Occupation:
Director of JHELP.COM
(Japan Helpline)
Time in Japan:
Born in Japan, 28 years
How did you get it all
started?
At college in the States I got a call from a Japanese guy who was from my neighborhood
back home in Japan. He had lost all his bags, or something like that, and so I went and
helped him out. Soon word got around in Japan that, if you were in trouble in the US, the
Joseph boys would help you out. One time we got a call from Chicago (we were in LA) asking
for help. So we called around friends and found someone who lived in Chicago to help this
guy out. It turned out that we had started a network of support for Japanese in the US.
Everyone missed Japan so everyone was happy to help. Then when I finished college and came
back to Japan I noticed that returnees and new foreigners coming here needed the same sort
of help and support network.
What kind of questions do you get?
We get people asking for basic information, like where to find an English speaking doctor
or how to send money overseas. We also get callers who have emotional problems, people who
feel lonely and sad and need to talk to someone. We try to answer to the best our
knowledge but if the problem is too deep we arrange for professional counseling.
What kind of volunteers do you need? How can people help?
The biggest need is for people who can take blocks of their free time to answer phone
calls, either in the office or at their homes. We get flooded with questions via email and
we also need people to answer those.
What does JHELP.COM need most right now?
We need four companies that are willing to sponsor our magazine and help develop our
website, and we need office space for our computer system. We need a motor home as a
disaster relief vehicle and storage space for emergency supplies. We also need unused
phone cards to pay for our phone bill and give to people in need. But any help from anyone
would be great.
What do you like about Japan the most?
There are seven things: One, safety. Two, most things work and are on time. Three,
families are generally together. Four, it' a peaceful country-the only one that can't
start a war even if it wants to. Five, the freedoms people have here compared to most
other parts of Asia. Six, the economic miracle of the past 50 years. Seven, people's
honesty, from the poorest to the richest.
What do you dislike about Japan the most?
I have no real dislikes. I feel the biggest sadness is that, for whatever the reason,
people are unable to express themselves to the fullest.
Where's your favorite place to eat or drink in Tokyo?
In Shinjuku there's an alley called Shonben Yokocho and the stores there are just great.
I've been going there since I was a kid.
Where do you want to be New Year's Eve, 1999?
Kaiko No Yashiro in Uzumasa, Kyoto, where my ancestors came to Japan in 540 AD.
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 my old, beat-up, black leather Bible. The luxury item would be my
Toshiba Libretto, because it can do everything and I can even watch TV with it. I wouldn't
need a CD but I would like my satellite phone, please.
Japan Helpline has changed its name to JHELP.COM. Its 24-hour telephone hotline is 0990-54-0953
(press 1 after the message in Japanese).
Occupation:
LIFE IN JAPAN: