Al, I just said I wondered where in Japan he is from.

Whenever I meet a person from Japan, I always wonder where they are from.

Let's all take a deep breath, alright?

Enough with jumping to conclusions. He made one single post.

I joined Japan Forum because I have knowledge that I think can help people.

People ask questions, then they answer them. We share information.

If you don't want to share your information, then don't, but don't go saying "he won't appreciate it as a matter of fact he'll take it for granted". When your parents moved to America, did they ask anyone for advice? Of course they did. What if everyone they asked had the same attitude as you? Then you'd probably still be living in Japan.

I can't tell you how sorry I am I asked. But, if you don't want to talk about your life in Japan, then don't mention you are Japanese on Japan Forum.

I put you on the spot because you jumped into this thread with guns blazing. Again, let's try and be helpful and not discouraging.

I think both you and your dear friend need to tone down the sensitivity.

My parents took night classes, and was tutored by my friend's mother to learn English, and American customs, they worked their asses off. So no, nobody just gave them answers they went out a got them.


You're another person so caught up in trying to look like a hero that you don't see things clearly, or even know what you're really defending. If you read everything I've posted (and I implore you to read them closely) then anyone with a sound mind would understand what I'm talking about. I think you have a chip on your shoulder about other people, and you thought you were going to take it out on me. You like the other person are simply arguing with me for personal reasons.

I don't care what you ask me just as long as it's the right time and place. It did seem like you were trying to tie a point into it. And yeah my friend takes up for me because he's a friend, and that's what friends do, no matter what we have each others back. You may call it being over sensitive but I call it being a kick ass BAMF.

Its nice to have proof I am not the most callous and arrogant person on this forum. Arigato, MutsuYakumo.

But rather than argue whether a negative assertion is correct on not, consider this. Even the most hopeless and never-realized dream can be worth keeping. Some can inspire a corollary dream that is possible. Others may lead to the start of an entirely different path where the person truly belongs.

Case in point, I have a dream that I have known since early in my teens was completely unattainable for me - absolutely, physically impossible to achieve the utlimate goal:Prima ballerina. However, its presence in my heart led me to pursue other avenues that had pieces of that dream which I could make happen that the opportunity to pursue would probably never have been noticed if it weren't for my silly pipedream. Because my heart wanted to dance, but I shredded ankles could not handle the stress of ballet, I discovered yoga, tap dance, salsa, tango, roller skating.

Reality checks are definitely needed more often around here, but we all need to give it some more thought before telling someone to give up their dreams.

So your parents got help, worked hard and made it to America. Going to Japan requires both help and hard work.

I am trying to remain civil, Mutsu, but for someone who has been here for a day, I think it is a little early for you to start tossing around insults.

I have no desire to be a hero. And I know exactly what I am defending.

I would never say getting to Japan isn't difficult, and I have read every post you have made.

Here are some highlights:
You're not going to Japan, a lot of people are going to tell you it's possible and to keep trying, but it useless. Save yourself the hassle and just give up.

But until then like anyone else who is a realist I doubt that it's something he'll see through to the end.

The odds are stacked against him. Sorry but that's life.

They have no interest in my culture, they have no interest in working for the opportunity to visit my country. They want to push "the easy button."

A lot of people wants to go to New York because they would love to be a model, that doesn't mean that they should.

You don't belong in Japan, you can't love something that you don't know or understand.

only a fool supports a fool.

he has an unhealthy obsession with something that he knows very little about.

Mutsu, we have enough negativity here without stacking on more. All I am saying is, please be helpful or be quiet. Helpful doesn't mean candy-coating your posts, but it does mean please don't take a dump on every kid that has a dream of going to Japan. That's all.
I don't know you, so I don't have any personal reasons to go after you. Like I said before, you came out with guns blazing, and I am calling you on it. It doesn't need to go any farther than that. No chip here. I hope you and Al become longtime contributors to these forums, as you have experiences many people don't have.

Threads sometimes morph, and I usually don't PM when I don't need to. You mentioned you were Japanese, and I asked where you were from. I hope sometime we can talk more about it when the dust has settled.

Those are some of my favorite talking points actually :) and when mixed with the rest of what was left out they make some very compelling arguments.

This is what I mean by having a chip on your shoulder. You look at threads and posts and you see negativity from other people. But instead of confronting them, and telling them how you feel, you aim at me because I'm new. Not talking to the people who pushed you to the point that makes you feel that there is too much negativity is a personal problem.

This further proves my point that you just want to be a hero, and prove a point. Of course I know that you have no personal issues with me, but you see me as a new guy who has no right to speak his mind, or you were under the impression that if you said something to me that I would back down and cower. As long as this is a public domain, and someone asks for a public opinion then I will state my opinion how I want, I don't care if they like it or not.

Obviously it's pretty easy for someone to think that you were getting at something with your question.

Yeah, that's possible.

All in all this kid is going to hear a lot worse, and hopefully it makes him a stronger person. However I respectfully have no further interest in continuing this debate, your argument has a weak foundation, has become repetitive, and can be done by anyone (I had almost this same argument earlier). You seem like a nice guy with good intentions but, this kid needs to see how the world works, that way he can adapt, and become a productive member of society.

I go after everyone who is overly negative, but especially those who, again, come out with guns blazing BECAUSE you are new, and I don't know you and you don't know JF. Now we have gotten to know each other a little better, and hopefully we are seeing eye-to-eye.

I look forward to more discussions in the future.

Thats my dream too I want to live in tokyo and become a manga artist and own a bakey shop