The sixth episode of the podcast CrossWorld Puzzles is now out!
I was thrilled to welcome my close friend Yuri Akahira, who’s worked in multiple locations around the world, and is now a Tokyo-based director at a global IT company. A strong advocate for women, she has a background in social work and leads the women’s employee resource group in her company. She’s even taken part in the Mrs. Universe Japan competition and placed first in the 40s category! We discuss how she became interested in different cultures, how she built her confidence after overcoming challenges like bullying, and how she befriends people from all different backgrounds.
The video podcast with Yuko is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.
The fifth episode of the podcast “CrossWorld Puzzles” is now out! I was so happy to welcome strategy and operations consultant Yuko Watanabe, who’s also a good friend via the U.S.-Japan Council.
Yuko, who’s based in Seattle, has worked all over the world supporting everything from big companies to nonprofits. There are so many things I admire about her, including her strength, resilience, and ability to find humor even in challenging circumstances. I also love how she’s built various communities that allow participants to connect in unique ways, including “Tapestory” (大人の等身大作文集 Tapestory + All our tomorrows). We discuss how she first came to the United States, what led her to create those communities, and how it’s best to stop planning and instead find joy in whatever comes our way.
The video podcast with Yuko is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.
“Compassionate Phrases in English (#11): How to Express Solidarity”
Here’s the latest for my column in “Sakura Shimbun,” a Japanese community paper in DC and Houston. December is usually an enjoyable month filled with parties and holidays spent with family. But this December, many–especially those of us in the United States–are likely feeling anxious about the coming year(s). According to media reports, following the elections last month, harassment of women and Black people are already on the rise. Regardless of our political opinions, any minority could become a target of hatred and violence. In this issue, I examine how we can comfort one another, express solidarity, and face this challenge together.
米国における政治的分断は悪化する一方ですが、普段付き合いのある人と大体考えが似ているのは、悩みを共有しやすいという意味ではありがたいことです。具体的な話に入るほどの親しさでなくとも、ちょっとしたやり取りの中で、There’s a lot going on, but I hope you’re hanging in there. と一言足したり、I’m here if you’d ever like to talk about anything. We’re all in this together. と声をかけたりできます。
また、頻繁に政治家の批判の対象となっている中南米の移民、戸別訪問をしたりしてハリス副大統領の選挙活動に積極的に携わっていた人たちなど、より辛い立場にいるであろう人は多くいます。そういった人たちに対し、I can only imagine how much more difficult it must be for you. と手を差し伸べたり、I was shocked to hear about his latest policy on immigrants, but are you and your family doing ok? と聞いたりすることができます。
お互いに行動を呼びかけることもできます。コミュニティで活動する米国籍の人には、I think you’re a wonderful leader. If you ever run for office, I would love to support you! と支持を表明できます。また、デモ行進や抗議に参加することは、たとえ具体的な成果につながらなかったとしても、同志に囲まれてほっとする機会となります。Why don’t we have brunch on Sunday, and join this march afterwards? と何かのついでに行けば、今まで政治的なことに抵抗のあった人も誘いやすいかもしれません。また、いずれにせよお金を使うなら、支援できる相手を考え、This is a list of women-owned businesses in the DC area. Do you want to check out any of them with me? と友人に声をかけたり、Let’s go support immigrants! と、移民が家族で営む小さなレストランに出かけたりするだけでも一つの行動です。
The fourth episode of “CrossWorld Puzzles” is now out!
I was honored to welcome Korean interpreter and community builder Robert Holloway. Robert did not grow up speaking Korean, but studied it because of his interest in his family’s history: his mother was adopted from South Korea. Not only has he become fluent enough to serve as a conference interpreter, he also supports other Korean adoptees by building a community and teaching them the Korean language. We discuss his family history and the challenges many Korean adoptees face, as well as how identity is deeply intertwined with our own culture.
The video podcast with Robert is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.
“Compassionate Phrases in English (#10): How to Respond to Words of Gratitude”
Here’s the latest article for my column in “Sakura Shimbun,” a Japanese community paper in DC and Houston. Those of us in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving in November, enjoying turkey, pumpkin pie, and other scrumptious dishes with family and friends. As we reflect on our gratitude for good food and solid relationships, we become more intentional about saying “thank you” to each other. In this issue, I discuss how to respond to words of gratitude in a meaningful way.
まず、「確かに相手の役に立てた」と謝意を素直に受け止める場合。誰もが最初に学ぶ You’re welcome. は、どちらかというと目上の人が若い人や部下などに使う言葉で、友人同士ではそこまで言いません。It’s my pleasure. はお客様や取引先にも言える、若干堅苦しい表現です。少し崩した I’m glad to be of help. は同僚にも使えます。ちょっとしたことで友人に感謝されたら、Of course! と軽く返せます。逆に、具合の悪い友人を看病したりして、深く感謝された場合には、I know you would do the same for me. と言うと、真摯な気持ちが伝わるでしょう。感謝の言葉そのものに回答せず、Those are my favorite chocolates, and I’m glad you enjoy them too. など、お礼の中身に触れるだけに留めておくのも、相手の気持ちを受け止めたことを示す方法の一つです。
感謝の言葉に対し、「大したことはしていない」と軽く打ち消す方法もあります。その最たる例が No problem! で、友人から同僚、入り口でドアを押さえて感謝された通行人にまで使えます。上司やお客様に対しては、少し丁寧に Not at all. などと言えます。友人に何か買ってきたりして、長めのお礼を言われた場合には、It only took me a minute. や I was going to the store anyway. と大して手間がかからなかったことを具体的に示せます。落とし物を届けるといった小さな行為が、探していた人などに深く感謝された場合には、I only did what anyone would. といった言い方ができます。自分以上にお礼を言われるべき相手がいる場合には、Don’t thank me; she planned the whole party and I just brought you. などと他の人への挨拶を促すことができます。
お礼の言葉にお礼で返すこともあります。友人同士では Thank YOU. と強調するだけで伝わりますが、公式な場では、I should be the one thanking you; I appreciate the opportunity to serve as a panelist. などと丁寧に言うこともできます。
I was incredibly honored to welcome social entrepreneur Mari Kuraishi, who I met through the U.S.-Japan Council. Mari grew up in Japan, Italy, and West Germany. She is now based in the U.S. as the President of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and is also the Co-Founder (and former President) of GlobalGiving. We discuss her upbringing, what led to her work in international development and social entrepreneurship, as well as how she found her own style of leadership. I love her calm, soothing voice, and was so inspired by her approach on how she views relationships–both with those around her and the places she’s lived.
The video podcast with Mari is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.
Introduction (the full text in Japanese continues below (日本語の本文が続きます)):
『さくら新聞』（DCとヒューストンのコミュニティ・ペーパー）における連載の最新記事です。10月の米国はハロウィン一色で、当日は、仮装した子供たちが「Trick or treat」と繰り返しながら家々をまわります。お菓子を渡す大人は自然に「treat」を選んでいるわけですが、普段の生活ではもっと複雑な選択に常に直面しています。第9回では、そのような成人に対し、選択肢をどのように分かりやすく提示・説明するかについて取り上げます。
“Compassionate Phrases in English (#9): How to Present Choices”
Here’s the latest article for my column in “Sakura Shimbun,” a Japanese community paper in DC and Houston. For those of us in the U.S., the month of October is all about Halloween, from pumpkins to sweets to decor. On the day of, when we hand out candies to children who visit us chanting “Trick or treat,” we’re all naturally choosing “treats.” But in our everyday life, the choices we face are much more complicated. In this issue, I discuss how to present and explain choices to adults in a way that’s easy to understand (while subtly encouraging them to pick the one(s) you want them to choose!).
10月の米国は、かぼちゃ、お菓子、お化けのモチーフのグッズなど、ハロウィン一色です。当日は、家々をまわって「Trick or treat」と繰り返す、仮装した子供たちに大人たちがお菓子を渡します。誰もが自然に「treat」を選んでいるわけですが、普段の生活では、大人はもっと複雑な選択に常に直面しています。今回は、そのような成人に対し、選択肢をどのように分かりやすく提示・説明するかについて取り上げます。
まず、選択肢がいくつあり、いくつ選んでほしいのかを明確にすると親切でしょう。We’ve created three designs based on your requests, and would like to ask which one you prefer. と書いたり、For this entrée, you can choose two side dishes out of these four. と言ったりできます。選んでほしいオプションがある場合には、We recommend the second option, which we believe best suits your needs without exceeding your budget. などと、なぜそれが魅力的かを説明します。
ただ、選択肢を並べると、どれも均等に検討されてしまうのも事実です。どうしても選んでほしい答えがあるにもかかわらず、礼儀上他のオプションも出さざるを得ない場合には、どれがよいか聞いたりせず、While I’m available for the rest of the month, I would prefer to meet with you next week if possible. などとはっきり希望を伝えることができます。相手が顧客だったりしてあまり強く言えないものの、特定の方向に誘導したい場合には、We look forward to your payment at this account. などと断言した後で、If online payments are difficult, we also accept checks by mail. と選択肢を追加することができます。
どれが選ばれてもかまわない場合にも、選択肢の説明が必要です。それぞれ良し悪しがあって比較しづらければ、On the one hand, a train ride costs $75 but takes four hours. On the other hand, a plane ride costs $150 but would be a shorter trip door-to-door. と数値なども提示して選んでもらうことができます。それぞれの選択肢のメリットを表にし、For your reference, we have listed the strengths of each investment option. と顧客に説明したり、Perhaps you’d like to take some time and consider the pros and cons. と言ったりもできます。
Many thanks to my friend Grace Kim, who grew up in the U.S., Japan, and Korea. Using her multilingual skills, she now runs an event planning company in the DC area. She also has many artistic side projects. What I love about Grace is that she’s always so thoughtful and kind (and super organized, which is why the Japan-related community loves to work with her!), but also open about aspects she wants to continue working on. She is so brave to say yes to this project, especially when I barely had any episodes to show–and I’m so grateful.
The video podcast with Grace is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.
“Compassionate Phrases in English (#8): How to Improve Your Relationship with Others”
Here’s the latest article for my column in “Sakura Shimbun,” a Japanese community paper in DC and Houston. Fall has now begun, and everyone’s back to work or school. Those of us who’ve had difficulties with certain neighbors, classmates, or colleagues may have been able to use our time away during the summer to reconsider our relationships. In this issue, I discuss how we might approach and improve the way we communicate with such individuals.
まず、出会って比較的間もないものの、お互い第一印象が悪い場合。たとえば、新しく来た隣人の家から終始ガンガンとドラムの音が聞こえてきたら嫌でしょうし、「静かにしてほしい」と注意ばかりしていたら先方からもうるさがられて、関係は悪化する一方です。そのような時は、I feel that we started off on the wrong foot. という表現で歩み寄ることができます。I want to treat you to coffee, so why don’t we get to know each other better? と声をかけてみたら、実は音大生であることが分かったり、ドラムを練習しない時間帯を決めてもらったりと、何かしら進展があるかもしれません。
それなりに長く一緒に働いてきたものの、どうも性格が合わなそうな同僚とも、関係の改善を試みることができます。We haven’t really talked outside of work, so could we have lunch together sometime? と誘ってみたら、共通点や仕事以外の話題が見つかるかもしれません。仕事の仕方の違いについても話し合えます。たとえば会計担当の人は、熱心だけど社内の締め切りが守れない同僚に対し、What can my team do to make it easier for everyone to submit receipts? と聞くことで同僚の視点に耳を傾け、会社全体の改善も目指すことができます。
喧嘩をしてしまった大切な友人や家族との仲直りも重要です。I miss spending time with you. と声をかけ、Could we put that argument behind us and start over? と聞くことができます。どうしても合意に至ることができない内容が大した話でない場合は、We can agree to disagree. という言い方もできますが、歩み寄る姿勢を見せていないので、相手や状況を選ぶ言葉となります。本当に大事にしたい相手とは、I know we have our differences, but I want to continue working on our friendship. などと明確に言った方が真摯な気持ちが伝わるでしょう。
I’m happy to announce that I’ve started a podcast! It’s called CrossWorld Puzzles, and explores how individuals who grew up in or are currently in multicultural environments tackle life’s big questions: e.g. where to be based, what kind of career to build, who to spend the rest of their lives with, etc.
Some friends know that I’ve been ruminating about this for more than a year, especially as I’ve struggled with these questions in my own life. This is a selfish endeavor where I’m seeking answers for myself, but I also hope to showcase my amazing friends and mentors–and perhaps inspire others along the way!
Many thanks to my friend Sayuri Romei, who bravely and kindly agreed to being interviewed for the very first episode! She grew up in Italy speaking Italian, French, and Japanese–but is now based in the U.S. She also happens to be an expert on nuclear deterrence, as well as a published illustrator! She’s so busy (she changed jobs the very week we were talking!), and I cannot thank her enough for taking the time to share her great outlook on life.
The video podcast with Sayuri is below, but more information, including photos and a full transcript, can be found here.
For now, the plan is to post once a month. I’ll post notices about new episodes on this blog, but full details will always remain on the CrossWorld Puzzles website.
