Interviewing Australian people
working in Japan-related enterprises

 

Interview: Katie McMahon Katie McMahon is a program co-ordinator in the Arts and Culture Department for the Japan Foundation in Sydney, a position she has held since 2003. She spent a year in Japan on a working holiday in 1998. From 2001 to 2002 she was an exchange student at Seoul National University in Korea and held a two-month internship at Samsung in Seoul. Katie has a BA from the University of New South Wales, majoring in Japanese and Korean studies. In 1995 she won a two-week high school scholarship on the Manly-Odawara Council exchange program. Katie cites her interests as learning, playing the taiko (Japanese drum), watching cricket, travelling and learning about other cultures.

Did you have any funny or interesting experiences during your time in Japan?

Because I learned most of my Japanese in Osaka, I didn't realise what "Osaka-ben (Osaka dialect)" was and what wasn't, so when I moved to Kanagawa I was constantly being corrected and laughed at.

Please describe your current work.

I have been working with the Japan Foundation in Sydney for three-and-a-half years in my current position. I organise Japanese culture and art-related events such as exhibitions, performances, festivals and workshops. Each day is different but, together with my department I plan, market and look after the logistics of events. Last year was huge for us because of the 2006 Australia-Japan Year of Exchange. Some of our biggest events were the Nature's Rhythm, Eitetsu Hayashi and TaikOz concert series, TSUGARU-Soul & Beat of Japan concert series and our 10th Japanese Film Festival. It was so amazing to meet and tour with artists like taiko master Eitetsu Hayashi and other musicians, as well as arranging workshops for children with inspirational, prize-winning children's book author/illustrators Ryoji Arai and Koji Suzuki. I often think what a wonderful job I have, to be able to work alongside such talented and creative people and get an insight into their lives.

Is there anything unique about your position or organisation?

I think the Japan Foundation is unique in the position that it holds in Australia and in other countries. There are very few governments around the world who nurture the promotion of their language and culture like Japan does - and Japan has such a rich cultural history to draw from. Our office is unique in that we are the only Japan Foundation office located in the Oceania region.

How do you use your Japanese language skills and understanding of Japanese culture at work?

All our meetings are in Japanese and therefore all employees are bilingual to varying degrees. As we mostly deal with the Australian public or Japanese residing in Australia, most of my communication with the public is in English. My manager is Japanese and therefore our conversations are a mix of both languages. When we have artists or performing groups from Japan, we need to be able to communicate with them in Japanese so it can be quite challenging and it constantly reminds me how far I still have to go with my Japanese learning.

Do you see any differences between Australian workers and Japanese workers at your office?

I have learned from working in a multicultural organisation that there is not so much a difference between "Australian" and "Japanese" workers, but rather differences of personality in general. I have found there is a difference in working styles between our head office in Tokyo and our Sydney office. Many of the head office staff who come to work in our Sydney office for three years and then return to Japan, always say how much they miss the relaxed and accepting atmosphere of our workplace and the Australian lifestyle in general.
One thing I have found here is that your colleagues become like family in the level of closeness. This could also have something to do with the distance of being away from one's home country but I think it is to do with the strong sense of community which is naturally present in a Japanese group working or spending a lot of time together.

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Interview: Fabio Morsillo Fabio Morsillo is a supervisor in Administration and Human Resources at Japan Airlines International Company Limited. He began his career in the airline industry in 1997, joining All Nippon Airways in a customer services role after returning from living and studying in Japan for several years. All Nippon Airways ceased operating in early 1999 and he was employed by Japan Airlines immediately afterwards, working in different areas of the company. He holds a BA degree majoring in industrial relations and sociology from a Japanese university. Fabio's interests include socialising with friends, being outdoors and travelling. He also enjoys watching Japanese drama series on DVD as he often watched television during his time in Japan.

Where did you learn Japanese and how long did it take you to learn?

I studied Japanese in Australia for three years at university. I had no previous knowledge of the language so grasping the basics was difficult at first. After graduating from university, I decided to go to Japan for six months but it turned into five years. I studied at a Japanese language school for two years and then moved on to university. My first year at the university was as a special student studying Japanese language, literature and history. Towards the end of the first year I took an examination and successfully became a regular student of the university where I completed the third and fourth year of a bachelor of arts degree majoring in industrial relations and sociology.

What did you learn from living there?

I learned many things about Japanese customs and traditions, especially from my homestay family. For example, how to greet people, how to use chopsticks and how to take a bath.

Did you have any funny or interesting experiences while you were in Japan?

Many a time I have tried to close taxi doors after forgetting that the doors are automatic and feeling embarrassed as onlookers witnessed the act and on a couple of occasions I have been asked in Japanese whether or not I could use chopsticks when dining in restaurants. Had I been asked the same question in English it would not be out of the ordinary.

Please describe your current job.

I work at Japan Airlines in Administration and Human Resources. I am responsible for payroll, recruitment and occupational health and safety among other industrial relations, administration and accounting matters. I work with three other members in my section, apart from the managers.

Is there anything unique about your position or company?

One unique aspect about my company is that the head office is located in Japan. Top-level management in Australia is expatriate Japanese staff from Japan.

How do you use your Japanese language skills and understanding of Japanese culture at work?

In my position I use Japanese from time to time via e-mail when corresponding with head office. Head office sends me e-mails inquiring mainly about accounting matters. Occasionally I receive calls from outside customers where I might use Japanese. One of the main reasons I joined a Japanese company was to use all the knowledge I gained during the time I spent in Japan. My studies of the Japanese language and industrial relations are useful in my current position.

Do you see any differences between Australian workers and Japanese workers at your office?

There are not many differences between the Japanese and Australian workers in my company. The Japanese workers are employed locally in Australia with good English skills and an understanding of Australian culture. The only difference I notice is that the Japanese workers have a strong loyalty to the company that stems from their Japanese heritage.

What would you like to achieve in your career, in the medium to long-term?

I would like to learn as much as possible about my company and continue to use my knowledge of the Japanese language and culture in the workplace.