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[stuckinjapan]

dear all,
i repost this message here. i originally posted in a topic related to akita university in japan, and it maybe not be getting the attention it (possibly) deserves. in that akita topic, there is one reply to my post, and my response to that. enjoy.


Dear all,
I would like to add some comments related to the blacklist of japanese universities that is available to consult during a japanese job search. the main criterion for being listed as a black university is unfair treatment of non japanese. i would like to add the fact that even fair treatment may be considered distasteful to some non-japanese.

i am tenured at a japanese university, and i am treated fairly, ie as other japanese faculty, but the admin treatment of faculty, and the faculty treatment of faculty is unbearable (to non japanese).

a few years ago there was an announcement from the admin that all faculty must stay in their offices from 8:30 to 5pm every day because 'they might need us'. before that announcement faculty were free to come and go as they please, do research home or office , etc etc. a condition of what would be a normal university in usa or europe.

but the new rule applied to all, japanese and non, and the next day, a friday faculty were in their offices at 8:30. and this rule was from 4 years ago and still remains.

this is fair treatment, but does anyone want to work/research under those conditions?

there is no sabbatical at the univ, but previously there was 6 months research leave if one had funding from another institution. BUT being able to go is the discretion of the dept head. the univ is 25 years old , and so far there were 4 people who took advantage of this system. 15 years ago 2 people were granted 6 months, 10 years ago another got 6 months. that same person a couple of years later got another 6 months but was refused since going would have caused resentment.
i received a 3 month fellowship. initially they would let me go for 3 weeks. i had to fight fight fight and i got my 3 months. i got it, but now people tell me to look forward to revenge from the dept head. i was successful in winning another 3 month research fellowship at an internationally known institute, but was denied because 'they need me' and 'others may apply for it'.

so, i am being treated same as others, but does anyone want to work under these conditions?

emails are sent calling 'emergency' meetings within an hour and a half. if one does not attend these meetings, one is considered derelict of duty and it goes on your record. so what? one may say. but then these remarks affect your pension and or salary. both can be reduced at discretion of university. yes, we can hire a lawyer, then faculty at university will see you as a traitor, and ignore you until you must quit. also, the fact that one hires an attorney is not private. you would not be able to get another job in japan since word would get around that you are trouble.

this is true for japanese and non. fair equal treatment, but who would want to work under these conditions?

then you could say, 'why not quit?'. it is difficult to quit, there may be financial penalites, and you may not get permission to quit. YES, faculty or anyone needs permission from the president to quit the position.

i could go on and on. but i will end with some advice for those who want to work in japanese 'academics'

1. what they tell you in interview is not necessarily the actual job description. it doesnt matter if you ask questions. they will do what they do.
2. you will be treated royally for the first couple of years. then it is downhill from there. at about the 3rd year, it is time to leave. they will be happy and your career would not have been damaged.
3. 'career damage'? yes, imagine working in japan 10 years, and having had to teach english at least part of the time. the new positions you apply for ask what have you been teaching for the last 10 years. if half the courses are english, this does not fare well. then they ask about your research, since you may have to work nights and weekends, etc etc you will not have much time for such, and your record will suffer. then they ask about grants. the largest grant for individual social science resesarch is about $35,000  usd. but in the usa, that amt is nothing. they may ask you about any teaching awards you have received. there are none in japan. they may also ask you what have you done creatively to help your dept. it is not possible to do anything to help your dept or anyone elses.

4. the money is good, but is it worth the aggravation? i am here for 18 years. and for the past 4 have been miserable, before that hopeful to get out. but i had family obligations that required me to stay here. my career is in ruins, but i dont regret that since i made the decision to stay, but i offer this advice and info for all those thinking to 'work' in japan.

the japanese 'work ethic' and the way 'academics' should work are fundamentally opposed to western thought.

i will close with some comments given to me from japanese faculty within the first few months of my hire (paraphrase)

from 70 year old economics prof:
"This place is feudalistic, feudalistic!!!"

35 year old english prof:
"you will NEVER be able to act american here"

another 35 year old english prof:
"you will never get in with the japanese, never"

from head of english department:
"be careful what you say on the phone and what you throw out in the trash"

good luck to all.

[michigander]

I saw your original post but I have no basis for a response.  I am interested in following any discussion which may ensue.  Sometimes members of the fora decide to ignore postings by participants who do not follow the conventions, both formal and informal.  It's a matter of personal preference whether that is a better response than flaming.  Standard capitalization is one of those conventions.  If you wish to be taken seriously, following that convention will confer a bit more credibility on your contributions and possibly generate more discussion.

[c_brennan]

I think your experience has been quite interesting to read. Having worked in multiple countries over the past 8 years, sometimes in the academic arena and sometimes not, I too am accustomed to the challenges faced by being a foreigner in the work place. That being said, if you have not stopped working for your current employer, I would advise against flaming them in an online msg board as word can get back to them on what you write. Although you say you cannot quit, actions such as this may just get you fired and its unclear if thats what you desire even if not mentally wanting to stay in your present post. From my experiences working abroad, I tend to make a mental list of who I can trust, who I cant, and who falls into a grey area and then approach each situation with this in mind. I hope your situation gets better or you find different employment.