Turning Point
Gaijin Hospitalised in Japan by Alfonso Ferdinand
Born and raised in the Caribbean, Jun moved to Japan in the early 90's and has been living there ever since.
Turning Point is a true story that was written by Alfonso Ferdinand about a gaijin - the categorical word for foreigners in Japan, whose "Turning Point" came at the hands of intern doctors and kenshuuins when he was hospitalised at a major hospital for a "cut open and peek" operation.
Jun had to put up with so many differences in the system, the culture and their "unwritten rules syndrome" that gradually take a toll on any sane person,
The lead charactor - Jun, laughed at his experience during our interviews but at the time of his operation it was definitely a touch and go situation. "It was a classic example of Japanese 'manga'", he said in sarcasm. He also told me that he wouldn't wish it on anyone. Not even his frenimy.
A crash course in simple Japanese medical words and phrases is also added at the back of the book to assist those who must see a doctor or cannot avoid being hospitalised in Japan.
Enjoy the ride.
Gaijin in Japan
Gaijin in Japan
Gaijin in Japan
Gaijin in Japan
The Flip Side of a Bowl by Alfonso Ferdinand
When David, the lead character in “Flip Side”, decided to move to Japan to live in the early '90s, he was filled with a full tank of raw expectations and dreams to pursue a career in Electronic Engineering, as Japan was the leading electronics manufacturer in the world at the time. And also, he was hoping to have a chance to practice Martial Arts with some of the greatest grandmasters in the world who are based here.
However, even before he was able to settle down, David found out that the country he had chosen to live in was not only one of the humblest countries in the world but was one of the most discriminative ones in the world under the surface too. This will never be admitted by any Japanese citizen because they see their negative attitudes toward foreigners as being “anti-social” or the act of “preserving” their country's “island status”.
“As if they still need a dingy to cross the Japan Sea to Korea.”
Being a foreigner, he learned to do business in Japan the hard way. You will experience how being a gaijin here attracts some very visible and unusual hurdles. Not only by small privately owned businesses but also some of the top makers too.
Family, relationships take the cake, though. Make no mistake, getting the blessings of parents and or siblings of a Japanese citizen is never ever a walk in the park. Gaijins usually must give a lot more than they ever hope to receive.
Here, I must say, your country of origin is not of much importance. Japanese “usually” do not discriminate by nationality nor race. As long as one is not Japanese, or should I say, not of a traditional Japanese family; both parents' family trees can be traced back for many generations, you are a gaijin.
Skyam Aatis by Alfonso Ferdinand
The story is based around two young guys from very different backgrounds who were thrown together by their boss because of their recent lack of perfection; they weren't able to meet their targetted figure of 2,000,000 yen per skyam for two straight weeks by tricking the elderly.
The idea that a free roll of toilet paper was all it took to achieve the above figure is mind boggling to most regular people. However, it was a very achievable task for anyone who worked for their company.
One of the two devised a wicked skyam to topple the boss of the organisation they worked for while taking revenge for his co-worker who despised him to the bone. And the other lost his “breath” at the hands of a beautiful young girl. I guess he should have left his urge for his favorite alcohol at home that fateful day.
Brace yourselves for a jaw-dropping experience from the world of skyam in the life of the lead characters, Jun and Tomo, based in Japan.