“I’m the only one who can do this job, aren’t I?”

The Support Desk helps international researchers and students working at Mitaka Campus to lead a fulfilling research life in Japan. It begins with administrative procedures and finding housing, and includes consultation on various aspects of living in Japan, such as education for any children, and much more.

I used to be a Tokyo-based employee of an American university, supporting students who were studying abroad on a student exchange program with our partner university in Japan. I left that job, but when I was thinking about going back to work when my daughter was about to start elementary school, I found an opening at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) Support Desk. I knew the Musashino and Mitaka area well, and the three-day workweek suited my schedule, so I thought with a smile, “I am the only one who can do this job, aren’t I?” It has been more than eight years since then. This job is a rare opportunity to meet people from countries I have never been to. I enjoy my job very much because I can make use of my experience.

International researchers who are having a hard time are actually the most understanding people.

We have had people from more than 30 countries visit the Support Desk, and many of them face difficulties from the very beginning. When they go to the city office to apply for moving in, they have to fill out an application form by hand. When I was helping with the procedures at the city office, the international guest I was accompanying asked me sarcastically, “Hasn’t Japan ever heard of digitalization?” Even when opening a bank account, people are told “ to bring someone who can speak Japanese.” As for credit cards, it is almost impossible for international guests to get a credit card in Japan due to reasons like not being able to read the terms and conditions in Japanese. There are many other difficulties that we cannot see, and although the Support Desk does its best to help as much as possible, there are times when things don’t pan out. At such times, the people who are the most understanding are the international researchers; they understand the dilemma that the Support Desk staff faces and say, “Well, it can’t be helped.” I feel that they are very understanding.

A consultation for “Mission to Propose”?

At any given time, there are about 70 international visitors to NAOJ, but only a fraction of them use the Support Desk. We welcome those who drop by frequently just to make small talk. If you talk to us on a regular basis, it will be easier for us to understand your situation when you come to us for consultation. I hope that everyone will make good use of the Support Desk.

One person once consulted with me about a “Mission to Propose.” It started with, “Ms. Shirato, I’m going to propose to my girlfriend.” We went through his plan in detail, such as the ring design, “I’m going to propose in Inokashira Park but should I say ‘Marry me’ in Japanese or English?”, and “I’ll have a friend hiding here with a camera.” He approached the problem very much like a researcher. Happily, the mission was a success. After that, they got married in the U.S. and are now living happily ever after. I guess sharing in this kind of happiness is the kind of thing that can only happen at the Support Desk.

Go back to your home country in good health and good spirits

Less than two months after I arrived, a researcher who visited the Support Desk frequently told me, “Actually, Ms. Shirato, I’m going to have surgery,” and “I want you to accompany me.” On the day of the surgery, I waited in the waiting room with his family. Medical interpreting is a specialized area that we choose not to get involved in, but I want to be helpful, so I am now a certified medical interpreter and still keep studying. Our list of English-speaking doctors in the area has also become quite extensive thanks to the information we have gathered so far.

I think that international researchers who come to NAOJ have a lot more difficulties than we think, such as coming to Japan without their families. When I think that they are lonely, I say hi to them, or send them an e-mail asking them how they are doing. Even if we cannot provide counseling, we can at least send a message to say we are worried about you or that we are here for you. I strongly hope that everyone will be in good health and good spirits when they leave Japan and return to their home countries.

Interview Date: December 5, 2023 / Published: October 10, 2024
Interview & Article: Masami Usuda / Translation: Hiroko Komiyama and Ramsey Lundock / Photo: Shogo Nagayama
The contents of this article are as of the interview date.