Japan - US Business News

Japan-US Business News to relaunch with new format in January 2012

2011-06-26T14:28:14-04:00

The Interpreter's Corner: My Breaking Point

2011-04-11T07:19:00-04:00

Amya Miller continues to chronicle the day to day struggles of the people and relief efforts in the earthquake and tsunami ravaged areas in Japan... I have been in Ofunato and Rikuzentakata for a week now and have found myself numb driving past and walking through the immense devastation. I have been told by the relief workers I am working with that shutting down my emotions is a necessary part of doing my job and while I have struggled with the idea of having to go “robotic” in order to function, I’ve done just that. Until yesterday. This, I believe,...

The Interpreter's Corner: A Whole New Kind of Interpreting

2011-04-02T15:54:47-04:00

I arrived in Tokyo last night. It’s changed. The streets are darker, lights are out all over the place (rolling blackouts). Food is available but on my morning walk to the local Lawson to pick up water and milk tea, I noticed maybe a third of the shelves were still empty. There are also significantly fewer gaijins. More on that some other day. I’m finding myself facing a whole new kind of interpreting experience. I’m heading up north to Ohfunato today for two months. What am I doing? I can’t honestly say. I have been told relief/disaster work is very...

The Interpreter's Corner: Change in Schedule until end of May

2011-03-31T20:56:13-04:00

Dear All, The Interpreter’s Corner will not be featured on its regular weekly schedule for the next two and a half months. Amya Miller has volunteered with a Boston based relief organization and left yesterday to go to the earthquake and tsunami ravaged area in Japan. She will try to chronicle what she is seeing and doing if she is able to but her primary goal is to be as of much help as she can to the people in these devastated towns in Japan in their time of need. Please keep Japan and her in your thoughts. Below is...

The Interpreter's Corner: Emotions and Control for Japan

2011-03-24T09:00:22-04:00

I have sat by the phone for boyfriends to call. I have sat by the phone waiting to hear about my nieces' births. I have sat and waited for many reasons. You would think by now I would be used to it. I'm not. I hate it. This past week has been a waiting game. A call comes in and says "we'll know more tomorrow." Tomorrow arrives and no one calls. I feel like I'm seventeen again. The boy I like didn't call me. I mope. I pout. I get angry at the people I love. When the phone finally...

The Interpreter's Corner: Scared

2011-03-18T15:35:40-04:00

The earthquake in Japan, the subsequent tsunamis and aftershocks that never seem to cease has me reeling. I go back and forth between being glued to the television and walking away, emotionally drained. Then I made a decision. I’m an interpreter. I can be of use the most in Japan. I’m going. Fast-forward, I am on standby with multiple organizations, federal, private and non-profit. I have told all of them I am prepared to leave as early as March 22nd. I went to my doctor and stocked up on medication so I can stay long term. I’m mentally packing, trying...