LIFE IN JAPAN Rachel Walzer Occupation:
University lecturer /
producer of Tokyo Comedy Store
Time in Japan:
Eight years
Where are you from?
Jerusalem. I have a deceptively American accent because both my parents are from New York
and I lived there when I was little.
What do you do here?
I teach English and drama at Aoyoma Gakuin. Teaching drama is completely different here.
People are not as aggressive as those in other countries, and are shy and timid at the
beginning, so over the years I' had to develop the course in a non-threatening manner,
using a lot of mime and gentler topics. The students seem to enjoy it so I'm happy with
that. At the beginning of the year I see all these fresh new faces, timid and shy, and
it's great to see them develop.
What brought you to Japan?
Living in Israel is very exciting and dramatic and I overdosed on it. I needed a different
perspective, and I wanted to live in a country with a totally different culture. So I took
on an adventure which was as far and different from where I was.
How did you get involved with Tokyo Comedy Store?
I first got involved to get myself back in training and develop more of myself, because
I've been teaching all this time and was a bit rusty. So I took part in their workshop and
realized there was a great treasure here. It's colorful, entertaining and funny, and the
performers are really talented. This kind of project gives me so much energy and it's very
related to living in Japan-making joy out of life here. So I volunteer my time with
publicity and promotion.
What do you like about Japan most?
The fact that being humble is the norm rather than the exception. Graciousness,
enthusiasm, responsibility, teamwork, patience, autumn and umeboshi.
What do you dislike about Japan most?
Lack of spontaneity, need for behavioral formulas, the educational system, dread of the
unexpected, fear of making mistakes, ignorance of the fact that everyone has the ability
to be creative, tea-flavored ice cream.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen or experienced in Japan?
I guess the thing about Japan that I find really weird is apologizing profusely for things
I would never apologize for. For example, someone might drop a pen, and I bend down and
pick it up for them and they apologize profusely like it was really a major thing for me
to pick up their pen. Then I see people who throw their garbage in someone else's bicycle
basket. The contrast is just amazing and I find it very weird.
What do you sing in the shower?
Taking my baby to important business meetings and breast feeding, and being forgiven
because I tell them that's what we do at home in Britain.
What do you sing in the shower?
Nobody would recognize it because I'm such a bad singer.
If you could take one thing back from Japan to your native country, what would it
be?
In Hebrew, its called sav la nut - patience. I'm amazed how patient people are here.
Students sit still in class for hours. We don't have much of it in Israel.
Do you have a favorite place to eat or drink in Tokyo?
I have a lot of places I like but one of my nicest memories is eating grilled corn on the
cob in Yoyogi Park at the end of summer.
Where would you like to be on New Year's Eve of 1999?
I'd like to be in a place where I'm smiling, saying something like "I remember being
asked this question a year ago in Tokyo Classified and who would've thought this is where
I'd be?"
You have to spend the rest of your life trapped on the Yamanote line. You're allowed to
take one book, one CD and one luxury item. What would they be?
The book would be a very thick notebook of empty pages and a pen so I can be creative and
keep my mind going. The CD? Ofra Haza. And the luxury item: two golden retrievers because
they can breed, they're a load of fun and will keep me company.
Tokyo Comedy Store's
next performances are January 14 and 28 at Bar Isn't It? in Roppongi from 7:30pm. For
further information call 3400-8628 or see www.tokyocomedy.com
Rachel Walzer spoke to Maki Nibayashi.
LIFE IN JAPAN: