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Life in Japan

27/06/2026
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FOR INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTS LIVING IN JAPAN EARTHQUAKE ANXIETY, AND WHAT WE CAN REALISTICALLY DO

By | Life in Japan

THE KIND OF CALM, PRACTICAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CASA DIVINA OSAKA BELIEVES IN

Recently, one of our clients connected to a foreign consulate in Osaka shared a concern that many people around them have been feeling: anxiety about earthquakes.

Even for those of us who have lived in Japan for many years, earthquakes are never a light matter. For foreign residents, diplomats, and families newly arrived from overseas, terms such as “seismic intensity,” “tsunami,” and “Nankai Trough” can create a great deal of unease.

Whenever I travel abroad, I also feel a certain tension. Language, systems, emergency information, evacuation sites, medical care, transportation. Things that local residents understand naturally are not always immediately clear to someone from another country.

That is exactly why Dios / Casa Divina Osaka believes its role goes beyond simply providing a residence. We believe that helping our clients live safely and comfortably in Japan also includes practical guidance on daily life, disaster information, and basic emergency preparedness.

WHAT WE WANT TO SAY FIRST

Before anything else, we would like to make our position clear.

There are real questions surrounding the high probability figures and time-based prediction models often used in discussions of a possible Nankai Trough earthquake.

Precise earthquake prediction, in the sense of accurately specifying the time, place, and scale of a future event, is not something current science can reliably do.

At the same time, Japan is a country where earthquakes can happen.

For that reason, we believe it is not wise to frighten people by saying, “It will definitely happen soon,” and it is equally unwise to reassure people by saying, “It will never happen.”

The important thing is to remain calm, think clearly, and prepare in practical ways.

RECENT DISCUSSIONS AND WHY THEY MATTER

In Japan, the possibility of a major Nankai Trough earthquake has long been discussed using phrases such as “a high probability within the next 30 years.”

However, the numbers behind these statements, and the models used to produce them, have also been questioned by some researchers. There are experts who argue that the assumptions behind these models are uncertain, that the calculations depend on contestable premises, and that different methods could produce significantly lower figures.

In other words, the existence of a high number does not automatically mean that the future is known with certainty.

For us, the key point is not to settle an academic argument in a simple blog post.

The key point is this: earthquake-related numbers and forecasts include uncertainty, and they should not be treated as unquestionable truth.

THE NANKAI TROUGH SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS A CERTAINTY

We believe the Nankai Trough should be discussed with care.

If people hear only that it is certain, immediate, and unavoidable, fear can quickly replace judgment.

On the other hand, it is also not reasonable to conclude that because it has not happened recently, it will never happen.

What we can say is more modest, but more honest.

There are serious questions about whether anyone can confidently state that a Nankai Trough earthquake is highly likely within a specific time frame.

But that does not mean earthquakes will not occur in Japan.

These two ideas are not contradictory.

What we want to avoid is a situation in which the phrase “Nankai Trough” becomes a source of either excessive fear or careless complacency.

EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION IS NOT CURRENTLY POSSIBLE IN THE WAY MANY PEOPLE IMAGINE

For many years, people hoped that earthquakes might one day be predicted in advance.

But despite long research efforts, there has still been no reliable way to identify the exact timing, location, and scale of a major earthquake.

Many supposed warning signs may seem persuasive after an earthquake has already occurred. But that is very different from proving in advance that they can predict one.

This is especially important for international residents.

Statements such as:

“It will happen on this date.”
“This area alone is in danger.”
“After this day, it will be safe.”

These messages may sound reassuring or dramatic, but they often create confusion rather than clarity.

Earthquakes are not that simple.

That is why it is more practical to prepare for the possibility of earthquakes in general, rather than to place trust in specific predictions or rumors.

SCIENCE, POLICY, AND INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS SEPARATE

Recent discussion has also raised another difficult issue.

Some critics argue that earthquake-related public messaging is shaped not only by science, but also by government systems, advisory committees, funding structures, disaster policy, and institutional priorities.

This is a sensitive subject, and it should be approached carefully.

We are not interested in making reckless accusations against specific individuals or organizations.

But it is reasonable to recognize that scientific information in society is often shaped through many layers: research, administration, budgeting, public policy, and media communication.

For that reason, it is wise for readers to receive official numbers and statements with calm attention, rather than unquestioning belief.

This is not about encouraging distrust.

It is about encouraging balance.

HAZARD MAPS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT THEY ARE NOT PERFECT

Hazard maps and risk maps are useful tools.

But they are still tools, not absolute forecasts.

Real earthquakes do not always occur in the places people expected most strongly. Sometimes serious earthquakes happen in areas that were not emphasized. Sometimes places long discussed as high-risk remain quiet.

So hazard maps should be treated as practical references, not as perfect predictions.

For international residents, this is particularly important to understand.

You do not need to panic because a map shows risk.

But you also should not assume that an area is completely safe simply because it does not appear prominently on one map.

Maps are part of preparation. They are not the whole of preparation.

THIS DOES NOT MEAN PREPARATION IS UNNECESSARY

This is one of the most important points we want to make.

Even if high-probability models are uncertain, even if earthquake prediction is not possible, and even if institutional problems exist, it does not follow that preparation is unnecessary.

In fact, the opposite is true.

If specific predictions cannot be trusted, then everyday preparedness becomes even more important.

This is not fear-based disaster planning.

It is life-based disaster planning.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTS ACTUALLY NEED

For many foreign residents, the hardest part is not the scientific debate itself.

The harder question is much more practical:

What should I actually do?

What should I do when an early warning alarm sounds?
Should I leave the building, or stay inside?
Where should I evacuate?
Is my neighborhood at risk from tsunami?
How much water and food should I keep at home?
What happens if electricity stops?
What happens if trains stop?
Where can I find reliable information in English?

These are practical questions.

And they deserve practical answers.

THE KIND OF SUPPORT CASA DIVINA OSAKA WANTS TO OFFER

At Casa Divina Osaka, we want to help reduce this uncertainty in concrete ways.

That means not only providing a residence, but also helping clients understand how to live more securely in Japan.

In terms of earthquake readiness, the support we consider important includes:

Preparation of emergency supplies
Guidance on drinking water, emergency food, flashlights, and mobile batteries
Preparation of portable toilets, hygiene items, and regular medicines
Basic explanations of what to do during an emergency
Sharing earthquake information in English
Guidance on evacuation locations and transportation information in Osaka
Individual consultation when clients feel anxious or uncertain

None of this needs to be dramatic.

It is often enough to keep a little more of what you already use in daily life.

Water. Food. Power. Light. Hygiene items. Reliable information.

Even these simple things can make a major difference to peace of mind.

WHAT CASA DIVINA OSAKA WANTS TO COMMUNICATE MOST CLEARLY

Our position is this:

We should be cautious about treating high-probability Nankai Trough forecasts as unquestionable certainty.

Earthquake prediction, in the sense most people imagine it, is not currently possible.

Scientific discussion, public institutions, funding, and administrative decision-making are often intertwined in complicated ways.

And yet, Japan is still a country where earthquakes can occur.

An earthquake may come.
It may not come soon.
And it may not come where people expect.

That is exactly why we believe in the following approach:

Do not let yourself be overwhelmed by certainty.
Do not become complacent.
Do not trust date-specific rumors.
Value calm, everyday preparedness.

That is the foundation of our thinking.

LIVING IN OSAKA WITH GREATER PEACE OF MIND

Osaka is an international city. Diplomats, corporate executives, researchers, teachers, students, and many others from overseas live here.

That is precisely why Osaka should also be a place where disaster-related information feels understandable and reassuring for international residents.

Casa Divina Osaka will continue to support all those coming from abroad with residences that are clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully prepared, together with practical support for daily life.

Preparedness for disasters is also part of hospitality.

Not to create fear, but to create reassurance.
Not to make dramatic claims, but to think calmly.
Not to become careless, but to prepare quietly.

We believe that this is the kind of service international residents in Japan truly need.

REFERENCES

Japan Meteorological Agency
“On Earthquake Prediction”
Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion
“Long-Term Evaluation of Seismic Activity Along the Nankai Trough”
Japan Meteorological Agency
“Information Related to the Nankai Trough Earthquake”
Osaka City
“Inundation Hazard Map for Osaka City”
Prime Minister’s Office of Japan
“What You Can Do Before a Disaster Happens”
Government Public Relations Online
“Key Points for Household Emergency Stockpiles”
Robert J. Geller, “Earthquake Prediction: A Critical Review”
Yan Y. Kagan, David D. Jackson, Robert J. Geller, “Characteristic Earthquake Model, 1884–, R.I.P.”

21/06/2026
0

International School Options for Global Families Living in Osaka

By | Life in Japan

What I Felt Through My Visit to OWIS Osaka

For international families relocating to Osaka, choosing the right home is only one part of building a new life.

A comfortable furnished residence, a convenient location, reliable cleaning support, and daily living assistance are all important. However, for families with children, the school environment is just as important as housing.

At DIOS, we support expatriates, diplomats, and international families living in Osaka by providing furnished residences and practical daily life support. Through this work, we have learned that a family’s sense of security in a new city depends not only on the quality of the residence, but also on schools, community, and the wellbeing of children.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit One World International School Osaka, commonly known as OWIS Osaka. I attended the school carnival and was later invited as a special guest to the OWIS Osaka Advancement Ceremony. I also had the opportunity to meet with Head of School Greg Culos, Deputy Head Eric, and members of the OWIS Osaka team.

This article is not written as an academic evaluation of a school. Rather, it is a personal observation based on my actual visit, as someone who works closely with international families relocating to Osaka.

A School Community That Felt Warm and International

What impressed me most about OWIS Osaka was something that cannot be fully understood from brochures or websites alone.

It was the atmosphere of the school.

At both the carnival and the Advancement Ceremony, I felt a warm, open, and positive school community. The students looked energetic, confident, and comfortable in their school environment. The teachers and staff appeared sincerely engaged in supporting the children, not only academically, but also emotionally and socially.

During the Advancement Ceremony, the students’ progress, achievements, and growth were celebrated in front of their families, teachers, and the wider school community. It was not only a formal school event. It felt like a celebration of each child’s effort, confidence, individuality, and development.

For families relocating from overseas, this kind of school atmosphere is extremely important.

When children move to a new country, they must adjust to a new school, a new language environment, new friends, new routines, and a new culture. If children feel welcomed and supported at school, the entire family can settle into life in Osaka with greater confidence.

Why School Choice Matters for Expatriate Families

For expatriate families, school choice is often one of the most important factors when deciding where to live.

Parents naturally ask many practical questions before relocating:

Where should we live?
How long will the commute be?
Is the area safe and convenient?
Will daily life be manageable?
Most importantly, will our children be happy and well supported?

Housing and education are deeply connected.

A good residence provides stability.
A good school provides confidence.
Together, they help an international family build a real life in a new city.

This is why DIOS believes that international schools are not only educational institutions. For a global city, they are essential social infrastructure.

Osaka Also Has Strong International School Options

In the Kansai region, some international families have traditionally looked toward Kobe and Rokko Island when considering long-established international schools. Those schools have history, reputation, and a strong place within the international community.

However, Osaka is also developing strong international school options of its own.

From my visit to OWIS Osaka, I felt that the school is becoming a very meaningful option for families who wish to live, work, and raise children in Osaka.

For families whose professional life is centered in Osaka, the ability to live in Osaka and send children to a strong international school nearby can make daily life much easier. It can reduce commuting burdens, make school events more accessible, and help the entire family feel more connected to the city.

I do not believe that schools should be discussed only in terms of rankings or simple comparisons. Each school has its own history, culture, strengths, and educational philosophy.

However, through my actual visit, I felt that OWIS Osaka is not merely an alternative option. For some international families living in Osaka, it may become a very attractive first-choice school.

An International School with a Truly Global Atmosphere

One point that was particularly impressive to me was the international atmosphere of the school’s leadership and operations.

In some international schools, the teachers and principal may be international, while the administrative culture and decision-making may still feel strongly influenced by local Japanese school values. This is not necessarily negative, as Japanese educational culture has many strengths, including discipline, responsibility, and respect for order.

However, at OWIS Osaka, I felt that the school community itself was more naturally international.

The atmosphere seemed open to diversity, different cultures, and different ways of learning. The school did not feel like a Japanese school simply offering English instruction. Rather, it felt like an international learning community located in Osaka.

For global families, this distinction can be very important.

The Value of Diversity and Belonging

Japanese schools have many strengths: discipline, perseverance, group responsibility, and strong Japanese language foundations. These are important values, and they should not be dismissed.

At the same time, international schools can offer a different kind of educational environment.

At OWIS Osaka, I felt a strong sense that diversity was not treated as a challenge, but as a source of value. Students from different backgrounds seemed to be part of one shared school community. The ceremony gave me the impression that each child’s growth and individuality were being recognized and encouraged.

For children growing up in a global environment, this sense of belonging is extremely important.

Education is not only about subjects and exams. It is also about confidence, identity, communication, respect, and the ability to live with people from different backgrounds.

The Importance of Mother Tongue and Identity

As international education becomes more popular, it is also important to remember the value of a child’s mother tongue.

For Japanese children attending international schools, English is extremely valuable. However, Japanese should not be neglected. For children from other countries, their own native language and cultural identity are also very important.

Whether the language is Japanese, English, Hindi, French, Arabic, Korean, Chinese, or another language, a child’s mother tongue is closely connected to emotional development, logical thinking, cultural identity, and deeper expression.

A good international education should not simply replace one language or culture with another. It should help children respect their own roots while also learning to understand others.

This balance is especially important for global families living in Japan.

A School Open to the Local Community

Another point I appreciated about OWIS Osaka was that the school did not feel closed off from the surrounding community.

International schools can sometimes appear distant from local Japanese society. Because tuition fees are often high, some local residents may imagine them as schools only for wealthy families or foreign communities.

However, from what I observed, OWIS Osaka seemed to be trying to become part of the wider Osaka community.

The school carnival and ceremony gave me the impression that OWIS Osaka values openness, connection, and community. This is important not only for the school, but also for Osaka as a city.

A truly international city is not a place where foreign communities and local communities remain separate. It is a place where people meet, understand each other, and live together with mutual respect.

Growth in a Short Period of Time

OWIS Osaka is still a relatively new international school in Osaka. However, I understand that within about three years, it has grown into a school community of approximately 400 students.

This growth is meaningful.

An international school cannot be built only with buildings and curriculum. It becomes a real school when parents trust it, children attend happily, teachers work with dedication, and a school community develops over time.

The growth of OWIS Osaka suggests that there is strong demand for international education in Osaka, and that many families see value in what the school is creating.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Dedication

In many international schools, teachers may be on relatively short-term contracts. This is common in the international school world, and it does not mean that the quality of education is low. However, it can sometimes be challenging for a school to build a strong long-term identity and sense of belonging among staff.

At OWIS Osaka, I felt a strong sense of teamwork and dedication among the leadership and staff.

Greg Culos, Eric, and the OWIS Osaka team appeared deeply committed to developing the school, supporting the students, and building a strong school community in Osaka.

From what I observed, one of the most important strengths of OWIS Osaka is not only its curriculum or facilities, but the people who are working hard to build the school.

A school’s true value is not found only in its brochure.
It is found in the people who care for the children every day.

Schools as Part of Osaka’s International Infrastructure

Osaka is becoming increasingly international.

As more companies, diplomatic missions, international professionals, and global families come to Osaka, the city will need more than offices, hotels, and business facilities.

It will need a complete living environment for international families.

That includes quality housing, reliable daily life support, medical access, community networks, and strong school options for children.

In this sense, schools such as OWIS Osaka play an important role in Osaka’s future. They help make Osaka a city where international families can not only work, but also live, learn, and belong.

A Personal Observation from DIOS

At DIOS, we provide furnished residences and living support for international residents in Osaka. Through our work, we often see how important the first few months in Japan can be for a family.

When housing, school, and daily life are well supported, families can begin their life in Osaka with confidence.

When children are happy at school, parents can focus more easily on their work and responsibilities.

My visit to OWIS Osaka reminded me that supporting international families is not only about providing a residence. It is also about helping families feel that Osaka can become a real home.

Closing Thoughts

I am not in a position to rank schools or to say that one school is absolutely better than another. Each school has its own strengths, culture, history, and educational philosophy.

However, after visiting OWIS Osaka, attending its carnival and Advancement Ceremony, and meeting with its leadership and staff, I felt strongly that Osaka now has a very attractive international school option for global families.

OWIS Osaka has a warm atmosphere, energetic students, caring teachers, and a leadership team that appears deeply committed to building a strong international school community in Osaka.

For global families considering life in Osaka, I believe it is worth looking carefully at the international school options within Osaka itself.

Housing, school, daily life support, and community are all connected.

When these elements come together, Osaka becomes not only a place to work, but a place where international families can live with comfort, confidence, and peace of mind.

15/07/2024
1

Embracing the Vibrant Summer Festivals in Osaka

By | Life in Japan

Dear Esteemed Guests,

We are delighted to share that some of our esteemed foreign guests, including directors of overseas pavilions for the 2025 Osaka Expo, have already begun settling into their apartments in Osaka. While we understand that preparations for the expo keep you busy, we warmly encourage you to take some time to experience the traditional cultural festivities that Japanese summers have to offer.

On July 14th, a small shrine near Osaka hosted a summer festival. The highlight of this event was the spirited movement of the heavy portable shrines, carried by robust men. It was a powerful display of human vitality, almost as if paying tribute to the gods. As you may know, Kyoto’s famous Gion Festival reaches its climax on July 16th. In Osaka, the Tenjin Festival takes place on July 24th and 25th, followed by the Yodogawa Fireworks Festival on August 3rd. Despite the high humidity and heat of Japanese summers, these festivals offer a refreshing and enjoyable experience. It’s a testament to the wisdom of our ancestors, who found ways to feel cool and comfortable even without air conditioning.

At a recent summer festival near Shitennoji Temple, the “Kongō Gumi” construction company had a booth. This company, renowned for building temples and shrines, has a history dating back 1,400 years to the Nara period, making it the oldest corporation in the world. They utilize traditional carpentry techniques, assembling wooden structures without nails, using intricate joinery instead. I had the pleasure of exchanging business cards with their sales manager and even inquired if they could build a house for me, to which I received a positive response.

Kongō Gumi graciously gifted me a cypress coaster, accompanied by a note stating, “This coaster is resistant to humidity but vulnerable to fire. Its durability exceeds 1,000 years.” Such craftsmanship and attention to detail are truly remarkable.

We encourage our foreign guests residing in Osaka to take a short break and explore the local surroundings. Japan is brimming with fascinating experiences waiting to be discovered.

Warm regards,

09/11/2023
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Emergency Response for Our International Clients: A Story of Swift Action

By | Life in Japan

Last night, we received an urgent call from one of our international clients: “My young child has accidentally locked me out of the house with the keys still inside, and I can’t get back in!” Without hesitation, I grabbed the spare keys and rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, I was met with an intense situation: fire trucks and police cars surrounded the area, and a crowd of officers and firefighters were poised for action. I learned that had I been just a few minutes later, the firefighters were ready to break through the window to ensure the child’s safety.

This incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of household emergencies, especially for non-Japanese speakers. The tension that comes with unexpected issues can be overwhelming.

At Dios, we believe we are the most reliable service for foreigners in Japan, available 24/7 for any emergency that may arise. Our commitment to providing immediate, compassionate assistance is unwavering, and we stand ready to support our international community at a moment’s notice.

#EmergencyResponse #DiosService #InternationalClients #24HourSupport #RapidAssistance #CommunitySafety #ExpatLifeJapan #ForeignersInJapan #EmergencyAssistance #SwiftAction #ReliableService #SafetyFirst

05/09/2022
1

Shoji screen

By | Interior Coordinate, Life in Japan

We did the work to put up the shoji by ourselves.

One day I stayed at a cheap old inn with my American friend. However, that cheap inn had a small window with a small lattice.

He said, “In Japan there is an aesthetic sense even in such a cheap hotel.”

In other words, in America, if you spend a lot of money, there are buildings with aesthetic sense, but if you don’t spend money, you can’t find aesthetic sense.

Japanese shoji screens give the room a perfect balance of light and shadow.

In Japan, you don’t have to live in a luxury home to find a sense of beautiful interiors.



12/12/2021
0

Electric blanket for Japanese winter bedding

By | Life in Japan

The fun Christmas season of December is approaching. Japan is about to enter the winter season in earnest.
“Warm even in winter” is the most important factor in assessing the value of a home.

However, for foreigners, Japanese housing has the problem that it is very cold in winter. It feels cold not only for foreigners from hot Southeast Asian countries but also for foreigners from cold regions such as North America and Europe.
I spent my high school days in Hokkaido, and although it was cold outdoors, the inside of the building didn’t feel as cold as Osaka or Tokyo.

Most Japanese rental apartments do not contain the heat insulating material that should be put in the interior floor, wall, and ceiling in order to reduce the construction cost. The rental apartments where heat insulating materials are firmly installed on the floor, walls, and ceiling are very different from rental apartments where heat insulating materials are not installed. The comfort of living differs entirely.

Most of the general owners and lessees do not have any knowledge about this. In fact, there are many cases where construction companies skip the work process of adding heat insulating material to make construction easier.

In the case of detached houses, there are many properties where the underfloor on the first floor is left as soil. The old houses were still soil, and wooden houses were built on the soil. Therefore, turning the floorboard is the same as the soil like the field.

You can prevent the cold to some extent by pouring concrete over this soil to make it a “solid foundation”. At the cost of construction, the underfloor of a wooden detached house can be made of concrete.

But concrete is still cold in winter (and hot in summer).

Since the building is also made of concrete, when the concrete gets cold in winter, the room inevitably gets cold. Depending on the property, it might be warmer outside the apartment building in winter than inside the apartment building. This is because the concrete of the building’s frame gets cold.

Therefore, what is important is a heater that heats the air such as an air conditioner and “bedding”.

Please check the followings in order to make your bedding warmer for Japanese winter.

(1) Double the comforters.
The comforters we provide are ① one summer comforter and ➁ one spring / autumn comforter. Please snap ①summer comforter on ➁spring/ autumn comforter.  Then a winter comforter could be made. After doubling it, put the comforter cover on it in one piece.

How to set up → 冬のふとん – 外国人駐在員・外交官向け 高級住宅 (dios.co.jp)

(2) Add a blanket to the comforter (VITGROE)
VITGRÖE ヴィートグローエ 毛布, ホワイト, 150×200 cm – IKEA

(3) Change the comforter cover from sheets to a blanket cover
KRANSSALVIA クランサルヴィア 掛け布団カバー＆枕カバー（枕カバー2枚）, ホワイト, 200×200/50×60 cm – IKEA

(4) Add another blanket to the mattress

(5) Change the blanket of the mattress to an “electric blanket”
Amazon | 電気毛布 ひざ掛け 掛け毛布 電気ブランケット フランネル 厚手 160cmx130cm大きさ ダブル タイマー ボタン式温度調整 安全保護機能付き ギフト ダニ退治 丸洗い 洗濯可能 省エネ PSE認証済み | singway | 電気毛布・ひざ掛け 通販

My recommendation is No.(5) electric blanket.
I love this electric blanket.
I have never felt that an electric blanket is bad for my body.
It is warm and makes people to sleep longer. The reason why people can’t sleep in winter is often due to the cold temperature. You can sleep well if the bedding is warm.
If you use an electric blanket, you will not want to get out of bed because it is warm and too comfortable inside the bed.

With an electric blanket, the winter bedding problem is completely solved.

10/12/2020
1

New Year’s card for Japanese

By | Japan Culture, Life in Japan

Japanese people don’t write much Christmas cards, but they write “Nengajo (New Year greeting card)” by December 25th and post it to the mailbox. The post office delivery staff will distinguish this New Year’s cards from other mails and deliver them to the destinations on January 1st, no matter when they are posted. Therefore, Japanese postal workers are quite busy this season.

Japanese people write about 100 New Year’s cards every year. The number varies from person to person, but my university professor receives 2,000 New Year’s cards in January. When Japanese receive a New Year’s card, it is normal to reply. However, it is difficult to reply to 2,000 people, so my teacher announced an apology and said, “I am very sorry that I could not reply to everyone.”

Writing 100 New Year’s cards is hard work. It takes me three days to write 100 New Year’s cards. It takes a lot of time, so Japanese people these days print using a personal computer. However, I am a little happy to receive a machine-copied New Year’s card, but to be honest, I feel that it is a little unsatisfactory.

On the other hand, Japanese people are very impressed when they receive a handwritten New Year’s card. Washi (Japanese paper) is the traditional paper in Japan, but if Japanese can get a New Year’s card of such paper, their happiness will be doubled. If you go to the stationery section of a Japanese department store, you can find good quality Washi postcards.

商品詳細｜鳩居堂　はがき・カードの専門店 (kyukyodo.co.jp)

For Japanese people, New Year’s cards have a greater impact on the Japanese spirit than Christmas cards and birthday cards. This is because the history of the Japanese people is incorporated into the DNA of the Japanese people.

Japanese people write the following contents on New Year’s postcards.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who took care of me last year. And I would like to thank you for your cooperation in the New Year.”

By all means, please send the New Year’s card to the Japanese with all your heart, not by copying, but by handwriting. I’m sure Japanese people will feel very happy for your card.

05/12/2020
1

Tower apartment and health

By | Life in Japan

Tower apartments are very popular because they have a good view, but various problems have been pointed out. In this article, I would like to consider only about the health of the residents of the tower apartment.

From my 20 years of experience, a 40-year-old Japanese-American wife who lived on the 38th floor had a miscarriage. On the other hand, the foreign wife who lived on the 34th floor gave birth to her second child safely.  I have no scientific basis for whether these things are related to tower apartments. That’s my actual experience.

Scholars have studied this issue and published treatises. Even if scholars criticize tower apartments, realtors deny scholars’ claims. Scientific proof does not seem to be clear yet.

It is known that the atmospheric pressure of 10hPa drops when it rises 100m. The height of one floor of the condominium is about 3 meters, so 100m ÷ 3 = 33 floors. In other words, the atmospheric pressure on the 33rd floor is 10hPa lower than on the ground.

When the weather is fine, it is high pressure. A heavy rainy day is a low pressure. The difference in atmospheric pressure between a clear day and a heavy rainy day is about 17hPa. Generally, the difference in atmospheric pressure between a sunny day and a bad day is considered to be about 10hPa.

“The number of patients undergoing cecal surgery is higher on rainy days than on sunny days,” said one medical doctor.  Certainly, on a clear day, humans become more energetic and motivated to work. On a rainy day, if we feel depressed and a low pressure system such as the rainy season continues, we may want to start crying even if there are no problems. The weather seems to have a huge impact on the human body. And the pressure difference in the weather is 10hPa.

I am a member of a fitness club and am doing underwater walking exercise in the pool. At first, I used to breaststroke, but at some point I began to think that walking in the water was more effective in improving my health than swimming. When I swim flat, my body floats on the surface of the water, but when I walk, I drop my feet to the bottom of the pool, which applies “water pressure”. Because of this “water pressure”, I go to the fitness club every day.

Thinking in this way, living on the upper floors of a tower apartment is thought to have at least some impact on the body.

If you are staying at a hotel for a few days, it is good to enjoy the view. It’s okay for a healthy adult to rent for a few years. However, if you have a pregnant wife or a weak person, it may be safer to avoid the pressure difference of 10hPa.

13/09/2020
1

Our customers’ foliage plants

By | Interior Coordinate, Life in Japan

(Author: Masahiro Fukai)

Dios provides foliage plants in the housing properties of foreign customers.

Our customers rarely ask us for foliage plants. We will take it to your residential property at our own discretion.

Plants are alive, so our customers must water and grow them every day. Some people don’t water the plants because it’s a tedious and time-consuming task.

When our customers move out of our residential property and return home, the plants enter our warehouse. I didn’t water it, so all the leaves of the plants were gone.

I had given up that the plant must have died. Then I moved the plants from the warehouse to the balcony of my office. I gave water to the plants every morning. Then, the young leaves grew in the blink of an eye.

We were so happy that we went to the Home Center and bought potato seeds, carrot seeds, green onion sprouts, strawberry sprouts, soil, fertilizer and pots. And I put it next to the customer’s houseplant. Every day I poured water.

Our customers have taken the time to grow our tolerant plants. I thank our customers. And, at our company Dios, we want to continue to grow this foliage plant.

12/09/2020
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Japanisches Badezimmer

By | Life in Japan

(Autor: Masahiro Fukai)

Ich möchte hier das Problem der Badezimmer in japanischen Eigentumswohnungen erklären.

Japaner lieben das Baden, deshalb geben sie heißes Wasser in die Badewanne und tränken ihren Körper für eine lange Zeit, beispielsweise 30 Minuten, um ein Bad zu nehmen. Ausländer benutzen nur die Dusche und die Zeit, in der sie duschen, beträgt nur etwa 10 Minuten.

Trotzdem hat das japanische Gehäuse ein Badezimmer, eine Toilette und ein Ankleidezimmer. Japaner haben jedoch keine Probleme mit diesem Grundriss. Der Grund dafür ist, dass Bad, Toilette und Ankleidezimmer unabhängig voneinander sind und die Privatsphäre angemessen geschützt ist. Japanische Häuser sind etwa 20 m2 groß, und Ein-Personen-Studio-Apartments sind Einheitsbäder, aber Häuser, in denen zwei oder mehr Personen leben, sind keine Einheitsbäder.

Sehr selten haben japanische Häuser zwei Toiletten. Es gibt nur einen Grund. Der Grund ist, wenn das Haus groß und weit weg ist. Bei einem zweistöckigen Gebäude gibt es zwei Toiletten, da die Leute die Treppe hoch und runter gehen müssen, um zu den Toiletten im zweiten bis ersten Stock zu gelangen. Wenn Sie eine Wohnanlage mit 160 m2 oder mehr haben oder wenn der Grundriss lang und schmal ist und der Abstand von einem Ende zum anderen sehr groß ist, wird ein Grundriss mit zwei Toiletten entworfen.

Ich habe in einem Studentenwohnheim in Boston, USA, gelebt. Wir waren drei Leute und lebten zusammen. Es gab nur ein Badezimmer. Zu dieser Zeit fühlte ich mich schrecklich unwohl. Ich habe noch nie eine solche Unannehmlichkeit in einer japanischen Wohnanlage gespürt. Am Morgen, während jemand etwa 10 Minuten lang duscht, sind die Toilette und das Zähneputzen sehr unpraktisch. Die Privatsphäre der amerikanischen Badezimmer ist nicht geschützt. Für Eigentumswohnungen in den USA benötigen Sie mindestens zwei Badezimmer. Dies liegt daran, dass das Badezimmer in den USA das gleiche ist wie das Badezimmer in einem Studio-Apartment für eine Person in Japan.

Ausländer, die noch nie in einer japanischen Wohnanlage gelebt haben, können sich das nur schwer vorstellen.

Auch Ausländer haben je nach Land unterschiedliche Lebensstile. Amerikaner, Chinesen und Thailänder haben unterschiedliche Lebensstile. Ich arbeite seit über 20 Jahren in der Unterbringung von Ausländern, habe aber immer noch kein 100% iges Verständnis für den Lebensstil von Ausländern.

Es gibt zwei mögliche Probleme.
(1) Ausländer können das japanische Wohndesign nicht verstehen und sich vorstellen.
(2) Ich kann den Lebensstil von Ausländern nicht verstehen und mir vorstellen.

Was ich ohne Zweifel sagen kann, ist, dass die Bodengestaltung japanischer Eigentumswohnungen (ein Badezimmer, eine Toilette, ein Waschtisch) für alle Japaner vollkommen in Ordnung ist, egal wie einkommensstark sie sind.