact, that is already happening de facto, as the price of phone line rights on the open market are already far below NTT's official rates. The only people who would buy a line right from NTT directly would be those without adequate information, namely that one can get the exact same thing for almost 50% off from an individual or broker.
Speaking of brokers, I decided to call a few up to see what prices they would buy and sell at. The first place I called said they would sell me a line for 45000 yen, and then when I asked what they bought lines for, the lady said, "That's a really strange question." When I said I was just trying to get information, she indignantly hung up. Hmmmm! A change in tactics was necessary. The next place, I just asked what they would buy it for, and was told that they could only buy a line if it had been disconnected for at least a month, at which time it would be worth 30,000 yen. The regulation concerning the line having had to be disconnected for a month or more was due to the fact that it takes a month for the charges for calls to be cleared. For someone who needs to use his phone until the time he leaves Japan, this would seem to present a major problem.
When supply is high and demand is low, such as this time of year, when many are leaving and few new people are arriving, there is the possibility of someone not finding a buyer before he or she leaves Japan. What can be done in this case? NTT could not give me an answer to this hypothetical question, except to say that a third party could not do the paperwork in place of the owner, even if they had a proxy form, etc. (such as can be done with an automobile, for instance). A call to a broker brought out the information that the only way to sell a line is to do that prior to leaving the country. Once you leave Japan, you cannot sell the line (though you can put it in hibernation if you plan to return to Japan in the future). (The question presupposed that one would be leaving Japan alive. What would happen if one leaves Japan by the alternative, they didn't say!) Thus, if you don't have a buyer, then your only option is to get a friend to put the line in his or her name (in other words, buy it from you), and then sell it to someone else later on.
This, in effect, is exactly what a broker does. Hopefully, your friend wouldn't gouge you by buying low and selling high, as a regular broker would. But what about this business of a broker not being willing to buy a phone line unless it's been disconnected for at least a month? At least NTT did agree that they could, in certain situations, clear a line of its bills immediately if the person goes to the NTT office after the line has been disconnected (which you tell NTT in advance) and requests to pay the bill. The person must indicate that they are going overseas and won't be around to pay the bill when it comes. If you have proof of payment, then, of course, a regular broker would be willing to buy the line, but hopefully, you would be able to either find a buyer before you leave or at least a friend to serve as broker (who won't do as the name implies and leave you broke!)
The Tsukuba Recycle Hiroba, in cooperation with the Asian Friendship Association, is sponsoring a bazaar at the Rest House next to the pond across from the Expo Center from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday, March 28. Inquiries can be made to Mr. Minami at 47-4060 (work) or 47-6192 (home).
As part of its activities, the Tsukuba Information Center sponsors a bilingual discussion group the fourth Wednesday of every month from 2 to 4 pm, with invited guests giving a presentation from their area of expertise or experience. As the last event of the fiscal year, we are inviting all of the guests who have participated during the last eleven months, and so there won't be the usual single theme. During the past year, we have featured such places as Turkey, the American South, Spain and Scotland, along with themes such as the environment and international cooperation. This will be a good chance for you to bring up your favorite topic again and to make friends with participants. If you've just arrived in Tsukuba and would like to meet some new people, this is always a good chance.
The Coffee Hour is meant to be an informal exchange of information and opinions. English and Japanese are both used with efforts made to make sure those who can't understand one or the other are able to at least get the gist of the conversation. Likewise, you don't need to commit yourself to the entire two hours and can come and go freely. So drop by, whether for a short time or for the entire two hours, and enjoy some free refreshments along with the stimulating conversation.
Do you ever decry the absence of English language culture in Tsukuba? Well, here is your opportunity to support the arts and, hopefully, have an enjoyable evening.
THUD Productions presents "Where the Gai-jin Roam" an English language play written by Victor Heese and directed by Andy Barfield. The performance date is Saturday, March 13th at 8:00 PM at Frontier Bar (map available at http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ds3j-hs/9Frontier.html) in Amakubo, Tsukuba. The doors open at 7 pm and there will be live music from 7:30 pm. Advance tickets are 1000 yen and are available at Frontier Bar or by contacting Victor at (0298) 59-1327 or at: sn7v-hs@asahi-net.or.jp
Proceeds go to CANHELP Thailand which supports the education of teenagers in Thailand. For more information, contact Victor at the numbers mentioned above.
The Tsukuba information Center offers an Ikebana class on the first three Wednesdays of each month, from 9:40 am to noon. The instruction by Ms. Mitsuho Unno, of the Kyoto Koryu School, is free, with your only expense being the cost of the flowers. You will, however, also need to provide your own flat vase, scissors, small bowl, towel and a plastic bag. The cost of the flowers is 1300 yen for each time. For further information, call the Information Center at 52-6789 and ask for Ms. Nemoto or Ms. Nishikawa.
The students of the Ikebana Class of the Tsukuba International Exchange Room will be displaying their works of art on March 13 and 14 on the 2nd floor of the Tsukuba Information Center (next to Nova Hall). There will be many interesting arrangements by the students, who come from 6 different countries. The ikebana works will be on display from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday (3/13) and from 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday.
The Chanoyu (tea ceremony) class will also be offering a free green tea and sweets service from 10 am to noon and 1 pm to 2 pm on Sunday the 14th. So come and enjoy a little taste of Japanese culture.
The Tsukuba Information Center will sponsor a 20 session Japanese class from April 13 through September 28. The classes will consist of 3 levels with a limit of 25 students each and will be held on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Tsukuba Information Center.
There is no tuition charge, but the textbooks, which are different for each level, are the responsibility of the student to purchase beforehand. The classes focus on basic conversation skills necessary for daily living. In addition to study, there are also some fun events, such as a potluck party and a bus tour.
The three class levels are as follows: Introductory (for students learning Japanese for the first time); Beginner 1 (for students who can read hiragana and katakana and can manage basic conversation); and Beginner 2 (for students who can write hiragana and can handle daily conversation).
As class space is limited, you need to register early. Registration begins on Feb. 25. Application forms are available at the Information Center, where you will need to provide basic information. Applicants must live in or near Tsukuba, and be able to attend all of the classes. For more information, call Ms. Nishikawa or Ms. Nemoto at 52-6789.
There is an active square dance club in Tsukuba, and they are beginning a new series of lessons for beginners, every Saturday night 7-9 pm, starting March 6.
Square dancing is originally an American folk dance form, but it has been modernized and standardized considerably in the past 20-30 years, and is now a world-wide leisure activity. It's great fun, and anyone who can walk can do it (no particular talent required). If you're interested, come and take a look!
The club meets at the Takezono Minkan (I think that's the name - it's a community center, near the Takezono shopping center).
An English language interdenominational worship service is held once a month normally on the fourth Sunday of every month at 2 pm. at the Tsukuba Gakuen Church near Daiei. The March service, however, will be one week early, on March 21. There will also be a special Easter service on April 3rd at 2:30 pm. Services are followed by an informal fellowship time at the Tsukuba Christian Center next door. The Japanese language congregation meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 am, and the service is translated into English over headphones. There is also a Bible Study in English every Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm in the Christian Center. For more information or help with transportation, call Tim Boyle at 55-1907.
The Tsukuba Catholic Church has an English mass at 8:00 am every Sunday and the Japanese masses on Saturday night (6 pm) and Sunday morning (10 am) are accompanied by an summary of the message in English. There is even a Spanish mass on the 3rd Sundays at 3 pm. On the last Sunday of the month, there is a coffee social after the English mass. For information, call the church at 36-1723. The Tsuchiura Catholic Church offers an English mass on the last Sunday of each month at 3 pm (tel. 21-1501). There is also a Portuguese mass on the 3rd Saturday at 7 pm.
The Tsukuba Baptist Church offers an English language Bible study before the Japanese service every Sunday from 10 to 11 am. It is located in Inarimae just east of Nishi Odori on the street closest to the meteorological observation tower. Tel. 58-0655.
The Megumi Church in Tsuchiura (489-1 Kami Takatsu) also offers English translation of their 10:30 Japanese service over ear phones. An English Bible class is held every Sunday morning at 9:00. There is also an International Fellowship group that holds a monthly pot luck dinner usually on the third Saturday. For information on that, call Melissa Ishio at 38-1374. For more information, call the church at 22-2244 or e-mailLDN03144@niftyserve.or.jp (Also see their Tsuchiura Megumi Church Web Page at http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ro/tmc/index.html).
The Tokyo International Church, Tsukuba Branch in Amakubo 3-3-5 (across from Tsukuba Univ.) offers a 10:30-noon Chinese (Mandarin) service interpreted into both English and Japanese. There is also an English language Bible study every Sunday evening at 7 pm. For information, call Rev. Huang at 52-6820.
The International Christian Assembly meets every Sunday at Free Space K (in Shimohiratsuka next to Kasuga 3 chome) from 10 for Bible Study and 10:30 for worship. For more information, call Richard Swan at 36-0993.
The Nozomi Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tsuchiura (23-27 Komatsu 3-chome) also offers programs in English, including a worship service Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and a Bible class on Sunday mornings at 9:30. English Bible information courses are available any time. For more information, call Glen Hieb at 0298-21-3578.
The Tsuchiura Christian Church offers an English message translated into Japanese every Sunday morning at 10:30 am. For information, contact Paul Axton at 56-2167.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tsukuba ward is located at Higashi 2-21-22 by Higashi Middle School between Doho Park and Tsuchiura Noda Sen. Services are translated into English over headphones. The Sacrament Meeting begins at 10 am followed by Sunday School at 11:10 and Priesthood and Relief Society at 12:00. A Gospel Doctrine class in English is also offered. For more information, contact 52-6548.
The Jewish Community of Japan, invites anyone of the Jewish faith in the Tsukuba area to feel welcome at any of their programs in Tokyo. Sabbath services each Friday at 6:30 pm followed by Sabbath dinner; Kosher Kitchen, Saturday morning, 9:30 am. Contact 3-8-8 Hiroo, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150; tel. 03-3400-2559, fax. 03-3400-1827.
by Martin Pauly
Recently I went to a snakku with several colleagues. A hostess with a few years on her poured me a drink. Her English was very good and she mentioned that she had taught English on both the high school and college level and had spent a few of her younger years as an exchange student in the US.
Several conversations were going on at our table and the topics Valentine's Day and White Day kept popping up. "Bet you don't know the real story of White Day," she said. "Ah, wasn't it started by a candy company to increase its sales of chocolates?" I answered. "There's more to it than that," she said, as another drink was poured.
"Ever been to Matsuyama in Shikoku?" I told her I had, and said that I had seen the beautiful castle. "Oh good, because that's where the White Day story starts. After the war the GHQ had a large installation in the center of the city, close to the castle. There's a fairly deep moat around the castle and sometimes the kids would swim in it. They weren't supposed to but things were a little chaotic after the war... and you know how boys are." We started to talk about raising kids, especially boys, so I had to steer her back on course. "Hey, get back to your story. It's really interesting." "Ah, sorry," she replied. "Want some more ice with the drink?" "Anyway, like I was saying, one of the boys had some trouble in the water and his friend yelled for help. Two black American soldiers were walking nearby and one of them jumped in. The water was too deep for the boys but too shallow for a jump and the soldier broke his leg. But he, with the help of some passersby, managed to pull the boy out of the moat. It was a very heroic thing to do." As drinks were served and she put some raisin butter in my mouth she added that the boy was the mayor's nephew. "As you can imagine, the mayor was very happy and wanted to show his appreciation. His staff got in touch with the local US military commander and told of the mayor's plan to declare March 17th (the day of the rescue) Kokujin no Hi. But the mayor's staff had one question. What should they call the day in English?
"The commander was overjoyed because he was always interested in improving community relations. He immediately sent a message saying that Negro Day would be OK. This was in 1948 and that was the acceptable term for black people at the time. Do you remember Jackie Robinson and the old Negro League?" I told her I was too young to remember but I had heard of it. "Well, that name was immediately squelched because a word that sounds like Negro has a bad meaning in one of the Shikoku dialects." "Oh, what does it mean?" I asked innocently. "Har, har, har!" she laughed loudly. She said something to one of the younger hostesses and they both roared hilariously. "OK, OK," I said. "I don't want to know. Just continue with your story."
"Well, the commander understood the situation so he suggested Colored Day, as that was another acceptable term at the time. But the mayor's staff didn't know that and were confused. Perhaps the American had misunderstood the situation? Hadn't the commander read that the two men were black? They looked in some reference books and found that there were yellow people, and red people, and white people, and brown people. They didn't want to honor those people. The mayor had specifically wanted to honor the black men. So the mayor sent a hurried message back to the commander (because the ceremony was going to be the following Sunday and they had to get the posters printed) asking if Black Day was acceptable. The commander wanted to say yes, but knew that the term black was considered derogatory in the late 40's." "Wow, what a complicated situation," I exclaimed. "It gets better yet," she said. "Have another Pocky and a drink."
"The commander was up for promotion and didn't want to jeopardize his career so he got in touch with the GHQ in Tokyo. A high-ranking lawyer from MacArthur's personal staff was flown down to Matsuyama and a large group of Americans met with the mayor's staff. After a four-hour meeting they came up with the name Rainbow Day. It was a compromise for both sides but everybody seemed relatively happy." "I'm glad the story has a happy ending," I said. "But... uh.... I realize I'm a bit drunk, but what does this have to do with White Day?" "Oh, it's not finished. It gets better. It seemed like things were OK. There was an annual Kokujin/Rainbow Day celebration. But a strange linguistic development was taking place. The Japanese started to think that rainbow was the translation of Kokujin and school kids who were practicing their English would yell "Hey, there's a rainbow!" at black soldiers instead of "Kokujin da!" And at the same time Americans who were studying Japanese would point to the sky after a rainfall and tell Japanese people, "Kokujin wa kirei desu ne."
The error had stuck long after the Occupation was over, and in the '60s the mayor's son (who was now the mayor) appointed a commission to investigate the matter. The word Black was beginning to gain popularity in the US. Remember Black Power and the song I'm Black and I'm Proud, Shout It Loud?" "Sure," I answered, revealing my age. "So the commission proposed to the mayor that Black Day was a good choice. The mayor readily declared March 17th as Black Day and ordered flyers and posters to be printed. But, unbeknownst to the mayor, there was a man on his staff who was a burakumin (an outcast). He had kept his origins secret but was now in a position to make a statement and what a statement he made. As he was in charge of publicity he ordered thousands of bilingual posters printed. When the posters came out there was an uproar and the mayor had the posters pulled down. Black in katakana was buraku. And the name of the rock group he had invited was Black Sabbath, which came out as ...." "Buraku sabetsu," (discrimination against the buraku) I interjected. She then started to tell me about the Burakumin Liberation League and how some people wanted to openly discuss the topic and others thought it better not to. I was getting tired though.
"As you can imagine there was hell to pay. The man was fired. The name of the day was changed to White Day because the name of the black soldier was John White. And another strange development started happening. Japanese people thought that White Day meant Hakujin no Hi and started giving presents to white people on March 17th." She suggested that I remind Japanese people of the meaning of White Day and see if I could get some nice presents. So last March 17th, I went into some offices at the Honbu of the U. of Tsukuba and reminded some of the workers of the meaning of White Day and waited for presents. It was at that point that I realized that the hostess had made up the story -- most of it.