Britter Thesis Final PDF

Depicting Foreigners and Community
in Films about Japan
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Brittany Ritter
John Junkerman
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DEPICTING!FOREIGNERS!AND!COMMUNITY!
IN!FILMS!ABOUT!JAPAN!
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BRITTANY!RITTER!!
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WASEDA!UNIVERSITY!!
GRADUATE!SCHOOL!OF!GLOBAL!INFORMATION!AND!TELECOMMUNICATION!STUDIES!
MULTIMEDIA!SCIENCE!AND!ARTS!
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JUNKERMAN!LABORATORY!
TABLE&OF&CONTENTS&
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1.&INTRODUCTION&............................................................................................................................................1&
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1.1&MOTIVATIONS&............................................................................................................................................................3&
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1.2&OBJECTIVES&................................................................................................................................................................4&
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2.&FILM&REVIEW...............................................................................................................................................6&
2.1POSTWAR&ERA&............................................................................................................................................................6&
2.2&CULTURE&CLASH&........................................................................................................................................................8&
2.3&INTEGRATION&..........................................................................................................................................................10&
2.4&NEXT&STEP&...............................................................................................................................................................11&
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3.&METHODOLOGY&........................................................................................................................................13!
3.1&ROUNDATABLE&DISCUSSIONS&................................................................................................................................13&
3.2&FIRST&INTERVIEWS&.................................................................................................................................................14&
3.3&OBSERVATION&.........................................................................................................................................................15&
3.5&SECONDARY&INTERVIEWS&.....................................................................................................................................18&
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4.&FINDINGS&...................................................................................................................................................19&
4.1&DIVERSITY&................................................................................................................................................................19&
4.2&IMPERMANENCE&......................................................................................................................................................20&
4.3&JAPANESE&LANGUAGE&ABILITY&&.............................................................................................................................21&
4.4&SIZE&...........................................................................................................................................................................22&
4.5&COMMUNITY&ATMOSPHERE&...................................................................................................................................24&
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5.&SCRIPTWRITING&PROCESS&.......................................................................................................................26&
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5.1&GREAT&EXPATATIONS&SYNOPSIS&............................................................................................................................26&
5.2&INTEGRATION&OF&RESEARCH&.................................................................................................................................27&
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5.2.1&DIVERSITY&................................................................................................................................................27&
5.2.2&IMPERMANENCE&......................................................................................................................................28&
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5.2.3&LANGUAGE&SKILLS&..................................................................................................................................29&
5.2.4&COMMUNITY&ATMOSPHERE&...................................................................................................................31&
5.3&SETTINGS&..................................................................................................................................................................34&
5.4&HANDLING&DIFFICULT&SUBJECT&MATTER&...........................................................................................................36&
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6.&VIEWER&RESPONSE&..................................................................................................................................38&
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6.1&AUDIENCE&REACTION&............................................................................................................................................38&
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6.2&FURTHER&EDITS&.....................................................................................................................................................40&
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7.&FUTURE&RESEARCH&..................................................................................................................................42&
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8.&CONCLUSION&.............................................................................................................................................44&
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WORKS&CITED&...............................................................................................................................................46&
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PHOTO&CREDITS&............................................................................................................................................48&
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APPENDICES&..................................................................................................................................................49&
DEPICTING)FOREIGNERS)AND)COMMUNITY)IN)FILMS)ABOUT)JAPAN))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))BRITTANY)RITTER))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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1.)INTRODUCTION)
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st
Over)the)course)of)the)last)century)and)into)the)21 )century,)Japan)has)grown)
in)popularity)in)film,)novels,)and)more)recently)in)videogames)as)the)soft)power)of)the)
nation)captures)the)imagination)of)foreign)creators.)Such)interest)has)brought)Japan)
to)a)position)of)greater)prominence)in)popular)film.)Meanwhile,)the)growing)
popularity)of)Japan,)combined)with)its)remarkable)otherness)to)Western)cultures)
and)its)widening)reach)throughout)popular)culture,)has)paved)the)way)for)the)genre)
depicting)Western)individuals)moving)to)Japan)and)discovering)the)differences)in)
culture.))
Although)Japan)has)developed)a)strong)presence)internationally,)there)still)
exist)many)misconceptions)about)the)nation)and)its)society)as)a)whole.)There)also)is)
also)some)confusion))both)internally)within)Japan)and)abroad))that)concerns)foreign)
individuals)and)how)they)function)in)Japanese)society.)These)groups)are)varied)in)
scope)and)type,)and)they)are)deserving)of)research)and)proper)representation)
through)the)media.)Over)time,)there)has)been)more)cultural)exchange)between)Japan)
and)foreign)countries)as)individuals)from)abroad)have)come)to)Japan)in)greater)
numbers.)This)interchange)has)deepened)and)broadened)as)more)foreigners)have)
come)to)Japan,)not)only)as)tourists,)but)to)actually)live)and)work.)
This)thesis)hypothesizes)that)the)community)to)which)one)belongs)has)a)
significant)impact)upon)his)or)her)livelihood)and,)as)such,)it)is)important)to)illustrate)
expatriate)communities)accurately)in)films.)It)is)therefore)also)important)that)
filmmakers)have)a)thorough)understanding)of)these)communities.)Throughout)the)
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1)
course)of)my)studies,)I)have)written)three)screenplays)that)depict)foreigners)and)
community)in)films)about)Japan.)I)have)chosen)the)most)relevant)screenplay)to)
discuss)in)detail)in)this)paper.)
I)will)begin)by)asking)what)makes)someone)a)member)of)a)community.)The)
dictionary)definition)of)community)is,)A)group)of)people)living)in)the)same)place)or)
having)a)particular)characteristic)in)common.1)With)the)advent)of)the)Internet)and)
other)forms)of)worldwide)communication,)the)geographical)location)is)arguably)less)
important.)A)more)cohesive)definition)of)community)is,)a)group)or)network)of)
persons)who)are)connected)(objectively))to)each)other)by)relatively)durable)social)
relations)that)extend)beyond)immediate)genealogical)ties,)and)who)mutually)define)
that)relationship)(subjectively))as)important)to)their)social)identity)and)social)
practice."2)For)the)sake)of)this)thesis,)this)definition))with)special)emphasis)placed)
upon)the)importance)to)their)social)identity)and)social)practice))will)be)employed.)))
Additionally,)I)have)chosen)to)eschew)the)Japanese)governments)definition)of)
foreigner,)due)to)the)fact)that)it)also)describes)individuals)of)foreign)ancestry)who)
have)nevertheless)spent)the)majority)of)their)life)in)Japan)(i.e.)zainichi)Korean).)
Foreigner)or)expatriate,)as)used)within)the)confines)of)this)thesis,)will)be)used)to)
describe)an)individual)who)holds)the)citizenship)of)a)country)other)than)Japan,)who)
does)not)identify)as)culturally)Japanese,)and)who)was)raised)for)the)majority)of)their)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
1)"Definition of Community in English." Community: Definition of Community in Oxford
Dictionary (British & World English). Web. 12 June 2014.
<http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/community>
2)James,
Paul; Nadarajah, Yaso; Haive, Karen; Stead, Victoria. Sustainable Communities,

Sustainable Development: Other Paths for Papua New Guinea. (Honolulu:
University of Hawaii Press, 2012) pp. 14
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developmental)years)in)a)country)outside)of)Japan.)Similarly,)the)terms)expatriate)and)
foreigner)will)be)used)interchangeably.))
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1.1)MOTIVATIONS)
The)purpose)of)this)thesis)is)to)explore)the)nature)of)expatriate)communities)in)
Japan)and)the)impact)said)community)has)upon)its)members,)both)positive)and)
negative,)and)to)write)a)screenplay)that)is)representative)of)these)experiences.))
The)motivation)for)this)research)came)about)because)I)wanted)to)convey)the)
experiences)of)foreigners)in)Japan)and)the)trials)and)tribulations)they)face)in)their)
daily)lives.)I)also)wanted)to)give)audiences)an)accurate)view)of)life)in)modern)Japan)
from)the)perspective)of)foreign)individuals.)Furthermore,)I)hoped)to)expand)and)
improve)upon)the)previous)portrayals)of)expatriate)communities)in)Japan))especially)
those)depictions)shown)through)fictional)films))as)I)felt)they)were)lacking)in)certain)
essential)elements)and)did)not)accurately)portray)the)experiences)of)many)members)
of)the)expat)community.))
Additionally,)I)wanted)to)address)social)issues)that)affect)the)expatriate)
community)but)are)not)discussed)on)a)wider)scale.)Of)special)concern)was)the)concept)
of)community,)and)how)it)related)to)foreigners)living)in)Japan.)This)issue)ultimately)
became)the)core)of)my)research.)))))))))
Still,)I)wanted)to)write)stories)that)were)inherently)human)and)discussed)
themes)that)would)resonate)with)a)wide)audience.)These)themes)include)such)issues)
as)alienation,)identity,)and)the)desire)to)belong.)
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1.2)OBJECTIVES)
The)initial)goal)of)this)research)was)to)acquire)a)suitable)knowledge)of)an)
expatriate)community)that)would)become)the)focus)of)the)final)screenplay.)There)are)
numerous)different)types)of)foreigner)communities)in)Japan)and)the)group)discussed)
herein)is)by)no)means)a)comprehensive)example)of)every)type)of)expatriate)
community.)This)thesis)will)focus)on)one)subset)in)particular:)a)community)of)
foreigners)who)work)as)teachers)for)an)English)school)in)the)Tokyo)area.)After)gaining)
a)sufficient)understanding)of)the)idiosyncrasies)of)this)community,)I)would)ideally)be)
equipped)with)the)knowledge)necessary)to)create)a)screenplay)that)would)accurately)
depict)them.)
Another)goal)of)this)thesis)is)to)explore)the)representation)of)foreigner)
communities)in)Japan)as)shown)in)fictional)film.)By)taking)into)account)the)successes)
and)failures)of)previous)depictions,)I)would)be)able)to)address)features)that)have)been)
overlooked)by)my)predecessors)and)draw)inspiration)from)areas)in)which)they)were)
successful.)This)thesis)will)examine)the)defining)characteristics)of)an)expatriate)
community)and)determine)how)to)represent)these)characteristics)in)the)format)of)a)
screenplay.)Unfortunately,)due)to)various)reasons)that)will)be)explored)in)the)film)
critique)section)of)this)paper,)not)all)currently)available)film)depictions)of)foreigners)
in)Japan)are)accurate)or)respectful.)Upon)reviewing)films)that)depict)expatriates)in)
Japan,)it)became)clear)there)was)one)noticeable)oversight:)no)films)truly)depicted)
what)it)means)to)be)a)member)of)a)community)in)Japan.)The)goal)of)this)research)was)
to)fill)this)oversight)with)a)screenplay)that)would)realistically)show)this)phenomenon.))))
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Ergo,)this)thesis)will)explore)how)to)best)depict)these)individuals)and)this)
community)through)the)a)screenplay.)Drawing)upon)the)data)collected)through)
interviews)and)observation,)the)objective)was)for)this)research)to)culminate)in)a)script)
that)accurately)depicts)its)subjects)through)appropriate)dialogue,)plot)progression,)
and)characterization.)
In)writing)screenplays)depicting)foreigner)communities)in)Japan,)I)hoped)to)
give)a)stronger)voice)to)those)individuals)who)are)currently)making)their)livelihoods)
in)Japan.)It)is)especially)important)that)these)communities)are)depicted)in)an)accurate)
way,)as)any)misrepresentation)could)have)negative)impacts)upon)how)they)are)
viewed)from)outside)perspectives.)
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2.)FILM)REVIEW)
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Initially,)I)viewed)films)about)foreigners)coming)to)and)living)in)Japan,)then)
analyzed)the)overarching)themes)contained)therein.)This)process)would)ensure)that)
the)research)did)not)focus)on)topics)that)have)already)been)covered)in)the)past.)It)also)
elucidated)those)points)that)were)lacking)in)previous)depictions)about)foreigners)in)
Japan.)Knowledge)of)currently)existing)trends)in)film)about)expatriate)communities)
created)a)foundation)that)informed)much)of)the)content)of)the)research)and)final)
screenplay.)))
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2.1)POSTWAR)ERA)
There)has)been)a)steady)progression)in)films)about)foreigners)in)Japan.)The)
initial)post:war)films)dealt)largely)with)military)servicemen)and)their)interaction)with)
the)Japanese)population.)These)films)achieved)a)great)deal)in)terms)of)making)Japan)
more)accessible)to)western)audiences.)Through)their)content,)the)films)helped)
especially)to)break)down)prejudices)against)interracial)marriage.3)Given)the)cultural)
atmosphere)at)the)time)of)their)release,)both)Teahouse(of(the(August(Moon)and)
Sayonara)were)groundbreaking)in)forging)the)path)for)greater)racial)tolerance)and)
understanding.))
Unfortunately,)these)films)were)still)problematic)in)terms)of)stereotyped)
depictions)of)Japanese)culture.)Marlon)Brando)dons)yellowface)makeup)and)employs)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
3)Kovner, Sarah. Occupying Power: Sex Workers and Servicemen in Postwar
Japan. (Stanford University Press, 2012) pp. 6566)
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a)stereotyped,)cringe:inducing)accent)for)his)role)of)Sakini)in)The(Teahouse(of(the(
August(Moon.)Arguably,)the)portrayal)was)not)based)on)any)ill)intent)(Brando)was)
known)for)his)outspoken)involvement)in)various)civil)rights)movements);)however,)it)
does)illustrate)a)deep)level)ignorance)prevalent)during)the)time)period.)Naoko)
Shibusawa)writes,))
The)films)glossed)over)the)social)and)economic)ambiguities)of)the)larger,)conflicted)
relationship)between)the)two)nations)and)portrayed)the)bonds)of)love)as)holding)
together)the)international,)interracial)family.)The)postwar)movie)spectacles)of)Japan)
affirmed)not)only)the)American)policy)to)reintegrate)Japan)into)the)U.S.:led)liberal)
capitalist)framework,)but)also)beliefs)that)Americans)were)legitimately)equipped)to)
lead)it.)4)
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Furthermore,)the)films)depiction)of)Asian)females)has)drawn)criticism.)They)
present)Asian)women)in)a)way)that)dominates)Hollywood)depictions)even)to)the)
present)day.)Asian)women)are)shown)as,)passive,)sexually)compliant)and)easy)to)
seduce,)often)as)willing)partners)to)European)American)men...the)popularity)of)these)
roles)grew)exponentially)after)World)War)II,)during)which)many)U.S.)servicemen)in)
the)Pacific)Theater)first)encountered)Asian)populations.5)Many)of)the)problematic)
aspects)of)the)films)can)be)attributed)to)international)relations)and)arguable)
ignorance)of)the)era.)Still,)they)should)by)no)means)be)overlooked,)as)they)set)the)
standard)for)Hollywood)depictions)of)Japan.)Still,)considering)the)political)and)social)
atmosphere)when)the)films)were)released,)both)Sayonara)and(The(Teahouse(of(the(
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
4)Shibusawa,)Naoko.)America's(Geisha(Ally:(Reimagining(the(Japanese(Enemy.))
(Cambridge,)MA:)Harvard)UP,)2006))pp.)260:261)
(
5)Wen:Chu)Chen,)Edith.)Encyclopedia(of(Asian(American(Issues(Today.)(Denver,)CO:))
Greenwood)Press,)2010))pp.)644645)
)
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August(Moon)are)notable)as)trailblazers)for)introducing)Japanese)culture)to)American)
audiences.))
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2.2)CULTURE)CLASH)
After)the)postwar)period,)there)is)a)trend)towards)the)fish:out:of:water)genre)
with)Mr.(Baseball,(Ramen(Girl,(and(Lost(in(Translation.))
Mr.(Baseball(and(Ramen(Girl)show)the)protagonists)interacting)with)Japan)and)
Japanese)society,)but)touch)only)briefly)on)their)foreign)friends.)In)Mr.(Baseball,)Jack)
has)a)partner)in)Max,)another)American)baseball)player.)Max)functions)as)a)guide)
through)the)various)intricacies)of)Japanese)culture,)but)the)emphasis)is)placed)on)
Jacks)interactions)with)the)team)manager,)Uchiyama)or)Jacks)relationship)with)
Hiroko)(his)love)interest)and)Uchiyamas)daughter).)Meanwhile)Abby,)the)protagonist)
of)Ramen(Girl,)spends)most)of)her)time)trying)to)learn)the)art)of)cooking)ramen.)Her)
growth)as)a)character)comes)from)gaining)a)sense)of)purpose)and)independence)
under)the)tutelage)of)a)local)ramen)chef.))
Sophia)Coppolas)Lost(in(Translation)is)arguably)the)most)renowned)depiction)
of)foreigners)in)Japan.)It)depicts)the)connection)between)two)Americans,)Bob)and)
Charlotte,)as)they)navigate)their)respective)existential)crises)and)personal)
relationships)set)against)the)backdrop)of)Tokyo.))))))
))
Ultimately,(Lost(in(Translation)comes)across)as)a)film)that)just(happened)to)be)
situated)in)Japan.)Apart)from)providing)striking)visuals)and)the)basis)for)some)
uninspired)humor,)there)was)nothing)that)made)it)crucial)that)the)film)be)set)in)Japan.)
It)could)have)arguably)been)set)in)any)non:English)speaking)country)and)still)have)
portrayed)the)same)sense)of)alienation)and)ennui.)The)film)has)garnered)criticism)due)
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to)the)fact)that)it)relies)upon)cultural)stereotypes)to)show)the)otherness)of)Japanese)
culture.)Homay)King)writes,)
With)Lost)in)Translation,)Coppola)wavers)between)insight)into)the)comedy)of)cultural)
difference)and)clichd)cultural)stereotyping.)On)occasion,)the)balance)tips)in)her)favor.)
Lost)in)Translation)does)not)claim)to)represent)Tokyo)authentically,,objectively,,or,
thoroughly;)rather,)every)image)has)the)fresh)quality)and)provisional)status)of)a)first)
impression.)But)nor)does)the)film)sufficiently)clarify)that)its)real)subject)is)not)Tokyo)
itself,)but)Western)perceptions)of)Tokyoin)particular,)the)fantasies)that)two)lonely)
Americans)project)onto)the)city)and)its)residents.)When)Japan)appears)superficial,)
inappropriately)erotic,)or)unintelligible,)we)are)never)completely)sure)whether)this)
vision)belongs)to)Coppola,)to)her)characters,)or)simply)to)a)Hollywood)cinematic)
imaginary.)6)[emphasis)added])
)
Bob)and)Charlotte)are)tourists.)The)fleeting)nature)of)their)stay)is)integral)to)
the)growth)and)progression)of)their)relationship.)The)film)focuses)upon)their)
interactions)with)each)other)juxtaposed)with)the)looming)knowledge)of)their)
inevitable)separation.)They)have)neither)the)intention)nor,)arguably,)the)desire)to)
prolong)their)stay)in)Japan.)Indeed,)they)spend)the)entirety)of)their)stay)at)the)Grand)
Hyatt)hotel.)This)fact)in)particular)shows)that)they)are)foreigners,)but)not)a)part)of)any)
expatriate)community.))
These)three)films)depict)protagonists)coming)to)Japan)and)experiencing)
Japanese)culture,)but)they)cannot)be)interpreted)as)accurately)depicting)foreign)
communities)in)Japan.)Instead)of)community,)the)films)focus)upon)the)relationship)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
6)King,)Homay.)Review)of)Lost)in)Translation,)written)and)directed)by)Sofia)Coppola.))
Film(Quarterly(59,)2005.)pp)45:48)
)
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between)a)foreign)individual)and)Japanese)culture)(as)in)Mr.(Baseball(and)Ramen(Girl))
or)two)tourists)(as)in)Lost(in(Translation).)
)
2.3)INTEGRATION)
Finally)and)most)recently,)there)are)the)films)that)depict)foreigners)trying)to)
integrate)into)Japanese)society)and)their)various)successes)and)failures.)The)films)
Iwashi)and)Stupeur(et(Tremblements(both)fall)into)this)category.(
Stupeur(et(Tremblements,)directed)by)Alain)Corneau,)shows)a)year)in)the)life)of)
a)Belgian)woman)as)she)works)in)a)Japanese)company.)It)is)based)upon)the)novel)of)
the)same)name)by)Amlie)Nothomb)and)is)a)memoir)of)her)experiences.)The)
protagonist)Amlie,)was)raised)in)Japan)until)the)age)of)five)and)speaks)fluent)
Japanese.)She)enters)a)Japanese)company)and)struggles)to)reconcile)her)personal)
sensibilities)with)those)of)her)superiors,)notably)her)direct)supervisor)Mori:san.)
Stupeur(et(Tremblements(focuses)upon)how)far)Amlie)is)willing)to)quash)her)
individual)identity)in)order)fit)into)her)Japanese)workplace.))
The)film)never)actually)shows)her)interacting)with)other)foreigners,)but)her)
workplace)community)is)depicted)as)utterly)hellish.)She)does)not)understand)the)
customs)that)dominate)her)interactions)with)her)Japanese)coworkers)and)this)
isolation)takes)a)toll)on)her)psyche.)Perhaps)her)experience)would)not)have)been)so)
miserable,)had)she)had)a)more)welcoming)community)with)which)to)associate.)As)it)
stands,)this)film)focuses)mainly)on)the)themes)of)identity)and)assimilation.)Amlie)
tries)desperately)to)prove)herself)capable)of)successfully)navigating)a)Japanese)
business)culture,)but)ultimately)returns)to)her)home)country.)She)made)no)friends)in)
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her)community)and)her)overall)time)in)Japan)can)be)described)as)a)miserable)
experience.))))
The)final)and)most)recent)film)is)Iwashi,)written)and)directed)by)Derrick)Lee,)
also)shows)the)struggles)between)identity)and)assimilation.)This)film)depicts)the)
experiences)of)a)Chinese)exchange)student)during)the)aftermath)of)the)3/11)Tohoku)
Earthquake.))))
Iwashi)deals)with)the)issues)of)independence,)identity,)and)feelings)of)
entrapment.)It)is)the)most)recent)depiction)of)foreigners)living)in)Japan)and)the)film)
shows)some)depictions)of)a)different)type)of)foreigner)community.)From)this,)we)can)
see)that)there)is)a)growing)interest)in)depicting)these)communities)through)fictional)
film.)This)trend)is)continued)and)expanded)upon)through)this)research.))
)
2.4)NEXT)STEP)
So)while)these)are)all)films)about)foreigners)in)Japan,)they)do)not)provide)much)
insight)into)the)foreigner)community)in)Japan.)They)focus)on)the)me)vs)them)
dynamic)of)a)foreigner)vs)Japanese)culture,)but)they)do)not)depict)the)sense)of)us)
offered)by)being)a)member)of)an)expatriate)community.)I)argue)that)the)next)logical)
step)in)films)depicting)foreigners)living)in)Japan)would)delve)deeper)into)the)
communities)of)expatriates)themselves)and)how)they)interact.)These)films)would)also)
portray)how)communities)impact)the)manner)in)which)individuals)navigate)Japanese)
culture.)
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Figure)1:)Progression)of)Film)Depictions)
)
)
Arguably,)the)community)to)which)a)person)belongs)has)a)significant)impact)
upon)an)individuals)time)in)Japan)and)their)growth)as)a)person.)It)is)therefore)vital)
that)any)screenplay)written)show)a)more)realistic)portrayal)of)foreigner)groups)in)
Japan.)Additionally,)the)screenplay)should)reveal)a)previously)unexplored)level)of)
interpersonal)relationships)and)sufficiently)show)the)unique)features)of)expatriate)
communities)in)Japan.)
4212A337-1
12)
3.)METHODOLOGY)
,
The)employees)of)an)English)school)based)in)the)Kanto)area)of)Japan)became)
the)focus)of)this)research.)The)company)itself)has)classrooms)throughout)Tokyo,)
Chiba,)and)Kanagawa;)its)main)headquarters)are)located)in)Shinjuku.))
There)exist)numerous)other)types)of)expatriate)communities)in)Japan.)Other)
examples)of)foreign)populations)include)businesspersons,)exchange)students,)spouses)
of)Japanese)nationals,)etc.)The)research)contained)herein)does)not)claim)to)offer)a)
comprehensive)overview)of)every)possible)type)of)expatriate)community)in)Japan.)I)
chose)to)focus)on)the)employees)of)this)company)because)I)felt)its)employees)offered)a)
unique)perspective)that)would)be)valuable)in)terms)of)both)academic)interest)and)
creative)inspiration.)Additionally,)the)members)showed)a)willingness)to)discuss)their)
personal)lives)(provided)their)anonymity)was)maintained).7))
After)conducting)research)and)obtaining)data)about)the)subject)group,)this)
information)would)be)employed)in)the)process)of)writing)a)fictional)film)depicting)a)
group)of)expatriate)English)teachers)living)in)Japan.)
)
3.1)ROUND:TABLE)DISCUSSIONS)
In)order)to)create)screenplays)that)would)achieve)these)goals,)informal)
interviews)were)conducted)as)well)as)round:table)discussions)with)foreign)
individuals)who)have)experience)living)in)Japan.)The)round)table)discussions)were)
conducted)in)two)sessions,)held)on)April)19th)and)20th,)2014.)Each)session)had)ten)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
7)Ergo,)all)names)have)been)changed.)
4212A337-1
13)
participants,)for)a)total)of)twenty)participants)overall.)In)order)to)get)a)better)
understanding)of)participants,)each)individual)was)asked)to)complete)a)brief)survey)
detailing)their)ethnicity,)length)of)stay)in)Japan,)and)Japanese)language)proficiency.)
The)sessions)were)free:talk,)meaning)that)there)were)no)set)questions)to)be)
answered,)and)participants)were)encouraged)to)piggy:back)off)of)other)individuals)
answers.)Due)to)this)setup,)participants)were)able)to)interact)more)freely,)and)the)
general)atmosphere)of)the)community)was)more)readily)apparent.)The)personalities)
of)the)individuals)were)palpable,)as)were)social)dynamics)within)the)community.)
Although)interviews)were)conducted)at)a)later)point,)it)was)necessary)to)observe)the)
members)of)the)community)interacting)with)each)other)in)order)to)get)a)better)
understanding)of)the)nature)of)said)community.)
Moreover,)having)an)open)conversation)allowed)for)participants)to)choose)the)
flow)of)the)conversation)and)discuss)topics)that)were)of)personal)importance.)The)
general)theme)of)both)discussions)was)life)in)Japan)and)pros)and)cons)of)this)
community.)That)is)to)say,)participants)discussed)what)they)felt)where)the)positive)
and)negative)aspects)of)living)in)Japan.)In)addition,)they)discussed)their)feelings)about)
their)workplace)and)how)being)a)part)of)this)community)affected)their)day:to:day)
lives.)The)attitudes)and)opinions)that)people)expressed)were)utilized)when)writing)
the)final)screenplay.))
)
3.2)FIRST)INTERVIEWS)
I)then)conducted)email)interviews)with)individuals)who)were)willing)and)
available)to)answer)questions)that)remained)after)the)round:table)discussions.)These)
4212A337-1
14)
individuals)came)from)diverse)backgrounds)and)had)similarly)diverse)opinions)about)
their)lives)in)Japan.)
These)interviews)were)conducted)via)email)and)were)therefore)much)more)
structured)than)the)previous)discussions.))
The)questions)posed)were)as)follows:)
1.))Do)you)X)with)your)coworkers?)[)all)that)apply])
)Socialize)outside)of)work)hours)
)Share)mutual)interests)
)
)Discuss)non:work:related)matters)
)
)Discuss)personal)matters)
)
)Gossip)
)Feel)a)sense)of)trust)
)Feel)mutual)respect)
)
2.))Do)you)feel)satisfied)with)your)workplace)community?)
)
:If)no,)why)not?)What)would)you)change?)
)
:If)yes,)what)aspects)are)fulfilling?)
)
3.))Do)you)feel)as)though)you)can)rely)upon)other)members)of)the)community)should)you)have)
a)personal)problem?)
)
4.))Is)this)community)important)to)your)identity?)
)
5.))In)what)way)has)being)a)member)of)this)community)impacted)your)time)in)Japan?))
)
6.))Has)being)a)member)of)this)community)been)a)positive)or)negative)experience?)
)
7.))Do)you)think)you)will)be)a)permanent)part)of)this)community?)
)
8.))How)would)your)life)in)Japan)be)different)if)you)werent)a)part)of)this)community?)
)
9.))Do)you)think)you)have)changed)since)entering)this)community?)In)what)way?)
)
10.))Are)you)a)member)of)any)other)communities)within)Japan?)Please)describe.)
)
In)total,)I)interviewed)fifteen)people)over)the)latter)half)of)May)2014.)The)
purpose)of)these)interviews)was)to)get)a)better)understanding)of)peoples)opinions)
and)attitudes)towards)their)community.)))
)
)
)
4212A337-1
15)
3.3)OBSERVATION)
To)round)out)the)hands:on)portion)of)this)research,)I)shadowed)several)
individuals)around)their)workplaces)and)social)gatherings,)in)order)to)get)a)better)
idea)of)their)daily)routines)and)how)the)community)interacted)in)various)settings.)In)
total,)I)followed)four)people)(two)males)and)two)females);)for)each)individual,)I)
shadowed)them)on)a)day)they)had)work)and)on)a)free)day.))
Throughout)the)course)of)each)day,)I)took)note)of)their)schedules)and)any)
significant)interactions)they)had)with)others.)By)significant)interactions,)I)mean)that)I)
did)not)make)particular)note)of)unremarkable)conversations,)such)as)those)with)store)
workers)or)restaurant)servers.)Observation)of)these)interactions)became)crucial)to)
writing)the)dialogue)of)the)script.)Special)note)was)made)of)each)individuals)
personality,)mannerisms,)and)way)of)speaking.)This)data)was)utilized)when)creating)
characters)and)writing)dialogue.))
)
)
)
)
)
4212A337-1
16)
Community)Interactions)
)
)
I)was)able)to)visit)the)English)school)itself)and)sit)in)on)the)classroom)setting.)
In)order)to)get)a)better)idea)of)the)subjects)professional)responsibilities,)it)was)
necessary)to)understand)the)nature)of)their)work.))
)
Professional)Setting)
)
4212A337-1
17)
3.4)SECONDARY)INTERVIEWS)
In)response)to)prompting)from)members)of)the)community)and)a)strong)desire)
to)write)a)more)meaningful)story,)the)script)includes)the)issue)of)domestic)violence.)In)
order)to)gain)an)understanding)of)this)issue)and)how)it)affects)the)expatriate)
community,)I)scheduled)a)series)of)interviews)in)the)first)week)of)June.)These)
interviews)were)with)people)who)had)experience)with)domestic)violence)and)its)
victims.)I)knew)firsthand)what)it)was)like)to)be)the)victim)of)domestic)violence,)but)I)
wanted)more)information)regarding)the)manner)in)which)others)helped)the)victims.)I)
was)especially)interested)in)understanding)their)feelings)during)that)time)and)the)
emotions)that)motivated)their)actions.)I)interviewed)five)members)of)the)community)
over)the)course)of)this)period:))
:Maria,)a)survivor)of)domestic)abuse)
:Fiona,)helped)Maria)leave)the)abusive)relationship)
:Paul,)helped)Maria)leave)the)abusive)relationship)
:Patricia,)a)supervisor)in)the)company)who)helped)logistically)
:Brian,)another)supervisor)in)the)company)
)
Interviewing)these)individuals)allowed)me)to)see)the)various)ways)in)which)the)
community)could)help)and)protect)one)of)their)own.)Apart)from)providing)emotional)
support,)these)individuals)also)dealt)with)the)legal)and)professional)aftermath.)
Understanding)domestic)violence)from)a)bystanders)position)informed)the)content)of)
the)final)product.))
4212A337-1
18)
4.)FINDINGS)
,
What)I)discovered)through)this)research)is)that)there)are)certain)unique)
aspects)to)the)expat)community)in)Japan)that)don't)exist)in)many)other)communities.))
)
4.1)DIVERSITY)
For)example,)there)is)a)great)deal)of)diversity)in)the)community)that)formed)
the)basis)of)this)study.)The)data)collected)from)the)community)members)is)shown)in)
the)table)below.)
)
Ethnicity)
White/Caucasian)
Hispanic)or)Latino)
Black)
Asian/Pacific)Islander)
Other)
Total)
Number)of)Respondents)
8)
3)
4)
3)
2)
20)
Figure)2:)Participant)Ethnicity)
Percentage)of)Total)
40%)
15%)
20%)
15%)
10%)
100%)
)
There)are)people)of)all)different)ethnicities,)religions,)and)social)classes)so)they)
represent)a)very)diverse)cross:section)of)society.)For)this)reason,)any)given)member)
of)this)community)is)coming)into)contact)with)people)they)wouldnt)necessarily)
associate)with)in)their)home)countries.)In)the)interview,)respondents)stated,)Ive)met)
more)people)not)from)my)county,)and)that)always)broadens)my)global)view)of)the)
world;)I)have)felt)like)I)enjoy)life)more)and)have)benefited)from)meeting)a)wide)
range)of)people,)from)all)different)ages)and)backgrounds.)You)can't)help)but)learn)
from)those)people;)I)feel)like)I've)been)able)to)communicate)with)a)lot)of)different)
4212A337-1
19)
people)that)I)wouldn't)have)encountered)in)my)home)country;)I)am)also)more)
knowledgeable)about)the)world)in)general)through)meeting)so)many)people)from)
different)countries)and)backgrounds.8)
)
4.2)IMPERMANENCE
In)addition)to)diversity,)there)is)also)a)great)deal)of)impermanence)to)
expatriate)communities,)at)least)in)this)English)school)setting.))
)
Years)in)Japan)
>1)year)
1:2)years)
2:3)years)
3:4)years)
4:5)years)
5+)years)
Total)
2)
10%)
9)
45%)
4)
20%)
1)
5%)
0)
0%)
4)
20%)
20)
100%)
Figure)3:)Length)of)Stay)in)Japan)
)
)
45%)of)people)I)surveyed)responded)with)a)length)of)stay)of)1:2)years,)which)is)
more)than)any)other)response.)There)were)outliers,)however.)The)current)duration)of)
stay)in)Japan)for)one)individual)was)over)40)years.))
Additionally,)almost)no)respondents)showed)an)interest)in)becoming)a)
permanent)part)of)the)community.)People)did)not)feel)as)though)they)would)remain)a)
part)of)their)current)community)in)the)long:term)as)seen)in)the)responses)to)the)
question,)Do)you)think)you)will)be)a)permanent)part)of)this)community?)Only)three)
people)(20%)of)participants))gave)an)affirmative)answer.))
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
8)Appendix)II)
4212A337-1
20)
Perhaps)due)to)this)temporary)nature,)the)community)is)incredibly)welcoming.)
Throughout)the)course)of)my)research,)it)felt)very)much)like)I)had)become)a)part)of)
this)community)and)I)attribute)this)in)part)to)the)fluidity)that)is)inherent)in)expat)
communities.)
)
4.3)JAPANESE)LANGUAGE)ABILITY)
Language)barriers)also)presented)a)problem)that)members)had)to)work)around)
or))depending)upon)their)personal)goals)and)motivation))overcome.)The)community)
members)showed)a)great)deal)of)variation)in)their)perceived)level)of)Japanese)
language)ability.)
)
Proficiency)
None)
5)
25%)
Elementary))
11)
55%)
Limited)Working))
3)
15%)
Minimum)Professional))
0)
0%)
Full)Professional)
0)
0%)
Native)or)Bilingual)
1)
5%)
Total)
20)
100%)
9
Figure)4:)Japanese)Language)Proficiency) )
)
Since)the)research)focused)upon)the)employees)of)an)English)school,)English)
was)the)default,)communal)language)but)communicating)with)students)and)Japanese)
staff)still)presents)language)and)cultural)issues.)Furthermore,)anytime)someone)
ventures)outside)of)the)community,)they)have)to)function)in)Japanese.)This)issue)was)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
9)Language)Proficiency)Definitions")Language(Proficiency(Definitions(M(U.S.((
Department(of(State.)Web.)20)April)2014.)
<http://careers.state.gov/gateway/lang_prof_def.html>)
)
4212A337-1
21)
incorporated)into)the)final)script)as)characters,)much)like)the)individuals)upon)whom)
they)were)based,)have)varying)degrees)of)Japanese)proficiency.))
)
4.4)SIZE)
Size)in)relation)to)the)general)population)is)another)unique)aspect)of)foreign)
communities.)Although)the)non:Japanese)population)has)been)increasing)in)recent)
years)(showing)an)increase)of)5.9%)since)2008),)according)to)the)Ministry)of)Internal)
Affairs)and)Communications's)statistics,)there)were)only)1.6)million)foreign)residents)
living)in)Japan)as)of)2010.10)They)make)up)just)1.3%)of)the)total)population.)The)
company)that)made)up)the)focus)group)of)this)research)employs)individuals)mainly)
from)the)United)Kingdom,)Australia,)and)the)United)States.)The)population)of)foreign)
persons)from)the)USA,)Australia,)and)UK)is)38,327,)9,166,)and)9,827,)respectively)
(57,365)total).11)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
10)"Population)of)Foreign)Residents.")Statistics(Japan,)Web.)12)June)2014.))
<http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kokusei/2010/poj/pdf/2010ch11.pdf>)
)
11)
Commonwealth)of)Australia
)Ministry)of))
Foreign)Affairs,)Japan,)Web)12)June)2014)
<http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/australia/data.html>)
4212A337-1
22)
Figure)5:)Foreigners)by)Nationality)and)Age)(3)Groups)12)
)
These)factors)add)up)to)create)what)is)known)amongst)members)of)the)
community)as)the)Gaijin)bubble.13)Its)a)term)thats)sometimes)used)in)the)pejorative)
to)describe)someone)who)surrounds)themselves)with)other)foreigners)and)refuses)to)
interact)with)Japanese)society)at)large.)Its)not)a)necessarily)negative)phenomenon.)
While)it)is)important)for)individuals)to)interact)with)Japanese)culture,)this)bubble)is)
an)indispensible)feature)of)expatriate)communities.)In)a)way,)it)serves)as)a)metaphor)
for)the)communities)themselves.)The)division)is)transparent,)so)members)can)both)be)
seen)and)see)out.)Although)it)is)permeable,)the)barrier)exists)and)is)especially)visible)
to)those)inside)of)it.)Other)in:group)members)of)the)community)act)as)a)sympathetic)
audience)with)similar)experiences)that)come)with)the)territory)of)being)non:Japanese.)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
12)Ibid.)"Population)of)Foreign)Residents."))
)
13)Gaijin)
,)short)for)gaikokujin(
,)means)foreigner)(lit.)outside)country)
person).
4212A337-1
23)
They)can)therefore)provide)a)support)system)on)an)emotional)level)and)valuable)
resources)such)as)advice)based)upon)similar)life)experience.)
)
4.5)COMMUNITY)ATMOSPHERE))
)
The)quantitative)analysis)of)responses)to)the)interview)questions)regarding)
peoples)impressions)of)their)community)is)summarized)in)the)following)graph.)
Transcripts)of)the)free:response)questions)can)be)found)in)Appendix)II.)
)
16)
14)
12)
10)
8)
6)
4)
2)
Yes)
Figure)6:)Community)Atmosphere)
4212A337-1
Do)you)feel)satisxied)with)your)workplace)community?))
Do)you)think)you)will)be)a)permanent)part)of)this)
community?)
Has)being)a)member)of)this)community)been)a)positive)
experience?)
Is)this)community)important)to)your)identity?)
Do)you)feel)as)though)you)can)rely)upon)other)members)
of)the)community)should)you)have)a)personal)problem?)
Do)you)feel)mutual)respect)towards)your)coworkers?)
Do)you)feel)a)sense)of)trust)towards)your)coworkers?)
Do)you)gossip)with)your)cowokers?)
Do)you)discuss)non:work)related)matters)with)your)
coworkers?)
Do)you)share)mutual)interests)with)your)coworkers)
Do)you)socialize)with)your)coworkers)outside)of)work?)
0)
No)
24)
The)answers)to)these)questions)provide)insight)into)how)community)members)
personally)view)themselves,)others,)and)group)interaction.)It)should)be)noted,)
however,)that)these)responses)are)limited)in)scope)to)this)community)in)particular.)
They)do)not)necessarily)provide)insight)into)the)atmospheres)of)other)expatriate)
communities.)
4212A337-1
25)
5.)SCRIPTWRITING)PROCESS,
)
Ultimately,)after)conducting)the)previously)described)research)interacting)with)
this)community)over)an)extended)period,)I)became)personally)invested)in)telling)their)
story.)In)essence,)I)had)become)an)honorary)member)of)this)group.)I)wanted)to)depict)
why)it)is)important)that)these)communities)of)expatriates)exist)and)the)impact)they)
have)upon)the)members.)I)wrote)three)screenplays)that)fit)the)theme)of)depicting)
foreigners)and)community)in)Japan;)however,)one)film)showed)the)result)of)my)
research)in)the)most)significant)way.)I)named)this)film)Great(Expatations.14)
The)majority)of)this)screenplay)was)written)and)polished)over)the)month)of)
May,)2014.))
)
5.1)GREAT(EXPATATIONS)SYNOPSIS)
)
This)story)is)about)a)group)of)individuals)who)work)at)an)English)school)and)
how)they)interact)with)each)other)and)Japanese)society)at)large.))
Its)written)from)the)perspective)of)Zach,)who)is)an)American)male,)who)moves)
to)Japan)and)is)fresh)of)the)boat.)He)takes)a)job)at)an)English)school)in)Tokyo)(called)
STAR)English).)He)immediately)becomes)friends)with)his)fellow)first:year)teacher,)
Aleshia.)Along)with)veteran)teachers,)Harry,)Elena,)and)Martha)and)supervisors)
Kumail)and)Christine,)they)navigate)the)workplace)community)and)develop)
friendships)with)each)other.)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
14)I)will)be)the)first)to)admit)an)egregious)weakness)for)lame)puns.)
4212A337-1
26)
Zach)comes)to)learn)that)Aleshias)boyfriend)is)abusive,)although)she)initially)
denies)the)extent)of)the)violence.)Later,)she)is)severely)beaten)by)the)same)boyfriend)
and)calls)Zach)for)help.)Zach)in)turn)calls)Elena)(as)he)cannot)speak)enough)Japanese)
to)call)an)ambulance)or)help)Aleshia).)Through)workplace)gossip,)the)rest)of)their)
coworkers)find)out)about)the)situation.)While)Kumail)and)Christine)handle)the)
logistical)aspects)of)the)aftermath,)Harry,)Elena,)Martha,)and)Zach)help)Aleshia)cope)
psychologically.))
Aleshia)decides)she)will)return)home)to)Australia)in)the)wake)of)the)attack,)
although)she)is)sincerely)grateful)for)the)support)of)her)fellow)coworkers)(she)credits)
them)for)saving)her)life).)She)and)Zach)remain)in)touch)even)after)she)leaves)Japan.))
Additionally,)Zachs)general)mood)and)character)growth)are)reflected)through)
his)interactions)with)his)students)and)in)his)growing)capabilities)as)a)teacher.)
)
5.2)INTEGRATION)OF)RESEARCH)
)
5.2.1)DIVERSITY)
In)order)to)reflect)the)diversity)present)in)the)research)group,)I)decided)to)
make)the)ethnicity)of)the)characters)diverse)as)well.)Kumail)is)Pakistani:American,)
Martha)is)British)of)African)descent,)and)Elena)is)American)of)Puerto)Rican)ancestry.)
Because)of)this)ethnic)diversity,)I)wavered)over)whether)to)make)the)main)
character)a)white)male,)as)the)genre)is)overrun)with)similar)protagonists.)In)the)end,)
however,)I)decided)that)Zach)could)serve)as)a)useful)foil)to)previous)portrayals.)
Instead)of)an)ignorant,)arrogant)American)who)is)in)turns)bemused,)frustrated,)and)
intrigued)by)Japanese)culture)(as)depicted)in)Teahouse(of(the(August(Moon,(Sayonara,(
4212A337-1
27)
Mr.(Baseball,(Ramen(Girl,(and(Lost(in(Translation),)Zach)is)somewhat)interested)in)
learning)about)Japan,)but)generally)nonplussed)by)Japanese)culture.)In)the)beginning)
of)the)script,)he)is)largely)apathetic)to)what)is)happening)around)him.)His)coworkers)
provide)a)greater)impetus)for)maturation.)His)character)growth)occurs)through)his)
interactions)with)his)coworkers,)rather)than)gaining)a)newfound)understanding)of)life)
through)the)means)of)Japanese)culture.)By)juxtaposing)similar)protagonists,)it)
provided)a)way)for)me)to)address)issues)I)saw)in)the)previous)depictions.))
)
A)great)deal)of)the)characterization)was)based)upon)the)characters)true:life)
counterparts)and)due)to)this)diversity,)it)was)possible)to)create)characters)with)vastly)
differing)worldviews,)personalities,)and)speech)patterns.)In)writing)the)script,)I)made)
sure)to)instill)these)differences)in)the)characters.))
)
In)some)cases,)dialogue)was)inspired)by)actual)conversations.)Harrys)Guide)to)
the)Five)Expats)You)Meet)in)Japan)in)particular)was)inspired)by)one)persons)
insistence)that)every)foreigner)in)Japan)could)be)categorized)into)one)of)five)groups.)
His)theory)was)met)with)equal)resistance)from)his)coworkers.)
)
5.2.2)IMPERMANENCE)
Aleshia)and)Zach)are)the)companys)newbies.)Aleshia)leaves)partway)through)
her)contract)and)Zach)expresses)that)he)will)not)stay)for)much)longer.)The)length)of)
stay)for)each)character)varies,)but)most)characters)do)not)plan)to)establish)permanent)
lives)in)Japan.)This)is)shown)in)Aleshia)and)Zachs)last)conversation.)
)
)
4212A337-1
28)
ALESHIA
What about you? Are you gonna be a lifer?
ZACH
Hell, no. I think Im gonna stick around for
another year then head home. I might look into
getting my teaching degree. I actually like working
with the kids, but I cant stay in Japan since NI
HON GO DE KI MA SEN.
ALESHIA
(Laughs)
Who all is renewing their contracts?
ZACH
Hmmm. Christine is sticking around until next Fall.
Elena got a job at an international school, but I
think Harry and Martha are peacing out.
ALESHIA
Its crazy how people come and go so quickly.
Only)Kumail,)who)is)married)to)a)Japanese)woman,)will)remain)indefinitely.)
)
)
5.2.3)LANGUAGE)SKILLS)
In)Great(Expatations,)the)characters)show)a)great)deal)of)variation)in)terms)of)
Japanese)ability.)This)was)a)reflection)of)their)real:life)counterparts.)Zach)admits)to)
having)no)understanding)of)Japanese.))
)
MARI
My name is Mari. Nice to meet you.
She holds out her hand and they shake.
ZACH
Im Zach. Uhm. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu? Is that
right?
4212A337-1
29)
MARI
(Delighted)
Oh! You speak Japanese?
ZACH
Not at all. They just told us to memorize some
phrases.
MARI
Oh. Well, your pronunciation is very good.
He)cannot)even)call)an)ambulance)when)Aleshia)is)attacked,)and)so)must)rely)
on)Elena)for)help.)Further)still,)the)fact)that)Zach)cannot)communicate)in)Japanese)
nearly)gets)him)arrested,)due)to)the)police)immediately)assuming)he)is)the)person)
who)attacked)Aleshia.))
)
EXT. ZACHS APARTMENT BLDG.
)
The ambulance and police arrive. The police immediately begin
to arrest ZACH while speaking rapid-fire Japanese.
ZACH
Wait, what are they doing? Elena?! What are they
saying??
ELENA
(Frantically, to the policemen)
[Wait! What are you doing?! Not him!]
(To ZACH)
They think youre the boyfriend! Hang on!
(Again to the police)
[I said stop! Let him go!]
(To ALESHIA)
Aleshia! You have to tell them that Zach didnt do
this to you! Aleshia!!
4212A337-1
30)
ALESHIA
(Blankly)
[Thats not my boyfriend.]
Fortunately)Elena)(who)speaks)with)near:fluency))is)around)to)clarify)and)
translate.)
Additionally,)many)characters)code:switch)during)their)conversations.15)They)
employ)the)Japanese)words)for)phenomena)that)a.))have)no)English)equivalent16)or)b.))
are)more)easily)uttered)in)Japanese.17)An)example)of)this)is)shown)in)the)dialogue)
below.)
ALESHIA
No, its fine. Theres a conbini right here.
ZACH
Youre sure? Okay. Get inside that conbini. Now.
5.2.4)COMMUNITY)ATMOSPHERE)
Due)to)the)fact)that)they)make)up)only)a)small)minority)of)the)population)and)
(in)many)cases))are)physically)identifiable)as)non:Japanese,)many)foreign)individuals)
reported)a)sense)of)alienation)from)the)population)at)large.)Yet)a)number)of)people)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
15)CodeMswitching:))In)linguistics,)code:switching)occurs)when)a)speaker)alternates))
between)two)or)more)languages,)or)language)varieties,)in)the)context)of)a)single)
conversation.)
)
16)Ex:)otsukaresama(deshita,
,)A)greeting)that)could)be)translated)as)
Thanks)for)your)hard)work.)
)
17)Ex:)conbini)
,)convenience)store))
4212A337-1
31)
also)struggle)to)express)these)feelings)to)their)friends)and)family)in)their)home)
countries,)so)it)is)a)relief)to)be)able)to)surround)oneself)with)others)who)can)relate.))
In)the)face)of)the)homogeneity)of)Japanese)society,)the)expatriate)community)
becomes)essential)as)a)buffer.)Numerous)individuals)reiterated)this)point)in)response)
to)the)question,)In)what)way)has)being)a)member)of)this)community)impacted)your)
time)in)Japan?)Being)a)part)of)a)community)helped)people)feel,)more)included)and)at)
home,)A)lot)more)comfortable,)despite)being)socially)awkward.)The)community)also)
helps)in)that)it)allows)people)to,)Vent)my)frustrations)and)share)my)positive)
interactions)as)well.)They)make)living)in)this)country)bearable.)I'd)have)gone)crazy)
by)now)if)not)for)people)to)vent)to.)I)do)not)care)for)Japan.18)This)information)was)
utilized)in)scenes)wherein)characters)complain)to)each)other.)Such)as,)
)
HARRY
I swear to god, if another Japanese person tries to
tell me about how, Japan has four seasons~ I will
shove a Cherry blossom down their goddamn throat.
MARTHA
At least you didn't have someone call you sarujin...
ALESHIA and ELENA gasp.
ELENA
Are you serious?! Did you bitch slap him?
ZACH
(to ALESHIA)
Whats a saru-jin?
ALESHIA
It means monkey person. Its kind of like a
Japanese equivalent of the n-word.
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
18)Appendix)II)
4212A337-1
32)
ZACH winces.
MARTHA
I just started screaming at him. And then he had
the nerve to say, Oh, Im sorry. I didnt think
you could understand. As if thats the problem and
not the fact that hes a racist piece of crap.
HARRY
Yeah, you win.
MARTHA
Sweetheart, as a woman of color, my horror stories
about Japan will always win.
)
Additionally,)the)community)atmosphere)is)shown)in)response)to)the)question,)
Do)you)feel)as)though)you)can)rely)upon)other)members)of)the)community)should)
you)have)a)personal)problem?)100%)of)respondents)gave)an)affirmative)answer.)The)
fact)that)members)of)the)community)felt)that)they)could)rely)upon)their)coworkers)
became)a)necessary)tenet)of)the)final)screenplay.)The)community)works)together)to)
assist)Aleshia;)yet,)first)and)foremost,)she)has)to)feel)as)though)she)can)trust)her)
coworkers)to)help)her.)This)detail)becomes)central)to)the)plot.)Other)members)of)the)
community)act)as)a)sympathetic)audience)who)share)similar)experiences.)They)can)
therefore)provide)a)support)system)on)an)emotional)level)and)valuable)resources)such)
as)advice)based)upon)life)experience.)This)is)shown)in)the)scene)where)everybody)
forgoes)drinking)to)instead)hang)out)with)and)cheer)up)Aleshia.)
MARTHA
Anywho...I brought pie, as promised! And The
Breakfast Club.
Everyone starts jostling in.
4212A337-1
33)
ALESHIA
But I thought you guys were going out?
ELENA
We can drink whenever. We thought wed come hang
out with you.
MARTHA
Harrys banned from the bar we were planning on
going to, anyway.
)
Finally,)the)fact)that)there)is)a)culture)of)gossip)in)the)community)is)referenced)
in)how)everybody)seems)to)know)about)the)attack)in)spite)of)not)having)been)there.)
MARTHA
Poor thing.
ZACH
But, I mean, I dont know if youre supposed to
know. I dont think she exactly wanted the whole
company to find out.
MARTHA
Ohhhh. Well, its way too late for that. Its
probably the worst kept secret in...no, wait. The
fact that Harry and that one Japanese office
assistant are sleeping together is the worst kept
secret in the company.
HARRY shows up.
MARTHA
Speak of the devil.
HARRY
So, whos ass do I need to kick?
)
)
)
4212A337-1
34)
5.3)SETTINGS)
)
The)settings)of)the)script)are)reflective)of)locations)visited)during)the)
observation)portion)of)the)research.))
The)locations)that)were)introduced)by)subjects)during)our)interactions)
ultimately)became)the)settings)for)the)action)of)the)screenplay.)For)example,)the)
British)pub)chain)Hub,)which)is)known)as)a)gaijin)hotspot)made)an)appearance)and)
due)to)its)notoriety)I)situated)several)scenes)and)conversations)here.)Work:sponsored)
get:togethers)(such)as)hanami19)and)going:away)parties))were)usually)held)in)Yoyogi)
park)and)people)would)often)move)on)to)karaoke,)depending)upon)their)availability.)
STAR)Englishs)welcome)party)occurs)here.))
)
EXT. YOYOGI PARK - DAY
The welcome party. Everybody is socializing, eating, and
drinking on tarps in the park. ALESHIA and ZACH are talking.
HARRY - an American guy and the absolute epitome of a bro joins them.
HARRY
Hey, newbies. How you holdin up?
ZACH
Pretty good.
ALESHIA
Yeah, everyone is really nice.
It)was)interesting)to)note)that)location)scouting)for)the)screenplay)was)less)of)
an)independent)search)and)more)of)an)introduction)from)the)individuals)who)were)
being)observed.))
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
19)Hanami,)
,)Flower:viewing)
4212A337-1
35)
The)company)buildings)and)classrooms)also)became)the)model)for)STAR)
English,)which)appears)in)Great(Expatations.))
)
5.4)HANDLING)DIFFICULT)SUBJECT)MATTER)
I)wanted)the)main)crux)of)the)script)to)show)how)Zach)and)his)coworkers)
interact)with)one)another,)but)I)was)uncertain)of)how)to)create)conflict)or)a)climax,)
which)was)highly)problematic.)
Even)into)the)month)of)June)2014,)I)was)still)not)satisfied)with)the)script.)An)
idea)that)had)been)on)my)mind)since)beginning)my)research)fueled)the)final)product)
of)the)script.)I)finally)decided)to)introduce)the)issue)of)intimate)partner)abuse)to)the)
plot.))The)idea)was)to)make)the)main)conflict)of)the)script)be)the)way)in)which)the)
characters)react)to)a)member)of)their)community)being)a)victim)of)domestic)violence.)
I)had)been)against)writing)about)this)issue,)as)I)too)have)been)in)an)abusive)
relationship.)I)felt)that)writing)about)the)experience)would)be)too)personal)and)I)did)
not)want)to)merely)regurgitate)my)experiences)with)this)film.)I)thought)I)would)only)
be)able)to)rely)upon)personal)experience,)but)I)found)out)through)talking)to)members)
of)this)community)that)there)were)several)cases)of)individuals)who)had)had)been)the)
victims)of)abuse.)In)every)case,)the)community)banded)together)to)help)them)through)
the)process)of)leaving)those)relationships.)I)decided,)finally,)that)making)the)script)
about)how)the)community)comes)together)to)help)one)of)their)own)would)be)more)
telling)of)the)dynamic)between)the)members)of)the)community.)I)also)wanted)to)
express)my)gratitude)to)the)community,)as)I)felt)that))through)their)support)and)by)
4212A337-1
36)
welcoming)me)into)their)community))they)had)helped)me)come)to)terms)with)my)
own)experiences.)
The)problem)became,)then,)how)to)write)about)such)a)disturbing)issue)as)
intimate)partner)abuse)with)delicacy.)I)decided)not)to)tell)the)film)from)Aleshias)
perspective.)I)had)numerous)reasons)for)doing)so.)Firstly,)not)showing)the)details)of)
her)abuse)keeps)the)film)from)becoming)overly)dramatic.)There)are)issues)that)arise,)
both)psychologically)and)logistically,)in)the)aftermath)of)an)abusive)relationship)that)
could)not)be)covered)in)the)context)of)a)short)film.)Furthermore,)there)are)numerous)
films)that)deal)with)the)subject)from)the)abused)individuals)standpoint.)If)the)film)
were)shown)from)Aleshias)perspective,)it)would)focus)on)her)relationship)with)her)
Japanese)boyfriend)and)would)not)be)reflective)of)this)research.)Due)to)the)fact)that)
the)ultimate)goal)of)this)script)was)to)depict)this)community)itself,)the)basis)of)the)
screenplay)became)how)to)show)this)group)of)people)rallying)together)to)help)one)of)
its)members.)
4212A337-1
37)
6.)VIEWER)RESPONSE)
,
6.1)AUDIENCE)REACTION)
A)read:through)was)held)June)9,)2014.)Based)upon)the)response)from)the)
audience,)it)would)be)determined)how)well)the)script)lived)up)to)its)objectives.))
The)Read:Through)
)
)
)
A)discussion)followed)the)read:through.)In)order)to)get)an)idea)of)how)well)the)
script)lived)up)to)its)objectives,)the)audience)was)encouraged)to)give)comments,)
impressions,)and)opinions.)Afterwards,)20)audience)members)rated)the)following)
statements)about)the)script)on)a)scale)of)Strongly)Agree))Agree))Neutral))Disagree))
Strongly)Disagree.))
1.))The)script)was)entertaining.)
2.))The)script)accurately)reflects)my)experience)in)Japan.)
3.))I)could)envision)the)characters)existing)within)my)community.)
4.))The)script)accurately)represents)this)community.)
4212A337-1
38)
The)script)was)entertaining.)
Strongly)Agree)
The)script)accurately)rexlects)my)
experience)in)Japan.)
Agree)
Nuetral)
I)could)envision)the)characters)
existing)within)my)community.)
Disagree)
Strongly)Disagree)
The)script)accurately)represents)this)
community.)
0)
5)
10)
15)
20)
Strongly)
Agree)
Agree)
Neutral)
Disagree)
Strongly)
Disagree)
The)script)was)
entertaining.)
10)
50%)
9)
45%)
1)
5%)
0)
0%)
0)
0%)
The)script)
accurately)reflects)
my)experience)in)
Japan.)
8)
40%)
8)
40%)
4)
20%)
0)
0%)
0)
0%)
I)could)envision)
the)characters)
existing)within)my)
community.)
8)
40%)
10)
50%)
2)
10%)
0)
0%)
0)
0%)
The)script)
accurately)
represents)this)
community.)
12)
60%)
7)
35%)
1)
5%)
0)
0%)
0)
0%)
Figure)7:)Audience)Response)
)
According)to)the)audience)response,)it)can)be)determined)that)the)script)
achieved)its)intended)goal)of)depicting)a)community)of)foreigners)in)Japan.)The)
audience)felt)that)the)script)was)an)accurate,)albeit)fictional,)representation)of)their)
community.)
4212A337-1
39)
The)audience)also)felt)that)they)could)envision)the)characters)existing)within)
their)community.)The)screenplay)is)fiction,)but)the)goal)was)to)depict)the)community)
in)an)accurate)way.)By)determining)whether)these)fictional)characters)were)relatable)
and)functioned)believably,)it)could)be)decided)as)to)whether)or)not)the)script)achieved)
its)intended)purpose.)According)to)the)audience)response,)it)did.)
Although)there)were)last)second)changes)to)the)screenplay)to)include)the)issue)
of)domestic)violence,)the)new)version)was)received)well.)Especially)those)people)who)
were)familiar)with)both)incarnations)praised)the)change,)as)they)felt)it)was)a)more)
meaningful)story)and)more)relevant)to)their)experiences.))))
The)most)notable)complaint)was)in)regards)to)Zachs)ethnicity.)The)audience)
knew)my)reasoning)for)making)the)protagonist)a)white)male,)but)it)still)drew)some)
criticism.)This)criticism)came)mostly)from)an)individual)who)was)a)person)of)color)
himself.2021)Other)members)of)the)audience))including)the)white)individuals,)
Japanese,)and)other)people)of)color))did)not)notice)the)fact)until)it)was)pointed)out,)
nor)did)they)seem)to)particularly)care.))))
)
6.2)FURTHER)EDITS)
Thanks)to)these)responses,)I)was)able)to)make)several)edits)in)terms)of)
dialogue)and)pacing.)These)reactions)were)mainly)in)regards)to)the)dialogue)of)British)
and)Australian)characters,)as)I)mistakenly)used)terminology)that)is)not)generally)
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
20)Christine)Clark,)Teja)Arboleda.)Teacher's(Guide(for(in(the(Shadow(of(Race:((
Growing(Up(As(a(Multiethnic,(Multicultural,(and("Multiracial"(American.)
(Routledge,)1999))pp.)17.)
)
21)I)am)using)the)term)person)of)color)in)this)context)to)describe)an)individual)who)is)
non:white,)but)also)non:Japanese.))
4212A337-1
40)
employed)by)individuals)from)these)countries.)The)terms)that)were)changed)or)
removed)were)chav,)which)is)a)term)that)describes)a)particular)youth)group)in)
Britain.)I)was)informed)that)it)is)not)used)interchangeably)with)words)such)as)jerk)to)
describe)a)generally)unsavory)person.)The)general)consensus)was)that)wanker)was)
more)often)employed)and)flowed)more)naturally.22)The)various)usages)of)the)word)
pissed)also)raised)some)questions.)In)British)slang,)it)is)used)to)describe)someone)
who)is)intoxicated,)as)opposed)to)the)American)meaning)of)angered)or)incensed.)
,
,
))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
22)The)appropriate)usage)of)wanker)is)not)a)topic)I)ever)imagined)discussing)in)an)
academic)paper.)
4212A337-1
41)
7.)FUTURE)RESEARCH)
)
One)member)of)the)audience)was)an)Australian)filmmaker)currently)working)
in)Japan.)Although)he)is)engaged)in)another)project)until)further)notice,)he)has)
expressed)an)interest)in)using)this)script)in)the)future.)He)was)interested)in)the)
concern)that)the)protagonist)was)a)white)male,)as)much)of)his)work)focuses)on)
minority)issues,)but)did)not)feel)it)was)necessarily)vital)to)change)the)characters)
ethnicity.)
Through)the)various)aspects)of)my)research)I)have)gained)an)idea)of)some)
difficulties)that)arise)through)merely)existing)as)a)person)of)color)in)Japan.)There)is)a)
great)deal)of)research)regarding)race)relations)between)white/non:white)individuals)
and)still)further)conflict)exists)between)Japanese/non:Japanese)individuals.)I)
therefore)plan)to)research)what)it)is)like)to)be)a)person)of)color)in)Japan.)Due)to)the)
fact)that)this)script)does)not)focus)on)racial)issues)beyond)Japanese/non:Japanese,)
Zachs)ethnicity)becomes)merely)a)matter)of)casting.))The)theme)of)community)is)the)
major)basis)of)the)screenplay)and)so)casting)a)person)of)color)would)theoretically)not)
present)any)major)issues.)Instead,)I)would)like)to)conduct)more)research)and)write)a)
screenplay)that)does)focus)on)what)it)means)to)be)a)person)of)color)in)Japan.)In)doing)
so,)it)would)be)possible)to)delve)deeper)into)these)issues)and)therefore)treat)them)
with)the)depth)and)delicacy)they)deserve.)
Additionally,)I)would)like)to)research)other)expatriate)communities)that)exist)
in)Japan.)The)focus)of)this)research)was)an)English)school.)The)group)dynamics)of)a)
community)that)does)not)share)a)native)communal)language)(i.e.)exchange)students))
4212A337-1
42)
or)those)who)have)established)lives)in)Japan)(i.e.)spouses)of)Japanese)nationals),)
would)clearly)be)much)different.)Further)research)into)other)communities)might)
provide)deeper)insight)into)the)foreigner)experience)in)Japan.)
)
,
,
,
,
4212A337-1
43)
8.)CONCLUSION)
)
The)goal)of)this)thesis)was)to)explore)the)unique)nature)of)a)group)of)
expatriates)in)Japan)and)to)determine)the)extent)of)the)impact)being)a)member)of)such)
a)community)has)upon)its)members.)Through)gaining)a)thorough)understanding)the)
customs)and)worldviews)held)by)a)group)of)foreign)English)teachers)living)in)Tokyo,)I)
would)be)able)to)write)a)fictional)screenplay)write)a)screenplay)that)is)representative)
of)their)lives.))
In)order)to)create)this)screenplay,)I)studied)a)group)of)foreign)teachers)
currently)living)in)Tokyo.)This)experience)and)research)gave)me)valuable)insight)into)
community)dynamics)and)the)individuals)that)make)up)this)community.)The)data)
compiled)over)the)course)of)these)studies)culminated)in)the)screenplay)for)the)film)
Great(Expatations.)
This)screenplay)would)give)audiences))both)in)Japan)and)abroad))an)accurate)
view)of)life)in)modern)Japan,)as)experienced)by)the)members)of)this)particular)
community.)In)addition)to)this)purpose,)the)screenplay)would)move)the)genre)of)film)
depictions)of)foreigners)in)Japan)forward)and)offer)something)that)previous)
portrayals)lacked:)an)accurate)representation)of)expatriate)communities)in)Japan.)
Although)the)scope)is)limited)to)this)particular)group)of)expatriates,)it)reflected)the)
theme)of)community)and)belonging.)It)is)hoped)that)a)wide)array)of)audiences)would)
be)able)to)identify)with)the)screenplay.)
Audiences)praised)the)screenplay)and)members)of)this)group)agreed)that)it)
provided)an)accurate)representation)of)their)lives)in)Japan.)It)also)provided)a)truthful)
4212A337-1
44)
depiction)of)the)community)to)which)they)belong.)It)can)therefore)be)determined)that)
the)script)fulfilled)its)goal.)))
)
)
4212A337-1
45)
WORKS)CITED)
Chipuer,)H.)M.,)Pretty,)G.)M.)H.)A)Review)of)the)Sense)of)Community)Index:)Current))
Uses,)Factor)Structure,)Reliability,)and)Further)Development.(Journal(of(
Community(Psychology,(27(6),)1999.)
)
Clark,)Christine;)Teja)Arboleda.)Teacher's(Guide(for(in(the(Shadow(of(Race:((
Growing(Up(As(a(Multiethnic,(Multicultural,(and("Multiracial"(American.)
(Routledge,)1999))
"Definition of Community in English." Community: Definition of Community in Oxford
Dictionary (British & World English). Web. 12 June 2014.
<http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/community>
(
Fear(and(Trembling.(Dir.)Alain)Corneau.)Canal+,)2003.)
)
Gumperz,)John)J.)Discourse(Strategies.((Cambridge:)Cambridge)University)Press,)1982))
)
James, Paul; Nadarajah, Yaso; Haive, Karen; Stead, Victoria. Sustainable
Communities, Sustainable Development: Other Paths for Papua New Guinea.
(Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2012)
)
King,)Homay.)Review)of)Lost)in)Translation,)written)and)directed)by)Sofia)Coppola.))
Film(Quarterly(59,)2005.)
)
Kriska,)Laura.)The(Accidental(Office(Lady:(An(American(Woman(in(Corporate(Japan.))
(North)Clarendon,)VT:)Tuttle)Pub,)1997))
)
Kovner, Sarah. Occupying Power: Sex Workers and Servicemen in Postwar
Japan. (Stanford University Press, 2012) )
)
Language)Proficiency)Definitions")Language(Proficiency(Definitions(M(U.S.(Department((
of(State.)Web.)10)June)2014.)
<http://careers.state.gov/gateway/lang_prof_def.html>)
)
Lee,)Soo)im.)Japan's(Diversity(Dilemmas:(Ethnicity,(Citizenship,(and(Education.))
(iUniverse,)2006))
)
Lie,)John.)Multiethnic(Japan.((Cambridge,)MA:)Harvard)University)Press,)2001))
)
Lie,)John.)Japan(and(Global(Migration:(Foreign(Workers(and(the(Advent(of(a((
Multicultural(Society.)(Routledge,)2007))
)
A(Life(in(Japan.(Dir.)Storlopare,)Petri.)2012.)
)
4212A337-1
46)
Lost(in(Translation.)Dir.)Coppola,)Sophia.)Focus)Features,)2003.(
)
McMillan,)D.W.,)&)Chavis,)D.M.)Sense)of)Community:)A)Definition)and)Theory.(Journal((
of(Community(Psychology,(14(1),)1986.(
)
McNeil,)Baye.)Hi!(MY(Name(is(Loco(and(I(am(a(Racist.((Hunterfly)Road)Publishing,))
2012))
)
McNeil,)Baye.)Loco(in(Yokohama.((Hunterfly)Road)Publishing,)2013))
(
Mr.(Baseball.)Dir.)Fred)Schepisi.)Outlaw)Productions,)1992.)
)
Population)of)Foreign)Residents.")Statistics(Japan,)Web.)12)June)2014.))
<http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kokusei/2010/poj/pdf/2010ch11.pdf>)
)
The(Ramen(Girl.(Dir.)Ackerman)Robert)Allen.)Warner)Bros.)Pictures,)2009.)
)
Salvaggio,)Eryk.)This(Japanese(Life.)(CreateSpace)Publishing,)2013))
(
Sayonara.)Dir.)Joshua)Logan.)Warner)Bros.)Pictures,)1957.)
)
Shibusawa,)Naoko.)America's(Geisha(Ally:(Reimagining(the(Japanese(Enemy.))
(Cambridge,)MA:)Harvard)UP,)2006))
(
Teahouse(of(the(August(Moon.)Dir.)Daniel)Mann.)MGM,)1956.(
)
Tatum,)Beverly)D.)Why(Are(All(the(Black(Kids(Sitting(Together(in(the(Cafeteria?(and((
Other(Conversations(About(Race.)(New)York:)BasicBooks,)1997))
)
Wen:Chu)Chen,)Edith.)Encyclopedia(of(Asian(American(Issues(Today.)(Denver,)CO:))
Greenwood)Press,)2010))
)
Wu,)Frank.)Yellow:(Race(in(America(Beyond(Black(and(White.)(New)York:)Basic)Books,))
2003))
)
Commonwealth)of)Australia
)Ministry(of((
Foreign(Affairs,(Japan,(Web)12)June)2014)
<http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/australia/data.html>)
)
)
4212A337-1
47)
PHOTO)CREDITS)
)
Teahouse(of(the(August(Moon:)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/83/Teahouse_movieposter.jpg)
)
Sayonara:)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d8/Original_movie_poster_for_the_film
_Sayonara.jpg)
)
Ramen(Girl:((
http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/CoverArtUnverified/27674.jpg)
)
Mr.(Baseball:((
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fb/Mr_baseball_poster.jpg)
)
Lost(in(Translation:)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4c/Lost_in_Translation_poster.jpg)
)
Iwashi(graphic:((
http://youtu.be/:f0P_VoO9N8)
)
Fear(and(Trembling:)
http://content8.flixster.com/movie/10/86/88/10868842_det.jpg)
)
Tokyo)x)Fuji:)Les)Taylor))
)
Others:)self)
4212A337-1
48)
APPENDICES)
)
)
APPENDIX)I))
GREAT(EXPATATIONS(SCRIPT.....................................................................................50)
)
)
APPENDIX)II))
LONG:FORM)INTERVIEW)RESPONSES......................................................................81)
4212A337-1
49)
APPENDIX)I))GREAT(EXPATATIONS)SCRIPT)
Great Expatations
Screenplay
by
Brittany Ritter
4212A337-1
50)
Establishing shots show scenes of Tokyo.

Exterior shot of a building with the sign STAR English
School
A sheet on the door reads:
STAR English School:
Training will be held in
Multipurpose room
(107)
11:00~17:00
Another sheet next to it reads:
WELCOME PARTY SATURDAY!!
Yoyogi Park
13:00~???
(Meet in front lobby @12:30)
Karaoke to follow!
RSVP: Christine
L CUT TO:
INT. STAR ENGLISH - DAY
Inside the room. CHRISTINE stands in front of a group of
around 15 people. She is a heavyset British woman in her midthirties, with a cheerful demeanor and seemingly endless
amounts of energy. She is exaggeratedly acting out a training
exercise.
Another trainer, KUMAIL, is a Pakistani-American man in his
mid-forties. He is less exuberant than CHRISTINE, but still
animated.
4212A337-1
51)
Next, she gestures to ZACH. American in his early twenties,

he is a generally likeable guy, but unmotivated and a bit
awkward. He stands and mimics CHRISTINEs example, but he is
clearly uncomfortable and it is half-hearted. Everyone claps
politely as he sits back down.
ALESHIA is up called up next. She is an Australian girl also
in her early twenties. Like ZACH, she is a first-year teacher
but she shows more enthusiasm and seems eager to prove
herself.
The training finally ends and everyone begins to pack up.
CHRISTINE
Thats all for today, everyone! Otsukaresama
deshita! Dont forget to sign up for the welcome
party!
Everyone begins to file out as ALESHIA seeks out ZACH.
ALESHIA
Hi!
ZACH
Hey.
ALESHIA
Zach, was it?
ZACH
Yeah. Aleshia, right?
ALESHIA
Yep! Youre new, too?
ZACH
Yeah. That obvious?
ALESHIA
(Laughing)
Just a bit. Are you going to the welcome party?
ZACH
Probably. It seems like a good way to get to know
everyone.
ALESHIA
Cheers! See you then! Nice meeting you!
4212A337-1
52)
FADE OUT.
EXT. YOYOGI PARK - DAY
The welcome party. Everybody is socializing, eating, and
drinking on tarps in the park. ALESHIA and ZACH are talking.
HARRY - an American guy and the absolute epitome of a bro joins them.
HARRY
Hey, newbies. How you holdin up?
ZACH
Pretty good.
ALESHIA
Yeah, everyone is really nice.
HARRY
Sweet, sweet.
(to ZACH)
Dude, just so you know, that girl over there (he
gestures to a Japanese girl who is with a different
group seated nearby) has been eyeing you since we
got here.
ZACH
(He looks, but)
Shes...not really my type.
HARRY
Not your type? Shes, like, super hot dude.
ZACH shrugs.
Youre not into Asian chicks? Then why the hell are
you in Japan, bro?
ZACH
I dunno. It seemed like an interesting place.
HARRY
So that would put you in the FOB category.
ZACH
4212A337-1
53)
The what now?

HARRY
(He puts his arm around ZACH)
Ill explain.
CUT TO:
Black screen displaying the text: Harrys Complete Guide to
the Five Expats You Meet in Japan
HARRY (V.O.)
Allow me to introduce five types of gaijin you meet
in Japan.
INTERCUT to:
ALESHIA, who is taking a picture of her beer.
HARRY (contd)
First you have the FOB. Fresh off the boat.
Text onscreen reads The FOB.
This creature is mystified by the weirdness of
Japanese culture. Youll often find them
photographing even the most inane things. (To
ALESHIA) Its a beer, babe, not a Kodak moment
ALESHIA bashfully puts down her camera.
HARRY (contd)
Next is the party people. Thatd be me.
INTERCUT to:
HARRY drunkenly causing a ruckus.
Text onscreen reads Party People: Harry.
Were just here to party. And damn are we good at
it!
HARRY (contd)
Over here we have the Wannabe.
INTERCUT to:
4212A337-1
54)
ELENA. She is a young American woman of Latin decent. She is

speaking with a group of Japanese people and makes the peace
sign as someone takes her photo.
Text onscreen reads The Wannabe: Elena.
HARRY (contd)
Wants desperately to go native, but will forever
remain just a lowly gaijin.
ELENA just rolls her eyes.
HARRY (contd)
The Jaded Expat.
INTERCUT to:
MARTHA arguing passionately about a social issue. She is a
black woman in her early twenties, British. She gives HARRY
the finger.
Text onscreen reads The Jaded Expat: Martha
MARTHA (V.O.)
Oh, for the love of- Harry, shut up.
HARRY
Do not attempt to engage this creature in any sort
of debate about social issues. You will not win.
And finally, the lifer.
INTERCUT to:
KUMAIL, who is reading staring rather blankly as he speaks to
his wife on the phone.
Text onscreen reads The Lifer: Kumail
HARRY (contd)
Notice the dead-eyed stare of this poor, miserable
creature. Who is almost definitely married to a
Japanese woman.
CUT TO:
HARRY bows with a flourish as he concludes his spiel. Nobody
is impressed.
ZACH
4212A337-1
55)
Five seems a bit...limited.

ALESHIA
Yeah, where does that put, like, Christine?
MARTHA
Dont question his list, guys. Then he might have
to realize some people don't fit into his
convenient categories. His world would crumble
about his ears.
ELENA walks over and joins the group.
ELENA
All the drugs have messed with his brain, anyway;
he cant even count higher than five.
HARRY
Thats not true! I have to be able to teach the
little shits to count to at least ten.
CHRISTINE
Children! Do I need to put you in time out? Please
dont scare away the new recruits. (To ZACH and
ALESHIA) So, guys, what brings you to Japan?
ZACH
I, uh, majored in Literature...I needed a job.
MARTHA
(With an air of sudden understanding)
Ahhh. Welcome to the island of misfit majors. I was
World Religions and History.
CHRISTINE
(Raises hand)
Theatre.
HARRY
Philosophy.
ALESHIA
I majored in Japanese and my boyfriend is Japanese,
so thats why Im here.
ELENA
And I didnt go to college, because I wasnt a
sucker~
4212A337-1
56)
(To ALL)
So, were all gonna head to karaoke soon, are you
guys in?
ZACH
I dont really sing...
ELENA
Oh my god! Babys first karaoke! You dont sing
now, but thats what alcohol is for. Lets go~!
ALESHIA
Oh, Im sorry, I cant. Ive got to make the last
train home...
ELENA
Boo, you whore.
ALESHIA
I know. Ill go next time!
ALESHIA leaves as everyone calls out variations of Good-bye
and Otsukare
FADE OUT.
INT. ENGLISH SCHOOL MORNING
A text - Aleshia: Good luck with your first day of work!
)
ZACH is at the English school, bracing himself for his first
day.
His assistant MARI, a mild-mannered Japanese woman in her
early thirties, is also there. She introduces herself.
MARI
My name is Mari. Nice to meet you.
She holds out her hand and they shake.
ZACH
4212A337-1
57)
Im Zach. Uhm. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu? Is that

right?
MARI
(Delighted)
Oh! You speak Japanese?
ZACH
Not at all. They just told us to memorize some
phrases.
MARI
Oh. Well, your pronunciation is very good. (She
looks at the clock.) It is 11:00. Shall we start
class?
ZACH
Sure. Here goes nothing.
MARI goes over to open the doors and a group of Japanese
children rushes in. He is buffeted from all sides as they run
inside. They all pileup as they take off their shoes, but
immediately start wreaking havoc. MARI, in a sudden 180
shift from when she was speaking to ZACH, shouts at them in
Japanese. ZACH is understandably overwhelmed.
ZACH
Uh-oh.
FADE OUT.
INT. HUB NIGHT
ZACH and ALESHIA sit at a table. They are both clearly
exhausted and shell-shocked from their first week of work.
ALESHIA
One of them swallowed an eraser.
ZACH
I think I was sodomized.
They both take long sips of their drinks.
CHRISTINE, ELENA, and MARTHA arrive.
4212A337-1
58)
CHRISTINE
Heya! How was your first week?
Both ZACH and ALESHIA stare, dumbstruck.
CHRISTINE
That good?
They continue so stare, as no words seem capable of
expressing the horrors they have seen.
ELENA
Well, did any kids die?
ALESHIA
What? No! Of course not!
MARTHA
Then that sounds like a success to me!
HARRY arrives next.
HARRY
I swear to god, if another Japanese person tries to
tell me about how, Japan has four seasons~ I will
shove a Cherry blossom down their goddamn throat.
MARTHA
At least you didn't have someone call you sarujin...
ALESHIA and ELENA gasp.
ELENA
Are you serious?! Did you bitch slap him?
ZACH
(to ALESHIA)
Whats a saru-jin?
ALESHIA
It means monkey person. Its kind of like a
Japanese equivalent of the n-word.
ZACH winces.
MARTHA
4212A337-1
59)
I just started screaming at him. And then he had

the nerve to say, Oh, Im sorry. I didnt think
you could understand. As if thats the problem and
not the fact that hes a racist piece of crap.
HARRY
Yeah, you win.
MARTHA
Sweetheart, as a woman of color, my horror stories
about Japan will always win.
FADE OUT.
INT. ENGLISH SCHOOL MORNING
ZACH is still struggling to get into the swing of being a
teacher. He opens the door and the kids tumble in, as per
usual. This time, however, he is prepared and jumps out of
the way before they bowl him over completely.
Later, one girl chatters at him in Japanese.
ZACH
Cool! I have no idea what youre saying but you
sounds really excited about it!
MARI
(Laughs while translating)
She says she went to the zoo and her mom asked her
how to say bear in English and she knew.
ZACH
Oh, thats great! Lets give you a sticker for
doing a good job!
He goes to hand the girl a sticker.
She looks at the sticker.
Looks at ZACH.
Bursts into tears.
ZACH
4212A337-1
60)
Okay! Nevermind! No sticker! How about this piece

of paper that I was just about to throw away?
She is immediately pacified.
ZACH
Kids are so weird.
Mari nods.
FADE OUT.
INT. HUB NIGHT
ZACH and ALESHIA sit at their usual table.
ZACH
Man, I dont know if Ill ever get the hang of
this. On the bright side, I only made two cry this
week.
ALESHIA
(Clearly distracted)
Thats good.
ALESHIA rubs her arm and winces.
ZACH
You okay?
ALESHIA
Yeah. I just got into a fight with my boyfriend
last night.
ZACH
Whoa, wait. He hit you?
ALESHIA
He didnt hit me, but he kind of, like, yanked my
arm? Its just a little sore.
ZACH
Thats messed up! Did you tell anyone?
ALESHIA
4212A337-1
61)
No. He didnt do it on purpose. I mean hes usually

really sweet. He just takes it too far sometimes.
ZACH
(Unconvinced)
Thats still not okay. Let me know if you ever need
anything.
ALESHIA
Thank you. But its really not a big deal.
ZACH drops the subject as everyone else arrives.
FADE OUT.
INT. ZACHS APARTMENT NIGHT
ZACH is watching some Japanese variety show. His phone buzzes
with a new message. Aleshia: Help He is confused and starts
to type a response but his phone rings anyway.
ZACH
Aleshia?
ALESHIA
Zach?
ZACH
Hey, whats wrong? Are you okay?
ALESHIA
(It is clear something is very wrong)
I, uhm. I think I need to go to the hospital. My
boyfriend kind of...(she chokes up) He kind of beat
the crap out of me.
ZACH
Oh my god. Where are you?
ALESHIA
A park.
ZACH
A park where?
4212A337-1
62)
ALESHIA
Nerima.
ZACH
Is he there? Can he find you?
ALESHIA
I dont know...
ZACH
Alright. Well, just come here and well figure
something out.
ALESHIA
I cant afford a cab. I dont have any money and my
bag is in his apartment. I could try to go get
it...
ZACH
Dont you dare go back to that apartment. Aleshia,
listen to me. Ill pay for the cab, okay?
ALESHIA
Its too expensive.
ZACH
Listen. You can pay me back. Im gonna text you my
address. I need you to walk to someplace with a lot
of people, can you do that for me?
ALESHIA
I cant really walk...
ZACH
(Mouths Fuck)
Its that bad? Do you need me to come get you?
ALESHIA
No, its fine. Theres a conbini right here.
ZACH
Youre sure? Okay. Get inside that conbini. Now.
ALESHIA
Okay.
ZACH
(Nervous and impatient)
4212A337-1
63)
Are you inside?

ALESHIA
No. Sorry.
ZACH
Its cool. Just stay on the line.
ALESHIA hums the Rocky theme song over the phone.
ZACH goes to his computer and starts frantically googling:
What to do when your friend had been attacked by their
boyfriend, Setagaya English-speaking hospital, Japan
police English
ALESHIA
Im inside.
ZACH
Alright. Im going to send you my address. Can you
call a cab? Or have one of the workers call one for
you?
ALESHIA
Yeah.
ZACH
Okay. Im going to hang up. Call me if anything
happensPromise me youll come straight here?
ALESHIA
I will.
ZACH
Thank you. Oh! And do you mind if I call Elena? She
lives nearby and I dont speak Japanese.
ALESHIA
Yeah.
ZACH
Okay. Stay safe. (He hangs up and sighs.) Fuck.
LINE message screen Aleshia:
He dials ELENA.
ELENA
Hey, babe, whats up?
4212A337-1
64)
ZACH
Hey. Are you busy?
ELENA
Not particularly. You okay?
ZACH
Something happened to Aleshia.
ELENA
The boyfriend?
ZACH
Yeah. You knew?
ELENA
Yeah. That motherfucker. Is she okay? Is she there
with you?
ZACH
I just got off the phone with her. Shes coming
here, but I think she needs to go to the hospital.
Can you call an ambulance?
ELENA
Yeah, totally. Ill be right over.
CUT TO:
EXT. ZACHS APARTMENT BLDG.
ZACH and ELENA are sitting on the curb. ELENA is smoking.
ZACH
Should we call the police?
ELENA
I told them her boyfriend beat her up, so theyll
probably send someone. But its his word against
hers and hes Japanese. They wont do shit.
A cab pulls up. ZACH helps ALESHIA out of the cab. Her nose
is clearly broken and she seems to be in shock.
ALESHIA
4212A337-1
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Im sorry. It was, like, 6,000 yen. Ill pay you

back. Im sorry.
ZACH
Its fine. Can you stand? (ALESHIA nods.)
ELENA pays the driver.
CAB DRIVER
[Is she okay? She doesnt look too good...]
ELENA
[Shes fine. Thanks.]
ZACH is helping ALESHIA. ELENA goes over to them. SIRENS can
be heard approaching.
ALESHIA
You called an ambulance?!
ZACH
You said you couldnt walk!
ALESHIA
Im fine! I just want to sleep.
ELENA
(Consoling)
I know, babe. But you need to go to the hospital.
We need to at least get you checked out.
ALESHIA
I just want this to not be happening.
ELENA
But it is. And its gonna keep happening until you
either get away or he kills you.
ZACH
Jesus, Elena! Delicacy!
The ambulance and police arrive. The police immediately grab
ZACH and begin speaking rapid-fire Japanese.
4212A337-1
66)
ZACH
(Confused and panicking)
Wait, what are they doing? Elena?! What are they
saying??
ELENA
(Frantically, to the policemen)
[Wait! What are you doing!? Thats not him!]
(To ZACH)
They think youre the boyfriend!
(Again to the police)
[I said wait! Let him go!!]
(To ALESHIA)
Aleshia! Tell them that Zach didnt do this.
ALESHIA
(Still completely out of it.)
[Thats not my boyfriend]
They finally release ZACH. The paramedics take ALESHIA to the
ambulance and ZACH stands outside the open doors. ELENA comes
over from where she had been speaking to the cops.
ELENA
Theyre going to take her to the hospital. The cops
offered to give us a ride...What do you want to do.
ZACH
(To ALESHIA)
You gonna be okay? Well be right behind you.
ALESHIA
(Nodding)
See you there.
The paramedics shut the door and the ambulance drives off.
FADE OUT.
4212A337-1
67)
INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

ZACH and ELENA are sitting in the waiting room. ELENA checks
her phone.
ELENA
My phone is blowing up.
ZACH
From who?
ELENA
Well, I was with Harry and Martha when you called.
So theyre freaking out. And since nobody in this
company can keep their freaking mouth shut...
As is on cue, her phone buzzes again. She checks it.
Christine.
ZACH
I just dont get it.
ELENA
What? Aleshia?
ZACH
(Nodding)
Why would she do something so stupid?
ELENA
Because she loves him.
ZACH
ButELENA
We just have to support her or shes just going to
go straight back to him.
ZACH
No way! You saw her. Why the hell would she go back
to that?!
ELENA
4212A337-1
68)
Its kind of like an addiction. They build you up

and tear you down. My ex-husband messed me up a
bunch of times before I got away.
ZACH
He hit you?
ELENA
Oh, yeah.
ZACH
In Japan?
ELENA
Yep.
ZACH
What did the cops do?
ELENA
Nothing. Why do you think I dont trust them?
There is a long pause. ALESHIA comes out of the examination
room. ZACH and ELENA immediately go to her.
ZACH
How are you feeling?
ALESHIA
(Shrugs)
Fine.
ELENA
You should see the other guy.
ALESHIA smiles faintly.
ZACH
I only want to see the other guy if hes in a body
bag.
ALESHIA laughs, although she looks close to tears.
ELENA
Cmon, babe, lets get you to bed. Zach said you
can stay at his apartment.
4212A337-1
69)
They move towards the door, with ALESHIA leaning on them

heavily.
FADE OUT.
INT. ZACHS APARTMENT MORNING
The next day. ZACH is getting ready to leave for work.
ALESHIA sits at the table.
ZACH
Elena brought you some spare clothes. Ive got an
extra towel in here somewhere (He digs around in
his closet) Got it...Are you sure youll be all
right by yourself?
ALESHIA
Mhmm.
ZACH
Elena is going to stop by to check on you and I
think people are going out for drinks later, if you
want to join in.
ALESHIA
(Sarcastically, she gestures to her nose)
With this face? Id have to fight the men off with
sticks. Nah. You go ahead if you want.
ZACH
Call me if you need anything. If he tries to call
you, dont answer, okay? I know its hard, but...
ALESHIA
I wont.
ZACH
Dont open the door for anybody you dont know.
Thanks, mom.
strangers.
ALESHIA
I also
wont
take
candy
from
ZACH
Aleshia, please...
4212A337-1
70)
ALESHIA
I know. I just keep reminding myself that I cant
tell him where I am because Im protecting you,
too.
ZACH doesnt seem to know how to respond to that.
Go. Youre gonna be late. Ill be fine.
FADE OUT.
INT. STAR ENGLISH MORNING
ZACH looks exhausted.
One of the children tugs on his pants.
ZACH
Whats up, little man?
The boy tugs on his pants again.
ZACH crouches down.
The boy vomits.
ZACH sighs.
Same here, buddy.
FADE OUT.
INT. STAR ENGLISH AFTERNOON
MARTHA runs into ZACH in the main lobby.
MARTHA
(Sympathetic)
So...hows Aleshia?
ZACH
(Taken aback)
Huh?
MARTHA
Is there anything I can do to help?
4212A337-1
71)
ZACH
I. Uhm. Youd have to ask her.
MARTHA
Ill bake her some pie! Pie always helps. And an
Epsom salt bath should help with the soreness.
ZACH
Uhm. I think just talking to someone might help.
Shes been really quiet. She just seems really out
of it.
MARTHA
Poor thing.
ZACH
But, I mean, I dont know if youre supposed to
know. I dont think she exactly wanted the whole
company to find out.
MARTHA
Ohhhh. Well, its way too late for that. Its
probably the worst kept secret in...no, wait. The
fact that Harry and that one Japanese office
assistant are sleeping together is the worst kept
secret in the company.
HARRY shows up.
MARTHA
Speak of the devil.
HARRY
So, whos ass do I need to kick?
MARTHA
Aww, Harry. You do care!
HARRY
Im serious. This guys lucky they all look the
same or else Id fuck him up.
MARTHA
Okay, thats incredibly racist, but Ill let it
slide. Im seeing this whole new sensitive side to
you. Not gonna lie, its kind of freaking me out.
4212A337-1
72)
HARRY
I know Im an asshole but I cant fucking stand
bullies.
MARTHA
And here I thought you were just a complete wanker.
HARRY
(To ZACH)
Shes staying at your place, right?
ZACH nods.
We can all hang out there tonight, instead of Hub.
If you dont mind.
ZACH
Its fine with me.
MARTHA
Yeah. She needs her friends.
HARRY
Awesome. Well head over after work. (He checks his
watch) Fuck! Im late. See you!
FADE OUT.
EXT. ZACHS APARTMENT - EVENING
ZACH is arriving home from work. He reaches the landing.
MARTHA, ELENA, and HARRY are there. MARTHA is knocking on the
door.
MARTHA
Hello? Anybody home?
ZACH
(Immediately assuming the worst)
Shes not in there?!
ELENA
Shes not answering...
4212A337-1
73)
The door flies open.

ALESHIA
Sorry!! I was in the shower!
Everyone is visibly relieved.
ZACH
No, yeah. Its cool. We just thoughtALESHIA
I know. Im sorry.
There is an awkward pause.
MARTHA
Anywho...I brought pie, as promised! And The
Breakfast Club.
Everyone starts jostling in.
ALESHIA
But I thought you guys were going out?
ELENA
We can drink whenever. We thought wed come hang
out with you.
MARTHA
Harrys banned from the bar we were planning on
going to, anyway.
HARRY
Hey, Im just saying, if they didnt want me to pee
on them, they shouldnt be sleeping in the street.
DISSOLVE.
INT. ZACHS APARTMENT EVENING
HARRY, ZACH, ELENA, MARTHA, and ALESHIA are all crowded in
ZACHs apartment watching movies and chatting. HARRY and
4212A337-1
74)
MARTHA are bickering as usual. ALESHIA looks tired but

grateful for the company.
Everyone falls asleep in various spots around the apartment.
ELENA, MARTHA, and ALESHIA are crammed on the bed, with
ALESHIA sandwiched in the middle.
FADE OUT.
INT. ZACHS APARTMENT DAY
The next day. ALESHIA is on the phone with CHRISTINE and
KUMAIL. ZACH is cleaning up the mess from the night before.
ALESHIA
Im okay. Im staying at Zachs apartment for
now...yeah. (She holds the phone out to ZACH) Can I
put this on speaker? You know, for moral support.
ZACH nods. He takes the phone and puts it on speaker.
CHRISTINE (PHONE)
Hello? Can you hear us?
ZACH
Yeah. Hi.
KUMAIL (PHONE)
Hey, Zach. How are you holding up?
ZACH
Im fine. Im not scheduled for Friday, so I can
cover her then, but the other days...
CHRISTINE (PHONE)
Ill figure the schedule out, hon. People have
already said theyre willing to cover her shifts.
Aleshia, does your ex know where youre staying?
ALESHIA
No.
CHRISTINE (PHONE)
Brilliant. Lets try to keep it that way. Is there
a chance hell try to show up at work?
4212A337-1
75)
ZACH
The cops said hes in custody right now, so I dont
think so.
KUMAIL (PHONE)
Good. Hopefully he rots in there.
ALESHIA and ZACH smile at each other across the table.
ZACH
So...what do we do now?
CHRISTINE (PHONE)
Thats up to Aleshia, but of course well to do
anything we can to help.
ALESHIA
Thank you. (Deep breath) I...think I want to go
home.
KUMAIL (PHONE)
To Australia?
ALESHIA
Is that possible?
CHRISTINE (PHONE)
Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you think is best
for you.
KUMAIL
In that case, we do have some logistical stuff to
figure out as soon as possible. Does your family
know what happened?
ALESHIA
I havent spoken to them.
CHRISTINE
Okay. You should call and tell them as soon as we
hang up. Ill start looking into your contract
details. We can talk to your landlord for you about
breaking your lease. Ill shoot you an email with
all of this info. Zach, is there anything you need?
ZACH
No. I think Im all set.
4212A337-1
76)
CHRISTINE
Cheers. Aleshia, call your mother.
ALESHIA
Yes, maam.
She hangs up. ZACH stands.
ZACH
Im gonna run to the conbini. Want anything? Unless
I should stick around for this call, too?
ALESHIA
No. Go ahead. This might get ugly.
ZACH puts on his shoes as ALESHIA dials the phone.
ALESHIA
(Waveringly)
Hi, mom? (She bursts into tears as ZACH exits) I
did something really stupid.
FADE OUT.
INT. STAR ENGLISH - DAY
ZACH is starting to get the hang of teaching, and we see this
as he interacts with the students.
MARI
Youve gotten so much better with teaching!
ZACH
(Embarassed but clearly pleased)
You think so?
MARI
Oh, yes! The kids really like you.
ZACH grins in spite of himself.
FADE OUT.
4212A337-1
77)
INT. NARITA AIRPORT DAY

ALESHIA stands with her mom. Everyone has come to see her
off.
ALESHIA
Thank you guys. For everything.
CHRISTINE
Thats what were here for.
MARTHA
Of course! Keep in touch!
HARRY
Take care of yourself, yeah?
ALESHIAs mom touches her shoulder, signaling that they have
to go.
ALESHIA goes around hugging everybody one last time before
picking up her bag. She hugs ZACH last.
ALESHIA
(Whispers)
Thank you.
Everybody waves as she goes.
FADE OUT.
INT. ZACHS APARTMENT NIGHT
Months later. ZACH is planning lessons when he gets a skype
call from ALESHIA.
ALESHIA
Hey!
ZACH
Hey! How are you doing?
ALESHIA
Same ol, same ol You?
4212A337-1
78)
ZACH
A kid kicked me in the groin today, but otherwise
Im good.
ALESHIA
(laughs)
Ahh, the hazards of teaching. (Pause) Zach, I just
wanted to thank you again. Really, I cant thank
you enough.
ZACH
You say that every time we talk. Its fine. Anybody
would have done the same.
ALESHIA
But the fact that I had someone to call...and then
everyone helped with the aftermath. You guys
literally saved my life.
ZACH
Did you ever find out if he went to jail?
ALESHIA
Kumail said he just got a fine. Whatever. Hell get
whats coming to him eventually.
ZACH
Harry still keeps offering to take care of him
for you.
ALESHIA
Nah. Hes not worth it. I have to focus on sorting
myself out. And Harry should focus on his raging
alcoholism.
Both laugh.
What about you? Are you gonna be a lifer?
ZACH
Hell, no. I think Im gonna stick around for
another year then head home. I might look into
getting my teaching degree. I actually like working
with the kids, but I cant stay in Japan since NI
HON GO DE KI MA SEN.
ALESHIA
4212A337-1
79)
(laughs)
Who all is renewing their contracts?
ZACH
Hmmm. Christine is sticking around until next Fall.
Elena got a job at an international school, but I
think Harry and Martha are peacing out.
ALESHIA
Its crazy how people come and go so quickly.
ZACH
I dont blame them. Japan is cool and all, but I
couldnt stay here forever.
There is a pause as they both get lost in thought.
ZACH
Hey, what does gera gera po mean?
ALESHIA
I have no clue. What is that?
ZACH
I dont know either. The kids keep singing it at
me...
FADE OUT AS THEIR CONVERSATION CONTINUES.
INT. STAR ENGLISH - MORNING
ZACH has finally reached his stride as a teacher. He is
prepared and jumps out of the way as the children rush in,
picking up one child and swinging her around as she giggles
in delight.
ZACH
Good morning, everyone!
CHILDREN
Good morning, Zach-sensei!
END.
4212A337-1
80)
APPENDIX)II):)LONG:FORM)INTERVIEW)RESPONSES)
)
)
2.)(Do(you(feel(satisfied(with(your(workplace(community?((
MIf(no,(why(not?(What(would(you(change?((
MIf(yes,(what(aspects(are(fulfilling?(
)
)
Yes:)I)generally)get)along)well)with)other)staff)members,)regularly)have)conversations)
with)many)other)staff)members,)and)everyone)is)friendly)to)me.))
)
No.)Because)of)teacher)swaps)every)year,)I)inevitably)lose)at)least)a)few)of)the)people)I)
feel)I)can)trust)or)rely)on)every)year)and)have)built)relationships)with;)very)few)of)
them)keep)in)contact)with)me)once)they)have)moved)to)a)new)school,)so)it)makes)
everything)feel)very)shallow)and)fake)in)retrospect.))
)
Yes,)they)are)mostly)in)the)same)position)as)me,)in)life)and)work.)
))
Yes.)The)size)of)my)workplace)is)quite)small,)which)makes)it)easier)to)get)to)know)
people)and)form)friendships.)
)
Yes,)I)feel)supported,)welcomed)and)comfortable.)
)
Yes.)I)feel)that)I)connect)with)many)of)my)coworkers)on)both)a)personal)and)
professional)level.)
)
Yes.)I)have)respect)personally)and)have)on)the)whole)positive)relationships)with)my)
coworkers;)but,)my)skills)are)underutilized)as)a)professional)and)that)negatively)
affects)my)feelings)towards)some)of)them.)
)
Yes,)but)sometimes)I)feel)invisible,)but)those)are)usually)busy)times)when)everyone)is)
busy.)When)people)have)time)to)relax)or)at)events)people)seem)to)act)differently.)I)
think)it's)about)catching)them)at)the)right)time.)
)
Yes,)I)get)to)express)my)thoughts)and)emotions)in)English)with)my)co:workers.)I)
cannot)totally)express)myself)with)my)Japanese)friends.)Because)of)the)language)
barrier.)
)
Yes,)because)I)can)connect,)both)on)a)professional)and)personal)level)with)my)fellow)
colleagues.)
)
Yes.)The)satisfactory)aspects)are)that)my)coworkers)often)relate)to)the)transient)
nature)of)Japan)and)all)aspects)of)the)difficulties)faced)by)those)living)and)working)in)
another)country)and)culture.)The)unsatisfactory)aspects)are)that)the)general)age)
group)of)most)of)my)coworkers)is)significantly)different)to)my)age.)
4212A337-1
81)
)
Yes.)Good)people)
)
Yes.)Most)people)are)easy)to)talk)to,)though)terrible)gossips.)I)always)know)what's)
happening)in)everybody's)business)even)if)I)don't)really)want)to.)
)
Yes.)I)enjoy)the)company)of)my)coworkers.)I've)made)some)good)friendships)through)
my)work)and)am)able)to)talk)about)both)personal)and)work)related)issues)with)those)
coworkers.)
)
Yes,)I)can)meet)with)others)and)we)go)out)and)enjoy)various)activities)together.)
)
)
)
)
5.)(In(what(way(has(being(a(member(of(this(community(impacted(your(time(in(Japan?(
(
)
Other)teachers)have)helped)me)to)understand)more)about)Japan)and)its)culture;)
whenever)I)have)questions)about)things)that)have)happened)in)and)outside)of)school,)
they)have)explained)to)me)about)those)things.)
)
Well,)I)was)able)to)wear)a)kimono)for)a)Hinamatsuri)parade)my)first)year)here)because)
of)one)of)my)teacher's)help,)and)another)teacher)helped)me)in)a)situation)in)which)my)
keys)had)somehow)been)lost)or)stolen,)and)another)took)me)to)a)doctor)when)I)was)
sick)here)for)the)first)time)and)didn't)know)where)to)go)and)yet)another)has)
repeatedly)helped)me)with)bike)repairs)to)my)only)and)crucial)mode)of)transportation)
(bicycle).)Without)their)help,)things)would)have)been)worse.)
)
Not)feeling)lonely.)Able)to)do)things,)with)people)I)can)talk)to)in)English.)
)
I've)made)many)friends)who)have)helped)me)with)the)language)barrier,)so)it's)been)a)
much)smoother)transition.)For)example)setting)up)a)bank)account)etc.)
)
It)has)made)me)feel)more)included)and)at)home.)
))
I)feel)a)lot)more)comfortable,)despite)being)socially)awkward.)
))
It)has)improved)my)opinion)of)the)workplace)in)Japan.)I)feel)more)recognized)as)a)
person.)I)chose)to)extend)my)contract)in)part)because)of)my)acceptance)into)the)work)
community.)
)
It)defines)my)time)here.)I)would)still)have)identity)without)it,)but)being)a)"teacher")
certainly)helps)define)my)experience)
)
4212A337-1
82)
It)has)allowed)me)to)vent)my)frustrations)and)share)my)positive)interactions)as)well.)It)
has)allowed)me)to)enjoy)my)time)in)Japan)more.)
))
I)feel)like)I'm)a)part)of)the)bigger)whole,)and)I)feel)wanted.)
)
Having)lived)both)with)and)without)such)a)community)I)can)say)that)it)has)had)a)
fundamental)impact)on)my)sense)of)well:being.)I)feel)happier)and)more)relaxed)(in)
turn)in)better)health)and)less)stressed))than)I)did)before)I)worked)with)such)a)
community)of)people.)
)
Unsure)
)
They)make)living)in)this)country)bearable.)I'd)have)gone)crazy)by)now)if)not)for)people)
to)vent)to.)I)do)not)care)for)Japan.)
)
I've)been)introduced)to)new)places,)activities,)and)experiences)through)my)work)and)
coworkers.)I'm)generally)a)shy,)quiet)person,)but)most)of)my)coworkers)are)not)and)
that)has)also)drawn)me)out)of)my)shell)and)given)me)more)opportunities)here.)
)
Some)people)that)I)have)met)in)previous)expat)Japanese)communities)have)become)
lifelong)friends)that)I)have)shared)life)milestones)with,)visited)and)in)some)cases)
become)part)of)their)family.)
)
)
)
)
)
)
8.)(How(would(your(life(in(Japan(be(different(if(you(werent(a(part(of(this(community?(
(
)
I)would)probably)have)a)more)superficial)understanding)about)life)in)Japan.)
)
Well)I)guess)I)wouldn't)be)a)teacher,)and)so)I)probably)wouldn't)be)in)Japan,)or)I'd)be)
teaching)at)another)school.)I'm)really)not)sure)about)this)question;)there's)no)way)to)
be)a)part)of)the)school)and)not)at)*all*)a)part)of)the)teaching)community,)so)to)not)be)
in)the)latter)means)to)be)excluded)from)work)in)general.)
)
I'd)be)less)social.)Probably)depressed.)
)
I)would)struggle)with)doing)certain)tasks)that)require)me)to)use)Japanese.)I)would)feel)
more)isolated.)
)
I)would)feel)much)more)isolated.)
)
I)think)I)wouldn't)be)as)happy)or)healthy.)
4212A337-1
83)
)
I)would)be)less)involved)outside)the)classroom)and)in)general)more)dissatisfied)with)
my)day:to:day)activities)at)school.)
)
I)wouldn't)be)teaching)
)
I)would)feel)more)alone.)
)
I)would)probably)not)enjoy)work)as)much,)nor)feel)as)motivated)as)I)do)to)do)my)job.)
)
I)would)(and)did))feel)the)opposite)of)the)above)comments.)In)addition,)having)no)
peers)around)you)means)you)cannot)vent,)you)feel)silenced,)frequently)more)tired,)
less)social,)more)upset)with)life)and,)dare)I)say)it,)jaded.)
)
More)of)an)asshole)and)alcoholic)
)
I)would)have)had)to)put)forth)effort)to)find)friends)in)Japan)through)alternative)means.)
)
I)would)have)fewer)friends)here)in)Japan)and)would)not)have)had)the)reason)or)
opportunity)to)go)to)some)parts)of)the)Kanto)region.)
)
I)might)have)left)Japan)
)
)
)
)
)
)
9.)(Do(you(think(you(have(changed(since(entering(this(community?(In(what(way?(
(
)
I)think)I)have)gained)some)confidence)and)power)from)being)around)many)teachers)
here.)
)
I)think)for)the)most)part)I)have)grown)more)independent.)Most)things)I)have)to)do)for)
myself,)unless)I)break)down)and)ask)for)assistance,)which)is)very)rare.)I)might)have)a)
better)understanding)and)compassion)for)both)students)and)teachers)in)Japan)and)the)
difficulties)that)they)face.)Because)of)the)government's)meddling)ways,)I'd)say)I)have)
an)even)stronger)distaste)for)the)government)on)a)national)level.)
)
Yes,)I've)become)more)social,)open)to)try)new)things.)
)
I)bow)at)random)times)for)no)reason)(e.g)speaking)on)the)phone).)
)
No.)
)
4212A337-1
84)
I've)become)more)positive)and)relaxed.)
)
Not)in)particular.)
)
I)can)help)out)as)a)teacher)
)
A)little.)I've)met)more)people)not)from)my)county,)and)that)always)broadens)my)global)
view)of)the)world.)
)
No)
)
As)well)as)what)I've)described)above,)I)have)felt)like)I)enjoy)life)more)and)have)
benefited)from)meeting)a)wide)range)of)people,)from)all)different)ages)and)
backgrounds.)You)can't)help)but)learn)from)those)people.)I've)benefited)from)learning)
their)tips)and)tricks)with)work)and)I've)gained)some)good)friends.)
)
Less)dickish)
)
Not)particularly.)I)feel)like)I've)been)able)to)communicate)with)a)lot)of)different)people)
that)I)wouldn't)have)encountered)in)my)home)country)and)often)adamantly)try)to)
defend)my)beliefs.)They've)help)to)cement)that)many)of)my)beliefs)hold)true)for)me)
and)I)feel)I've)shared)ideas)that)other's)don't)have)to)think)about)in)their)home)
countries.)
)
I)am)even)more)open)to)new)experiences)now)and)have)gained)confidence.)I)am)also)
more)knowledgeable)about)the)world)in)general)through)meeting)so)many)people)
from)different)countries)and)backgrounds.)
)
No)
)
)
)
)
)
10.)(Are(you(a(member(of(any(other(communities(within(Japan?(Please(describe.)
)
Friends,)soccer)team)(previously),)Japanese)wife's)family)
)
The)JET)community,)yet.)
)
No)
)
I)was)a)member)of)a)Brazillian)jiu:jitsu)club,)so)was)able)to)experience)some)Brazillian)
culture.)
)
Yes,)I)am)a)member)of)volunteer)organizations)and)a)sports)team.)
4212A337-1
85)
)
I'm)a)member)of)several)circles)in)the)community.)
)
I)am)a)member)of)the)ex:pat)community,)my)Japanese)husband's)extended)family,)and)
a)local)choir.)
)
Climbing)Cycling)Aikido)
)
No)
)
Pub)Crawl)Tokyo)
)
I)joined)a)community)of)fellow)teachers)that)share)a)similar)sports)activity.)
)
I)still)communicate)with)my)friends)from)a)former)teaching)job.)They're)cool,)and)
more)like)family)due)to)the)closeness)of)our)apartments)and)better)working)hours.)I)
saw)them)a)lot)more)often.)
))
Yes,)I)have)lived)in)a)few)different)places)in)Japan,)building)community)ties)and)
friendships.)
)
4212A337-1
86)

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Depicting Foreigners and Community

in Films about Japan

Paul; Nadarajah, Yaso; Haive, Karen; Stead, Victoria. Sustainable Communities,

Establishing shots show scenes of Tokyo.

Next, she gestures to ZACH. American in his early twenties,

The what now?

ELENA. She is a young American woman of Latin decent. She is

Five seems a bit...limited.

Im Zach. Uhm. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu? Is that

I just started screaming at him. And then he had

Okay! Nevermind! No sticker! How about this piece

No. He didnt do it on purpose. I mean hes usually

Are you inside?

Im sorry. It was, like, 6,000 yen. Ill pay you

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Its kind of like an addiction. They build you up

They move towards the door, with ALESHIA leaning on them

The door flies open.

MARTHA are bickering as usual. ALESHIA looks tired but

INT. NARITA AIRPORT DAY

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