RADIO BERRY FM Tochigi On the radio program “IZ*ONE Honda Hitomi and World Get You” (last Thursday 21:30-21:45) broadcast on Thursday, July 30, 2020.
The experience of “Azimov Sarual”, who is studying in Japan from Uzbekistan, was introduced.
Honda Hitomi: Today, we will be talking to…
Azimov: I’m from Uzbekistan. My name is Azimov Sarual.
Honda Hitomi: Azimov Sarual. Nice to meet you.
Uzbekistan…do you know where it is?
This is my first time…it’s almost the first time I’ve heard the name. Yes.
Now, let me introduce Azimov’s profile.
After graduating from high school, Azimov came to Japan because he wanted to study in a country with a high level of education. He is currently a fourth-year student at Utsunomiya University. He had never traveled abroad before coming to Japan. Besides his studies at university, he is currently a member of the Uzbek Youth Association in Japan. He is also involved in activities to raise awareness of Uzbekistan.
In the future, Azimov wants to do his best to contribute to the development of his country, such as increasing employment opportunities and improving the education system. He may become a very important person in Uzbekistan in the future.
Wow… It’s amazing that you even think about your own country. There are so many things to think about in life, aren’t there? So I’m pretty much done with my own things…
I really admire the fact that you live your life thinking about your own country.
“Good things” and “disappointing things” about Japan
Azimov: One good thing about Japan is that they don’t show their “anger” very much, and they completely comply with the order of the world.
One disappointing thing is that it may be a way of thinking based on comparison with your own country…
I thought that “human relationships within the family” in Japan are a little shallow.
Honda Hitomi: Hmm. I see. There is also talk about “following the rules,” but Azimov says he thought so when he saw everyone lining up properly at supermarkets and other places.
Ah! I see. But it’s like this. I really thought this was “natural,” so when I hear stories from people all over the world, I realize that it’s not “natural.”
You said that the unfortunate thing is that family relationships are shallower than in other countries… is that right?
But it’s true that as you get older, it’s not so much that you talk less, but that you spend less time together as a family. I think that’s true… On the other hand, I’ve been thinking recently that family relationships have gotten better since adolescence ended.
What has changed since studying in Japan
Azimov: Before coming to Japan, my parents decided everything for me, from my “daily life” to “how I would live my life,” but after studying abroad, I became independent… and I started to decide everything for myself.
I think that because there is no one from my country in Japan, I was able to adapt to the new “Japanese society”.
Honda Hitomi: Before coming to Japan, my parents decided everything for me, but after studying abroad, I became independent and “decided everything for myself”. I’m exactly the same as Azimov. As for me… well, I respect Azimov. I still have to consult my parents quite a lot and get them to decide for me.
I can’t even decide what to eat today (laughs). So I usually decide what to eat tomorrow before I go to bed, but when I wake up, I’ve changed my mind again. Then I think about it for two hours… and I often end up calling my mother and asking her “What should I eat?”… I don’t think I’m independent in that respect yet.
…But Azimov came to Japan to study and became able to decide everything for himself, so I want to follow his example.
Also, it’s my first time abroad…and my first time studying abroad, and there’s no one from my country around me… I think I would be really lonely if it were me. I have IZ*ONE members Saku-chan and Nako-chan with me… and others. There were also quite a few people who could speak Japanese.
If it was just me… I can’t imagine it (laughs).
…But I think I’ve become independent by living abroad, but I wonder if I’m truly independent… It’s really made me think about that.
I really like being alone, but when I think about independence again… I wonder what it means. What do you think, listeners? Can you proudly say that you’re independent? I’m not in a position where I can say that with pride yet… so I want to take a closer look at myself.
Dreams for the future
Azimov: There are few people (in Uzbekistan) who have studied abroad in a developed country like Japan, and I’m one of them… but I feel that my acquaintances and friends in my hometown have high expectations of me in many ways…
I hope that I can work harder from now on and meet the expectations of those who have high expectations of me, and become a reliable person.
Honda Hitomi: Oh… I see. But I think that when people have high expectations of me, I feel a lot of pressure and a lot of weight on me.
But Azimov has the desire to “meet expectations” and “become a reliable person,” which I think is wonderful. I feel the same way… I really want to meet the expectations of my hometown Tochigi and my family… and that’s why I think I’m still working hard because there are people who have high expectations of me.
…As I said at the beginning, there’s a chance that in a few years, Mr. Azimov will become a very important person in Uzbekistan. Don’t forget that you appeared on this radio show (laughs).
And finally, Mr. Azimov. At first… You had never even been abroad, and on top of that, you decided to study abroad on your own. I think you’re really amazing.
…And in the future too. I hope you will continue to work hard towards your dreams so that you can meet the expectations of many people. I’m even more inspired after hearing your story.
Let’s work hard together!