General information

Climate
There are four seasons in japan which are very distinct. Actually Japan is a long country from the north to the south. So the climate is very different depending on where you are. In Tokyo area, spring is very comfortable season, summer is incredibly humid so that no one can survive without the air conditioner, fall is very comfortable as spring, and in winter we have some snow. June is the rainy season called "Tsuyu", and September is a Typhoon season called "Taifu".
Language
Japanese language is only spoken in Japan. There are 51 sounds and 3 types of characters, which are Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. Hiragana is used for sound and particles, Katakana is used for foreign words, and Kanji is chinese characters which have meanings for each. We mix these three when we write down sentences. The sound is similar to Spanish language becuase the vowels are almost the same as spanish.
Japanese people are very good at taking in foreign words and transfering them to foreign sounded japanese. This is called "Japanglish". Japanese language is more difficult than English, because sometimes there are many ways to say just for one word, like "Anata", "kimi", "Omae" etc. for "you", and "Shujin", "Danna", "Otto" for "husband", so we have to use it correctly according to the situation.
Nationality
Generally, modest, shy, polite. Japanese do not insist, but follow the other people. It's important to understand everything without words, and you're expected to be like that. It's a common sense. The society is changing as the bubble economy collapsed, but before, the person who is wanted to a company is not a specialist but a generalist who is well balanced and willing to do anything. Girls used to be conservative, but of course they are changing.
Annual Event
School year and annual year starts from April in Japan. So spring is the fresh season in the year. In May, there is a week holiday called "Golden week", which some national holidays are combined actually. In August, we still remember the memorial days of Hirosima and Nagasaki, and also the day of the ending World War 2. The 13th is "Obon" day which we console the spirits of the dead. In December Japanese celebrate Chrismas too although we are not Christians. But New year's day is even a bigger holiday in japan. January 1,2,3 are called "Sanganichi" and always holidays. March is the end of the annual year.
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