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Umemura Masayo

STAFF INTERVIEW: Umemura Masayo (AIJP program coordinator)

U: Can I write the answers on this?
E: Of course.

U: Should I write in hiragana?
E: Ah, kanji is fine too.

U: Name...Umemura Masayo....Born...Toyohashi....Age....
E: you can leave that if you want....

U: Yes. Hobbies...do you understand "tsuuringu"? That's different to "touring" in English, isn't it?
E: What does that mean in Japanese? In English, I guess that would be by car or bicycle...maybe motorbike? Is that different?

U: Mm. In Japanese it means by bike.
E: Motorbike?

U: Yes. I've been right up through Nagano, you know Ishikawa prefecture, don't you? and down into Wakayama.
E: Sounds amazing. You went on your own bike?

U: Yes - I have my own bike. It's only small, just 125cc. You can't take it on the highways, so I have to go by all the local roads.
E: Really..

U: I also like snowboarding. I started that about four years ago; mostly I go to Nagano. I guess I like the speed. I like the feeling of going fast - the feeling of the wind...
E: I see...what about surfing? Ever tried that?

U: Mmm. It looks really hard. The board is too big, it looks kind of difficult.
E: You can also get smaller boards...there's also body-boarding...

U: I suppose...
E: What about skiing? Did you try that before you started snowboarding?

U: Ah, I tried a little before, but I'm not very good. I keep injuring myself.
E: Eh? How come?

U: I'm not very good, so I always seem to hurt myself when the ground is bumpy.
E: Ah, sounds painful. What about other sports?

U: I like Samba.
E: Eh? Is that a sport?

U: Isn't it? You have to move your body a lot...
E: I guess...Haven't seen it at the Olympics though...

U: No...wonder who would get gold on that one!
E: Why samba?

U: I think it's about character. When Latin Americans hear music, they want to dance. Japanese hear music, and they listen to the music - they don't move so much. Its also a simple melody - infectious. It doesn't feel so modern - seems somehow natural.
E: Have you studied Latin American culture and languages?

U: That was my major at University.
E: Really? I didn't know that. Have you been there?

U: Yes, this year in June was the first time. Well, I'd been to Mexico before, but this year when I went to Peru was the first time in South America.
E: What did you think of it?

U: Far away. It took about a day and a half to get there by plane, from Japan to the US, again a flight in the US, then to Peru. But it was excellent. I was in the countryside; people pointed and said "Japanese, Japanese" and so on, but they were all fantastic people. Before I went I thought it might be dangerous, but it turned out fine.
E: Yes, I thought it was a little dangerous...

U: Well, I kind of avoided places that looked a bit dodgy. But I really want to travel more in South America! Maybe another month or two.
E: Hmm, me too - I'd like to see South America too. Finally, have you had any good experiences while you've been teaching?

U: Loads!
E: Excellent. Thank you very much.

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