Crosscontinentals

Looking for Answers in Japan

Emilia Okada grew up with people who didn’t look like her. Standing out made her curious about the Japanese side of her family, and when she was 17, she traveled to Tokyo to get to know them.
We discussed: 
Finding answers to long-standing questions during Emilia’s first trip to Japan
Childhood in Sweden 
Attracting attention in Poland  
Emilia’s mom’s friend moving from Japan to Sweden
Living in a three-generation home
Expectations versus reality of life in Poland 
Passing on cultures to children 
Comparing going to Japan as a teenager to holidaying there as an adult
Emilia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiliaokada/
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Come to Poland!

Brothers Yasuhito and Masato Hayashi were born and raised in Japan. Masa was the first one to move to Poland. When Yasu went to visit him, little did he know, he would not be going back to Japan. Nowadays, they both live in Toruń, and their enthusiasm for Poland is so infectious, it prompted their childhood friend to follow them from Tokyo.
We discussed:
Masato’s move to Poland and his appreciation of Toruń
Yasuhito’s “short” visit to Poland that is now in its fourth year
Moving out of Tokyo while being on the other side of the globe
Various people who followed the brothers and moved to Poland from Japan
A review of ramen in Poland 
Yasuhito’s passion for music 
Masato’s soccer career
Sports training in Japan vs Poland
Masato’s Instagram: https://bit.ly/3KzmwfL
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Bonus: Academic Research on Multilingualism

Sayuri Hayakawa, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Oklahoma State University, studies the role of language on how people make decisions. She talks about her research findings and their practical applications. She also answers listener questions. 
We discussed: 
The physical differences in brains of multilinguals and monolinguals
Tips for learning a new language 
Advice for people raising children in multilingual environments
Ways to leverage multilingualism when making decisions
Can people have more than one dominant language? 
The link between Sayuri’s personal life and academic research
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Thriving Creatively in California

Vicky Inoue grew up in Stockholm, but never felt at home there. It wasn't until she moved to LA that she found a place that put her at ease. Vicky is a poet, and her multicultural background often features in her works. 
We discussed: 
Vicky’s journey that led her from Stockholm to Los Angeles 
Finding dating much easier after moving to California 
Going to German school in Sweden
Becoming a poet in early childhood
Vicky’s poetry reflecting her Japanese-Polish background
Feeling self-conscious of her tattoos while in Japan
Vicky’s acting work and her short film project 
 
Vicky’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickyverymuch/
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Integrating Japanese Practices at Work in Germany

At the beginning of her career, Asako Klimkiewicz spent three months in a hospital because of work-related burnout. She combined lessons from that experience with various Japanese cultural elements to excel at her current job in Germany. 
We discussed: 
The sometimes troublesome, sometimes funny situations that happen in Germany as a result of Asako’s name
Growing up unaware of her parents’ divorce
Working at a high-end hotel in Japan 
Being asked to take responsibility for a theft at Asako’s first job out of school
Landing in a hospital with burnout and learning from that experience 
Moving from hospitality to investment banking
Making an effort to study Polish and connect with the Polish family 
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Ex-Yakuza Dad and Kick-Ass Mom

Tom Mori's childhood sounds like a nail-biting, action-packed thriller. When he was only a few years old, he and his mom ran away from his dad, who was a former gang member, and lived in small towns around Fukuyama. This was just the start of his journey that spanned two continents and involved learning Scouse.
We discussed: 
Tom's ex-yakuza dad
Leaving his mom to move to Poland at the age of 10 
Reuniting with his mom in the Czech Republic 
The cultural shock Tom experienced when moving to Liverpool 
Tom’s work as an architect
Frustrations around Japanese citizenship rules 
Tom’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomasz_mori/Follow this show on Instagram: bit.ly/3NDZI0i

Bonus: European-Japanese Who Went Viral

Joshua Thomson was born in Japan and spent most of his life there, but his looks make him stand out. His videos, in which he shares his unique perspective, have gained him a large online following. 
We discussed:
Joshua’s path to becoming an online content creator
Differences between Japanese and Western humor
Joshua’s multi-generational history in Japan
The Christian missionary community in Japan 
The difficulties Joshua encountered when learning English 
American-Christian school in Japan 
Working in the Japanese entertainment industry 
A sneak peek at the content Joshua plans to release in the next few months
 
Joshua’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joshuainlondon/videos
Joshua’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jj.jj.7/
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Tapestry of Cultural Influences

Julia Okuyama spent most of her life in Japan, but whenever she goes to Poland, she finds that she can express another side of herself that usually stays hidden in Japan. These multiple parts weave their way in and out through various aspects of her life, from learning languages to raising children. 
We discussed: 
Julia’s father’s move to Poland in the 70s to start a business while the country was undergoing an economic crisis
Childhood in Tokyo and being raised by a mom who didn’t speak Japanese 
Avoiding speaking Polish during school years to blend in
How meeting Julia’s future husband in high school helped her become more open and upbeat
The ways in which Julia approaches language learning with her children
The Japanese-Polish community in Tokyo 
The differences between Tokyo’s mixed children and international-school children 
Julia’s most recent trip to Poland, during which she saw her grandmother for the last time
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Polish Hip Hop as Window Into Generation

Natalia Emi Hirai was born and raised in Japan, but she used to frequently visit her grandmother in Poland, and that’s where she came across Polish hip hop. Her interest in this type of music grew into a passion that she pursues to this day. She wrote a book on the topic a few years ago, and she’s working on another one coming out this year. 
We discussed: 
The origins of Natalia Emi’s interest in hip hop
Studying Polish at Tokyo University 
Chopin’s influence in Japan
Natalia Emi’s dislike of people’s compliments about her appearances
Dating someone in Poland for four years while living in Japan in the pre-internet times
Comparing working for Japanese companies and international ones
The problem with plastic recycling and plastic production
What does it mean to love your country? 
 
Emi’s book: https://asfaltshop.pl/product/11065-natalia-emi-hirai-hip-hop-eastern-europe-ksiazka
 
Emi’s book on Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4908468214/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_87CFG6KVF1HXNPCH764X?linkCode=ml2&tag=paulamuzykapo-22
 
Emi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloemnh/
 
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Theory of Relativity

In his early school days, Karol Tomoki Yamazaki was trying to show his classmates the importance of seeing things from multiple perspectives. Over time, his awareness of just how relative everything is influenced art projects and graphic design work he creates as an adult. Karol Tomoki attributes this sensitivity to his Japanese-Polish background, which instilled in him an appreciation for considering diverse points of view.
We discussed: 
The significance of names people use to call us  
Missing Japan without realizing it
The desire to show others what’s it like to be us that drives artistic expression
Karol Tomoki’s “Kto Ty Jesteś” project
The impact of appearances on how we are treated
Relating to the Black Lives Matter movement
Ants in the pants 
Karol’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomoki.pl
Karol’s “Kto Ty Jesteś” project: https://ktotyjest.es/
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