I’m actually looking forward to getting back to Japan this time. I got a load of work done in Europe, had a great time in the States and being with all the Thai teachers made me totally excited about the future. Thailand is certainly a country that is going places, the whole development around Siam Square is simply amazing, I don’t know anywhere in the world that is so highly developed, well except maybe Shanghai. And today it’s back to Japan, which is actually quite cool. Most people who live in Japan ( me included ) often treat it as normal, nothing special, but when people ask you where you are going next week it does sounds good to say “Tokyo”! Plus it’s the nice Spring weather and after golden week I have a load of great gigs lined up.

But just one hint, if you’re in a good Japan mood, don’t read the newspapers!! After last week saying that they were “thinking about” making English mandatory for 5th and 6th graders only ( obviously they have never spoken to anyone who has ever taught in elementary schools who could tell them that those are the least responsive ages to start), according to the papers, the Japanese government are now thinking of introducing “nationalism” or “patriotism” ( depending on which translation you choose) classes to schools!! What’s going on there???? I can see where they are coming from, they are obviously terrified about the economic and political rise of China. For example last month’s flight from Honolulu to Tokyo was not filled with Japanese tourists as may be expected, but with Chinese tourists. Last year in Milan there were hardly any Japanese tourist signs, everything was posted in Chinese. Plus the fact that everywhere you go around the world everyone is talking about China and hardly anyone talks about Japan anymore. But introducing classes in nationalism??? That can’t be right. Japan is still a cool place with a lot of to offer, but surely it’s “international understanding education” that’s needed for the future.