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In this week's episode of JQNA I am speaking with my husband of 10 years, Russell, about what it is like to tell the person you are in a long distance relation ship with that you're moving to Japan. We're covering a number of other interesting topics also! Be sure to RATE US ON ITUNES if you like this episode! Thanks for listening. 

Are you ready for another great season of JQNA? In this brief instalment I am going to share with you some basic information about season 3 of our podcast, where you can find updates about the show and when you can expect to hear the first episode. Also, you're going to hear some information about upcoming seasons and how YOU can get involved!   SEASON 3 RELEASE DATE: The first episode of JQNA Season 3 will be available on JULY 2 2016 at 6:30AM JST. As per usual, I will release one episode each week on Saturdays from that point for the next 10 weeks. CASTING INFORMATION: I am looking for people to join me in future episodes of JQNA! If you're interested and wanting to participate please email me at jqnaposcast@gmail.com! I am always looking for new and interesting people to talk to, however there are a few categories of people that I am keeping an eye out for at this time. Those types of people include: Those who have served in the United States Armed Forces while living in Japan and their family members. Those who are living in Japan as an English Teacher. Those who are living in Japan and practice religion. Those who are living in Japan and are LGBT. Once again, if you are living in Japan but do not fall into any of those categories please do not hesitate to contact me! If you do fall into those categories please be sure to include that in your email. Please note you MUST HAVE A WAY OF RECORDING YOUR ANSWERS either in an audio program on your computer or even in a simple voice memo on your smartphone. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Hello and Welcome! This is the 10th episode on the 2nd season of JQNA. In other words, this is the FINAL episode. . . . . at least for this season. In the final episode of each season I like to ask my guests to share advice they have with my listeners. This episode is no exception. I've got some fantastic advice coming to you in this episode from the wonderful guests that I had on this season. I hope that you enjoy everything that they share with you in this episode and everything that they shared with you in previous episodes. 

Welcome to the 9th episode of JQNA Podcast's second season. In this episode we are talking about whether or not the view that my guests had of Japan changed after getting married and having kids. This is an episode that I have been anticipating for a while, because I know that there are a lot of people who come to Japan thinking one thing and then that changes once they start actually "living" here. I was very curious to know if that was taken to another level after getting married and having kids. As I mention in the episode there will be a JQNA MAIL BAG type bonus episode coming in the near future. Please be sure to send me your questions to jqnapodcast@gmail.com and I will answer them in a bonus episode.  Also, if you would like to contribute to the Patreon please visit patreon.com/kittydoesjapan! There are some great rewards that you might enjoy. Thanks for listening!  JQNA RSS

Hello and welcome! In this week's episode we are talking about culture and what it is like to blend two cultures together under one roof. As always my lovely guests are sharing their opinions and thoughts on this matter. It is surely an interesting episode. Enjoy!

Hello and WELCOME to episode 7 of JQNA Seaon 2!I am so glad that you decide to join us for this episode. Today we're talking about what it was like for our guests to experience giving birth in Japan. There is a LOT of great information here and I hope that you get a LOT out of this episode. Enjoy! 

Welcome to JQNA Season 2 Episode 6 !

Welcome to JQNA Season 2 Episode 5! In this episode we're talking about challenges that our guests have faced. 

It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. . . . . . . . meeting the parents is likely the most stressful part of any engagement. In today's podcast we're talking about what it was like for each of our guests to meet the parents of their husband/wife to be.  You'll probably notice that the show notes for this episode are lacking a bit. This is because, as I mentioned in a previous episode, I will be "out of the studio" for a few weekends. In an attempt to ensure that the episodes get out on time I've scheduled them to post on the appropriate days, but that means that I haven't had the opportunity to write thoughtful show notes for each. I appreciate your understanding. As always, if there is something that you'd like to share with me or see me talk about in a future episode (or in show notes) please be sure to share it on Facebook or in the comments below. I'll be happy to cover each and every one of your comments when I return. Thanks for listening! See you next week! 

In last week's episode we talked a bit about special considerations that need to be made when marring someone in, or from, Japan. The episode was really informative and if you haven't had the opportunity to hear it then I recommend you go back and check it out. While I was editing the episode together I heard a comment from Kevin, one of my guests this season, that was all too familiar to me. You can hear the direct quote at the beginning of this episode, but to sum it up he mentioned that some parents [in Japan] have a fear that a foreign man or woman marrying their son or daughter might mean that they end up moving to another country. Or in other words, there is tension in some cases because there's a fear that international marriage could end up with their child moving overseas. As many of you already know, and will learn in this episode, I am not in an international marriage. However, this is a situation that I found myself neck deep in when I married my husband. You see, he was in a career field that would have him moving to different locations around the world (Japan being the first) and this comment that Kevin touched upon played a huge role in the beginning of my married life.  Since this entire episode was dedicated to sharing my experience I won't go too much into it here in the show notes. However, one of the things that I did want to talk about in the show notes is how to handle this type of situation. . . . particularly one where there is tension between the parents/in-laws and you/your future husband/wife. Before I get into it, one of the things that I want to be very clear on is that these are my thoughts and not a comprehensive guide as to how you're going to make your situation "all better". I wish I could give you 10 simple tips to follow for guaranteed success, but that's not the way this works. . . . sorry. Probably the most important thing to keep in mind when entering a situation like the one that I explain I experienced in this episode is that approach is everything! This is true for most things in life, but when it comes to relieving the tension at the beginning of a marriage I can't tell you just how important it is. One mistake that I believe a lot of people make (goodness knows I've made it a number of times) is that they walk into a situation with an expectation of the outcome and immediately put up their guard. This can be problematic because, witho

In just a few weeks my husband and I will be celebrating our ten year wedding anniversary. Having said that one thing I know for certain is that marriage takes a certain amount of work. Even in cases like my own, where my husband and I were friends for years before dating, there was this whole phase in our relationship where we had to get into the swing of being a married couple. Knowing that this can be a somewhat challenging process for people who, like my husband and I, were [for the most part] similar I became very curious as to what people who have (or were planning to) marry someone from Japan had to say. That's why in this episode the focus of my question was to find out if there were any considerations that were made when deciding to marry someone in or from Japan.  Of course, being that this is a podcast about Japan it makes the most sense to formulate the question in the way that I did. However, to be perfectly honest I don't think that "special considerations" (which is the way that I formulated the question when asking each of my guests to answer it) is unique to international marriages. In many ways these "special considerations", as I call them, are something that I believe every couple (or future couple) has to think about. In some cases they are bigger than others. In some cases they were probably worked out before marriage became part of the discussion. In fact, my husband and I are a perfect example of this. Although we were from the same neighborhood and we grew up together there were a number of things that we needed to work out before we "tied the knot". One of those things was location. Knowing that my husband was in a field that would, at the time, have him moving around the world I know that there was a good chance that I wouldn't be like everyone else in my family who all lived within walking distance of one another. This was something that I was more than happy with considering that travel was something I had always wanted to do. This was not something my family would be ok with though and that would put me, and my husband, in a position that I think many people who marry someone from a foreign country find themselves in. Although I think that it would be great to share this experience with you in the show notes of this episode, I think that it is best to make an episode all its own. That is why next week I'll be featuring a very special episode of JQNA whe

Now that you got the opportunity to learn a little bit about the cast, which in season 2 of this podcast I have decided to call the Mamas and the Pappas, it's time to get right into the content that I'm sure you've been waiting for. We're starting off with a question that I think is perfect for breaking the ice when talking about getting married and having children in Japan. In this episode we're talking about whether or not marriage and kids was part of the plan when first coming to Japan.  Truthfully I can't say that I believe any [single] person comes to Japan with the sole intention of getting married and having kids. Of course I can't rule out that possibility, but still. . . . That having been said I still felt as though it was something I wanted to ask my guests because I feel as though it gives a little bit of insight into what their intentions were when first coming to Japan. As you'll hear in the episode some were married before coming to Japan. Others didn't have marriage or kids on their mind. In this season of JQNA you're not going to hear a whole lot from me, mainly because I'm married to an American man and I don't have children. However, I think that there are points during the season where I can contribute some thoughts. Chances are that I will do this in the show notes, but I may go ahead and do it in the form of a segment in the podcast where it seems appropriate. That having been said, if you are interested in where I stand in terms of being married in Japan I came to Japan having already been married to my husband. Children was something that we did have a discussion about though. I was not interested in having children, nor was my husband, and so we made the decision to not have children. This was not a decision based on location or anything else. . . it was something that we decided based on our own feelings. That's all for the show notes this week. Next week we'll be back with another great episode talking about special considerations that came into play when marring someone in or from Japan. Be sure to join us again!   

Hello and WELCOME to the second season of JQNA. If you're new to the podcast I want to extend a warm welcome! I am so glad that you've found us. If you're a returning listener then welcome back! It's great to see you again. I don't know about you, but I am very excited for this season. It's going to be 10 fun and exciting episodes filled with stories and experiences that I'm sure you will enjoy. This season the cast includes some returning guests and some that you may have never heard from before! As always, everyone comes from a different background and has different experiences.  Unlike the last season of JQNA, where the questions were simply about life in Japan, this season I wanted to make things a bit more specific. That's why I decided to focus on what it's like to be married with children in Japan. In this season you're going to hear my guests talk about their experiences being married and having children. It's a great opportunity to hear from people who have experienced building a family in Japan. Much like last season I wanted to start off JQNA Season 2: Married With Children In Japan with an introduction episode. Each and every one of my guests will tell you a little bit about themselves, what they do in Japan, how long they've been living here and how many children they have. I hope that after listening to this episode you can get to know everyone a bit! Learn more about my guests for this season by checking out their social media links which can be found HERE.    

Time can sure fly when you're having fun can't it!? It seems like just yesterday I was launching JQNA and now here we are at the final episode of the first season. It's hard to believe that only a few short months ago JQNA was just a scribble in a notebook. . . . For the final episode of this season, and seasons to come, I want to ask my guests about advice. Mainly, I want to know what advice they have for those who may be listening to this show that is Japan related or otherwise. As always this episode is sure not to disappoint.  AUDIO FILE NOTE: You'll notice that Theresa is not present in this episode. Unfortunately she did not have any advice at the time to contribute. However, if you love hearing her point of view on life in Japan be sure to join us for the next season of JQNA as she will be a returning guest. Before I start to wrap up this set of show notes I want to take a moment and really thank each and every one of you who have made this season of JQNA possible. It was a project that I had originally put together in order to push myself and improve my editing skills, but it's turned out to be so much more than that. I especially would like to thank Remi, Andrew, Eric and Theresa for joining me this season and giving me some amazing experiences to share with the listeners. Each and every one of you has made JQNA into something much better than I had imagined it would be. Your honesty, openness and willingness to share has been amazing. To the listeners of the podcast I want to say a huge THANK YOU for giving my content a chance. There are a lot of creators out there producing lots of stuff about Japan and the fact that you gave JQNA a try and hung in there with me through this season means a lot. I sure hope that you'll return next season. Speaking of next season! I'll be taking a few weeks off in order to prepare for the next awesome season of JQNA. However, you can expect to see a new episode on your feed MARCH 5 2016 JST featuring a new cast, with some returning guests, and a whole new topic. If you haven't heard yet the next season is called "Married With Children In Japan" and I've rounded up a variety of people from various backgrounds to share their experiences with you. Again WE WILL BE BACK WITH A NEW SEASON MARCH 5 2016 so don't miss out! As always details about the new season, cast and other

Japan is so different from what most people moving here have experienced during their lifetimes that it's no surprise that they'd end up. . . well. . . surprised by a few things now and again. In this podcast I ask all of my guests what it is about Japan that surprised them, now or in the past. CONTENT ADVISORY: The first guest on today's podcast makes brief mention of a topic that may be considered inappropriate for younger audiences. Although the content of the podcast remains to be what I feel comfortable calling "family friendly" I do want to ensure that any listeners accompanied by young children are not taken by surprise. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation.   HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Have something you'd like to say about this or any of the previous episodes of JQNA? Leave a comment below or email me at kittydoesjapan@gmail.com. Send us an audio clip and you just might end up in the podcast! JQNA is brought to in part by Audible. Help support JQNA by checking out Audible with a FREE audio book and 30 day trial! This week's recommendation is Understanding Japan: A Cultural History by The Great Courses. 

It should come as no surprise that Japan, like anywhere else in the world, has its share of good qualities and bad qualities. In some cases these qualities are unique to Japan and in others they are the same qualities as you'd find in any other country. In today's podcast I am going to ask Remi, Theresa, Eric and Andrew what they think is the best and worst thing about Japan.  You'll probably notice from the title of this episode that I have included 6 and 7 this week. This is because most of the participants answered these two questions collectively. Rather than splitting them up it seemed natural to keep the "best" and "worst" together as one. Because of this there will be no episode next week [January 22 2016]. I'll be taking a break so that I can stick to my original schedule for the season. I'll also be enjoying a bit of downtime which is much need after the holiday. I appreciate your understanding. We will return the following week [January 30 2016] with episode 8 of the podcast. You will also notice that JQNA is now partnered with Audible.com as a regular sponsor of the show. If you're looking for a great way to support the show please take a moment to check out Audible.com and take advantage of the FREE AUDIO BOOK that they are offering the listeners of JQNA. This week's recommendation is Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter On the Police Beat In Japan by Jake Adelstein.  HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Have something you'd like to say about this or any of the previous episodes of JQNA? Leave a comment below or email me at kittydoesjapan@gmail.com. Send us an audio clip and you just might end up in the podcast!   

Safety is a concern that many people have when they consider moving, or even traveling, to another country. Japan is no exception. In this episode of JQNA we're talking about safety and if Japan is a safe place in the opinion of Eric, Remi, Andrew and Theresa.  If you're interested in reading more about the crime rate in Japan I encourage you to check the links below. They are just a small sample of the resources that you can find on the subject. Crime In Japan [Wikipedia]Crime Rate in Japan falls for the 11th straight year [The Japan Times]Crime rate dips again in Japan [The Japan Times]How Japan's Murder Rate Got To Be So Incredibly Low [Business Insider] So, what can you do to stay safe in Japan and avoid becoming a victim? Honestly it's not as complicated as it might seem. As we discussed in the episode Japan is safe, but it's not good to be completely lackadaisical or  assume that because you're a foreigner you're off the hook. Here are some of the things that I've done to keep myself safe and you might think about giving a try. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS - Rather than popping in headphones and getting lost in a good book keep your eyes and/or ears open so you can observe what is going on around you. This is especially important in the beginning, or during a short stay, when you're not familiar with a place or the way people act normally. OBSERVE AND IMITATE - People in Japan do what they do because they know what works. If you see them avoiding a certain street, maybe avoid that street. If you're noticing that everyone has registered their bicycle, maybe register your bicycle too. NEVER DO ANYTHING YOU'RE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH - I cannot emphasize enough that Japan is a safe place to live and visit, but if there is something that you just don't like t

Homesickness is defined as experiencing a longing for one's home during a period of absence from it. Like anything else in life people experience homesickness differently and to different degrees. There is, however, a list of acknowledged symptoms. Those symptoms include grief, nostalgia, depression, anxiety, withdrawal, sadness, agoraphobia, claustrophobia and adjustment disorders. Of course, there are also those who don't experience homesickness at all. In this episode you'll hear about homesickness from Eric, Andrew, Remi and Theresa. They share with us some of their experiences, whether or not they experienced homesickness and advice on how to get past it.  If you are experiencing homesickness or if you think that homesickness might be a problem for you in the future I encourage you to take a look at the links below. There you will find a number of resources that give pointers on beating or even preventing homesickness. You may find that some tips are most useful than others, but they are worth taking a look at. 26 Ways to Reduce Homesickness Abroad [Go Overseas] The 5 Best Tips For Beating Homesickness [Huff Post Travel] 10 Tips For Managing Homesickness [Grit&Glamour]How to Deal with Homesickness Freshman Year [Her Campus]5 Ways To Beat Homesickness When Traveling [ETramping]All of the people you heard from in today's episode are adults, but homesickness is also something that children

If you've ever dreamed of packing your bags and moving to Japan then you've probably also had a laundry list of questions that you've wanted to ask anyone who's willing to answer them. For some of you those questions are likely complicated and intended to seek detailed answers regarding your specific situation. For others those questions are probably broad and have seemingly no focus. No matter what your question is I believe that it's important to ask it before moving to Japan. If your question is specific that's fantastic because you might find an answer you're looking for. If not, chances are your broad question can help you figure out what direction to head as far as research and whatever else is concerned. In this episode of JQNA we're asking one of those broad questions that people young and old like to ask about life in Japan. Is it easy or hard?  There's no way to get around it. Answering this type of question can be frustrating for some foreigners who have lived in Japan for any length of time. There are probably many different reasons for this, but I'd like to think it's because it feels as though we are being asked for a simplification of the truth. Sure we could give a detailed explanation of what it's like to really live in Japan, but it's much easier to swallow "it's easy you can do it" or "it's hard and you need to know that going in". In this episode of JQNA you'll hear what Theresa, Eric, Andrew and Remi have to say about life in Japan. Whether they find it easy, hard or somewhere in-between. I think that there is quite a lot to learn from each of them and I hope that it helps point some of you, who are thinking about life in Japan, in the right direction. WANT YOUR VOICE HEARD? Send a clip of your opinions about this episode to kittydoesjapan@gmail.com and it might be included in next week's episode! Hope to hear from you soon! 

What does "success" mean to you? For some success is finding the love of your life, having a few kids and buying a house with a white picket fence. Others might consider success to be a six figure job and an expensive luxury car. Whether it's the family, the money or any number of possibilities in-between there is one thing everyone has in common. We all want to know if success is something we can achieve. This is exactly why I wanted to include this topic in the first season of JQNA.  "Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes its built on catastrophe." - Sumner Redstone For most people whether or not success is attainable isn't a question until moving to another country is thrown into the equation. This is likely because we feel comfortable in our home countries and the "unknown" of being in a place, like Japan, is not something we like to include on the journey that is achieving our successes. This is, in my opinion, why this question of whether or not foreigner can achieve success in Japan comes up as often as it does.In this episode you'll hear Remi, Theresa, Andrew, Eric and me talk about success. We'll touch on some different things that you might consider success and share our thoughts on how, or if, you can achieve success here.  FOREIGNERS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED SUCCESS IN JAPANDid you know that there is a long list of foreigners who have achieved success while living in Japan. Here is a list to just a few of them. Please feel free to include others that you may have heard of in the comments below! Tuffy Rhodes - A man born in the United States of America [Cincinnati, Ohio] who played for thirteen years in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Matt Murton - A man born in the United States of America [Fort Lauderdale, Florida] who plays for the Hanshin Tigers. Masoyoshi Son - An ethnically Korean businessman who is the founder and current ch