Activate Your Japanese!
2022 · 15m · Documentary
Learn how to make the most of your Japanese skills. Watch our drama that features useful communication strategies, our snappy videos about onomatopoeia, and our documentaries on workers from abroad in various parts of Japan.
Episodes
1. Chasing a Dream15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" It is springtime and a woman is on a plane flying to Japan. She is Xuan, who left Vietnam to work at a hotel in Japan. After the plane lands, she looks for her supervisor waiting at the airport. That is when a foreign boy suddenly hands her a key holder. She eventually meets her supervisor Ota and Rei, the chef, and they head to the hotel. Xuan, however, cannot keep up a conversation with them. She gives up and tries to sleep. At that moment, time stops and, to her surprise, the key holder she received at the airport starts moving and talking. It suggests Xuan should ask questions and let the other person talk. Xuan is able to enjoy talking with Ota and Rei and she finally arrives at the hotel.
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Htet Shein Win from Myanmar, who works at a resort hotel in Okinawa Prefecture!
2. The Courage to Ask15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" On her first day at work, Xuan meets her trainer Sumire, who seems a little intimidating. When Xuan feels lost for not being able to catch Sumire's instructions spoken with a Kansai accent, the black-robed stagehand (Yansu) appears again and stops the time. Yansu advises Xuan to repeat what she could hear and just ask for the part where she could not pick up. After Yansu turns back time, Xuan gathers her courage and asks Sumire to say the instructions about work once more.
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Sukkiri
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Zeba Ahmed from the United States, who works at a company in Miyagi Prefecture that promotes the local area!
3. Say Something, Anything15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Although Xuan was working eagerly, she was scolded by Sumire. She also happened to come across Rei being yelled at by his superior at work. Identifying with him, Xuan wants to cheer him up but cannot express herself aptly in Japanese. What will Xuan do?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Hottosuru
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on Nguyen Xuan Diep from Vietnam, who works at a metal parts factory in Okayama Prefecture.
4. Creating Your Perfect Home15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" It is Xuan's first day off. When she is feeling sad by looking at her sparsely decorated flat, Ota and Monica arrive to help. When she learns that Monica's room is decorated in a cute way using items from the 100-yen shop, Xuan heads to the shop with Ota and Monica. But she cannot remember the name "tsuppari-bo" which she had wanted to buy. What will she do?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Bacchiri
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on Garcia Kristine Gordula from the Philippines, who works at a senior care facility in Aichi Prefecture.
5. I Want Us to Be Friends15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Although Xuan is getting used to work, she is yet to have a friendly conversation with Sumire. Taking Yansu's advice, she tries to find a "common topic" and talk to her. But she has difficulty finding a "common topic." What will Xuan do?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Dokidoki
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on Takahashi Amir from Iran, who runs a bakery in Gunma Prefecture.
6. Don't Be Shy to Ask15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" When Xuan was taking out her trash before heading to work, her neighbor Sasaki gets angry with her at the trash collection area of the apartment. Although she cannot understand why he got angry, Sasaki's granddaughter Aoi comes to the rescue. But Xuan uses the wrong word when speaking to Sasaki and he gets angrier. What will Xuan do?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Batabata
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on Rasoanjanahary Tantely from Madagascar, who works at a manufacturer of food processing machinery in Hiroshima Prefecture.
7. But I Wasn't Finished...15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Ota asks Xuan to come along and they head to Kaan's food truck. She notices, however, that she is always interrupted while she is still thinking of what to say. What shall she do?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Barabara
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on Uno Maria Emilia from Argentina, who works at a hamburger shop in Saitama Prefecture.
8. Check as You Go15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" On her day off, Xuan is going to meet Aoi, who will give her a tour of Nagatoro in Saitama Prefecture. Xuan is really excited to be in Nagatoro, which is the setting of an anime she loves, and snaps away at various locations. Aoi asks Xuan why she loves the anime, but it seems that she is not quite getting what Xuan wants to say. How can Xuan get herself across?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Gorogoro
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on Shovon Majumder from Bangladesh, who works at an IT firm in Nagano Prefecture.
9. Letting Them Know I'm Listening15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Aoi and Xuan continue to stroll through Nagatoro. They enter a coffee shop where Aoi consults Xuan about her romance, but there seems to be a problem in the way Xuan reacted. How should she react?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Pittari
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on Amani Amiroh from Indonesia, who works at a theme park in Tochigi Prefecture.
10. Speaking Simply Is Thoughtful15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Xuan's days as a rookie at the hotel are no more. One morning, a new member joins the crew. Now she has a "kohai" junior called Danny, from Indonesia. It turns out that Danny cannot understand complicated Japanese phrases, and he fails to understand Sumire's instructions. As his "senpai" senior colleague, Xuan tries to explain what Sumire meant, but it is a struggle.
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Bottosuru
"Welcome to My Japan!" features Nguyen Manh Duong from Vietnam, who works at a company that conducts steel reinforcement work in Ibaraki Prefecture!
11. ASAP Isn't Easy15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" As Xuan teaches Danny how to do his job while she tackles her own work, her life is busy and fulfilling. One day, Ota asks Danny and Xuan to do a task with the instruction "as soon as possible." But, since the 2 have other work to finish, they decide to address the matter later. Is that the decision they should make?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Hetoheto
"Welcome to My Japan!" features Irina Cheblakova from Russia, who works at a business support center in Tottori Prefecture that promotes international business activities!
12. Ending a Conversation on a High Note15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Trouble at the hotel. The flowers for the wedding today have failed to arrive. Ota asks Xuan to go to the flower shop to get them, and Xuan hurries over. But the chatty shopkeeper keeps rambling on! How can Xuan cut the conversation short politely?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Supatto
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Jung Min Hyeok from South Korea, who works at a ski resort in Hokkaido Prefecture!
13. Putting Yourself in the Guest's Shoes15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Xuan's latest worry is Danny, her "kohai" junior colleague. Sumire rebukes Danny over his attitude toward a guest, but he thinks it is simply because of her dislike for him. Danny fails to understand when Sumire tells him to put himself in the guest's shoes. Xuan wants to explain and struggles to get Danny to understand. How can she explain what Sumire meant?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Jiintosuru
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Geng Yunting from China, who works at a machine parts manufacturer in Gifu Prefecture!
14. If You Don't Remember...15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Xuan visits Kaan's food truck during lunch break and, to her surprise, finds Rei there. He has been learning how to make Turkish cuisine at the food truck to broaden his culinary skills. After being asked by Rei, Xuan teaches him how to make a Vietnamese dish, but she is unable to remember the name of one of the ingredients. How can she tell him what it is?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Moyamoya
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Om Saory from Cambodia, who works at a farm in Kagawa Prefecture!
15. Everyone Has an Opinion15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Ota asks Xuan, Danny and Monica to plan an activity for the hotel's autumn campaign, and the three of them try to discuss their ideas. Yansu notices that Danny has remained quiet and tells Xuan that she should get everyone to participate in the discussion. How can Xuan encourage Danny to join in the discussion?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Sotto
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Tanikawa Iryna from Ukraine, who makes traditional Japanese sweets at a confectionary in Fukui Prefecture!
16. When Changing the Subject15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Xuan struggles with her new duties at the hotel's Japanese restaurant. Maybe because of the stress, she feels a little dizzy at work. Ota is worried about her and asks if she is okay, but Xuan's thoughts wander off. Xuan is more worried about whether or not Rei's bento menu has been chosen for the autumn campaign. As a result, she startles Ota by abruptly bringing up the subject during their conversation. What could she have done to avoid surprising Ota?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Papatto
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Nalin Dananjaya RATNAYAKA from Sri Lanka, who works as a mechanic at a car dealership in Chiba Prefecture!
17. When You Disagree15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" After passing out, Xuan finds herself waking up in a hotel room. Ota feels responsible for Xuan's blackout and tells her that she no longer needs to be a part of the planning team for the hotel's autumn campaign. But Xuan actually wants to plan for the campaign. What should she do?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Dondon
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Silvia DE SOUZA from Brazil, who works at a factory that coats metal parts in Toyama Prefecture!
18. Broaden My Horizons?15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Xuan struggles with the planning for the hotel's autumn campaign, and Rei gives her some advice that she should broaden her horizons. But Xuan is baffled. What should she do to broaden her horizons? How can she be able to understand his advice?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Wakuwaku
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Enkhuyanga ENKHBAYAR from Mongolia, who works at a company that produces industrial chemicals in Shiga Prefecture!
19. Taking a Step Forward15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Xuan goes to a staff meeting for the summer festival. There she watches Sasaki and the members of the neighborhood association and youth team get into a heated debate about what they should do this year. Xuan is unable to participate in the discussion, although she wants to, instead of just listening. How can she join in the discussion?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Burabura
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Kanchha LAMA from Nepal, who is a farmer in Saga Prefecture!
20. I Actually Need a Favor15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Rei's bento menu for the hotel's autumn campaign was passed over. Xuan wants to cheer him up and asks him if he can come and help with the summer festival. But Rei is completely oblivious of the fact that Xuan has asked him to do something. Xuan turns to Yansu for help. How can she get Rei to understand her request?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Kirakira
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Thin Theint Theint Soe from Myanmar, who works at a plastic parts manufacturer in Osaka Prefecture!
21. I Can Use That!15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Three days before the summer festival, Xuan is at the shrine grounds preparing the stage with Danny, Monica, Aoi and other locals. After Tadokoro leaves them with convoluted instructions, everyone is confused about how the chairs and tables should be arranged. Xuan tries to find Tadokoro, but Yansu reminds her that she should be able to explain. Xuan comes round to the idea of explaining the layout to everyone herself. But the information is complicated. How can she explain it in an easy-to-understand manner?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Texture of Food 1
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of Romain LEBRUN from Belgium, who works as a salt master at a salt farm in Ishikawa Prefecture!
22. An Unexpected Task15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" It is the day of the summer festival, and they find out that the MC for the karaoke contest is unable to come. Tadokoro asks Xuan to stand in, along with Sasaki. The man who was supposed to be the MC explains what they should do and in what order over the phone, but Sasaki is left confused. Xuan tries to clarify his explanation but is unsuccessful. Yansu appears and gives her advice.
How can she make it easier to understand what they should be doing?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Texture of Food 2
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of NAGATA Marie from the Philippines, who runs a driver's school in Shizuoka Prefecture!
23. What I Really Want to Do15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" The summer festival was a success, and now for the after-party. Based on her wonderful experience at the festival, Xuan discusses ideas for the hotel's autumn campaign with Danny and Monica. But Danny and Monica's opinions are divided, and the discussion comes to a halt. What can Xuan do to move the discussion forward?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- Girigiri
"Welcome to My Japan!" focuses on the life of LEE Nyok Peng from Malaysia, who runs a nonprofit organization supporting town planning, and a café in Aomori Prefecture!
24. A New Start15m · Drama "Xuan Tackles Japan!" Time has passed, and the hotel's autumn campaign has been a success. Rei then tells Xuan that he is quitting his job at the hotel to go to France. Unable to process this sudden revelation, Xuan shrinks from talking to Rei even on the day of his departure. But she knows she needs to talk to him before he leaves, and she hurries after him to the airport. Xuan wants to express her feelings and gratitude to Rei. Will she be able to say what she wants to say? What should she do if she feels unsure of her Japanese?
"Onomatopoeia" -Share Feelings- KotsukotsuMore Like This
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