RADIO BERRY FM Tochigi On the radio program “IZ*ONE Honda Hitomi and World Get You” (last Thursday 21:30-21:45) broadcast on 4/30/2020 (Thu).
The experience of “Yubaraj”, who came to Japan from Nepal to study, was introduced.
Honda Hitomi: Today we will be talking to Yubaraj, who came to Japan from Nepal in 2013.
Yubaraj, who came to Japan 7 years ago, is now 28 years old.
He decided to study in Japan because there was a Japanese school near his house.
He had a hard time at first because he only knew hiragana and katakana, but now he teaches new international students from Nepal about the Japanese tax system and translates documents necessary for procedures.
By the way…
Yubaraj: You love natto.
Honda Hitomi: Wow, that’s amazing.
I’m really happy that you’ve come to like natto, the soul food of Tochigi.
I really love natto, and I often eat it in Korea. The way to eat it is to mix it with mustard, soy sauce, and vinegar, and it becomes very fluffy.
So I want everyone to try it. Yes.
And of course, many people struggle with the language barrier at first. I studied from books, of course, but I also often tried to remember by talking and writing things down.
When Yubaraji went shopping at a supermarket in Japan, he saw something that said “100g 100 yen” and thought the price was 100 yen, but when he went to the register, he was surprised to be told “500 yen”…
But I understand too. I often buy things like that without looking carefully… me too.
So I often make mistakes. And shopping overseas is always a little scary.
I don’t really know how to use bills or coins either. I have a tendency to accumulate coins, not to mention bills. I hope to be able to use them more someday.
Now, let’s hear a little bit about Yubaraj.
Memories of Japan
Yubaraj: Well, one memory I have is… Japanese hot springs.
In Japan, you have to take off your clothes before you go in.
So in Nepal, we don’t have that custom, so it was a little embarrassing… at first.
I’m used to it now, but back then… it was a little embarrassing.
Honda Hitomi: Ah, I see. In Japan… that’s right. When you go in a hot spring, you go naked.
I haven’t been to a hot spring recently, but I often go when I go back to Japan.
I’ve heard that there are hot springs in Korea too… I’ve been to a “Jimjilbang,” which is like a sauna where you go in with your clothes on, but I’ve never been to a hot spring, so… I’d like to go.
Good things about Japan
Honda Hitomi: So, what do you think are the “good things about Japan,” Yubaraj, who connects Nepal and Japan?
Yubaraj: One good thing about Japan is that Japanese people work hard.
And they are punctual. For example, trains are always on time. But in Nepal, buses are usually late. Even when compared to other countries, Japanese people are punctual.
My favorite Japanese word is… The first word I learned in school in Japan was “Daijoubu” (Do your best). Another word is “Ganbare” (Do your best).
In Nepali, “Daijoubu” and “Ganbare” can be translated… but they don’t have the exact meaning.
Honda Hitomi: Hmm… “Japanese people are serious.” Ah… I guess so.
But it’s true, I think Japanese people are punctual.
In Korea, people tend to arrive at the right time for trains… For example, when I make an appointment with a friend, I always meet them 15 minutes early. Well, I usually meet them 10 minutes early… In Korea, I have friends who meet right before or a little after the meeting time…
When I see that, I think I’m the type of person who acts with a lot of leeway.
And my favorite Japanese words are “daijoubu” and “ganbare” (do your best).
I like them too. “Kenchanayo” means “okay” in Korean… “Kenchanayo” was actually one of the first words I learned.
And “ganbare” is “paitin (fighting)”.
It’s easy to remember, so please try using it too.
Question for Hii-chan
Yubaraji: A question for Hii-chan.
What kind of adult do you want to be in the future, Hii-chan?
Honda Hitomi: Thank you for the question.
Well, in the future, um…
…for now, I want to be an adult with a strong will of my own.
Right now, I’m pretty indecisive, so I often make decisions after listening to other people’s opinions…
I want to be able to properly express my own will and opinions…to be able to have them.
I want to be that kind of strong adult.
Dreams for the future
Honda Hitomi: Yubaraj connects Nepal and Tochigi. He has now set up a company to introduce jobs to people who have come to Japan from overseas.
Yubaraj, who studied hotels in both Japan and Nepal during his student days, told us that he would like to start a hotel business in Nepal in the future and contribute to society.
Yubaraj: Mom and Dad. I’m working hard here now.
I’d like to work hard in Nepal in the future.
While I’m working hard here, I’d like to invite my mom and dad here…to Japan.
I’d like to take them on trips to nice places in Japan.
Honda Hitomi: Wow. If my mom and dad heard this, they’d probably cry (laughs).
You’re already a president at 28…that’s amazing. I’m 18 now, so 10 years from now.
10 years from now…what will you be doing…?
But I couldn’t have imagined that I’d be working in IZ*ONE now, or that I’d be able to work there, two years ago… I can’t really imagine what I’ll be doing in 10 years’ time.
So, to finish off, I’d like to give my heartfelt encouragement to Yubaraji!
I heard that Yubaraji likes the Japanese words “It’s okay” and “Do your best”…
It’ll be okay, Yubaraji! It’s daiji, Yubaraji!
“Daiji” is a Tochigi dialect word. It means “It’s okay.”
Please continue to work hard towards your dreams.