Studying in Japan from the UK - A Personal Account by a Daiwa Scholar in Japanese Studies

When I left Japan to visit family in early March, the UK had yet to have a single death, and Japan was only applying entry ban to a very limited number of regions. By the end of the month, the UK, along with most of Europe had entered lockdown, and after developing symptoms myself, I was forced to miss my flight back to Japan on the 29^th. By the time I was well and had observed the seven-day self-quarantine order, the UK had been added to the list of countries banned from entering Japan, leaving me stuck until further notice.

Luckily for me, my university, the University of Tokyo, had already made the decision to move most classes online, which turned into all classes shortly after; so even without being in Japan I have been able to continue attending classes, which finally started last Monday. The main problem with this however is that the eight-hour time difference between Japan and the UK means my classes, all in the afternoon over there, become early morning classes here. One optional course I am taking starts at 13:00 in Japan, but 05:00 in the UK. Not an ideal time for class I must say.

Of the three courses I am taking, one that is continuing from last semester is being run without live online sessions, rather being done by having ‘presenting’ students upload slides on Dropbox by the original class time, then the rest uploading feedback by midnight of the next day.  My other two courses use Zoom, one being a lecture and the other a seminar. They work well enough, although the main teething issue I have seen so far is in regards to participation, it seems like students are less likely to speak in online sessions, or do not know how to make it clear to the teacher that they want to. It is also inconsistent as to whether students switch their camera on. When the majority do not then even the ones who had their camera on switch it off and the lecturer is stuck talking to a sea of black boxes with names in them. It looks like it is more than a little awkward for the lecturer.

As for my research, as I lack any major fieldwork components that require me to be in Japan, I am yet to have any major issues. One advantage of studying manga is that much of it is available in e-book format, so my main source of primary material is globally accessible, although I am unable to access many of the books I had bought physically and are in my apartment in Japan. I have been able to keep in contact with my supervisor through email, so while there is very little overlap between when he is in the office and I am awake, it works for the type of communication we need to do. Other requirements that usually need a physical signature from my supervisor have been changed to need some form of electronic proof by the student office, so I am also dealing with less paperwork.

Overall, studying in Japan from the UK has proven to be a lot simpler than I had expected, albeit it is still not ideal. With the situation ongoing I have little idea as to when I will finally be able to return to Japan, but hopefully by the time I am the virus will be under somewhat more control. However, my research, and ultimately my need to be in Japan, is second to ensuring that the virus is not spread by any more unnecessary travelling and meetings. This may not be the start to the year that anybody wanted, or anticipated, but hopefully we will be able to return to some semblance of normality soon.

Callum Sarracino is a Daiwa Scholar in Japanese Studies 2019. His profile can be viewed via this link.