Coming from the Far East to the Middle East, these Japanese expats talk of cherry blossoms back home and the cosmopolitan vibe of the UAE.
Shinji Tada, Managing Director, Brother Gulf
I have been living in Dubai for the last 10 months after working in the UK and Germany. Dubai is an interesting place to live in, with lots happening at this moment in terms of development. What is reassuring about this place is that the Japanese society is pretty big here because of the presence of several Japanese companies. Also there are many Japanese restaurants in Dubai, which serve excellent Japanese food. But I really miss the four seasons of Japan, especially the season of the cherry blossoms. I am from Nagoya City and my family lives there. Living in Dubai, I have grown to love Arabic and Iranian cuisine. But I certainly don't like the heat and the traffic. My weekends are spent playing golf at the Emirates Club and listening to music. I experience a completely different culture here, but I am enjoying it in every way.
Taku Miyazaki, JETRO, Dubai
I am from Tokyo and have been living in Dubai for the year and a half. I was quite surprised when I came to Dubai to see the economic boom and the several new projects that are taking shape here. They are all very unique and make this a very interesting place to live in. Dubai is a young country and is eager to develop. But it is getting crowded very fast. I enjoy a good Japanese meal at the Yakitori House in the Ascot Hotel and also at Kiku at the Meridian Hotel. Professionally I am in this country to promote economic relationships between Japan and the UAE. It has been a very rewarding experience so far. Personally, I enjoy shopping, driving and swimming, and I spend my weekends doing a bit of all these things.
Yoko Tsutomo, Housewife
I came to Dubai with my husband, who is a civil engineer, almost two years ago. My three-year-old daughter Kaho loves it here in Dubai. She goes to a nursery, and most of my time is spent looking after the house and keeping her busy. But I do have many Japanese friends here in Dubai. We meet up from time to time at the Hyatt Regency, and catch up on all the news. I am fond of cooking and can make the Miso soup well enough. I also make the sushi and the tempura quite often. Every year I visit Japan to be with my family there. This year when I went there, I was surprised to find how hot it was. We complain about Dubai's heat, but Japan was no better. This really surprised me, and I missed the cool weather of Japan.
Atsuko Minagi, Housewife
I was born in Hiroshima, but later lived in Tokyo. I think I was destined to come to this region, because from a very young age I was very interested in Islamic culture.
As a child I had attended a Turkish art exhibition, and was fascinated by Arabic calligraphy. The letters were very beautiful, and I wanted to learn how to write Arabic. This later inspired me to take up Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Osaka University of Foreign Studies. I met my husband in college, and came to Dubai with him almost three and a half years ago.
I would like to take up calligraphy again, but with two young boys at home I don't find the time. I miss the beautiful seasons of Japan quite a bit, especially autumn, when the country looks so beautiful. The best thing about Dubai is that it is very cosmopolitan, and even though I don't have much opportunity to interact with the locals, I feel good to see so many different people around me.
Koichi Yokoyama, Manager, Index Conferences and Exhibitions
I arrived in Duabi last March from Hawaii. I am a beach addict, so Dubai is definitely a good place to be in after Hawaii. I feel comfortable here, more so because I have the good luck to work with a very close friend of mine. He is from this region, and we studied together in the US. Currently he is the Vice President of the company.
My job is quite exciting because it takes me to different countries. I feel Arabic culture is very similar to Japanese culture in the way it respects people. Dubai is a racial melting pot and I enjoy meeting different people every day.
My weekends are spent playing soccer or at the beach. I don't have too many Japanese friends. Due to the nature of my job, I have more friends from this region and on a typical boys night out, you will find me playing soccer with them.
Masamitsu Morino, Chef De Cuisine, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
I have been working in Dubai for the last six and half years. The demand for Japanese food in Dubai is for inexpensive, quick and good quality meals. I personally love Lebanese food. But I do miss Japan, particularly the food and the renowned Onsen baths and hot springs.
What I love about Dubai is that there are so many different options for socializing. I love shopping, dining out, water sports and golf and I love the fact that Dubai provides the opportunity for all these. The shopping malls, restaurants, beaches and golf courses make this a wonderful place to be in.
