My Christmas Work Experience in Japan

Six years ago, I had my first and only Christmas work experience in Japan. I was fortunate to be chosen by my former employer to undergo production training along with other 9 fellow Filipino co-workers.

Actually, I was a Manufacturing Supervisor in my job but my work in Japan is to be a production operator. It did not matter to me at all, anyway. Although I have to leave my family for six months, it was fine with me since I will receive a salary way up higher than my basic pay.

Anyway, we left Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at around 4am on December 8, 2003 and arrived at the Narita Airport, Japan at around 7pm the same day. Their time zone difference I suppose is only one hour.

It was winter so the weather was very cold although snow has not been really falling yet. The next day, we had an orientation about our job and started to work. Before we went home, we learned that the temperature is 5 degree Celsius and we were freezing to death.

It did not take a week when the snow started to fall. I used to wake up earlier than everybody so I was the first one to witnessed the falling snow. It was really amazing for a first timer like me, so I went down and played with it.

A few days later, it was raining snow which started to file up in the streets. All of us played outside and did not care if our Japanese neighbors are laughing at us. In fact, we made a Snowman. Well, it was really a Snow woman as you can see in the photo. By the way, I am the guy in the middle wearing a pair of sunglasses.

Then, Christmas day came and it was an ordinary working day for us according to their culture. When we got home, we had a small party along with some Japanese co-workers. We called our families in the Philippines, and the Japanese were amazed how important it is to communicate with our family.

As the days went by, we learned so much about their culture and vice versa. More importantly, we realized how serious they were at work. This is one of the great lessons I learned in life, to give your best in what you are doing.

Unfortunately, our contract was cut to less than 5 months since we will be replaced by Chinese workers who will receive a lower salary.

But in general, we enjoyed our stay and I hope I can have the opportunity to work in Japan again. However, I still want to live here in the Philippines together with my family.

As they say, there is no place like home.

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My Life Story is now in an Inspirational Book

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