1992 School Magazine

expi'ess tileii opinions vei'y strongly compared to the Japanese. Generally speaking, Japanese lend 10 act and speak only after considei'allon has been given 10 the othei' pel'son's point of view, and feelings. Sucli Japanese behav- joui' Is partly explained by oui' insularity and pledoininant- Iy lion-multiculiul'al society. Actually in my memory I can nevei' I'ecall being encouraged to express my own opinions socially. 011 the conii'ary, pel'sonal Idiosynci'allc or radical opinions tend to be slippi'essed by our conventional nation- al chai'acter, 11nless these opinions ai'e commonly held Now that I am in AUSti'alla and looking back o11 Japan I I'ecognise Japan 11as still a vei'y strict and conventional CUI- lure. This was 1101 appal'eni to me at all when I was living in that system. Since World War 2, Japan has slowly changed its national isni undei' A1nei'ICan influences. Many of the younger generation would prefer 10 see mole radical chaiioe fi'om old-fashioned nationalism towai'd westernisa- lion. Pel'sonally I feel ambivalent about destroying long- standing Japanese values. 011 the one hand I appreciate that Japan became a POWei'ful society because of its strong cultural heritaoe, but o11 the other hand I nave benefitted vei'y much in the development of my own pel'sonality because of the relative freedoms of western jailoiialisiii I I'eally 1111nk Inat it is wonderful 10 live in AUSti'alla. I can see that my thinking and value judgements have been shaped by ntany life experiences: niy first 18 yeai's in Japan, living in Australia and my nieeting and talking willI many people who have glown up in diffe!'Grit situations. I could PIObably nevei' again conforni completely to 111y pi'evious mould. I I'Gallse I nave gi'own niucli more coiTi- PIGx as a person

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Exploring Australia

I would sincerely like to thank Mrs Hancock who gave 111e this precious OPPoi'Iunity. I would also like 10 thank The people who supported me in many ways: host families, staff and fi'iends. I will lievei' foi'get you I' 1105piialiiy. I alli n0 10noe^ the sanie SAGIRl who ai'rived in Brisbane in April 1992 and yoti must all shale the blanie orihe ci'ed- it for'111is! !!

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EXCHANGE STUDENTS Back Ro\\ IL-R): Rii'a On ishi. Erika Yamauchi, Yukie Kataok". Mrs L. I, ami. , 'I'akaku Soga. Sagi, a Fukii, 'a. Mari Kuha}. ashi. Froni Ru\\ : Yukiko Nagai, Kahnri Hullima. Hiromi Sail, h. Kyuk, , Masuda, Mi\\ a Hay"ka\\'a.

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