Meet the team! - Misato - Japan, U.S., Australia, and her thoughts.
MarMar is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing childcare support for foreign residents in Japan, aiming to "create a more diverse and inclusive society so that everyone can express their individuality, accept each other, and shine together". The group hopes to make a difference in the world by realizing diversity and inclusion in child-rearing, which is directly related to the future. We also provide various consultation services and accompany people going through procedures at city hall and other places in Japan.
Our organizing members are the drive and fortune of the group.
Meet our members and know their backgrounds and charms!
Misato
Vice director of MarMar
Works also at another NPO hinatabocco and leads her own project The Nagomi Space Connected. Lived in the state of Michigan, U.S. from 4th. grade to 9th. grade. After her study in Japan, moved to Australia and worked as an emergency nurse.
[ what she likes ] looking at the sky, rainbows, iridescent clouds, cooking, cross-cultural experiences, reading, and nature.
[ languages ] Japanese and English
First contact
Q: What was your first contact with MarMar?
I happened to find the group on internet just when Yuka started. I joined the group after I emailed her, thinking that maybe I could make good use of my experiences abroad and back in Japan.
Life in U.S., and counter-culture shock in Japan
Q: What kind of child were you?
I am from Shizuoka prefecture. I started to live in the state of Michigan, U.S. when I was in the 4th. grade and came back to Japan after graduating from the junior high school.
I started going to a local Japanese school, and I was the first student who came back from foreign countries. It was a counter-culture shock. I started to dislike Japan at that time, and I wished I could go back to the U.S..
Q: And did you continue your study in Japan？
Yes. My high school saved me. And I went on to study at an university, and then started to work in Japan.
The company was in the welfare industry, but their styles did not fit me.
Based on my experiences of caring, I wanted to be an expert of dementia. So, to study and to leave Japan again, I went to Sydney, Australia.
As an emergency nurse in Australia
Q: So you worked as an emergency nurse in Australia?
Yes. Before I settled in the emergency department, I rotated through the senior section, orthopedics, cardiac transplant and surgery, and cancer and bone marrow transplant section. The most rewarding of these was the emergency, and I became an emergency nurse.
Findings about Japan
Q: And you returned to Japan after such an active role there.
In Australia, I interacted with people of various ethnicities and cultures and realized the beauty of Japanese culture and Japanese people. I returned to Japan when I became pregnant. I am now involved in various activities while raising my children. I used to hate Japan, but I now realize its good and wonderful things that are not found in other countries and cultures. Although there are still some cultural differences that confuse me, I enjoy living in Japan.
Inspirations from a story of a mom from China
Q: What was the most impressive activity at MarMar?
We had "My Story" series, where we made online interviews with foreign mothers.
I was very interested in what a Chinese mom had to say. Their appearance is not different from Japanese people, but when they speak to each other, their Japanese language does not sound exactly like a "local Japanese", and they feel uncomfortable because of the difference in behavior due to cultural differences. I am Japanese, but I experienced the same thing after returning to my home country, so I could relate to many things.
"My Story" by Yanli that gave inspirations to Misato.
Q: What do you like about MarMar?
The members are all mothers with different backgrounds and personalities, and we are all active and working toward the same goal. We can learn from each other and respect each other.
Thank you for your read!
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