Currently, it is rainy season in Japan, but we had escaped the rain, until today, when it finally arrived. As luck would have it, we had a series of lectures scheduled on the political system, educational system and economic system in Japan.
Several prominent leaders in their respective fields spoke to our group. Although Japan and the United States are very different, some of the problems the leaders addressed are very similar to those in the United States. For instance, Japan is struggling right now with how to provide social security to an increasingly aging population. Sound familiar.
Also, like the United States, Japan is looking at ways to reform its educational system because school officials are concerned that students are just memorizing information to pass tests and aren't doing an adequate job of applying the knowledge they learn. I must admit that this concern sounded odd coming from the leaders of an educational system, which is considered to be one of the top school systems in the world.
Earlier in the week, one of the organizers of the Fulbright program said that, like people in most cultures, the Japanese have a public persona and a private one. Later in the evening, some of us got to see the Japanese in an informal, playful setting during a professional baseball game.
Baseball is by far the most popular team sport in Japan. The fans at the game got more worked up and involved than any other fans I've ever seen in any other sport. The best way I can describe a Japanese baseball game is that is a combination of a pep rally and a group sing-along, with a little bit of baseball mixed in. It really is great theater. I spent more time watching the fans than the game itself.
The fans of both teams are led by special cheering sections. When one team's players are up to bat, the cheering section of the batting team goes to work. When the other team comes to bat, the other cheering section gets its chance.
The cheerleaders fire up the rest of the crowd by waving flags, singing, chanting, playing musical instruments and dancing. It really is organized pandemonium.
One of the best things about taking in a baseball game is enjoying a snack, like a hot dog, but remember this is Japan, so, instead of hot dogs, fans are able to sample more local delicacies.
I'll leave you with some video of one of the cheering sections.
2 comments:
Now you are REALLY speaking my language -- Japanese baseball. Now that sounds like fun. It is one thing to be in in Fenway Park when the entire crowd is singing "Sweet Caroline," but I cannot even imagine the "theatre" experience of Japanese baseball! What sort of food do they serve at the games? I would imagine sushi instead of hot dogs. Am I correct?
I am also impressed that you and your group members are getting so much exposure to the political system there. That is SO cool! And they have many of the same concerns about their educational system as we do? Wow! Are you continuing to feel that we have more in common with the Japanese people than you originally realized?
Let me put it to you this way. You'd have a hard time eating at a Japanese baseball game without chopsticks.
Thanks for the post.
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